PM arrives in Jammu

JAMMU: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today arrived here on a day-long visit during which he is scheduled to dedicate a township to Kashmiri Pandit migrants and take part in the convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology.

Amid heavy downpour, Singh was received at the airport by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and other ministerial colleagues.

He went straight to the Raj Bhavan where he is scheduled to interact with Governor N N Vohra on various issues, including the security situation in the state.

Singh will attend the third convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences at 1100 hours.

After lunch at Raj Bhavan and meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss various issues, the Prime Minister will fly to Jagti Township at Nagrota, about 20-kms from here, and dedicate the township to displaced Kashmiri migrants under the Prime Minister's Rehabilitation package.

Jagti Township envisages construction of 4218 two-room flats for Kashmiri migrants besides many facilities in the form of hospitals, schools, community halls and parks.

The township is part of the ambitious housing project under Prime Minister Reconstruction Programme (PMRP) for Kashmiri Pandits at a cost of Rs 385 crores.

Under the first phase, 1024 flats have been constructed at Purkhoo, Muthi and Nagrota which have already been allotted to the beneficiaries.