JOIN USThe Centre on Tuesday sanctioned another Rs 2,437 crore for reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir this year.
This is in addition to the Rs 2,602 crore that had been released last year by the government to help the state in relief and rehabilitation work. With this, a total amount allocated for Jammu and Kashmir would be Rs 5,039 crore.
Addressing a press conference to announce the flood relief package, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley highlighted government giving high priority for developing the state.
“Last year, Rs 2,602 crore had been released last year. Other than this, Rs 2,437 crore will be released this year,” Jaitley said.
He said a team of Niti Aayog’s Chief Executive Officer and Finance Ministry’s Expenditure Secretary would soon visit Jammu and Kashmir to recommend long term development vision of the state.
“We will make a larger development plan. The officials will discuss with the state and give their views to the Centre on areas like power, highway, education, tourism and health services. The schemes which we have tentatively announced and some more which may be there, that will be decided later,” Jaitley said, adding special attention will be given to the state.
Singh said law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly improved and an ideal situation is emerging gradually for carrying out development activities.
Jaitley said this year’s allocation includes Rs 838 crore on account of pending liabilities of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan 2014, Rs 551 crore additional ex-gratia relief for repair and reconstruction of damaged kuccha houses, Rs 172 crore for tourism sector, Rs 59 crore as subsidy for providing additional food grains and Rs 47 crore for repair of damaged roads.