Jammu: Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asked government to clarify the mandate of Dineshwar Sharma, a former Intelligence Bureau chief nominated by New Delhi as a Special Representative to “initiate and carry forward a dialogue with elected representatives, various organisations and concerned individuals in Jammu and Kashmir.
While taking part in discussion on Motion of Thanks on Governor’s addresses in assembly, Omar Abdullah, who is leader of the opposition, also enquired about new measures undertaken by the present dispensation in the last three years for the public welfare. “When we talk about 2017 situation, they say it was better. Yes when you compare it with 2016 when situation was really bad, it would be better.”
He expressed hope for successful conduct of upcoming Panchayat Polls in the state. Omar also praised former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad for some of the “landmark” steps taken by them including opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, Mughal road, and establishment of University and Satellite campuses, construction of Tulip garden, Hajj House and establishment of new districts.
He asked the government for taking additional measures for traffic management in the state. He also asked for another motorable bridge across Jhelum to decongest the traffic load on the existing route besides, making the traffic lights functional, installed in Jammu to manage traffic in an effective manner.
Earlier initiating the today’s discussion, MLA Rajeev Jasrotia said the present dispensation has taken path-breaking initiatives with regard to development of roads, highways, establishment of AIIMS, IIMs, Cluster Universities, New Engineering Colleges etc. He praised the Chief Minister for going to the doorsteps of the people in far flung areas to listen their grievances during her public outreach programme and ensuring on spot redress of grievances.
Raja Manzoor Ahmad called for consensus between different political parties to ensure a meaningful and result oriented dialogue in the state with different stakeholders to ensure peace in the region.
Congratulating the government for bringing reforms in Rural Development Department, he said that the credit goes to Minister for Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan for taking various initiatives for betterment of people. He also praised the government for successfully launching various welfare initiatives for the people especially for welfare of the weaker sections of the society.
He called for construction of Tunnel on Sadna Top connecting Kupwara with Tanghdar.
Nawang Rigzin Jora also took part in discussion and called for implementing Agenda of Alliance on ground and to fulfil the promises made to the people of the state.
He said that engaging of 3000 teachers under Prime Ministers Package for Kashmiri migrants is a welcome step but called for political reservation to tribal community. He also pleaded for establishment of Cold Reservation and Thermal Plant in the State. Jora urged for speeding up the restoration work on Mubarak Mandi heritage complex and early implementation of 7th Pay Commission to the employees of the State.
Jora congratulated the Government for establishment of Medical Colleges and AIIMs in the state.
Dina Nath Bhagat thanked the Government and the Deputy Chief Minister who is holding the charge of Power department upgrading the power infrastructure and said that Rs 1 crore provided to the every constituency has helped a lot for improvement in Power infra in every Constituency. He thanked the Government for opening of Degree College in his Constituency.
Dina Nath also congratulated the Government for the establishment of various prestigious institutions in the State including AIIMS, Indian Institute of Technology, Railway and other key projects. He also praised the centre government for providing every kind of support for the development of the State.
Mubarak Gul while taking part in the discussion said that government needs to take steps to bring positive change on the ground for restoring peace in the state. He said that government must come up with an action plan to open the channels of communications to between public, administration and government to restore a peaceful environment in the valley.
Abdul Rahim Rather praised the government for several landmark steps including smart city status to Jammu and Srinagar, providing amnesty to the first time offender in valley, high achievements in under MGNREGA, introducing ultrahigh density plantation in the state. He also praised the inclusion of Non-migrating Kashmiri Pandits in the reservation policy, besides rehabilitation steps taken for pellet victims.
While taking part in the discussion, Usman Majeed urged government to increase the public welfare measures being undertaken, besides ensuring benefits of these initiatives reach the grass root level. He further asked for increasing transparency and accountability in the system.
He said that government should facilitate special representative Dineshwar Sharma so that every stakeholder is included in the dialogue process.
Usman Majid urged the Government to ensure timely completion of Kishenganga Power project besides completion of protection works on Madhumati Nallah. He also appealed the government to take strict action against non performing contractors including blacklisting those who cause unnecessary delays on timely completion of the projects.
He also urged for proper execution of flood management plan for river Jhelum and for timely and judicious utilization of funds allocated under the project. He also asked for a Women’s Degree College for Bandipora.
While taking part in the discussions, Legislator Jeevan Lal appealed all public representatives to exude a positive message and refrain from issuing provocative statements to bring peace in state.
He also urged the government to expedite implementation and ensure proper utilization of funds under various centrally sponsored schemes including PMDP, DDUGJY, PMGSY, Ujwala Yojana and demanded for expediting forest clearance for the said projects. He also asked for inclusion of remaining genuine beneficiaries under PMAY, State Marriage Assistance and other schemes.
He also pleaded for higher secondary school for rural, far off areas so that students of these areas do not have to travel long distances for education. He also asked for degree colleges for rural reaches of Bani including Lohai, Malhar, Machhdi.
MLA Habakadal, Shamim Firdous also took part in the discussion on Motion of Thanks on Governors Address and requested government to take moderate view towards misguided Kashmiri youth and make stringent efforts to de-radicalize and counsel these youth.
Legislator, Abdul Majid Padder while taking part in discussion on thanked the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for her extensive public outreach programme at all district headquarters which saw participation of people from all sections of the society. He congratulated the government for extensive efforts for improvement of power infra in the state, especially in Noorabad Constituency. He also congratulated the efforts taken to improve the education scenario in the state.
Main Altaf Ahmad expressed displeasure over slow pace of development works especially those targeted towards improving the living conditions of people living in border areas and asked for renewed efforts for fulfilling promises made to population residing in these areas.
He also asked for expediting pace on all on-going road projects being taken up in Rajouri and Poonch area under PMGSY.
Appreciating the former CM Mufti Muhammad Sayeed for introducing the Muzaffarabad Bus Service, the legislator requested for reinstating the bus service between the two regions.
He also called for measures to check corruption in new appointments in various departments and asked for brining transparency in the same.
While continuing the discussion, Vikar Rasool Wani called for early conduct of Panchayat and Local Bodies elections in the State.
He demanded for permanent regularization of the 61000 casual labours recently regularised by the government, besides asking for regularization of workers employed under MGNERGA. He also demanded for immediate measures to mitigate various problems being faced by the Tribal Populace of the state.
He further asked for initiating the process for return of power projects to the state government.
