Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on April 18 said
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's speech at his first public rally in Srinagar
showed a conciliatory approach and met "the expectations of the people of the state".
"The Prime Minister gave a good address, which showed a conciliatory approach," he
told reporters after the address.
Replying to a question, Sayeed said, "Yes, the address met the expectations of the
people of Kashmir."
However, the general public appeared to be "disappointed" with Vajpayee's address,
as there were expectations of an announcement of economic package or other
concessions to the state.
"I do not know for what he has come here. There is no economic package, nor did he
announce lifting the freeze on employment in Central government offices," Aijaz
Ahmad, an unemployed youth from down town Srinagar, said.
After the free and fair Assembly elections in the state, expectations were high that
Vajpayee would announce a major package on the lines of the one for the North East.
Ghulam Rasool from Kupwara said he was expecting that the Prime Minister would lift
the freeze on appointment of youth in government services. "I am disappointed," he
added.
Though Vajpayee laid foundation stones for ambitious projects, people are not sure
whether and when the benefits would reach them.
"The airport and the North-South corridor are going to take years for completion,
but our needs are immediate. We need employment for our youth… We need revival of
tourism," said Abdul Hamid who had come from Baramulla to listen to Vajpayee.
PTI
