Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 21: British Deputy High Commissioner to India, Dr Alexander Evans called on the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti here last evening.
During the meeting they discussed overall political and economic situation in the State.
The Chief Minister informed the visiting envoy of the need for a political engagement and reconciliatory approach with all stakeholders in the State. She said the acrimony of past 70 years between India and Pakistan has led the people of two countries nowhere and it was time to move ahead with friendship, peace and mutual respect.
She also informed the visiting envoy of many initiatives being taken by the State Government for upgrading infrastructure, improving connectivity and laying out a network of facilities for the people. She said the State Government is looking towards a good winter tourist season in Kashmir this year for which she has already directed the concerned departments to work on.
Dr. Evans informed the Chief Minister that they are very keen to work with Jammu & Kashmir and his country has earmarked a number of scholarships for the students of the State which they can avail of.
The Deputy High Commissioner was accompanied by Alex Pykett, First Secretary and Deepjyoti Barman, Senior Political Advisor (Foreign Policy & Security) in British High Commission, New Delhi.
The Vice Chairmen of various Development Boards in the State also called on Chief Minister.
The VCs brought to the notice of the Chief Minister several issues pertaining to their communities. They also sought more fund flow to them to oversee developmental works within their communities.
The Chief Minister assured the VCs that the issues raised by them would be prioritized for appropriate action by the Government.
The VCs who met the Chief Minister included Vice Chairman, Gujjar Bakerwal Advisory Board, Choudhary Zaffar Ali; Vice Chairman, Kissan Advisory Board, Daljit Singh Chib; Vice Chairman, Pahari Advisory Board, Kuldeep Raj Gupta and Vice Chairman, OBC Advisory Board, Rashpal Verma.
Meanwhile, several deputations met the Chief Minister and brought their difficulties into her notice.
A deputation of Ahad Zargar Memorial Committee demanded completion of works on the tomb of late Abdul Ahad Zargar. Another deputation from Hyderpora demanded development of a public park on the nearby vacant piece of land and saving it from encroachments.
A deputation of people from Magam sought widening of Beerwah-Magam road at Magam and taking steps for removing traffic bottlenecks in the main chowk. They also demanded shifting of R&B Division back to Magam and construction of a footbridge in the town.
A deputation of residents of Nowgam By Pass demanded revision of Master Plan for the area.
The Chief Minister assured deputations that their genuine demands would be looked into for a time bound appropriate action by the Government.
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