Rs 5000 crore central assistance to J

Srinagar, July 10 (UNI) The central assistance to Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was to the tune of Rs 5000 crore as compared to Rs 700 crore in the previous years, thus creating a record in the financial history of the state.

This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baigh during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Rangil mega water supply project by Mr Azad at Pandach in Ganderbal area today.

The project was expected to benefit about five lakh people of Srinagar.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said a new chapter of construction and welfare programmes for the benefit of the people has been started in the state.

Mr Azad said the campaign against corruption and evolving a work culture had started yielding good results in the state.

The officials were now working with more enthusiasm, he said, adding that in the recent administrative reshuffle, important and independent assignments were given to locals even as he hoped that they will fulfill the the expectations of the people.

Mr Azad said the work culture would not remain limited to the Secretariat only, but percolate down to districts, sub-division, tehsil, block, panchayat and village levels where the people need more attention of the government.

The Centre has been very liberal in giving financial assistance to the state and even salaries of employees to some extent were being met under various central schemes, he added.

Mr Azad said it was imperative that all funds earmarked for creating road connectivity, construction of water supply schemes, healthcare, education, rural development, power, welfare schemes and other such sectors were utilised in a proper manner without any pilferage for the benefit of the people.

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