Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has appealed to the captains of the Indian industry to invest in Kashmir and help in rebuilding the state's economy.
Addressing the members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Common Industry on the occasion of its Platinum Jubilee, the chief minister said that investment in Jammu and Kashmir would be an 'investment in peace.'
He invited the members of FICCI to visit Kashmir and get a feel for themselves.
"The state's economy has been shattered due to continued turmoil. Jammu and Kashmir has been a victim of the apathy shown by, both, the private and the public sectors."
"We cannot live in the past. A bright future has dawned with recent elections, and this will be a defining moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Some who have vested interests in militancy do not want any development in the state," he said.
"The federal structure needs to be changed and states must be extended more economic powers. In fact, states should be economically independent so that they can muster resources for development," he said.
Talking about tourism, he said there could be no tourism without peace.
"There are some elements who seek independence. There are some who want to go with Pakistan. But we want development. We have seen free and fair elections in the state. The people of the state have seen Indian democracy flowering. They know if the state government does not do well, they can change it by using the power of the ballot. If I don't do well, they can throw me out as well," he said.
He emphasised the need for co-operation from the Union government 'without which Jammu and Kashmir cannot fulfill its objectives.'
"I have told Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani that we need their help and they have promised full assistance to us," he said.
He lashed out at those who criticised his policy of providing a 'healing touch' to the people of the state. "We have given jobs to the victims of terrorist violence, and also the family members of those who were killed by the security forces."
Mufti said that Indus Water treaty signed by India and Pakistan has gone against India because it does not allow construction of barrages on rivers on the Indian side of the border without consulting Pakistan.
"We should seriously address this issue."
"We also need to tap power generation resources. Jammu and Kashmir can produce 20,000 megawatts of electricity, while we are generating only 500 megawatts," he said.
When asked if the politicians of the state would use this opportunity and not let it go waste, Mufti said that there was good coordination between all the concerned factions of the government and there is no question of letting down the people of the state.
