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By Sh.
N.N.Vohra
His Excellency, The Governor
of Jammu & Kashmir State
Dear Brothers and Sisters
I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Jammu and
Kashmir on the joyous occasion of the 63rd Republic Day of
our nation. On this memorable day, we must pay homage to the great
national leaders who made many sacrifices and carried out a prolonged
struggle to secure freedom for our country.
2.
In the past over six decades, despite serious challenges and
constraints, our country has been able to achieve commendable progress
in varied arenas. Today, India stands out for the strength of its
growing economy and for its vibrant democracy, which is the largest in
the world.
3.
The disturbed situation in Jammu & Kashmir in the past years has
adversely affected its growth and development. Nonetheless, the average
annual growth rate and the year to year growth in tax collections have
shown positive trends in the past four years. The level of capital
expenditure has also been progressively increasing and is of about Rs.
8,000 crore during the current financial year.
4.
After the turmoil faced in the preceding three summers, the spurt of
economic activity during 2011 clearly demonstrated that progress can be
achieved only when normalcy prevails. The stable environment during the
past year attracted nearly one crore and twenty lakh pilgrims and
tourists to visit the State, including over thirty two thousand
foreigners.
5.
The preceding year was also marked by other important developments.
After nearly three decades, elections to Panchayats were conducted in
2011. The very large turnout at these polls, ranging from 70% to 80% in
most parts of the State, clearly demonstrated, yet once again, that the
people of Jammu & Kashmir are yearning for peace and development.
Government has commenced the process of imparting training to over
33,000 Panches and Sarpanches and, side by side, of devolving powers,
funds and the required staff to the Panchayats. The Panchayats should
soon become fully functional and start monitoring the effective
implementation of the schemes and programmes entrusted to them.
6. The Government is committed to establishing Panchayati Raj
institutions in the State. It is presently engaged in finalising the
time frame for the establishment of the middle and apex level structures
of the three-tier Panchayati Raj framework.
7. The Government has also decided to conduct elections to the Urban
Local Bodies in the next few months and, side by side, carry out the
required institutional and taxation reforms to upgrade and rationalise
the entire municipal administration framework in the State.
8. The establishment of Panchayati Raj and corresponding devolutions
in the municipal administration arena shall lead to the democratic
framework becoming functional at the grass-root level. This shall
provide an opportunity to people living in the villages and towns to
become involved in the planning and implementation of schemes and
programmes which shall advance their interests and welfare. The
functioning of rural and urban self-governing bodies in all the three
regions shall be truly a revolutionary landmark in the governance of the
State.
9. The prolonged period of militancy adversely affected the
development process and the generation of job opportunities which are
required for absorbing the growing number of our qualified youth. The
State Government has launched a programme for enabling the unemployed
youth to establish projects in identified sectors of the State economy.
The Government of India have launched fully funded programmes under
which about one and a half lakh youth of the State will be imparted
training and skills to become employable in the private sector, across
the country, over the next five years.
10. In the arena of higher education, the State has seven Universities
and two important technology training institutions. Two new Central
Universities and over a hundred new colleges, ITIs and Polytechnics are
presently in the process of getting established. There are also nearly
250 privately run educational institutions in the State which are
affiliated to our Universities. Significant expansion and upgradation is
also taking place at the school level, both in the public and private
sectors. The State Government has to meet the serious challenge of
ensuring that the quality of instruction to be imparted in the fast
expanding network of education and training institutions in the State is
of such standard as would equip our youth to successfully compete at the
national and global levels.
11. The State Government has received significant funds for its annual
Plans, assistance under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme
and, besides, financial and technical support under a broad spectrum of
Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Among the latter schemes, Pradhan Mantri
Gram Sadak Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
Abhiyan, National Rural Health Mission, National Rural Drinking Water
Programme and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
provide the State an excellent opportunity of building infrastructure
and extending services, enlarging education and generating the much
needed employment opportunities. To achieve this objective, all
concerned departments and agencies must work with efficiency, speed and
missionary zeal to draw the maximum possible benefit from the wide
ranging Centrally funded schemes and programmes.
12. As per the last Census, the literacy rate has improved to 68%. High
importance must be given to enhance the spread of literacy, devoting
particular attention to the advancement of female literacy. Side by
side, the drop out rate at the Primary and Upper Primary levels and the
number of “out of school” children must continue to be reduced till
every child goes to school.
