J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Nabard asked to clear pending projects
JAMMU, Dec 5 — The PWD Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, said yesterday that the state had made good progress during the past three years with the assistance of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

Decline in violence, says DGP
JAMMU, Dec 5 — The DGP, Mr A.K. Suri, speaking at a reception hosted by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce here last evening to felicitate him, he said, “If infiltration from across the border stops, militancy will come to an end and peace will be assured”.

Farooq welcomes Pak move
SRINAGAR, Dec 5 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said the Prime Minister’s ceasefire decision is steadily progressing.

Nabard asked to clear pending projects
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 5 — The PWD Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, said yesterday that the state had made good progress during the past three years with the assistance of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

Addressing a meeting convened here to discuss problems relating to the submission of projects and release of funds by Nabard, Mr Sagar said steps were under way to widen the road network in remote and far-flung areas.

During the past three years, of the 297 projects submitted to Nabard 210 had been cleared with a loan assistance of Rs 310 crore, of which an amount of Rs 78 crore had so far been released.

The minister asked Nabard officials to clear pending projects as early as possible.

In the irrigation sector, Nabard had sanctioned five projects at an estimated cost of Rs 62 crore, he said.

The Principal Secretary, PWD, the General Manager, Nabard and the Joint Development Commissioner, PWD, were among those attended the meeting.

Decline in violence, says DGP

JAMMU, Dec 5 (UNI) — The DGP, Mr A.K. Suri, speaking at a reception hosted by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce here last evening to felicitate him, he said, “If infiltration from across the border stops, militancy will come to an end and peace will be assured”.

He said Ramzan ceasefire being enforced in the state had kindled a new hope for peace. Expressing optimism over the success of the Prime Minister’s peace initiative, he said the state would have to face a difficult situation if Pakistan did not stop infiltration.

The DGP said the security forces and the police would take every possible step to contain militancy, but people should also cooperate in preventing loss of life and property by providing timely inputs.

He claimed there had been a significant decline in militant-related violence after the peace initiative was announced.

Farooq welcomes Pak move
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Dec 5 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said the Prime Minister’s ceasefire decision is steadily progressing.

Addressing a public meeting at the mausoleum of late Sheikh Mohammad on his 95th birth anniversary, Dr Abdullah said Pakistan’s decision to stop firing on borders was a positive and welcome change. The Chief Minister said some vested interests would try to disrupt this process.

He said the final settlement would be around the Line of Control and there would be no division of the state on regional basis. He called for free movement of people on both sides of the Line of Control to ensure peace.