PM Narendra Modi likely to announce Rs One lakh crore development package for J&K on Eid

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce the massive development package for J&K around Eid-ul-Fitr, which falls on July 18 or 19. The PM, according to sources, would announce Rs 70,000 crore or Rs One lakh crore, package either on July 17, when he is invited to a function in Jammu or at BJP’s Eid-Milan gathering in Srinagar, scheduled around July 22.

The announcement of this ‘rehabilitation and development plan’ would be a major shot in the arm of the state PDP-BJP government, otherwise, suffering from drought of funds and waning credibility. The package, according to J&K government, would include a considerable share for 2014 flood victims, who have not been compensated even ten months after the tragedy.

The PM has been invited to a function in Jammu city on July 17, Friday along with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for birth centenary celebrations of former J&K minister and MP Girdhari Lal Dogra, also Jaitley’s father-in-law.

“If all went well there is a possibility that Modiji could attend party’s Eid Milan gathering in Srinagar, around July 22,” a senior BJP member, who was in Delhi to attend a daylong meeting with party president Amit Shah, told ET.

Keeping in view the criticism PDP had to face in Valley, after forging coalition with BJP, they would want Modi to make the announcement in Srinagar. This could be provide, temporary vindication to their decision of forming the government with BJP.

“I have held at least 12 extensive and exhaustive meetings at various levels in New Delhi to finalize this plan. Mr Jaitely along with senior bureaucrats in Prime Ministers Office and several other secretary level officials, played a huge role in this,” J&K finance minister Dr Haseeb Drabu told ET.