Batting strongly for creating an environment of reconciliation between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed today urged the two nations to bring down the "walls of hatred" for lasting peace and development in the region.
"We urge India and Pakistan to bring down the walls of hatred... I will continue to aspire for friendly relations between the two countries for embedding lasting peace in the region," he said while addressing a public meeting in Poonch.
Noting that cordial relations between New Delhi and Islamabad have had a positive impact on the state, the chief minister emphasised on the need for creating an environment of reconciliation to break the deadlock and signal a new thaw between the two neighbours.
"Indo-Pak bonhomie will enable us to deliver the rich dividends of peace to the people in the form of development," Sayeed said to the large crowd gathered at the rally.
He further said that the time had come for the cross-LoC travel to be taken beyond the ritual of members of the divided families meeting each other. "The scope of people-to-people contact across LoC has to be enlarged to include tourism, education and culture within its ambit."
Referring to the fractured mandate in the 2014 Assembly elections, the PDP patriarch said he was in a predicament as to which side he should align with.
"After thoughtful consideration, he realised that the indecisive mandate had actually thrown a historic opportunity in his lap to bind the three regions of the state together. "I have grabbed this and you will see the results," he assured.
During his Poonch tour, the CM also visited cross-LoC trade and travel point at Chakan da Bagh and laid foundation stone of Loran-Basam Gali Road at Loran.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh along with state ministers Ch. Zulfkar, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Naeem Akhtar and legislators Shah Mohammad Tantray and Yashpaul Sharma was also present on the occasion.
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Highlighting the need to create avenues for skill
development to enhance employability of educated youth in the district, Sayeed announced the setting up of a nursing college at Poonch and a school of skill development at Mandi.
On setting up of NITI Aayog at the Centre, the Chief Minister said the state has been assured of its due share in central taxes under the new scheme of financing.
He said with J&K getting adequate funds under the centrally-sponsored schemes in the ratio of 90:10, spending money will be a real challenge for the administrative machinery in the state. "Expending money at our disposal will be a real test for our executing agencies. We will ensure that all projects taken in hand are completed within timelines."
On the issue of one-time settlement of PoK refugees, the CM thanked the Centre for keeping a provision of Rs 2,000 crore in the development package announced by the Prime Minister during his rally at Srinagar.
"The relief package will provide substantial succour to the PoK refugees," he added.
Sayeed also assured the flood victims of relief in lieu of the heavy damage caused to their houses in the September deluge last year.
"Suitable allocations have also been made for taking flood protection measures to avoid any damage in future," he said while assuring people of taking further steps to fortify the river which savagely breached its embankments last year.
Promising to make people stakeholders in the state's development process, the chief minister said he will hold elections to local self-government institutions to empower people at the grassroots level.
"The decentralisation of powers down below will further strengthen the roots of good governance besides making the system accountable," he added.
