Public empowerment our initiative for universal development: Omar

JAMMU: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has reaffirmed his Government’s determination to ensure universal development of the State bringing about economic welfare to all sections of the society.
“Reaching out to people in all areas on development front is the guiding principle of our development policy and my Government is marching on this track with a commitment”, he added.
Talking to people at public receptions held at over a dozen of places including Chopra Shop, Manda, Udhampur, Jakhani, Chenani, Surmoli, Kud, Patnitop, Batote and Asar on way to Doda, the Chief Minister said that empowerment of people by way of establishment of Panchayat Raj and implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act would give new dimension to the development scenario in the State making people partners in the governance.
“The transfer of powers from bureaucracy to common people is a historic measure of the Government aimed at cultivating good work culture and strengthening the friendly ties between the administration and the people”, he said asking the people to take best advantage of this Act to get public services from the administration well in prescribed time frame.
Omar Abdullah said that implementation of Right to Information Act in its right perspective is another significant step in making administration answerable before people. “The State Government has made State RIT Commission functional by putting Chief Information Commission and State Information Commissioners in place”, he said adding that the functioning of Accountability Commission has been restored by appointing its Chairman and Members.
“These actions would at one hand make the Government functionaries answerable before the general public and on the other help in restricting the menace of corruption to a greater degree”, he said adding that these steps would also bring transparency in the functioning of Government Departments.
The people welcomed Omar Abdullah at reception points raising slogans in his favour and in favour of his Government. They had erected reception gates, banners, buntings and showered flowers while receiving the Chief Minister.
Omar inspected the construction work of the tunnel underway at Chenani. Talking to the engineers and management of NHAI on the occasion Omar Abdullah stressed on timeline completion of the tunnel. He said the tunnels at Chenani and Banihal are important components of the construction of 4-lane National Highway from Lakhenpur to Srinagar, as such, should receive focus for constructing within the targeted time frame.
The Chief Minister directed the management to ensure that the locals are employed in various works being undertaken for the construction of the tunnels and Highway.
The 9 kilometres, 2-lane main tunnel with 13.3 metres dia is under construction to link Chenani with Nashri in Ramban area to slash 30 kilometres of the journey making the travel smooth and comfortable. The total cost of the tunnel is expected to be Rs. 2519 crore. It is likely to be completed in 2016.
Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana was accompanying the Chief Minister who is on 3-days tour of Doda and Kishtwar districts.