New strategy to ensure socio-economic development in J

Jammu, July 15 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said a new strategy has been adopted to ensure balanced socio-economic advancement in the state with focus on regional and sub-regional development requirements.

''A new model encompassing economic reconstruction, social upliftment and political stability has been firmly established'', Mr Azad said at the special convocation of the Jammu University here to confer the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The model, he said, was leading to balanced socio-economic growth in the state, taking into account the development requirements of all regions and sub-regions within Jammu and Kashmir.

Against the backdrop of all out central support and liberal funding, the Chief Minister asked the state administration to gear up for a new work culture.

He called for the need to meet deadlines and ensure that plans were converted into real projects.

The Chief Minister said his government aimed at providing equal justice and catering to the aspirations of all regions which could be possible only due to the personal interest of and interventions by Dr Singh from time to time.

He complimented the Prime Minister for the support he had provided to him and his government and said that Jammu and Kashmir was, for the first time in history, holistically focused with comprehensive measures taken on political, economic and social fronts.

Mr Azad said the working groups created by the Round Table Conference focused on strengthening of cross-LoC relationship, confidence building across various segments of society, economic development, strengthening relationship between the State and Centre and ensuring good governance.

On Working Groups, the Chief Minister said that their recommendations were being implemented.

''We are working on implementing many of the recommendations of the four Working Groups even as we await the report of the fifth Working Group,'' he said.

Besides Prime Minister, who was awarded the degree by varsity Chancellor Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha, Union Minister for Water Resources Saif-ud-Din Soz, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, members of the State Council of Ministers, Members of Parliament, Legislators, Chief Secretary, senior officers, university faculty, prominent citizens, students were present on the occasion.

UNI