Omar Abdullah said that the rehabilitation policy, passports to relatives of militants, reduction in the footprints of security forces, removal of bunkers, focusing attention on political addressing of political issues, zero tolerance against rights violations, people-centric Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) and many other steps his government has taken during the last three years itself differentiate the ‘Asli’ healing touch from the ‘Nakli’ one propagated by PDP during their time. “This also distinguishes mere slogans from solid actions”, he added.
Taking a dig on PDP and its leadership, Omar Abdullah said that this party despite raising slogan of healing touch opposed the rehabilitation policy in the legislature when in power. This policy was aimed at providing opportunity to the militants who had crossed over LoC and not taken guns in hand, to rehabilitate and live a respectable life.
“It is NC-Congress coalition government which framed and implemented the rehabilitation policy making way for these persons to return and live a peaceful life. This is called the real healing touch”, he said and also referred to the decision of his government to do away with the blacklist of relatives of the militants maintained by the Police Department during the PDP tenure for refusing passports. He said that any relative of the militants who is not involved in militancy related issues is now getting passports like other common citizens.
Addressing a gathering after laying foundation of a Degree College building at Kilim in Devsar Constituency of South Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that those (PDP leadership) who have shut eyes and are wearing black glasses cannot see the light of the day. “People are wiser enough to make difference between the opportunists and the friends of the people”, he added.
“We are not like Pen and Inkpot Party (PDP) to starve the areas which were represented by the National Conference during the period when this party was in power”, he said asserting that justice is the benchmark of his government and reaching out people in all areas equitably is the policy of present dispensation.
Omar Abdullah said that in Devsar Constituency a bridge at Kilim Gund is under construction at a cost of Rs. 11.60 crores and 41 kilometers of roads in the constituency have been macadamized and metalled. He said that about a dozen water supply schemes at a cost of Rs. 18 crores have been completed while half a dozen such schemes are under execution. He said 7 irrigation and flood control schemes at a cost of Rs. 20 crores are in hand while Rs. 8 crores have been spent in the constituency to promote trade and tourism. He said Mir Bazar Power Grid Station has been completed last year and two receiving stations are being commissioned this year. “These achievements itself reject the propaganda of PDP against the working of his government”, he asserted.
Omar Abdullah appreciated the people’s wisdom to contribute greatly for restoration of peace in the State and extending support to the government to carry forward development on fast track. He said that ever increasing tourist flow in the State due to peaceful conditions has opened avenues of economic activities and jobs for youth. He appealed the people to continue their support to the government to realize the dream of New Kashmir and make development and prosperity rule the roast in the State.
The public meeting was also addressed by Minister for Public Enterprises, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed, Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, Minister of State for Cooperation, Dr. Manahor Lal, Legislators, Mohammad Amin Bhat and Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri.
Talking to media persons on the occasion, Omar Abdullah expressed the hope that Pranab Mukherjee would be the next President of Country.
In reply to a question regarding the strikes by a section of employees often, the Chief Minister said that his government has always been employee-friendly. “We have entertained almost all their demands and are ready to discuss other demands in an amicable and peaceful atmosphere across the table. There is no reason for going on strikes every now and then”, he said adding that some vested interests in employee circles are compelling them to deviate from the path of negotiations and talking which is ultimately counter-productive for the interests of the employees.
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