* CS headed Panel to monitor projects
Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Mar 12: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today held high level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Governor NN Vohra and directed for strict vigil on the situation to keep militancy and other anti-national and anti-social elements well under control to maintain peace in the State.
The Governor, who is in New Delhi since yesterday, had about 40 minutes meeting with Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this afternoon during which both discussed various aspects of situation prevailing in the State, which is under Governor’s Rule since January 8 after the death of then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Though implementation of Rs 80,000 crores worth Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s package for Jammu and Kashmir, which had been announced on November 7, 2015, was major point of discussion including relief package for September 2014 flood victims, official sources said the Governor briefed the Home Minister about security and political situation in the State as no political parties have joined hands so far to form Government in the State though the previous coalition partners—PDP and BJP-have been claiming that their alliance was still intact.
The security scenario including militancy front, borders and general law and order situation apart from arrangements for annual Shri Amarnath ji pilgrimage also figured during discussions between the Home Minister and the Governor.
“The Home Ministry was concerned about situation prevailing along the borders though it was completely peaceful at present except for detection of one tunnel at the AMK Post in RS Pura sector as it wants that efforts aimed at repeating January 2 like Pathankot terror attack must be foiled at any cost,” sources said.
The Governor is reported to have briefed the Home Minister on decision taken by him to hold elections to Municipalities and Panchayats. The Home Minister lauded the Governor for taking steps to hold Panchayat elections in time and Municipal polls after 11 years in the State.
Vohra also briefed Rajnath about the steps taken for the implementation of the package that has five components including humanitarian relief, disaster management, social infrastructure, economic infrastructure and developmental spending, sources said.
Since Jammu and Kashmir is under Governor’s rule, Vohra is the administrative head and responsible for the affairs of the State.
As per the package, to be implemented in five years, Rs 60,000 crore have been earmarked for new infrastructure projects in the State sector, around Rs 7,000 crore have been earmarked for the ongoing projects.
Besides, Rs 8,000 crore have been earmarked for humanitarian relief including rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.
Addressing a public meeting in Srinagar on November 7, 2015, the Prime Minister had said funds would not be a constraint in building a modern, progressive and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Governor NN Vohra has constituted a high-level monitoring committee to undertake a monthly review of the implementation of the projects funded under the Rs 80,000 crore Prime Minister’s Package in the State.
“Governor N N Vohra has approved the formation of the Committee to undertake review of the projects funded under The Aggregative Multi-sector Economic & Infrastructure Rebuilding (TAMIER)-Plan 2015-2020,” sources said.
Chief Secretary BR Sharma would head the committee and the Administrative Secretary of Planning and Development will be its Member Secretary.
The Committee will oversee the implementation of projects, monitor funds flow to ensure optimal utilization, address any other issues and keep the Governor informed on regular basis.
With the Centre’s support, the Plan will implement humanitarian and multi-sectoral growth initiatives in the State.
The plan includes provision of relief to the families, affected in the September 2014 floods, in the form of enhanced ex-gratia relief, rehabilitation package for one time settlement of refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Chhamb and rehabilitation package for return of Kashmiri Pandits.
Disaster management includes a comprehensive flood control project for river Jhelum and its tributaries.
Social Infrastructure includes creation of two AIIMS like institutions for healthcare in the state, establishment of IIM and IIT in Jammu, training to one lakh youth for self employment, enhanced rate of remuneration for SPOs, establishment of 5 IR Battalions and undertaking the Pashmina Promotion programme are in the plan.
The fourth component, for Development Projects, involves implementation of projects in tourism, agriculture, horticulture, and urban development sectors and funding for externally aided projects.
The Economic Infrastructure sector includes taking up major projects in power, road, transport and Highways, Power Development including the Srinagar-Leh 220KV Transmission line, two pilot Solar Power projects in Leh and Kargil, funds for Power Sector reforms, funds for augmentation of T&D system, preparation of DPRs and implementation of small Hydro Projects, four laning and improvement of different sections of Jammu-Srinagar Highway, five projects for improving road connectivity in the State under Bharat Mala, improving urban infrastructure in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar etc.
The other members of the Committee would be the Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Forests, Relief and Rehabilitation, Home, Housing and Urban Development, Power Development, Finance, Public Works (R&B), Science and Technology, Higher Education, Agriculture Production, Health and Medical Education, Tourism and Revenue.
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