Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today termed the package of Rs 80,000 crore by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "wholesome" and something that will take care of equitable development of all the three regions of the state.
He said the Prime Minister is totally focussed on development of Jammu and Kashmir and he has lived up to his promise of supporting its transformation as a model state.
The chief minister said this while addressing a press conference here this morning during which he spelt out broad contours of the package announced by Modi during his rally on November 7 in Srinagar.
Sayeed also answered a flurry of questions related to talks with Pakistan, rehabilitation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees, connectivity and setting up of AIIMS and 'Smart Cities' in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh, Minister for Finance Haseeb A Drabu and Chief Secretary B R Sharma were also present.
Addressing mediapersons, Sayeed said he takes pride in the performance of his government which has been in power for a little over eight months only.
He said the 14th Finance Commission Award has assured complete financial devolution and every state has got its share in Central funds.
"In nine months whatever funds the government has spent on connectivity, health, rural development and education sectors have been in our kitty," he added.
He reiterated his commitment to provide good governance and strengthen the institutions so that the system becomes responsive to the needs of the people.
"We have done well on most indicators and now that the development package has been announced, we will move in fast-track to create durable assets, besides providing succor to flood victims and security and welfare to displaced persons," he said.
On the issue of improving road connectivity in the state, the chief minister described the package announced by Narendra Modi as a continuation of what former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee did in his tenure as a Prime Minister when he had announced the North-South and East-West corridors to connect the national highways.
He thanked the Centre for prioritising widening of road stretches from Udhampur to Chenani and from Chenani to Ramban, Ramban to Banihal and Banihal to Srinagar which will enable the people to complete Srinagar-Jammu journey in only four hours.
The Prime Minister, during his visit, had also laid foundation stone of widening of these two road stretches at a total cost of Rs 4,306 crores.
