Inter-LoC roads could be utilised for free trade movement : Azad

Jammu, Feb 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed the hope that various Inter-LoC (Line of Control) routes between India and Pakistan could be utilised for free-trade movement which will not only strengthen the economy of the state but also prove beneficial for both the countries on the economical fronts.

While addressing Pradesh Congress Committee executive of Jammu province here this evening, the Chief Minister said on the political front, new initiatives were taken to strengthen the peace process by convening two roundtables at the Prime Minister's level.

Mr Azad lauded the role UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who have evinced a keen interest in the peace process and led the state towards the goal of prosperity and tranquility.

''Both Sonia Gandhi and Dr Singh personally came on April, 7 2005, to open Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and also on June, 20 2006, Ms Sonia Gandhi inaugurated Poonch-Rawalakot bus service,'' he said.

Mr Azad said, ''Similarly, the Prime Minister announced constitution of five working groups on the concluding day of second roundtable and all these working groups have nearly completed their tasks and we hope that their recommendations will have far-reaching effects in solving various complex issues.'' He said the coalition government is fast moving ahead with its ambitious programmes to guide the state towards prosperity and strengthen the pillars of peace.

The Chief Minister said it has not been able to only fulfil all its major promises made in the party manifesto and also documented in CMP (Common Minimum Programmes) but has gone beyond the same after realizing response of the people, their confidence and increasing faith in the state government.

The Chief Minister said the creation of eight new districts, three sub-divisions and 12 tehsils was not made on any recommendation of any commission or demand of any political party but keeping in mind that creation of these districts will accelerate pace of development in all nooks and crannies of the state.

He said similarly, another historical step has been taken in the shape of new Roshni legislation vesting free ownership rights of 16.60 lakh kanals of state land to poor farmers with the aim to boost and agriculture economy of the state.

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