| News Details |
| Budget Session of J&K Legislature | | Conciliation and dialogue best means for seeking solution to any issue: Governor | 
Jammu, February 28 (Scoop News) – The Governor, N. N. Vohra, has asserted that agitation and confrontation cannot resolve issues involving contrary positions, adding that conciliation and dialogue have been, and will always remain, the best means for seeking a solution to any contentious issue.
Addressing the Joint Session of both the Houses of the State Legislature here today, the Governor said that the State Government has been emphasizing the importance of the dialogue process and has welcomed the initiatives in this regard which have recently been taken by the Government of India. He said that the appointment of a team of Interlocutors and the establishment of Task Forces for the Jammu and Ladakh regions have been welcomed by the Government and the Centre’s 8-point formula would also contribute to addressing the internal dimensions of the Kashmir problem. He appealed to all shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir to seize this historic opportunity of participating meaningfully in the ongoing dialogue for resolving all outstanding differences.
The Governor observed that there has been a progressive improvement in the internal security situation in the past few years. However, he added that the continuance of terrorist activities and extremist ideologies is a cause for serious concern. Besides causing recurring human and economic losses, the activities of terrorist networks have given a serious set back to the entire process of development and growth in the past years. He emphasised that the Government shall take all necessary steps to restore complete normalcy, which is imperative for sustained growth.
The Governor said that consequent to extensive discussions held under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Round Table Conferences five Working Groups had been established to examine issues relating to Jammu & Kashmir, adding that his Government urges the Government of India to speed up the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Groups as this will contribute to building a strong and stable Jammu & Kashmir and further strengthening the Union-State relations.
The Governor said, “the past two years have witnessed a significant improvement in the State’s security environment as a result of the constant pressure maintained by the Security Forces. My Government records its gratitude to the officers and men of the Security Forces who have been valiantly performing their duties in extremely difficult circumstances. In pursuance of my Government’s commitment to ensure zero tolerance of human rights violations, all Security Forces have been directed to most strictly observe the Standing Operating Procedures while carrying out anti-terrorist operations in any part of the State. Side by side, the functioning of the State Police and Security Forces personnel is being reoriented to deal with stone-pelting agitations and mob violence without the application of excessive force”.
The Governor said that the Government’s priority attention to issues relating to development and good governance have started yielding a positive outcome and complimented the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah and members of his Council of Ministers for their success in transforming an apprehensive environment, which prevailed a few months ago, to one of hopeful optimism. For the restoration of normalcy we have to thank our people and all their elected representatives, and the Administration and the Security Forces for their functioning during a difficult period, he added.
The Governor observed that the people of all the regions have an enormous stake in the collective future of this great State and the Government will redouble its efforts to ensure speedy growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir, on all fronts. He stressed that for achieving peace, progress and prosperity, the Government, the Opposition, as well as all the religious, cultural, social and other organizations in the State shall need to work together, most closely. The efforts of the Government to build a strong, stable and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, which would be a model State for the entire country to emulate, must be supported by one and all, he said.
Following is the full text of the Governor’s Address:
Hon’ble Chairman of the Legislative Council, Hon’ble Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Hon’ble Members of the State Legislature.
1. I am pleased to address this Joint Session of the State Legislature today, to fulfill my constitutional privilege of sharing with you the outlines of my Government’s policies and programmes to usher Jammu & Kashmir into an era of peace, development and prosperity.
2. In January this year my Government completed two years in office. The development which has been achieved during this period would have been on a much larger scale if the past two summers had not remained disturbed. The need for ensuring sustained peace in the State casts high responsibility on all of us.
3. My Government is committed to fulfilling the hopes and aspirations with which the people had turned out in such large numbers in the 2008 Elections. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have time and again demonstrated their will to overcome difficult situations. The successful functioning of the democratic system in Jammu and Kashmir is a rich tribute to the courage and conviction of the people who have suffered severe adversities in the aftermath of 1990.
