Mufti meets Modi, Rajnath, discusses Kashmir situation

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the political and developmental situation in his state.

An official statement issued in Jammu said Sayeed called on Modi in New Delhi and discussed the overall political and developmental scenario.

Sayeed later told reporters that he also briefed the prime minister about the recent floods.

"We discussed the political situation in the state, issues relating to good governance, peace process and the agenda for alliance," he told media persons.

This was his first meeting with Modi after becoming the chief minister on March 1.

"During his 30-minute-long meeting, Sayeed discussed with the prime minister the issue of bringing transparency in the system and improving governance in the state," the statement said.

He also discussed the implementation of the common minimum programme of the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance.

The prime minister "enquired about the recent flood-like situation caused due to incessant rains that lashed the state", it said.

Sayeed informed Modi about the prompt response of the state administration in dealing with the flood situation.

He also thanked Modi for quickly responding to the state government's request for deputing teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help the state.

On the issue of rehabilitation of flood victims and restoration of infrastructure, Sayeed requested Modi to look into the needs of the people affected by the floods in September 2014.

Modi assured Sayeed of the central government's full support in helping the flood-affected people and restoration of infrastructure.

Sayeed also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh, briefed him about the law and order situation in the state, and discussed the issue of composite townships for Kashmiri Pandits.

Sayeed assured the home minister that the state government will acquire and provide land at the earliest for composite townships in the Kashmir Valley.

Issues related to Home Guards, remuneration for Special Police Officers (SPOs), ex-gratia relief for damage and casualties during cross-border firing and matters of security related expenditure were also discussed.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of raising an India Reserve Battalion for the state and effective utilisation of police.

The meet was attended by senior officers of the union home ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government.