CentralRule inJ&K nothardline:Vohra
REACHING OUT Governor says will utilise the spell to speed up administrative machinery, ensure better governance
Governor’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir does not mean a hard line, muscular security approach, as many commentators believe, the state’s governor indicated in his first interview after this was enforced on June 20, a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party broke its alliance with the People’s Democratic Party and pulled out of the Mehbooba Mufti government.
On the contrary, it means better governance and more focus on development, he explained.
“I am unaware of the genesis of the (talk on the) hard line approach. The entire administrative apparatus, from the very top to the bottom shall function with efficiency, speed and accountability to serve the people and regain the trust of the common man,’’ NN Vohra said in an exclusive, written interview with Hindustan Times.
Vohra, who will soon complete 10 years as governor, has administered the state on at least four occasions. Credited as being an able crisis manager, he took over the reins of the state in 2008, after a massive phase of unrest in the aftermath of the Amarnath land row, when the PDP pulled out of the Ghulam Nabi Azad government. Elections, however, were conducted within three months.
NEW DELHI: Every possible effort will be made to regain the confidence of youth. We have sought the support of the political organisations and they have offered strong support
NN VOHRA , governor, Jammu and Kashmir
Mindful of the new ground realities, in which scores of young Kashmiris are choosing the path of violence, Vohra said there is “need to seek the involvement and support of various elements of civil society to engender a positive environment.”
He has already held one allparty meeting with representatives drawn from the BJP, PDP, National Conference and other political parties.
When asked about the difficulties of Governor’s rule being able to provide a healing touch to an alienated population, Vohra said, “Administrative functioning during the period of unitary rule in not anti-people. On the contrary, such spells are utilised to speed up the machinery and render prompt service, particularly to the neglected elements of society and those living in underdeveloped areas.”