4. My Government’s priority attention to issues relating to development and good governance have started yielding a positive outcome. I take this opportunity to compliment the Chief Minister and members of his Council of Ministers for their success in transforming an apprehensive environment, which prevailed a few months ago, to one of hopeful optimism. For the restoration of normalcy we have to thank our people and all their elected representatives, and the Administration and the Security Forces for their functioning during a difficult period.
5. There has been a progressive improvement in the internal security situation in the past few years. However, the continuance of terrorist activities and extremist ideologies is a cause for serious concern. Besides causing recurring human and economic losses, the activities of terrorist networks have given a serious set back to the entire process of development and growth in the past years. My Government shall take all necessary steps to restore complete normalcy, which is imperative for sustained growth.
6. It has been my firm belief that agitation and confrontation cannot resolve issues involving contrary positions. Conciliation and dialogue have been, and will always remain, the best means for seeking a solution to any contentious issue. My Government has been emphasizing the importance of the dialogue process and has welcomed the initiatives in this regard which have recently been taken by the Government of India. The appointment of a team of Interlocutors and the establishment of Task Forces for the Jammu and Ladakh regions have been welcomed by my Government. The Centre’s 8-point formula would also contribute to addressing the internal dimensions of the Kashmir problem. I take this opportunity of appealing to all shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir to seize this historic opportunity of participating meaningfully in the ongoing Dialogue for resolving all outstanding differences.
7. Ever since 1947, Pakistan has refused to respond positively to India’s sustained endeavours for the maintenance of peaceful and friendly relations, which we wish to enjoy with all our other neighbours. Pakistan’s posture, over the past decades, has been causing serious difficulties and strains for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, particularly those who live in the border areas. My Government compliments the Government of India for its recent initiatives to recommence the dialogue process with Pakistan.
8. Consequent to extensive discussions held under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Round Table Conferences five working Groups had been established to examine issues relating to Jammu & Kashmir. My Government urges the Government of India to speed up the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Groups as this will contribute to building a strong and stable Jammu & Kashmir and further strengthening the Union-State relations.
9. The past two years have witnessed a significant improvement in the State’s security environment as a result of the constant pressure maintained by the Security Forces. My Government records its gratitude to the officers and men of the Security Forces who have been valiantly performing their duties in extremely difficult circumstances.
10. In pursuance of my Government’s commitment to ensure zero tolerance of human rights violations, all Security Forces have been directed to most strictly observe the Standing Operating Procedures while carrying out anti-terrorist operations in any part of the State. Side by side, the functioning of the State Police and Security Forces personnel is being reoriented to deal with stone-pelting agitations and mob violence without the application of excessive force.
11. The prolonged disturbances during summer 2010 resulted in the loss of innocent lives, large scale economic loss and most irreparable damage to education because of the prolonged closure of the entire educational system. I convey my sincere sympathy to all those who lost their near and dear ones and urge all segments of society to seriously ponder over the factors which led to this turmoil. Whatever be our differences and disagreements there cannot be any justification whatsoever for ruining the academic prospects of the entire student community in Kashmir. For this reason alone, partisan approaches must not be allowed to repeatedly disrupt normalcy and ruin the future of our youth.
12. I convey my heartfelt sympathy to the families of all those who were killed in the flash floods in the Ladakh region last summer. The State Government launched immediate measures to rescue and evacuate the affected population, including all the stranded foreigners, providing relief to the affected population and commencing measures for the restoration of the damaged infrastructure, particularly the telecom network. The Hon’ble Prime Minister visited Leh and nearby areas and announced a special package of Rs. 125 crore under the PMNRF for the rehabilitation of the affected population. The Hon’ble President of India also visited Leh to personally view the ongoing relief operations. I am happy to note that the State Government have set up an Expert Group for drafting the State Disaster Management Policy to deal with unforeseen disasters in the future.
13. My Government is committed to devoting priority attention to ameliorate the problems and difficulties of the Kashmir migrants. Thanks to the generous assistance provided by the Government of India, various measures have been taken to provide employment to Kashmiri Pandits and enable them to return to their homes. Efforts are also under way to resolve the problems faced by the Displaced Persons of PoK. The Government is also committed to addressing the still unresolved problems of other refugees and migrants settled in Jammu region.