13. Sustained attention must be given to ensure the effective
implementation of the various health schemes to secure progressive
improvement in all the health indicators. Side by side, stringent
measures must be taken to eliminate female foeticide for moving towards
the restoration of gender balance.
14.
J&K is a large State. It is important that well planned projects are
implemented on a time bound basis to provide safe drinking water and
electricity to the villages and construction of roads and bridges to
connect hamlets, particularly all the habitations in the remote and
difficult areas of the State. The Mughal Road is expected to be
completed shortly and two major tunnels are under construction to reduce
the distance between Jammu and Srinagar. The Railways project and the
4-laning of the National Highway, two Central projects costing over Rs.
30,000 crore, are also making progress. It is in the State’s interest to
ensure that there is no delay whatsoever in the timely implementation of
all the projects which shall enhance physical connectivity and lead to
the development of distant and difficult areas.
15.
The acute shortage of power has continued to adversely affect the
economic development of the State. The very high transmission and
distribution losses and the poor recovery of dues from the electricity
consumers have created further problems. While the enactment of the
Energy Conservation Act and the functioning of Electricity Regulatory
Authority are positive developments it is extremely important that new
power projects are launched very early and Power sector reforms are
carried out on a time bound basis.
16.
In the past years, the productivity of the Agriculture sector, which
remains a vital element of the State’s economy, has not increased at an
optimum pace for a number of reasons. The State Agriculture Production
Department and the two State Farm Universities must work more closely
together for enhancing productivity, particularly of the rain-fed areas,
bringing about diversification of farm based activities, and promoting
intensive application of appropriate techniques and technologies for the
modernisation of agricultural practices.
17. It is heartening to know that several recent initiatives,
particularly in regard to seed replacement and timely fertiliser
supplies, have led to an increase in the production of rice and maize
last year and an increase in wheat production is expected this year.
While the Horticulture sector is doing well, urgent attention must be
devoted for establishing the requisite capacities for post-harvest
management of horticulture products, creating facilities for grading and
branding, and setting up cold stores.
18. The State Police, Central Police Organisations and the Army have
continued to brave all odds to safeguard the territorial integrity of
the State. Their devotion and commitment has led to a progressive
decline in infiltration from across the Line of Control and consequent
reduction in terrorism related incidents. I salute the brave officers
and men of the Security Forces and pay homage to the gallant soldiers
who laid down their lives for the country.
19. Adversary elements operating from across the borders have not
given up their malicious resolve to disturb and destabilise our country.
Our Security Forces must maintain constant vigil along the frontiers.
20. We thank the Government of India for its sustained interest in the
early resolution of the various problems facing our State and are
grateful for the abundant assistance which is being provided for
rebuilding the State’s economy and strengthening its infrastructure.
21. If the State administrative apparatus is to provide good
governance and deal effectively with the obtaining problems and upcoming
challenges it would be of vital importance to ensure transparency in
functioning at all levels and complete accountability of both the
elected and appointed elements of the Executive. All corrupt and
unwholesome elements must be eradicated from the governmental machinery.
For cleaning up the system it would be also necessary to ensure that the
various statutory bodies and commissions which are established to serve
as the watchdogs of the right of information, human rights, vigilance,
accountability and anti-corruption are manned by persons known for their
proven competence and unimpeachable integrity.
22. As I had earlier observed, development and growth can take place
only in an environment of normalcy and peace. Agitations and
confrontations have already caused enormous human and economic losses
and the recurring disruption of the educational system at all levels has
done irreparable damage to the career prospects of our youth. I appeal
to the leaders of all political parties, social, cultural and religious
organisations, and all other segments of society, in the three regions
of our State, to join ranks for the resolution of all remaining issues
through dialogue and discussion.
23. Earlier this month, the Coalition Government, under the
leadership of Shri Omar Abdullah, completed three years of its
functioning. I wish the Chief Minister, and all members of his Council
of Ministers, high success in their future endeavours and urge them to
re-dedicate themselves today to work unitedly to build Jammu and Kashmir
into a strong, cohesive and prosperous State.
24. I wish all the people of our State, good health, prosperity and
happiness in 2012.
Jai Hind. |
