Epilogue Press

EPILOGUE PRESS
GUREZ (BANDIPORA) JULY 24- Underlining the accessibility pre-requisite for development of hilly and remote areas, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday said that he would take up the issue of boreing of various tunnels in the State with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.
Omar said that construction of tunnels and dependable road connectivity is essentially important in Jammu and Kashmir to help link up backward areas with main highways and ensure integrated development and generation of economic activities in these areas.
The Chief Minister said that regular helicopter service for such areas is also necessary to assure the connection of these areas with the rest of the country especially during winter months. “This issue stands taken up with the Central Government.”, he said adding that he will further push it forward.
The Chief Minister was addressing a large public gathering at Dawer here after inaugurating Gurez festival aimed at showcasing this beautiful area for tourism.
The theme of the festival is promotion of tourism. An exhibition participated by various departments, cultural programmes and folk dances are other attractions of the festival. As many as 24 stalls have been installed in the exhibition containing various handicrafts, agricultural, horticultural and other items produced in the area and other parts of the State
Omar Abdullah is the first Chief Minister, who drove from Srinagar to Dawer, Gurez by road. He inspected works en-route and interacted with people at different places.
The Chief Minister said that his Government has concentrated attention on the development of good roads focusing on construction of intra-district and intra-regional roads to make necessary dent in this regard. “We have already received liberal financial support from the Central Government for many road projects and our endeavour will be to seek further Central help for the purpose”, he said.
“I have witnessed the road condition from Bandipora to this place myself”, he said adding that the purpose behind his visiting Gurez by road was to assess the condition of the road and get first hand appraisal of development works by interacting with the people at various places.
The Chief Minister said that the natural beauty of Gurez needed to be showcased for global tourism. However, he stressed on protecting the environment and ecology of the area at any cost. He said that the promotion of tourism is also related to good roads.
Omar Abdullah asked the executing agency of Kishan-Ganga power project to ensure employment to non-skilled youth of the area adding that there is no dearth of availability of manpower of this nature in the area. “You should also engage local transporters, contractors and similar other agencies in your overall working system”, the Chief Minister told them adding that such projects should necessarily create job-opportunities for the locals.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated tourist complex at Dawer and granted Rs 15 lakh under Paying Guest Scheme for the intending locals for construction of tourist accommodation in ‘Kanzwan’ area.
The Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, speaking on the occasion said that schemes worth Rs 3.50 crore are presently under execution in Gurez in the tourism sector. He highlighted various schemes launched in the State for the growth and development of tourism.
Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Parliamentary Member, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq and MLA, Gurez Nazir Ahmad Gurezi were accompanying the Chief Minister.
The Parliamentary Member, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq announced Rs 40 lakhs and MPs Constituency development Fund for Gurez.
Later, addressing panches and serpanches of Gurez constituency at a separate function after inaugurating 4-day orientation camp for them, the Chief Minister asked them to be prepared to shoulder the responsibility of rendering important public service.
“Your role will not only be restricted in the rural development sector”, he said elaborating that panchayats would also be involved in the sectors of social welfare, consumer affairs and public distribution, health, education, construction of rural roads, supply of drinking water and electricity, agriculture, animal husbandry, etc..
The Chief Minister said that transfer of power to panchayats is his Government’s commitment. “We are moving forward in this connection”, he said asserting that powerful and delivering panchayat system in the State is his Government’s endeavour.
Omar Abdullah impressed upon the panches and serpanches to be prompt, responsive, responsible and dedicated. “Honesty and sincerity should be your standard”, he told them highlighting their importance in the process of plan formation and implementation of works in the State.
The Chief Minister said that the 3-tier panchayat system comprising of halqa panchayats, block councils and district councils will be basic democratic institutions responsible for the area specific and holistic development of all areas in the State.
The meeting was also addressed by the Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar and local MLA, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi.
On reaching Gurez, the Chief Minister was given rousing reception by the people. They chanted traditional songs, raised slogans in favour of Chief Minister and his Government and showered flowers over the Chief Minister’s caravan.