The Chief Minister customarily addresses a press conference when the Secretariat opens after every office move. Durbar Move to winter/summer capital is a unique feature of our State. We do not find this practice observed in any other Indian State. We have reasons to do so. Three regions of the State are divergent from one another in more than one aspect; topography, climate, flora and fauna, life style, language and cultural specifications. This State is a mosaic in real sense of the term. And yet the harmony in which people of the entire State live and regulate their life is something remarkable. Evidently, the Chief Minister of the State embodies in his personality, the philosophy and national inclusiveness of almost all facet of this beautiful mosaic. On the occasion of Durbar Move, he would like to recall aspects of State’s onward march along the path of development and material and spiritual progress. People like to know from him directly and without intermediaries the State of current affairs with which the administration is grappling. This is the reason why in his customary press conference Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has succinctly touched upon almost all important and crucial subjects with which his Government is currently dealing with.
Security to 33,000 elected Panchs and Sarpanchs in the wake of life threats issued to them by the Hizbul Mujahideen on the behest of Muzaffarabad-based jihadi leader Salahu’d-Din is under close consideration of security authorities in the State and would be dealt with adequately. No such problem exists in Jammu and Ladakh regions. Even in the Valley, only some selected areas are still infested with a handful of militants while most of the Valley enjoys peace and normalcy. The confident Chief Minister says his Government is prepared to meet this challenge also with as much intrepidity as has been shown in other militancy-related situations. There seems a change in the wind and elected Panchs and Sarpanchs are feeling far more confident and reassured to run the affairs of respective Panchayats. Allaying the fears of any confrontation on the implementation of 73rd Amendment to the Union Act of Panchayati Raj, the Chief Minister made a cogent point in saying that the Constitution of the State has the flexibility of bringing in any amendment in the State Panchayati Raj Act. We do not necessarily need to depend on the amendments brought by the Parliament when we can do it and with far more impact at Sate Legislative level. There is no question of not empowering the Panchayats of the State politically, financially or infrastructure-wise. The coalition partner does not mean to undermine State’s power of amending the Constitution.
Debate on withdrawal of AFSPA has been raging in the State for some time. Opinions on withdrawal differ. Apart from the constitutionality of the subject, more important aspect is the ground situation. Only that can decide the controversy. Once stakeholders are convinced that the ground situation is fully conducive, AFSPA will go. Hundreds of armed terrorists are waiting along the LoC on PoK side to sneak into our part. In some cases, a few do succeed in infiltrating by avoiding detection by the security forces. This cannot be ruled out or plugged fully. Our alert Army on the border and along LoC does not give them any opportunity. Reports speak of large-scale frustration among the sponsored terrorists cooling their heels in terrorist camps in PoK.
An unexpected issue that came up weeks before the Durbar Move is of capping of LPG cylinders. Central Government’s decision has come to the State at a wrong time. It is the setting in of winter and as we know most part of the State falls in winter zone when power, gas, kerosene and petrol are in big demand to meet the challenge of a harsh winter. The State cannot afford to waive the capping of non-subsidized cylinders from 6 to 9 as that would cost the State exchequer around Rs 225 crore. However, State leadership was interacting with Central authorities to find a way out.
Achievements of Omar Abdullah Government should not be underestimated. Omar Abdullah is not given to the habit of boasting loudly of achievements. He believes in working silently without a fuss but making delivery timely and assured. He has himself enunciated this type of work culture in his public speeches. The State has made considerable progress in education by opening more primary, middle and higher secondary schools and degree colleges in all districts that cater to the needs of students in far flung areas, and adding substantially to the volume and quality of faculties in university education. In the area of health services, much improvement and efficiency have been brought about and the Union Minister for Health and Family Planning has been taking special interest in upgrading and expanding medical services in all the three regions of the State. Likewise in road connectivity, tourism, banking, youth training and employment and many other fields, significant improvement has been made. Given a peaceful atmosphere, the State is poised for a big leap towards development. The Government has many plans and projects that would revolutionise economic life of the State provided peace and normalcy are allowed to prevail. While opposition is essential in a democratic system the opposition should not be for opposition sake; it should be constructive.
Follow our WhatsApp channel