Peace dividends should percolate to people: Omar

ANANTNAG: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday said that the remarkable decrease in militancy and gradual improvement in the security situation has expanded the expectation spectrum of people to receive peace dividends in all fields adding that his initiative in this direction is as per the aspiration of the general public.
Addressing a large public meeting after inaugurating power grid station at Nipora, Mir Bazar about 15 kms from here, the Chief Minister said that peace is imperative for development and its benefits should percolate to the people considerably.
“My endeavours in this regard are as per public aspiration. My view point for gradual revocation of AFSPA in certain parts of the State represent the public hope”, he asserted and said that the people want to relish the fruit of peace and tranquility along with development process. When he said this, the large number of people present in the public gathering supported Chief Minister’s view by raising their hands and shouting slogans in his favour.
Taking dig on his political opponents who relate the Chief Minister’s initiative regarding AFSPA as a measure for strengthening his Seat, Omar Abdullah said that had that been his aim he would have kept mum on this issue like them (PDP) when they were in power. “I represent public view and will advocate it continuously”, he said.
Explaining the efficacy of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) to ensure prompt service delivery to the people by the government departments and reduce the chances of corruption, the Chief Minister said that this initiative of his Government is one among the first few legislations enacted by some States in the Country.
“We have amply empowered the people to receive the designated services under the Act within the prescribed time frame and made administration legally bound for the same”, he said the erring officials are liable to punishment and affected consumer entitled for compensation. He asked the people to take best advantage of the Act and get various public services in the departments of Transport, CAPD, Power, Revenue, PHE and Housing within the prescribed time fixed for each service.
On empowerment of Panchayats in the State, the Chief Minister said that coalition government is committed to powerful and effective Panchayat System in the State and measures have already been initiated in this direction. “Transfer of necessary powers to the Panchayats has been affected and formulation of Panchayat Councils at Block level is in process”, he elaborated.
On National Conference-Congress relations, Omar Abdullah said that these are cordial and would continue to grow further with the passage of time. He said both parties are working jointly for achieving the goal of peaceful and progressive Jammu and Kashmir.
Correlating availability of electricity with the payment of tariff, the Chief Minister said that the government has to bear over Rs. 2000 crores as losses on the supply of electricity to the consumers in the State per annum. “This grim scenario largely affects the development and puts hurdles in the process of generating employment for youth”, he said and asked the people to cooperate with the Government by making timely payments of tariff and shunning the illegal use of electricity.
Omar Abdullah said that his Government has launched various mega, medium and small projects in power sector to generate over 4000 MWs of additional power in the State and help the growth and development of all sectors in the State.
The Chief Minister said that construction of new grid station at Nipora, Mir Bazar was long cherished demand of the people of South Kashmir and its commissioning has fulfilled their desire. He said it would help in a big way to streamline the transmission and distribution of power in the Valley in general and in South Kashmir in particular.
The public meeting was also addressed by Minister for School Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Parliament Member, Memboob Beg and Legislators, Mohammad Amin Bhat and Bashir Ahmad Veeri.
The Chief Minister earlier inaugurated Rs. 71.33 crores Grid Station at Nipora, Mir Bazar in South Kashmir. The project which is third of its kind in the Valley would help augment and streamline the power transmission besides ensuring improvement in the voltage.
The project will also complete the ring of 220 KV lines from Alstaing to Mir Bazar and Wagura to Mir Bazar in the Valley. It will also strengthen the existing Grid Stations at Pampore and Zainakote. The Mir Bazar 220/132 KV Grid Station of 320 MVA capacity is likely to augment power supply in South Kashmir benefiting a population of 15 lakhs in Anantnag and Kulgam districts.
The Commissioner Secretary Power, Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Chief Engineer PDD, Kashmir, Muzaffar Ahmad, District Development Commissioners of Anantnag, and Kulgam, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi and Farooq Ahmad were present on the occasion.