Thursday, December 8 2005 11:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: The coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir was committed to provide a corruption free regime and would help alleviate unemployment in the state, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said.

The main agenda before this Government is to alleviate unemployment in the state, Azad said addressing a public gathering at Hadipora-Rafiabad in Baramulla district yesterday(Dec 7,2005).

Admitting that Government jobs could not be provided to every youth, Azad asked them to avail of the self-employment programmes.

People would extend fullest cooperation to the fight against corruption, nepotism, unemployment and poverty, he said.

He said special attention would be accorded towards boosting the fruit and floriculture industry, which is the backbone of state's economy and added that 30 fruit processing units were being set up in Baramulla district during the next three years.

The Srinagar airport has been upgraded to international level and from here 50 flights will take off and land every week from various states which could also push up our tourism and floriculture sectors, besides, other trades, he added.

Referring to the recent earthquake, which caused tremendous loss of life and property particularly in Uri and Tangdhar, he said 90 per cent temporary sheds have been erected in these areas.

Government had to undertake immediate and revolutionary measures for the rehabilitation of victims in view of chilling weather which otherwise could cause more loss of lives in these areas, he said.

Relief of Rs 10.52 crore has already been disbursed in favour of 270 totally damaged and 3,253 partially damaged houses in the areas, the Chief Minister said.

He asked the remaining quake victims to contact respective tehsildars or Block Development Officers and Naib tehsildars for assessment of damage caused to their residential houses within 10 days.

Allaying fears on custodial killings, he said necessary instructions have already been conveyed to the concerned security agencies dealing with law and order.

However, militants, who kill innocent people, cannot be spared, he said adding that security of the people was the main concern of the Government and there will be no compromise on this issue.