PM for greater investment in J-K, Northeast

NEW DELHI: Laying emphasis on the development of insurgency-hit Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government was investing in better infrastructure and connectivity in these states.

"We are investing in better infrastructure and connectivity in the Northeastern states. In Jammu and Kashmir, our long-term development plan is bringing new investment to all the three regions of the state," Singh said in his Independence Day address to the nation.

"We want to bring greater prosperity to the less developed regions of our country, especially the Northeast region and Jammu and Kashmir... Our state governments must be more active in creating an environment conducive to investment," he said.

Observing that grass-roots democracy has taken deep roots in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said the round table discussions have opened new avenues for reconciliation and development.