Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan Singh calls for a new beginning in Kashmir

RS. 24,000 CRORE DEVELOPMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR JAMMU & KASHMIR FOR 2004-08

IMMEDIATE CREATION OF OVER 24,000 NEW JOBS, OVER A LAKH MORE JOBS IN NEW PROJECTS

On the first day of his two day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said in Srinagar that he was in there to "reach out to the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir" and to help assist the long-term development of the State. De. Singh asked all sections of society to join together in the building of a "New Kashmir".

Dr. Singh said, "I have come to you to say that we can make that new beginning, with dignity and self- respect. Every one of us has a right to live a life of dignity and self-respect. That is our commitment to each and every individual."

He reiterated his government's commitment to "an unconditional dialogue with anyone and everyone in the State who abjures violence." However, he said, "Kashmir cannot wait until these dialogues arrive at a satisfactory solution. The challenge is to begin peace building in Kashmir now. I want the journey of development to begin here and now."

Calling for a "new vision of development for Jammu and Kashmir", the PM said, "Kashmir needs financial resources. Kashmir needs physical infrastructure, Kashmir needs better connectivity in all directions."

Dr. Singh said he was visiting Kashmir not with a "package" but with a "plan". A plan to reconstruct the economy, reform the government, regenerate entrepreneurship, revitalise the institutions of civil society and redefine the political paradigm and context in the sub-continent."

The Prime Minister declared the Central government's support for a four year Plan for Development and Reconstruction of Jammu and Kashmir amounting to Rs. 24,000 crore for the period 2004-08. He also called for a major programme of economic reform and reform of governance. The people want a government that is efficient, transparent and free of corruption, he said.

The aim of this Development and Reconstruction Plan would be to convert the J&K economy into a normal, well functioning, dynamic and entrepreneuriallly active economy. The plan would revitalise the state's ailing tourism industry, create new capabilities, generate self-employment opportunities as well as new avenues for salaried and professional employment. The successful implementation of the plan would require improved governance, transparent and corruption free administration, peace, security and the rule of law, fiscal responsibility and the economic pricing of public utilities.

The details of this Plan will be published. The programme and projects for Jammu region and the State as a whole will be made public at Jammu on the 18^th November 2004. Given below are the approved programmes and projects for the Kashmir and Ladakh regions only.

KASHMIR REGION

Power:

1.      Electrification of all villages across the State by 2007

2. Connections to all households assured by 2009
3. Uri-II hydro-electric Power Project(240 MW)
4. Kishanganga hydro-electric power projects (330MW)
5. Micro hydro-electric projects

Roads:

1.      Srinagar-Uri-LoC Road upgradation

2. Khanabal-Pehalgam
3. Narbal-Tangmarg Road

Education:

1.      Six new degreee colleges (Budgam, Beerwah, Pattan, Bandipore, Sopore,

Dooru)

2. Five Women's ITIs (Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kupwara, Baramulla)
3. Salary support for 8000 teachers for State Government Programme for

teaching of English Language in primary schools across the States.

1.      Training for BPO jobs in IT sector.

Urban Development:

1.      Modernisation of Srinagar Airport; to be upgraded to international airport.

2. Sewerage and drainage for greater Srinagar.

 

Tourism:

1. Dal Lake Conservation Project

2. Wular Lake Conservation Project

3. Four Tourism Development Authorities(Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Kokernag, Sonamarg)
4. Construction of Tourist Villages
5. Marketing and Professional support programmes for travel agents.
6. Training support for tourism and hospitality industry professionals
7. Financial support for courses at Institute of Hotel Management ,Srinagar

Agriculture:

1.Horticulture industry support programmes.

Other Initiatives:

1.Rehabilitaiton and relief for dislocated and bereaved

families(migrants and refugees from terrorist violence and victims

of terrorist attacks).

2.Increase in frequency of flights and seat capacity

between Srinagar and Kargil, with more seats available for

civilians.

3. Construction of shelters along international border/line of control for protection of farmers from attacks by infiltrators.

LADAKH REGION

Power:

1. Srinagar-Leh 220KV transmission line
2. Several micro hydro-electric projects

Roads:

1. Double-laning of Srinagar-Leh Road via Kargil
2. Construction of Nemo-Padam-Darcha Road

Education:

1. Total literacy in region
2. Salary support for English language teachers

Health:

1. Construction of health centres.
2. Anganwadi in every habitation (approx 6817)

Other Infrastructures:

1. Increase in frequency of flights and seat capacity between Srinagar and Kargil with more seats available for civilians
2. Construction of Model Villages
3. Untied Grants for Autonomous Hill Development Councils for Leh & Kargil

Tourism:

1. Two Tourism Development Centres at Leh & Kargil
2. Conservation of Lake Tsomoriri
3. ]Construction of Tourist villages
4. Marketing and Professional support programmes for travel agents.
5. Training support for tourism and hospitality industry professionals.
6. Financial support for courses at institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar

Agriculture:

1.Horticulture industry support programmes

2.Construction of cold storages at Leh and Kargil

3.Subsidy for setting up solar driers

Industry:

1. Expert Group on issues relating to shahtoosh
2. Compensation for industries used by security forces.

Speaking at the Shere-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science, the Prime Minister said:

 

"I am convinced that Kashmir will find peace and prosperity within a framework of pluralism and of unity in diversity. I come with the assurance that Kashmir is safe in our hearts and in our minds and should, therefore, feel safe in our secular, plural and democratic framework."

Dr. Manmohan Singh concluded his speech with the words:

" You, the young men and women of Kashmir, have an enormous stake in the collective future of our diverse sub-continent. India is many things to many people, but it is home for us all. The land of our birth, of our dreams and our destiny. Come join me in this new adventure of building a new India and a new Kashmir."

At a public meeting in Srinagar the Prime Minister said:

 

I have no pre-conditions, if your heart is clear, your intentions honest, your desire genuine. I have no pre-conditions save this that you come in peace so that we can give peace a chance. I appeal to the government in Jammu and Kashmir, to the political parties here, to civil society groups, to those outside the political system to come forward and tell me how we can realize this dream of building a New Kashmir. My government assures you that in this sacred endeavour we will move forward with all of you with honesty and sincerity. Brothers and sisters, I appeal to you to strengthen my hands so that we can all move forward and reach our common destination.