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Today, on the joyous occasion of the 65th Independence Day of
our great nation let us pay homage to all our leaders who made large
sacrifices to secure freedom for our country.
2. Since the attainment of Independence, we have achieved
significant progress in varied arenas and, today, we are the largest and
the most vibrant democracy in the world, besides being a fast growing
economic power. However, segments of our population are still waiting to
enjoy the fruits of growth and development. We must work hard to ensure
that poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and hunger are for ever banished
from our country.
3. The growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir has been
adversely affected by the difficult situations which have been faced in
the past years. To make up for the lost opportunities, the political
leadership of the State, the public services and the people of the State
shall need to work very hard.
4. The disturbances in the preceding three summers contributed to
enormous human and economic losses and irreparable disruption of the
educational schedules. The people are now yearning for peace and the
environment of normalcy which has prevailed this year has been a most
welcome development. In the past seven months the Valley has attracted a
very large number of tourists from within the country and abroad and,
happily, this traffic is continuing.
5. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the Security Forces there
has been a progressive decline in the number of terrorist related
incidents in the past three years. However, we cannot let down our
guard as the adversary agencies operating from across the borders remain
committed to perpetrating terrorist and subversive activities in the
State.
6. I salute the brave officers and men of our Security Forces who
have laid down their lives in the continuing battle against terrorism.
I trust that, while carrying out their operations, the Security Forces
shall ensure against any violation of the rights and liberties of our
people.
7. Our liberal democratic framework provides ample space for the
expression of contrary and divergent views without there being any need
for resorting to hartals and agitations which cause severe losses on so
many fronts. New Delhi’s ongoing initiatives to discuss with Islamabad
the entire range of issues between our two countries would, I am
sanguine, lead to a positive outcome in the course of time. In so far as
issues relating to the so called “Internal Dimension” are concerned, I
remain of the view that time has come for all those who hold contrary
convictions to step forward for talks and discussions to pave the way
for a peaceful resolution.
8. The massive participation in the recently concluded Panchayat
elections, which yielded an overall voter turnout of nearly 80%, has yet
again demonstrated that the people of our State have a deep commitment
to democracy. It is heartening that, presently, process is underway to
establish a framework of Panchayati Raj institutions all over the State
and the Panchayats are being empowered to take their own decisions for
implementing a wide range of developmental programmes.
9. The projected elections to the Urban Local Bodies, alongside
the emergence of Panchayati Raj institutions, will lead to the
establishment of grass root democracy all over the State. This momentous
transformation shall also boost the entire developmental process.
10. Centuries ago, Kashmir was the abode of Sufis, saints and
philosophers whose secular values and teachings laid the foundations of
a plural society. For restoring sustaining peace and normalcy, it would
be necessary for all possible steps being taken to revive “Kashmiriyat”
— our past traditions of pluralism, secularism and religious harmony.
11. If maximum benefit is to be gained from the Centre’s
significant financial support to J&K it is imperative that the entire
governmental machinery gears itself to implementing the various schemes
and programmes with vigour, efficiency and honesty and ensures that
there are no slippages whatsoever. It would be equally important to
devote special attention to ameliorating the lot of the under privileged
segments of the society and according high priority to the development
of the required infrastructure in all parts of the State.
12. The existing network of the Kashmir Valley Railway provides
convenient, speedy and cheap transport from Baramulla to Qazigund. Once
the ongoing work on the Udhampur – Qazigund sector has been completed,
Kashmir shall enjoy year round connectivity with the entire country.
This will boost tourism and enable the products of J&K being profitably
marketed throughout the country and abroad. On the completion of the
ongoing work for the 4-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway the
distance, time and cost of travelling to the Valley shall be very
significantly reduced. The completion of these two mega projects,
involving an investment of nearly Rs. 35000 crore, shall further boost
the economic development of the State.
13. The State Government has recently announced the Jammu and
Kashmir State Hydro Projects Development Policy, which is expected to
attract private participation for the speedy exploitation of the very
large hydel power potential of the State. Several initiatives have also
been launched for harnessing the non-conventional energy potential of
the State. These efforts should contribute to significantly easing the
acute power shortage in the State in the coming years.
14. Alongside efforts to achieve rapid socio-economic development
it is of equal importance to ensure that the entire administrative
apparatus functions with promptitude, efficiency, visible honesty and
total accountability. Stability will emerge and sustained rapid growth
shall take place when the State is able to provide good governance which
is supported and critically watched by a well informed citizenry. In
this context it would be profitable to very early finalise all pending
arrangements for ensuring the effective functioning of the various
agencies which are the watchdogs of democracy and governance,
particularly the State Information Commission, State Accountability
Commission, State Human Rights Commission and the State Vigilance
Commission.
15. The recent enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services
Guarantee Act is a bold step in the right direction. An uninterfered
implementation of this law should lead to much greater accountability of
the administrative machinery and visible improvement in the delivery of
the notified public services.
16. To tackle unemployment, the State Government’s new Employment
Policy has the twin objective of creating employment and enhancing
employability through skill upgradation of the unemployed youth. The
Central Government has, a few weeks ago, approved a special package of
Rs. 1000 crore for imparting training to 8000 youth annually with the
help of the corporate sector. Both these programmes should engender very
good results.
17. This year over 6,34,000 pilgrims undertook the Shri Amarnathji
Yatra, which is the highest ever number. The credit for the satisfactory
arrangements for the conduct of the Yatra goes to the people of the
Valley, for the warmth and care with which they provided services to
pilgrims from distant parts of the country. I thank the State
Government, Security Forces, our people and all other stakeholders for
the peaceful conduct of this year’s Yatra.
18. In conclusion, I repeat my hope and prayer that all the
political parties in the State, as well as all other social, cultural,
religious organisations, and every other stake holder, would work
together, closely and determinedly, for restoring peace and normalcy and
building a strong and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
19. I wish Shri Omar Abdullah, the young Chief Minster of Jammu and
Kashmir, and all members of his Council of Ministers, high success in
their continuing endeavours to achieve the speedy development of the
State.
20. On this very happy day of our Independence, I greet the people
of Jammu and Kashmir and wish all of them a very bright and happy
future.
JAI HIND |
