SRINAGAR: Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said one of the foremost challenges faced by the state is the revival of democratic and statutory institutions which have suffered serious erosion under the present government. Addressing a well attended day long convention of party workers from Batmaloo Constituency today he said the institution of Chief Minister as head of the executive would need a first attention as its prestige has been thoroughly compromised over recent years.
Baig said the state after witnessing destruction and political turmoil for many years had reposed its trust repeatedly in democratic process and had participated in elections to choose their representatives to various institutions like the parliament, state assembly, urban bodies and panchayats. But, unfortunately the NC led government eroded their credibility and as a result even the chief minister of the state is not taken seriously by any one whether it is the common man, his cabinet colleagues or the government of India.
He said the next elections will in a major way be about restoration of the institution of Chief Minister as not a mere occupant of a chair but as a leader of the state whose voice should matter and carry the weight that it deserves.
Baig said during the past five years the state witnessed very depressing moments when even announcements about the imposition and lifting of curfew was announced by some officials from New Delhi. The state leaders remained engaged only in their personal survival and in the process made compromises on almost every issue that resulted in further disempowerment of the state and the ordinary citizen. Even though the PDP could have legitimately sought the replacement of this government for its atrocities and failures but it desisted from it to give democratic process a full space and seek people’s support for changing the very system that throws up such callous and incompetent governments, Baig said.
Referring to the chaos and corruption in the administration Baig said the institutions of probity and transparency established by the previous government were systematically demolished. He said the State Accountability Commission (SAC) was established only after three years and that too not completely. Its prestige, he said was diluted by the Chief Minister himself who challenged its authority and eroded its prestige. Instead of resorting to litigation the chief minister should have set an example by presenting himself for a probe so that his colleagues in the cabinet too would submit them selves to its authority. If there were any loop holes in the law the Chief Minister should have come to the legislature to address them rather than challenging its jurisdiction, he said.
Baig said the cases involving the death of Haji Youusf in the context of political pay offs for securing political appointments and the rupees 50 crore scandal in the state cricket association has deprived the members of Sehikh family of any moral authority to enforce discipline. He said the ministers and their favourite officials feel emboldened and do not care for the authority of the chief Minister. One of the them infact challenged the chief minister for his role in Haji Yousuf case after the ministers son was accused of receiving favours for passing an examination. In such a situation it is obvious that no remedies are possible under the present government for curbing corruption, he said and added that it is no wonder that every thing involving the government is now on sale whether it is government job, fixing of a tender, medical assistance or a state subject certificate.
Baig said Srinagar being the intellectual and political nerve centre of the state cannot remain aloof from the urge for change that is sweeping the state. He said active participation of Srinagar in the political process for change will add much desired cutting edge, credibility and prestige to it. He expressed confidence that the “revolution for change will begin from Srinagar and demolish the vested interest that has enslaved us for generations”.
Baig said the aloofness of Srinagar from democratic process has resulted in disempowerment of its people which has led its beneficiaries, the NC, to take them for granted. He said unless there was an element of accountability, the people of the capital city would continue to face problems. Make your representatives accountable and things will start improving, he said.
Referring to the disadvantages the urban citizens face Baig said most people in Srinagar have hardly any assets to build on any economic activity. These people he said could have progressed on activities like tourism which could provide jobs to thousands. But unfortunately the NC that has ruled the state for decades and maintain monopoly on Srinagar have done nothing to build it as a tourist friendly city, he added and said that said Srinagar has to be built into a modern city without destroying its heritage so that tourists feel attracted to prolong their stay here and go round not just Dal lake and Mughal Gardens but tour the other areas of the city to see its distinct life, culture and heritage.
Senior vice president of the party Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, party general secretary Mohammed Dilawar Mir, Former Finance Minister and senior leader Tariq Hameed Karra, MLA Mansoor Hussain, Chief Spokesman Naeem Akhtar, Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari, District President and MLC Mohammad Ashraf Mir, secretary coordination Ab Hameed Kosheen, District vice president Nisar Ahmad Mandoo, Zone president Noor Mohammad Sheikh and several others were also present and spoke on this occasion.
Addressing the meeting senior party leader Moulvi Ifithar Hussein Ansari said a sense of helplessness and disempowerment has seized the people under the NC rule which is a dangerous development but it could be the trigger to a pleasant change. He said the state government is involved in its survival battle and it is significant that people no more expect anything from it. He said the NC has a record of massive let downs. Between 1996 and 2002 it had an overwhelming majority in Assembly, still it went into the lap of the NDA, extended AFSPA to Jammu and brought in POTA. He said the party gave away the most feasible hydel projects to NHPC and now it is a drastically reduced political entity and entirely dependent on crutches and has become a perpetrator of worst crimes against people. He said the frustration among the people is understandable and it would end only with a change in the political scenario and empowerment of people.
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