JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that human rights violations have come to zero level in Kashmir Valley while peace has completely returned to the state.
He said that it was a wrong notion that Jammu and Kashmir Government has filled jails with innocent people while the fact is that only 2396 persons, mostly criminals are in prisons in the State and of these 35 have been arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA).
Replying the discussion on Motion on Thanks to Governor for his Address to the Joint Session of the two Houses of the Legislature, Omar Abdullah said that The Chief Minister said that there has been significant improvement in the security situation and human rights violations have come to zero level. He said the militancy has declined by 71 percent during the last five years and no collateral damage to civilian has taken place in the militancy combating operations conducted by the security forces. He appreciated the security forces for exhibiting restraint even in challenging situations. He referred to the militancy attack on the Army convey on bypass national highway and on BSF at Bemina and said that despite loss of precious lives, the forces did not resort to indiscriminate firing and applied highest restraint to save the lives of innocent civilians. He lauded the sacrifice of Army and BSF jawans and expressed the hope that the incidents of attacks on security personnel will reduce and come to zero level with the improvement in the situation and restoration of permanent peace.
Giving full credit to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for gradual restoration of peace and improvement in the security situation in the State, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday said that the sustained efforts by the government in this direction yielded fruitful results with the wholehearted support and commitment of the people for normalcy and tranquility.
Many attempts were made and conspiracies hatched to disturb the law and order situation in the State and create hurdles in the delivery of governance but the people of the State defeated the elements behind these attempts and helped in maintaining the calm and carrying forward development in all fields of life, he said and referred to the Kishtwar, Budgam, Zanskar and other incidents fanned to create communal clashes in the State and disturb peace.
Chief Minister vehemently rejected the false conception being sold by a group of people dubbing the prevailing peaceful situation in the State as deceptive and by force. They want to carry the false propaganda as if the government has filled jails and pressurized the people to remain peaceful, he said.
The Chief Minister said that people of the State are eager to see peace rooting fast and development reaching every nook and corner of the State, as such, they contribute positively in creating peace conditions and strengthening the efforts and initiatives of the government in this direction.
Omar Abdullah said that no jails have been filled with people and nobody is under pressure to work for normalcy. It is the desire and the will of the people to live in peace and create conducive atmosphere, he said maintaining that only 2396 persons who are mostly criminals are in prisons in the State and of these 35 have been arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA).
While complementing the Army for instituting probe into alleged Machil fake encounter, the Chief Minister expressed dismay over the closure of the Pathribal investigation by the Army and said that when it is established that innocent civilian have been killed, it is necessary to identify the culprits. If the culprits are not those towards whom finger is raised than we have to probe and find out who are the real offenders, he said adding that the buck cannot stop here it has to move and identify the main culprits responsible. He added that he has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister and will continue to strive for obtaining justice to the bereaved families.
The Chief Minister criticized the opposition for talking high and loud about the institutions and democratic methods but itself indulging in tarnishing the values of democracy and the democratic institutions. Those (PDP) who talk of institutions and democracy are seen disrupting Governors Address, braking furniture in the House and riding on tables in the well of the House, he said. He lauded the Upper House for conducting the discussion on Governors Address in a conducive and palatable environment and highlighting the issues of public interest.
Omar Abdullah said that instead of raising public issues in a democratic and peaceful manner when Legislators indulge in braking furniture and disrupting proceedings of the House, they are degrading the dignity of Legislature and disappointing people who have voted them for batting for the welfare and development of the people and the State. How can you give lessons on democracy and institutions to others when you yourself indulge in the practice of defaming these, he questioned the opposition without naming PDP.
The Chief Minister said that his government has a lot to show to the people on the peace and development front. He said the achievements and decisions of the government are of historic and would need lot of time even to count the major ones. He said coalition government worked in close coordination and there has been never any variance on issues in the Cabinet meetings nor any Cabinet Member boycotted the meeting as was the routine in the opposition (PDP) led coalition government. He said coalition government held about 30 Cabinet meetings in each year during the last five years and came up with hundreds of decisions relating to the all round development of the State and the welfare of the people smoothly. He said Congress and National Conference has worked in the past successfully and is working successfully at present.
The Chief Minister referred to the path braking decisions of the coalition government regarding implementation of Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), Right to Information Act, re-constitution of Accountability Commission, holding of Panchayat Elections and other measures to empower people and transfer governance from the Civil Secretariat to the grass roots public representatives.
The Chief Minister said that some 80 services from 13 departments have been brought under the ambit of PSGA making their delivery time bound. He said any official found responsible for delay or deny in the time bound delivery of any public service is liable of fine and the aggrieved person entitled for compensation from this fine. He appealed to the Legislators to utilize their offices in making people aware of their powers under PSGA and RTI so that they could use it more often to help in bringing transparency and upgrading delivery of governance.
