Epilogue Press

EPILOGUE PRESS
Jammu, March 05 – Asserting that his Government would not allow anyone’s highhandedness and atrocity against people whether it may be forces, police or so-called Ikhwanis, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday told Legislative Assembly that he is committed to justice to all, equitable development of the State and peaceful resolution of political issues. “I am in favour of constitution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission by the Centre Government to look into the questions being raised about disappearances of youth from custody, migration of Kashmiri Pandits, killings of political workers and various related issues”, he said adding that this would be appropriate step in the process of healing the wounds of bereaved. “In real sense compensation, SRO, appointments or financial assistance does not satisfy the affected families. They want answers to their questions. We should satisfy them on this count”, he said. In his 101 minute reply to the discussion on Governor’s Address in the House, the Chief Minister said that time has come when the bereaved people should get full facts about every aspect. He suggested a resolution from the State Legislature to this effect for action by the Centre Government. Omar Abdullah said that from the day first his Government took over it concentrated on highlighting the political resolution of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir at all forums. “We said that unemployment, gun-culture, financial crisis compounded the problem but political addressing of the issue in a political manner is only viable means to address the problem”, he said adding that every problem in the State is off-shoot of political issue. “I want to keep it on record whether anybody likes it or not, that political issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a reality and cannot be changed”, he said. The Chief Minister said that our efforts in this regard helped in the constitution of a team of Interlocutors by the Centre which is actively engaged in dialogue with all shades of people and has started a political discourse. The Chief Minister said the political issue of the State was recognized by the Parliament and Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram made it clear in both the Houses of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was in unique circumstances and its political issues have to be dealt uniquely. Omar Abdullah said that the main opposition party in the State is surviving on circulating falsehood and indulging in double speaks. “Its Patron when in Government for three consecutive years spoke in favour of Governor’s Address from the Treasury Benches and felt nothing good about separation politics. He has now publically announced that there is no difference between the policy of PDP and that of separatists. We have no objection in his taking U-turn and changing the goals. But PDP should stick to this change. What is it that his highest leader in the party (Muzaffar Hussain Baig) kept no stone unturned in the House today to present Mufti Sahib as the loyalist person of Indian Union holding the Indian Flag high for last 30 years”, Omar said. “In big public meetings in Srinagar PDP misses no occasion to talk of their league and support to separatist policy and division of the State. But in the indoor meeting with central leaders they speak on oath about their loyalty with Indian Union and its leadership. So much so, its leaders give reference of being brought up in the lap of late Mrs. Indira Gandhi”, Omar ridiculed PDP for this double faced policy aimed to led astray the people. “Such dual standards would ruin the party”, he said adding that those who keep two feet in two different boats fall into the river and nobody saves them from drowning. “On one hand this party says that it supports the resolution of Parliament about getting back the PoK from the occupation of Pakistan for being the integral part of Jammu and Kashmir State and on the other hand in their Self-Rule document they recognize PoK as a separate entity and talk about good relations with it and exchange of currency”, he pooh-poohed this political duality of PDP. On the summer unrest in the Valley for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010, Omar Abdullah said that though there has been considerable reduction in militancy during these years, yet the disturbance of law and order showed upward trend. “I have listed two important challenges to deal with firmly in the year 2011. The first is to break the continuous summer unrest in Valley and the second is to reduce the menace of corruption”, he said and elaborated the measures taken in this regard. On the issue of stopping BJP from unfurling tricolor at Lal Chowk, the Chief Minister said that it was the need of the hour to maintain peace in the State and not allow anti-peace elements to catch an opportunity for putting entire state on fire. “We hoist national flag all over the State and I myself unfurl it in Srinagar Stadium on 15th of August and the Governor does it at MAM Stadium here on Republic Day”, he said adding that we are part of India and hoisting of tricolor is a regular and normal feature in the State. The Chief Minister saluted the temperament and wisdom shown by Jammuties at that critical juncture adding that the people of Jammu are praiseworthy for denying to fall a prey in that situation created by BJP. On the issue of arrests, Omar Abdullah said that the main opposition party and it’s a leader from Bandipora has made it its trait to make false statements both in the House and outside. “During the summer unrest 4064 persons had been arrested for stone pelting and other law and order disturbing actions. Of these, 3900 have been released and they are free doing their business. He refuted the assertion of Bandipora MLA that 250 persons are under arrest from Baramulla. “Only 29 people are under arrest from this district and 20 of them have been detained under PSA. Similarly, in Bandipora only 10 persons