By IANS,
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday expressed anguish that the media magnified shutdowns in Kashmir but downplayed “reports of peace and development”.
“Stray incidents of hartals (shutdowns) and disturbances take place everywhere in the world, but when the same happens in Jammu and Kashmir, these are magnified larger than the factual position,” Abdullah said at a seminar on Public Private Partnership here.
“Good reports of peace and development unfortunately do not make news but a stone pelted at a vehicle makes breaking news for the press and the electronic media,” he said.
The chief minister also asked private players in trade and business to play an active role in giving a fillip to the efforts of the government to encourage Public Private Partnership here.
“The task cannot be left only to the government to accomplish. You have to play your role effectively to break the ice in evolving a strategy to attract private investors to invest in joint ventures.
“The soil of the state is fertile enough to properly germinate Private Public Partnership modules and ensure their growth and economic viability,” he said.
Abdullah felt that before looking for mega projects, smaller and medium ventures should be started to increase confidence in such a partnership.
The chief minister said the state government would be more interested in such modules that ensure facilities to people in the public service sectors.