Modi to visit Jammu and Kashmir on July 17

Jammu, July 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir for a day on July 17, officials said on Monday.

"The prime minister is scheduled to visit Jammu city for a day on July 17 to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Girdhari Lal Dogra, a late Congress leader," top sources in the state government told IANS.

Dogra, a stalwart Congress leader, belonged to Kathua district in Jammu region.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is married to Dogra's daughter.

The government sources also said that the prime minister is likely to announce a mega development package of around Rs.70,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir during his visit.

"Once announced, this would be the biggest ever one-time financial package ever announced for Jammu and Kashmir," the sources said.

Modi is also likely to announce an AIIMS for the Jammu region during his day long visit to Jammu.

Following protests and agitation, the state government has already assured that an AIIMS would be set up in Jammu region.

The centre has already announced an AIIMS for Kashmir Valley and an IIT for Jammu region.

The prime minister will return to New Delhi the same day.

IANS