Governance deficit has made J&K a 'begging bowl': Sayeed

Srinagar: Continued governance deficit has given Jammu and Kashmir a tag of "begging bowl", PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday claimed, and said development scenario of the state can be changed "perceptibly" by a new government as happened in Bihar. The PDP leader said there are instances within the country when the development scenario was changed "perceptibly" by a new government.

Sayeed gave example of Bihar to buttress his claim. "Bihar was considered the worst governed state and was cited as an example of backwardness. But it is now the fastest growing state in the country," he said. He said that with a new political road map, condition of the state could change for better. "I am confident that Jammu and Kashmir will become the most developed state in the region if it got a visionary political road map and efficient governance," Sayeed said while addressing a public meeting at Bijebehara in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

He said the continued "governance deficit" suffered by the state has undeservedly given it the tag of a "begging bowl" with its youth pushed into unemployment or jobs much below their potential. "We had been able to change the discourse from conflict to resolution and from personal safety concerns to demands for speedier development," he added. "The impression created that 'all governments are alike' is a deliberate attempt by non performers to dilute the achievements of PDP in its brief tenure," Sayeed added.

"Jammu and Kashmir has a great tradition of knowledge and skills but these qualities have been severely restricted and compromised by political parties running the government for several decades," the former chief minister said. He said JK youth are doing great outside the state but there were no opportunities for them back home. "How is it that our young professionals achieve greatness once they step out from JK but are not finding enough opportunities within the state to flourish and enrich their lives, families and economy of the state," he said.

"We are determined to change this depressing scenario and enable each of our youth to realise his potential by creating opportunities for education, skill development and dignified employment," he said.