PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT ON BOOSTING
PEACE INITIATIVES IN J& K, NAGALAND AND MIZORAM
FOCUS ON
ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND ENLARGING EMPLOYMENT
The Prime Minister
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has underlined that sustained development
is the only key to an enduring peace process. In a statement issued
in New Delhi today, Shri Vajpayee extended a ‘peace bonus’ converting
the Rs.365-crore ‘Ways and Means’ loan to a ‘one-time grant’ to
Nagaland. He also detailed various new steps to encourage economic
activity and enlarge employment particularly in Jammu & Kashmir,
Nagaland and Mizoram. Following is the full text of the Prime
Minister’s statement:
"Recognising
the substantial progress that has been made in the peace process
in J&K, Nagaland and Mizoram, the Centre has taken several
new steps to encourage economic activity and to enlarge employment
there.
J&K has had a
peaceful election, the Naga peace process has also attained momentum.
This needs to be sustained. The key to an enduring peace is all
round and sustainable development.
I am glad, therefore,
to note that Jammu & Kashmir has presented a zero deficit
budget. This is significant coming as it does after deficit budgets
born of strife and insurgency. This has been made possible by
a Central assistance of Rs. 2, 950 crore, that I have sanctioned
for the State. This is also an increase in Central assistance
to J&K in 2003-2004 of Rs. 750 crore.
Similarly, I
have now decided to extend a ‘peace bonus’ to Nagaland. An amount
of Rs. 365 crore, extended to Nagaland as Ways and Means loans,
will now be converted into a ‘one time grant’. This will enable
the State to meet all its past liabilities. It will also result
in an annual interest savings of Rs. 44 crore by the State. Nagaland
should now be able to devote its efforts to schemes and policies
aimed at poverty alleviation and balanced economic development.
In the year 2000,
I had announced a somewhat similar package to Mizoram. This involved
conversion of Rs. 100 crore of loan owed to the Government of
India into an outright grant. This has imparted a degree of stability
to the State’s finances and given major impetus to developmental
efforts.
There is only
one key to an enduring peace process, it is sustainable development."
