KL Report
JAMMU
Underlining peace and tranquility pre-requisite for development, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday said that the launch, construction and commissioning of hundreds of development projects during the tenure of present coalition dispensation, largely owe its existence to the peaceful situation and brotherhood prevailing in the State. He said common masses were main contributors in this regard as such deserve all credit.
“Despite attempts on peace and amity, the people of the State in general helped the government in nipping the evil in the bud and restoring normality”, he said and mentioned the disturbances during the militancy in the State putting all spheres of development at halt and economy in shambles.
“Whenever there is security and law and order challenge the government’s attention on development gets shifted to providing security to the people and controlling the situations. This gives jolt the process of development”, he said and asked the people to be committed to peace and brotherhood so that prosperity ruled the roost in the State.
Addressing a public gathering at Kunjwani near Jammu after laying foundation of Rs. 50 crore Maternity Hospital at Gandhi Nagar, inaugurating Rs. 26 crore Shastri Nagar 33/11KV, 10 MVA Receiving Station and opening Rs. 19 crore Satwari-Kunjwani 4-Lane Road Project, the Chief Minister said that the hundreds of schemes in various sectors of development including health, R&B, Water Supply, Power, Education, Agriculture and allied sectors during the last about 5 years in the State speak loud and clear for the performance of his government and its response to the public demands.
“Some people for political reasons do not want to count the glaring achievements of his government and attempt to divert the attention of the people from the gigantic development process taking place across the State. They still indulge in raising old and worn out slogans like discrimination”, he said and mentioned some over a dozen projects including Jammu flyover, artificial lake, 4th bridge over River Tawi, super specialty hospital, various grid and receiving stations besides water supply schemes launched and completed in Jammu city during the tenure of his government adding that for these projects the slogan raisers of discrimination were craving for such projects for a long time.
Omar Abdullah said that he does not believe in propaganda because the work done on the ground itself speaks for its author. However, he said that his government’s report card would be made available to every citizen to judge the performance of his government.
On power development, Omar Abdullah said that self-reliance in power generation is imperative for economic welfare and holistic development in a State like Jammu and Kashmir. He said during the past this sector did not receive the focused attention. He said from the Chief Ministership of Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah till the tenure of Ghulam Nabi Azad, the production of power in the State touched only 1200 to 1300 MWs annually and his government during the last three months has allotted power projects with a capacity of 1900 MWs. He said his government has also laid edifice to generate 9000 MWs within some 7-8 years so that Jammu and Kashmir will attain the cherished goal of self sufficiency in power generation. “This would not only help to provide 24×7 un-cut power supply for domestic purpose but also for trade and industrial purposes.
The Chief Minister announced launch of neurosurgery unit in Jammu Super Specialty Hospital to provide critical neurosurgery treatment to the patients there and relieve them from the burden of traveling outside the State for such treatment.
The Chief Minister also announced construction of subways on the Satwari-Kunjwani road project for the benefit of pedestrian. He said the work on the construction of subways would start soon.
The Chief Minister also said that the State Government has almost got cleared the Gandola project for Jammu from the Union Ministry of Environment. He said he has also discussed the importance of expansion of runways of Jammu Airport at the Union Government level to make it safe and secure and capable of receiving bigger aircrafts. He said the Government of India has recognized this importance and the project has been cleared for expansion and upgradation of runways. He said these projects would not only help to rope in more tourists to Jammu city but also give fillip to the economic activity.
