JK Govt asks for liberal financial assistance

New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Government has urged the Centre for liberal financial assistance to the state which would help in restoring lasting peace through economic reconstruction.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, during a meeting with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia here, said economic reconstruction will go a long way in addressing hardships faced by the people.

The meeting was convened to give final shape to the 11th plan and 2007-08 annual plan for the state.

Mr Azad said the state had been realistic in projecting a plan size of Rs 4,000 crore with a little hike of only 14 per cent over current year's plan of Rs 3,500 crore.

Referring to committed liabilities', the Chief Minister emphasised the need for restoration of transferring such from the plan to the non-plan at the end of every five year plan.

He urged the Planning Commission to transfer committed liabilities of the 10th plan to the non-plan before the finalisation of the 11th plan.

The Chief Minister said his government had taken various initiatives to encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the health sector despite innumerable constrains in view of the prevailing security situation in the state.

''Despite all the hurdles the government has resolved to try to use PPP model for maintenance of capital assets created under the 11th plan,'' he added.

Mr Azad urged the Commission to make a special dispensation for land acquisition for Jammu and Kashmir under the ambitious Bharat Nirman Programme in view of high cost of developing road networks.

He recommended making the second phase of the Prime Minister's reconstruction plan a part of the 11th plan and commencing the second phase in the very first year of the 11th plan.

Besides the Chief Minister, the team representing Jammu and Kashmir included Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Karra and Chief Secretary C Phunsog.

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