Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM's opening remarks at the Press Conference at Srinagar

"I have come to the end of a productive and fruitful visit to Kashmir.

I had very good discussions with the Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah and his cabinet colleagues yesterday. We took stock of the development efforts in various sectors and discussed ways and means of expediting the implementation of various central projects.

I had wide ranging discussions with all major political parties in the State and various sections of civil society. I made an appeal yesterday for dialogue and I hope that it will be reciprocated in the spirit in which it was made. We have to carry all stakeholders with us to achieve a permanent and peaceful reconciliation in Jammu & Kashmir so that we can concentrate on an ambitious development agenda that will lead to a full economic revival and reconstruction and create lot more jobs for the young people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir is blessed with rich endowments of resources, natural beauty and a young population that yearns for a better and more secure future. Whether it is in the area of infrastructure, employment, or its traditional economy the State must not only keep pace with the rest of the country but should be ahead of it. Over the past few years, the Government of India has committed unprecedented resources for the development of J&K.

I am particularly happy that I was able to inaugurate the rail link between Anantnag and Qazigund. This was a longstanding aspiration of the people of J&K and I am confident that this link will open new horizons in the development of this beautiful State.

Earlier this month, following my directive, the Union Cabinet Secretary accompanied by thirteen Secretaries to the Government of India visited the State. The first priority is to tone up the administrative machinery so that development projects can be effectively implemented on the ground and the fruits of development reach the common man.

The power sector is critical for the development of the State. The Union Power Ministry will set up a special monitoring group for the power sector in J&K, involving the Union Ministry of Finance, the Planning Commission and the State Government. I have assured the State government that the Government of India would allocate up to 500 MW of power in the winter months to J&K depending on the load pattern and the emergent requirements of the State. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has prepared a Renewable Energy Plan for Ladakh region to minimize the use of kerosene, diesel and firewood.

I spoke yesterday about the enormous possibilities of making the State into one of the world's top tourist destinations. We have decided to commit additional funds of more than Rs. 350 crores for the rehabilitation of the Dal and Nigeen Lakes. 200 youth will be trained and deployed as tourist escorts for the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath yatras. Yesterday I announced the launch of the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-System. We will make all efforts to protect the Himalayan glaciers.

I also made an appeal to the youth of the State to lend their hand in the development of the state.

We have decided that the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs will enroll and deploy around 8,000 young persons as volunteers on an honorarium basis. They can engage productively in public service, such as in the conservation of Dal Lake. The Ministry of Tourism will train up to 300 young persons under the scheme "Hunar Se Rozgar Tak". The Ministry of Labour will arrange to host up to 8000 youth from the State each year in various ITIs to take advantage of the modular skill development programmes in sectors with high employment potential.

We will continue to give priority to developing the physical infrastructure of the State. We will provide additional funds to ensure the timely completion of the Mughal road at a revised cost of about Rs.640 crores. We have earmarked Rs.125 crore to upgrade urban infrastructure in important towns in the Valley like Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Sopore during the current year.

Industrial revival is critical for the revival of the economy and to increase employment opportunities for our youth. Dastakari, Handicrafts and Textiles are at the core of J&K's economy. The Government of India will favourably consider the request of the State Government to provide financial assistance for the replacement of 40,000 carpet looms in the State over a period of five years.

I had a very good interaction with the officers and men of the paramilitary forces and the J&K police. The responsibility for maintaining law and order in the State will increasingly devolve on the J&K police. I commend the brave and heroic efforts of the security forces under very adverse circumstances. We have raised the standards of accountability and transparency in their working in order to enhance public trust and confidence.

I return today to Delhi fully satisfied with my visit. I believe that a new chapter is opening in the peace process in the State and we are turning a corner. We will extend full support to the efforts of the State Government to fulfill the high expectations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir."