Srinagar, Nov 30 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said political stability is not possible without the involvement of the people.
Addressing a well attended public rally in Rafiabad village of north Kashmir Baramulla district, Omar said: ‘The peaceful situation in the Valley during this year has had positive effect on the economic welfare steps taken by the government.
‘But, political stability is not possible without the involvement of the people.
‘We were able to hold successful panchayat elections and subsequently transfer powers to these democratic institutions.’
The chief minister said his government is determined to ensure that peace dividends reach people in all fields of life and they are actively involved in the process of development and political stability.
‘My government has taken various measures on the law and order front to inculcate a sense of belonging in the people and make them all-encompassing in the process of restoration of peace and development.
‘We have enhanced the role of the Jammu and Kashmir police in the maintenance of law and order,’ he said adding that the removal of bunkers and reduction in the security forces were other important steps taken by the state government during the last three years.
Taking a dig at the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) headed by former chief minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, Omar said, ‘During their tenure they only fed the people with the hollow slogan of ‘healing touch’ but did nothing on ground and even opposed the ‘Rehabilitation Resolution’ then brought by a private member in the state legislature.
‘We have framed the Rehabilitation Policy for the return of youth from across the line of control (LOC), implemented the same and provided opportunity to peace loving youth to be part of the civil society.’
On empowering the people, Omar Abdullah referred to the strengthening and implementing of the right to information act (RTI).
He said the implementation of the public service guarantee act (PSGA) was yet another initiative to curb corruption at lower levels and empowering public to have legal right to get specific public service in a specific timeline.
