Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits,said Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday at the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium inSrinagar in his speech celebrating the 73rd Independence Day. "Jammu andKashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits. The administration is committedtowards their return and rehabilitation in Kashmir," said the Governor.

The Governor asserted that 3,000 vacancies out of 6,000 inthe public sector were established for the Kashmiri migrant Pandits and thesevacancies will be filled soon. "The process for recruitment against theremaining 3,000 posts out of 6,000 created for Kashmiri migrants and theconstruction of transit accommodation for the employees serving in the Valleyhas been expedited," he said. He also said that the steps have been takenagainst corruption in the union territory, adding that the Anti-CorruptionBureau (ACB) is trying hard to eradicate corruption at all levels.

Governor Malik also congratulating the people of Kashmir forcooperating with the administration during the Amarnath Yatra. He said that thepilgrimage went smoothly for 30 days and over three lakh devotees visited. Headded that the manner in which the Amarnath Yatra and Haj were organized is aclassic example of 'Kashmiriyat' which is exemplary for its communal harmony.

He paid homage to leaders who made sacrifices to win thecountry's freedom and urged all to strongly affirm dedication to safeguardingunity and integrity of the nation. The Governor also paid homage and salutedthe brave hearts of state police, Central Armed Police Forces and the Army whomade supreme sacrifice to preserve the territorial integrity of our country.

Governor Malik said, "The changes that the CentralGovernment has brought are not only historic but also open a new door for thedevelopment of the people of Jammu-Kashmir, and Ladakh. I assure the people ofJammu & Kashmir that their identity is not on the line, it hasn't beentampered with. The constitution of India allows different regional identitiesto flourish."