Jammu, March 18 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra on Wednesday said the PDP-BJP alliance government in the state would pursue policies bringing all the regions and people of the state closer to each other and usher peace, development and better days ahead.
He also declared that the government will seek to ensure the return of Kashmir Pandits as well as reintegrate other refugees, while noting the importance of dialogue with all shades of political opinion and revisiting the security situation including laws like the stringent Armed Forces Special Powers ASct (AFSPA).
In his address to the joint session of the legislature, he said: "If we succeed in welding the regions together, we shall also succeed in securing the desired level of trust to bring Jammu and Kashmir to work more closely with New Delhi.
"It is this vision which brings together the PDP-BJP coalition government and not mere compulsions of exercising power."
Noting the widespread outrage against corruption including in the state, he said that it is "a great challenge for the coalition government to restore the integrity of institutions and the people's faith in their ability to deliver".
It will also be the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government's priority to simplify "doing business" by reducing regulatory complexities and costs, easing bureaucratic barriers and simplifying registration processes and clearances, he said.
Vohra said early elections will be held to local bodies, which will also be further empowered, while developmental plans will be formulated to ensure "that leave aside being actually discriminated, no region even has a feeling about being discriminated".
The government will also explore modalities for the transfer of Dulhasti and Uri hydro power projects to the state, seek a share in the profits of NHPC which use the state's water as well as revision of all royalty agreements.
Vohra also said that the process of developing two mega cities -- Greater Srinagar and Greater Jammu -- as well as the satellite cities of New Srinagar and New Jammu will be started, while all towns with population from 30,000 to 99,999 will be upgraded into cities.
Another major initiative would be a special fully-funded employment package for educated and semi-skilled youth, also intended to achieve full female literacy and primary health care across the state.
The government would also develop Jammu as an independent tourism destination with plans to develop other specific circuits.
On last year's floods, he said the focus shall be to recover the income loss and to meet the liability commitments while the ambit of rehabilitation has been expanded to those geographical areas and businesses that are "flood-impacted", in addition to being "flood-affected".
Vohra said the government will ensure return of Kashmiri Pandits "with dignity", and "spare no effort to reintegrating and absorbing them in the Kashmiri milieu", while also working out a one-time settlement for refugees from Pakistani Kashmir, and measures for refugees for West Pakistan.
He said the government will ensure people are enabled to fully enjoy the peace and normalcy dividend, while it will also address concerns of the people living on the borders.
"In this context, the coalition government will thoroughly review the security situation and examine the need and desirability of all the special laws which are being applied in the state. Keeping in mind that the situation is steadily improving, the government will examine the need for de-notifying 'disturbed areas' and this, in turn, would enable the central government to take a final view on the continuation of AFSPA in such areas."
Recalling the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's initiation of dialogue with all groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, he said: "Following a similar approach, the coalition government will facilitate and help initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders, which will include all political groups irrespective of their ideological views and predilections" to build a broad consensus on resolution of all outstanding issues.
Punjab elections: After Sidhu, Kejriwal presented the Punjab model, shared 10-point agenda including reforms in employment and education
Within 24 hours of presenting the Punjab model of Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu, the Aam Aadmi Party has also presented its Punjab model. AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal introduced the 10-point
Tricolor at every house: PM Modi appeals to the public, from August 13 to 15, definitely hoist the tricolor at your home
To make Independence Day special this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the people to make the Tricolor campaign successful at every home. The Prime Minister appealed to the people to
Diljit Dosanjh: PAK actress Hania reached diljit's concert, the singer called her on stage and performed
Famous actor and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh is often in the news for his films and songs. The actor also has a strong fan following. Fans go to any extent to listen to him. Diljit Dosanjh is doing
IPL 2025 will start on March 22? KKR-RCB will clash in the first match; Know when and where the final will be played
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) can start on 22 March. The opening match of IPL 2025 can be played between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers
SCO-NSA Meet: SCO-NSA security advisors meeting begins in Delhi, Doval welcomes top officials
India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval received top officials at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting in Delhi on Wednesday. India is the current chair of the
Changes From 1 June: These 5 big changes will happen from June 1 in many sectors including banking, insurance, and home loan, your pocket will be affected
There is continuous development in India and in this process of moving forward, the rules are also changing from time to time. Now many changes are going to happen in the country from June 1. These
Due to Corona, 24 crore school children in India are studying at home, but many families do not have money to buy smartphones, not even internet
Children are studying through smartphones due to the closure of schools in India, but many families do not have the money even to buy smartphones. Not only this, but slow internet is also becoming a
PM Modi Nepal Visit: ICCR and IIT-M tie-up with Nepalese universities, will start these degree programs
Several bilateral agreements were signed on Monday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lumbini, Nepal. Among them, two agreements between Nepal's KU i.e. Kathmandu University and IIT Madras
DC vs MI Dream 11 Prediction: Delhi or Mumbai, who will taste the first victory, playing 11 of both the teams will be like this
In the first week of IPL 2023, the teams of Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, who proved to be the worst, will take the field against each other on Tuesday night. Delhi has scored a hat-trick of
Xiaomi Redmi 10 will soon enter the budget segment, specifications revealed from launch
Xiaomi is going to launch its new budget smartphone Redmi 10 soon. Although it has not been revealed yet when it will enter, some of its features have been revealed even before the launch of the
