Over Rs 9,000 crore spent in Jammu and Kashmir under PMRP in 8 years

SRINAGAR: An amount of Rs 9,157 crore has been spent in Jammu and Kashmir over the last eight years under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) for the state announced in 2004.

This information was given to Union Home Secretary designate Anil Goswami during a meeting with state Chief Secretary M I Khanday and other officials, an official spokesman said today.

Goswami was informed that under the State Sector, Rs 5,071.17 crore has been released under PMRP till date, against which 96 per cent utilisation -- amounting to Rs 4,849.89 crore -- has taken place, he said.

He said during the last financial year, an amount of Rs 700 crore was approved under PMRP and for 2013-14, the state has proposed an allocation of Rs 1,128.49 crore to complete the on-going projects.

Khanday underlined the need for enhanced annual outlay, covering cost escalations and rejig of PMRP to meet pressing developmental requirements of the state, the spokesman said.

While reviewing progress of PMGSY programme, Goswami was informed that out of 2,504 unconnected habitations, as many as 1,344 have already been completed and Rs 577 crore released by the Union government through PMRP route for land acquisition stands utilised.

However, to cover rest of the habitations, an amount of Rs 800 crore is needed for land acquisition and successful implementation of the programme, the spokesman said.

While discussing the Power Sector, Goswami was informed that under PMRP, the projects which are funded under State Plan, have shown considerable impact on the ground.