L-G Murmu favours transfer of power to elected government

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 9

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Girish Chandra Murmu today favoured the transfer of power to an elected government while hinting for the early conduct of the Assembly polls after the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35-A.

“We had been reiterating it that power should be in the people’s hands…the earlier the better, but there is a process for it,” the L-G responded to a query regarding the reports for setting up a political government in J&K.

He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organised to dedicate to the nation the important Draj bridge of Project Sampark in Rajouri district.

Murmu had earlier also announced that the Assembly election would soon be held in Jammu and Kashmir which is now under the Centre’s rule.

“J&K has a legislature and the process for holding the Assembly elections will be initiated soon,” the L-G had said last month.

Earlier, the L-G inaugurated the 72-metre-long Draj bridge in Rajouri. The Army Commander Northern Command Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh and GOC White Knight Corps, Lt-Gen Harsha Gupta, were also present on the occasion.

The bridge spans over the Draj nullah and connects the Draj Area to the Kotranka tehsil area under Rajouri district.

In his address to the gathering of local residents, the Army and GREF personnel, the L-G praised the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and said that the Draj bridge was important for military as well as for socio-economic development of Rajouri district as a whole. This bridge will facilitate all-weather and speedy movement of the Army troops as well as locals.

Speaking on the occasion, Brig YK Ahuja, Chief Engineer, Project Sampark, said the upgrade of the existing causeway with the NH specifications was essential as it was an important line of communication.

“Now the Draj Bridge will provide all-weather movement without any restriction on the plying of heavy traffic as it is designed for load class 70,” Brig Ahuja said.