Union Secretaries submit report
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 3: Jammu and Kashmir could get sizeable funds in the State sector under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) during the current financial year after the report submitted by Secretaries of various Ministries upon their three-day visit to Kashmir, to the concerned Ministers in New Delhi.
Sources told the Excelsior that road, tourism, health and power sectors could get more funds under the PMDP shortly for development of infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir from out of the funds, which have already been earmarked for them in the Package worth Rs 80,068 crores.
“The senior officers of the Union Ministries, who were part of the high-level Central team which was in Kashmir from July 30 to August 1 to review PMDP and security, have identified some sectors, where the works were required to be expedited in the State sector to boost the development,” sources pointed out.
They said that the Secretaries of various Ministries, whose projects fall within the PMDP in the State, have reported to the concerned Ministers after returning to the Union capital from three-day visit of Kashmir and suggested measures to expedite pace of developmental works.
The State Government officials during their meeting with the Central team had also projected release of funds under the PMDP in the State sector as some of the projects were in need of speedy release of funds. The Central team members were reported to have agreed with the State Government officials on release of more funds for some of the projects, which were identified by the Government officials.
Sources said the Ministries would send their recommendations to the Union Finance and Home Ministries after which the PMDP funds under the State sector could be released in the coming days.
The Union Home Ministry headed by Rajnath Singh has been monitoring the PMDP for Jammu and Kashmir.
Noting that the State Government has specifically pointed out need for release of more funds to certain priority sectors including roads, tourism, health and power among others, sources said the Union Secretaries of these Departments were in agreement with the State officials and have assured that they would pursue the matter with their Ministers.
The Central Government has so far released around Rs 36,000 crore out of the total development package of Rs 80,000 crores.
Around Rs 40,000 crore out of the Rs 80,000-crore package have been earmarked for improving road infrastructure, including semi-ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar, upgradation of important highways besides other major projects
An amount of Rs 7,854 crore has been earmarked for flood relief, reconstruction and flood management while a total of Rs 2,241 crore is meant for promoting tourism by developing new projects and tourist circuits and setting up of 50 tourist villages.
In addition, Rs 11,708 crore is for power and New and Renewable Energy sectors. This includes augmentation of power infrastructure and distribution systems, solar power and small hydro projects.
Rs 4,900 crore has been earmarked for improving healthcare facilities in the State which includes creation of two AIIMS-like institutions in Jammu and Srinagar and support for creation of infrastructure in hospitals and Primary Health Centres.
As far as the works under Central sector were concerned, which included major projects like hydro-electric power projects, National Highways etc, the Centre has assured the State Government that the works would be taken up as per priority list of the State Government though they would continue to be executed by the Central agencies.
According to sources, based on the reports of Central team, the Government of Indian could hold review of the PMDP and take decision on release of the funds in different sectors, based on the demands raised by the State Government.
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