MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi is among the prominent politicians of ruling National Conference. He represents Gurez constituency and currently holds Minster of State Charge for Animal Husbandry, PHE & Flood Control, Agriculture and horticulture.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
What are your priorities since you are looking after so many important portfolios in capacity of Minister of State?
The priorities are to complete the projects on time. In the Animal Husbandry Sector, the priorities are that we should achieve some level of self-sufficiency in production of live-stock. We are taking steps to increase the production of sheep, chicken so as to achieve some degree of sufficiency in meat production as Non-vegetarian component forms our main variety of food. We are also with focus working on number of schemes in this regard and are also trying to increase production of milk.
We are also directing on providing quality medicine to our livestock so that they fight diseases effectively and purchase committees have been made more vibrant, accountable and active to achieve this goal.
In the Public Health & Engineering Sector the focus remains to provide filtered water to large sections of population and change the raw water supply to filtered water supply and in this concern the Rangil Water supply phase-II is being made functional. The flood control and irrigation department we are trying to give a proper shape to our river embankments and flood channels so that we are not only able to control effectively any possible flood but also provide means of effective irrigation to our farmers.
How do you view the disappointment faced by our farmers and other people as they complain of getting low quality sheep from farms of Animal Husbandry Department?
It has been an important area of concern and we have accordingly taken step to address this. Currently, we have been successful to convert our 70 percent local breed into high quality Marino. We have also been able to rear Doper breed of sheep that have quiet fast growth as compared to other breeds.
The thrust is also on to rear fertile breeds of livestock that have greater productivity so that we achieve self sufficiency in the overall meat production. The main thrust is on to provide quality and bulk fodder to people who rear livestock as during winters there is shortage of fodder especially in distant areas.
Horticulture sector in Kashmir forms backbone of the economy of state but it has been craving for proper cold storage facilities .Your take on this?
This issue has a lot to deal with awareness and basics. I would like to share with you that often our existing cold storage facilities do not get completely filled as farmers are in rush to sell their produce.
We have organized awareness camps in this regard .To develop cold storage Private sector is also coming up and no doubt we need more cold storage facilities
Kishen Ganga Project is greatly threatening the aboriginal Dard shin tribe of Gurez and also natural environment of serene Gurez. While in other parts of India focus is on to save tribes, here we see complete reverse. As representative of the people of Gurez, what is your take on this?
You are right Dard Shin tribe have been adversely impacted by this project. Dard Shin tribe of Gurez has its own golden history, as we know Dard is tribe Shina is language and are the aboriginals of this land residing in few places of world in very few numbers at places like Gilgit, Gurez, Drass, Batalik etc.
Firstly, the project had aims to uproot whole Gurez populace which we successfully resisted and Dam height has been reduced but still some areas are getting dislocated and we are trying to settle the dislocated people at least at one particular place so that they preserve their culture and language.
We have to see what painful condition refugees are living in Pakistan and this should not happen with refugees from Gurez.
Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) is often alleged of flouting rules with reference to employment and especially adversely impacting the serene environment of Gurez and Bandipora?
Last time also the honorable Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah took up the issue with Union Power Ministry and stated in clear terms that the Project is ours, Water is ours and land used is ours so these companies should adhere to rules and regulations in letter and spirit. We took keen interests and had even got project halted for some time.
Basically, in this case I would not blame much the Hindustan Construction Company as they are private company and have taken work on tender basis. The real culprit is NHPC and their performance has been dismal to say the least. We are now signing very few projects with NHPC and making best efforts so that it is made to compensate for environmental losses and follow the employment procedures in letter and spirit.
Daily wagers especially in the PHE department are often seen on roads protesting for their demands. What is being done to address their issues?
The government via an order had made it clear that daily wagers appointed until 1994 march would be regularized. It is true that daily wagers are facing problems despite the fact that these people play important part in implementing our schemes at ground zero. But often they get their salaries very late, but the PHE Department is actively pursuing the case of daily wagers associated with Department and in this regard we are constantly following this matter with finance Department so that timely salaries can be ensured to daily wagers. We are also gathering their bio data so as to address their problems in an effective manner.
The larger policy to deal with the issue Daily wagers will be outlined by the Government.
How do you view the conversion of precious agricultural land into construction purposes?
This has been a grave issue that is making us worry often. But the procedures are being made and now they are made quiet tough so that this does not happen. One thing which we need to bear in minds that if a farmer wants to convert his agricultural land into horticultural land for lucrative purposes that cannot be curbed. Yes for construction purposes there has to be zero tolerance. We also face problems here in Kashmir as people are not accustomed to live in flats and everybody wants his own house.
You have been making efforts to make picturesque Gurez a high class tourist destination .what have been the results so far?
Undoubtedly, the beautiful Gurez Valley possesses great magnificence and attractiveness. In past few years, more than 10,000 tourists from different parts of the country have visited Gurez .We need to definitely upgrade the infrastructural facilities to increase tourist flow to Gurez and in this regard we have taken some steps. We are also embarking on having a developmental authority for Gurez. The events like Para-gliding and water rafting are being conducted to attract tourists.
Definitely, the road link from Bandipora to Gurez which had been in dilapidated condition is being improved with active support from Border road Organization (BRO). Last year they had successfully macadamized 12 to 13 kilometers of road and they have ensured this year it would be fully macadamized.
How do you view the election 2014?
The election is still more than one year away, but yes the present coalition government led by dynamic persona of Omar Abdullah has taken several revolutionary steps and implemented unprecedented developmental works throughout the length and breadth of the state.
Omar Abdullah is a man of justice and I hope under his dynamic leadership the National Conference would be voted back to power in a big way.
What is your message?
See, when Prophet Abrahim constructed holy “MECCA City” he prayed to Allah to make it a city of peace then he prayed for other things like resources. This means that peace is pre-requisite for development.
If we observe shutdown for 300 days and hope for progress that would lead us nowhere. I am happy that people from last few years have immensely cooperated with peace efforts and we are hopeful they will continue their support with same sustenance so as to usher in an era of peace and prosperity.