Mehbooba Mufti hails Centre's J&K financial package

Srinagar: Welcoming the Centre's Rs 80,000-crore package for Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, ruling PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said besides infrastructure rebuilding, the package also includes funds for rehabilitation of victims of last year's devastating deluge.

"The package includes funds for the rehabilitation of flood-affected households, traders and growers who suffered huge economic losses in the devastating deluge of September 2014.

"The announcement by the Prime Minister that Rs 80,000 crore package is not the end but the beginning of a process of rebuilding Jammu and Kashmir's economy is an inspiring gesture which would go a long way in rebuilding people's trust in the democratic institutions," she said.

Mehbooba also hailed the Prime Minister's announcement of carrying forward and consolidating the initiatives of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the valley, which he had announced at the same venue in 2003.

The PDP leader complimented the people and her party cadres for turning up in large numbers at Modi's rally here today.

"Even though we didn't get much time to deliver on our promises and have been in the government for only eight months, the overwhelming presence of the people in today's rally has reiterated the fact that they have tremendous faith in the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed," she said.

Mehbooba noted the people of the state, particularly the youth were looking up towards the present government with great hope and expectations to put up a "responsive political structure, productive economic setup and supportive social fabric in place".