(Embargoed: Publication /Broadcast after 1930 hrs)

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) To ensure level development and remove alienation among people of strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir, the UPA Government has announced several ambitious projects, including 390 MW Dulhasti and 240 MW Uri II projects, and provided thrust to employment and income generation in the state.

According to the UPA Government's three-year performance report --'Report-to-People'-- released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, against 24,000 jobs envisaged, over 15,000 jobs have already been created while removing restrictions on recruitment by the State Government for filling up of relevant posts in education and health sectors.

Subsidy, training provision and Central grant share under the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana have been substantially enhanced for the state, said the Report.

''Five new India Reserve Battalions have been sanctioned affording employment to about 5,000 local youth over five years and recruitment from the state to these as well as Central paramilitary force battalions being raised is in process,'' it pointed out.

To expand economic infrastructure in the troubled-state, the 240 MW Uri-II project has been approved and commissioning of the 390 MW Dulhasti project is expected soon while 353 micro- hydroelectric projects have been completed.

While the 450 MW Baglihar project is being provided Rs 630 crore Additional Central Assistance, the completion of the 120 MW Sewa-II project is expected by 2008, it said.

The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road has been declared a national highway and upgradation to national highway standards is expected by 2011.

As part of the Reconstruction Plan for Jammu and Kashmir, announced by the Prime Minister in November 2004 and expanded in June 2005, an investment of approximately Rs 24,000 crore will be involved.

''The Plan includes 67 projects/schemes aimed at meeting the need to strengthen the infrastructure and catering to other development needs, while balancing the development of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir,'' it pointed out.

Work on the long-pending Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line has been taken up while the Jammu -Udhampur section has been opened for passenger traffic.

In the tourism sector, the mainstay of the state's economy, work on conservation of Dal Lake has commenced while similar projects for Wular, Manser and Tsomoriri lakes are under preparation.

''Over 15,000 people have benefitted under the various schemes under the tourism sector,'' the report said.

Financial assistance has been approved for ten Tourism Development Authorities, 11 tourism villages and four tourist circuits.

To ensure education and professional training, 14 new colleges and nine new Industrial Training Institutes have become operational.

Under the expansion in provision of basic services projects decision has been taken to set up 10 more colleges and 5 new ITIs.

The state has been covered as a special focus state under the National Rural Health Mission.

''Asian Development Bank infrastructure project covering water supply, drainage and sewerage in Srinagar and Jammu has been approved and works have commenced, with the Centre also providing counterpart funding for the state's share,'' it added.

Urban areas in the state are being provided up to 90 per cent central grants for projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Investment are sought to be bolstered by the UPA Government by extending the tax holiday available to undertakings in the state till 2012 as the annual plan in Jammu and Kashmir has nearly trebled since 2003-04.

UNI

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