Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 27: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the Government of India has released Rs 19,961 crores to Jammu and Kashmir under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in just one and a half years of the announcement of Rs 80,068 crores worth package by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and assured release of more funds once the concerned Departments submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) of the expenditure incurred on the projects. An amount of Rs 61,112 crore has been sanctioned by the various Ministries under the package, which comes out at 75 per cent of the total PMDP.
Rajnath reviewed the PMDP for the State of Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi today. The PMDP was announced by the Prime Minister during his visit to J&K on November 7, 2015.
An official handout issued tonight by the Press Information Bureau said: “the Package consists of 63 projects concerning 15 Ministries of Government of India and has an outlay of Rs 80,068 crore.
“Out of Rs 80,068 crore outlay of PMDP, Rs 61,112 crore have already been sanctioned by the various Ministries of Government of India (more than 75 per cent). Rs 19,961 crore have already been released to the implementing agencies including the State Government (more than 25%),” the handout said.
It added that the PMDP will provide a major development push for J&K with projects such as AIIMS for Jammu, AIIMS at Srinagar, support for District as well as Sub-District Hospitals and Primary Health Centers, IIM at Jammu with an out campus at Srinagar, IIT, upgradation of NIT at Srinagar and additional Girls’ Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions.
“The Government of India has also approved to provide 1,00,000 jobs for undergraduates and school dropouts under HIMAYAT scheme, an elaborate layout for sports infrastructure in all 22 Districts, Development of Pashmina wool, Cold Storage facilities for Agricultural produce and Development of Horticulture. The Package also includes a major support to Urban development under AMRUT scheme, Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities. Major Water Resources projects include flood management of River Jhelum and its tributaries, conservation of major water bodies such as Dal, Nageen and Wular lakes,” the PIB handout said.
It added that 18 Major Road Transport and Tunnel projects under PMDP are expected to provide much better connectivity for the people of J&K and allow the farmers to transport their produce to the desired markets.
“Three Himalayan Circuits have been sanctioned under Tourism that include extensive development in all the three regions i.e. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, under the tourism front also. There are 5 major power projects which include Srinagar – Leh transmission line, Smart Grid and Smart Meters and augmentation of electricity distribution systems,” the PIB handout said.
In addition, it added, approval has been given for Semi Ring roads for Jammu and Srinagar and hydro & solar power projects.
“These projects are in various stages of implementation. While work has started on many projects, in some cases DPRs are in final stages of preparation and in a few difficult cases, the DPRs are under preparation. Nearly 87 DPRs are being finalized for small hydro projects.
Rajnath Singh asked the team of Central and State Government officials to further accelerate the implementation of PMDP with definite timelines so that the people of the State of J&K are able to reap the benefits of these development initiatives of Government of India at the earliest.
Rajnath sought detailed report from State Government representatives on Rs 20,000 crores worth losses claimed by the State Government due to Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan and promised to discuss whatever was possible for the Centre to help the State on this account.
Sources told the Excelsior that Rajnath reviewed progress on Rs 80,068 crores worth PMDP approved by the Prime Minister on November 7, 2015 for infrastructure development of the State at his North Block office in two sessions-first from 11 am to 1 pm and second from 4 pm to 6 pm.
The meeting chaired by Rajnath Singh was among others attended by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Union Secretaries of Finance, Housing and Urban Development, Power, Roads and Surface Transport, Tourism, Additional Secretary Defence and Special Secretary Home from the Government of India.
J&K was represented by Chief Secretary BR Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister BB Vyas, Home Secretary RK Goyal and Administrative Secretaries-Rohit Kansal (Works), Dheeraj Gupta (Power), Dr Mandeep K Bhandari (Health and Medical Education), Hridesh Kumar (Housing and Urban Development), Sourabh Bhagat (PHE) and Farooq Shah (Tourism).
Sources said the Union Home Ministry officials, who monitor release and expenditure of funds under the PMDP, told the high-level meeting that Rs 19,961 crores have so far been released by the Central Government for various works under the PMDP.
Rajnath Singh personally took feedback from top bureaucrats of the Union and Jammu and Kashmir Governments on progress of the projects undertaken in hands under the PMDP, funds incurred so far and more funds required for the projects. He was reported to have directed the Jammu and Kashmir Government officials to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) of funds spent on the projects before more amount is released for them.
Sources said the Government of India has gone very tough on release of funds to ensure that they are properly and timely incurred.
“It was in this context that the Union Home Minister and the Ministry officials have made it clear to the State Government officials that further release of funds under the PMDP will be directly linked to submission of Utilization Certificates of the previously released funds,” sources said, adding that the Centre pointed out that within one and a half year of the announcement of package, they have released 25 per cent amount to various Departments for execution of projects aimed at infrastructure development and others.
They said the release of one-fourth package in such a short span of time was “more than enough” and onus now lies on the State Government to utilize the funds, execute projects and submit UCs to the Central Government for release of more funds.
The high-level review meeting on the PMDP by the Union Home Minister came within four days of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on April 24 in which she had called for speedy release of funds under PMDP, compensation to Jammu and Kashmir for Rs 20,000 crores worth losses suffered by the State on account of Indus Water Treaty and certain steps required to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley.
Rajnath had reviewed security situation of Jammu and Kashmir twice after his meeting with Mehbooba Mufti-first on April 24 and second on April 26 with top brass of Home Ministry, para-military forces and Intelligence agencies.
Sources said the Home Minister has also sought a detailed report from Jammu and Kashmir Government officials on Rs 20,000 crores worth losses under the Indus Water Treaty and ways and means through which the State can be compensated.
Sources said 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 others.
An amount of Rs 7,854 crore has been earmarked for flood relief, reconstruction and flood management.
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, new and renewable energy. 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 both major cities of the State, and support for creation of infrastructure in hospitals and primary health centres.
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