Will work across J&K, deliver on election promises: Saifullah

Srinagar, Oct 28: Newly inducted Jammu and Kashmir minister Mir Saifullah on Wednesday said the expanded cabinet would focus on fulfilling the National Conference’s election promises and addressing public grievances, asserting that his responsibilities would extend beyond his home constituency and north Kashmir.
‎In his first interaction following his induction into Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Council of Ministers, Saifullah said the party leadership had instructed ministers to reach out directly to people and ensure that their grievances were addressed without unnecessary delays.
‎”Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Dr Farooq Abdullah have directed us to reach out to the common people, listen to their problems and make every effort to resolve them at the earliest,” Saifullah said.
‎The Trehgam legislator, who was among the four ministers sworn in on Tuesday, said his appointment carried responsibilities towards the entire Union Territory rather than any particular district or region.
‎”Whether it is Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Jammu or any part of north, south or central Kashmir, I will work for every area and every person,” he said.
‎Saifullah expressed gratitude to the National Conference leadership for placing confidence in him and said he would make every effort to justify the responsibility entrusted to him.
‎”I am thankful to Almighty Allah that my leadership has reposed trust in me. I will try my best to live up to that trust,” he said.
‎Asked whether the cabinet expansion would help the government meet public expectations during the remainder of its tenure, Saifullah said the immediate priority was to improve public outreach and ensure that ministers remained accessible.
‎He said the leadership had made it clear that ministers should visit different areas, engage with residents and work towards resolving their problems.
‎On whether the National Conference would prioritise its political demands or the commitments made to voters, Saifullah said the party would continue to pursue the agenda on which it had contested the Assembly elections.
‎”We have our election manifesto and agenda. We will work on that election agenda,” he said.
‎Responding to criticism from the BJP that the cabinet expansion would make little difference to governance, Saifullah said the opposition party was entitled to criticise the government but maintained that the National Conference had undertaken development work.
‎”The BJP is in the opposition, so it will oppose us. The National Conference government has done considerable work, although not everything could be completed,” he said.
‎Saifullah said he would remain available to respond to questions about his performance and responsibilities as a minister. (KNS)