Jammu, Mar 25: The official-level discussions between the Planning Commission and a team of senior officers from Jammu and Kashmir for finalizing the state’s annual plan remained inclusive and are likely to resume on Friday.
Informed sources in the state’s planning department told Greater Kashmir that a high level team from the state, comprising Chief Secretary SS Kapur, economic advisor Jaleel Ahmed Khan, commissioner secretary planning Sudhanshu Panday and commissioner secretary finance BB Vyas held at least three-hour long meeting with the officials of Planning Commission in New Delhi on Thursday.
“However, the meeting remained inclusive and will again resume on Friday”, sources preferring anonymity said.
“The meeting is a preliminary exercise at the official level, which is mandatory as per the practice adopted by the PC, before the final meeting”, sources said adding, “The final meeting is now expected to be held between the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and chief minister Omar Abdullah, who also hold the portfolio of planning department, in mid-April”.
“Earlier, it was expected that today’s meeting will be immediately followed by the final meeting but there are now several things to be sorted out between the officials of the state and the PC before the annual plan can be given a final shape”.
“We are working on the numbers and the officials on the both sides are discussing in detail the expenditure and revenue aspects of the plan size”, sources said. “Though the dates for the final meeting was to be decided by the planning commission, it is expected to be held somewhere in mid April”.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST