Mail

Time for action not wards

I

Sir,

Chief Minister J&K State Mr. Mufti Mohd Sayeed is absolutely right to say while addressing top ranking officers of the J&K State Administration at Jammu on November 5, 2002 that it is "Time for Action not words" to solve and redress the grievances and problems of the people of the State that would lead to result oriented administration. Reduction of power cuts from (nine to four and a half hours) as decided in the first cabinet meeting and assurance to end discrimination with Jammu & Ladakh indicates that the new Government headed by Mr. Mufti Mohd Sayeed will perhaps translate all their own spoken words during the election rallies to concrete action in the shape of formal orders with their implementation by the concerned Departments.

Mr. Chief Minister must solve the problems of un-employment, water supply, electricity, construction of roads and link roads, Kashmiri and Boarder Migrants J&K State teachers/employees, migrant teachers, daily wagers, PSU-employees, students and traders etc. etc. without any favouritism, nepotism and regional etc. so that the wounded people may get the much needed relief from pain, sufferings that would automatically lead to clean administration with transparency and accountability as assured by the Chief Minister Mr. M M Sayeed while taking to media persons on the opening day of the Civil Secretariat Jammu.

Yours etc...
Sharika Lalpuri
Jammu.

II

Sir,

It has been a fortnight since the present coalition Government is in the office. The mandate is in favour of the coalition Government. The long 27 years NC rule has come to an end. New era has began. The people of the State have high hopes and aspirations from the present Government. This requires an opening in multi pronged directions. The present re-scheduling in the power sector is a step towards right direction. The placement of Mr. M I Khanday as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister reflects the policy of the present Government. The emphasis of our Chief Minister on the accountability and transparency in bureaucracy is a step in right direction. The officers will be rewarded if they hold good reputation in the public. Laxity in the dispensation will in no case be tolerated. This has to be seen from the present Government and presently it looks the intentions of the coalition Government are good. The follow up will tell us about the watchword of our CM. The present Government is facing so many challenges. The long standing issues seeks the attention of the Governments. The threat of militancy is there and day to day killings of innocent people is a matter of great concern. Secondly, the unemployment problem of our educated youth is no less alarming. The evil of corruption has taken deep roots. There are much more major problems also. The deteriorated situation of law and order is to be restored.

We are in know that Government has no magic wand which could set the things right within the short span of time. It requires both long and short term solutions. The recent Board Meetings manifest the determination of the present Government, if the things discussed in the meeting are put in practical shape. This Government has a team of experienced Ministers whose services can be prove fruitful. Since the present Govt. has to go long ahead and should leave no stone unturned in mitigating the sufferings and woes of the people. The time is testing for the Government and if it is not taken with care the credibility of the Government would be jeoparadised. Let us wait and watch.

Yours...
S N Raina
House No. 5/12
Swaran ViharJammu.

III

Sir,

The new coalition Government which took reins of power is our State recently has great responsibility on its shoulders. On the one hand, it has to deal with militancy and on the other has to deliver good governance to the people. If something substantial is done to solve the problems of corruption, unemployment, poverty, drought, inefficient administration etc. only then the expectations of the common man can be full-filled. In this regard, as a good gesture, the Chief Minister in its Ist meeting of District Development Board on 10 November, 2002 made the intention of the Government clear by stressing for empowerment of Panchayats and accountability at all levels. The praiseworthy Ist step in this direction is the reduction of power cut from 9 hours to 4.5 hours. At this juncture all the political parties which are part of the coalition and the opposition as well should shun the negative politics and devote their efforts to mitigate the problems of the people of the State. Any measures oriented towards the welfare of the people by the Government should get support from all sections of the society and political parties. There are so many areas which need immediate attention of the Government, a few I want to enlist:-

* There is power potential of 15000 MW in our State but four percent has been utilised. This can be increased.

* There is scope for checking the pilferage and misuse of power, to give regular power supply.

* Road network like that Himachal Pradesh, in our State can transform the socio-economic conditions of the people.

* Promotion of hill agriculture beside provision of input and guidance via service centres located in each village, can boost the farm sector.

* The Kenddy land can also be made productive in the agriculture field by adopting various experiments conducted in the agriculture field. It is painful that no attention has been/being paid to this particular aspect.

* There is need to ensure people's particulation in the implementation of the programmes of all development departments through the Panchayats.

* Provision of more infrastructural development in the areas of good schooling and health care facilities.

Concrete and result oriented policy alongwith transparency and accountability in the administration, I think will go in a long way to give stability to the Government in solving the problems of the people as have been highlighted above.

Yours etc...
Om Parkash Sharma
Sunder Bani
Rajouri