Asserting that peace and tranquility are essential for development Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that peace is gaining roots in the state, and “the year 2012 witnessed lowest incidents of violence in last two decades”. He was, however, quick to add that the incidents like attack on Army in Srinagar need to be stopped completely.
“I want to make it clear that the entire country is united against terrorists and such elements will never succeed in their evil designs,” Prime Minister said while paying homage to the army personnel martyred in Srinagar attack. He said there was a need to instill confidence among the people and ensure their involvement in development and administrative affairs.
The Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi who arrived here this morning from New Delhi were welcomed at the Airport by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Legislators, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad and others.
According to Global News Service, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh after laying the foundation of Prestigious 850 MW GVK Ratle Hydro Power Project being built over Chenab River at Drabshala about 25 Kilometre from this mountainous Township today assured full tapping of Hydel Power potential available in Jammu and Kashmir, besides announced 150 MW additional Power to the state to meet the increased demand of power during the current season.
“The state has already been drawing 1664 MW power from the centre owned generating stations and the centre has decided to give additional 150 MW power to the state to overcome the seasonal power deficiency,” PM said.Second Mega Hydro Power Project in the district and third on River Chenab in Erstwhile Doda District, the 850 MW project is being developed on Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) mode by a Hyderabad based GVK Company and is targeted to be completed in 5 years.
The State Power Development Corporation had invited on Tariff Based International Competitive Bidding for the 850 MW project estimated to be completed at a cost Rs 5500 crore.The PM described the laying of foundation of the new power project in the area as a new beginning in state’s endeavors to harness the huge 14000 MW power potential available in the state. “So far, projects generating only 2500 MW have come up in the state, the Centre and state governments would make every endeavor to tap this huge potential.”
The PM also mentioned that NHPC owned Nimo Bazgo and Chuttak power projects in Ladakh are supplying 89 MW power generated in these projects to the state itself. He also said that the proposed Uri II power project in Baramulla would also be commissioned in near future adding that Rs 1629 crore project to lay Transmission line from Kashmir to Leh is under active consideration of the centre.Dr Singh while mentioning about adoption of five ITIs by National Hydro Power Corporation (NPHC) for infrastructural Development said it was mulling to adopt two more such Institutions in near future. “Besides, NHPC has also decided to establish a Hydro Training Institute at Kangan for which it has already signed a MoU with the state government,” he said.
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, Member Parliament Ambika Soni and Choudhary Lal Singh, besides Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani, Minister of State For Home Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, MLAs Mohammad Sharief Naz and G M Sarroori were also present on the occasion.
Listing developmental activities going on in the state, the Prime Minister said that centre and state governments were committed to restore peace in the state for sustainable development.He said that in the year 2004, the State was provided Rs 37000 crore package under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan for development of basic economic Infrastructure and up-gradation of essential services and to promote employment generating activities, besides rehabilitation and resettlement of terrorism affected people.
“It was highly encouraging that out of 67 projects taken up under this package, 34 have been completed while the implementation of remaining projects is in full swing,” PM said, adding that projects worth Rs 1000 crore are in implementation phase for meeting the developmental needs of Jammu and Ladakh regions.Referring to the steps taken for employment generation, Dr Singh said that Himayat and Udaan schemes aimed at skill development of the youth of the state were producing encouraging results. “The special scholarship scheme for Jammu and Kashmir has encouraged the state youth to pursue higher education and even go out of state for achieving their goals.”However, he said that all these endeavors and policies would produce optimum results only when democracy gains roots in the state and people participate in elections to strengthen democratic institutions.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi while congratulating people for the start of work on the prestigious project said it would open new venues for development of this part of the state and generate employment for the youth. She said that this was second big project coming up on the mighty Chenab River, recalling that the foundation of the first Hydel Power Project in the area at Dulhasti was laid by then Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi in the year 1983.
She said that late Prime Ministers Indira and Rajive Gandhi were deeply concerned for the development of this hilly area and wanted to see it progress on all fronts.Maintaining that the centre was making every effort to see the state of Jammu and Kashmir progressing on all fronts, she said the UPA government provided liberal funding to the state for laying a massive road connectivity programme in the state. “The Mughal Road connecting Jammu region with Kashmir Valley was among various such projects. The railway line linking Jammu region with Kashmir valley was another big achievement which would accelerate trade and commerce in the state besides opening new avenues for employment.” She also made a mention of Bhaderwah-Chamba road and said that it would provide another surface link to the state with rest of the country.
She said that the state was heading towards a new era of development as peace was gaining roots and youth of the state are touching new heights with a large number cracking IAS and IPS service exams. “The youth of the state are highly talented and there was a need to channelize their energies in right direction. The programmes like Himayat and Udaan have greatly helped the youth to lead a dignified life by honing their skills.”Against the backdrop of the Uttarakhand disaster, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today stressed that the ecology and biopersity should be protected while carrying out development projects.
"I believe that the ecology and biopersity should be protected," Gandhi said while laying the foundation stone of 850-MW Ratle power project in this remote district of Jammu and Kashmir.Gandhi said projects like Ratle should benefit the local population.She expressed hope that the people whose land has been acquired for the project will get adequate compensation. She also expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of youth from the state qualifying UPSC examinations.Pertinently, PM's visit to Jammu and Kashmir comes a day after Hizbul Mujahideen militants attacked an Army convoy near Hyderpora which killed 8 jawans and injured 19 others. (GNS)