New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed that Centre will extend full support to funding of flood-affected people in the state and restoration of public infrastructure.
The assurance was given during a 30-minute meeting Modi had with Sayeed when they discussed a host of issues including implementation of Common Minimum Programme(CMP) of the PDP-BJP alliance in the state.
Centre is yet to take a call on a cabinet proposal sent by the previous Omar Abdullah government seeking a package of Rs 44,000 crore for relief and rehabilitation of victims of the state affected by the floods in September last year. Modi and Sayeed also reviewed the overall political and developmental scenario in the state.
The meeting also comes in the backdrop of a possible Union Cabinet expansion amid speculation that PDP President Mehbooba Mufti may be inducted.
During the meeting, the first with Modi here after Sayeed took over as the Chief Minister on March one, he sought immediate attention of the Centre on rehabilitation of the flood victims and restoration of infrastructure, a state government spokesman said in a statement.
Modi told Sayeed that the state will get Centre's full support in funding of flood-affected people and restoration of public infrastructure, the spokesman said. Sayeed also discussed with Modi the issue of bringing transparency in the system and improving governance in the state.
Implementation of the Common Minimum Programme of the PDP-BJP Government in J&K came up during the talks. Modi also enquired about the recent flood-like situation from Sayeed.
Later, Sayeed met Home Minister Rajnath Singh where the Chief Minister was told to provide land for composite townships for Kashmiri Pandits.
Sayeed assured the Union Home Minister that the State Government will acquire and provide land at the earliest for composite townships in the Valley, a Home Ministry statement said.
Describing his discussions with Sayeed as “good”, Singh said “....we have discussed a range of issues related to the development of the state.”
Sayeed later told reporters that he discussed several issues including the political situation in the state and how to implement CMP.
“I met the Prime Minister first and then the Home Minister and discussed the present political situation, peace process, action against corruption, development of the state, flood situation etc.
“We have also discussed how to implement the CMP. People of Jammu and Kashmir have given us a large mandate. We want to make Jammu and Kashmir an island of peace again,” he said. During the meeting with the Home Minister, the issues of Home Guards, remuneration for Special Police Officers (SPOs), ex-gratia relief for damage and casualty during cross-border firing and issues relating to security-related expenditure also came up in detail.
The Home Minister mentioned that people have great expectations from the Centre and the coalition government in the State and that the NDA Government would ensure that all possible assistance is provided to utilise the full potential of the alliance both in the area of security and welfare of the people.
Singh told the Chief Minister that the proposal of the State Government for enhanced remuneration to SPOs is being pursued by the ministry.
The issue of raising of Indian Reserve Battalions for Jammu and Kashmir and effective utilization of State Police was also discussed in the meeting, the statement said.
