Soz urges Azad for immediate action on heritage bill

Srinagar, Nov 8 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to demonstrate political will and get the heritage bill passed in the state Legislature in the next session.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Haj House here, Prof Soz expressed the hope that Mr Azad will demonstrate political will and put into practice various concrete steps he and his Ministry had suggested as far as preservation of water resources in Jammu and Kashmir was concerned.

The Union Minister referred to the model heritage bill, which would be a comprehensive law on preservation of state's heritage, including water resources, he had handed over to Mr Azad.

Prof Soz expressed the hope that the draft bill would be passed in the state legislature. He said his Ministry could provide substantial funds for reviving navigation in River Jhelum, but all these steps need the political will of the state government.

''I hope that Mr Azad will take the necessary initiatives in this regard. UNESCO, Japan and some other countries are ready to provide help for preservation of the world famous Dal Lake,'' he added.

UNI