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I’m not here to satisfy political parties: Guv

Shuchismita. Dated: 12/13/2018 12:40:45 AM

‘Centre to decide on AFSPA revocation’

JAMMU, Dec 12: Governor S P Malik Wednesday stated that he was not encroaching upon democratic space or rights of political parties and their representatives in any manner, whatsoever and he was only exercising his “own well defined rights, conferred upon him by the J&K constitution as well Indian constitution.”
“Mind it, I’m not here (at the helm of affairs) to satisfy (inflated ego of) political parties or meet their expectations,” was his terse initial reply when asked to comment upon censuring of his big decisions, being projected by his administration as “revolutionary, landmark initiatives”, by political parties in the state.
Governor was responding to queries in a press conference after releasing “Mission Delivering Development, Mission Good Governance”- the compendium of “key developmental, welfare and other measures initiated by his administration in the state during past five months” here at Jammu Convention Centre.
Malik said that he was simply performing his constitutional duties in public good.
He, however, skirted direct reply when asked about “faces behind cancelled big deals and action taken against them” stating this was not apt to reveal identity of guilty as it would “impact reputation of many.” Though details about annulled insurance cover deal would be shared once probe got completed, he assured.
With regard to demands about revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), Malik reiterated that the call would be taken by the Centre and not him.
Governor was flanked by his Advisors B B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and K K Sharma, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary to the Governor, Umang Narula at the press conference.
NOT ENCROACHING UPON POLITICAL PARTIES’ DEMOCRATIC SPACE: He brushed aside criticism of his decisions, with particular reference to J&K Bank, PRC Act, scrapping of Roshni Act and contemplated move vis-à-vis divisional status to Ladakh, by the two main political parties of the state and their accusation of “intrusion in democratic space.”
Malik said, “Whatever I’m doing, my actions, my decisions are not intruding into their rights. Their (democratic, political) space is not being encroached upon. I’m exercising, exclusively, those rights, which have been granted to me by the constitution of J&K and the Constitution of India. I’m simply doing, what is my duty and is in public good.”
Both NC and PDP leaderships have, time and again, accused him (Malik) of “encroaching on democratic space despite his status as “stop-gap arrangement” and deciding on the matters, which exclusively fall within the realm of elected government, thus fiddling with the special constitutional status of J&K at the insistence of His Master’s Voice.”
“Mind it, I’m not here (at the helm of affairs) to satisfy (inflated ego of) political parties or meet their expectations. Personally I respect them a lot. Probably I’m the first Governor who went to meet leadership of both the parties (read National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party) breaking protocol and enjoyed good deliberations over a cup of tea. I knew them well and I wished them well. I’m not doing anything which can snip their rights. I’m working well within the constitutional boundary,” he said.
BIG DEALS CANCELLED BEFORE THEY COULD MATERIALISE: Malik stated that two big controversial deals, which were cancelled by his administration as a part of its anti-corruption measures, had actually not materialized but still in the process of finalization when they were rescinded. Malik also refused to
Reference was to the deals including much hyped Group Mediclaim Health Insurance Scheme which was tied up with the Reliance General Insurance Company Limited.
“Jo Deals Hain Woh Huye Nahin Thay, Honay Kay Process Mein Thay Aur Hamko Unsay Khushbu Aa Rahi Thi Kay Unmein Kuchh Galti Hai Isliye Hamnay Unko Cancel Kar Diya… (The deals actually had not taken place yet. They were still in the process of being materialized when we sniffed out abuse of power. As we could smell a rat in the deal(s), we cancelled them before they could start). They are being investigated. Right now, investigation is at such a crucial stage when its details or those of culprits cannot be made public rather they should not be shared at this stage as with them the prestige/reputation of many is linked and is at stake,” he said.
The Governor said that in case of one deal related to Insurance Scheme, besides cancellation, the case was handed over to new constituted Anti-Corruption Bureau. “Investigation is going on, once it is completed, result (report) will be shared with all,” he said.
CENTRE TO DECIDE ON AFSPA: When asked if the removal of decades old CRPF bunkers in Srinagar would be followed by other desired moves mainly revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) or not, he passed the buck to Centre.
His brief reply on this account was, “This is a big issue which involved other issues and many persons as stakeholders. This has been raised by many persons many a time. However on this issue, the Centre has to take a call.”
With regard to construction of bunkers for people in border districts of Rajouri and Poonch where the project was halted for some reasons, he stated that the work would be expedited there too very soon. “There was an issue pertaining to cost. Being hilly terrains, it was difficult to carry logistics there and thus it (bunker construction) was costing more as compared to Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts. The issue was taken up with the Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA). It approved cost rationalization proposal just two days ago. So work will start very soon there,” the Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam elaborated on this account.
Malik also informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would soon lay foundation of AIIMS near Vijaypur in Samba district in Jammu region. He said corruption was a big issue in J&K. “When I raised this issue, I was accused of defaming Kashmir and Kashmiris. In fact, the people at the helm of affairs, both politicians as well as bureaucrats enjoyed living standards better than Emperor Jehangir by siphoning off the money meant for development of Kashmir (J&K). Had it spent for the purpose, it sent for, by now Kashmir could have been turned into ‘golden Kashmir’,” Governor said.
Replying to another query he stated there was no doubt that corruption happened as it enjoyed patronage (from those in power).” “Patronage Hai Tabhi To Fasal Ugati Hai. But this is not a recent phenomenon. It’s a problem which has been there for last six or seven decades. So I would not comment further on that. I would just say that this is a time for introspection for both politicians as well as bureaucrats. If corruption ends, it will benefit people only,” Malik added.