The Chief Minister said that Panchayat Raj established at the first tier would get further fillip by the election of Block Development Councils and District Boards. He said incorporation of 73rdAmendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Act will pave the way for appointing elected Chairmen of the Block Development Councils and District Development Boards. He said the provisions of 74th Amendment are in place and the Bill for 73rd Amendment incorporation in the State Act will be tabled in the Legislature during this session.
The Chief Minister referred to the recent historic decision of his government regarding the creation of New Administrative Units in the State, the Chief Minister said that this was the cherished desire of the people and the government is receiving appreciation for this decision all across the State. People from Kashmir, Jammu, Leh and Kargil are equally appreciating the government for this historic decision, he said and added that besides this achievement the coalition government has in its basket the thousands of other major works it has initiated, implemented and completed during the last five years.
We are going to people with our report card and ask them to judge us on our performance and delivery, he said we do not believe in propaganda but in actions. He said the actions of the government on peace and development fronts are before the people who will give their verdict twice during this year regarding the performance and work done by the coalition government.
On unemployment generation, Omar Abdullah reiterated his endeavour to address this crisis by utilizing government and private sectors optimally and expanding job market for the youth of the State. He said his government provided jobs to one lakh youth in last five years and the process is going on. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for launch of schemes like UDAAN and HIMAYAT in the State which have opened reputed private sector for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir for absorption and employment.
On Power generation, the Chief Minister said that as against the indigenous power projects of the capacity of 750 MWs established in the State since 1947 to 2009, his Government allotted power projects of the capacity of 1500 MWs in just five years. He said another 1000 MW capacity power projects are being allotted by the end of this year.
The Chief Minister said his government tried his best to get back the power projects from NHPC. We took up this matter with the Prime Minister, Power Minister and other Central Authorities. The Prime Minister also tried to convince the Union Power Ministry in this regard. Rangarajan Committee and Working Groups have also recommended return of power projects by NHPC to the State but NHPC has adopted a ridged approach and is not budging from his position. If it will not return the projects we have decided not to handover any new project to NHPC in future. This is our brave decision and we will stick to it, he said and added that Dulhasti-II and Uri-II power projects allotted to NHPC earlier have been got back now and declared as joint projects.
The Chief Minister said that during the last five years about 8000 kilometres long new roads have been constructed, 15000 kilometres macadamized and 19000 kilometres upgraded besides completing 500 road projects and 265 bridges. He also mentioned the launch of flyovers in Srinagar and Jammu.
Omar Abdullah said that over 1000 water supply schemes have been completed during the last five years besides the establishment of 10000 hand pumps and 200 water treatment plants. He said 5000 schools have been provided with protected drinking water facilities.
Omar Abdullah said that two Central Universities, Satellite Campuses Degree Colleges, 18 Polytechnic Colleges and 6 Modern ITIs have been set up in the State during the last five years. He said 20000 ReTs have been regularized in this period.
The Chief Minister said that 26 new health institutions and two maternity hospitals were established in the State and 10000 doctors and paramedics were engaged to provide staff to the health institutions in rural and far-flung areas. He said the salaries and allowances of doctors have been enhanced under NRHM for serving in the rural areas. He said Government of India has sanctioned implementation of National Urban Health Mission for the State which will be launched in Jammu, Srinagar, Kathua, Udhampur, Baramulla, Anantnag and Sopore under first phase.
Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir has shown remarkable improvement in almost all vital health parameters. However, he showed concern about the decline in sex ratio.
The Chief Minister also mentioned increase in the tourist flow during the last five years and said that it has remained over 10 lakh in the Valley during 2012 and 2013. He said the number of pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has also gone to one crore and those visiting Shri Amarnath in lakhs.
The Chief Minister also referred to the measures taken by his Government to improve the lot of farmers, horticulturists and artisans in the State. He said agriculture has been made almost tax free sector. He said over 3.75 lakh Kissan Credit Cards have been provided to the farmers during the last five years. He said on the pattern of Kissan Cards 23000 Artisan Cards have been provided to artisans to develop their craft units and enhance economic conditions. He said 4000 modern carpet looms have been provided to poor carpet weavers and 4000 more are being provided this year free of cost.
The Chief Minister said that his Government has taken positive and effective welfare measures for Kashmiri Migrants. He said his Government wants to create conducive and palatable atmosphere for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. He said 1500 jobs have been given to KP youth in the Valley more jobs are in offing for them. He said that a new rehabilitation package for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Migrants is being pursued at the Union Government level which would accommodate the requirements highlighted by the community.
The Chief Minister said that under the rehabilitation policy 380 youth have returned from PoK and barring one all are settled here. He said government would take all measures to improve their living conditions and facilitate their smooth rehabilitation.
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