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| JK CM announces constitutional guarantee for empowered panchayats | | Denounces PDP’s negative politics |  Poonch/Jammu, April 26 (Scoop News) - Announcing the intension of government to provide constitutional guarantee to powers of panchayats, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday 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.
Addressing a huge public meeting at Poonch about 240 kilometres from Jammu, the Chief Minister asked the people to remain rest assure about the commitment made by his government for empowered Panchayat Raj.
“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.
The Chief Minister said that the four seats in Legislative Council are reserved for panchayats adding that the election to these is to be conducted by the Election Commission of India. He said that decks have been cleared for holding the election of MLCs reserved for panchayat which would follow constitution of block and district panchayat councils. He said the services of 14 government departments have been conferred to panchayats besides providing financial support of Rs. 40 crores.
Lambasting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its negative politics, the Chief Minister said that the leadership of this party do 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.
Omar 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 endeavours 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’.
On corruption, Omar Abdullah referred to the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir State Right to Information Commission and Accountability Commission adding that his government has put all the functionaries of the State from top to bottom under public scan. “Anyone can question the commission or omission by any government department and get details of all transactions made on all counts”, he said adding that the government has ensured impartiality of these commissions.
“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 Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), Omar Abdullah said his government has empowered people to obtain some 50 public services from 6 departments of Power, PHE, CAPD, Housing, Transport and Revenue in a time bound manner. He said the government functionaries have been made responsible for delivery of services in a time bound manner to the consumers. “Any official to be found showing laxity or failing in providing the particular service in a fixed time frame is liable for a fine up to Rs. 5000 which shall be deducted from his salary”, he said explaining that a portion of this fine will be given to the affected consumer as compensation.
“My government has effected topsy-turvy in the prevailing system of service delivery”, he said adding that instead of paying bribe for getting smaller services like electricity or water connection, ration card or driving license, revenue papers or house building permission, state subject or category certificate, the consumers would now get compensation out of the fine imposed on the erring officials for not delivering the service in the fixed time limit.
Thanking the people for their wholehearted support to the Chief Minister and his government, Omar Abdullah asked them to strengthen the communal harmony and brotherhood at all costs. “Some vested elements would try to wedge apart you in the name of region, religion, caste and creed, but you have to exhibit your resolve to maintain State’s rich ethos of mutual love and brotherhood prevailing between various sections of the society and between various regions”, he said.
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 gynaecological 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 are being spent on power infrastructure while power projects for another Rs. 8 crores are 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. He warned the people of the propagandist approach of this party and asked them to judge the government on the works it has done for the public good.
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.
Speaking to National Conference workers in a separate meeting, the Chief Minister asked them to strengthen the party at all levels and reach out the people in every area. “You have added responsibility of contributing in the process of peace and development”, he said asking them to work in tandem with coalition partners in mitigating the difficulties of the people.
Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation of Mini Secretariat Complex at Poonch estimated to cost over Rs. 40.25 crores. The Chief Minister also inaugurated Deputy Development Commissioner’s Office completed at a cost of over Rs. 5.57 crore.
The Chief Minister reviewed the development of Poonch District with the officers and directed for time line completion of works. He told the officers to be prompt to public grievances and show quick response to their needs.
Omar Abdullah also inaugurated Tourist Reception Centre at Poonch completed at a cost of over Rs. 1.71 crore. The building comprises two suits, 13 rooms attached with bathrooms, two dinning-halls, one conference hall, one T.O room, one kitchen with wash room and pantry, 4 bathrooms and two stores.
Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Legislators Ajaz Ahmad Jan and Jahangir Mir, District Development Commissioner, Poonch and other officers were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister met various deputations from the area including those from different political parties, social organizations, traders and others. He gave patient hearing to their demands and said that the genuine demands would be given due consideration.
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