KL Report
SRINAGAR
Noted economist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assembly candidate for Rajpora constituency, Dr Haseeb Drabu Wednesday said that his endeavor would be to make Pulwama a model district in economic, social and human indicators of development by formulating a ‘distinctive developmental plan’ for the area.
“Despite being considered as the crown of North India in respect of the production and quality of fresh and dry fruits, Pulwama lags in commensurate economic, social and human development and the time has come to do away with the past injustices with this potentially promising area,” Dr Drabu said while addressing his maiden public meeting at Rajpora after being nominated the PDP candidate for Rajpora assembly segment of the district, a party statement said on Wednesday.
He said Jammu and Kashmir needs to evolve a distinctive development model, given the aspirations of its citizens and the scale and complexity of its challenges.
“I am optimistic that Pulwama district in general and Rajpora constituency in particular would lead the way towards achieving this objective,” he said and added that if elected by the people he will formulate a constituency development plan for Rajpora envisaging both short term and long term objectives for the holistic development of the area.
He said the constituency development plan would seek placing the area on a sustainable, equitable, competitive, and high-growth trajectory that is in harmony with the needs, skills, resources, and aspirations of the common man.
“The constituency development plan would also focus on tapping the potential of the youth of the area through a robust economic program that is focused on creating decent employment and livelihood opportunities for young women and men in enterprises across agricultural, traditional industries, small scale enterprise, manufacturing, and services sectors by inculcating entrepreneurial skills,” he said and added that a vibrant decentralized rural economy with a prosperous agricultural sector is pivotal in creating a wide economic base and ensuring the long-term job, food, energy, and ecological security.
Dr Drabu said to make agriculture and horticulture sectors more viable economically, his party’s endeavor would be to create “special export zone” in Pulwama for walnuts and almonds.
“Saffron would be included in the futures and options markets to reduce the risk and make it more profitable for the growers,” he said and assured the people of a new value based politics and legislature-oriented governance model.
Dr Drabu said that he joined PDP to work for the welfare of the people after rendering his services in the planning and banking sectors. “I joined PDP to work at the grassroots level with my people and strive towards bringing some change in their lives for good,” he said.
