‘I don’t differentiate areas on political, regional basis’
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that his government would do justice with people and regions which have been handed down injustice in the past, adding he did not believe in differentiating between people on the basis of political leanings, region or religion.
Addressing functions organized to distribute ownership rights on government land among farmers under the Roshni Act at Banihal and Chenani today, the Chief Minister said that in the past development matters were also politicized which policy left backward areas continuously lagging in progress. He said that politics was played even in according backward status to different areas and votes would determine distribution of fruits of development among people. “Not any more”, he said, adding that he had based his government on the principle of justice to all and injustice with none. He said that he firmly believed that Chief Minister and State government belonged to all people irrespective of their political leanings and religious or regional background. He said that he was of the view that rulers should not use power vested in them according to their likes and preferences but on the basis of justice. Accordingly, he said, his government was actively engaged in providing equal opportunities of development to all regions and areas.
The Chief Minister regretted that despite six decades of independence, several areas like Banihal still remained backward. He said this was only because every political party played with the sentiments of the people to gain power and once that objective was achieved, left them in lurch. He said his government had resolved to remove poverty and backwardness from the State and usher an era of development. He said the State government in tandem with the Centre had formulated a plan for the all round development of Jammu & Kashmir under which development activities across the State would be speeded up. He said basic amenities like hospitals, schools, drinking water and roads would be made available to every village during the next four years and sought people’s cooperation in making the development agenda of the government a success. He said the 21 st century is the century for development of poverty stricken and economically backward people.
Referring to the Roshni Act under which about 21 lakh kanals of State land was being transferred to people free of cost, the Chief Minister described it as a revolutionary step and said it would benefit farmers in a big way. He said he was personally attending functions organized to distribute ownership rights of government land among farmers to ensure that the process was completed in time. He said his presence at the site puts pressure on administration and concerned revenue officials to complete the formalities at the earliest, adding that since lakhs of kanals of land had to be transferred and as many applications received the job if left to be completed in normal process would take several years. He said the land was being transferred without farmers having to pay for it.
At today’s functions, the Chief Minister handed over ownership rights of land to about two dozen farmers of Banihal and Chenani tehsils. The measure would benefit 1500 and 3500 families in the two areas, respectively. He advised the farmers to report to him in case any official asked for bribe to give them the ownership papers. He said the ownership rights on the land would enable them to obtain loan from banks and State Subject Certificate. Besides, he said, the farmers could now get full compensation of the land in case the government acquired it for public purpose. Earlier, no compensation could be paid as the farmers did not own the land. The Damocles’ sword of government taking away the land from them was always hanging on their heads. He said since the farmers were now lawful owners of the land they would toil more to get greater produce from it.
Responding to local demands, the Chief Minister announced sub-district status to the local hospital at Banihal besides a degree college and Gujjar Hostel. He also announced a degree college for Chenani and free ration for three months for the drought affected people of Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Kathua districts.
Minister for Education, Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed, Minister for Rural Development, Jugal Kishore and MLA Banihal, Molvi Abdul Rashid also addressed the functions.
In his address, Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed said that the development offensive launched in the State during the past two years was unprecedented. He cited instance of education sector and said 80 percent children in the State had schooling facilities within one km from their residence. He said while only 35 degree colleges had been set up in the State since independence, the present coalition government opened 35 colleges in five years only. He said as a historic measure, 8 new districts were also created last year and made functional within six months.
The Minister said that his party and government were single mindedly working on the agenda of development and peace under which development activities had been taken up on a major scale throughout the State. He said Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote roads were thrown open to facilitate people to people contact on either side of the LoC.
The Minsiter for Rural Development, Jugal Kishore apprised the audience about the decisions and steps taken by the government to improve the condition of poor, downtrodden and deprived people. He said development works undertaken during the past two years were far more than those launched in several past decades. He said a new work culture had been introduced in the State which ensured completion of development projects within stipulated time.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey, District Development Commissioners, Ramban and Udhampur, A. D. Shanas and O. P. Kalandria, former Minister Yashpal Khajuria, Presidents Municipal Committees, Banihal and Chenani and local political leaders were present at the functions.