Working on policy of zero tolerance against corruption: LG in R-Day address

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/26/2021 12:55:27 PM Front Page

Jammu: Counting achievements of his government, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Kumar Sinha on the eve of Republic Day celebrations in his address to the people of the Union Territory, expressed that the government is working on a policy of zero tolerance against corruption.

“We are working on a policy of zero tolerance against corruption. The continuous action against corrupt people in the last few months shows the commitment of the government against corruption,” Sinha said in his address released by the Raj Bhawan late Monday evening.

He said, “tackling corruption is a collective responsibility, so I urge all of you to cooperate with the government in making the administrative system transparent, responsible and accountable to the people.”

He said that to include the public in the campaign against corruption, the Anti Corruption Bureau has recently started an app namely ‘Satark Nagrik’. The offices of Anti Corruption Bureau are being opened in every corner of the Union Territory to make the bureaucracy corruption free and keep the system clean, the LG said.

On return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, the Lieutenant Governor said that the government is determined to enable the honourable return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley.

“As per the instructions and commitment of the Prime Minister, we are working continuously for providing 6000 houses and 6000 jobs to them,” he expressed.

He further said that in order to maintain the trust of people in institutions it is necessary that administrative work is more and more faceless and paperless. For this, the government has simplified rules, abolished many old laws and the poor are being directly benefited through D.B.T.

On Panchayati Raj institutions, the LG said, “the role of the government in the public welfare programmes has been kept as a facilitator, so that people through their public representatives decide development works on priority.”

The government of Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said is providing better technology, latest infrastructure and equipment to Panchayati Raj Institutions so that they work more effectively and bring better results for the welfare of people.

“The achievements of the last few months are a matter of great pride, but much work remains to be done. We are striving for the overall development of every part of Jammu and Kashmir. I am confident that we will face the upcoming challenges on the foundations of good governance and public participation,” he added in his address.

“Apart from this, we will also accelerate the pace of development and ambitious reforms in new areas. With deep faith in the core values of the Constitution and following high ideals and the path of duty, we will be successful in taking Jammu and Kashmir to the new heights of glory,” said the Lieutenant Governor.

Conveying best wishes and congratulations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the LG said, “on this day, the policy makers of the constitution sowed the seeds of justice, freedom, equality, social democracy and prosperity of brotherhood for all people, so that from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, the flag of development and glory of new India keeps flying high. Today on the occasion of Republic Day, every citizen should imbibe truth, non-violence, self reliance of Mahatma Gandhi and the constitutional ideas of Baba Sahib Ambedkar.”

“We have emerged as the largest, most successful and vibrant democracy in the world by preserving the values of equality of all religions, restraint , sacrifice, discipline , unity in diversity and spirit to serve,” he said adding that the year 2020 has been a year of unprecedented change in Jammu and Kashmir. Through a continuous process of change, the roots of progress have been planted in the new Jammu and Kashmir.

“With the Constitution of India in one hand and the Tricolour in the other, all the people of villages and towns, with dreams of progress in their eyes, have started building a new Jammu and Kashmir to fulfill their ambitions and those of the nation,” he asserted.

“For a long time, the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir were denied grassroots democracy. We have been successful in conducting violence free, free and fair elections to District Development Councils. The high turnout of voters broke the records of many previous elections.” He said adding, “I specially congratulate the enlightened citizens, all voters, Central Security Forces, Army, Police and Administrative officials for this. We assure all the elected representatives that with your support, the Jammu and Kashmir Administration will bring the fruits of development to the last person standing in the queue.”

“We want to assure all citizens that the political conspiracies and nefarious designs of a neighbouring country will never be allowed to succeed in this land of great persons and warriors. The security agencies have effectively controlled violence and those who are trying to fulfil their political motives with the help of this proxy war, are being given a befitting reply,” said the LG in his address.

On the auspicious occasion of Republic Day today, I bow down to the bravery of police personnel and our security forces working day and night to create a conducive atmosphere for smooth day-to-day life and maintaining a peaceful environment. On behalf of the entire Jammu and Kashmir, I pay homage to all the warriors who have sacrificed everything for the honour of our Tricolour.

The breeze of Jammu and Kashmir has the words of sages and, in its mountains lies the music of sufi mystics. There is art in its soil and the light of lotuses in its rivers. For this reason, the great Kalhana in his book ‘Rajtarangini’, while mentioning Jammu and Kashmir, has written “Tadvina Nagram Kutra Pavitra” -Except this place, is there any city on the earth where such holy and beautiful rivers can be accessible?

The horrific tragedy of the coronavirus shook our economy and social life badly for some time. But now the darkness has been dispelled. With the dawn of a new morning, we are taking forward the economy and the social welfare programs of Jammu and Kashmir. With the spirit of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina,Sarve Santu Niramaya'' , we have started the corona virus vaccination programme in Jammu and Kashmir giving top priority to public health workers. But the fight with corona is not over yet. Therefore, while repeating the words of Hon’ble Prime Minister, I would like to urge all of you – Dawaai bhi – kadaai bhi. It must be strictly followed.

