KL Report
SRINAGAR
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday said that his government has equipped people with effective legislations to identify corrupt elements and seek their punishment through independent institutions established in the State by his government during the last five years.
“To curb the corruption has remained our first target and we brought historic initiatives to empower people to be important players in achieving this goal”, he said mentioning legislations about Public Services Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act, Re-constitution of Accountability Commission and establishment of Vigilance Commission giving powers to people to utilize these Institutions to book the corrupt elements and seek their severe punishment. He said these Institutions were established to make government functioning transparent, give good governance and ensure time bound service delivery in basic amenities providing sectors. He asked the people to utilize these laws and the authority vested in them by the virtue of these legislations in helping to curb corruption and make transparency order in the administration.
Addressing a public gathering at Vijaypur in Samba district on Jammu-Kathua Highway Sarturday, the Chief Minister said that his aim is to bring the functioning and the functionaries of government under full public scan, as such, he equipped the people with the important laws and authorized them to ask questions to every government department about its performance, financial transactions, allotment of tenders, besides demanding services in a fixed time frame.
“Some eighty basic services from thirteen departments have been brought under the ambit of Public Services Guarantee Act to be delivered to consumer in a fixed time frame”, the Chief Minister said and added that any official responsible for delaying or failing in delivering any of these services in fixed time frame is liable for fine which shall be given to be affected consumer. He said services like issuance of ration card, driving license, state subject, revenue papers, SC, ST, OBC certificates, water and electricity connections, FIR copy, etc are covered under this Act for delivery in a fixed time frame. He asked the people to utilize this Act for obtaining these services hassle free. “If the government functionary shows any reluctance or demands bribe to deliver these services, report this to the authority identified for each service under the Act. The fine would be imposed on the official and you will be paid compensation out of this fine for not receiving the service in the fixed time frame”, he told the people elaborating the provisions of Public Service Guarantee Act under implementation in the State since 2011.
Omar Abdullah said that entire government machinery and the public representatives from Chief Minister to Legislators have been brought under the ambit of Accountability Commission and Vigilance Commission where under their conduct and performance could be questioned by any common citizens.
The Chief Minister said that addressing employment crises through a comprehensive and multi-faceted strategy also received concentrated attention during the last five years opening wide ranging opportunities for youth to get absorbed in government service as also in the private sector. He said that his government would further intensify its endeavour in this regard. “Youth are the strength of the State and architects of future, my hand holding to them to succeed in all fields of life is above all political motives”, he reiterated and said that he would continue to work for the welfare of youth whether in the government or outside.
Referring to the border trouble witnessed by various villages particularly in Vijaypur and Samba areas during some months ago, Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction that peace has prevailed and the life process has restored. He expressed the hope that the relations between India and Pakistan will improve further and said that all issues can be addressed and settled only by the meaningful process of dialogue. “Wars in the past have never solved any problem and will not solve any issue in future”, he said and referred to the three wars fought by India and Pakistan in the past.
The Chief Minister said that certain politicians (PDP leadership) even tried to do politics on border shelling issue as has been their characteristics. “This party while totally forgot the border people when they were braving the burnt of shelling on borders and did not even talk of them during the time of challenge but when peace restored and shelling stopped, the leadership of PDP announced taking out a procession in Srinagar”, he said adding that PDP like parties sell politics while National Conference renders service to people.
“They (PDP) talk and talk too much, we act and act for the welfare of the people and the State only without making any noise. Our actions speak loudly on ground which is evident by the fact that without making any hype Coalition Government registered remarkable achievements in all development sectors particularly in the sectors of public empowerment, employment generation, bijli, pani, sadak, taleem and sehat during the last five years”, the Chief Minister said and assured the people that their development demands will receive continuous attention and thrust of the Government in the year 2014.
Omar Abdullah said that PDP is fond of double speak to divide people. “The leadership of this party attempts at lead astraying people by saying one thing in Jammu, another in Srinagar and third in Delhi”, he mentioned and said that people are wiser enough to get carried away by emotional blackmailing and tactical politics exercised by PDP. “Now-a-days PDP tries to give an impression as if it is coming to power in 2014 Assembly Elections. Gone are the days when they used to fool people by exploitation and political jugglery”, he said and predicted tough times ahead of PDP as this party is fully exposed before the people who are well-versed with the deceptive and divisive political trait of PDP and handover them severe punishment in the coming elections.
Omar Abdullah also cautioned the people against those elements that thrive on creating hatred and wedging apart the society in the name of religion, region, caste and colour. “They will come to you during the elections and divide you for their vested interests”, Omar told the large gathering and asked them to beware of these elements. “Reject them categorically by exhibiting your amity, brotherhood and mutual understanding”, he said.
