Good governance, corruption are main focus of government: Azad

Srinagar, June 22 (UNI) Assuring 'zero tolerance for human rights violations', Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said providing good governance and getting rid of corruption are the main focus areas of his government.

Jointly inaugurating the Editors Conference on Social Infrastructure focus on Jammu and Kashmir here, Mr Azad said ''The government takes cognition of all incidents of human rights violation and priority is given to the good governance as development can bring peace and prosperity in the militancy-affected state.'' Stating that militancy during the past-decade-and-half has affected the development of the state, he, however, noted that it would not serve as an excuse everytime.

''The government is taking steps to plug those loopholes,'' the Chief Minister said, adding that to achieve this purpose a new post of additional District Development Commissioner has been sanctioned in the state.

''The official will conduct physical verification of projects to ensure their proper implementation and ensure that money sanctioned has been really utilised for the project purpose and not only on the paper,'' Mr Azad said.

The Chief Minister said this official would keep an eye on all the projects and help in removing corruption.

He said that property of many officials have already been acquired by the state government for indulging in the corrupt practices. The Amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act has enabled the state government to take away the property of the corrupt officials and politicians.

Meanwhile, Mr Azad also announced 'Chief Minister's Gold Medal' award for honest officials. The award would be conferred upon on the Independence Day.

The Anti-Defection Law has also been implemented in the state to bring all the MLAs under its preview. The size of the state Cabinet has also been reduced from 40 to 22, he informed.

Highlighting various steps taken by the state government in the field of education, tourism and infrastructure development, the Chief Minister said, ''Investment in Jammu and Kashmir is investment in peace.'' Lauding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for sanctioning Rs 24000 crore package for the state's reconstruction, he said number of steps, including completing of Dulhasti Project and work on Baglihar project, have been taken to increase Power generation.

''Work on Udhampur-Srinagar railway project is progressing and Srinagar Airport is being developed as an International Airport,'' he informed.

The Chief Minister said that efforts have been made to change the work culture in the state. Now people are working in double shifts from 0700 hrs to 1900 hrs in 521 projects. This would help in filling the development gap of the militancy-affected state.

UNI AJ HS RS1700