KL Report
SRINAGAR
Asserting that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would safeguard and secure J&K’s interests, party Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Thursday said PDP is seeking a positive vote on its progressive agenda to facilitate the resolution of critical political and economic problems confronting the State. He said substantial endorsement of PDP’s political, economic and developmental agenda by the people in the Parliamentary polls and the first two phases of the ongoing assembly elections is the greatest achievement for the party.
“If PDP is today leading the democratic movement for change in J&K, it is because of the fact that the party has earned credibility among the masses by not only articulating their aspirations in a responsive and responsible manner, but delivering on the development front as well,” Mufti said while addressing election rallies in Batamaloo, Eidgah and Zadibal assembly segments here to enlist support for the party candidates Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Dr Ali Mohammad and Aabid Ansari.
Mufti said a new dawn of development and prosperity was awaiting and people have to play their decisive role in ensuring a stable and strong government in the State. “The power to change the destiny of the State lies with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and not elsewhere,” he said adding unfortunately the lopsided policies of the NC-Congress coalition government have again pushed Kashmir into a gloomy scenario of despair and alienation and the people have started looking towards PDP with immense hope to retrieve the state from the present quagmire.
“Emerging as a genuine and authentic voice of the people of J&K, PDP has opened itself to new responsibilities as the expectations of the people with the party have grown manifold,” he said and assured the people that the party won’t let them down and work tirelessly towards realizing the dream of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
Mufti said, if it comes to power, PDP’s endeavor would be to respond to and mitigate the complex problems of the state, faced as it is with decades long political uncertainty, development deficit, unfulfilled aspirations, mounting unemployment, corruption, nepotism and favoritism.“It is heartening to note that people have realized that only PDP has the vision and conviction to solve their problems and that is why they have reposed their faith decisively in the party in the first two phases of the ongoing polls,” he said and expressed the hope that people would continue to extend support to their party with the same enthusiasm in the remaining phases as well.
Mufti said the terribly bad governance during the past six years has pushed the State in general and the Srinagar city in particular into virtual destitution as is evident from the state of affairs in this historic city today. “Be it roads, drains, power supply, drinking water supply, education, healthcare, rations, traffic management, tourism, everything seems to be in a complete mess in Srinagar today and the problem was only aggravated by the devastating floods that hit the State this September,” he said and added that PDP would reverse this impression and try to establish a model city where people get what they deserve as a matter of right like members of a dignified society.
Enumerating the measures to be initiated by PDP, if it comes to power, Mufti said while recovery and rehabilitation would be the focus of his government, the areas of immediate concern would be revival of trade and reconstruction of flood-ravaged assets. “The income loss in trade, tourism, handicrafts and horticulture sectors would be compensated through default insurance for uninsured assets of small traders and businesses from Calamity Relief Fund & Disaster Relief Fund,” he said and added the rehabilitation process would also include debt relief package for artisans.
Mufti said a flood protection master plan would be put into place for all major rivers and their tributaries besides building new protection bund on river Jhelum and its tributaries. He said the Brari-Nambal Lagoon would be developed on the pattern of Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad. “Srinagar would be developed as Smart City, with rapid traffic system including metro, multi-level parking facilities, promoting vertical accommodation, and creation of pedestrian only zones in some of the selected markets,” he said and added that regulatory complexities would be reduced to encourage new businesses.
Mufti said Local Authorities will be given incentives and powers to deliver locally led solutions to improve prosperity. “To ensure financial security for the local youth, livelihood creation projects would be created by dovetailing craft, heritage and tourism,” he said and added that Shar-e-Khaas would be declared a special heritage zone to promote niche economy.
Speaking on the occasion, the PDP Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar said the course of history can only be changed through the conscious use of vote only and the great response shown by the electorate in first two phases of polls in Jammu and Kashmir signifies a great shift in the people’s mindset who want to now become masters of their own destiny.
“There is no place for deceit and treachery now as the people have understood how to make best use of democracy to make themselves heard better in the system,” he said.
