Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra rued the lack of progress in the acquisition of land by the district administration of Reasi for the new Helipad at Katra, base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi shrine.
"The Governor expressed dissatisfaction on the lack of progress in the acquisition of land for over a year for the new Helipad at Katra (by the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner Reasi)," an official spokesman said today.
The Governor directed DC, Reasi Sushma Chouhan to expeditiously complete the land acquisition process for construction of the new Helipad at the identified alternate site immediately.
Vohra, who is also Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, also chaired a meeting to review the progress of the various major infrastructure development projects.
The spokesman noted that the Governor has directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra (SMVDSB) Ajeet Kumar Sahu to immediately review all problems relating to the persons rehabilitated in Sira Colony near Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and forward an urgent report along with cost estimates.
The CEO has also been asked to co-ordinate with all concerned agencies to see that the Banganga area was developed in a systematic manner for restoring the river and protecting the environment, he added.
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Vohra said the governance shall become more effective and productive when the people are adequately empowered and are involved both in decision making and in the implementation of development schemes and programmes.
"Towards this objective, it is necessary to undertake the now very long pending elections to the Urban local bodies and to urgently carry out reforms in the existing urban administration and taxation framework," the Governor said.
He said that side by side timely elections to the Panchayats and the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions will enable the people at the village level to themselves determine their developmental priorities and also monitor implementation of the various works and programmes which are meant to promote their welfare.
"I hope that both these objectives shall be attained during the current year," he said.
The Governor said the growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir has been adversely affected by the continuing proxy war launched by "our western neighbour" (Pakistan).
He said that in the past year, besides the repeated incidents of cross-border firing and attempts at infiltration, there were five terror attacks: two across the LoC in the Tangdhar sector, two across the IB in Samba and Kathua, and one at Udhampur.
"India remains committed to maintaining friendly relations with all its neighbours and our Prime Minister has launched fresh initiatives for securing peaceful relations with Pakistan," Vohra said and hoped that Modi's endeavours will bear fruit and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be able to live and work in a peaceful environment in the coming time.
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The Governor said it's the duty of all the citizens to protect and preserve the unity and integrity of the nation.
"Towards the attainment of such an objective all of us must join hands to negate divisive and communal forces and promote social harmony and brotherhood," he said.
It's equally important we learn to settle our disputes and disagreements through dialogues and discussions, he said.
"We shall be able to achieve growth and development and eradicate poverty and illiteracy only if peace and normalcy prevail," he said.
Vohra stressed that growth and the pace of development will improve if the government machinery starts performing with speed, efficiency and accountability.
"To restore the people's faith in the functioning of the administrative apparatus it's of vital importance to eradicate corruption and visibly improve the functioning of the public delivery systems," he said.
Meanwhile, the Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully in all the districts of the state amidst unprecedented security arrangement.
