Mufti govt to take measures for rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees

Jammu: Measures to assist West Pakistan refugees and victims of cross border firing, formulating regional development plans, upgrading towns and inclusion of Jammu and Srinagar in Centre’s smart cities project are among the slew of issues included in the common agenda by BJP and PDP.

It also said the state government will work with the Union government to explore modalities for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri Hydro Power Projects to J&K as suggested by the Rangarajan Committee Report and the Round Table Reports.

“(The government will) take measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan Refugees,” the 16 page document ‘Agenda of the Alliance’ of PDP-BJP government which was released by Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed today, said here.

There shall be a steering committee comprising of the President of PDP and BJP, and four members each from the parties for overseeing the implementation of the Agenda.

The document, which is guiding framework for governance of the coalition government in J&K, favoured extension of all benefits accruing to the people living on the LoC to the people living on the International Border.

For the deprived groups, the coalition government will work out a one-time settlement for refugees from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir of 1947, 1965 and 1971, it said.

The government will extend all benefits accruing to the people living on the LoC to the people living on the International Border, it said.

“Make the families of the victims in cross-border firing qualify for benefits given under SRO-43. Construct shelters in vulnerable areas on the LoC and the IB to prevent loss of life,” he said.

“Give ST status to Kollis, Chopans and Paharis. Create a Scheduled Tribe Ministry for the welfare of the STs. Constitute a Delimitation Commission for the delimiting of Legislative Assembly Constituencies as required by law,” it

The document said that in order to address the real source of J&K’s fiscal problem and pave the way for making it a fiscally autonomous state, the state government will work with the union government to explore modalities for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri Hydro Power Projects to J&K as suggested by the Rangarajan Committee Report and the Round Table Reports.

“Government will secure a share in the profits of NHPC emanating from J&K waters to the state government and revise all royalty agreements”, it said.

“Centre to allot a dedicated coal mine in Madhya Pradesh to J&K with coal reserves of not less than 150 MMT for setting up a pit head thermal plant with equity support from government of India,” it said.

“Restructure and strengthen the Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited as a holding company for all hydropower Projects in the state. Ensure J&K a share in one of the six Ultra Mega Thermal Power Projects”, it said.

Formulate regional development plans to ensure that each region has a specific and focused economic activity that spurs development in the sphere of crafts and tourism, hydropower, non-conventional energy, wind energy, bio-technology, agriculture, manufacturing and trade, it said.

The document said government will frame a system of criteria-based allocation of financial resources across all three regions. This will be done to ensure equitable distribution and balanced development, it said.

In addition, some key developmental initiatives will be will be taken ie–creating model business villages. For example to build a Model Basmati Village in Jammu and a Model Apple Village in Kashmir, it said.

It said that government will be developing two mega cities: Greater Srinagar and Greater Jammu along with that develop two satellite cities of New Srinagar and New Jammu. it will upgrade all towns with population size of 30,000 to 99,999 into cities.

It will be facilitating growth of panchayat economy through promotion of panchayat tourism and e-commerce of local produce.

It will develop Jammu as an independent tourism circuit with specific plans for: Suchetgarh-Samba-hiranagar border tourism. Katra-Patnitop-Bhaderwah sector, Parmandal-Utterbeni- Surinsar-Mansar sector. Katra-Majalta-Billawar-Basohli sector. Bani-Sarthal-Jai circuit and Rajouri-Poonch (seven lakes) sector.

It also talked about enhancing connectivity by building Basohli-Bani- Bhaderwah road.

In the Valley, it will rebuild shehr-e-khas as a heritage destination by dovetailing craft, heritage and tourism and making Dal lake a world heritage site. Develop, preserve and promote the Dogra heritage and Ladakh’s Hemis festival.

“Till such time the new development paradigm takes shape and yields fruits, the coalition government will take specific measures to ease day to day life which includes rehabilitation and relief for the Flood Affected victims and their families, The government of India (GoI) must fully fund the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan,” it said.

The government will include Srinagar and Jammu in the Smart Cities announced in this year’s budget. In the allotted budget of Rs 2,000 crores as part of urban renewal, GoI must include Jammu and Srinagar, it said.

“For a period of five years, classify all commercial bank lendings in the state as priority sector lendings and Debt waivers for write-offs that banks offer to the flood victims to qualify under the CSR expenditure of corporate organisations mandated under the Companies Act,” the document said.

Government will grant subsidised rate of interest on all “rehabilitation and reconstruction loans” besides Debt relief for Kisan Credit Card and Artisan Credit Card holders.

A set of special fiscal and financial incentives will be sought from the Union Government to support and strengthen industry and tourism in the state.

It also promised improved power supply throughout the year.

Adequate provisions of ration in all rural and semi-urban areas even if on a no-profit and no-loss basis. A special fully funded employment package for educated and semi-skilled youth for engendering.

It also aimed at 100 per cent female literacy and primary healthcare facilities to the people.

A special initiative in the form of a Prime Minister’s Regional Development Plan to catalyse sub-regional development by earmarking 2 per cent of revenues from hydropower for the development of the Chenab region.

It spoke of setting up of a new specialised high tech IT park and bio tech parks in Jammu and Pir Panchal. Food and Textile park in Kathua district. Setting up of a Mega fruit mandi in Kashmir. Setting up a super speciality, AIIMS in the valley.

Constructing a tunnel on the Mughal road for better connectivity and alternative routing. Developing a Ring road around Jammu city for decongestion of traffic. Develop Ranjit Sagar, Mansar, Wular and Suruinsar lakes.

Cleaning and beautification of the Jehlum and Tawi on the pattern of Ganga. Special water bodies plan to preserve identified water bodies in Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh. Cleaning, revival and preservation of Doodh Ganga and Chenab rivers.

PTI