The centre says it will give top priority to developing Jammu and Kashmir

The government has denied reports of a Group of Ministers being formed to come up with a blueprint for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. "Reports about government setting up a GoM on issues relating to J&K is not correct, and as such, denied," said Sitanshu Kar, the Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau.

There was a buzz that the government had named a Group of Ministers, whose report would form the basis for any economic package for the state, which had its special status scrapped and was bifurcated into two Union Territories earlier this month.

While announcing the sweeping move on Jammu and Kashmir in parliament on August 5, Home Minister Amit Shah had said it would pave the way to the government's development plans for it.

The government also said giving the Union Territory status to Jammu and Kashmir was meant to facilitate development, since it would bring it under central rule.



The centre has said Jammu and Kashmir becoming Union Territory will help develop the place faster

Assuring the nation that Jammu and Kashmir will not remain a Union Territory for long, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on August 8, said the government's decision can only bring about positive changes in the lives of the people.

It would mean protection of Indian laws, industrialisation, a boost in tourism and employment. Politically, not much will change, he assured.

"This was a step taken after a lot of thought... I don't think there will be a need to keep Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory for long, though Union Territory status will be retained for Ladakh," PM Modi said in a 38-minute speech.

Jammu and Kashmir had been under a lockdown since August 4, ahead of the government's big announcement in parliament.

More than 50,000 security personnel are on streets and phone service and internet are still off. The state's mainstream leaders, including former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have been under arrest since.