The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee handed over cheques/sanction letters to the first set of about 272 beneficiaries for employment/self-employment schemes in various sectors, including handicrafts, wool and sericulture etc., at Srinagar today. The Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was also present on the occasion. On this occasion, the Prime Minister said:

~During my last visit to Jammu and Kashmir in April 2003, I had announced that one lakh employment and self-employment opportunities will be generated in the State and that a Task Force will be set up to work out the details. The Task Force was set up on 23^rd May, 2003 under the Cabinet Secretary. The Task Force has submitted its report and the Centre has taken steps to implement its recommendations.

A break-up of the one lakh employment opportunities will be as follows: -

Total financial commitment to provide one lakh jobs will be Rs.3000 crore. Out of this, Rs.2700 crore will be provided from Budgetary Support and Rs.300 as bank credits, over a period of two years. The sectors under which the employment opportunities are being created are, Textiles, Road & Railways, Small & Medium Industries, IT and Communication, Tourism and Education.~