Home Ministry to decide on JK’s special package

Ahead of meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor N N Vohra met Home Minister Rajnath Singh, here Friday and discussed the package announced of Rs 1,765 crore by Modi during his visit to the Valley last year.
During the course of today’s discussions, it was decided that for final decisions with regard to a special package of over Rs 41,000 crore which had been submitted by the then Jammu and Kashmir government led by Omar Abdullah, the Home Ministry shall be the nodal authority for all further decisions about the schemes proposed by the state government.
“In furtherance of today’s decision, the state government shall forward detailed proposals to the concerned central ministries with copies to the Home Ministry which shall exercise overall coordination,” sources said.
As regards the grant of Rs 570 crore which the Prime Minister had announced during his visit to Srinagar on last Diwali, it was noted that after disbursing compensation at Rs.1 lakh and Rs.50,000 respectively, for fully damaged houses, certain funds out of this grant would remain for utilisation.
After hearing the difficulties voiced by the Governor, the Home Minister readily agreed to discuss this matter with the Prime Minister and get an early concurrence for the entire available funds being utilised to also suitably compensate the owners of severely and partially damaged houses.
The Union Home Minister will also chair a meeting of all departments to review ongoing projects for providing relief to the people who have hit badly in the floods.
The utilisation of the Special Plan Assistance of Rs 1,000 crore announced by the Prime Minister was also reviewed.
The Governor informed the Home Minister that well-considered project reports were being prepared and funds were being promptly released for the execution of the approved projects.
The two decided to depute Home Secretary Anil Goswami to the state next week for a comprehensive review of all the border development related schemes.
Official sources said Governor will be calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow morning after which it was expected that an in-principle nod for a package for the state would be given.
Vohra’s visit comes in the backdrop of his separate communications to Jaitley and Rajnath on the grave financial crisis in the state and delay in rehabilitation of the flood victims.