New Delhi/Jammu,March 21 (Scoop News)-To discuss various developmental issues of Jammu and Kashmir, a meeting was held in New Delhi today chaired by Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Pulok Chatterji with the Chief Secretary J&K, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday who was accompanied by Principal Secretary Planning, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary Power, Arun Kumar Mehta and other senior officers.
The Central Team also included the Home Secretary, R. K. Singh and other Secretaries and officers of various Ministries.
During the meeting, several issues were considered including extension of PMRP upto 2014-2015, subsidizing of air fare by Ministry of Home Affairs for Srinagar-Kargil-Srinagar and Jammu-Kargil-Jammu routes to make the flights commercially viable, setting up of three small airports at Rajouri, Kishtwar and Poonch by Civil Aviation Ministry in consultation with full funding from the Union Tourism Ministry. The cost escalation of Rs.190 Crore in respect of T&D projects under PMRP was also agreed in principle.
The meeting was told that State Government will move a proposal for waving the idle power purchase cost of Nemo-Bazgo and Chhutak HEPs constructed by NHPC. The meeting was informed that out of the 50 tourist villages, 29 villages have been completed and remaining 21 Tourist villages will be approved in 2013-14 and the solar dryer projects in Ladakh region will be funded on 50% subsidy basis under the Food Processing Mission. It was stated that State Govt. will expedite the manufacture of Carpet looms to achieve the target of 40,000 looms and the State Government will move the proposal for 50:50 funding of the recurring cost of NIFT.
The Central Team will visit the state to explore the possibility of starting the NIFT courses this year in a rented accommodation to be facilitated by the State Government.
It was also decided that work permission will be given immediately for expansion of Jammu Airport.
Commissioner Secretary R&B, Ms. Tanvir Jehan, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atul Dullo, CEO ERA, Saurabh Bhagat and Vice Chairman LAWDA, Irfan Yaseen were also present in the meeting