14. Last year, the State Government approved a Rehabilitation Policy for persons who had crossed over to PoK at the onset of terrorism and who now wish to return home. The Government will help such persons in managing the transition to leading peaceful lives, rejoining the national mainstream and contributing towards peace, prosperity and progress of Jammu & Kashmir and the country.
15. The Government recognises that for establishing a vibrant democracy the people need to be empowered to participate in the decision making processes at the grass root levels. My Government is committed to establishing Panchayati Raj in the State and to devolving powers and responsibilities upon elected rural and urban local bodies. The process of elections to the Panchayats shall be completed by summer this year and elections to all Urban Local Bodies and Municipal Corporations shall be conducted as early as possible. I trust that the people of Jammu & Kashmir will choose honest and capable men and women to represent their interests and demonstrate the same high level of involvement in the forthcoming electoral process as they did in the 2008 Elections.
16. For the 2010-11 Annual Plan the Government secured the largest ever plan outlay of Rs. 6,000 crore and, besides, a provision of Rs. 1200 crore under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan. The Annual Plan 2010-11 also contains the highest ever allocation of Rs. 800 crore which will enable the Government to access over Rs. 2000 crore of funding under various Centrally-sponsored schemes and flagship programmes. Thus, during the current year, we have the opportunity of delivering developmental programmes worth up to Rs. 10,000 crore. It is also notable that for the period 2010-15, the 13th Finance Commission has given a financial award of Rs. 40,557 crore to the State. This award is 94% higher than the award under the 12th Finance Commission.
17. The Government remains committed to securing the equitable development of all the three regions and sub-regions of the State. Towards the achievement of this objective, the Government has identified bijli (energy), sadak (roads), pani (water supply), sehat (health), taleem (education) and rozgar (employment) as the thrust areas. The policies and programmes aimed to promote the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Gujjars and Bakerwals, Pahari-speaking people and Other Backward Classes, and those living in the backward and remote regions of the State, shall continue to receive high attention.
18. With a view to promoting good governance and providing a clean, accountable, honest and people-centric administration, my Government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach which involves the establishment of an institutional and legal framework, use of modern technology, effective enforcement of various laws and strengthening preventive vigilance to eliminate the scope for corruption. The Prevention of Corruption Act has been amended to give it more teeth and the J&K Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2010, has been enacted to prevent public servants from investing ill-gotten wealth in benami transactions.
19. The Government has selected and appointed the first State Chief Information Commissioner, who is expected to assume office shortly. The State Vigilance Commission is also being set up and the role of the State Accountability Commission has been re-defined to make it an effective tool for checking corruption.
20. For speedily redressing grievances of the people, e-Governance Cells have been set up in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat as well as in other offices. A Monitoring Cell is actively functioning in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to monitor implementation of the developmental projects. A number of other initiatives like setting up of J&K e-Governance Agency, Khidmat Centres, implementation of National e-Governance Plan, Core Infrastructure Projects like the State Wide Area Network, State Data Centre and State Delivery Gateway are being taken up to improve delivery of services in a transparent and efficient manner. It is hoped that these initiatives will significantly contribute towards the successful implementation of the e-Governance mission, leading to the establishment of good governance in the State.
21. The State has not remained untouched by the global phenomenon of unemployment. By the end of December 2010 the number of registered educated unemployed youth had risen to 5.96 lakh. My government has taken a number of measures to reduce the unemployment problem. These include, interalia, speeding up the process of filling-up vacancies in the Government sector, through the designated recruiting agencies. In the past two years, the J&K Public Service Commission, Services Selection Board and the Police Recruitment Board finalised the selection of 26,866 candidates. The Government has also approved an additional 43,000 casual engagements in designated sectors. Further, 8,000 youth from all over the State have been inducted as volunteers under the National Youth Corpus (NYC) for carrying out various nation building activities. The Government have also launched the Sher-e-Kashmir Employment & Welfare Programme for the Youth (SKEWPY), which combines the possibility of assistance being provided for self-employment and Voluntary Service Allowance (VSA) for the unemployed youth.
