Jammu, Mar 4: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get around Rs 6000 crore annual plan allocation for the fiscal 2010-11 following an assurance by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to the state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a meeting in New Delhi Thursday.
However, the union government has reportedly refused to come to the rescue of the state government for payment of arrears to over 4.5 lakh government employees on account of implementation of Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and briefed him about the overall security situation and fiscal reforms being implemented by the state government. “Both talked one to one for over 30 minutes during which discussion on various subjects including fiscal reforms, security situation, surrender policy and power scenario were discussed,” sources said.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that Chief Minister informed the PM that the state government has submitted its annual plan before the Planning Commission and was awaiting for its nod. “The Prime Minister agreed that he would ensure an increase of around 10 per cent over the last year’s plan allocation of Rs 5500 crore for Jammu and Kashmir and the chief minister was asked to go ahead with the presentation of the annual budget pegging the plan at around Rs 6000 crore”, sources said.
The duo also discussed the recommendations of 13th finance commission with regard to the Jammu and Kashmir, sources clamed.
They said that the Finance Commission, in its 13th report tabled before the parliament has recommended higher grants for various state including Jammu and Kashmir. Of the Rs 51,800 crore projected to go as non-plan revenue grants over the next five years, Jammu and Kashmir (Rs 15,000 crore) will pocket the most.
However, at the same time Jammu and Kashmir is also considered to be the bigger loser in terms of the share of total transfer for the five-year period starting April 2010. The state-specific grants can be used for purposes as diverse as provision of drinking water facilities, preservation of historical monuments, construction of prisons and police training.
As far as higher grants-in-aid are concerned the state of Jammu and Kashmir would be one of the top losers, sources claimed.
“Omar has briefed the prime minister about the steps being taken by the state government to ensure financial stability and revenue increase”, sources said adding, “At the same time it was also explained that the state needs financial support from the New Delhi for important developmental projects and to overcome the financial deficit”.
If sources are to be believed, the Prime Minister has assured Omar of full financial support to achieve fiscal reforms and development of infrastructure especially in education and health sector.
Sources revealed that the Prime Minister has expressed his reservation about the plea of state government regarding grant of special aid for meeting the demand of Jammu Kashmir government to pay arrears to its employees on account of sixth pay commission report implementation.

OMAR DISCUSSES JK’S SECURITY SITUATION WITH PM
PTI adds from Delhi: Omar Abdullah apprised the Prime Minister of the security situation in the state, including growing attempts of infiltration from across the border.
During the meeting, Omar complimented the Prime Minister on his statement after meeting Saudi Arabia King Abdullah that the gulf nation should use its offices with Pakistan to stop terror elements from operating from that country.
The Chief Minister drew Singh’s attention towards the increase in attempts from across the border to push in militants into the state, blaming it for the violent incidents in February this year, official sources said.
Omar informed the Prime Minister about the steps being taken by the state police in coordination with the Army and paramilitary forces to give a befitting reply to the elements who were inimical to peace and prosperity in the state.
The Prime Minister complimented Omar for the swift action against the stone pelters, sources said.
The Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for translating into actions assurances on zero tolerance on human rights violations, pointing to the recent incident in which a 16-year-old boy was killed by BSF personnel. Two BSF personnel including Commandant R K Birdi have been arrested.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST