On Independence Day, CMs lay out plans for job creation, making governance more responsive

From making governance more responsive and creating job opportunities to the impact of abrogation of Article 370, a host of issues were highlighted by chief ministers on Independence Day ad celebrations in the states passed off peacefully Thursday amid tight security.

After unfurling the national flag at state-level functions on the 73rd Independence Day, the leaders inspected parades by police and paramilitary forces, and listed various achievements of their respective governments in their speeches.

In the first Independence Day celebration after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, Governor Satya Pal Malik said the identity of people of the state is neither at stake nor tampered with after the Centre's move.

Hoisting the national flag at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar amid tight security, Malik termed the constitutional changes introduced by the Centre "historic" and said they will open a new door of development and help various communities promote their languages and cultures in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

"These changes have removed the hurdles for economic development and prosperity, he said.

Authorities were on high alert across the country in view of developments related to Jammu and Kashmir.

The issue of abrogation of Article 370 found an echo in the northeast with several chief ministers assuring the people that the special status guaranteed to them in the Constitution would not be tinkered with.

"I assure the people of my state that the provisions of Article 371-H will continue to stay in force and the same had been categorically assured in Parliament by the Centre," Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said after unfurling the national tricolour at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar.

He said the provisions enshrined in Article 371 of the Constitution are aimed at "protecting the economic and cultural interests" of some states, including Arunachal Pradesh.

"On the occasion of 73rd Independence Day, I pledge to protect, conserve and consolidate Article 371(F) of the Constitution which provides a special status to our state," Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said in his address.

The chief ministers of Mizoram and Meghalaya focussed on progress and development.

In his Independence Day address, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal defended his government's stand on the National Register of Citizens, and announced that a new policy would soon be formulated to give land rights to landless families.

In a Raksha Bandhan gift for women, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that rides on DTC and cluster buses will be free for them from October 29.

Delivering the last Independence Day speech of his term at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, Kejriwal said his government is also working on its decision to provide free rides to women in the Delhi Metro.

There are 5,500 buses, including of 3,800 of the Delhi Transport Corporation and over 1,600 cluster (orange) buses operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announced a public outreach programme in which he and other ministers will ring up people to get their views on governance.

After hoisting the national flag in Bhubaneswar, he said, "The Mo Sarkar programme will be based on five Ts -- Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time and Transformation -- to make the government more accountable and responsive."
In a Twitter post late on Wednesday night, she said, "I salute my nation and all our countrymen & women on Independence Day. Democracy is our most priceless asset. Let us take an oath today, not to divide India. We must unite India."
"We must always strive for political freedom, economic freedom, freedom of expression and preserve democratic rights. When these are not given, we should organise peaceful movements to preserve these rights."
Floods and rains affecting normal life in most parts of state cast its shadow on