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Srinagar, Oct 30 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said creation of new districts, setting up working groups on Kashmir, introducing new work culture and meeting the challenge of devastating earthquake were some of the major achievements of his one year government in the state.

Spelling out major achievements registered by government during last one year Chief Minister said, historical measures at political, developmental and administrative levels have been taken to address all issues pertaining to the people of the state.

He said innovative and novel laws have been enacted by his government downsize ministry and prevent defection by political representatives for personal benefits.

Legislations for enhancing assembly seats by 25 per cent, constitution of delimitation commission and finance commission have been enacted to lay edifice for broad based politico- administrative setup for making it more responsible and people oriented, he added.

Speaking at a function he said, a new work culture and transparency in the affairs of administration have been set in place making foolproof monitoring a necessary ingredient to keep an eye on progress of works and spending of funds.

The Chief Minister said the government also made the historical decision of creating 8 new districts, 3 sub-divisions and 13 tehsils fulfilling long cherished desire of the people and implementing the promises made in Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition government.

He said the allocation to districts have also been enhanced from 30 per cent to 40 per cent and also relieving the districts from the burden of loan component, which the government would itself obtain.

He also brought into notice that said when he took over as Chief Minister, he found that in last 10 years works worth Rs 1800 crores had been started without administrative approval, which created vested interest and nexus between contractors and engineers.

''We have done away with this practice and created an effective mechanism of launching and monitoring schemes at every stage'', he said adding Additional District Development Commissioner has been placed in each district in this connection.

The Chief Minister said on political front holding of Round Conference at Dehli and Srinagar and constitution of 5 working groups was historic and significant achievement during the last year.

Meeting the challenges of October 8, 2005 earthquake and rehabilitating large number of quake sufferers and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and public property was a gigantic task successfully under taken by the government, Mr Azad said.

Chief Minister said that for reconstruction of damaged houses each affected family was granted Rs 1.35 lakh, which is the highest relief provided to any calamity victim in the country so for.

UNI BAS MYK AKJ VV1423