PM's expert group on Kashmir to meet on Friday

The high-level expert group led by former Reserve Bank of India governor C Rangarajan to formulate a jobs plan for Jammu and Kashmir is likely to meet on Friday in New Delhi. The committee was formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as part of the Centre's efforts to end the ongoing cycle of violence there.

The committee will initially hold a few meetings with senior officials from various ministries including home, agriculture, external affairs, commerce and rural development. The August 27 meeting will draw up a plan of action for the next three months.

The experts committee also includes Infosys founding Chairman N R Narayana Murthy, President of Aspen Institute and former Chief Mentor of Confederation of Indian Industry Tarun Das, President of the Federation of Chamber of Industries (Kashmir) Shaqueel Qalander, former agriculture secretary P Nanda Kumar and an official representative of the state government.

The committee seeks to formulate a job plan for the state that involves both public and private sectors. To increase employability in the state, the committee members will interact with the National Skill Development Mission and submit its report within three months.

Narayanamurthy has suggested to Dr C Rangarajan that holding video conferences, rather than personal meetings, would be a better option.

Dr K P Krishnan, an official of the Indian Administrative Service's 1983 batch, will serve as the secretary and coordinate with other members. Dr Krishnan will also write the
final report of this committee.

Dr Krishnan is presently the member-secretary of the PM's Economic Advisory Council.