NEWDELHI: The newly created department for Kashmir affairs has swung into action to accelerate developmental activities and to repair the damage caused by five years of militancy, particularly in the Kashmir valley.

‘The two track policy of crushing militancy and winning over people appears to have yielded desired results, official sources felt. This is part of the ongoing efforts to hold elections in the troubled valley, Cabinet Secretary Surendra Singh, special emissary K. R. Venugopal another officials have already visited the valley, on directions from the Prime Minister, to study the ground realities.

The main thrust is on effective implementation of developmental programs, which can affect the lives of people. The programs include repair of damaged buildings, roads and bridges, provision of health facilities and implementation of employment oriented programs which can increase the job opportunities.

Consequent to Prime Minister’s orders to expedite developmental work in Jammu and Kashmir, the Center has cleared Rs 950 crore towards planned expenditure. It has also decided not to press the State Government to repay, for the moment, Rs 1,800 crore debts.

The Center has conveyed to the State Government not to consider resources as a constraint while speeding up approved schemes. Creating job opportunities in the state is to receive a top priority and Rs 17 crore has been sanctioned under the Jawahar Hozgar Yojana (IRY) for 199495. Another Rs 6.9 crore have been cleared for the intensive JRY and Rs 57 crore for the employment guarantee scheme, ensuring a minimum 100 days employment to the needy. In addition, Rs 14 crore has been allocated for other self-employment schemes. At the first meeting of the newly created department, the Prime Minister had ordered special survey for extending the railway network in the state particularly in the valley, Jammu Udhampur link for which Rs 50 crore had been sanctioned is to be commissioned in 1996, Work on Rs 150 crore Udhampur Qazigund rail line is also to be expedited.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 25, 1994