Asserting that he won’t be bogged down by the ‘propaganda’ of the separatists and opposition PDP, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said the people are the best judges of his government’s performance and public satisfaction is the only genuine and valid certificate for him.“My report card is before the people of Jammu and Kashmir and they have to give me certificate for my government’s performance, as such, I am not afraid of the propaganda and false bogies carried by my detractors whether from PDP or separatists”, Omar said and added that while the state’s people would judge his performance as the Chief Minister, those from Ganderbal would judge him as an MLA in 2014 assembly polls.
Rolling out prestigious National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) here under the local name ‘Umeed’ to target rural poverty and bring about economic welfare in the rural households, the Chief Minister said poverty alleviation through a befitting mechanism has been focused area during the last four years of his government and NRLM is yet another initiative in this direction.He said the centrally sponsored NRLM was sanctioned for four blocks but by his persuasion with the Central Government, one block in each district in the state is being covered under the first phase of the programme. Omar said during his visit to certain villages in Uttar Pradesh, he witnessed the positive impact of NRLM for upliftment of rural poor. He said the success of the scheme is largely dependent on the unified efforts of the department and the people. He said the people have important role in making the scheme viable and purposeful for alleviating poverty and improving economy of poor households.Omar said the rural poverty in the state is not severe as in other parts of the country because of the fact that Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah made farmers owners of agriculture land free of cost through the historic Land Reform Acts. He said Sheikh Sahab’s visionary approach to alleviate poverty paid satisfactory pidends.
Omar said the state has witnessed difficult period and the economic condition of the common man received heavy jolt due to political turmoil. “We all have to work together to cultivate peace and seek bright and prosperous future for the State”, he said adding that people have to render their stupendous and active role in this regard.
Omar said he is aware of the public difficulties and development needs in different areas. “We are moving ahead with commitment and determination to seek public welfare”, he said.Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Muhammad Sagar explained the salient features of the scheme and said that ‘Umeed’ initiative would prove highly significant for poverty alleviation in rural areas by enhancing their capacity of generating livelihood avenues.
The Minister said NRLM will provide institutional platform to rural poor to start gainful activities for poverty reduction and economic betterment. He said the scheme provides for building strong grass-root institutions of the poor, engage them in gainful livelihood interventions and appreciable improvement in their economy on a sustainable basis.