Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 14: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Union Capital tomorrow evening to discuss the overall political and developmental scenario of the State and the much-awaited financial package for Jammu and Kashmir, which was promised by the Union Government following unprecedented floods of September last year.
Reliable sources told EXCELSIOR that Chief Minister reached Union Capital this evening for his meeting with the Prime Minister scheduled to be held at 4 pm tomorrow. Since Mufti Sayeed has not met Narendra Modi during the past several months, developments both on political and other fronts would be thoroughly discussed by the two leaders.
“The meeting assumes importance because of the fact that Narendra Modi is keen to ensure holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir and is paying special attention towards this border State ever since he became the Prime Minister”, sources said.
The recent controversies, which led to estranged relations between the coalition partners–People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party because of their divergent stand and subsequent commitment of both the partners to work together for the overall betterment of Jammu and Kashmir would become part of the discussion, sources further said, adding “both are also likely to discuss existing political scenario in the State and PDP patron will put-forth his personal opinion and party view point on these issues”.
Stating that much-awaited special package, which was promised by the Union Government in the aftermath of devastating floods of September 2014, would also become part of the discussion, sources said that Chief Minister would make mention about the release of the same as early as possible so that restoration works could be expedited in the State and flood affected people heave sigh of relief.
It is pertinent to mention here that during his first meeting with the Prime Minister after formation of PDP-BJP Coalition Government, Chief Minister had requested the Prime Minister to take care of the population distressed by the floods of last year and Narendra Modi had assured full support in extending help to the people and restoration of public infrastructure.
According to the sources, Union Government has almost finalized the package and the same is likely to be announced in near future. “Determined to put on rails the ravaged economy of Jammu and Kashmir post-2014 floods, the Central Government has formulated about Rs 50,000 crore comprehensive package aimed to create new infrastructure in key sectors and provide the much-needed impetus to the State economy”, sources added.
They informed that package will cover key sectors like flood management, road connectivity, power, education, healthcare, drinking water supply, agriculture, tourism and industries. “The package has been formulated after threadbare deliberation with top brass of the State”, sources added.
According to the sources, the package will be spread over a five year term and cover all projects that have been identified by the Mufti-led Coalition Government bearing in mind the recovery needs, in the aftermath of the devastating floods. The package has identified short, medium and long-term priorities to kick-start a structured reconstruction process in the State.
Stating that initiatives taken by the Coalition Government on developmental fronts will also be deliberated upon during the meeting, sources said that Chief Minister would request the Prime Minister to continue sympathetic approach towards the Jammu and Kashmir so that State treads on the path of holistic development especially in the light of massive devastation caused by the unprecedented floods of September last year.
“The implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, which is being regularly monitored by the Union Ministries on the directions of the Prime Minister, will also be discussed and Chief Minister would explain the steps initiated by his Government in making the officers and officials accountable for timely execution of works under the programmes/schemes of the Central Government”, sources said.
The Chief Minister is likely to make request to the Prime Minister to pay a visit to Kashmir valley during his forthcoming trip to inaugurate Stage-II of Baglihar Hydroelectric Project, sources added.
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