First cheque for Rs 8.94 crore under special packet released to J

Srinagar, July 19 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union Minister of State for Housing, Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja today launched a special package for self-employment for the urban poor in the state.

The first cheque of Central share for Rs 8.49 crore for implementation of the scheme was presented by Kumari Selja to Mr Azad at a function organised here.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Azad said Srinagar and Jammu cities along with 70 towns in Jammu and Kashmir will have modern civic amenities within next three years under National Urban Renewal Mission under which a funding pattern of 90 per cent assistance and 10 per cent loan has been adopted for Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Northeastern states.

He said the cities and towns in the state will have best possible roads, lanes, drains, sanitation, water and power supply, health care and other such facilities under the scheme.

''We have to take full benefit from this opportunity'', he asserted.

The Chief Minister said the effort which he had made as Union Minister for Urban Development to enhance the pattern of Central funding for Jammu and Kashmir has now started yielding result.

Mr Azad said massive reforms and efforts are required so that civic amenities in cities along with rural areas are upgraded for the benefit of coming generations.

He said imaginative and more people-oriented viable projects have to be formulated to optimally benefit from various schemes launched by the Centre for the purpose.

''We have to utilize the funds judiciously, imaginatively and in a more productive manner on the ground,'' he said.

He said he had met senior officials of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development so that Central experts would be requested to train state officials in preparing such projects.

He said a batch of officials is currently in New Delhi to receive training.

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