KL Report
SRINAGAR
Seeking support of the people to establish new pro-people system of governance in Jammu and Kashmir, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Sunday regretted that during the last five years corruption has been institutionalized in the State because the present dispensation has brazenly eroded existing anti-graft institutions by making them virtually redundant.
“The National Conference led government has earned the dubious distinction of making Jammu and Kashmir as most corrupt state in the country. It is under the present regime that corruption has reached new high and has been virtually legalized”, Mufti said while addressing an impressive public meeting at Udhampur which was organized by Sukhdev Sharma district president PDP.
Braving severe cold and downpours large number of people from different parts of Udhampur and Reasi districts turned up to listen speech of Mufti Mohamamd Sayeed. “Corruption has almost become a way of life in Jammu and Kashmir and it is a fact that lack of transparency and accountancy in the governance at various levels is the root cause of expanding corruption in the State”, he observed and pointed out that except giving statements the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir has failed to take any concrete and effective measures to fight the menace of corruption at political and administrative levels. To substantiate his allegations that corruption has been institutionalized in J&K during the last five years, Mufti pointed towards recently exposed stinking affairs in the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE). “Sanctity of institutions like BOPEE has been eroded during the last five years”, he said and pointed out that not only a tainted officers was appointed as head of this prestigious institution but he was also given other favours including unwarranted and arbitrary extensions in services, violating all norms.
Ridiculing present regime for indulged into foundation stones laying spree, PDP patron said that instead of completing the already sanctioned works the government has been kick starting new developmental works only to be fool the masses.
He said that present government headed by NC lacks vision as well as road map. “Instead of carving out a path of development and growth, this government has been working on the road map prepared by the previous PDP regime”, he said. “What to say of appreciating road map prepared by the previous PDP regime, the present dispensation has been brazenly trying to take credits of the projects started by its predecessors” he said, adding, “except taking credit of works of previous regime, this regime has done nothing noticeable during the last five years”. Mufti mentioned that PDP regime had brought transparency and accountability in the governance by strengthening democratic institutions in the state. “Through its visionary policies, the previous PDP led regime had inculcated a sense of security among all citizens and created an atmosphere for initiating developmental activities in the state,” said Mufti.
“During our tenure, we had treated all regions equally and decentralized powers at grass loot level by political and economically empowering all regions and sub-regions”, he reminded.
He recalled that it was during PDP led regime that water supply scheme was started for Udhampur town. Furthermore work on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded road to connect Udhampur with Ramnagar was also started during PDP led regime. He further added that Campus of Jammu University and Degree College at Ramnagar were sanctioned during PDP led regime. Seeking support of the people for party candiadates Arshad Malik and Yash Pal Sharma for Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seats respectively, Mufti said that PDP has fielded experienced and trusted candidates.
