Shun hooliganism, fight on political turf: Omar to separatists

Doda: Asserting that his endeavour would continue to seek peaceful and progressive Jammu and Kashmir through a positive political ideology, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday criticized the separatists for forcing the people to adhere to their calendar of disturbance and lockouts making them victims of hooliganism.
“If you want to fight, you should fight politically and not by means of hooliganism, highhandedness and muscle power”, he told the separatists adding that ‘lies cannot live long’ and people cannot be hoodwinked by slogans and fear. “One day you have to apologies the people for this sort of attitude”, he maintained and asked them to face political challenges politically and fight the roadmap and framework put forth by NC for settlement of K-issue on political turf.
The Chief Minister told the separatists that there is no taker of violence and hatred and nobody can digest your stance that ‘whatever you do is right and whatever others carryout is wrong’.
“A peaceful and youthful person of Nowhatta is the latest victim of your outlook”, he said expressing surprise over the attitude of those behind peace disturbances and issuing date sheets of lockouts not uttering even a word against this heinous act of hooligans forcing the people to obey the programmes of separatists or lose the life.
“While we condemn all acts of human rights violation and misuse of power by anyone, it is unfortunate to observe that if such a kind of act had been committed by men in uniform the cry raising by separatists would have been on its top”, he added.
“The innocent youth was killed as he didn’t accept shutting down his shop and rejected the unnecessary strike calls given by the separatists more often. He was severely hit by the stone pelter’s regiment of separatists forcing people to obey the calendar of hartals. He succumbed to his injuries in SKIMS”, the Chief Minister observed and expressed grief over the loss of a precious human life.
Addressing National Conference Party Workers’ Conventions and public receptions at Doda and Bhaderwah today, the Chief Minister said that the government will not tolerate ‘gundaism’ and attempts at disturbing peace by forcing people to shutdown their establishments and marring their bread earning opportunities.
On working of coalition government, Omar Abdullah said that NC-Congress coalition represents public trust and faith and it is determined to work in tandem to help achieve the goal of peace and sustained progress in all regions and sub-regions of the State.
The Chief Minister asked the workers to strengthen the coalition bonds down the lines stressing on constant rapport between legislators, representatives, office bearers and party workers of both parties. He said this kind of strategy is important to address public grievances jointly and seek their redressal at the government level.
Omar Abdullah said that coalition government has taken historic decisions of public empowerment and workers of the coalition partners have to play their important role for making people aware of these innovative steps and guiding them for taking best advantage of these initiatives.
The Chief Minister referred to the enactment and implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act highlighting its significance in prompt and time bound public service delivery. “Various services in six departments of Power, Revenue, PHE, Housing, Transport and CAPD have been brought under the ambit of Public Service Guarantee Act which envisages time bound service delivery to the consumers”, he said adding that the Act would at one hand ensure delivery of public service to the consumer in fixed time frame and on the other reduce the chances of corruption to a greater degree.
The Chief Minister also talked about the empowerment of panchayats and said that besides MGNREGA and other works in rural development sector, scores of functions in various departments have been transferred to these basic democratic units. “This historic measure of the coalition government would go in a long way to help equitable development across the State”, he said adding that the role of panchayats in the process of planning and development would grow more and more with the passage of time.
Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, legislator, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy and Provincial President, NC, Rattan Lal Gupta and local leaders also addressed the meetings.
Later, the Chief Minister reviewed development of Doda District at a district officers meeting. He directed for focusing on time line completion of works and delivery of prompt and quick service to the people.
Omar Abdullah said that district administration should be fully sensitized about the implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act ensuring delivery of specified services to the consumers in a specified time frame.
“You should also ensure that the services transferred to the panchayats are actually being exercised by these institutions at grass roots. Wherever assistance they need from the administration for the exercise of their powers they should be helped and guided properly”, he told the district administration.
It was stated in the meeting that over Rs. 32.5 crores have so far been spent on various development works in the district under current year’s district development plan.
The meeting was informed that under MGNREGA 7317 works at a cost of over Rs. 105 crores have been taken in hand in the district. Of this, Rs. 36 crores stand spent so far on these works.
The meeting was attended by Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, Legislators, Mohammad Sharief Naiz, G. M. Saroori, Abdul Majid, Ashok Kumar, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Naresh Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, IG, Jammu and DIG Doda-Kishtwar while District Development Commissioner, Doda, Farooq Ahmad Khan presented PowerPoint resume of the achievements registered under district plan in the district during the current year so far.