Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 25: Good Governance Day was celebrated in various parts of the State with Ministers participating in main functions and making an assurance to the people that present dispensation will leave no stone unturned to provide transparent and accountable administration to the people.
While addressing a function at Government Higher Secondary School Billawar, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said that amid technological boom across the world, the current dispensation is aiming to make use of latest technological interventions to promote good governance.
He said that simplifying procedures and processes in the Government is one of the easiest ways to ensure good governance. “Likewise, technology is an empowering tool for the citizens and an accountability medium for the Government,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that demonetization and cashless economy have special significance in realizing the goal of self governance. “By launching PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana) and by transferring cash directly to the bank account of beneficiaries we are inching a step closer to good governance”, he further said.
“Technology can bridge the divide between the Government and the citizens and it should be used to deliver services efficiently,” said Dr Singh. Making a strong pitch for providing good governance to people, Deputy Chief Minister said that ‘Citizen-first’ is our mantra, our motto and our guiding principle.
Speaking at a function held at North India’s first cable-stayed bridge-Atal Setu, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Choudhary Lal Singh said that the current dispensation is committed towards providing good governance to the people amid dawn of development.
Sketching a picture of ‘good governance’ by the current dispensation, the Minister said that Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has set new standards in providing good and transparent governance.
“Lakhanpur Sarthal Tourism Development Authority will be bifurcated into Billawar-Duggan and Basohli-Bani Development Authority which would ensure that tourism and tourist related activities get the boost,” he said, adding “concerted efforts are underway to conserve and revive the world famous Basohli paintings besides reviving pristine glory of historical Basohli town”.
He said that Government is committed to revive the glory of Basohli area as it is famous for its rich heritage including Basohli paintings and Pashmina shawl.
Reiterating the commitment of the present Government to provide improved and better amenities to the people of the State, the Minister said that adequate funds have been released under various sectors like PHE, PDD, RDD, Health, R&B and Education across Kathua district. He said that good governance entails improving services to the public through efficient administrative system, timeliness, reducing corruption and effective implementation of development programme.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Ghani Kohli, while addressing a function at Kalakote, said that the Government is committed to provide people with a transparent and accountable administration.
He said that transparency and accountability is the hallmark of present Coalition Government and any officer/official found guilty will be dealt with iron hands. “For bringing transparency and accountability in functioning of all departments across the state, various initiatives have been taken up which have started yielding results and a tremendous change is visible in the working of all Government units”, he added.
The Minister further said that uplifting the living standard of the common people through the medium of development of the State is the priority of the present Coalition Government. “Since the Coalition Government has taken charge, the State is moving ahead with great enthusiasm on the path of development and many mega developmental projects have been taken up which have started yielding results on the ground”, he added.
To mark the celebration of “Good Governance Day” and birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga today visited Pakhri at Vijaypur and distributed blankets among the poor people.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister said that providing good governance to the people in most transparent and accountable manner is the priority of the present Government, adding that reforms have been initiated in all vital sectors including Health, Education, R&B and stress is being laid on ensuring equitable development.
He further said that Government is committed to provide uninterrupted electricity to all the villages of the State and many initiatives have been taken up to streamline the electricity supply.
Later, the Minister laid foundation stone of Community Sanitary Complex at Teli Basti, in block Bari Brahmana.
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