If voted to power, will create special economic zones in JK: Mehbooba

Asserting that her party is committed for economic upliftment of Jammu and Kashmir, PDP President and Member Parliament Mehbooba Mufti today said that if voted to power her party will ensure inclusive governance by enabling people participation in the developmental process.
Addressing public meetings in Wachi constituency, the PDP president said that economic growth of the state was one of the thrust areas of her party and it has been incorporated in the vision document released recently.
“If voted to power, PDP government will have an economic policy which will be formulated not for government’s activities but for private businesses and enterprises,” she said and added that special economic zones would be created for different regions of the State.
“We are looking ahead to lay out focused attention on power, horticulture, manufacturing, trade, tourism and crafts with various new initiatives being launched to promote these sectors,” she said, adding that the participation of the people in the developmental process will be ensured by facilitating private establishments, businessmen and entrepreneurs to enable not only economic transition but upward social mobility as well.
“We believe in inclusive and not exclusive governance as such we are looking ahead for active participation of youth, women, entrepreneurs, businessmen, horticulturalists and professionals in the process”, she said.
Referring to her association with Wachi, Mehbooba said that the assembly segment has always been close to her heart. “Wachi and people of this constituency have always been close to my heart. Your support and trust has always been one of my greatest assets and I am always committed to be available for all of you”, she told the gathering.
She said that the area has a huge horticulture and agriculture potential but lack of irrigation facilities was one of the main hurdles. “PDP if voted to power will ensure creation of alternate irrigation facilities by channelizing ground water in the area”, she said.
She also promised creation of `apple village’ which will have high density orchard/production unit, storage/designing facility, picking and grading line/grinding unit and packaging and processing unit/marketing setup.
Seeking votes for her party candidate Aijaz Mir, who was accompanying her, Mehbooba said the people of the state are politically mature and wise enough to understand the changing realities on the ground.
Calling for a decisive mandate for her party, the PDP Chief said it is the duty of the mature electorate to reject the people who have promoted “a culture of nepotism, favoritism, political corruption and treated the state as their personal property by misusing the people’s mandate.”