NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir today secured a plan size of Rs 8,000 crore besides additional funding for some of its centrally sponsored schemes, amid financial constraints facing the Union Government.
After intense negotiations between the J&K Government and the Planning Commission, it was agreed that total Central Plan assistance to the militancy-hit State would be to the tune of Rs 11,600 crore during 2013-14.
“We have approved plan size that is Rs 7,300 crore plus Rs 700 crore which is coming from a different source.
“In addition, there is PMRP (Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan) of about Rs 600 crore and there will be flow of approximately Rs 3,000 crore under the centrally sponsored scheme (for the state)”, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said after a meeting with state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
J&K’s plan size during 2012-13 stood at Rs 7,300 crore.
“We had a very good discussion with Chief Minister and ministerial delegation covering all aspects of development progress in J&K. (Planning Commission) Members were impressed with the fact that in many dimension there has been very very satisfactory progress and we complimented CM for that”, Ahluwalia said.
Out of the plan, Rs 700 crore has been allocated for land acquisition in the State.
The State Chief Minister did not respond to queries from reporters on whether he was satisfied with the plan allocation.
Hectic consultations preceded today’s meeting with Abdullah pressing for substantial increase in the plan outlay initially proposed by the Commission.
The meeting between Abdullah and Ahluwalia was postponed thrice as they could not arrive at an acceptable figure for the 2013-14 plan outlay for the State.
Abdullah had also taken up the issue with with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior leaders seeking greater assistance to push development projects in the State.
In view of the sensitivity of the situation, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had held discussions last week with secretaries and other senior officials to ensure that the genuine demands of the State were met. (AGENCIES)
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