Eight-point package not Kashmir-centric: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said the eight-point package announced by the Centre is not Kashmir-centric and is intended to address grievances of people in Jammu and Ladakh regions also.

The chief minister also maintained that despite turmoil in the Kashmir Valley for the past over three months, the government paid due attention to development works.

"The package is not Kashmir-centric and is for all three regions. Some organisations have been saying Kashmir is on fire and there is no need to focus on Jammu and Ladakh. But Committees announced under the package will look into grievances of Jammu and Ladakh also," Omar said.

His remarks came in the wake of BJP and certain refugees organisations charging that the Centre's latest initiative is Kashmir-centric and it ignored the other two regions.

"The all-party delegation had met stakeholders in both Kashmir and Jammu and the result was a package for the entire state. It is wrong to say it is region specific," the chief minister told reporters after inaugurating Rs5 crore Attendants Sarai at the Government Medical Hospital here.

Omar said despite the law and order situation in the Valley, the Government paid due attention to development. 

"Efforts are on to complete the schemes aimed at providing basic amenities to the people and upgrading infrastructure in public service providing sectors," he said. 

Omar expressed optimism that situation in the Valley will soon return to normal and development works there will be completed well within the prescribed period. "Government is committed to equitable development of all areas and peace is a pre-requisite for that."

He asked people to be cautious against evil designs of vested interests to create hatred among various sections.