22. In order to gainfully utilize the enormous manpower resources available in the country, the Hon’ble Prime Minister has announced a Skill Development Mission under which about 40 lakh people of our State would be trained by 2022. 18 new polytechnics, being established in the State, will contribute to upscaling our skill development efforts. Under the programme for “Skill Development of Youth of the State of Jammu and Kashmir” (SDYJK), announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, more than 1,200 young men have received training outside the State and 2,000 youth are being trained locally, in various institutions, during the current year.
23. My Government accords high priority to the development of agriculture which is the bedrock of the State’s economy. For encouraging and sensitizing high income generating crops and related activities, a new Agricultural Policy is being evolved to maximize returns in the agriculture sector. A High Powered Committee has been constituted to recommend an appropriate legislation to arrest the conversion of agricultural land for non agricultural purposes. A State Land Use Board has been constituted to evolve land use policy in the State. A Kissan Development Board has been set up to promote the welfare of the farming community.
24. Meanwhile, under the “Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana”, investments in the agriculture sector have been considerably upscaled. For the rejuvenation of saffron cultivation in J&K, a plan for the investment of Rs. 372.18 crore is being implemented during 2010-11 – 2014-15. In the horticulture sector, more areas are being brought under fruit cultivation, with a particular focus on aloevera cultivation. In 2010-11, fruit production in the State increased to 20.50 lakh metric tonnes, against 17.12 lakh metric tonnes in 2009-10.
25. To enable the benefits of technology reach our farmers, an effort has been launched to increase the seed replacement rate and bring it at par with the national average of 25%. To provide weather-based data to the farming community, it is proposed to install automatic weather stations all over the State. A scheme, “Support to State Extension Work Programme for Extension Reforms”, has been launched this year and 28 Kissan Melas and 3 Mega Kissan Melas were organized with large scale community participation. Progressive farmers have been given cash awards.
26. As a welfare measure, the Government has created a Silkworm Rearers’ Welfare Fund for extending financial support to the farmers who lose their crops due to natural calamities or outbreak of disease. The sale rates of cocoons last year were 50-100% higher than those in 2009.
27. The livestock sector contributes about 11% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The developmental activities undertaken during 2010-11 include construction/up-gradation of veterinary centre buildings at block and tehsil levels, introduction of Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Schemes, Backyard Poultry Scheme, Mini-Sheep Farm Scheme and Integrated Development of Small Ruminants and Rabbits (IDSRR). A new scheme, namely, “National Animal Disease Reporting System” (NARDS) is also being launched.
28. Besides the farm sector, micro and small enterprises hold tremendous promise in our state, both for inclusive economic growth and for employment generation. For the promotion of such enterprises, new industrial infrastructure is being developed in the three regions of the State. 1073 units with an employment potential of around 5500 persons have been set up by the Khadi Village Industries Board. Technological and design support is being provided to the artisans of the State for contemporizing the traditional products. Training in different crafts has been imparted in large numbers through the existing 553 handicraft and 100 handloom training centres. 3507 handicraft artisans have been covered under the “Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Shawasthya Bima Yojna” and 7,358 handloom weavers have been covered under the Health Insurance Scheme.
29. The Tourism sector holds tremendous potential for boosting economic activities in the State by generating direct and indirect employment. The Government is focussing on building infrastructure and other facilities to boost tourism under the various Central and State schemes. 23 projects were completed this year.
30. Promotion of heritage, adventure, pilgrim and eco tourism is also receiving the Government’s attention. The J&K Ancient Monument Preservation Act has been amended and the J&K Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act was enacted in 2010, under which the Heritage Conservation and Preservation Authority is being set up. The Government of India has agreed to sanction three mega projects costing Rs. 100 crore. These include Conservation of Heritage Circuit—Nagaar Nagar, Srinagar to Watlub, Development of Leh as Spiritual Destination and Conservation of Mubarak Mandi.
31. The Government is actively promoting golf circuits and adventure tourism like heli-skiing. A Himalayan Motor Rally, traversing the Mughal Road, was organised in the State last year.
