PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTURE STATEMENT
AT SRINAGAR
Following
is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s
departure statement at Srinagar today:
"During
my two-day visit to the Valley, I held discussions with the Chief
Minister, his Council of Ministers and representatives of a cross
section of the society. I also attended the Inter-State Council
meeting at Srinagar.
I had announced a
series of programmes and projects for economic development of
the State during my last two visits to Jammu & Kashmir in
May 2002 and April 2003. Package I announced in May 2002 will
involve expenditure of Rs. 8,519 crore and Package II involves
Rs.6,425 crore. Total cost of the two packages is Rs.14,944 crore
out of which Rs.9,184 crore has already been sanctioned. The Centre
is closely monitoring the implementation of these two packages.
Before I left Delhi, I had reviewed the progress of these schemes.
I am happy to note that all the Ministries and Departments are
taking full interest in the implementation of this scheme.
The Package-I announced
in May 2002 has 26 schemes for development of rail and road communication,
increased employment potential, enhanced relief to migrants and
strengthening security in the State. Out of these 26 schemes,
10 have been implemented and remaining 16 are at various stages
of implementation. The total cost of these schemes is Rs.8519.82
crore, out of which Rs.1533.34 crore has already been released.
The work on all the schemes is going on satisfactorily. The railway
line upto Udampur will be completed by 31st March 2004
and upto Katra by 31st March 2005. As promised, the
first train will reach valley by 15th August 2007.
Work on Railway project in Kashmir Valley is going on satisfactorily.
Rs.100 crore are being provided for development of border areas
annually. Technology Mission for Horticulture has been approved.
Work on Rohtang tunnel, which will link Manali with Darcha-Nimu-Leh
in Jammu & Kashmir, has been started. Enhanced relief to migrants
has been provided and the J&K police force has been given
additional funds for upgrading hospitals, establishment of schools
and training centres for rehabilitation of widows of police personnel.
The Package II, which
was announced in April 2003, is also under implementation and
contains 10 schemes, of which one has been implemented and other
9 are at various stages of implementation. The total cost of the
package is Rs.6,425 crore out of which Sewa II Project of Rs.665
crore has been sanctioned on 21.8.2003. It will cost Rs.3000 crore.
The Task Force for generating employment opportunities has submitted
its report. The Centre is ready to implement the Report. Baglihar
hydro power project (Rs.3,800 crore) is under implementation by
the State Government. About Rs.1600 crore has been spent by State
Government. Additional Rs.2,200 crore bank funds will be tied
within one month. With the concessions given by the State Government,
the Project is now viable. Specific attention is being paid to
promotion of tourism and upgradation of tourism infrastructure
and assistance to the State Government for development of the
power sector.
A status report
on the implementation of various schemes of these two packages
is being circulated separately".