Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 1: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Udhampur tomorrow, the Government of India today announced that package worth Rs 17,000 crores out of Rs 80,080 crores Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) has been released in favour of the State so far even as the Centre took in its own hands the disbursement of Rs 2000 crores worth package for Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) refugees in view of extraordinary delay by the State Government despite release of amount.
“We have released Rs 17,000 crores worth package in different sectors for Jammu and Kashmir so far from out of Rs 80,080 crores worth total PMDP, which was announced by Modi at a historic rally in Srinagar on November 7, 2015,’’ official sources told the Excelsior saying implementation of the package is in full progress and more funds would continue to flow depending upon the requirements and submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs).
Pointing out that the PMDP is being implemented in two sectors—Central and State, sources said the works on different projects in both the sectors were apace and execution was being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as well as concerned Ministries on regular intervals.
Noting that Rs 2000 crores worth package for PoJK refugees was also part of Rs 80,080 crores PMDP, sources said the Centre Government was concerned about delay in disbursement of package to the refugees, leading to protests by refugee bodies in Jammu.
In view of this, they said, the Centre has decided to take disbursement of package in its own hands. It has asked the State Government to furnish entire details of PoJK refugees like their total number, heads of families, complete lists of beneficiaries along with their account numbers and other requisite formalities.
The Government of India, according to sources, would directly transfer the package amount to the PoJK refugees through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme,’’ sources said, adding the Centre’s decision has been conveyed to the State Government.
Though the package had been released nearly three to four months back, barring handful of persons, none of the beneficiaries have been paid the amount, which has led to protests by the PoJK refugees at many places.
The Centre has already made it clear that Rs 2000 crores was not end of the package.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Udhampur at around 2.30 pm tomorrow and would fly to Chenani, where he will inaugurate Asia’s longest 9.2 kilometers Chenani-Nashri tunnel in the presence of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Union Minister for Road and Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and Works Minister Naeem Akhter among others.
Modi will travel through the tunnel from Chenani to Nashri to see for himself the state-of-the art tunnel, constructed at the cost of around Rs 3500 crores. He will be briefed on the modernized tunnel by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials and other major projects under execution in Jammu and Kashmir including the National Highways.
After spending about half an hour at Chenani, the Prime Minister will fly back to Udhampur and address a massive public gathering there.
He will return to New Delhi in the evening.
Sources said in view of imposition of Model Code of Conduct in seven districts of Kashmir due to Lok Sabha-by-elections in Srinagar and Anantnag on April 9 and 12, the Prime Minister was unlikely to make any major announcement for the State but could give a political message to stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir on restoration of peace and normalcy in the Kashmir valley.
The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. “Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day.
The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two State capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.
The connectivity through this tunnel will decrease the time of journey by two hours. It is an alternative all weather route. It is an alternative to the highway which is closed at the time of snow and rains. It will boost trade and increase revenue in the State. It will also help to boost tourism,” sources said.
The security setup includes elaborate deployments, area domination, checkpoints and alertness in border areas and vigilance at vital installations in the region by various security agencies, a police officer said.
A high alert in border areas and Udhampur-Jammu belt and round the clock patrolling has been intensified. High degree of vigilance has been put in place at vital installations including airports, railway stations and highways with continuous surveillance.
Multi-tier security setup has been put in place at all the places including the rally venue, Chenani-Nashri tunnel and Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
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