Says “providing quality education, regularisation of daily wagers, administrative streamlining remain key government priorities”
Kupwara : Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, on Thursday said that the Jammu and Kashmir Administration has taken up with the Rajasthan Government the issue of suspension of 33 J&K students studying in a college there.
Talking to reporters during his visit to Kupwara, Wani said, the J&K has have taken up the matter with the Rajasthan government and efforts are on to resolve the issue.
Responding to queries about education facilities in the district, the Advisor said the government has prioritised the education sector, describing it as vital for every society and nation. “Education is very important for every society, every nation, every area and every sector. We have taken it very seriously and our Education Minister, Sakina Ji, is working very hard,” he said.
Wani, who inspected the district library in Kupwara, expressed concern over its condition and called for immediate improvements. “Today, I saw the condition of the district library. A new block is being constructed. There is a good inventory of books, but the arrangement and accessibility to children is lacking.”
“Equipment is insufficient, seating is improper and staff strength is inadequate,” he said, adding that he will request Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other concerned departments for additional funding to upgrade the facility.
“We will bring it to a level where children can truly benefit,” he said.
On the issue of daily wagers, casual labourers and ongoing protests, the Advisor appealed for calm and patience, assuring that the government is actively working to address their concerns.
“My request to them is that since their issues are being resolved, they should have some patience. The report will be out soon. All genuine cases will be regularised. The process started last year and the government is committed to resolving their legitimate matters,” he said.
He said that wherever there are pending cases, they will be cleared as soon as the committee’s report is received. “In systems like ours, both the political and bureaucratic sides have to move together. This has been the pattern since independence with sometimes tense, sometimes smooth — but always evolving,” he said.
Reflecting on the transition from State to Union Territory, Wani said the change posed challenges both politically and administratively. “It was difficult for us when we were brought from a State to a UT. It’s not easy to accept that we were downsized. Many officers were not accustomed to a political setup here.”
“Now that elections have been held and it’s been a year since, things are gradually streamlining — both bureaucratically and politically,” he said.
Commenting on the Budget and the opposition’s mixed reactions, Wani said such differences are part of democracy. “There are always mixed reactions. If everyone supported us, that would be extraordinary, but disagreement is natural. Those who oppose the Budget are playing their role — opposition’s job is to oppose,” he said.
He said the Budget presented under the prevailing circumstances was commendable. “Given the current conditions and available resources, this is a remarkable Budget. Every sector has been allocated funds thoughtfully, perhaps for the first time in this manner,” he said.
“We are fulfilling the commitments we made in our manifesto,” he said
