Tension between India-Pak percolates down to J&K, says Omar

"Indo-Pak relations have direct bearing on Jammu and Kashmir," Omar said.

"Thaw in the relations (between the two countries) affects peace and development in the state and any tension between the two creates difficulties here," he said.

We are continuously working in this direction and want Indo-Pak relations to improve so that all the outstanding issues between the two neighbours are resolved peacefully across the table, Omar said addressing a public meeting in remote district village here.

There is also need for addressing political issues of Jammu and Kashmir in a political and peaceful atmosphere to usher the state into permanent peace and development...Gun has always created problems and bloodshed, he said.

Omar said that while campaigning during the 2008 Assembly polls he had asked votes to address the development issues.

"However, my government right from the day first also worked for creating an atmosphere in which political issues of the state could be addressed both by the internal as well as external dialogue processes," he added.

On delivery of good-governance and reduction of chances of corruption in the administration, the chief minister referred to the enactment and implementation of historic Public Service Guarantee Act and said his government has empowered public legally.

Omar said by strengthening institutions and empowering people to ask questions from the administration for its every commission or omission, he has put the government under public scanning and transparency.

During the last three-and-a-half years, the chief minister said his government has ensured holistic and balanced development all across the state.

Special focus has been on construction of roads and bridges, power generation, health and education facilities and on the sectors of PHE, agriculture and allied disciplines, tourism, social welfare and entrepreneurship development to generate employment. MORE