Date:25/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/25/stories/2006022503242100.htm

Back J&K annual Plan fixed at Rs 4,347 cr

Our Bureau

CM's proposal
The Chief Minister said by the year-end 100 per cent metering of electrical connections would be introduced.

New Delhi , Feb. 24

The annual Plan size for Jammu & Kashmir for 2006-07 has been pegged at Rs 4,347.67 crore including an additional central assistance of Rs 230 crore for Baglihar project and a special assistance of Rs 813.12 crore.

This was finalised at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad. It was decided that Jammu & Kashmir would have a plan of Rs 3,500 crore and a reconstruction plan of Rs 847.67 crore. On the problems of power sector, it was decided that a tripartite memorandum of understanding would be entered between the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Finance Ministry and Planning Commission to put in place a programme for dealing with the growing deficit.

Based on the progress achieved against monitorable indicators, as per the programme, the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission would provide a special central assistance of Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 300 crore, respectively during 2006-07. This assistance would be used to fund the power sector deficit, which is likely to be kept at Rs 1,500 crore of which the State Government would provide Rs 200 crore.

At the meeting, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad said growth and development was the priority of the Government. He also said that panchayat elections would be held in two to three months and by the year-end 100 per cent metering of electrical connections would be introduced.