Union Defence Secretary calls on J&K CM

SRINAGAR, JULY 11(KMW): The Union Defence Secretary, G. Mohan Kumar, called on the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, at his residence here this morning and discussed wide-ranging issues relating to prevailing security situation in the State.
GoC 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, were also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, Mufti Sayeed referred to several issues, in particular the one related to expansion of Jammu and Kargil Airports, required urgently to broaden the scope of airline operations in the two regions.
The Chief Minister had earlier also discussed the issue with the Union Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, during his visit to the summer capital in May wherein he had highlighted the imperative need for extending the runway at the Jammu Airport. The Airport at the winter capital is also facing a huge space crunch and needs immediate upgrade to increase its area of operation, keeping in mind the ever-increasing tourist and pilgrim rush.
The issue of transfer of Lower Khurbathang Plateau at Kargil for expansion of Kargil Airport was also discussed during the meeting.
The Chief Minister also stressed upon the Defence Secretary to expedite vacation of Tattoo Ground, which is located in the heart of Srinagar city, so that civic facilities are developed in larger public interest.
The Chief Minister also suggested setting into motion an institutional mechanism involving State Government officials and Army authorities to settle in a time-bound manner the issue of reconciling the status of excess land presently with the Army.
The issue of providing employment to local youth in eco-Territorial Battalions for their contribution in afforestation drives in the state was also discussed in the meeting.
The Defence Secretary assured early positive consideration of the various pending issues as well as those highlighted by the Chief Minister.