Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, June 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today demanded Rs 600-crore package from the Centre for the earthquake affected Doda-Kishtwar belt of the State.
“We seek Rs 600 crore package for earthquake-hit families of erstwhile Doda district. The State Government has already submitted the proposal for this package to the Union Government,” Omar said addressing a gathering after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone of 850 MW Rattle Project here.
Two persons were killed and 69 others, including 26 students and three teachers, injured when scores of buildings were damaged in a massive earthquake in Doda and Kishtwar districts on May 1, affecting over 80,000 families.
The Chief Minister also sought special component for land compensation under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP), Phase two.
Omar said large number of houses have been damaged in erstwhile Doda district in the devastating earthquake besides severe damage to public infrastructure.
“We hope that the Centre would come forward and help the affected families to reconstruct their houses,” he said.
“Under the PMRP, the State was given special component for acquisition of land to construct roads under PMGSY. We request same component under PMRP-2,” he said.
Underlying the need for linking Doda and Kishtwar districts with the Valley for economic welfare and round the year accessibility, Omar sought Central funding for construction of Singhpora-Violo Tunnel.
“Construction of this tunnel is a cherished desire of the people of the area and they are looking forward to the Union Government for financial support for the construction of this tunnel,” he said.
Advocating transfer of Dulhasti Hydro Electric Power Project to Jammu and Kashmir to enable it to address the increasing power supply demand and strengthen economy, Omar said bulk production of hydro power in the State is the only way forward to ensure socio-economic welfare of the State.
“Optimum utilisation of two great resources of water and natural beauty possessed by Jammu and Kashmir could transform the economic and development scenario of the State,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government, with the help of the Centre is endeavouring to harness the rich hydro electric potential of the State. “We want to generate surplus electricity to supply it to other parts of the country and lay strong edifice for the economic growth and welfare of the State,” he added.
He, however, reiterated the State’s demand for transfer of Dulhasti HEP to Jammu and Kashmir. The State Government has already taken up this matter with the Union Government, he added.
“I would like to press the demand of the people of the State before the UPA chairperson and Prime Minister for transfer of Dulhasti HEP to it”, he said while thanking them for their highest support to Jammu and Kashmir for its holistic development.
Mr Abdullah said that during the last nine years, the UPA government at the Centre under the chairmanship of Ms Gandhi has extended extraordinary economic support to the State.
“At present whenever we feel financial requirements we come to the UPA Government for support. We get it freely for the keen interest of Mrs Gandhi in the development of the State and its people”, he said.
“If a Government, not friendly towards the State as the UPA Government and Ms Gandhi are, is at the helm at the Centre, then Jammu and Kashmir will be in difficulty,’’ he added.
While condemning Monday’s terrorist attack on the Army near Hyderpora in Srinagar in which precious lives of soldiers were lost, the Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families and the Army.
“Efforts of the Union and State Governments have yielded positive results on peace and development fronts,” he said. Peace is gradually rooting in the State. Some elements inimical to peace do not want the situation to become conducive and people live a normal life, he added.
The Chief Minister referred to the benefits of Rs 6000 crore 850 MW Ratle HEP, first of its kind in the country to be constructed in the private sector, and said that the global bidding on tariff basis and participation of reputed power companies in the bidding has ensured transparency of the project being executed by the J&K State Power Development Corporation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel