Handwara, Dec 22: Asserting that road map shown by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah for states socio-economic autonomy is the most pragmatic and viable recourse, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather Thursday said seeking an amicable and mutual solution to the Kashmir issue was the main political agenda of National Conference.
 “We shall have to follow the road map conceived by Sher-i-Kashmir, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah for addressing Kashmir issue within the frame work of National Conference’s autonomy resolution,” Rather said addressing a public gathering, after inaugurating the office of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Handwara in Kupwara district.
 “The resolution has been even endorsed by the Justice Sageer Committee on State-Centre relations,” Rather added.
 The establishment of additional Deputy Commissioner’s office at Handwara was the long pending demand of the people of Handwara which has been fulfilled by the present government.
 The Minister of State Home, Revenue, Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, former Minister and MLA Handwara, Chowdhary Ramzan, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara and prominent citizens of the town were also present on the occasion.
 "Sher-i-Kashmir was the staunch veteran for the decentralization of powers from the corridors of secretariat to grass root level who introduced single line administration to reach out the people through District Development Board Meeting taking forward the mission, his grandson, Omar Abdullah went one step forward by empowering Panchs and Sarpanchs to ensure there active involvement in plan formulation and programme implementation,” Rather added.
 He asked the Panchs and Sarpanchs to utilize their powers for the welfare and benefit of the people especially poor and down trodden section of the society.
 Rather said for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir a comprehensive employment policy called SKEWPY was implemented to address the unemployment problems.
 He said the policy provides Voluntary Service Allowances (VSA) for all such educated youth who stood registered with concerned employment and counselling centres, Rather added.
 “During PDP rule, education institutions and colleges were announced without sanctioning required staff and basic infrastructure adding that it was the present government that has to bear this brunt and create posts of Principals and Lecturers for these colleges.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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