J&K govt discusses development issues with Central team

The J&K government today held a discussion with a team of the Union government over development issues, during which talks were held about upgradation of Jammu airport, operationalisation of night-time flights and development of small airports.
A team of the state government led by Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday held detailed discussions with a central team led by Secretary (Coordination) Cabinet Secretariat in New Delhi through video conference, a spokesman said.
Substantial progress was made in clearing development-related issues and the discussions would continue on February 5 as well, the spokesman said.
The sectors that came up for discussion include power, water resources, road transport and highways, environment & forests, civil aviation, railways, tourism, IT etc.

The state government sought greater central support in its effort to reduce transmission and distribution losses and completion of various hydel projects, the spokesman said, adding that the state also sought central assistance for construction of Muhgal Road Tunnel at Pir ki Gali to make it an all-weather highway.
During the deliberation, issues like utilisation of water from Ravi river, Jhelum drainage & flood management plan, conservation and management of lakes, national highway project, upgradation and extension of Jammu airport, operationalisation of night-time flights, development of small airports etc were discussed, the spokesman said.
While the Central team asked the state government to fast track implementation of various ongoing schemes, it assured full support to the state in achieving its development-related goals.

Secretaries of various Union ministries were present at the meeting, besides Principal Secretary (Planning and Development) B R Sharma, Principal Secretary (Home) Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister B B Vyas, Principal Secretary (Power) A K Mehta, Administrative Secretaries and other senior officials.