32. The Government attaches high importance to the conservation of our rich bio-diversity and fast depleting natural resources. A new Forest Policy, which will usher in scientific management and conservation of our green wealth, has been approved. The new Forest Policy is envisaged to achieve nature conservation and ecological balance, besides meeting the requirements of timber for domestic and commercial use. A comprehensive conservation plan has been prepared for the protection of identified water bodies in the State. Under the Comprehensive Management Action Plan for preservation and conservation of Wular Lake, an outlay of Rs. 120 crore has been earmarked under the Thirteenth Finance Commission award, which provides an allocation of Rs. 30 crore during 2011-12.
33. Poverty alleviation and rural development are among the top priorities of my Government. A number of wage-employment and self-employment programmes are being implemented to generate more employment avenues, create productive assets, impart technical and entrepreneur skills and raise the income levels of the poor. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGA) which covers all the districts of the State, 35,073 works had been taken up by 31st December, 2010. Out of these 14,986 works had been completed, and employment of 105.16 lakh man-days had been generated. Over 7.57 lakh households were provided job cards under this scheme. The labour budget for the current year, at Rs. 498 crore, has been the highest ever in the State.
34. Under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), 12,308 houses were completed during 2010-11, out of which 8,874 have been newly constructed and 3,434 houses were upgraded. 2,203 SHGS and 2,347 individuals were assisted for economic activity under the Swranjyanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). An amount of Rs. 63.04 crore has been spent under the Total Sanitation Programme in the rural areas.
35. The ever-growing urban population has generated a severe strain on the civic amenities in the cities and towns. To tackle this situation development plans have been prepared to provide better quality urban services to the people. Under the Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), projects worth Rs. 1,227.23 crore have been sanctioned for the cities of Jammu and Srinagar and the other towns of the State for providing basic infrastructure which includes sewerage systems, roads, water supply and solid waste management. Projects are also under implementation for providing quality dwelling units to the Urban Poor under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) and sanitation facilities under the Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Schemes (ILCS).
36. The Government is committed to empowering the Urban Local Bodies. To ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of these bodies, the J&K Public Disclosure Act, 2010 and the J&K Municipal Ombudsman Act, 2010, have been enacted. An exercise has also been initiated for bench marking services like sanitation, sewerage, drainage, solid waste collection and disposal.
37. The Government has decided to accord high attention to the conservation of water-bodies, which nature has gifted us in abundance. Apart from the on-going project of Rs. 298.76 crore for Conservation and Management of Dal-Nageen Lakes, the Government of India has approved an additional assistance of Rs. 356 crore for the rehabilitation and re-settlement of Dal-dwellers.
38. As I had mentioned last year, the State’s power sector presents huge challenges and opportunities. Our State is blessed with enormous hydel resources with an assessed capacity to generate 20,000 MW of electricity, against which only 2,460.20 MW have been harnessed so far. My Government has evolved a strategy which focuses on setting up of new hydro-electric projects under the State sector and establishing a mechanism for implementing projects as Joint Ventures and, besides, via the IPP route, on BOOT basis. Projects with a capacity of more than 6,000 MW are being taken up during the 11th and 12th Five Year Plans. The implementation of these projects will improve the overall power situation in the State.
39. As a sequel to the MoU signed between the J&K SPDC, NHPC and PTC, a Promoter’s Agreement for the formation of a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to develop three hydro electric projects in the Chenab Basin, with a capacity of 2,120 MW, was signed in December, 2010. Ratle HEP (690 MW) has been allotted, on BOOT basis under the IPP route, through a transparent tariff bidding process.
40. To ensure that the power supply systems become more efficient, the Government has been addressing problems relating to the transmission and distribution of power. To reduce transmission and distribution losses, a scheme under Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (RAPDRP) has been approved for implementation in 30 towns with a population of 10000 and above in the State, at a cost of Rs. 191.25 crore. To rationalize regulation and address demand-side issues, the J&K State Electricity Act, 2010, has been enacted on the lines of the Central Electricity Act and a new legislation on energy conservation is also on the anvil.
