Srinagar, Sep 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said “pubic empowerment is a right initiative to ensure good governance and bring about transparency in the functioning of administration.”
 Omar said that right from the beginning his government has focused on strengthening institutions to give authority to people to make government answerable and accountable before them.
  “We have given power to the commoner to ask any question to the administration about its performance, financial transactions, allotment of tenders, expenditures made, physical status of works on ground,” he said adding that all government departments have been brought under the scanner of common people.
 The Chief Minister said that by the implementation of the Public Service Guarantee Act, his government has authorized people to receive over 50 public services in eight vital departments within a prescribed time frame, thus making the government functionaries responsible to deliver in time. “Any laxity or failure on the part of government functionary in delivering these services makes him liable for a fine up to Rs. 5000 and a part of which is to be paid to the affected consumer,” he said.
 Interacting with various deputations and individuals at his Friday Awami Mulakat here, the Chief Minister said that peace and development is his endeavour for progressive Jammu and Kashmir. “My government is determined to ensure holistic and equitable development of all regions and sub-regions of the State.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST