The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday offered unconditional dialogue with all who favour peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a public meeting at Wanpooh, in Anantnag district, Dr Singh that said people of the state are tired of blood-shed and terrorism and common man is in favour of dialogue. He said that government has taken several initiatives to provide employment opportunities to youth and urged them to come forward to take forward the development process of the state. He said that he is aware that some of them are disheartened but now the situation in the state is changing fast. Dr Singh announced that 365 crore rupees have been earmarked for cleaning the world famous Dal Lake and a national mission has been set up to protect the melting glaciers in the Himalayas. He gave the details of the development programmes and schemes launched by the Centre and urged the State to work to expedite the process so that the benefits of the development reach the common man. <br/>Addressing the rally, the UPA chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi hailed people of the state for their large scale participation in the elections in Assembly and Lok Sabha. She said that people of the state are keen to establish lasting peace and urged the people to come forward to extend their hand of cooperation in this ambitious programme.<br/>The Railway Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee said that all the budgetary commitments made to Jammu And Kashmir State would be fulfilled. She said that other railway projects for the state would be considered in consultation with the Prime Minister.<br/>
News On AIR | October 28, 2009 2:09 PM
PM offers unconditional dialogue for pace and development in J&K