Sringar, Sep 14: Vice-President Muhammad Hamid Ansari arrived here Friday morning for a five-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. At the Technical Airport here he was received by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chairman Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, Members of Council of Ministers, Parliament Members, Chief Secretary and other senior civil, police and army officers.
The Chief Minister had one on one meeting with the visiting dignitary Friday evening at Raj Bhawan here.
Matters relating to the development of Jammu and Kashmir came up for discussion in the meeting. Present political scenario and achievements on restoration of peace and tranquility were also discussed in the meeting.
Omar Abdullah apprised Ansari of the historic initiatives taken by the coalition government for empowerment of people and ensuring good-governance. He also told him of the measures his government has taken to curb corruption, bring transparency in the functioning of administration and involving people in the process of plan formation and implementation of development schemes through empowered Panchayat Raj system.
Omar Abdullah gave resume of the historic Public Service Guarantee Act enacted and implemented in the State to make public service delivery time-bound. He also referred to the measures taken by his government to strengthen State Accountability Commission and implement Right to Information Act through the State Information Commission.
The Chief Minister apprised the Vice-President of the initiatives of the government to ensure holistic and equitable development in all the regions and sub-regions of the State. He also detailed measures under implementation for the inclusive development and welfare of weaker sections of the society including Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Gujjar and Bakerwals and Pahari speaking people.
Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude to the Union Government for extending all possible financial and logistic support to Jammu and Kashmir to march ahead on road to peace and prosperity.
This is Ansari’s first visit to Kashmir since his re-election as Vice-President last month.
Ansari will visit Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir on Saturday for an overnight stay while he will visit Dachigam National Park in the outskirts of the city on his return on Sunday.
The Vice-President will be the chief guest at the National Science Congress being organised at Kashmir University on Monday.

VOHRA HOSTS DINNER
Governor, N N Vohra, and First Lady, Usha Vohra, hosted Dinner in honour of Muhammad Hamid Ansari, Vice-President of India, and Mrs Salma Ansari, at Raj Bhavan, here this evening, an official spokesman said.
He said Chief Minister; Omar Abdullah, Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, JKPCC Chief Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz, Chief Justice of JK High Court, M M Kumar, Mrs Kumar; Madhav Lal, Chief Secretary; Lt. Gen. Om Prakash, GOC 15 Corps; Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, and senior officers attended the dinner.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 15 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST