Rajnath discussed with Guv security, dev, youth engagement,civic polls

Srinagar : Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister, who arrived here Tuesday on a day long visit to the State, held discussions with Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan on various important issues relating to security management, implementation of development programs and positive engagement of the youth in the State. Later in the day he told a press conference that talks are not one way route for peace but Pakistan will have to create a conducive atmosphere for talks.
Governor assured Home Minister that the State Administration is taking every step required to ensure against any delay in the implementation of development schemes and welfare programs; eradication of corruption; and redressal of public grievances.
Singh congratulated the Governor on the peaceful and incident free conduct of polling during the recently held Urban Local Body elections, besides, assuring full support for the ensuing Panchayat elections.
The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation at a high level meeting and took stock of the key developmental initiatives in the state. Addressing a press conference at at Nehru Guest House before flying back to New Delhi the Home Minister said talks are not one way root to peace and for peace Pakistan will have to create a conducive atmosphere for talks. Saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Pakistan to meet his Pakistani counterpart and his family to establish good neighborly relations with that country Home Minister regretted that Pakistan didn’t contemplate any step for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks to resolve issues including Kashmir and establish peace in the region.
The Home Minister appealed to come forward and said that the democratic way is the only solution by which we can mitigate big problems and resolve serious issues. Highlighting a major shift that has been observed in the last 4 months in view of the security scenario of the state, Singh said that there has been a decrease in the number of Stone pelting incidents. Also, there is a decline in the rate of militant recruitment in the State. He talked about the special employment initiatives that are being worked upon by the central government through which 2.5 lakh youth will get employment. Union Home Minister said that presently India is recognized as world’s fastest growing economy and anti-national powers are attempting to create hurdles in order to destabilize the country. Jammu and Kashmir is yet to catch the development bandwagon. The Central and State governments are working hard towards development of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. It is our aim to make Jammu & Kashmir a developed state, he further said.To curb the problem of rampant corruption in the state, a major initiative will be announced shortly. Terming the deaths of civilians that took place in an explosion after encounter in Kulgam, Rajnath Singh expressed his regret over the loss of lives and extended his condolences towards the families of the deceased and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families. He appealed the civilians not to visit encounter sites shortly after the operations.
The Home Minister congratulated the State government for successfully conducting the Urban Local Body elections in a free and fair manner without any untoward incidents of violence during polls across the state. He informed the media about the discussions that were held during the day about the upcoming Panchayat elections in the state. Earlier during the day, the Union Home Minister chaired the security review meeting on the security situation in the state and also met the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satyapal Malik. He also met a number of delegations across the political spectrum and appealed them to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming Panchayat elections to strengthen the grassroots democratic setup and to ensure accountability. Local bodies are also being vested with significantly enhanced devolution of powers in line with best practices in the country. This will enable them to address most of the local issues in their jurisdictions, he added.