Solution lies in empowerment of people
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 5: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today that peace, stability and prosperity can be brought in Jammu and Kashmir through an honest, effective and efficient administration even as he called for empowerment of the people and strengthening institutions of local self governance.
Rajnath, who along with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and top Home Ministry officials reviewed security situation in the State in Srinagar this morning with Governor NN Vohra, his three Advisors-BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ganai and top State police and civil officials, said the Central Government was committed to take all possible measures that will bring accountability, transparency and good governance in the system.
The Union Home Minister, however, couldn’t visit the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir Himalayas to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva’s natural Ice Lingam and review arrangements for the pilgrims due to weather conditions.
He reviewed yatra security and other arrangements made for the pilgrims by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and State Government at high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan.
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In a significant tweet after security review meeting, Rajnath said development and good governance had remained elusive for the common people of Jammu and Kashmir. The tweet assumed significance as the BJP had snapped its ties with the PDP last month, leading to fall of Mehbooba Mufti led Government, on the ground of discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions and stalling of number of projects like All India Institute of Medical Sciences, five Medical Colleges etc.
“We are committed to take all possible measures that will bring accountability, transparency and good governance in the system. With renewed focus on good governance and development, the Centre is looking forward to kindle new aspirations and hopes amongst the people of the State, Rajnath said in series of tweets.
The Home Minister pointed out that the solution to problems lies in empowerment of the people and strengthening the institutions of local self governance. Significantly, Rajnath Singh had last year also asked the State Government to strengthen the self governance by holding elections to Panchayats and Municipalities. The then PDP-BJP Government had initiated steps to hold Panchayat elections but the process was shelved before announcement of the election schedule.
Even Governor N N Vohra had repeatedly asked the previous State Government to hold elections to Panchayats and Municipalities but to no avail. Jammu and Kashmir has lost funds running into hundreds of crores in the absence of elected Panchayats and Municipalities.
“The dream of a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir will be realized when there is peace and normalcy in the State and it is our firm resolve to bring peace, stability and prosperity through an honest, effective and efficient administration for the problems facing the State,” Rajnath said through another couple of tweets.
He said he reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and discussed the way forward at a meeting with the Governor and State administration in Srinagar.
Sources said Rajnath reviewed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley and discussed level of militancy and violence and steps being taken to bring it down further for peace and normalcy. He also reviewed security and other arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims especially when the yatris are stranded at base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal and enroute the tracks due to bad weather.
He called for ensuring fool-proof security for the yatris and other arrangements by the Shrine Board.
This year, the Union Home Ministry has given highest number of para-military companies to the State Government for security of the pilgrims in view of last year’s militant attack on a yatri bus in which eight pilgrims were killed and scores of others had injured.
An official handout issued by the Raj Bhavan said Rajnath Singh held extended discussions with Governor N N Vohra to review security management and yatra management, implementation of development programmes and governance issues in a meeting held at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar this morning.
The meeting was attended by Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor, Rajiv Gauba, Union Home Secretary, the three Advisors to Governor, BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ganai, BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, Dr SP Vaid, Director General of Police, Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor and CEO Shrine Board and RK Goyal, Principal Secretary Home.
The Home Minister was informed by Advisor Vijay Kumar about the overall law and order situation and framework put in place by the security forces for the ongoing Shri Amarnath ji Yatra.
The Chief Secretary presented an update of the implementation status of major projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Programme, particularly AIIMS, IITs & IIMs, Ring Roads at Jammu & Srinagar and other major development projects being executed by Central and State agencies.
The Governor assured Home Minister that the State administration is taking every step required to ensure against any delay in the implementation of development and welfare programmes, eradication of corruption and redressal of public grievances.
The Home Minister returned to New Delhi this afternoon.
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