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November 18, 2004

Prime Minister 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 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. Dr. 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 that the State needs financial resources, physical infrastructure and 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. 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 entrepreneurially 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.

State-wide initiatives to Boost Employment - Develop Infrastructure

1. Ban on recruitment in government lifted

2. Electrification of all villages across State by 2007

3. Power connections to all households assured by 2009

4. 1000 micro hydroelectric projects across the State

5. Srinagar airport to be made international airport and modernised

6. Raising of five additional India Reserve Battalions for State police (5000 new jobs across the State)

7. New recruitment to CRPF and other security force battalions (5000 new jobs across State)

8. 6817 Anganwadis in every habitation to generate 14,000 employment opportunities for women across the State

9. State-wise coverage of new Central programme for better healthcare

10.Construction of health centers across the State

11.Salary support for 8000 teachers for State Government programme for teaching of English language in primary schools across the State

12.Training for BPO jobs in IT sector

13.50 tourist villages across the State to be built

14.Assistance to travel agents to participate in trade fairs and tours.

15. Compensation for industrial units used by security forces.

The key features of the Plan for each of the three regions of J&K are:

Jammu Region

Power:

1. Early completion of Salal, Duhasti, Baglihar and Sewa II hydroelectric power projects (1302 MW)

2. Pakal Dul project

3. Bursar (1020MW)

4. Strengthening power transmission & distribution network.

 

 

 

Roads:

1. Construction of Mughal Road connecting Rajauri-Poonch with Srinagar

2. Widening of Domel-Katra Road

3. Double-laning of Batote-Kishtwar Road (NH 1B) by 2010

Education:

1. Total literacy in entire region including Poonch & Doda

2. Eight new degree colleges (Akhnoor, R.S. Pura, Samba, Hiranagar, Mahanpur-Billawar, Kathua, Thana Mandi, Mendhar)

3. Four Women's ITIs (Doda, Poonch, Rajouri & Udhampur)

Health:

1. Upgrading health facilities at Jammu Medical College to level of AIIMS.

Urban Development:

1. Sewerage and Drainage for Greater Jammu.

2. Augmenting and improving water supply in Greater Jammu

Tourism:

1. New tourist circuit of Lakhanpur-Basoli-Bani-Bhanderwah-Kishtwar-Sinthan-Srinagar

2. Six Tourism Development Authorities (Patnitop, Baderwah, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Lakhanpal-Sarthal)

3. Construction of Tourist villages

4. Conservation of Manser Lake under National Wetlands Conservation Plan

Agriculture:

1. Horticulture industry support programmes

2. Assistance to agriculture graduates under agri-clinic scheme for self-employment

Other initiatives:

1. Construction of temporary shelters, rebuilding of village infrastructure and repair and restoration of damaged houses for people on the border/LoC with Pakistan

2. Better amenities for Kashmiri migrants

3. Rehabilitation of refugees of 1947 from Pakistan and PoK

 

 

KASHMIR REGION

Power:

1.      Uri-II hydro-electric Power Project(240 MW)

2.      Kishanganga hydro-electric power projects (330MW)

3.      Micro hydro-electric projects

Roads:

1.      Srinagar-Uri-LoC Road upgradation

2.      Khanabal-Pehalgam Road

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

      1. Sewerage and drainage for greater Srinagar

Tourism:

  1.  Dal Lake Conservation Project
  2. Wular Lake Conservation Project
      1. Four Tourism Development Authorities(Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Kokernag, Sonamarg)
      2. Construction of Tourist Villages
      3. Marketing and Professional support programmes for travel agents.
      4. Training support for tourism and hospitality industry professionals
      5. 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. Enhanced outlay for Rehabilitation Council

LADAKH REGION

Power:

1.       Srinagar-Leh 220KV transmission line

Roads:

1.       Double-laning of Srinagar-Leh Road via Kargil

2.       Construction of Nemo-Padam-Darcha Road

Education:

    1. Drive to total literacy in region including Kargil district
    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. Creation of Model Villages with necessary infrastructure
    3. Untied Grants for Autonomous Hill Development Councils for Leh & Kargil
    4. Construction of shelters along international border/line of control for protection of farmers from attacks by infiltrators

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 food storage facilities at Leh and Kargil

3.Subsidy for setting up solar driers

Industry:

    1. Expert Group on issues relating to shahtoosh

This will be closely monitored by a mechanism involving Central and State Government officials and the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister further announced the setting up of a High Power Advisory Council to be headed by an eminent person which would evolve an integrated socio-economic development plan with a long term perspective.