news details |
|
|
| Azad emerges powerful | | PM releases Rs 1.57 billion for J&K earthquake victims | |
B L KAK
NEW DELHI, NOV 9
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has created history of sorts, with successfully carrying the Union governmrnt in support of those adversely affected by the 2005 earthquake in his home State. Following Azad's interactions with men of consequence in Delhi's power corridors, the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh has released an ad hoc grant of Rs 1.57 billion for relief and the construction of permanent shelters for those afected in the least year's earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir.
The announcement of the release of the ad hoc grant was made on Thursday at a meeting, which was convened to review the progress of the reconstruction plan for Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, held at the instance of the Prime Minister, was also atended by Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, T.K.A. Nair, Member-Secretary of the Planning Commission R.R. Shah, Home Secretary V.K. Duggal, Road Transport and Highways Secretary, Vijay Singh, Expenditure Secretary, Sanjeev Mishra, and Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority, Rakesh Nath. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister was assisted by his Finance and Planning Minister, Tariq Hamid Qarra, and the Chief Secretary, C. Phunsog.
The amount released by the Prime Minister, it was officially stated at the end of the meeting, would also be used for the reconstruction of infrastructure, including roads, schools and hospitals, in some of the worst quake hit areas in Jammu and Kashmir. Nearly 1,400 people died in Jammu and Kashmir with reports that 80 percent of houses in the Uri sector alone were destroyed, rendering thousands homeless. A sum of Rs.5.43 billion had already been sanctioned during the time of the quake.
In the review meeting, it was decided that the J&K government's request for taking up the Pakal Dul hydroelectric project under the State sector rather than through the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) would be considered so more power could be drawn from it. An additional 70 MW of power would be made available to the State this winter compared to the previous one, said a statement. The Prime Minister also asked the Central Electricity Authority and the Power Ministry to quickly tie up adequate provision of power for the coming winter in the Kashmir Valley.
Identifying education as an area deserving more attention and resources, it was decided that 10 new degree colleges and five Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) would be established under the reconstruction plan. It was noted that there had been a positive response generated following the establishment of 14 degree colleges and nine ITIs earlier this year.
This apart, Jammu and Kashmir State would also be given special allowance for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the government's flagship programme to universalise elementary education, and be provided central share funds to the extent of 90 percent instead of the current 75 percent.
The Prime Minister directed the Planning Commission to look into ways of addressing the requirement of funds for strengthening district hospitals, improving road connectivity and meeting rehabilitation costs associated with the Dal Lake Conservation Project.
It was also decided that support to the State under the Reconstruction Plan would continue for one additional year till 2008-09. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
