SRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday admitted that development and good governance had remained elusive for the common people of Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that dream of developed and prosperous J&K would be realised when there is peace and normalcy in the border state.
On the second day of his two-day visit to the State, Rajnath reviewed the security situation, developmental issues and yatra arrangements in J&K at a high-level meeting in Srinagar today.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, J&K Governor N N Vohra, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, three Advisors to Governor B B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshi, Cecretary B V R Subrahmanyam, DGP S P Vaid, Principal Secretary to Governor and CEO Amarnath Yatra Shrine Board Umang Narula and Principal Secretary Home R K Goyal also attend the meeting.
The Home Minister was briefed about the overall law and order situation, anti-militancy operations, security at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), governance issues and arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of yatra.
Aial spokesman said during the meeting Chief Secretary gave an update of the implementation status of major projects under the Prime Minister's Development Programme, especially AIIMS, IITs & IIMs, Ring Roads at Jammu and Srinagar and other major development projects being executed by central and State agencies.
Governor Vohra informed the home minister that the State administration is taking every step required to ensure against any delay in the implementation of development and welfare programmes, eradication of corruption and redressal of public grievances.
While addressing the meeting, Rajnath admitted that development and good governance had remained elusive for the people of the State.
"We are committed to take all possible measures that will bring accountability, transparency and good governance in the system. With renewed focus on good governance and development, the Centre is looking forward to kindle new aspirations and hopes amongst the people of the State," he said.
Rajnath said the solution to problems lies in the empowerment of people and strengthening the institutions of local self governance.
"The dream of a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir will be realised when there is peace and normalcy in the state," he asserted. Rajnath said it is their firm resolve to bring peace, stability and prosperity in J&K through an honest, effective and efficient administration for the problems facing the state.
Rajnath, according to sources, expressed satisfaction over security situation in the State and directed security officials to continue anti-militancy operations and maintain 24x7 vigil along the LoC and IB to foil infiltration attempts by militants and give befitting reply to any provocations by Pakistani troops.
The home minister, who could not visit Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir today due to inclement weather conditions, directed the state government to take all possible measures to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the yatra, which started on June 28 and would continue on August 26.
It was Rajnath's first visit to the State after imposition of Governor's rule on June 20. The Governor's rule was imposed after PDP-BJP coalition government in the state headed by Mehbooba Mufti collapsed on June 19 after the saffron party withdrew support to government citing deteriorating law and order and security situation.