M A I N   N E W S

Rs 400 cr increase in J&K Annual Plan

Srinagar, April 18
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today announced a Rs 400 crore increase in the annual plan outlay for Jammu and Kashmir during the current fiscal year and assured the state of “all Central help” in tapping its hydel power potential.

Making the announcement at a meeting of representatives of the Chambers and Commerce from Jammu and Srinagar, Mr Vajpayee said the Plan outlay of the state would be increased from Rs 2200 crore to Rs 2600 crore, an increase of 19 per cent.

The Prime Minister also announced that the prestigious Dul Hasti Power Project would be completed this year and said the state would get 12 per cent free power from the project.

Mr Vajpayee said the 10th Five-Year-Plan was being finalised and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had already projected the requirement of the state.

The Sayeed is slated to hold a meeting with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K.C. Pant next week for finalising the annual plan outlay for the state.

“The Centre is helping the state government in every manner,” Mr Vajpayee said.

He said the state had tremendous hydel power potential and it would be discussed between the state and Central governments in the coming days.

Taking a dig at some political parties going for populist actions like promising free electricity to farmers to win elections, the Vajpayee said in a democracy it was important to win elections but one should not make unrealistic promises.

During the meeting, he also enquired about extending mobile phone facility to the state and he was told that the cellular revolution was expected to come soon. PTI