Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said pubic empowerment is the right initiative to ensure good governance and bring in transparency in the functioning of administration.
He said from the day one, his government has focused attention on this and on the aspect of strengthening of institutions to give authority to people to make government answerable and accountable before them.
“We have given power to the commoner to ask any question to the administration about its performance, financial transactions, allotment of tenders, expenditures made and physical status of works on ground,” he said, adding that all government departments have been brought under the scanner of common people.
The Chief Minister said by the implementation of historic Public Service Guarantee Act, his government has authorised people to receive over 50 public services in eight vital departments within a prescribed timeframe making the government functionaries responsible to deliver these in that fixed time limit.
Any laxity or failure on the part of government functionary in delivering these services makes him liable for a fine up to Rs 5000 and a part of which is to be paid to the affected consumer, he said.
The consumer is now in a position to receive the compensation for delay in getting the demanded public service instead of paying bribe for getting his work done, he explained.
Interacting with various deputations and individuals at his Friday Awami Mulakat here, the Chief Minister said peace with development was his endeavour for progressive Jammu and Kashmir.
He assured the people that his government was determined to ensure holistic and equitable development of all regions and sub-regions of the State.
“Welfare of all sections of the society is my government’s target,” he said asserting that a well defined development policy in this direction is being followed with keenness and commitment to achieve this goal.