41. While concerted efforts shall continue to improve the power scenario in the State, my Government is devoting high attention for the utilization of non-conventional sources of energy, with particular focus on un-electrified villages, hamlets, and remote and inaccessible areas. 75 un-electrified villages/hamlets, including 27 villages of Gurez, have been provided around 10,000 solar home lights. Besides, 226 un-electrified villages/hamlets of the State have been taken up for electrification by providing about 31,000 solar home lighting systems. Under the Remote Village Electrification Programme, proposals for the electrification of 75 villages and 531 hamlets have been cleared and 15,150 solar lanterns are being provided to the Gujjars and Bakerwals of the State.
42. The Government is taking active steps to establish sustainable schemes for providing safe drinking water to the people. This is being done through conjunctive use of surface, ground and rain water harvesting, besides recharging of sources. A number of schemes under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), and under the State sector, are under implementation. Apart from the 823 ongoing water supply schemes, 320 new schemes have been taken up. To ensure supply of quality drinking water, 60 Water Testing Laboratories are in the process of being established across the State. All the 22 districts have been brought under the ambit of the pilot project on Community Capacity Development under the National Drinking Water Surveillance, Quality Monitoring and Testing Interventions including IEC and HRD activities. Re-construction of Lift Water Supply Scheme (LWSS) for Kargil town and re-construction of flood-affected LWSS for Leh town, under the Prime Minister’s Natural Calamity Relief Fund, have been taken up at a cost of Rs. 6.94 crore and Rs. 6.97 crore, respectively. More than 600 habitations have been covered with potable drinking water during the current financial year. To meet the increasing demand of drinking water in Jammu, on a long term basis, a comprehensive draft Master Plan for harnessing the water of river Chenab for drinking purposes has been prepared. Efforts are afoot to achieve household water security in the entire State.
43. In the irrigation sector, a number of major/ medium/minor irrigation schemes are targeted for completion during 2010-11. These include Rafi Abad High Lift Canal, Dadi Canal and New Pratap Canal. Modernization of Ranbir Canal at the revised cost of Rs. 175.57 crore has been cleared for implementation. To utilize our full share of water from Ravi, a project with the twin objective of irrigating 1 lakh acres of un-irrigated kandi land and generation of power has been framed. A new project for the modernization of Kathua Canal Phase-II, costing Rs. 35.96 crore, has been submitted to the Government of India for approval under AIBP. To tackle the threat of floods from river Jhelum, a comprehensive project report has been rolled out. Phase-I of this project, costing Rs. 97.22 crore, has already been approved by the Government of India. After a gap of 25 years, dredging operations have been re-launched in river Jhelum and the Weir at Chattabal has been reconstructed to facilitate inland water transport and increased water level in the river. Construction of a gated barrage across river Tawi for creation of pondage near Belicharana has been approved at a cost of Rs. 70 crore for the promotion of eco tourism and recharging of ground water. Clearance has also been received from the Planning Commission, Government of India, for the implementation of protection works costing Rs. 15.66 crore, from village Katalbatal to Sidhra Bridge.
44. A comprehensive legislation, namely, the J&K Water Resources (Regularization and Management) Act, 2010, has been enacted to ensure judicious and optimum utilization of water resources in the State. Under this statute a revised water tariff, for different usages of water, has been approved to kick-start the process of reforming the water sector. A State Water Regulatory Authority is being set up under the aforesaid Act. With the implementation of revised water tariff rates, the State expects a quantum jump of Rs. 900 crore in the annual revenue realization, collected mainly from the various Hydro Electric Projects.
45. Establishing rural connectivity remains a high priority for both the Central and State Governments. Under the Bharat Nirman PMGSY Phase VII, 494 road projects with an aggregate length of 2239 km have been sanctioned by the Government of India at an estimated cost of Rs. 1463.20 crore. Under Phase-VIII (Batch I and II of PMGSY), 160 schemes have been forwarded to the Government of India for sanction. As many as 102 road schemes covering 79 habitations with a length of about 452 km have been completed during the current financial year. In overall terms, during 2010-11, 1971.69 km of road length has been black-topped / macadamized and 1813.36 km of road length has been completed upto WBM status. During the current financial year, under NABARD RIDF XVI, 193 road projects costing about Rs. 545.02 crore, have been sanctioned. 68 bridges have already been completed and 35 more are likely to be completed during the current financial year.
