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| PM promises J&K developmental revolution | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Apr 26
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today promised a developmental revolution for Jammu and Kashmir as he said that the Central Government was fully committed to implement the recommendations of the Ranjarajan Committee on Economic Development.
Addressing a public meeting in Kishtwar after dedicating to the nation Dul Hasti Power Project, the Prime Minister said that one of the Working Groups set up for Jammu & Kashmir was specifically tasked to propose measures for development and reconstruction of the State. He said Dr. Rangarajan was heading one of the Task Forces which had submitted a detailed report and presented recommendations on the development of J&K. He said some of the issues had been identified including available natural resources, investment in basic infrastructure especially power, roads, education, health and social sectors, creating congenial environment for massive private investment, balanced development of the three regions of J&K and to ensure that sufficient funds were available for the development of the State.
Dr. Singh said that the Rangarajan report had drawn a beautiful picture of the economic development of J&K. He said the State and the central governments were considering these recommendations, adding some of these had already been implemented. He said other issues raised in the report were under consideration. He said no stone would be left unturned in providing maximum assistance to the State. He said the government tried to involve all groups in the peace process and various sections, regions, religions, parties and communities were invited to the meetings of the Round Table Conferences where they gave their valuable suggestions.
Describing the completion of the Dul Hasti project as the realization of the dream of former Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi who had laid its foundation stone 25 years ago, the Prime Minister said that his government was keen to remove the power scarcity in the State and recalled his maiden visit as the PM to Kashmir where he had assured people that the power sector in J&K would see a transformation. He said the inauguration of the Dul Hasti power project was a step in that direction. He said like in case of the rest of the country, there was need to undertake reforms and expansion in the State's power sector. The two issues, he maintained, were interlinked. He said without reforms the power capacity could not be increased. He hoped that the State government would take appropriate steps to reform power sector and make power projects and distribution system economically more viable. He said the State was highly dependent on hydel power and stressed on the need to reduce the gap between demand and supply. He said several steps could be taken to increase power production in J&K, adding that many recommendations had been made in the Rangarajan committee report on this issue. He said there was need for discussion between the centre and the State government on how and how far these could be implemented.
Earlier, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that four to five more power projects in the State had been identified for execution by NHPC. He said the survey of these projects had been completed and several meetings with the central government and within the State held on this issue. He said within three years some under-execution power projects including the Baglihar hydroelectric power project would be commissioned. He said the execution of these projects would generate employment for local people.
The Chief Minister recalled that the late Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi had laid the foundation of the Dul Hasti power project 25 years ago and wanted to have it completed within five years. However, he said the project was delayed due to the then prevailing situation in the State. He said the concerted efforts of the central and State governments had ultimately seen the project completed.
Azad thanked the Prime Minister for announcing a comprehensive package for Kashmiri Pandits and refugees form PoK and Pakistan during his address to the public meeting at Akhnoor yesterday and said that they had heaved a sigh of relief after the announcement. He also thanked Dr. Singh for announcing the central government's initiatives for cross-LoC trade and opening of more routes. He said the PM was taking keen interest in the economic development of J&K and free flow of funds from the central government had helped the State in addressing development problems. He hoped that the liberal central assistance to J&K would continue in future also. |
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