Poonch, Apr 26: Welcoming the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that ruling National Conference has not distanced itself from the vexed Kashmir issue and it was closely watching every development on this front.
“The improving ties between India and Pakistan are an important development for the entire sub-continent, especially Jammu and Kashmir which has the direct bearing of the relations between the two neighbouring countries”, Omar Abdullah said, while addressing a public meeting here today.
“We are seeing the possible visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Pakistan as a healthy sign, which will have a positive outcome and will further strengthen the bounds between the two countries”, he said.
Reiterating his stand that participation of the people in democratic process has nothing to do with the vexed Kashmir issue, the Chief Minister said, “In Jammu and Kashmir people do not cast vote with a hope to find a solution to Kashmir issue. They vote for development and prosperity”. He added, “We are of firm belief that development process has to go side by side alongwith the efforts to find a solution to the issue. We have not forgotten the core issue and we are closely watching every development surrounding it.”
Abdullah said that he does not believe in creating hype regarding the achievements instead he believes in creating the impression of work done by his government in the minds of people. “The endeavour of my government to restore peace and move ahead on road to progress and prosperity with commitment and determination are before you”, he said maintaining that “deeds speak louder than words”.
Announcing the intention of government to provide constitutional guarantee to powers of panchayats, Chief Minister said that his government is mulling relevant legislation in this regard.
“In order to do away with all rumours and speculations being circulated by some people regarding the establishment of a powerful panchayat system in the State, we will provide Constitutional guarantee to the powers conferred on the panchayats,” he asserted and said that relevant legislation in this regard will be brought into force.
“It was not easy to break the 35 years long lull that had engulfed the restoration of panchayat system in the State”, he said adding that his government has made it possible to constitute panchayats and transfer powers to these democratic bodies along with finances for undertaking smaller works. He said the system would be strengthened furthermore by the constitution of block and district bodies.
Lambasting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its “negative politics”, the Chief Minister said that the leadership of this party does not like to “see the sea-change brought about by the coalition government in the State on development, peace and political fronts”. “They have covered their eyes with black glasses, as such deny to see the brightness of positivity and progress visible on ground to everyone”, he said adding that people are best judges to judge the work done and cannot be mislead by false propaganda.
On corruption, Omar Abdullah referred to the constitution of State Information Commission and Accountability Commission adding that his government has put all the functionaries of the State from top to bottom under public scan.
“This is visible by the fact that the Accountability Commission in its first functions questioned the State Government’s authority regarding some particular subjects. We are also receiving scores of queries in various government departments regarding the functioning, status of works and transactions”, he said adding that strong, free and empowered institutions to curb corruption vindicates the firm will of the government to check the malpractices and bring in transparency.
On the development of Poonch Constituency, Omar Abdullah said that district hospital has been completed at a cost of Rs. 8.50 crores and Rs. 3 crores gynecological block and C. T. Scan unit are coming up in the hospital.
He said 40 new primary schools have been opened in Poonch Assembly Constituency during last three years besides upgrading 12 middle schools and 35 primary schools. He said 136 Rehber-e-Taleem teachers have been appointed and 205 regularized. He said 30 more primary schools are being opened in the area this year. He said more than Rs. 7.80 crores are being spent on upgrading infrastructure in schools in Poonch Constituency.
The Chief Minister said that Rs 3.12 crores were being spent on power infrastructure while projects for another Rs 8 crores were in pipeline.
He said that he would consider allotment of Rs. 2 crores more in power sector development in Poonch area. He said that water supply schemes involving Rs. 3.80 crores have been commissioned in the area while Rs. 4 crores are being spent on other schemes this year. He said tourist infrastructure worth Rs. 1.22 crore is coming up in the area besides spending Rs. 3.80 crore on the protection and beautification of Poonch Qilla (Fort).
The Chief Minister said that in R&B sector Rs. 125 crores have been spent in Poonch Constituency last year on construction of roads and other infrastructure. He said under NABARD Rs. 40 crores are being expended on the construction of roads while another Rs. 40 crores are being spent on the construction of Mandi-Phaghala road.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad rejected the ‘propaganda of PDP against the government and National Conference’, saying that the leadership of PDP is surviving on rumour mongering and false propaganda.
“The party whose leader’s hands are stained with the bloods of thousands including those who were killed when bullets were pumped on the people with Jinazah procession of late Maulana Farooq, should feel ashamed of trying to throw mud on others and shift the blame”, he said reminding PDP leadership of the “conspiracies they have hatched against the public representatives throughout their political career.”
Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan, Provincial President NC, Rattan Lal Gupta and local leaders also addressed the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST