Mehbooba meets PM, reminds him of promise to make JK ‘model state’

Seeks smart city tag for Srinagar & Jammu, 4.3 lakh MT of additional foodgrain

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi and apprised him of various problems being faced by the restive state.
While discussing the overall political and developmental scenario in the state, Mehbooba reminded the Prime Minister of promises made by him to develop Jammu and Kashmir as “a model state”.
It was Mehbooba’s first meeting with the Prime Minister after assuming the office of the Chief Minister on April 4.
During the meeting, both the leaders deliberated upon several wide-ranging issues concerning the state.
The Chief Minister raised various issues related to the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ — the guiding framework for governance by the PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir.
She also requested for additional allocation of 4.30 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrain over and above the targeted public distribution system fixed under the National Food Security Act to meet the food requirements of the state.
On April 11, the state Cabinet headed by Mehbooba Mufti had doubled the ration scale per person under the public distribution system by launching a scheme in the name of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to supplement the Nation Security Food Act.
The Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme involves a annual financial implication of Rs 1,500 crore for the state.
The Chief Minister also urged the Prime Minister to consider the inclusion of Srinagar and Jammu in the Smart Cities Mission launched by the Urban Development Ministry.
The Prime Minister, meanwhile, assured the Chief Minister of Centre’s full support in the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba had also met the Prime Minister on March 22. The meeting had played a significant role in clearing the decks for the revival of the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, which remained under Governor’s rule for almost three months following the death of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7.