Mehbooba calls on PM, assured of support for growth

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 22

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is in the national capital, today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She discussed several issues, including various projects, with the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister that all support from the Centre would be available to the state government in an effort to bring around a socio-developmental change in the state.

The implementation of the Agenda of Alliance in the state was also discussed in the meeting and the Chief Minister pressed for taking time-bound steps for its effective implementation.

Requesting the Prime Minister for expediting the flood protection works, she sought immediate mobilisation of resources by the Dredging Corporation of India and the Union ministry concerned for expeditious dredging of the Jhelum river and completion of other flood protection works.

Mehbooba also sought speeding up of work on the Vailoo-Singhpora and Mughal Road tunnel projects by way of periodic release of funds and requisite technical help from the Central Government agencies. She apprised him of the need to declare Mughal Road as an alternative National Highway in view of the frequent climatic obstructions on the only road link between Jammu and Srinagar.

Besides, the Chief Minister also requested the Prime Minister to declare the stretch from Basohli to Pul Doda on the Lakhanpur-Mahanpur-Basohli-Dunera road as a new National Highway and initiate the project for a tunnel at Chattergalla for providing additional surface connectivity to the state with the rest of the country.

Seeking adequate funding for raising another battalion of women’s wing in J&K Police’s executive cadre, she also requested funding from the Centre for constructing additional dwelling units of transit accommodation for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

The Chief Minister sought extension of the special dispensation of 50 per cent quota for the state services’ officers to the three all-India services of IAS, IPS and IFS beyond 2013.

Modi assured Mehbooba that the issues raised by her would be expeditiously looked into and speeded up for early resolution and disposal.