‘Viksit Bharat’ possible only when every region progresses: J&K CM Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ could only be realised through inclusive and equitable development across every state and region of the country, emphasising that progress confined to select pockets would leave the national dream unfulfilled.
He was addressing the day-long National Governance Conference on “Holistic Development of Districts: Transforming Governance for Viksit Bharat” organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances under the Union Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh and participants from across the country were present on the occasion.
In his keynote address, the Chief Minister said, “The truth is that Viksit Bharat or a developed India will only be a reality if all of India develops. A developed India will not become a reality if that development is confined only to a handful of states or regions.”
Stressing the importance of balanced growth, he remarked that from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Assam in the east, Gujarat in the west and Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south, every region must experience tangible progress. “Unless all of us see that development and that progress, Viksit Bharat will remain a dream and merely a slogan,” he cautioned.
The Chief Minister noted that such conferences help policymakers and administrators avoid “reinventing the wheel” by facilitating the exchange of successful models and innovations.
“For far too long, we lived in silos where sharing information was discouraged rather than encouraged,” he reflected, adding that recent years have witnessed more collaborative and holistic governance practices.
However, he cautioned that governance challenges rarely have universal solutions. “There is no quick-fix solution. What works in one state may not work in another. What works in J&K may not work in Gujarat or Maharashtra. But we can certainly adapt and modify successful practices to suit our local conditions,” he said. The Chief Minister, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, also spoke extensively about the transformative role of technology in governance. Referring to the shift towards digital administration, he said, “One reform that has made a huge difference is the e-office system. Paper files have virtually disappeared. We have come a long way to a point where I rarely see a paper file.”
He further highlighted the use of virtual meetings, which have significantly improved coordination with district administrations. “Earlier, district collectors had to travel to Jammu or Srinagar for meetings, and that would happen once or twice a year. Now, it happens at the drop of a hat,” he said, while advising disciplined use of such facilities to avoid unnecessary disruptions to fieldwork.
He said citizens deserve a government that delivers on its promises in education, health, infrastructure and every other sector.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Minister for choosing Jammu as the venue, the Chief Minister extended an invitation to hold future conferences in Srinagar. “I hope that maybe next year, we can entice you to come to Srinagar and keep this process going,” he said warmly.
