JAMMU & KASHMIR RECEIVES HIGHEST EVER RS. 7300 CR ANNUAL PLAN 2012-13

New Delhi, July 13 (Only Kashmir): – The Planning Commission of India today approved highest ever Rs. 7300 crore Annual Plan for Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2012-13. It also approved Rs. 700 crore PMRP. The Commission broadly endorsed the priorities of the State Government reflected under the Twelth Five Year Plan (TFPY). The Planning Commission has agreed to provide additional Central resources of Rs. 6384 crore – Rs. 4400 crore as a Special Central Assistance (SCA) and Rs. 1984 crore as Special Plan Assistance (SPA) to finance the approved Annual Plan.The approval was given at a meeting between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah led State team and Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India here this afternoon. J&K Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rahter, Minister of State for Planning, Dr. Manohar Lal, Members of Planning Commission of India, J&K Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Planning, B. B. Vyas and various Administrative Secretaries were present in the meeting.Making a strong case for enhanced financial support to Jammu and Kashmir State under the Twelfth five year plan (TFYP) and Annual Plan 2012-13, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah underlined the importance of this support for inclusive and broad based development of the State to build on peace dividends and reach out to people in all regions and sub-regions of the State equitably.In the presentation made at the meeting with Planning Commission of India, the J&K Chief Minister threw light on remarkable landmarks achieved by the coalition government in last over three years despite various challenges on law and order front and said that empowered  panchayats and democratically elected urban local bodies will be the main vehicles of delivery of plan objectives.The Chief Minister listed some of the significant achievements such as holding of successful panchayat elections, rolling out of powers to panchayats, enactment and implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act, constitution of State Information Commission and strengthening of State Accountability Commission.  It was mentioned that steps are underway to set up State Vigilance Commission. (OK)