Serious utilization of LoC trade can prove extremely beneficial to boost economy of J&K State: Omar

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*Jammu Chamber assured about the commitment of government to review and rejuvenate Industrial and economic set up in the State

*Quite diplomacy prudent to solve political issues: Omar

*Concerned about situation and instability of Pakistan

*Omar given warm reception at Jammu Civil Secretariat

*Inaugurates additional block on main building

*Inspects offices, urges for quick response to public needs

*J&K Kisan Board in offing: Omar

Workers Asked to be prepared for ULB, Panchayat elections

*Omar chairs high level meeting of Ministers & Commissioners

*Entire Govt machinery dedicated for the welfare of people

Interacting with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Jammu, President and office bearer of the Chamber, the Chief Minister said that he realized the apprehension of both Jammu as well as Kashmir Chamber about the slow pace of LoC trade. He said that he believes that LoC trade between India and Pakistan can prove very helpful for entire J&K State. The Chief Minister said that both the countries can take maximum benefit of this trade and it can be made more serious and fruitful. He said that LOC trade could not pick up because of various reasons including limited number of the items to be traded and other facilities which are required to be provided for success of the trade. He said that it is globally acknowledged fact that trade is a backbone of economy. The routes in both the Jammu as well as in Kashmir have been opened for this trade; can be utilized for all kind of trade so that the people of our state are able to take benefit, which will automatically help the people of both the countries to reap the benefits of this trade. He also assured that the Chamber that government will play its key role in expanding the Industrial Estates in the state where new entrepreneurs can set up their Industrial Units. He said with the maximum investment in Industrial Sector and economic field in the state, the large number of youth who have got expertise in various professional fields can be properly utilized. He assured the Chamber that the government will provide all kind of support in both provinces for proper expansion of Industrial set up, so that our State regains its position on the Industrial Map which it was commanding two decades earlier. The newly elected body of Jammu Chamber of Commerce headed by Mr. Y.V Sharma President Called on the Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah in his office chamber today and lauded the role of present government headed by Mr. Omar Abdullah on showing its seriousness to review and boast the economical and industrial scenario in Jammu and Kashmir State. They said we are deeply impressed with the positive approach of the Chief Minister who has different vision to give new dimension to economic activity in the State by enriching the State with definite infrastructure which shall prove helpful for boosting the economic activities. The other persons of the Chamber of Commerce include, Mr. Satish Gupta General Secretary, Mr.Tara Chand, Senior Vice President, Mr. Mukesh Gupta, Secretary and members, Mr. Deepak Agarwal, Mr. Vinod Malhotra and Mr. Shiv Partap Gupta. The delegation was accompanied by the Bari-Brahmina Industrial Association along with the Co-Chairman of MOI and General Secretary of MOI including T.S. Reen, Co- Chairman, Kuldeep Ohri, Secretary General and other concerned associates. The Traders Association of Jammu also called on the Chief Minister and discussed various issues pertaining to their fraternity. The Chief Minister appreciated the approach of traders of Jammu who are keen to provide best customer service to the people and also play their key role in enriching the economy of the State. Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah on Monday welcomed the intension of separatist groups to participate in dialogue process and address the Jammu and Kashmir centric political issues across the table. “This will be a welcome change in the larger interests of the people of the State”, he added. Addressing a jam-packed media conference on the opening of government offices here today, Mr. Omar said quite diplomacy has proved fruitful in solving many political issues. “This process has helped a lot in the settlement of political issues of Palestine and Sri Lanka in recent past”, he said. The Chief Minister said that quite diplomacy keeps the focus on settling issues without media hype and proves prudent to carry forward the dialogue in right direction. “The fact is that you can move ahead in the dialogue process easily without creating media hype” he explained. In reply to another question, Mr. Omar said though the situation in Pakistan is the country’s internal matter, yet the neighbours also feel concerned for the disturbing situation across the border. “The instability in Pakistan affects the country, particularly Jammu and Kashmir”, he added. Mr. Omar in reply to another question said that the mishandling of the issuance of prepaid SIM cards by a small service group should not affect the large number of genuine users of the facility adding that State Government was informed by Government of India about its intension in this regard. “We were told that something like that was being contemplated”, he added. The Chief Minister said that he would sit with Government of India including Home Ministry to resolve the issue as the blanket ban on the use of prepaid SIM cards is not the answer to the issues relating to the security and other