J-K Govt concentrated on transparency in governance: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the coalition government during last four-and-a-half years concentrated on revival of institutions of governance to bring in transparency and empower people to scan functioning of the government at all levels.
"As many as 69 important public services have been brought under the Public Services Guarantee Act to make administration legally bound to provide these services in a fixed time frame," Omar said in his 'Awami Mulakat' (meet the people) here.
The chief minister said the constitution of State Information Commission, State Accountability Commission, State Vigilance Commission and landmark Legislations of Right to Information Act and Public Service Guarantee Act have brought the government under full public scan.

"We have given ample powers to a common man to question government for its all actions and omissions, seek time bound delivery of services and be participant in the process of development," he said underlining this as basics of good governance.
"Panchayats are emerging as vibrant and effective institutions," Omar said, adding powers from 14 departments have been transferred to these institutions.
He said Rs 231 crore have been made available for devolution by the Panchayats, while 4,000 Panchayat Adalats have also been constituted.

The chief minister said about 600 bridges are under construction in the state at a cost of about Rs 1200 crores, adding that 81 new bridges have also taken in hand during the current fiscal.

He said 3,000 kilometres of roads have been macadamized and black topped during 2012 while 1,161 kilometres of roads have been completed under PMGSY last year.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for announcing additional Rs 710 crore for land compensation under PMGSY, Omar said this would help in execution of 907 schemes with 5,389 kilometres in Phase-I - VII and 670 schemes with 2,695 kilometres in Phase-I- VIII under the scheme.
He said his government has also taken up the matter of Central financing for three major tunnels across Singhpora-Vailoo, Lolab-Bandipora and Chattapani-Zaznar on Mughal Road for all weather connectivity with rest of the country.

"We have also taken up the issue of extension of Rail Link to Kupwara, Poonch and Rajouri and development of green field Airports at Kishtwar, Rajouri and Surankote with the Centre," Omar added.