J&K behind other states due to militancy: Omar

‘Gun culture caused economic disaster, loss of precious human lives’

Srinagar, Dec 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir lagged behind other states in terms of development “due to eruption of militancy” more than 20 years ago.
"Our development remained stand still while other states went much ahead on road to progress during the period of militancy which gripped the state for over 20 years," Omar said addressing a public meeting at Lalpora in Kupwara district, 120-kms from here.
He said the “gun culture caused economic disaster and loss of precious human lives in the state.”

The government has worked sincerely and with a commitment to make good the losses and the damage caused by gun and put the economy back on rails, the chief minister said.
"We worked for restoration of peace and tranquillity, made sincere efforts to safeguard human rights, reform the security and law and order machinery, to create employment opportunities, upgrade roads and launch new power projects during the last about five years which have started showing encouraging results on the ground," he said.
Omar said his party fought the elections in 2008 to address the development issues and day-to-day problems of the people and made it clear that the contesting of elections will not amount to the resolution of all political issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir.
He said besides devoting full attention on the comprehensive development of 
Jammu and Kashmir in all the regions and sub-regions equitably, "we worked sincerely for creating an atmosphere where under political issues could be addressed politically through the process of dialogue."
Omar announced special sub-divisions of Roads and Buildings department, Public Health Engineering Department and Irrigation and Flood Control departments for Lolab area. He said all the other demands of the area would be given due consideration by the government. 
Omar said that he will continue with his endeavors towards ensuring internal autonomy and financial self-reliance of the State to “achieve the goal of peace and prosperity.”
Referring to financial health of J&K, Omar said the total income of the State by all means is Rs 6500 crores while the expenditure on paying salaries to government employees alone amounts to Rs. 1350 crores annually. “In addition we have to bear losses on electricity supply to the tune of Rs 2000 crores and another Rs 2000 crores are being paid as pension to the pensioners,” he said, adding his government has launched “a gigantic power generation programme in the State to achieve financial self-reliance and provide 24x7 power supply to the people.”
“The total energy generation since the independence to the year 2008 was of the order of 750 MWs. My government during the last about five years has given effect to the power projects of the capacity of about 1800 MWs while the edifice has already been laid for generating 9000 MWs of electricity in the State during the next 7 to 8 years which will revolutionize the State’s financial resources,” he claimed. An official spokesman said the Chief Minister on reaching Lalpora was welcomed “by a large number of enthusiastic crowd who waved flags, raised slogans in his and in favour of his government and the party and showered flowers over him.” “Omar thanked people for this,” the spokesman said.