Warwan (Kishtwar), Oct 20: Appreciating the role of army in bringing peace to Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that troops had played a pivotal role in the development of the state.
Speaking to media persons after addressing people in this remote village, Omar said; “The army’s role in bringing development and peace to the region is worth praising and I hope it will continue to work for the peace and prosperity of the state in future too.”
He said that the people friendly approach of the army was quite appreciable.
While launching on the spot police recruitment drive for far-flung and backward areas in Warwan and Marwa, Omar said, “When the valley was facing unrest and plenty of lives were lost, the people of this area maintained peace and calm. Though you were equally hurt with the pain and sufferings of your brethren in valley but you did not let the things turn ugly despite some vested interests trying to exploit your emotions. So I thought of providing at least something which can alleviate the miseries of this far flung area is facing to certain extent.”
He said that the purpose of the visit of Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda to the area was only to carry an on-the-spot recruitment drive while a similar drive will be carried out in other such areas under a phased programme.
Earlier addressing the people, Omar announced that Panchayat elections in the state would be held in the next few months.
“The government is committed to Panchayat elections. Though the law and order situation in Valley has hampered the process, yet government is determined to move ahead in this regard and hold elections to Panchayats in next few months.”
He said that the devolution of power to the lower level was imperative to implement the development plans successfully as per the requirement of the people.
Omar said that State Government was presently losing Rs 350 crores annually for not having Panchayats in place. “There is urgent need to have Panchayats in place and catapult the development in rural areas,” he added.
He said that State Government also envisages establishing small hydro electric power stations of about 2 MW capacities in the far-off areas under the centrally sponsored New and Renewable Energy Programme.
“These would be handed over to Panchayats for running and maintenance for which government will provide the expertise,” he added.
Omar Abdullah said that his government has reduced the qualification criterion for the engagement of youth in police department from Matric to Middle for the areas like  Warwan, Dachan, Gurez, Tangdhar, Keran and other remote areas of Kishtwar. “The middle pass youth in the backward areas will also be eligible to be engaged under the new engagement policy for casual labours recently announced by the government. A target of employing 50,000 youth has been fixed under this policy”, he maintained.
The Chief Minister said that government is mulling a comprehensive programme of providing helicopter service to all the remote areas in the state. “A proposal has already been preferred to the Central Government for helping the State to procure its own 20-seater helicopters for launching the service especially in winter months in the cut off areas”, he said till that time the helicopters from Air Force will be hired wherever required.
He expressed the hope that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will clear the helicopter service scheme proposed by the State Government early so that people in far-flung and remote areas get benefited.
Omar Abdullah said that faster development of backward and far-off areas especially the places which remain cut off during the winter, was receiving priority attention in the policy planning of the government. “Various schemes in the sectors of R&B, PHE, Power, Health and Education have been initiated to reach out every area in a balanced development process,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that under PMGSY and other schemes, government has introduced numerous road development schemes in the villages and far-off areas. Describing roads essential ingredient in the development process, the Chief Minister said that connectivity is must to reach out people and generate economic activities besides creating necessary infrastructure of basic services. “Roads are also important for harnessing the tourist potential abundantly available in the far-flung rural areas like Warwan”, he said.
Omar Abdullah appreciated the people of the area for the amity and communal harmony they have maintained since ages and underscored the need for further strengthening the trait of mutual brotherhood and love between various sections of the society.
Responding to various demands put forth by the residents of the area, the Chief Minister said that government is committed to the development of all areas equitably and assured that the genuine demands would be considered sympathetically.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a bridge and two roads in the area constructed at a cost of about Rs. 6 crores with the technical help of engineering unit of the Army. The Rs. 3.92 crores 60-meter span motorable bridge on river Inshan and over Rs. 2 crore two road projects of 11.25 kms and 7 kms distance respectively will benefit 40,000 people of the area, the Chief Minister also inaugurated Forest Check Post at Inshan in Marwah Forest division.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST