Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is not at all intolerant and feels that he wants good relations with neighbours including Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Mufti said: “He (Modi) is not at all intolerant… He has tied up with Mufti Sayeed … I have only three (Lok Sabha) seats. He is the elected Prime Minister of the country, elected by 1.2 billion people. He must be having some vision to join hands with me. He knows what for I stand.”
The Chief Minister wants Modi better ties with Pakistan and feels that PM wants good ties with the neighbouring country including Pakistan. “If India has to become a big power, it is necessary that we have good relations with the neighbouring countries. There have been some ups and downs in between but my feeling is that they (Centre) would want to have good relations with Pakistan,” he said.
Mufti said a breakthrough can only be achieved through a peace process as confrontation between the two countries has resolved nothing in the past 68 years. “It is important to keep (good) relations with Pakistan. It is in the interest of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country. We have seen from 1947 till now that confrontation does not resolve anything. The breakthrough that took place at the time of Vajpayee, he started the peace process from here,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that PM’s visit is long overdue and he will have to say something. “The Prime Minister is coming. He will have something to say. The Prime Minister’s visit is long overdue”, he added.
Mufti said Modi is focussed on development of Jammu and Kashmir and the State Government is working in this direction. “Work is going on fast track. You can see the road work is going good. He (Modi) sent the Railway Minister here (last year),” he said.
On the possibility of the Prime Minister announcing a package for victims of last year’s floods, Mufti evaded a direct reply, saying “it is upto him.”
On Dadri lynching incident, the CM said “there have been ups and downs but he (Modi) is all inclusive.”
Earlier, Mufti laid foundation of a Citizens’ Park at Tattoo Ground, which will be developed over 136 kanals of land with all modern facilities of recreation in one of the busiest business centres of the summer capital.
Army agreed to part with chunk of land for development of Citizens’ Park, and the Tourism Department will develop the facility.
Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister directed the Tourism Department to develop the park with all aesthetic features. He also thanked the Army for collaborating in setting up the park, which will provide avenues of recreation to a large number of people residing in one of the most densely-populated areas of the city.
Describing smart cities as the ideal solution to the woes of rising population and lack of housing, Mufti said he will vigorously pursue with the Central Government the issue of sanctioning two Smart Cities for J&K. He highlighted the need to integrate core elements of city services to give our urban spaces a coordinated look.
He called for exploring a public-private interface where satellite townships will be built for weaker sections of the society. “My wish is to develop satellite townships for those poor who cannot afford their own houses. I have seen four families living under single roof in unimaginable circumstances in downtown Srinagar,” he said.
With rise in population of the two capital cities, Mufti said development of satellite townships for low-income groups has become imperatively necessary. “With land as our equity, we would work out a modality to integrate satellite colonies into the Smart City Plan,” he added.
The Chief Minister praised the Union Government for sanctioning infrastructure in pairs to ensure equitable development of the State. “The Centre has been generous enough to sanction two AIIMS and two Central Universities. We expect to get two smart cities for J&K for Jammu and Srinagar,” he added.
With J&K the only State in the country with two capital cities, the government has projected demand to Union Urban Development Ministry for sanction of two Smart Cities.
Laying emphasis on decongesting the summer capital, the Chief Minister indicated his plan to widen Batamaloo-Narbal and Gupkar-Pampore-Gallandar roads on south-north axis. He also urged Border Roads Organisation to expedite four-lanning of Srinagar-Uri Road on a fast-track basis.
Mehbooba Mufti, in her address, said joint initiative of the State Government and the Army is a rejuvenation of the Healing Touch Policy which was pioneered by Mufti during his first stint in 2002 and was greatly valued by the people of the State. She said the Army and other security forces are extending their full cooperation to the Government in this new enterprise of hope which will go a long way in rebuilding the people’s trust in democratic institutions and processes.
“Army and security forces have done a great job in creating a conducive atmosphere for revival of the democratic process in the State and it is for the State Government now to carry forward the mission of rebuilding people’s trust in the democratic institutions,” the PDP president said.
Mehbooba said the people of J&K are the biggest stakeholders of peace and the democratic process and the Government is showing through tangible actions the transformation of ground situation in the State. She also asked Secretary Tourism to develop the park on modern lines as the facility will be a boon to people who live in its proximity, having literally no facility for recreational activities.
The Citizens’ Park will be set up with all modern facilities which include amusement and children’s aquatic game areas, walkways, food court and art gallery, library and coffee shop, herbal garden, parking bays and lawns and landscape area.
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