CM asks for release of power reform grant, implementation of PMRP-2
By News Agency of Kashmir
New Delhi : Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had a detailed meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh here last evening during which they discussed issues relating to the economy of Jammu & Kashmir including power reform grant, Prime Minister’s reconstruction plan and setting up of a 1000 MW thermal power project.
The Chief Minister took up with Dr. Singh the issue of power reform grant for 2007-08, the release of which has been delayed so far to the State. The Prime Minister assured him that the grant would be released within next two to three days.
The whole issue of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP), Phase 2, based on the report of the high level Task Force set up by the PM under Dr. C. Rangarajan, was also discussed in detail. The meeting deliberated on how to operationalise and implement the report of the Rangarajan Committee as Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, Phase 2. The Prime Minister asked the State government to take up the matter with the Planning Commission for working out its implementation. In the course of two to three months the government would start working on the implementation of Rangarajan Committee report as PMRP, Phase 2.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing PMRP, Phase 1. The State government sought some restructuring of resources earmarked for power sector. It may be recalled that out of the total Rs. 24,000 crore PMRP, Rs. 18,000 crore were earmarked for power. The Chief Minister sought to restructure the Rs. 18,000 crore allocation to make it more suitable for J&K. The Prime Minister asked the State officials to sit with the Planning Commission and PMO and see how it could be done.
The setting up of a 1000 MW thermal power project at Udhampur was also discussed. The project, moved by the State government, has already received the nod from the union ministry for power. The Prime Minister liked the idea and said he would like to see the work on the project started soon.
The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to formally inaugurate the Dul-Hasti hydroelectric project. Dr. Singh assured him that he would be visiting the State at the earliest convenience for the inauguration of the 390 MW project.
The meeting was also attended by Economic Advisor to J&K Government, Dr. Haseeb Drabu, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, B. B. Vyas and Joint Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office, Sanjay Mitra.
Later, the Chief Minister had a one on one meeting with the Prime Minister on political situation. They also discussed implementation of the recommendations of Working Groups on Jammu & Kashmir and the recent elections held in Pakistan.