important aspects. “Jammu and Kashmir has to be kept at par with other states of the country in respect of use of prepaid SIM cards”, he said asserting that the service groups should be made responsible for ensuring verifications of documents as per the requirements. “We cannot put to inconvenience a large number of genuine users for the fault of service groups”, he added. Answering another question, the Chief Minister said that the NC-Congress coalition government is working in close coordination and amity. “The last ten months performance of the government vindicates the fact that there has never been any dispute in decision making by the Cabinet. We are carrying forward the development agenda together to ensure speedy progress and development of the State”, he said maintaining that the focus of coalition government is on the cause and concern of people instead of party or personal interests. Mr. Omar said that the priority concern of the government at present is to ensure the expenditures on works and complete the schemes on time to reap the benefits of Rs. 5500 crore annual plan granted by the Government of India besides ensuring spending of Rs. 1200 crore under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP). He said we are also concerned about speeding up the works on power projects under execution in the State under PMRP. The Chief Minister said that high quality macamadization of roads in Jammu and Srinagar cities has been initiated this year and the process would be carried to the towns to upgrade roads making them more traffic worthy. He said government has also initiated actions to improve other sectors and upgrade the health, education, PHE and power facilities in the State. “We want people to judge us by the work done”, he said adding that instead of making announcements government believes in taking actions to achieve the goals. In reply to a question pertaining to the SRTC employees strike, Mr. Omar said that government is willing to provide every help to restructure the Corporation making it a viable and profitable venture. “We have already made it clear that government will provide the funds for the release of salary to the Corporation employees but government is not in a position to upgrade the salaries of Corporation employees to the level of 6^th pay commission as the Corporation is running on losses”, he added. “How is it possible for a government to enhance the salaries of Corporation employees when the Corporation is completely in red”, he asked and said that government is keen to improve the functioning of the Corporation making it profit worthy. “However, Corporation employees have also to understand the situation and cooperate in the efforts of the government. We have to meet somewhere in midway to resolve the issue”, he said. The members of Council of Ministers, Advisors to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, President and General Secretary of Civil Secretariat Employees Union were also present in the press conference. Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the newly constructed additional block of the Civil Secretariat, Jammu constructed by the Estates Department at a cost of Rs. one crore within just three and half months. The additional block has 21 office rooms with other facilities. It also houses Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell. The additional block has been constructed on the main Civil Secretariat building by extending the 3^rd floor on the northern side. This has eased the housing of offices in the building to a greater extent. The Chief Minister was received at the Jammu Secretariat by his Cabinet colleagues, Ministers of State, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner Secretaries, Secretaries to Government, senior officers and representatives of Civil Secretariat Employee’s Union led by its President, Mr. Nazir Ahmad and General Secretary, Mr. Ghulam Mehdi. Mr. Omar inspected the offices in all the three floors of Civil Secretariat, interacted with the employees and officers and enquired about their welfare. He urged them to be responsive to public affairs and perform to the best of their capacities so that the people are benefited by the development schemes and policy plans initiated by the government. “You are the key to development process”, he said and asked them to render their service sincerely and honestly. The Chief Minister inspected the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell and took stock of its functioning. He was informed that out of the 3700 complaints received in the Cell nearly 1600 complaints have been disposed off to the satisfaction of the complainers while 823 complaints were in the process. Mr. Omar operating a computer ascertained the status of various complaints and asked the functionaries to be prompt and efficient in receiving and disposing off the complaints as per the guidelines issued in this regard. Giving brief about the construction of new accommodation created on the existing Civil Secretariat building, the Director Estates, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad stated that a modern Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell with 21 computer kits has also been established in the newly constructed block, besides upgrading four ministerial halls of agriculture, law, home and power development departments in the main building. He said protected drinking water facility has also been created at each floor of the main and in the Mini Civil Secretariat for the employees. He said digitized photo gallery has also been established in the main building besides upgrading various other facilities.

