Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Violence, killings of innocents should be condemned, whether it’s the killings of common people or security forces, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha said today, adding that one can’t be selective in condemning the violence.

“I appeal to all to contribute towards peace. There is no dearth of opportunities for progress and peace”, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said while addressing yet another gathering on the occasion of Back to Village-3 program at Panchayat Halqa, Ashthal, Kulgam in South Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering of enthusiastic locals of the district, the J&K Lt Governor said that innovative financing, convergence of schemes, enabling infrastructure, effective & efficient implementation will be key to improve growth prospects of J&K. “With hard work, dedication and better execution on the ground, every individual in our villages will attain social empowerment,” he added.

The Lt Governor observed that J&K has already been provided with funds to an excess of Rs 1,951 crore for the development of its villages and people this year. “Agriculture and Horticulture sectors provided Rs 1,872 crore, to an excess of Rs 680 crore with respect to last year,” he said.

“I am working on 4 key points for the development of J&K: accelerating growth, providing benefits of social security and social welfare schemes to all, eliminating regional disparities and effective execution of works”, he said, adding that the governance has been brought at doorstep now.

“Now, you shall decide the works to be completed and to be taken up on priority. Back to Village is a celebration of people’s participation in development. The success of Back to Village programmes is entirely due to the active participation of the masses.”

The LG observed that J&K has a lot of potential for growth in Agriculture and Horticulture sectors. Agriculture and horticulture activities need to be viable, stable, and sustainable. People are requested that during the ongoing Back to Village activities, exhaustive information sharing and discussions with concerned officers are held to increase productivity, ensure better inputs, increase implementation and execution of technology and proper guidance with respect to various government initiatives and schemes.

Highlighting the Government’s initiatives, the LG said that the administration is working on setting food processing units, which once installed, would greatly help the fruit growing areas of the district. Once established, such units will generate employment for the locals as well as help in the overall development of the region.

Similarly, Animal Husbandry sector would also be focused upon by the government post discussions and public feedback on the subject during B2V3.

“Upon my arrival to J&K, I was surprised to notice unusual delays in projects, and I ensure that those responsible for unwarranted delays will be made answerable. Roadmaps for speedy execution have been made and delays will no more be part of the system,” he said.

He directed the Deputy Commissioner and other district officers to consider the tough terrain of the district and plan awareness activities accordingly so that nobody is left uneducated about the programme. He also asked the elected PRI members to generate awareness for the benefit of the local population. Every Wednesday is dedicated to public grievance redressal at Sub-Division level on rotation basis, he added.

Quoting several economists, the LG asked the senior officers to focus their energies on land, labour, material and services for the wholesome development of villages.

-ARK