JOIN USJammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said transfer of power from secretariat to grassroots is the dream of his government.
“Making Panchayat Raj flourish in the state is the aim of my government,” Omar said after paying tributes to his grandfather and ruling National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 107th birth anniversary at his mausoleum on the banks of Dal Lake here.
He said the best way to pay tributes to late Abdullah was to strengthen the democratic and secular values.
Describing late Abdullah as architect of progressive, educative and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said the reformative, comprehensive and equitable development concept with empowerment of common people its central theme envisioned by the late leader will loom large on the socio-economic and political spectrum of the state forever.
Lashing out at late Abdullah’s detractors, the chief minister defended his grandfather for the agreements he had with New Delhi for the benefit of the people of the state.
“Universalisation of education and implementation of land reforms were landmark and path breaking decisions of Sheikh aimed at development of youth force and socio-economic transformation of farmers. This is the only state where the tillers were given owning rights to the land without any agitation,” he said.
Earlier, Omar laid a wreath on Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s grave and offered fateh. He also prayed for peace and development in the state and wellbeing of the people.
Forensic lab
Later in the afternoon the chief minister inaugurated new complex for Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Bemina here constructed at a cost of about Rs 11 crore.
While highlighting the role of FSL in establishing criminal cases and handing over punishment to the culprits as per the law, Omar said fast clearance of cases by the lab will give impetus to investigations and shorten the process of delivering justice.
The directorate of forensic science services, Union ministry of home affairs has sanctioned Rs 83 lakh for the creation of two central forensic mobile units, one each at Srinagar and Jammu.
The government has also proposed creation of new divisions of brain mapping, computer cyber crime, DNA profiling and voice identification to make FSL service modern and more proactive.
It was stated that FSL has cleared 2,250 cases out of the 3,000 referred to it and the achievement in narcotics-related cases has been 100 per cent.