Assuring full support to the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir government on development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday sought toning up the administrative machinery so that projects can be effectively implemented.

"Earlier this month, following my directive, the Union cabinet secretary, accompanied by 13 secretaries to the government of India, visited the state. The first priority is to tone up the administrative machinery so that development projects can be effectively implemented on the ground and the funds of development reach the common man," Singh said in his opening remark at the press conference here.

He also announced slew of measures being taken by the Centre to help the state to tide over power crisis, unemployment and speed up development in the state.

"The power sector is critical for the development of the state," he said adding the Union Power Ministry will set up a special monitoring group for the power sector in the state, involving the Union Ministry of Finance, the Planning Commission and the state government.

"I have assured the state government that the Government of India would allocate up to 500 MW of power in the winter months to Jammu and Kashmir depending on the load pattern and the emergent requirements of the state," Singh said.

Singh said the Ministry of new and renewable energy has prepared a renewable energy plan for Ladakh region to minimize the use of kerosene, diesel and firewood. The Prime Minister said he spoke yesterday about the enormous possibilities of making the state into one of the world's top tourist destinations and said "we have decided to commit additional funds of more than Rs 359 crore for the rehabilitation of the world famous Dal and Nagin lakes".

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