J&K’s political vacuum will end soon, assures Murmu

TNN Bureau. Updated: 12/13/2019 11:35:44 AM Front Page

'Collective efforts, not just force, required to end militancy’

JAMMU: Reiterating his government’s resolve to hold the elections to the legislative assembly in the Union Territory at the earliest, Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday said that the political vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir will not remain for long.
Asserting that militancy was under control, Murmu also called for constructive efforts to bring complete peace to the region.
"I am again and again saying that this is Union Territory with legislature and one day there will be election,” Murmu said at the sidelines of a function here.
“So the political vacuum will not remain (for long)," he said.
This is the third time in less than one month that the Lieutenant Governor has pitched for return of elected dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.
On Monday, Murmu had said that the power should go into the hands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir "as soon as possible".
"This is what I am saying that the power should go into the hands of the people as soon as possible. This is what we are saying always," he had said at Rajouri. However, he had refused to share a specific time frame as to when the pools will be held, and said, "It has its own process."
On November 14 too, Murmu had said that the election process for the Legislative Assembly will begin soon in the union territory.
"Election will come. Union Territory of J&K has an assembly for which the election will be held soon. It will not continue like this (LG's rule)," he had said at Reasi, in his first public speech after assuming office.
"The process for holding the election will come soon," Murmu had said.
The last elected government of Jammu and Kashmir was BJP-PDP coalition which fell on June 19, 2018 after the saffron party withdrew its support, leading to imposition of Governor’s rule, followed by President’s rule.
In a historic decision the BJP government at Centre revoked Article 370 on August 5 and split Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs of J&K and Ladakh. Unlike Ladakh, UT of J&K can elect a legislative assembly and a chief minister with the total strength of ministers not exceeding the 10 per cent of the total strength of the assembly.
The Centre is grappling with the issue of filling the political vacuum after the move on Article 370. Most of the important political leaders of Kashmir like Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are still in detention since August 5. Around 30 other leaders from different political parties are also under detention at MLA hostel which has been declared as a sub jail.
On Thursday, Murmu also said that the elimination of militancy requires a lot of effort, and not just by force.
"We need constructive participation from all quarters, including businessmen and politicians, and need to educate the people about the benefits of peace...I am hopeful that it will be done," he said.
He said his administration is going to implement the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in Jammu and Kashmir and "we are giving more powers to the panchayats to strengthen them".
"The urban local bodies elections were held recently after 2005 and the panchayat polls after 2011. we are giving power to these grass-root level democratic institutions to strengthen them. We are implementing the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, he said.
Inviting investments in Jammu and Kashmir, Murmu said there is a requirement of one million jobs and it is obvious that the government cannot create such a huge number.
"The government is making efforts to bring in investment and it will help generate jobs for the local youth," he said.
He said Jammu and Kashmir has a huge potential to generate 20,000 MW of power.
"There was some delay but the administration has now speeded up the work to tap the potential," he said.
Earlier after inaugurating the Jammu and Kashmir Office of ASSOCHAM- Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India here, Lt Governor said the government is speeding up the development of various sectors and is also seeking private investments to make the Industry sector more vibrant.
He also said that a comprehensive plan is underway to develop Jammu and Kashmir into a medical tourism destination.
"The present dispensation is making several headways towards attracting investments to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Through the upcoming Global Investors' Summit, best sectors of J&K will be showcased to the world to open up the flow of investments to the Union Territory, he said.
He said a robust employment policy, which also includes self employment, is in the offing to boost the employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir.
On startups, Murmu said that the administration is developing optimum IT infrastructure across J&K to render requisite support to startup businesses.
President, ASSOCHAM, B.K Goenka also committed that an IT Summit would be held by the ASSOCHAM in near future.


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