Omar Abdullah says no differences between NC, Congress on transfer policy

J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah today dismissed as "unfounded" reports of differences with coalition partner Congress over transfer of state government officials in key posts.
   
"There is complete conformity and total agreement between the coalition partners about the proposed transfer policy," Omar told reporters at the civil secretariat here.

He said reports carried by a section of press regarding differences in the cabinet about transfer policy were "unfounded and imaginary gossip".

However, he said "some suggestions are being worked on to make the policy more strong".

About nominations of members to the state accountability commission, the chief minister said the committee for the purpose will be meeting soon.    

"The proposal to this effect would be submitted to the state governor after taking the opinion of the chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

To check corruption, Omar pointed out that the government intended to convert the state vigilance organisation into a commission to give it more teeth.

A Bill to provide for the constitution of State Vigilance Commission was introduced in March in the Legislative Assembly.

Government has also put in place a new law regarding 'benami' property transactions which will help in a big way to move forward on the front of eradicating corruption.

The Secretariat and other offices reopened here today as part of bi-annual durbar move under which government functions for six months each in Jammu and Srinagar.

The chief minister said his government is committed to address the "genuine grievances" of employees and a cabinet sub-committee on the subject is already engaged in discussion with the representatives of government employees.
     
"Government has told the employees that the roadmp for the payment of arrears will be worked out within next three months which they have agreed to," he said.

On proposed rehabilitation policy for return of youths from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who did not indulge in militancy, the Chief Minister said that the policy is being fine tuned and will be sent to the Centre.
     
Commenting on the separatist supported general strike against the passage of inter-district recruitment bill giving 8% reservation to SC candidates, Omar said Jammu and Kashmir "is a single entity and the people of any region
can live anywhere".
   
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association had alleged that the measure was a veiled attempts to change the state's demographic structure.

"This will have no impact on the demographic position. The demographic position could be affected if people from outside the state come and live here permanently," he said and criticised those doing politics on the issue.