The union government on Thursday said that Jammu and Kashmir would not face any funds shortage, adding that the state government would be helped in every possible manner to rehabilitate the survivors of last year's floods in the Valley.
"Let me tell you there is no dearth of funds. Every time a demand is made by the state (government), money is sent," said Jitendra Singh, union minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, at a press conference here.
A tranche of the Rs.44,000 crore package sought by the Jammu and Kashmir government for flood relief had already been released by the union government, he added.
As for the allegations of "mismanagement" in relief distribution in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "It is worrisome if such things have happened. However, the centre is not responsible for the distribution of relief money. It is the duty of the state government."
"We have given full liberty to each state of India due to regard for India's federal structure. However, if such complaints come up, we may look into them," Jitendra Singh added.
The union minister said that demands have been made that relief and rehabilitation money should reach the people directly from the centre.
He said that the common man in Kashmir was suffering because of "politics played on issues not of benefit to the people".
On the demand of some Kashmiri separatist leaders for China's intervention in "resolving the Kashmir issue", he said, "Parliament's 1994 resolution on Kashmir clearly states that only outstanding issue is that of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. And our position hasn't changed that there can be no third-party intervention on this issue."
Regarding demands for the "curtailment of annual Amarnath Yatra" in the South Kashmir Himalayas due to environmental concerns, the minister said, "Different issues are raked up to the detriment of the common man in Kashmir. It is politics by other means. It is a great injustice to the people of Kashmir."
"I have geological reports and scientific studies to show that the yatra can be a year-round affair, without adverse impact on environment or area's ecology," Jitendra Singh added.
Referring to recent guerrilla attacks on cell phone towers in Kashmir, he said it was a loss for the Valley's people.
On setting up an All India Institute of Medical Sciences, he clarified that the super-specialty hospital would come up first in Jammu and only then elsewhere in the state.
"Jammu is in dire need of a better institute to cater to the health needs of the region's people. There is a feeling in Jammu that it is not getting its due," Jitendra Singh, an MP from Jammu's Udhampur constituency, said.
He, however, parried questions about the demand for the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Tripura.
"I am not qualified to comment on this issue. I pray that a day comes when AFSPA is not required, but security agencies have to be taken on board in this regard," the union minister said.
He was in Srinagar as part of the initiative to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance's one year in office.
"We (NDA) have taken a number of measures for alleviation of poverty in the country. Apart from economic security, we have focused on the self esteem of the common man so that he feels proud in being the citizen of India," Jitendra Singh said.
