Saturday, March 4 2006 11:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: Convening of round table by the centre is one of the steps taken to ensure peace in Valley, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said yesterday(Mar 3,2006).

Winding up the discussion on thanks on Governor's address in the Legislative Council today, Azad touched upon various peace moves by the Centre, including the CBMs and the recent round table and said the moves were steps to peace and forums for healthy exchange of views.

Thanking the Centre for the largest ever plan outlay of Rs 5648 crore for 2006-07, CM said the state would benefit heavily from centrally sponsored schemes such as the Bharat Nirman, Food for Work, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Urban Renewal Mission.

He said while his Government was making efforts to create employment for educated youth in government service, 100 per cent absorption in government services was not possible. "We have to explore industrial, tourism, agriculture, horticulture and other such sectors to generate abundant employment," he said.

The state Government had referred 19000 posts to recruiting agencies giving directions for early selection, including 3000 class IV posts to district development commissioners. Also, security forces and police department had also been urged to launch recruitment drives for local youth.

On steps his Government took to curb corruption, Azad said the state was the first in the world for enacting a law for confiscating illegal property of corrupt government officials. However, the government alone cannot wipe out the menace and elected representatives and general public had to chip in, he added.