Take public hearings right up to Village level
‘Ensure balanced development of all 3 regions’
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 26: Stressing the `mantra’ of good governance in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today virtually declared war against corruption by asking the State administration that cases of rampant corruption by the “High and Mighty” should be taken up with “fast track investigations” and called for balanced development of all three regions of the State including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
An official statement issued tonight by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Day 1 of Shah’s two-day maiden visit to Kashmir after assuming charge of the Home Ministry, listed eight significant directions passed by Shah during review of developmental works and projects of the State in Srinagar, the summer capital of the State.
The Home Minister directed for strengthening of the newly established Anti-Corruption Bureau. He called upon the State administration to take up on priority for “fast track investigations” the cases of rampant corruption by the “High and Mighty” in the State.
The Central Government had repeatedly been receiving complaints of corruption in the State. Governor Satya Pal Malik has also pointed out several cases of corruption.
“The Home Minister directed that the State officers should be fully sensitive towards balanced development of all three regions-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and inclusive approach towards all communities so that none feels neglected e.g. border population, migrants, SC/STs, socially and educationally backward classes, residents of backward areas and economically weaker sections of the society,” the MHA statement said.
Sources said Shah’s statement on balanced development of all three regions and inclusive approach towards all communities assumed significance as the BJP since long had been highlighting all these issues not only in Jammu and Kashmir but at the national level as well. Shah still happens to be the BJP’s national president.
Calling for taking governance right up to the village level, the Home Minister directed that a regular time should be fixed for public hearings at all levels including Village, Tehsil, Sub Division, Division, District and Secretariat.
“Public hearing programmes should be supervised by the Advisors, Secretaries and Collectors. Public grievances should be disposed of in a time bound manner,” he stressed.
Turning towards unemployment, the Home Minister called upon the State administration to facilitate investments for generating large scale employment opportunities for local youth. Renowned educational and health institutions should also be motivated to establish their institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Calling upon the State Government to ensure that poorest of the poor in Jammu and Kashmir get the benefits of good governance in all spheres, Shah said the State Public Service Delivery Act should be strictly enforced and wide publicity be given to the services already covered under the Act. More services should be brought under its ambit, he emphasized.
“All vacancies in the State Government should be filled up in a time bound manner,” Shah stressed.
Reviewing major developmental projects announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he directed that works should be completed in a time bound manner. He said he would regularly review the performance achieved in all development projects.
He added that out of Rs 80,068 crore worth Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), 82 percent funds have already been sanctioned for 63 projects. Major projects included two All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), two IIMs, IIT, Ring Roads in Jammu and Srinagar, widening and strengthening of National Highways, tourism, health and power projects.
“Demonstrative improvement should be achieved in all the major flagship programmes of the Central Government such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Himayat, Ayushman Bharat, Swach Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, Saubhagya, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana etc,” the Home Minister said.
The development review meeting of Shah was attended by Governor Satya Pal Malik, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, all four Advisors to the Governor including K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ganai, KK Sharma and K Skandan, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and senior officials of Central and State Governments.
“The development review meeting focused on accelerating development, building infrastructure, good governance, inclusive growth for all communities and employment generating scheme for the youth among others,” the MHA statement said.
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