have been detained of which, 8 are under PSA”, he said asserting that his Government would never put anybody unnecessarily in custody. “I have given categorical instructions to Law Enforcing Agencies to ensure that no violation of law takes place under any circumstance”, he said. On removing of AFSPA and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), the Chief Minister said that he has constituted two Committees to look into this subject. “I am in favour of removing those areas from the ambit of DAA where the situation has improved and there is no requirement of AFSPA. If situation remains peaceful the Government will remove many areas out of DAA list this year”, he said adding that 40 bunkers have been removed from Srinagar besides reducing the number of two battalions of CRPF. “We are also working for reducing the number of Army personnel from the civil areas”. On rehabilitation policy, Omar Abdullah said that his Government has made the policy a reality and we have received 600 applications under this policy which are under verification. On Passport issue to the kin of militants, the Chief Minister said that he is categorical on the issue that nobody should suffer for the actions of others. “I have asked the CID department not to punish any for the misdeeds done by their relatives”, he said adding that when separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq can get passport to visit outside the country, why not the kin of militants. On development, Omar Abdullah said that the impact of huge plan of over Rs. 6000 crores and Rs. 1200 crores under PMRP received by the State, was torpedoed by the unabated four months summer unrest in the Valley which hampered the development works, marred the tourist season and inflicted irrecoverable loss to the education. Omar Abdullah called for making education and healthcare conflict neutral under all circumstances. “I have no objection if any shopkeeper shuts his shop by his own will or any transporter halts his vehicle by himself. But the children should not be stopped from attending schools nor patients deprived of taking treatment in the hospitals”, he said. The Chief Minister said that some 50000 persons lost their jobs due to summer unrest besides other economic losses adding that lost to the students was of larger significance and magnitude. “The politicians should not sacrifice the future of youth for seeking their today’s good”, he said and asked them to keep students and patients away from their political arena. On employment, Omar Abdullah said that Government is not able to provide government service to all unemployed, however, necessary dent to the problem will be made through SKEWPY and other similar measures. On corruption, the Chief Minister said that Chief Commissioner for State Information Commission has been appointed and two more Commissioners are being appointed shortly. “We are also constituting Vigilance Commission and strengthening Accountability Commission. I have put PMGSY works under e-tendering which is being extended to other departments. The e-procurement is being started in crucial departments”, he said adding that these measures will reduce the chances of corruption in the State. Omar Abdullah also gave resume of the measures of his Government pertaining to the improvement in power sector referring to the allotting of 690 MW Ratli Power Project and constituting joint venture with NHPC and PTC for generation of power in the State. “This joint venture will ensure the State’s ownership on power projects while enhancing the generation”, he said. On Indus Water Treaty, the Chief Minister said that we have introduced measures for water use empowering the State to get water tariff from the power companies for utilizing the waters ofJammu and Kashmir for generation of power. “This would prove highly effective in generating the revenue and ensuring the rights of the State on the waters”, he said. On 8-point package, the Chief Minister said that the action on all aspects identified under the Central package is in full swing and the Task Forces appointed for Jammu and Ladakh have pro-actively worked. “Centre Government has already announced funds to remove the deficit in the infrastructure in certain areas in Ladakh and Jammu identified by the Task Forces”, he said. Omar Abdullah said that equitable development of of all the regions and sub-regions in the State is benchmark of his governance and steps are on to remove the imbalances in certain sub-regions. On delimitation, he said that the issue has been taken up at the highest forum of Supreme Court by certain people and there is categorical verdict that till 2026 no action will be taken on it. However, he said there are various means to provide representation to the people. On demands of employees, Omar Abdullah said that he has asked the Finance Minister to look into the release of 10 percent DA in favour of employees urgently while the road map for paying the 50 percent of arrears to them has already been formulated. However, he said, Government is open to discuss all matters with employees, terming them important and integral part of the Government. Omar Abdullah said that a section of politicians in Kashmir is trying to equate Kashmir situation with Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. “I want to tell them that there is no relation between Kashmir and the situations in these countries. I am 4th Chief Minister in last nine years. We need not to come on streets to change the Governments. We are doing it here with simple pressing of the button of voting machine. I have been elected for six years, my Government has completed the two and we are in process of completing the term. If people would not like us to be in power they will remove us peacefully by the process of democracy”, he said adding that without peoples’ support he will never try to stick to the chair even for a movement.
In the evening the Chief Minister made similar speech in the Legislative Council while replying the discussion on Governor’s Address there.