KL Report
Srinagar
Chairing a high level meeting on development issues at SKICC, Srinagar in which Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah made a comprehensive presentation, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh announced the agreement of Union Government for granting Rs. 710 crores to the State to meet the expenditure on account of land acquisition under PMGSY.
“Good news is this that a note has already been prepared for grant of Rs. 710 crores to the State under PMGSY for land acquisition”, he said adding that the proposal would be receiving Union Cabinet nod soon.
Dr Singh assured full support of the Union Government to the State for its holistic and inclusive development. He said despite financial constraints at the Union Government level prevailing at present, he would use his influence to provide substantial plan to the State for the current fiscal. He said UPA Government notwithstanding the difficulty of financial constraints is extended full financial support to the State.
“When it comes to financing Jammu and Kashmir we do not count the financial constraints”, he added amid applause.
The Prime Minister emphasized on upgrading the financial discipline and added that better financial management would help the State to receive enhanced funds. He also called for enhancing the agriculture growth and said that he would use his office for providing more funds to the State under horticulture mission.
Earlier, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah while explaining the development contours and economic indicators of the State underlined the need for political resolution of grievances and aspirations of pluralistic and diverse State like Jammu and Kashmir describing this essentially important.
Omar Abdullah also talked about resumption of sustained and meaningful dialogue with Pakistan expressing the hope that the new Pak Premier would create conducive atmosphere for resumption for talks. He also pitched for restoration of internal dialogue with diverse political opinion in an inclusive manner.
The Chief Minister while presenting State’s development scenario and its needs to march ahead on socio-economic development path, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson for their liberal and unflinching support to the State.
Omar Abdullah said that average annual growth in the State has been achieved at 6.25 per cent adding that robust plan allocations of Rs. 44000 crore for 12th Plan and an Annual Plan of Rs. 7300 crore last year, and reasonable high increase in resources under 13th Finance Commission has given considerable fillip to the development activities. He also mentioned enhanced connectivity through construction of Railway Lines, 4-laning of National Highway and upgradation of Srinagar and Jammu Airports. He also mentioned the benefits of initiatives like Udan, Himayat and UMEED. He said that resolution of large number of issues has been achieved in the meetings the State officers held with the Central Team headed by the Cabinet Secretary and Union Secretaries. He also mentioned the extension of Central package for industrial units in Jammu and Kashmir beyond June 2012 and thanked the Prime Minister for this gesture.
Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir’s economy has grown at 15.36 per cent last year.
“GSDP at current price is up from Rs. 42315 crores in 2008-09 to Rs. 76115 crores in 2012-13. The per capita income is up from Rs. 37282 crores in 2008-09 to Rs. 63684 crores in 2012-13. He said the State has received highest ever plan of 7300 crore last year and is pitching for Rs. 8000 crore for the current year and Rs. 600 crore under PMRP. He said capital expenditure of over Rs. 12000 crore has been made this year to result in significant economic growth, qualitative upgradation of social and economic infrastructure and creation of massive employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister also referred to the initiatives taken for Smart-governance and talked about revival of important institutions of governance like State Information Commission, State Accountability Commission, State Vigilance Commission and State Human Rights Commission. He also made reference to the landmark legislations of Right to Information Act and Public Service Guarantee Act.
Omar Abdullah said that by the efforts of the government panchayats in the State are emerging as vibrant and effective institutions. He said transfer of powers in respect of 14 departments and devolution of Rs. 231 crore to panchayats besides training to 34000 panchayat members within and outside the State and constitution of 4000 Panchayat Adalats has given considerable strength to the Panchayati Raj System in the State.
Omar Abdullah said that road sector is receiving considerable thrust adding that State Road Development Corporation is in place. He said 3000 kilometres of roads have been black topped and macadamized in 2012 while work on 567 bridges has been accelerated. He said 81 new bridge schemes have been taken in hand during the current fiscal while 1161 kilometres of new roads have been completed under PMGSY by December last year. He sought Central assistance for construction of 3 major tunnels namely Singhpora-Vailoo, Lolab-Bandipora and Chattapani-Zaznar on Mughal Road. He also sought Rs. 932 crore financial support from the Centre for construction of 102 roads in militancy hit areas.
The Chief Minister while giving resume of the power scenario in the State, said that turn-around of the State’s finances is possible through power sector. He mentioned multi pronged strategy put in place to execute hydro electric projects with 9000 MW capacity over 12th and 13th Finance Commission. He sought construction of 220 KV, S/C Srinagar-Leh Transmission Line by PGCIL at the earliest and another 400 KV Transmission Leh from Srinagar to Leh besides help for upgrading HT/LT network in rural areas of the State. He also urged for transfer of Dulhasti HEP to the State as recommended by Dr. Rangarajan Committee.
