Peace and all-round development my agenda: Azad

Jammu, May 17 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the all-round development of the state in peaceful atmosphere has been his agenda since he took over as head administrator of the state.

While addressing two separate meetings of district officers at Poonch and Rajouri, Mr Azad said, to realize the goal, a multi-pronged strategy has been put in place.

He said the government has taken measures to ensure equitable development of all the regions and bring all areas including remotest ones on the development map.

''We have not only implemented long pending Wazir Commission recommendations but gone ahead to create eight districts, three sub-divisions and 12 tehsils", he said and added that Roshni scheme launched in the state is yet another historic farmer-friendly decision.

Mr Azad said the liberal funding from the centre has helped to expand the orbit of progress and development in the state and presently massive infrastructure development in education, health, PHE, irrigation, power, R&B and other sectors is in full swing.

''History has provided us golden opportunity to develop and progress. We have to take best advantage and carry forward towards the goal of prosperity,'' he added.

Asking the government functionaries to make public service their motto, Chief Minister said that devotion and performance of government functionaries is pre-requisite in translating development schemes into reality.

Chief Minister announced that from June 1, public grievance redressal mechanism would be institutionalized where as officers at district, tehsil and block levels will hold public hearing sessions.

He said that district, tehsil and block officers would be asked to formulate a calendar for such darbars.

Mr Azad said, ''The dialogue process is moving forward to address all issues at one hand and development process on the other is receiving considerable fillip. The day is not far when people will relish fruits of peace and progress.'' The Chief Minister asked the government functionaries to be punctual and do not leave district headquarters without proper permission.

He advised the officers to provide details of schemes on hoarding at conspicuous places in districts, tehsil and blocks so that people are made aware of every work.

The Chief Minister directed tourism development authorities of Rajouri and Poonch to speed up the work on creation of tourist infrastructure.

He also interacted with people in Poonch and Rajouri and visited district hospital Poonch, degree college and ITI and directed the concerned to work in double shifts to complete the ongoing construction works. He laid emphasis on maintaining quality of works under all circumstances.

UNI