Union Home Secy-Mufti discuss PM Modi's Kashmir package

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today complimented the Jammu and Kashmir government for making reasonable progress, amid challenging situation, on the key developmental projects taken up in the state under Prime Minister's Developmental Package (PMDP).

The Union Home Secretary said there are minor technical issues involved in some projects which will be taken up at the appropriate levels with the concerned Ministries in the Government of India to expedite the same.

He said that nearly forty thousand crore out of the eighty thousand crore package have been earmarked for improving road infrastructure, including semi-ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar and to help improve the conditions of major highways.

Under PMDP, 63 projects are being implemented through various Central Ministries and State Government Departments in the state. So far Rs 62236 crore have been sanctioned out of Rs 80068 crore development package which was announced by the Prime Minister Modi at a public meeting in Srinagar on 7 November 2015.

Extensive deliberations were held at today's meeting to review the progress of projects under PMDP launched to augment infrastructure in J&K including road connectivity, power supply, healthcare, education, tourism, besides, to supplement the relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood victims.

The meeting was informed that around Rs 40000 crore out of the Rs 80,000-crore package have been earmarked for improving road infrastructure, including semi-ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar and upgradation of important highways besides others.

An amount of Rs 7854 crore has been earmarked for flood relief, reconstruction and flood management. This includes Rs 1458 crore for comprehensive flood management of River Jhelum and its tributaries.

Rs 1350 crore have been earmarked as matching grant for $250 million World Bank-funded Jhelum-Tawi flood reconstruction project.

An amount of Rs 4900 crore has been earmarked for improving healthcare facilities in the state which includes the creation of two AIIMS in and support for the creation of infrastructure in hospitals and primary health centres.

It also includes Rs 1600 crore for development of urban infrastructure, Rs 529 crore for development of horticulture in the State, Rs 273 crore for rehabilitation and conservation of Dal and Nageen lakes, Rs 1000 crore for establishment of IIM campus at Jammu with out-campus at Srinagar, Rs 1000 crore for IIT Jammu, Rs 100 crore for modernization of NIT Srinagar, Rs 50 crore for construction of girls hostels, Rs 500 crore for high-end security system, Rs 1000 crore for one-time compensation to 36384 families from PoK and Chhamb, Rs 300 crore for 5 new IRP Battalions, Rs 450 crore for enhancement of remuneration of SPOs from Rs 3000 to Rs 6000 PM, Rs 250 crore for stepping up efforts under HIMAYAT scheme to train 1 lakh JK youth through placement-linked schemes, Rs 50 crore for Pashmina promotion and Rs 200 crore for development of sports infrastructure.

The Union Home Secretary directed for further expediting the pace of work and assured that the central government would extend all possible support for effective and efficient implementation of PMDP.

Later, the Union Home Secretary also reviewed the security situation in the State with the top brass of Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration, army, paramilitary forces and other security agencies.