“A new revolution has started with the Ayushman Bharat SEHAT Scheme in the field of Public Health. This health insurance scheme is the first of its kind in the country and the world, where under all the one crore thirty lakh citizens of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefited without any discrimination,” he said.

The LG said that several decisions have been taken to make health facilities world class, and these are being implemented on the ground. Human resources are the biggest asset of our democracy. Therefore, the free facility of Raj Bhawan Helicopter has been provided for treatment of poor people in far-flung areas who often get stranded due to heavy snowfall.

With the dream of a healthy, prosperous and successful Jammu and Kashmir, the people of the Union Territory have voluntarily turned the two most important programmes of mass participation, ‘Back to Village’ and “My Town My Pride” into a mass movement, said Sinha.

Even today, this programme of mass participation is going on continuously as 'Block Diwas' and under this programme, the government is reaching to the doorsteps of people. The facilities being provided by the government in an accountable and transparent manner, sports promotion and cleanliness campaigns are bringing good results. Under the 'Back to Village' programme, more than 15000 young men and women have been provided financial assistance to become entrepreneurs. Under various government schemes like MGNREGA, 14th Finance Commission and District Capex Budget, more than 25,000 new projects have been started for the development of villages.

“Under the 'My Town My Pride' programme, at least ten young men and women from each Municipality have been identified and provided opportunities to become entrepreneurs,” he added.

In September last year, he said that the Government had provided an economic package of Rs. 1350 crore for immediate relief to businesses and people associated with it who were suffering from the distress of coronavirus. Both small and big businessmen and business establishments were given a record 5% interest subvention.

On the other hand, 50% relief was given in electricity and water bills for industrial and commercial consumers. Relief was provided to the people associated with transport, tourism, working class and those connected with the construction sector. The results of timely decisions are visible today in villages, cities, farms, factories, hospitals and schools. In social welfare schemes too, more than 95% saturation has been achieved.

In the beginning of this year, we have announced a New Industrial Development Scheme 2021 amounting to Rs. 28,400 crores to attract the country’s major industries and investment in Jammu and Kashmir and expand existing industries.

This scheme, which will continue till 2037, will take industrial investment to the block level so that the goal of equal, balanced and sustainable economic development can be achieved, the LG said.

Industrial policy has again lit the lamps of expectations and we are determined to provide employment opportunities directly or indirectly to 4.5 to 5 lakh people in the coming years.

New land laws have been introduced for agricultural and industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir. The old laws were a hindrance to the development and hence, have been abolished. In order to promote industries, a land bank is being created at a massive level and we are proud that two big and five small industrial estates will be completed by March 2021.

“Dismissing all rumours and apprehensions, I fully assure you the safety of every inch of your land,” he asserted.

He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has simplified the complex mining process. E-auction of mineral blocks is being done by the Department of Geology and Mining in a transparent manner. Due to the complex auctioning process, the prices of construction material had gone up, which are expected to fall significantly in the coming days. The revenue of the Union Territory will increase, strengthening the economy.

“To make 20-22 hours electricity available in the villages of Jammu and Kashmir, like in other states, the Government has given the green signal to an investment of Rs. 52,821 crores in the hydro electric power sector. We will make Jammu and Kashmir self reliant in the field of electricity for the first time by generating as much electricity in 4 years as was created in the last seventy years,” he said adding that along with this, new projects are also being set up to strengthen the transmission and distribution infrastructure. Recently on the 20th of January, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet has given the green signal to the Rs 5282 crores Ratle Power Project. This 850 MW Project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar will be completed in the next 5 years.

Whatever works are being done through the budget of the government, now every single penny is being accounted for and it is a matter of pride that the pace of development has accelerated due to this transparent mechanism. Under the District Capex Budget where in 2018-19, 8106 number of projects were completed, this year 16,000 projects i.e. double the number are going to be completed.

Putting an end to the hollow announcements in Jammu and Kashmir, we have given a new slogan “Vaada Nahin Iraada”, and the pace with which the projects are being implemented in the last five months has never been witnessed before in its history, said the Lieutenant Governor.

The implementation of the Prime Minister's Development Package has gained tremendous momentum. Out of 54 projects, 20 important projects have been completed and 16 others will be completed by March 2021.

Eight other projects will be completed by December 2021. It is a matter of great pride that the Katra-Banihal Section of the Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line will be completed by August 2022 connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

“Soon you will see a Metro Rail running on 23 km long route in Jammu, and 25 km in Srinagar. Works are being carried out at a fast pace in AMRUT Mission and Smart City Mission to rejuvenate the cities. Keeping in view the basic amenities like sewer, waste management, rain water harvesting, transport, parks for the children, good road and greenery all around, work is being done in all the cities of Jammu and Kashmir in mission mode. Financial aid is being provided to the identified street vendors of the cities affected by corona,” he said.

To strengthen business activities related to agriculture, Farmer Producer Organizations are being setup in all the twenty districts of Jammu and Kashmir in next three months. To make the products of our farmer brothers available not only in the country but also in the markets abroad, all premium horticulture products will be G.I. tagged and their branding and marketing will also be done.

“May this New Year bring happiness and success to all and let the youth of Jammu and Kashmir achieve their goals,” he concluded.


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