Srinagar, May 23: Finance Minister, A R Rather today  sought special support of the Centre to address development needs of J&K, while urging for granting flexibility to the states by way of relaxation in the guidelines of the centrally sponsored schemes.
 Maintaining that state was facing immense challenge on account of reconstructing its ravaged economy, the minister said economic activity in general and development in particular was the most sustainable solution to restoring peace and order in J&K.
 The minister was speaking at ‘Regional Level North Zone Consultation Conference on Approach Paper to 12th Plan’ held in New Delhi. The conference was organized by Planning Commission of India.
 He said: “A realistic and achievable plan, even if modest in size, which is fully funded, has better prospects of delivering the mandated objectives than a marginally over-sized plan that is partly funded.”
 “Also once the financing is approved, releases should be made in time to remove any uncertainty in plan implementation”, he said.
 He said the financing of the plans was the critical issue, particularly in case of special category states like J&K, which suffer from legacy issues and sustain a high level of negative Balance in Current Revenues (BCR).
 He urged for granting flexibility to the states by way of relaxation in the guidelines of the centrally sponsored schemes, adding that the standardized products and schemes cannot be put to uniform implementation in diverse conditions across various states.
 Rather also urged for time-bound implementation of the recommendations of Dr C Rangarajan Committee for generating employment avenues in the state.
 Describing Agriculture and Horticulture as traditional sectors of economy,   Rather called for diversification of crops and introduction of post-harvest technologies in a big way to achieve desired dividends adding that replacement of germ plasma for saffron and processing and marketing of organic walnut will be some of the key challenges that need to be addressed during the 12th plan.
 Rather also stressed the need for multiple interventions so as to align the value chain of different handicrafts. He also underscored the need to promote heritage, adventure, pilgrim and eco-tourism as thrust areas during the new plan.
 Describing credit as fundamental to growth and development,   Rather called for adequate and timely credit flow from banks to different activities like agriculture, micro-credit, MSME, classified as being part of the priority sector. He said in J&K, the Credit Deposit Ratio (CD) is 35.57% which is for less than the national benchmark of 60%.   Rather also urged for greater private investment under a well spell out Public Private- Partnership frame work to cover infrastructure deficit.
 Saying that connecting people with one another is the most important challenge before the State Government,   Rather said out of 9933 habitations, 9204 habitations are yet to be connected. Construction work on projects for 1111 habitations has already been approved and roads are under construction,   Rather said adding that remaining habitations are required to be connected during the 12th plan.      
 Rather hoped that interactions at the conference would go a long way towards forging a uniform and integrated approach for addressing common and crucial concerns.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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