Akhnoor (Jammu), April 25
Emphasising his government’s resolve and responsibility to control constantly rising inflation, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, however, felt the need of strengthening Indo-Pak ties to control, what he claimed, to be a global phenomenon.
Regarding refugees from West Pakistan and PoK he said that a comprehensive package of Rs 50 crore would soon be doled out, but maintained a studded silence on their fundamental rights.
“Inflation has become a global phenomenon and the entire world is facing problems due to price rise. India and Pakistan should come closer and jointly fight it,” he said.
The Prime Minister who on the first day of his two-day long visit to the state addressed a public gathering after inaugurating a bridge over river Chenab in Akhnoor said, “our government’s priority has been
to uplift the state economically, by providing better road connectivity and today’s inauguration of the bridge is a step towards it.”
He said that the recommendations made by four of the five working groups would be implemented shortly.
“Round table conferences were held and five working groups were made to solve the problems of the people, four groups have submitted their reports which were discussed at various levels and the recommendations they made would be implemented soon,” the Prime Minister said.
What seemed to be a speech aimed to attract voters for the upcoming assembly and Parliamentary elections, the Prime Minister made various promises in his speech, “The government has been contemplating on giving a government job each to the terrorism-affected families, however, if a job is not feasible then an ex gratia to the tune of Rs 5 lakh would be given, we have accepted this proposal sent to us by state government,” Singh said.
He said that a Kashmir rehabilitation council had been constituted which had recommended increasing the monthly honorarium given to widows from Rs 500 to Rs 750 per month; he said that the government would provide financial assistance to the children who lost their parents to terrorism in the state.
Speaking about the migrants who left the valley after the outbreak of the armed insurgency, he said, “Kashmir has always been a hub of secularism, but in the past 20 years around 50,000 families migrated from there and now it is our duty to provide support to them.” Adding, he said “many such families had to sell their properties at a throwaway prices, the government would identity land in the valley and form housing societies and the family that returns would be given Rs 7.5 lakh.” He said the families who had been getting relief package from the government, on their return would continue to get the package for two years. He said that the government had decided to extend a waiver of interest over loans taken by migrants before their migration from the valley.
Regarding refugees from West Pakistan and Pakistan- occupied Kashmir he said that a special package worth Rs 50 crore was underway to mitigate their problems.
Speaking on the improvement in the Indo-Pak relations, Singh said, “Misunderstanding between the two nations is fading as a permanent friendship is the only solution, our trade ties are improving. Last year we recorded three times increase in the trade which crossed $2 billion.”
