By IANS,
Jammu: Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Monday sought the early implementation by the central government of the recommendations made by the prime minister’s working groups on strengthening the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing the resolve of his party to make the state economically self-reliant, Sayeed demanded the implementation of the recommendations of the working group headed by Reserve Bank of India’s former governor C. Rangarajan on economic reconstruction.
“For making Jammu and Kashmir an economically viable state, it is necessary to implement recommendations of C. Rangarajan,” said Sayeed while addressing a public meeting at Ramban, 150 km north of Jammu.
Rangarajan recommended that the control over two of the hydro-electric projects, Dul Hasti and Salal, be handed over by the central government to Jammu and Kashmir.
Both the projects are located on the Chenab river that flows through the Jammu region.
Sayeed regretted that despite having huge water resources, the state had to depend on the central government for economic development.
He said that according to a rough estimate, the state would earn up to Rs.50,000 crore annually through proper utilisation of its natural resources.
“It is unfortunate that successive National Conference regimes in the state have bartered natural resources by signing unfair agreements, just for the lust of power,” Sayeed said.
The PDP was a ruling alliance partner when five working groups constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh submitted their reports.