 EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Aug 19: Vishal Khatri Sabha on Wednesday expressed confidence that experienced and skilled politician like Manoj Sinha as new LG of J&K will definitely bring to the table political skills in managing social groups, and an understanding of the intersection between politics, administration and law and order which has been stuck in a political stalemate ever since the effective nullification of Article 370. His appointment is a signal that the Centre now wants to break this impasse and move the political process forward.
In a meeting held here, Vishal Khatri Sabha J&K President Devender Seth said that Sinha must focus on creating a politically inclusive set-up for all sections of Kashmiris. He needs to be aware of a key grievance of the “pro-India” element of the polity.
To tackle this, the L-G must personally meet all the leaders of both national and regional political parties of the Union Territory in general, but the Valley in particular — both in delegations as well as individually to establish a personal rapport with them.
Seth maintained that to build a progressive and modern UT, the focus must be on strengthening, even re-doing, from the perspective of the user-citizens, the institutions of governance so that they speedily and professionally respond to public issues, people’s problems and local needs.
Civic engagement and public outreach programmes like “Back to Villages”, devolution of more powers including control over staff, functions and funds to the elected municipal and panchayat bodies, block development councils (BDCs) are indeed welcome steps.
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