Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: Jammu and Kashmir Government has formally staked claim for extension in prestigious Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan (PMRP) for next financial year of 2013-14 to complete ongoing developmental projects under the scheme and undertake the new projects.
It would be fourth extension for the PMRP if the Centre and the Planning Commission agreed to it, official sources in Finance and Planning Departments told the Excelsior.
It was in the year 2004 that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as the head of UPA-I had announced Rs 24,467 crore worth PMRP for the State Government with about 70 per cent expenditure in Central sector and 30 per cent in State sector. While most of the projects in the Central sector were still under execution through various Central agencies, the projects in State sector have been completed to some extent while others were under construction.
Sources said the State Government in its communications to the Union Finance Ministry and Planning Commission of India has desired extension in the PMRP for next financial year of 2013-14. The Government was confident that the Centre would extend the PMRP, which was due to expire on March 31, 2013 for another year to ensure that works undertaken in hands were completed.
During current financial year of 2012-13, the State had been granted Rs 700 crore under PMRP as against Rs 1200 crore of last fiscal year (2011-12). This financial year’s amount under the PMRP was reduced as last fiscal’s amount had not been utilized fully. Moreover, some projects under the PMRP had been completed.
Sources said the Central Government was expected to agree to the proposal of the State Government for extension in the PMRP for one more year.
During 2012-13, out of Rs 700 crore granted to the State Government under PMRP, it had earmarked Rs 195.24 crore on strengthening of Transmission and Distribution (T&D) network and Rs 105.29 crore for further construction, upgradation and other works on Mughal Road, which has become a popular alternate road link between the people of not only twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with Kashmir but also other parts of two regions in view of its scenic beauty.
Rs 233.82 crore would be utilized on rehabilitation of dwellers within Dal and Nigeen lakes and Rs 45.65 crore on construction of 5242 two room tenements for Kashmiri migrants while Rs 120 crore were kept for Counterpart Fund and Asian Development Bank (Part-II).
Sources said the major amount was kept for strengthening T&D network as the State was feeling heat on account of transmission losses, which have been hovering around 70 per cent causing enormous losses to the State exchequer.
The Power Development Department (PDP), which was also held by the Chief Minister, has taken up works to strengthen T&D losses in the areas, where they were most affected.
Sources said Mughal Road has become a major source of attraction not only for the traders and the local people but also for the tourists, which was evident from the fact that this summer a large number of vehicles moved to and fro. However, to make it all weather road, further expand and upgrade it at some areas and strengthen infrastructure, the Government has released Rs 105.29 crore for Mughal Road from out of the PMRP during current financial year.
The Government was anticipating more rush on Mughal road next summer.
Worthwhile to mention here that the PMRP was Rs 24,467 crore in 2004 when it was announced by the Prime Minister but had subsequently gone up to well over Rs 30,000 crore mainly due to escalation of prices of different projects.
The plan, which was given to the State as an economic package for raising economic infrastructure damaged during the militancy, is being implemented in two sectors-Central and State. The Central projects, mainly power generating hydro-electric projects, are being constructed by National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) while State sector projects are being executed by different agencies.
Out of revised estimates of PMRP worth Rs 30,000 crore, about Rs 18,000 crore were reserved for Central sector while remaining amount of Rs 12,000 crore were at the disposal of the State Government. An estimated 70 per cent amount of the PMRP has been utilized so far.
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