Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 28: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today announced setting up of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for Jammu and Kashmir and upgrading facilities at world class heritage site of Leh Palace in Ladakh. He also announced that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has accorded approval for enhancement of cash relief to the Kashmiri migrants from present Rs 1650 per person per month to Rs 2500 per person per month. Presenting general budget for 2015-16 in the Parliament today, Jaitley announced that the Government proposed to set up AIIMS in five States including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. He announced IIMs for Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh. Jaitley proposed a total amount of Rs 2206 crores for financial year 2015-16 for setting up of AIIMS in five States. Later, the Finance Ministry said the AIIMS has been approved for Jammu. Previous BJP-led NDA Government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee has also announced setting up of AIIMS for Jammu but later the UPA Government had merely reduced the project to upgradation of the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. Jaitley announced raising of facilities at cultural world heritage site of Leh Palace in Ladakh apart from seven other such sites in different States. The proposed facilities for Leh Palace included landscaping restoration, signage and interpretation centres, parking, access for differently abled, amenities for visitors including securities and toilets, illumination and plans for benefitting communities around them. The Finance Minister announced that the MHA has accorded approval for enhancement of cash relief to the Kashmiri migrants from present level of Rs 1650 per person per month to Rs 2500 per person per month. Though an announcement of relief enhancement has been made earlier also, it now formed the budget proposals of the Finance Minister, which means that the proposal will be implemented by the MHA shortly as mandatory funds would be released by the Union Finance Ministry for the MHA, which bears entire cost of the relief given to the Kashmiri migrants. Recalling that allocation of Rs 500 crores has already been announced as special support for rehabilitation of the migrants, he said a proposal with financial implications of Rs 5820 crores has been received from the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for revision in the existing Prime Minister’s package-2008, which envisaged upward revision of the scale of most of the items of existing package. “In view of the past experience, it has been felt that the new package for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants should be carefully finalized in consultations with the State Government and representatives of the migrants. Consultations have taken place with the State Government officials and representatives of the migrants. The scheme is now being finalized. The amount earmarked in the budget 2014-15 will be utilized accordingly,” the Finance Minister said. On previous budget’s announcement for setting up of an IIT in Jammu, the Finance Minister said proposals for site have been received for 10 out of 11 institutions across the country. “Two sites have been finalized and another five State Site Selection visits have been completed. The remaining four visits are underway,” he said. Jaitley announced allocation of Rs 90 crores for 2015-16 for construction of godown by Food Corporation of India and State Governments in Jammu and Kashmir, North East and newly emerging major procurement States. He said one lakh youth from rural and urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir will be covered in next five years for implementation of new scheme titled `Skill Empowerment and Employment in Jammu and Kashmir (SEE J&K) Himayat’. He said National Centre for Design and Product Development as nodal agent is to be appointed for undertaking baseline survey/diagnostic study for Jammu and Kashmir craft project and support the formation of SPV and preparation of DPR. An amount of Rs 25.50 lakh has been released for the purpose, he added. On previous budgetary proposal for setting up of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, Jaitley said the Scheme was approved by the Cabinet on December 12, 2014. On Rs 200 crores kept in the last budget for upgrading the indoor and outdoor sports stadiums to international standards in Jammu and Kashmir, Jaitley said the proposal has been prepared. After approval, the NIT will be issued in consultation with the State Government for selection of PSU for PMC work.
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