Govt may showcase feats achieved in first 100 days
Three months into office, the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to present the achievements of the government in the first 100 days.
On October 16, Omar Abdullah officially took charge as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after the National Conference emerged as the single largest party with 42 legislators in the Assembly elections.
With less power with the elected government under the UT and the government yet to take major policy decisions after coming to power, it has invited criticism from the Opposition parties who say the government has failed to fulfil the promises made in the poll manifesto during the elections.
Sources, however, told The Tribune that administrative departments are currently working on two sets of targets set by the government. The first is 100 days and the other is a one-year plan.
A senior official said that departments have already presented before the government initiatives, inaugurations and policies and right now, the focus is on achieving the targets.
“Since 100 days’ targets are approaching, the focus is to achieve the targets listed in that timeframe,” said the official.
He also said that departments including agriculture, tourism, forests have already shortlisted the achievable benchmarks.
The official also said that the departments have also shortlisted one year-based policies and initiatives which will be completed in that timeframe and the work has already begun.
Earlier this month, during a meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and was attended by other Cabinet ministers, each Administrative Secretary had even presented a “vision document” presenting achievable benchmarks within two specific timeframes—100 days and one year.
Abdullah had “emphasised the importance of adhering to strict timelines for the execution of all projects, stressing that timely delivery is key to meeting public expectations and driving development.”
Asked about the fulfilment of manifesto and major policy decisions yet to take off, a senior National Conference leader told The Tribune on Thursday that ever since NC has formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir, several decisions have been taken even while the elected government has limited powers under the UT setup.
“Some key decisions have been taken like reversal of academic calendar etc. In the coming months and years, we are committed to fulfilling all the promises made by the party,” said the leader. “We have got a mandate for five years and we are working towards providing every kind of relief to the people.”
The leader noted that in the next financial year, the government would make more announcements including free electricity units in the UT.