46. The Government proposes to connect the remote and inaccessible areas, which remain cut off during winter due to heavy snowfall, by establishing helicopter (MI-17) services. It is gratifying to know that the Government of India has agreed to implement the pending proposal to extend the existing runway of the Kargil Airport and make it suitable for bigger body aircraft being operated by the commercial airlines.
47. The Government remains committed to provide better health services to the people by also providing services under other medical systems such as Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Unani. During the current financial year, 19 hospital projects were completed and made functional. The construction of Super-Speciality Hospital, Jammu, the Institute of Traumatology, Srinagar, a Psychiatry Department block at GMC, Jammu, and a 200-beded additional block at LD Hospital, Srinagar, are in progress. Furthermore, 4124 posts of faculty, doctors and para-medics have been created in the Super-Speciality and Associated Hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar.
48. For enlarging the healthcare facilities in the rural areas, 38 new PHCs have been made operational and 12 CHCs are now functioning as First Referral Units (FRUs) to provide Emergency Obstetric Care to the expectant mothers. 25 Critical Care Ambulances are being shortly procured under NRHM and CT scan machines will be installed in various district hospitals. 50 Ambulances are also being procured under NRHM during the current year to improve referral transport services. 2279 posts of Medics and Para-Medics have been created in the Health Sector.
49. My Government aims to provide quality education for securing all-round development of children. Through the implementation of various flagship programmes, the enrolment in Government schools has increased from 14.5 lakh in 2004-05 to 16.60 lakh in 2010-11, which represents an increase of 14.48%. The State share of Rs. 440 crore (including Rs. 80 crore included in the Award of the 13th Finance Commission) has been provided for implementation of SSA and Rs. 61.51 crore has been sanctioned under RMSA. A network of 23,167 government schools, 5,986 EGS centres (out of which 5,876 have been converted into primary schools), 78 KGBVS, 563 Model Cluster Schools and 454 Computer-Aided Learning Centres are functioning in the State. 19 Model Schools and an equal number of Girls Hostels have been approved in educationally backward Blocks. 69 Middle Schools have been upgraded as High Schools. Despite the disturbances in the Valley last summer, the internal and external examinations were conducted as per schedule and the results were declared timely. For the promotion of Adult Education, new initiatives focussing on female adult illiteracy, under the Sakshar Bharat Mission Programme, have been launched in 20 districts.
50. In the Higher Education Sector, 72 Government Colleges have been established, out of which 11 are Girls Colleges. The Government of India has released Special Plan Assistance of Rs. 40 crore for the development of infrastructure for Degree Colleges in the State. Under PMRP Phase-I, 14 College buildings were taken up, of which 11 stand completed and the remaining 3 will be completed by the end of the current financial year. 8 College buildings under PMRP-II and 5 under the State Sector shall be taken up for construction during the current financial year. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned four Colleges for J&K, which will be located at Ramban, Billawar, Uri and Bijbehara.
51. For promotion of sports activities, special focus is being laid on strengthening and development of sports infrastructure in the State. The Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Stadium and MAM Stadium Jammu are being upgraded with modern sports facilities.
52. My Government is committed to the empowerment of women who play a vital role in the economic development of the State. Training-cum-Workshops focussing on areas such as women’s health, basic village infrastructure, rural environment, women’s economic empowerment, political empowerment and macroeconomic policy are being given due attention. To provide more effective protection to women from violence of any kind, the Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2010, has been enacted and Advisory Boards have been set up for the welfare of weaker sections of the society. The State Women Development Corporation is also implementing various loan schemes, besides ensuring skill development in different trades to make women self-reliant and self-sufficient.
53. The Government is alive to the issues confronting the downtrodden and less privileged sections of the society. The Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Pahari-speaking people, widows, orphans, physically challenged persons, old age persons, destitute, disabled and victims of militancy are under the special focus of my Government’s development strategy. Under the Annual Plan 2010-11, Rs. 83.63 crore have been spent on various schemes which include Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Contributory Social Security Scheme (CSSS). Under the ICDS Scheme, 25,251 centres are fully functional and the long-pending demand for the enhancement of honorarium in respect of AWWs and AWHs has since been met.
