Excelsior Correspondent
Beerwah, Nov 24: Chief Minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah today said that the Government of India should make its stand and decision on the flood victim rehabilitation package known and take a clear call on an issue that concerns the lives of thousands of flood-affected victims who are staring at the approaching winter while the State’s proposed Rs 44,000 crore flood relief package awaits a decision from the Central Government.
Omar Abdullah, while addressing public meetings in various areas of Beerwah including Sozieth, Narbal, Jagar Pora and Chak Kawoosa said that he as an individual and National Conference as a political representative institution remains committed to the rehabilitation of the flood-affected victims.
“These elections are taking place in the backdrop of wanton destruction and misery that affected the lives, homes, businesses and livelihoods of hundreds and thousands of our brothers and sisters. We wanted the flood-victim rehabilitation to be completed to the satisfaction of the flood victims before having elections in the State. Unfortunately, PDP wanted an opportunity for its own political rehabilitation to precede the rehabilitation of the flood victims and the ECI also decided to announce elections in the State and we have accepted that decision as a challenge,” he said. However, that does not mean that the flood-victim rehabilitation does not remain a topmost priority for us. We will not stop speaking up for the flood victims and making all possible efforts for their welfare till the last flood victim goes back to his or her normal life”, Omar Abdullah said.
He said that he was overwhelmed and humbled by the warm response of the people especially the youth from Beerwah and said that he will leave no stone unturned to develop Beerwah as a model constituency with the best possible road network, tourism infrastructure, irrigation and water supply schemes and healthcare facilities.
“My focus will also be on nurturing our future generation by giving them the best possible education through upgraded schools and polytechnics so that our children not just in Beerwah but the entire State can compete with their counterparts from all over the world”, Omar Abdullah added.
He also cautioned the people of serious efforts being made by BJP to disempower the voters of the Valley by vying for a low turnout in the Valley while trying to manipulate the process of migrant and postal ballot voter registration.
“We have been the frontrunner in trying to ensure the maximum possible participation of our migrant brothers and sisters in the electoral process and it was NC that introduced and passed the bill to protect the properties of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters during the tenure of Dr. Farooq Abdullah in 1996. We want a maximum number of people to vote irrespective of their caste, creed or religion but we will also not allow any sort of manipulation of the system to suit a particular political party”, Omar Abdullah said while campaigning in Beerwah.
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