Funds no constraint for J

Srinagar, May 24 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said central funds would not be a constraint for reconstruction and development projects undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir.

During a review meeting with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, which was attended by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and ten secretaries of various central ministries, the Prime Minister called for speeding up of development projects and their completion in the shortest possible time.

During the discussions the thrust was on two sectors -- power and road -- where the progress was a bit slow, the Prime Minister noted.

While expressing satisfaction over the overall progress in other sectors, he directed the state government to speed up various schemes under the power and road sectors.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that the state was facing acute power shortage, particularly in the winter season, Dr Singh promised that the Centre would contribute in every way and that the people in the state would not face any power shortage coming winter.

The Prime Minister, when told that around 5,000 job vacancies remained in the Border Roads Organisation which is responsible for maintenance of Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh highways, directed the finance secretary to allocate sufficient funds to the organisation.

The overall message from the Prime Minister was that ''central assistance and funds would not be a constraint''.

He suggested that the state chalk out employment guarantee projects which can provide jobs to youth in the next 2-3 years.

He also asked the Chief Minister to come up with very specific proposals so that the Centre could fund them for speedy execution.

This is for the sixth time in two years that Dr Singh is visiting the state.

UNI PMD/SMA LR HT1722