54. The Council for Rehabilitation of Widows, Orphans, Handicapped and Old age persons has so far provided pension to 3,515 widows, 2,060 aged persons, 783 handicapped/disabled persons and marriage assistance to 11 young widows and grown-up girls. With a view to addressing the problems of orphans, the destitute and hapless child population, a Child Policy is being devised in collaboration with “Save the Children” – a non-Governmental Organization. The Government also proposes to set-up a Commission under the Child Rights Act. A policy regarding senior citizens and differently abled persons is also under examination of the Government.
55. The Public Distribution System in the State has been streamlined and additional allocations have been secured from the Government of India, from time to time, to meet the requirements of the consumers. During the period of disturbances in the Valley last summer adequate supplies of food-grains to the public were ensured and even baby food was distributed in Srinagar city. During August and September last year free rations were provided to the flood victims in Leh.
56. Under the comprehensive e-Governance solution for Transport sector, the computerization of Motor Vehicles Department has been completed in 8 districts, it is in progress in 6 districts, and the remaining 8 districts shall be covered in Phase-III of the programme. The Government proposes to introduce High Security Registration Plates to check thefts and evasion in the payment of taxes. A Passenger Welfare Fund has been created in the Motor Vehicles Department for the welfare of the dependents/legal heirs of the persons who are killed/injured in road accidents involving commercial passenger vehicles.
57. The welfare of the employees is one of the priorities of my Government. Despite serious financial constraints, the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations were implemented for nearly 4 lakh employees and, besides, a new pension scheme was introduced to cover all those who joined the State service on or after 1st January, 2010. The reduction of qualifying service from 33 to 28 years has brought relief to those who were not able to complete the mandatory 33 years service to qualify for grant of pension. The pay related anomalies affecting the employees have been resolved and the long pending demand of PSUs for conversion of COLA into Dearness Allowance has also been met. Further, the HRA was enhanced by 2.5% during the current year and the Government revised the Voluntary Retirement and Golden Handshake Schemes to make them more employee–friendly and to make the functioning of the State PSUs viable. The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions) Act, 2010, which was enacted last year, provides for regularization of the employees who were appointed on ad hoc, contractual or consolidated basis. Pending their regularization through a High Powered Committee constituted for the purpose, these employees have been allowed to continue in service. For the payment of Sixth Pay Commission arrears to the employees a roadmap has been drawn up and announced by the State Government.
58. My Government is seized of the other aspirational demands of the employees. These shall be duly discussed with the representatives of the employees’ associations to evolve viable approaches. While the Government is doing everything feasible to further the interests of its employees, it expects each and every one of them to most whole heartedly discharge their duties and re-dedicate themselves to ensure prompt, honest and efficient service delivery to the people of the State. The Government shall continue its enunciated policy of encouraging honest, hard-working and industrious employees and, side by side, deal effectively with inefficient and dishonest officials.
59. Hon’ble Members, the Government’s vision for building a strong and prosperous J&K is akin to the one that Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had for the people of this State as far back as in 1930. He adopted the Naya Kashmir programme as a roadmap for according high priority to provide education, roads, transport and health services to the people of the State. I trust that the Government led by Sh. Omar Abdullah will take every necessary step to translate his grand father’s vision into reality. The people of all the regions have an enormous stake in the collective future of this great State. My Government will redouble its efforts to ensure speedy growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir, on all fronts.
60. As I have said on several occasions in the past, for achieving peace, progress and prosperity, the Government, the Opposition, as well as all the religious, cultural, social and other organizations in the State shall need to work together, most closely. The efforts of the Government to build a strong, stable and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, which would be a model State for the entire country to emulate, must be supported by one and all.
61. I trust that this Address shall generate meaningful debates on all the important issues confronting the State. Needless to stress, an objective examination of the obtaining policies and programmes would contribute to improving both the direction and productivity of the entire administrative apparatus. I wish Hon’ble Members fruitful discussions in both Houses of the Legislature.
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