PM’s development package for J&K to cross Rs 1 lakh crore: Rajnath

Srinagar, Sept 11: Asserting that the government is committed to bring peace and prosperity in Kashmir valley, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for the state is set to cross Rs one lakh crore. “After come here I reviewed the progress of work during PM package which was given to the state after (2014) floods. There are few projects in which cost has escalated. Now, because of that, the package which was for Rs 80,000 crore has gone up to over Rs one lakh crore,” said Mr Singh during a press conference here this morning before leaving for Jammu region. The Home Minister, who arrived here on September 9, is on a four day visit to the state – two each in Kashmir valley and Jammu region. Mr Singh said the developmental work under the PM package is going on, but he has asked the state government to further increase the pace of the work. “There are even some big projects for which the cost has escalated, but I have told the state government not to worry about the cost and generate DPRs for these projects at the earliest so that work could be initiated,” he added. Mr Singh reviewed the progress of developmental work under PMDP on September 9 at a high-level meeting with top brass of the state government, including Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, some of her Cabinet colleagues and senior officers of the civil administration. UNI