“National Conference right from the days of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah has set a legacy of good governance and that’s why it represents the aspirations of cross section of the society” said Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Bedar, Mandi in Poonchdistrict. She said that Pro-People Policies based on equitable development is the main mantra of National Conference which has helped the government to win the faith of the state’s people. The present government has done a great job in heralding peace, prosperity and development in the state which has been well recognised and appreciated by the people from every region and religion.Former Minister and Additional General Secretary NC, Mustafa Kamal, MLAs, BimlaLuthra and Aijaz Ahmad Jan besides senior officers and prominent leaders were also present on the occasion.
“Development is a common issue which should not be hampered for petty self-interests.” the minister said.
Spelling out landmark achievements of the present govt, the Minister said that free and fair panchayat elections were conducted aftera long period adding that opening of Mughal road, implementation of reformative measures like Accountability Commission, PSG Act, RTI, SKEPWY, MGNREGA, etc are some other initiatives which have yielded tangible results to benefit the people. The CM is himself keeping a strict monitoring over functioning of the departments and is keen to ensure that no one is deprived of their genuine rights irrespective of caste or creed. She said that for the first time 70,000 cases have been sanctioned for the state under ISSS besides the marriage assistance to orphan girls and young widows has been enhanced from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. She said that the uncovered far flung areas of Poonch would soon be brought under the ambit of Anganwari centres.
Sakina said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has issued specific instructions to all concerned to pay special attention on development of farflung and backward areas that have not received desired attention in the past so that the mission of equitable development of all the areas is achieved. “During the past over three years, the State has witnessed a discernible change in almost every sphere of development”, she added. Sakina said that the Social Welfare deptt is the department entrusted with a pious job of ensuring welfare and empowerment of the society and it is our endeavour to expand the network of services of the deptt to every nook and corner of the state with focus on remote and backward areas of districts like Poonch and Rajouri. Dr. Mustafa Kamal and the local MLAs also addressed the gathering