Later, the Chief Minister presided over the meeting of Council of Ministers and also addressed a separate meeting of Administrative Secretaries of all the departments. Mr. Omar laid stress on quick disposal of cases and monitoring of development schemes at all levels to ensure the proper expenditures on works judiciously. “We have to gear up the administration at all levels to ensure completion of works on the ground”, he said emphasizing on utilization of available funds in full and timely completion of ongoing works. Addressing a citizens reception meeting organized by the National Conference, Jammu Province here on the re-opening of government offices, Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah said that the Jammu and Kashmir Kisan Board will be constituted soon to look after the kisan affairs and suggest measures for the welfare of agriculturists in Jammu and Kashmir. “There are boards and forums for various groups and sections as such a Board for the welfare of kisan is need of the hour. I have announced this Board in a recently held District Development Board meeting and it will be constituted soon”, he added. Mr. Omar told the National Conference office bearers and prominent workers that they should prepare themselves for urban local bodies and panchayat elections being held in the State shortly. “Since the current local bodies are completing the term by the beginning of next year as such, the elections to these and panchayat are likely to go side by side”, he said and asked the party workers to prepare ground for participating in these elections. “You should also take into confidence your coalition partners at all levels to fight the elections successfully and to the best interest of the State and the people”, he said adding that State has lost an aid of Rs. 700 crore earmarked by the 12^th Finance Commission for elected panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir. “Since the Panchayats in the State were not in place as such, this amount could not be utilized”, he said and highlighted the need for holding panchayat elections in the State sooner. Mr. Omar said that he will be holding interaction with the party workers at all blocks regularly and earmarked one day in each week to conduct such interaction sessions with the workers in Jammu division. He directed the Provincial President, Mr. Ratan Lal Gupta to prepare a calendar and a schedule for such block level interaction sessions. “This will provide me an opportunity to listen to the workers and get first hand appraisals of the development scenario of the area besides the feedback regarding the functioning of the government”, he added. The Chief Minister said that he is presently at such a position where many people would tell him that everything was going smoothly and every step of the government is in right direction, but I want to listen the truth from the people down the line to ascertain the status of government functioning and take action accordingly. Mr. Omar asked the Provincial President to also convene the joint meetings of the workers of coalition partners to discuss the matters of mutual interests and make efforts to address the public difficulties promptly and jointly. He said that the policy plans of the coalition government made at the highest level require equal support of the workers at the grassroots for successful implementation. “You should work together with coalition workers to ensure public benefits”, he added. The Chief Minister said that his government has listed unemployment problem an important one and a policy to address this burning issue is coming on December 5, this year. “So far about five and half lakh youth have registered themselves as unemployed in various Employment Exchanges”, he said and added that to provide government employment to all these is not possible but every effort would be made to create job environment for all the unemployed. Mr. Omar said power is the other sector which requires focus for restructuring the system. “How can you run a system where Rs. 2200 crore are being spent to buy electricity and supply it to the people while realizing only Rs. 700 crore fee from them”, he said emphasizing reforms to the system. He said many power projects have already been launched both in the State and the Centre sectors and government was keen to improve and upgrade the power generation and distribution in the State. “People have also to cooperate actively in this direction”, he stressed. The National Conference Jammu Provincial President, Mr. Ratan Lal Gupta welcomed the chief Minister and expressed hope that by the reopening of offices in Jammu development works would get a fillip. He highlighted the major achievements of Mr. Omar led government, saying that in last the months people have witnessed significant development on all fronts. Earlier, legislators from various political parties, traders federation, chamber of commerce and senior citizens also met the Chief Minister and welcomed the Chief Minister. “Entire government machinery shall remain dedicated for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir State to address their day-to-day problems and enrich developmental infrastructure safely with proper utilization of large size of plan funds available with the State to the extent of Rs. 5500 crore” said the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah here today while chairing a high level meeting of Ministers, Commissioners and Secretaries immediately after opening of annual darbar in Civil Secretariat. In the meeting all the works and programmes taken up under PHE, PWD, PDD, Social Welfare, Health and Education were reviewed and Chief Minister advised all the Ministers and their respective Commissioners and Secretaries to implement the commitments made with respect of developmental works in letter and spirit. He said that he is personally monitoring daily implementation of all projects, works and programmes and he may accordingly be intimated about daily progress. The meeting particularly reviewed stock position of essential commodities in all parts of the State. It was revealed in the meeting that adequate stocks are available everywhere and there is no shortage of essential commodities reported from any part of the State. However, because of price rise in the atta the bakers in the valley have raised certain demands. The Chief Minister advised the Minister for CAPD and Commissioner to immediately sort out all the issues and take appropriate decisions in the matter while protecting the interest of consumers as well. He advised the concerned department to gear up its activities and ensure that all commercial outlets and shopkeepers should display their rate lists for information to the general public. He advised Mr. Asgar Samoon who has recently taken over as Commissioner Secretary CAPD to launch a vigorous campaign against the hoarders and black-marketers of essential commodities. He said the first priority of his government is to provide relief to the general public and concerned administrative machinery should remain alert round the clock to ensure the same. Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Tara Chnad, Minister for Finance, Mr. A.R. Rather, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Revenue, Mr. Raman Bhalla, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Mr. S.S. Slathia, Minister for Medicasl Education, Mr. R.S. Chib, Minister for Health, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf, Minister for R&B Mr. G. M. Saroori, Minister of State for Haj & Aquaf, Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Stationery & Printing, Dr. Manohar Lal, Minister of State for R&B Mr. Javed Ahmad Dar, Minister of State for Tourism, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Davinder Rana, Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Mubarak Gul, Chief Secretary, Mr. S. S. Kapur, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners/Secretaries of various departments were also present in the meeting. The Chief Minister also advised the Divisional Commissioners of both the provinces to provide detailed report about the damages caused due to the drought as reported from certain areas of the State. He advised R&B Minister and the concerned officers to ensure immediate completion of all ongoing works particularly with regard to construction of new roads. He said that issuance of fresh route permits to the transport sector should coincide with completion of roads so that people are able to avail facility of transport without any further delays. The issue of panchayat and local body elections was also discussed in the meeting. It was decided to finalize the matter in ensuing Cabinet Meeting.