Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Feb 24: Calling upon Kashmiri students and workers in Iran to take a serious note of the advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and return, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reiterated that he won’t allow harassment of Kashmiri students in any part of the country.
Talking to the reporters here, CM Omar, said, “The students and workers in Iran should take the advisory issued by the MEA seriously. Please do not ignore the advisory. If the situation worsens, evacuation may become difficult. My request is to book tickets and return. If things remain normal, you can go back later.”
Asked about the reports about Kashmiri students facing harassment at a private university in Punjab, the Chief Minister said he would take up the matter with his counterpart in Punjab. “The Punjab government has always supported Jammu and Kashmir. I will speak to the Punjab Chief Minister. If Kashmiri students are facing any difficulty there or elsewhere, it will be resolved,” he said.
CM Omar said that he would ensure that no Kashmiri faces any sort of harassment in any part of the country.
The Chief Minister, while referring to the development works taking place in his constituency, said, “Several key development projects worth around Rs 80 crore were either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid in Ganderbal today. I could not visit the area for the past few days due to the ongoing Assembly session and Darbar move in Jammu. This my own area.”
He said the projects that were set rolling today include installation of a CT scan facility at Ganderbal Hospital, multiple water supply schemes, a major drainage project for the town, and a bypass road to decongest Beehama Chowk.
“Several projects needed by Ganderbal have now been approved and work on them will start soon,” he added.
The Chief Minister also distributed sanction letters under Mission Yuva to beneficiaries to enable them to start their own ventures.
He said road projects at four locations were also taken up and officials have been directed to expedite the works to ensure completion within the year.
On vacancies in various departments, CM Omar said the issue was not limited to Ganderbal. “There are vacancies in revenue, health and education sectors across Jammu and Kashmir. It cannot be resolved overnight, but we are gradually addressing the situation. In some places, additional charge has been given, but no post will remain vacant permanently,” he said.
On concerns that local youth were not being allowed to use the synthetic athletic track in Ganderbal, he said the facility was constructed for the Physical Education College but assured that the matter would be discussed with the authorities. “If local youth want to use the track, they should register themselves and I will ensure they are given permission,” he said.
