Riyaz Ul Khaliq
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Ruling coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday asked fourth estate of Democracy – Press – to be part of development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Media and politicians have huge role to play in making institutions of J&K strong,” former MLA and one of the Secretaries General of PDP, Muhammad Rafi Mir, said. “Our focus should be on institutions not individuals.”
Mir was delivering keynote address at a workshop – “Justice and Accountability of Governments Towards Citizens” – organized by OP Jindal University, NCR on board a cruise in Dal Lake.
Mir said that although he belongs to ruling party but the state of J&K is facing ‘crippled system’ of governance. “Our state is known for many things; it has been victim of conflict for last 25 years, so everyone has to give in its efforts for its development,” he said.
Mir said that good governance is ensured when there is sound opposition. “Opposition checks governments on its moves which is healthy for the development of states,” he said adding, “similarly media plays a tremendous role.”
“Media will have to shun likes and dislikes and we will be able to do many good things,” Mir maintained. “We have been through tough times which essentially means that we need to discuss things.”
Mir further said that the governance breakdown in J&K has been gradual and systematic. “There was a political upheaval in 1953 after which people felt interventions in our system up till 1957,” he said detailing the governance structure of J&K. “People felt that someone else was taking shots.”
“And people know about 1975 accord which witnessed an installed government headed by late SM Abdullah which was followed by 1977 elections,” he said and added that because it was a popular government “people had expectations from it”.
“Certain things took place for the sake of minor votes; the dirt and filth which you are seeing in Dal today was the result of those decisions,” Mir said, as the cruise was moving in the world famous lake, referring to post 1975 accord developments in state.
Howard University Professor and visiting faculty at Jindal University, Prof Stephen P Marks detailed about various international conventions and laws which have been accepted by Indian establishment. He also talked about those laws which have not been ratified by it.
Executive director Jindal University’s School of Government and Public Policy, Prof Rajeev Malhotra gave a sectoral presentation of India and comparing with state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Detailing his Policy Effectiveness Index (EPI), the state of Jammu and Kashmir has remained at number 20 in 1981, 11 at 1991, and improving it to the rank of 9 of 2001 and 2011, as well. He had based his research on the basis Censuses and National Sample Surveys.
