The Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today visited Budgam to take stock of the situation and reach out to the people amid prevailing law and order scenario.Speaking at an officers meeting at Town Hall Budgam, the Chief Minister asked the administration to expedite implementation of the developmental and welfare programmes so that people feel the much-needed reprieve. She also asked the district officers to work with the local civil society representatives and ensure that the people don’t face any hardships amid prevailing situation.Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Legislator, Saif-ud-Din Bhat and former legislator, Dr Shafi were present at the meeting.Asking officers to lead from the front in mitigating the problems confronting the people, the Chief Minister stressed the need for infusing new life in the institutions at the cutting edge level to address the developmental concerns of the public. “Our focus should be on making up for the losses suffered on the development front due to the law and order situation,” she said and added that the administration should redouble its efforts in realizing the targets on the development front and ensuring benefits to the people.
The Chief Minister, however, said peace was imperative for all kinds of economic and developmental activities. She said the efforts initiated by the government to upgrade infrastructure in health, education, power, R&B, tourism and other key sectors and enhance employability of youth through various initiatives received a huge setback due to the prevailing law and order situation. “Many developmental and welfare programmes launched by the Government have come to a standstill and it would be our endeavor to bring the things back on track, as soon as possible,” she said and added that the people who are trying to fuel repeated unrests in Kashmir must also realize that they are only adding to the tragedies and the miseries of the people.Ms Mehbooba said the Government is not only responsive to the people’s needs but also concerned about their problems and is working determinedly to fulfill their aspirations and expectations. She made it clear that her priority is the people and not politics or power. “As long as I am here I would spend every day in mitigating the sufferings of the people,” she said and added that she would like her officers to become partners in this enterprise of hope so that the people get to feel the real change.
Mehbooba stressed the need for strengthening the humanitarian action to help the poorest of the poor who are the worst sufferers of the prevailing law and order situation. “We have to take care of such families whose bread-winners depend on daily earnings to support their families,” she said and added that such families are at the receiving end of the prevailing situation and Government will extend all possible support to them.The Chief Minister also sought update regarding availability of essential commodities, potable water, electricity and other basic amenities in the district.She asked the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to ensure that the dredging of the flood channels is carried on smoothly to prevent the area from the threat of any future floods.Earlier, the District Development Commissioner Budgam, Mir Altaf Hussain briefed the meeting about the overall law and order situation, availability of essentials and the steps being taken to expedite the implementation of development projects in the district.Commissioner Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr Sanjeev Verma, Secretary Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Khurshid Ahmad, Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Chief Engineers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control and PDD, DIG Central Kashmir Range, Viplo Kumar, SSP Budgam, Abdul Waheed Shah and other officers were present at the meeting.