Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Giving an overview of normalcy returning and development getting focused attention in Jammu and Kashmir, Provincial President National Conference and Member Legislative Council, Devender Singh Rana on Monday said restoration of peace and enhancing quality of life of the people is a priority of the Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
At a luncheon meeting with Ambassador of Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek here, the Provincial President enumerated the initiatives taken during the past over four years and said the State has traversed a long way towards development, socio-economic transformation and self reliance in various sectors.
Mr Stasek with a team of envoys is currently on a visit of the State to identify areas of possible economic cooperation with special emphasis on industry, engineering, agriculture, water management and infrastructure. The team is also evaluating the possible cooperation in education and tourism besides deliberating on possibilities for strengthening the bilateral cooperation.
Mr Rana said though the situation on the law and order front has undergone discernible change over the years with economic activity, particularly tourism, gaining momentum, the main thrust of the Omar led Government is on assuaging political aspirations of the people living in the three distinct regions and sub regions. In this context, he referred to the holding of Panchayat elections after 34 years describing these as a major step forward in involving the people at grass roots in decision making.
Notwithstanding the challenges in making these democratic institutions catalyst of change, Mr Rana referred to the designs of some elements inimical to peace in destabilizing these by attacking chosen representatives and said that the Government has taken adequate measures to ensure security of the Panchayat members. He said various other measures have been taken to empower these institutions which, inter-alia, includes supervision of over 14 developmental and public utility departments concerned with rural development.
Mr Rana dwelt in length on the historic role played by National Conference since its inception in strengthening democracy and forging the bonds of amity between various sections of the people.
On political situation, Mr Rana said the State has undergone a very difficult phase and due to efforts of the Government and cooperation of the people, peace and normalcy has become a reality. This, he said, has to be sustained at all costs. He emphasized the need for taking the peace process further by addressing to the political issues of the state politically. In this context, he referred to the crucial need of engaging Pakistan in productive dialogue, saying the beneficiaries of the good neighborly relations between New Delhi and Islamabad will be the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Andrea Kucerova, Deputy Head of Mission, Political Affairs, Republic of Czech Embassy accompanied the Ambassador.
Among others present on the occasion were Sr Vice President National Conference Surjeet Singh Slathia, Vice President Rattan Lal Gupta, Former Ministers Pt. Govind Ram Sharma, Babu Ram Pal, Ex-MLCs Th. Kashmira Singh, Brij Mohan Sharma and S. Gurdeep Singh Sassan.
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