SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday cautioned people of Jammu to be vigilant against elements “trying to communalise” the state’s situation even as she hit out at separatists for their frequent strike calls in the Valley, saying it is affecting the economy.
“While there is a problem of militancy in Kashmir, many elements in Jammu are trying to communalise the situation. I want to tell our people in Jammu that communal tension is as dangerous as militancy and it causes same damage as the militancy,” she said during her conclusive remarks of the five-week-long budget session.
Mehbooba urged people not give a chance to communal elements to vitiate the atmosphere.
“We took a big decision to have this alliance (with BJP) because of the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood in Jammu since ages,” she said.
The Chief Minister said situation in the region was fragile and asked legislators, including Opposition, to play their part for creating a peaceful environment.
“From last 20-25 years we have faced many challenges. The people sitting here in the legislature and their families have rendered sacrifices to tread this path. The prime responsibility that we have is to consolidate the peace,” she said.
Taking a dig at separatists, Mehbooba said their frequent strike calls on one issue or the other was affecting state’s economy.
“Every day, they call for a strike on one thing or the other. If by God’s mercy no civilian is killed in retaliation by security forces when they are attacked, they then call strikes on Sainik Colony or Pandit Colony issues. It is affecting our economy,” Mehbooba said, without naming the separatists. The Chief Minister also called for a collective effort to get the State and its people back on course and leap forward to an era of stability and prosperity.
“There are so many challenges for us as there are so many long pending issues on economic, developmental and administrative fronts confronting the state and complicated by the political turmoil. We are ready to face them and find solutions through good governance and quality administration,” she said.
The Chief Minister said so many people have sacrificed their lives for the restoration of democracy and democratic institutions in the State and it is now the duty of legislators to uphold the sanctity and credibility of these institutions. “Politicians, police and security forces personnel, media-persons, government officials and common men and women of J and K have made huge sacrifices for restoration of rule of law and the democratic institutions in the State,” she said and added that it is the duty of everybody among us to safeguard the hard-earned sanctity and credibility of these institutions.
Stressing on improving quality and efficiency in administration, the Chief Minister said the work culture disseminated by the more than two decades long turmoil in the State, has to be rebuild brick by brick so that people feel the change. She said the government functionaries shall have to perform or face the consequences as the things are not moving at the desired pace because of lackadaisical approach at various levels. “We need a strong and motivated work force to ensure that the fruits of development reach to every citizen of the State,” she said and added the critical developmental issues have to be brought forward and addressed with motivation and fresh resolve.
Calling for appropriate blending of welfare and growth measures to build a community of common destiny that would contribute to J and K’s overall prosperity, the Chief Minister said good governance can be ensured only through a concerted effort by various stakeholders including political executive, legislators, bureaucracy, media and the common men and women of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The focus areas for our government include infrastructure development in key sectors like road communication, drinking water, power, health, tourism, education, and rural and urban development,” she said and added the government will have to at the same time address the issues concerning youth, women, unemployed and young entrepreneurs.
“We have to use talent, trade, tradition and technology to take the State to newer heights in development,” Mehbooba said and added that there is a pressing need to put in place a wide-ranging strategy on tackling unemployment, which undoubtedly is one of the most dangerous time bombs ticking in the State. She said the government has already created a four-tier structure for Skill Development Mission to channelise the potential of the State’s youth towards productive employment generation.
Laying stress on addressing the issues concerning the youth, the Chief Minister said; “I understand the aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. I have a vision for them, and I want to assure them that my government together with the Government of India is working to address their issues particularly that of unemployment to the best of our collective abilities. This is not just a personal commitment but a pledge that I am making,” she said.
Seeking support for uprooting the menace of corruption, Mehbooba said effective and efficient financial management with utmost priority towards transparency and accountability and judicious utilisation of development fund would be her ultimate and prime agenda. “Our government’s aim is to ensure corruption-free and transparent governance. We would neither tolerate corruption nor would we protect corrupt politicians or officials,” she maintained.
DEFER DEMAND FOR PAY HIKE
Srinagar: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed to the employees of the State Government to defer their demand for implementing the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations by at least two years in view of the State’s “very bad financial position”.
“I want to request our unions, our employees that the economic condition of our State is very bad,” she said, adding the State Government was facing numerous liabilities.
“Around Rs 20,000 crore is missing from our provident fund. We cannot find it and while we were looking to fill the gaps, the Seventh Pay Commission awards have been announced,” she said.
“I request our employees that it is your State and you run it,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government was thinking about how to make 61,000 casual labourers permanent.
If we have to give them employment, then I request the employees to defer their demand for implementing the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for at least two years, she said speaking at the conclusion of the over month-long Budget Session in the Legislative Council.
Mehbooba asked the employees for some time for the government to “sort out the financial mismanagement”.
“Let us first fight our problems and the financial mismanagement that has taken place. Till we are able to stand up on our legs, I request the leaders of our employees to give us some time. We have done it (implementing pay commission recommendations) in the past and we will do it,” she said. The Chief Minister said the government was working towards addressing issues concerning the youth, particularly that of unemployment.
“I understand the aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. I have a vision for them and I want to assure them that my government, together with the Government of India, is working to address their issues, particularly that of unemployment, to the best of our collective abilities,” she said, adding that this was “not a personal commitment but a pledge”. The Chief Minister, apparently referring to the alleged suicide bid by an IAS officer, also asked officials, legislators and ministers to separate their personal life from public life. “Be it a legislator, minister or any officer, he should separate his personal life from his public life,” she said, adding that this will not be tolerated in the future as it makes the whole system look bad.
“I am not pointing towards an officer. I am talking generally because we get many complaints about legislators. I do not want to take names but this has happened and is wrong,” said Mehbooba. “We should control our actions and should not do anything due to which our respect among the people is lowered,” she added.