PM Modi promises Rs 80,000 cr economic package for Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a Rs 80,000 crore economic package for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

As soon as Modi made the announcement, the large gathering of people who had come to hear him broke into a joyous rapture at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium.

Announcing the much awaited economic package that will cover relief for 2014 flood victims, farmers, businessmen, tourism, youth employment and infrastructure in the state, Modi said: “This is not the end, but the beginning.”

“Not only Delhi’s treasures, but Delhi’s ‘Dil’ (heart) is always for the people of Kashmir”, Modi said.

Modi also said that he wanted to make Kashmir a dream destination for tourists.

He addressed a public rally during his day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that in the past, when people had some money, they wanted to visit Kashmir. He added that he wanted to bring back those glorious days.

“Love for Kashmir draws me here. Kashmir has suffered a lot over the years. I felt the pain of flood victims,” the prime minister said.

Stressing on the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said: “We will spend Rs 34,000 crore on Jammu-Srinagar Highway. It will cut the journey time from 12 hours to three-and-a-half hours.”

“Without Kashmiriyat, India is incomplete. This is the land that gave birth to Sufism, which taught us to bring everyone together,” Modi said, adding that solution of all our problems lies in the employment of the youth.

“We must also provide employment opportunity for the youths in the valley and Ladakh region.”

PM Modi also talked about technological development and establishment of call centres in Kashmir. “Only highways won’t do. We need ‘I ways’ too,” he said.

Stressing on the strengths of Kashmir, he said “pashmina, kesar, apples, tourism” were its strengths in Srinagar. Mentioning cricket, he said, “If Sachin, Sehwag hit sixes, the wood for the bat came from Kashmir…Why should there be no cricket in the land where Parvez Rasool come from?”

He also said the central government was fully ready to work with the Jammu and Kashmir government. “Delhi govt will work together with the J&K government…For the past few years, Kashmiri youth are performing well in IITs, IIMs, IAS. And I am ready to do everything possible for them,” said the PM.

Modi also said that he did not celebrate his birthday last year because the floods in Kashmir pained him. “My mother used to give me Rs 5 or Rs 11 on my birthday, but last year she gave me Rs 5000 for the flood-affected people of Kashmir,” ANI quoted him as saying.

He added that when Diwali came last year, he decided to visit Jammu and Kashmir instead of celebrating with friends in Delhi.

(With inputs from IANS)