Implementing PM's 80cr dvpt plan top priority: Vohra

Jammu and Kashmir government's top priority in the next two years is to ensure speedy implementation of Prime Minister's Rs 80,000 crore development plan which will enable the state to not only respond to any arising natural calamity but also catalyse all-round economic growth, Governor N N Vohra said today.
"This fully funded Plan of Rs 80,000 crore, an aggregate of sectoral initiatives, is to be executed over the next five years. The annual phasing of the Plan will be based on the absorptive capability and the spending capacity of the Government and its implementing agencies," Vohra said in his joint address to the legislators which marked the beginning of five-week budget session here.

Vohra said that Jammu and Kashmir Government's top priority in the next two years is to ensure speedy implementation of Prime Minister's Rs 80,000 crore development plan.
He said a large part of the relief component has already been distributed to those whose houses had been partially or fully damaged in the floods.
"To accelerate trade and business activity in the state, the government will soon provide interest subvention, which will generate substantial liquidity support for revival of the business and trade. The government has already received the resources for implementing this important initiative," he said.
The Governor said the government is keen to diversify the sources for financing economic development.

The government is also seeking to tap domestic private

investments, he said.
"Private investments are needed not only for promoting industry and its allied sectors. A very disconcerting factor, which has severe implications for the economic growth of the state, relates to the declining public investment in the agriculture sector," Vohra said.
"There is urgent need to reverse this trend and provide incentives for attracting private investments in agriculture and allied sectors, particularly for development of horticulture and animal and sheep husbandry.
The High Density Mission in Horticulture is potentially a game changer and can be a sweet spot for private investors," he added.

Vohra said the state government is very keen to access clean energy and secure funding which various environmental agencies are providing.
"This appears the most advantageous route for promoting sustainable development without impairing the ecology and environmental eco-system of our state which is known for its natural beauty and resources," he said.
"We will also seek to create, with the help of the government of India, three Eco Battalions to help in protect the ecology and environment of our state," he added.
Vohra said the government will encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) to seek private investment.
"To begin with, 34 ITIs have been covered under PPP. The government will explore PPP for the delivery of social services, particularly in the health sector," he said.