PM impressed with Omar's presentation

SRINAGAR: A presentation on development needs of Jammu and Kashmir by Omar Abdullah today prompted Prime Minister Manmohan to compliment him for not being only the "youngest but also the most impressive" Chief Minister.

The 40-year-old Omar gave a power-point presentation to the Prime Minister on the development needs and highlighted the challenges before the state.

According to participants in the meeting, the Prime Minister, at the end of the 40-minute presentation, said "I am complimenting the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister for such a detailed and comprehensive presentation and he has presented a well-reasoned out case for developmental needs of the state.

"You are not only the youngest but also the most impressive Chief Minister," the delegates at the meeting quoted the Prime Minister as telling Omar, who took over the reins of the state at the age of 38.

Omar later also had a one-to-one meeting with Singh during which he raised political, security and human rights-related issues.

During the power-point presentation, the Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister of the reforms being undertaken by the state government in the power sector in consultation with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

He also informed the Prime Minister and the delegation comprising Union Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Farooq Abdullah that elections to Panchayat and other local bodies will be completed by the year-end.

He told Singh about difficulties in operationalising the the Rs 24,000 crore Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan which includes 67 projects covering 11 sectors of economy.

The plan includes the projects or schemes aimed at expanding economic infrastructure and the provision of the basic services, imparting a thrust to employment and income generation and providing relief and rehabilitation for the dislocated persons and families of victims of militancy.

The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister that he will consider all issues raised by him.