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| PM Announces Sops Worth Rs 1,000 Cr | | Promises respect to human rights; Says dialogue process can be extended | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, June 8: Winding up his two-day visit on a positive note, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today assured Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah of his full cooperation. Besides announcing sops to the tune of Rs 1000 crore, the Prime Minister took serious note of human rights violations in the state.
The Prime Minister, who had a one-on-one meeting with the Chief Minister before leaving for Delhi, took note of complaints relating to human rights.
Visiting the state amid allegations of fake encounters, Singh sent out a firm message to security forces, saying "the government policy is to protect human rights of the people even when dealing with terrorism.
"The security forces in J&K have been strictly instructed to respect the rights of civilians. We will act to remove any deficiency in the implementation of these instructions," he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome three round table conferences, the Prime Minister said the recommendations of these deliberations were being implemented in a step-wise manner.
Making a fresh offer of talks with those groups who shun violence, he said the process of talks could be extended.
The Prime Minister, who reviewed developmental activities in the state with the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues, noted that J&K was "doing well" on flagship programmes.
The Prime Minister ordered restoration of cuts amounting to about Rs 400 crore to the state plan outlay for 2009-10. He also announced that the Centre has decided to dispense with the cut-back of Rs 691 crore in the current year's outlay in the reconstruction plan, PM's Media Adviser said in a statement.
"Things have improved considerably, fund utilisation is better, but much more remains to be done," said Singh winding up his two-day visit to the state during which he held discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and interacted with leaders of various political parties.
The Prime Minister ordered restoration of cuts amounting to about Rs 400 crore to the state plan outlay for 2009-10. He also announced that the Centre has decided to dispense with the cut-back of Rs 691 crore in the current year's outlay in the reconstruction plan, PM's Media Adviser said in a statement.
Complimenting the Chief Minister for providing "dynamic leadership" to the state administration, the Prime Minister observed, "it is heartening to note that the state government has gone in for tariff-based bids even for hydro projects".
The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister of financial support for the state government including on account of difficulties in implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission award, the statement said.
Singh also mentioned that the Ministry of Rural Development will assist the state government in setting up self-help groups of women belonging to Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will provide additional allocation to take forward the schemes that use local community-based volunteers for delivery of health and education to these nomadic groups.
Three cultural centres including folk museums and auditoria will be set up by the Culture Ministry for Pahadi, Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities, along with computer laboratories in selected schools for these groups.
Singh expressed his disappointment that a section of the state government employees often respond to bandh calls by separatist groups and fail to discharge their duty in the service of the people, the statement said. "Such employees neither do justice to their job but also subject the people to inconvenience", he said.
Abdullah informed the Prime Minister and the delegation comprising Union Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Farooq Abdullah that elections to Panchayat and other local bodies will be completed by the year-end.
He told Singh about difficulties in utilizing Rs 24,000 crore Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan which includes 67 projects covering 11 sectors of economy.
The plan includes the projects or schemes aimed at expanding economic infrastructure and the provision of the basic services, imparting a thrust to employment and income generation and providing relief and rehabilitation for the dislocated persons and families of victims of militancy.
On development initiatives, the CM referred to Sher-i-Kashmir Employment Welfare Programme for youth, J&K Right to Information Act, 2009, Chief Ministers Grievance Cell, reconstitution of Accountability Commission, constitution of Kisan Board and re-energising of State Women Commission.
He also mentioned new Pension Scheme, settlement of 21,217 cases through 551 mega and 216 other lok adalats, commitment of the Government for holding Local Body and Panchayat elections and Letter of Intent for 690 MW rattle Hydroelectric Project on tariff based bidding.
Omar said the State registered highest ever plan expenditure of Rs 5281 crore in 2009-10 and that high level of expenditure of Rs 732.47 crores has been achieved under PMRP last year.
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