PM,Sonia visit today,J038;K growth package on cards

Manmohan to take stock of reconstruction package initiated in 04

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Despite Mondays terror attack,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will reach Kashmir on Tuesday on a two-day visit along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi,and is likely to announce a development package for the border districts apart from taking stock of the ongoing reconstruction plan for the Valley.

The crucial visit will also see Singh and Sonia formally declare open the much-awaited train service between Qazigund in Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu region.

The PMs stress on the reconstruction of Kashmir has resulted in the boost to infrastructure projects. The plan for expansion of infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir involves 24 projects in sectors like power,roads and external borrowings.

The PM will take stock of the implementation of the Rs 37,000-crore reconstruction package he had initiated in 2004 under the Prime Ministers Reconstruction Plan. During his first visit to the state in 2004,soon after becoming PM,Singh had announced this plan worth Rs 24,000 crore,which has since grown to 37,000 crore. The Plan involves 67 projects and schemes,covering 11 sectors of the economy,including expansion of infrastructure and basic services and employment generation.

The PM has already reviewed implementation of the plan where it was noted that 34 projects and schemes had been completed and work in 28 were in progress. Among the projects completed are setting up of 1,000 micro hydro-electric projects,electrification of all villages,expansion of total literacy campaign to remaining three districts of Kargil,Poonch and Doda and training to enhance skills of youth for IT/BPO sector in Jammu and Srinagar.

Under this segment,work in respect of six items has been completed. These include 1,000 micro-hydel projects,additional Central assistance to Baglihar hydro-electric project and construction of Domel-Katra road. The infrastructure expansion plan also includes feasibility of Kibar-Korzok road to connect Leh with Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. The package envisages expansion of basic services in education,health and water supply.

The schemes which have been completed are starting of six new degree colleges and setting up of five womens ITIs in the Valley.

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The completed projects also include relief and rehabilitation for the dislocated families and victims of militancy. This involved construction of two-room tenements for Kashmiri migrants and construction of temporary shelters,rebuilding of village infrastructure and repair and restoration of damaged houses for people on the international border and the LoC,who were affected by cross-border shelling.