Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Government today that a team of Secretaries in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) would directly monitor Rs 80,000 crores worth Prime Minister’s development package for the State to ensure its speedy implementation and give pace to developmental works.
This assurance was given by the Prime Minister to Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu, who called on him in New Delhi this morning.
As the Prime Minister’s package pertained to different Ministries of the Central Government, Modi has directed for setting up of a high powered Committee of the Secretaries in the Prime Minister’s Office to coordinate with the Union Ministries and the State Government for early release of the package to initiate developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir, earmarked in the package, which the Prime Minister had announced at a historic rally in Srinagar on November 7 last year.
Modi told the representatives of Jammu and Kashmir Government that there was no dearth of funds with the Central Government for development of the sensitive border State and the State Government should initiate steps for implementation of the projects mentioned in Rs 80,000 crores worth package.
For instance, official sources said, the funds for Smart Cities and AMRUT towns have to be released by the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry while the funds for setting up of two All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Vijaypur and Awantipora were to be released by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare. Similarly, funds under various power projects to be taken up under the package had to be released by the Union Power Ministry.
“There were many other Ministries involved in the projects, which have to be implemented under the Prime Minister’s package in Jammu and Kashmir. It was in this context that the Prime Minister has set up a team of Secretaries within the Prime Minister’s Office, which would stay in touch with various Union Ministries on one side and the State Government on the others,’’ Dr Nirmal Singh told the Excelsior after the meeting with the Prime Minister.
He said the decision taken by Narendra Modi after meeting him and Drabu would go long way in early implementation of the Prime Minister’s package in various sectors in the State and give boost to developmental works.
Reports said the two Ministers also briefed the Prime Minister on latest situation in Kashmir, which has been facing unrest for past 18 days in the aftermath of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s killing.
Modi reviewed the situation with the J&K Ministers and assured all help from the Central Government in early restoration of peace and normalcy in the State. He expressed satisfaction the way the State Government was dealing with the situation.
The Prime Minister had announced Rs 80,000 crores worth package for Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on November 7, 2015 during first joint rally of PDP-BJP in Srinagar. The developmental package was spread over various sectors and the Prime Minister has now assured speedy release of funds.
Sources said the Group of Ministers, constituted by the State Government, for implementation of ‘Agenda of Alliance’ and Prime Minister’s package would meet shortly in Srinagar to discuss and review implementing of the Agenda and the Package. The GoM is headed by Dr Nirmal Singh.
The GoM has been assigned the task of speedy implementation of the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ reached out between PDP and BJP before formation of their first ever coalition Government in the State.
Meanwhile, Dr Nirmal Singh also called on BJP president Amit Shah and discussed with him the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir with particular reference to Kashmir unrest and political scenario.
Dr Singh told the party’s national president that past one week has seen decline in the violence in Kashmir and, hopefully, situation will gradually return to normalcy. He also briefed the party president on arrangements made for Shri Amarnath ji pilgrimage, which has been going on smoothly.
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