Srinagar, April 20 (Bashir Assad): Asserting that Dogra Certificate issue was not a big one and the separatists should not go for agitation on this issue, Pradesh Congress Committee president Saif-ud-din Soz today said the controversy surrounding Dogra certificate will be resolved soon.
Soz said that it was not a “big issue” and the separatists should not take to agitation over it.
while taking to reporters here Soz said “it (Dogra Certificate) is not a big issue and they (separatists) should not take to agitation as it will be resolved very soon,”.
He was responding to a question about the ultimatum given by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, asking government to rescind the order by this month end or face protests.
Soz said the issue would be discussed threadbare in the state cabinet for seeking an amicable resolution.
The JKPCC chief reiterated the government stand that these certificates were issued only for availing relaxation in recruitment to paramilitary forces.
On the ongoing Panchayat polls in the state, Soz said people have turned out in large numbers as they have understood that it will benefit them in developing their respective areas. He said these elections have strengthened the democracy at the grass roots level.
Soz expressed satisfaction over the conduct of polls so far, saying the non-party basis for the elections has proved successful.
“Although a woman candidate was killed, the polls have so far been peaceful. The government should investigate and unmask the culprits behind her murder,” he added.
Soz expressed great satisfaction at the enthusiasm of people showing by participating in the Panchayat Elections in large numbers. Prof.Soz congratulated people of Kashmir for strengthening democracy at their door step and this process would make their lives richer & fuller in the days to come.
Earlier Prof. Soz accompanied by Senior Vice President of the Party Krishan Amla visited the residence of Late.Maulana Showkat Shah and offered condolences to the bereaved family.
On this occasion Prof. Soz said that Maulana Showkat’s assassination had caused a void in society which can never be filled as the slain Maulana was a symbol of tolerance. Prof. Soz and Krishan Amla also joined the prayer for solace the departed soul
Meanwhile appreciating the Omar Abdullah led coalition government for holding elections to the Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir, Senior Congress Leader, former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil has described it path breaking decision in decentralizing the power and involving people at grass roots in the governance Speaking at a seminar on Panchayat elections at Baramulla today Vakil said that holding of elections to Panchayats after about three decades would pave the way for empowerment of people and transfer of authority from the central level down to villages Vakil said that Congress has all along been for empowering people at lower levels to meaningfully implement the schemes of comprehensive socio-economic development of villages in accordance with the aspirations of people.
He said Late Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution for Panchayat Raj system in the country infused new energy to the Gandhian doctrine and helped in a big way to involve public representatives at grass roots in the socio-economic development of villages.
The former Minister said that the establishment of Panchayat Raj in the State would catapult developmental activities and people could formulate and implement area specific programmes and schemes themselves. He said that transfer of functions, functionaries and finance to the Panchayats would be a revolutionary step of the present coalition and it would mean a lot to the people to be themselves masters in the development process.
Vakil also referred to the reservation for women representatives in the Panchayat election and said that women Panches and Sarpanches could better address the problems of women in the particular areas besides exhibiting their worth in the process of economic development.
Vakil also welcomed massive participation of people in the Panch constituencies where the elections have ended successfully across Jammu and Kashmir. “This is a sign of normalcy but there is more to be done for bringing permanent clam in the state,” said Vakil.
He asserted that Congress will forcefully back every action which the government would take against corrupt politicians and government officers.
“Punish the corrupt. Do not worry about the consequences,” is what Vakil pleaded with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while addressing the gathering.