Seeking a decisive mandate from the people of the State for the Congress Party in the forthcoming Assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha & Former Chief Minister of J&K asserted that it the Congress-led Government alone which has proven credentials of being pro-development regime and that it alone can meet the expectations of the flood-ravaged people of the State..
Maintaining that Congress-led Government between 2006-08 laid emphasis on equitable, balanced and all-round development of the Jammu &Kashmir,Ghulam Nabi Azad said that for better future of the youth of the State and to revive an era of prosperity, development and fast-track infrastructure building, people of the State should allow the Congress Party an opportunity to lead the State Government.
Ghulam Nabi Azad was speaking in a public meeting at Devsar in South Kashmir organised by Congress Party on the eve of filing of nomination papers by Mohammad Amin Bhat. Earlier Azad accompanied Mohammad Amin Bhat to the office of Returning Officer to file the nomination papers which was followed by an impressive road show and a rally.
Recalling the thrust laid on speedy and time-bound execution of developmental projects to set the State on the path of prosperity and progress, Azad said that it is the Congress-led Government which scripted a new chapter of development-oriented governance in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.Azad said that unprecedented developmental activities were started in the State of J&K with focus on building of roads, bridges, tourism development authorities, inter-regional haighways, schools, colleges, Offsite University Campuses, health infrastructure, etc.Alluding to the measures taken to promote development and decentralise administrative machinery in South Kashmir, Azad said that during his tenure as Chief Minister, two new Districts and many new Tehsils were created in South Kashmir which brought governance to the doorsteps of the people.
Azad further said that as Union Health Minister, historic and first-of-its-kind decision of setting up a medical college at Anantnag, in addition to Doda, Kathua, Rajouri and Baramulla, was taken by him which upon becoming functional, will enable the people to avail of secondary and advanced healthcare at their doorsteps.Referring to the sanctioning of new GNM Schools for Kulgam and Anantnag and ANM School for Kokernag, Azad said that these institutions will enable the local educated girls to get trained in nursing profession at their respective places.He also said that adequate funding of various ongoing health projects like Distt Hospitals Kulgam, Anantnag, MCHAnantnag was ensured from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.Referring to the unequalled devastation caused by the recent unprecedented floods to the public infrastructure, private properties and commercial establishments in the State, Azad said that rehabilitation and reconstruction of the State will be the first monumental challenge before the new Government.Azad said that in such a scenario it is incumbent upon the people to choose and elect a Government which can deliver on the front of rebuilding the State in an effective and expeditious manner.
Asking the people to recall the support and funding which was extended by the Central Government in 2005 and the role played by the Congress-led Government in the State in providing relief and rehabilitation to the earthquake-affected people of Uri, Karnah, Tangdhar, etcAzad stated that it is the Congress-led Government which has the capacity and determination to undertake reconstruction of the State to put it back on the path of recovery and prosperity.Castigating the NDA Government for not extending adequate and appropriate financial support to the State Government for carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation activities, Azad said that affected people are facing unmitigated hardships due to chilly winter, adding that the role and response of NDA Government in a humanitarian crisis has been grossly inadequate, partisan and shorn of human values.Urging the people to elect a Government which is ‘capable’, ‘determined’and ‘time-tested’ to undertake the reconstruction and rehabilitation exercise as also live upto the expectations of the people, Azad said that people of the State can rewrite their destiny by giving a decisive mandate in favour of the Congress Party.