Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reviewed governance issues in Jammu and Kashmir and promised to bring peace to the region by ensuring ‘efficient administration’ and ‘strengthening institutions of self-governance’.
This was his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the imposition of governor’s rule last month.
Singh discussed the situation in the state at a meeting with governor NN Vohra and state administration officials in Srinagar. ‘Development and good governance had eluded the common people of Jammu and Kashmir so far. We will take all possible measures to ensure accountability, transparency and good governance in the system,’ he said in a series of tweets.
The Union minister had arrived here on Wednesday along with national security advisor Ajit Doval, Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba, Jammu and Kashmir joint secretary Gyanesh Kumar and other home ministry officials. He then proceeded to review the security situation with army and paramilitary officials, and held discussions on general security management, the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and various developmental projects with Vohra at the Raj Bhavan.
The state came under governor’s rule on June 20, after the BJP pulled out of its coalition government with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The state assembly, whose term will end by 2020, remains in suspended animation. There have been unverified reports of an impending revolt by a section of PDP legislators against party president Mehbooba Mufti in an effort to form an alternative government.
Singh said the Centre aims to instil hope of a better future among the Kashmiri people by focusing on self-governance. ‘With renewed focus on good governance and development, the Centre looks forward to kindling new aspirations and hope among the people of the state. The solution to our problems lies in empowering the people and strengthening the state’s institutions of local self-governance,’ he added.
The senior BJP leader asserted that the dream of a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir can be realised only when there is peace and normalcy. ‘It is our firm resolve to bring peace, stability and prosperity through an honest, effective and efficient administration,’ he said.
According to a government spokesperson, Vohra assured the home minister that the state administration was doing all it could to speed up the implementation of development and welfare programmes, eradicate corruption and address public grievances.
Chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam presented updates on the implementation of major projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Programme, such as AIIMS, IITs and IIMs and ring roads at Jammu and Srinagar. Advisor Vijay Kumar informed Singh about the overall law-and-order situation as well as the framework put in place by security forces for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
The home minister left for New Delhi in the afternoon. He was unable to visit the Amarnath cave due to adverse weather conditions.
The state is currently being administrated by governor Vohra, his three advisors – BB Vyas, Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai – and the chief secretary.
HT
