Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has started a wave against corruption and political parties need to learn from it as corruption has become biggest problem in the country. He said it was high time to check the menace of corruption, which was eating into vitals of the society and listed the steps taken by the State Government to check it.
Addressing a public meeting at Vijaypur in the party’s Assembly segment held by former Minister Surjit Singh Slathia, Omar said it was time for the political parties to take a lesson from AAP as corruption has become biggest problem in the country including Jammu and Kashmir though, he added, the State Government has taken various measures to check the menace.
Acknowledging the effect of Aam Aadmi Party on national politics and praying for change within his party, the Chief Minister claimed that the National Conference had a similar ideology on corruption. He added that the AAP’s ideology has not been rejected by the people and could impact the State.
“The fact is, whether we like or dislike it, a new political atmosphere, a new political wave has started in the country, the name of which is Aam Aadmi Party,” Omar said, adding: “whether AAP will come or not come to Jammu and Kashmir, their ideology has not been ignored or rejected by the people.”
Omar said: “the people want that corruption and bribe-taking should be stamped out. People want that politicians and bureaucrats (should) not fleece the common people. Ours is the same ideology.
“Corruption is eating up into the vitals of the State and common man is worried about corruption. I hope that in a changing (political) situation, people like us should change their ideology.”
While stating that the people were not affected by “big corruption scams”, but by the small bribes paid to get ration card, driving license etc, Omar said his Government had brought in a number of laws to fight the issue.
“I have seen that big scams and corruption cases do not affect you. You get affected when you have to pay a bribe to get the ration card, a license of a vehicle, papers of lands, copy of FIR or NOCs. We have brought a number of anti-corruption laws in Jammu and Kashmir and if they are implemented, the corruption will definitely go down in the State,” he said..
Mentioning legislations like Public Services Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act, re-constitution of Accountability Commission, and the Vigilance Commission, Omar urged the people to utilize them to make the Government transparent and corruption-free, which was his party’s goal.
“Some eighty basic services have been brought under the Public Services Guarantee Act to be delivered in a fixed time-frame,” the Chief Minister said, adding that any official responsible for delay or failure of delivery of these was liable for fine which would be given to the affected citizen.
“If the Government functionary shows any reluctance or demands bribe, report this to the authority. The fine would be imposed on the official and you will be paid compensation,” he told the people, elaborating the provisions of Public Service Guarantee Act.
On militancy, the Chief Minister said it has “nose-dived since we took the reins” and improved the security setup in the State and cited the increase in number of tourists and pilgrims visiting the State.
Supporting talks to resolve issues with Pakistan, he said “better sense prevailed” on them once they realized that nothing was going to come out of firing and shelling.
Omar said that entire Government machinery and the public representatives from Chief Minister to legislators have been brought under the ambit of Accountability Commission and Vigilance Commission where under their conduct and performance could be questioned by any common citizens.
“The Legislature functions for few days in which the representatives of the people ask questions to the Ministers. Now, the common man in view of RTI Act can hold the Government accountable throughout the year,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that addressing employment crises through a comprehensive and multi-faceted strategy also received concentrated attention during the last five years opening wide ranging opportunities for youth to get absorbed in Government service as also in the private sector. He said that his Government would further intensify its endeavour in this regard.
“Youth are the strength of the State and architects of future, my hand holding to them to succeed in all fields of life is above all political motives”, he reiterated and said that he would continue to work for the welfare of youth whether in the government or outside.
Referring to the border trouble witnessed by various villages particularly in Vijaypur and Samba areas during some months ago, Omar expressed satisfaction that peace has prevailed and the normal life has been restored. He expressed the hope that the relations between India and Pakistan will improve further and said that all issues can be addressed and settled only by the meaningful process of dialogue.
“Wars in the past have never solved any problem and will not solve any issue in future”, he said and referred to the three wars fought by India and Pakistan in the past.
The Chief Minister said that certain politicians (PDP leadership) even tried to do politics on border shelling issue as has been their characteristics.
“This party (the PDP) totally forgot the border people when they were braving the burnt of shelling on borders and did not even talk of them during the time of challenge but when peace restored and shelling stopped, the leadership of PDP announced taking out a procession in Srinagar”, he said adding that PDP like parties sell politics while National Conference renders service to people.
“They (PDP) talk and talk too much, we act and act for the welfare of the people and the State only without making any noise. Our actions speak loudly on ground which is evident by the fact that without making any hype Coalition Government registered remarkable achievements in all development sectors particularly in the sectors of public empowerment, employment generation, bijli, pani, sadak, taleem and sehat during the last five years”, the Chief Minister said and assured the people that their development demands will receive continuous attention and thrust of the Government in the year 2014.
Mr Abdullah said that PDP is fond of double speak to divide people. “The leadership of this party attempts at lead astraying people by saying one thing in Jammu, another in Srinagar and third in Delhi”, he mentioned and said that people are wiser enough to get carried away by emotional blackmailing and tactical politics exercised by PDP.
“Now-a-days PDP tries to give an impression as if it is coming to power in 2014 Assembly Elections. Gone are the days when they used to fool people by exploitation and political jugglery”, he said and predicted tough times ahead of PDP as this party is fully exposed before the people who are well-versed with the deceptive and divisive political trait of PDP and handover them severe punishment in the coming elections.
Omar also cautioned the people against those elements who thrive on creating hatred and wedging apart the society in the name of religion, region, caste and colour. “They will come to you during the elections and divide you for their vested interests”, Omar said and asked them to beware of these elements. “Reject them categorically by exhibiting your amity, brotherhood and mutual understanding”, he said.
The Chief Minister appreciated the role of S S Slathia as the legislators of the area and erstwhile Minister in his Cabinet and said that Slathia in his all capacities has rendered commendable service to the people. Speaking on the occasion, the Provincial President, National Conference, Jammu and MLC, Devender Singh Rana predicted extinction of divisive politicians in 2014 elections and said that people will give them befitting reply by showing everlasting faith in National Conference and Omar Abdullah who lives in the hearts and minds of people in all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Mr Rana listed the achievements registered by the Omar led Government and said that the year 2014 is the year of National Conference and Omar Abdullah. He also mentioned the tremendous work rendered by Surjit Singh Slathia in Vijaypur and other parts of the State as a Legislator and as the Minister.
The former Minister and the Legislator from Vijaypur constituency, S S Slathia expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for showing his keen interest in mitigating the difficulties of border people and addressing development demands of Vijaypur and other areas of the State comprehensively and with commitment.
Senior Vice President, NC, Rattan Lal Gupta was also present on the occasion.
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