Mufti for top priority to economic rejuvenation of J

Srinagar, June 26 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for according utmost priority to the economic rejuvenation of the troubled state in proportion to its immense potential and legendary place, it once enjoyed in the South Asian region.

''Inclusive expansion of the state's economy is the only way to challenge the scourge of unemployment and economic deprivation of its people,'' he said while addressing a day-long PDP convention at the tourist resort of Ahrabal in Kulgam district.

Mr Sayeed emphasised on generating new economic activity, building infrastructure and integrating the state with the market economy developing around it.

''Due to various reasons, including the political uncertainties, the state's economic development has been subjected to immense restrictions depriving it of the benefits of a new era of prosperity unfolding in the region,'' he added.

The PDP leader lamented that even today various restrictive elements were not allowing the fresh air of globalisation, market economy and liberalisation to cross the boundaries of the state, denying the place and its residents an opportunity to fully exploit their fabled entrepreneurial, artistic and business genius.

He pointed out that given its rich water and mineral resources, scenic beauty, cherished handicrafts, horticulture and agriculture potential, the state's economic distress was more because of a conspiracy of circumstances than the lack of development inputs.

One of the major constraints for the state's economic development was lack of opportunities and accessibility as the sub-continent's partition has completely cut it off from the traditional markets in the region, Mr Sayeed added.

''And regrettably, no effort was made at any level during the past six decades to address the state's genuine logistical and accessibility concerns,'' he said.

Mr Sayeed made it clear that an action-packed politically determined effort was needed at various levels to pull the state out of the shadows of economic isolation and provide its people a level playing field in the economic activities developing around it.

''Surplus energy, a sound technological and industrial base in conformity with its natural and human resource, increased access, advanced educational and research facilities and a right to define at the grassroots level priorities in the government investment, should constitute the major icons of a viable, economically strong and a self-reliant Jammu&Kashmir,'' he added.

Firmly calling for eschewing the policy of double-standards and double-speak towards Jammu and Kashmir, the former Chief Minister said the problems were compounded more by the prejudiced mindset of certain quarters outside the State than the local reasons.

''The people of Jammu and Kashmir have a right to ask for their due share in the country's economic boom, that they have unfortunately been deprived of so far,'' he added.

Mr Sayeed said the state's educated young men and women must get equal opportunities to reap the fruits of contemporary growth- oriented and job-intensive sectors such as information technology, biotech, commercial farming and food processing.

Stressing the urgency for adopting a new approach for development and maintenance of tourist destinations and tourism infrastructure in the state, the PDP leader said immediate measures have to be taken to develop the comparatively less crowded resorts such as Ahrabal-Kongdoori circuit that were yet to be harnessed fully.

He also called for construction of Nandimarg-Gulabgarh and Dadimarg-Mahu Mangat road links to provide better accessibility to the remotest areas with the Kashmir valley.

UNI