Mehrishi praises J&K govt for 'reasonable progress' on dev

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today complimented the Jammu and Kashmir government for making "reasonable progress" on the key development projects taken up under the Prime Minister's Developmental Package (PMDP) amid "challenging situation" in the state.
He was speaking at a high-level meeting convened here to review the progress on implementation of the PMDP-2015 projects in Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said.
During the meeting, Mehrishi said there are "minor technical" issues involved in some projects which would be taken up at the appropriate levels with the Union ministries concerned to expedite the same.
The Mehrishi-led Central team arrived here yesterday to review the progress of 63 projects implemented through various central ministries and the state government departments in Jammu and Kashmir.

So far Rs 62,236 crore have been sanctioned out of Rs 80,068 crore development package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Srinagar on November 7, 2015.
The spokesman said extensive deliberations were held at the review meeting 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 state chief secretary apprised the Union home secretary about the financial and physical progress made under each sector, the spokesman said.
The meeting was informed that around Rs 40,000 crore out of the Rs 80,000-crore package have been earmarked for improving road infrastructure, including semi-ring roads in the state and upgradation of important highways besides others, he said.

Mehrishi 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 the 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.
The central team among other officials included Rajiv Gauba, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Union Home Ministry who will be soon taking over as the new Union Home Secretary.