Centre may add to PM Modi's J&K package: Arun Jaitley

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 80,000-crore package for building a modern, progressive and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi: Pledging full support to the new PDP-BJP government to be formed in Jammu and Kashmir, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said the Centre may add to the Prime Minister's Rs. 80,000 cr package announced in November last if resources permit.

"There are two guiding factors. One is the agenda for governance and one is the Prime Minister's package. There is so much in the Prime Minister's package that even if our resources permit us year to year, we will add to it," he told PTI in an interaction.

"Therefore, I think this is a great opportunity to have the popular government there which implements each one of these suggestions," he added.

Asked if the Centre would encourage them to implement the package, the Finance Minister said, "we are fully committed on that."

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 80,000-crore package for building a modern, progressive and prosperous state.

The package includes money for providing relief and rehabilitation of 2014 flood victims, rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees and Kashmir pandits, roads and highways, health and tourism.

Yesterday, PDP chief and Chief Ministerial candidate Mehbooba Mufti, met Governor N N Vohra and staked claim for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir with BJP backing the first Muslim woman CM of the state.

The two coalition partners are yet to decide on the dates of swearing-in ceremony.