Kashmir is an issue for youth lacking entertainment: Governor Malik

Srinagar, Jan 11 (Only Kashmir): Saying that children in Kashmir lack the means of entertainment, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday said Kashmir is an issue for people aged between 13-23 years, children have nothing to do after 6 pm in Srinagar, no cinemas, no cafes, no place to go out.
Governor Satya Pal Malik addressing the Oath ceremony function of the newly elected Sarpanches of Jammu Division, organized by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj said some land in every village must be allotted for children to play, adding, children have nothing to do after 6 pm in Srinagar, no cinemas, no cafes, no place to go out. He said I have just laid foundation stone for a cinema hall.
Interacting with media on the sidelines of event, Satya Pal Malik said that the state is ready for the Assembly as well as Parliamentary polls. “We are only waiting for the Election Commission’s decision,” said Malik.
“The time of elections are to be decided by the EC and we are ready to hold the elections any time, assembly or parliamentary,” Malik told reporters.
He also said that state machinery is fully prepared to hold polls even if they are to be held jointly.
Earlier during his address, Governor complimented Sarpanches and Panches for their wholehearted participation in the Panchayat elections which were held after a gap of 7 years and saw a voter turnout of 74.1 %. He lauded people and Government functionaries for making it a well conducted and incident free election even under very trying circumstances. He described it as the victory of democracy in a country which has faith in democratic institutions since time immemorial.
Governor observed that major amendments in the Panchayati Raj Act have been incorporated through which the Government intends massive devolution of funds, functions and functionaries of 19 departments to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. He advised the Sarpanches to use funds judiciously and urged them to ensure development which is in sync with the natural environment. He stressed that survival and existence of vegetation, trees, ponds, indigenous animal species etc should be taken into consideration while formulating development plans.
Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Sh. K. Vijay Kumar, Advisors to Governor, Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; and many senior officers from Civil and Police were present on the occasion. Rehana Batul Director General, Rural Development Department presented the Welcome Address and Sh. Muddasir Latif Tasir, ACD Samba gave a Vote of Thanks on the occasion. A short film on Panchayat elections was screened on the occasion. (OK)