Good governance, rehabilitation of flood victims Govt’s priorities: Mufti

SRINAGAR, MAY 05(KMW): Identifying restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure and improvement of roads, including the National Highways, as his priority areas, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed today said there is no deficit in the Agenda of the Alliance of the Coalition Government, which needs time to set the system right. 

He said a new recruitment policy has been announced by the Government to speed up filling up of vacancies so that the jobs are provided to educated youth in a transparent and time-bound manner.
Mufti Sayeed said this while interacting with media persons, after opening of the Civil Secretariat and other Move offices, here today.
Minister for Health & Medical Education, Ch. Lal Singh and Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, were also present.
Giving out an assurance to change the system of governance, Mufti Sayeed said the Government is working to make the system responsive by putting in place a single window clearance system for ensuring time-bound administrative disposal.
Regarding the financial position of the State, Chief Minister asserted that there is no financial crunch. He said there are two aspects of Government spending, one relating to the routine expenditure of the State and the other with specific reference to relief and rehabilitation. “The first one is being met despite previous liabilities,” he said.
As regards relief and rehabilitation, Mufti Sayeed said the Government is in the process of finalizing the source of funding the rehabilitation expenditure with the Central Government.
Referring to setting up of NITI Aayog, the Chief Minister said there has been a change in the system of financial management at the Central level, which is impacting all the States. He said we are expecting that basic contours of funding will be finalized very shortly.
Referring to the unprecedented floods of 2014, Mufti Sayeed said the new Government was committed to the rehabilitation of victims, which will be carried out on priority. He said the State was confronted with another threat of flood which was thwarted by timely management and following a proper flood drill. “We have provided a token of compensation to uninsured marginal traders and destitute, who lost everything in the September 2014 deluge. The people who have suffered damage to their property and trade at a higher scale are also being compensated,” he assured.
On a specific query on political dissent in the State and giving space to various political views, the Chief Minister said certain positions taken by people are not acceptable and action as per law has been taken in those cases.
Referring to his focus on tourism sector, Mufti Sayeed described it as the lifeline of State’s economy as it is the only sector that provides instant relief to the people. He said there is a need to change the negative perception about J&K in the rest of the country, which is affecting its image as an ideal tourist destination.