Rajouri, Nov 23: Endorsing the Chief Minister and his son Omar Abdullah’s stance on partial revocation of the controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), National Conference president and Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said the Act would be removed gradually in view of “perceptible improvement” in the security scenario in the state.
“The National Conference is vigorously pursuing for removal of AFSPA from the areas where peace has returned. The Act will be removed gradually in view of perceptible improvement in the security situation in these areas,” Farooq told party workers in Rajouri town.
 The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy lashed out at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its leadership for “unleashing false propaganda” against the coalition government in the state, alleging it (PDP) was “habitual in churning out half-truths to hoodwink people and they believe in politics of deceit and lies”.
 “The edifice of lies has no roots and collapses under its own weight. The false propaganda unleashed by the PDP cannot eclipse the performance of the coalition government by perpetuating lies and making baseless allegations,” he said.
 Farooq also minced no words to take on the political leaders, though obliquely the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saif-ud-Din Soz, who were out to criticize each and every pro-people policy and steps being taken by the Omar Abdullah headed government. “The propaganda unleashed by certain political players has neither logic nor any basis to stand on,” he remarked.
 Speaking about internal situation in the Pakistan, the union minister said that peace and stability in the neighbouring country has direct bearing on Jammu and Kashmir.  “People should pray for peace and stability in the neighbouring country as any kind of unrest and instability on its soil directly affects the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
 Advising party activists to unite in the interest of party, Farooq said that nobody other than political detractors gain from the differences at the grassroots level.
 “The coalition with Congress is strong and going smooth. We should ensure that the bonds between the two political parties are strengthened at grassroots level as well. We have joined hands with the Congress for the welfare of the people of the state and together the two parties are working for the betterment of the state,” he added.
 The NC president also defended the ruling coalition government’s new recruitment policy, saying it was aimed at expanding the employment orbit. He said it is better to recruit 50 educated youth instead of 10 by every logic and reasoning, brushing aside criticism leveled by opposition on this account.
 He said RET scheme launched by his government way back in late 90s was also criticized in the beginning, adding time had proved that the scheme helped  in opening closed schools and increasing employment avenues.
 Farooq also appreciated the coalition government for conducting smooth and transparent Panchayat elections and its ongoing efforts to empower rural local bodies’.
 Farooq also appreciated the coalition government for conducting smooth and transparent Panchayat elections and its ongoing efforts to empower rural local bodies.
 “The Panchayats have been given powers in the state. The full empowerment of these institutions is imperative to make them excellent centers of Public delivery services and the state government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah is committed to strengthen the three-tier Panchayati Raj in the state,” the union minister said.
 He regretted that at every stage, the opposition voiced scepticism but the government succeeded in keeping its promises made with the people.
 Minister for Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Industries and Commerce, SS Slathia, Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana, Vice Chairman Advisory Board for Pahari Speaking People Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Vice Chairman Advisory Board for Development of Kissans Rachpal Singh, provincial president and National Conference Rattan Lal Gupta were also present on the occasion.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST