SRINAGAR: The state government today announced a six per cent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) of its employees with effect from January this year.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Srinagar.
Announcing the cabinet decisions at a press conference here, Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar said “we announce a hike in DA from 107 to 113 from January this year.”
“This is in fact for the first time that the government employees are getting DA without resorting to agitation,” Mr Akhtar, who was also flanked by Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, said.
He said it was a practice that the DA was not released till there was an agitation.
“Today as part of its duty, the government had taken a decision, which also belies the rumours about money not coming (from centre) and also gives out a message that the system is getting streamlined in the state,” he said.
Mr Drabu said the idea behind the decision was to keep pace with the centre announcing DA for its employees.
“We have announced DA from January 15 to July 15 (and will be paid to the employees) through Provident Fund route, post that it will in cash, thereby we are moving to a system whereby the nearest amount will be given in cash,” he said.
He said the large part will be in cash.
“In respect of employees who are at the new pension scheme, the instalments will be in cash. Financial implications is about Rs. 285 crores for the year. Of that Rs. 240 crore is salary and the rest is pension. We have made provision for that in the Budget.
“The idea is to build system. In the last three-four months, we have got a lot of liabilities at various levels and we are trying to work out a system wherein there will be a transparency and finance will not be a constraint for development activities,” the finance minister said.
No transfers in todays meeting
The decision regarding much expected transfers of officers in the civil and police administration could not be taken in Wednesdays cabinet meeting.
The meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister, Mufti Mohmmad Syeed could not take up the agenda of transfers of police and civil officers because discussion and decision on other important agenda points consumed so much time that the members unanimously decided to defer the matter of transfers to next cabinet meeting scheduled for August 21, 2015, sources said.
OTHER CABINET DECISIONS
Nod to World Bank assistance
The Cabinet approved the proposal of the Relief & Rehabilitation Department for availing World Bank assistance of USD 250 Million (Rs 1500 cr approx) for the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) and for signing of the Subsidiary Agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India for it.
It may be recalled that in the aftermath of September 2014 floods, the Government of J&K separately sought a credit line facility from World Bank under the External Aided Projects (EAPs) through Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), GoI on soft loan basis.
The project comprises various components including:
(1) Reconstruction and strengthening of critical infrastructure(US$60m);
(2) Reconstruction of roads and bridges (US$80m);
(3) Restoration of urban flood management infrastructure (US$50 m);
(4) Restoration and strengthening of livelihoods (US$15m);
(5) Strengthening disaster risk management capacity (US$25m);
(6) Implementation Support (US$20m).
As per the Project Document, a Project Steering Committee (SC) will be set up for the overall strategy guidance and monitoring of the project. It will be headed by the Chief Secretary and will comprise all involved line departments, and additionally, the departments of Finance, Planning, Environment, and Social Welfare. The SC will formally approve the project investments and help coordinate the activities of various departments, including in obtaining required approvals/clearances for the Project.
A Project Management Unit (PMU), housed within the Relief & Rehabilitation Department, will be responsible for overall project management, coordination, and reporting, and for implementation of Component 5. The PMU will also be responsible to carry out procurement of goods, services, and small scale works for other components, with technical inputs from the relevant line departments.
There will be 3 Project Implementation Units (PIUs) that will be set up at the beginning of the Project. During project implementation, additional PIUs might be set-up depending on the volume of investments and capacity. The 3 PIUs viz Roads and Building Department (R&B), will be responsible for all civil works under Components 1, and 2, and it will receive technical inputs from the Departments of Health, Higher Education, Fire, and others as relevant depending on the civil works; Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) will be responsible for implementation of Component 3 and it will be assisted by the Urban Environment Engineering Department (UEED) for technical inputs and procurement of goods, works, and services in line with its official responsibilities and capacity and Industry & Commerce Department (I&CD) will be responsible for implementation of Component 4 with support from other agencies.
The PMU and the PIUs will be staffed with the best manpower available within and outside the Government, from Engineering, Environment & Remote Sensing and Social Sectors.
New Paediatric hospital at Bemina
The Cabinet gave nod to the construction of new Paediatric Hospital within the upcoming 200 bedded Maternity Hospital at Bemina at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
The decision was taken to facilitate the availability of Paediatric healthcare facilities alongside the maternity hospital within the same building premises.
Sub-Committee for cadre review
The Cabinet ordered constitution of a Sub-Committee of the Cabinet, to go-over the cadre review proposal for the IAS and KAS prepared by the establishment-cum-Selection Committee.
Deputy Chief Minister shall be the Chairman of the Sub-Committee with Minister for Health and Medical Education, Minister for Science and Technology/Animal Husbandry, Minister for Finance, Labour & Employment and Culture and Minister for Education as its Members.
The Sub-Committee shall submit its report within a month.
Term of PIU in Tech Ed Deptt Extended
Cabinet accorded extension for a further period of three years to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Technical Education Department or till the completion of the 18 new polytechnics in J&K.
To oversee the process of construction of 18 new polytechnic colleges the PIU was established in 2010 for a period of 5 years which expired in April 2015. Construction of these polytechnic colleges is under progress and out of these, 3 institutes at Budgam, Samba and Reasi are nearing completion.
Land for new Medical Colleges
The Cabinet approved transfer of land to the Health and Medical Education Department for establishment of new Medical Colleges at Kathua, Rajouri and Baramulla districts.
However, in the case of the proposed medical college at Kathua 200 Kanal of State land in the two identified villages would be provided to the H&ME department.
Aasra for underprivileged
The Cabinet approved launching of a comprehensive Social Security Scheme by the State Government named Asra under which the State Government would pay or reimburse premium for the schemes viz. Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana and Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
The scheme will provide social security cover to widows, destitute, BPL families and bread winners of such families whose annual income is less than Rs 75,000. The scheme will be executed by the Social Welfare Department and it will also identify all the eligible beneficiaries. Rs 50 crore have been earmarked to implement the scheme this year.
Empowered Committee for Creation of Posts
The Cabinet accorded sanction to the constitution of an Empowered Committee to approve the formal creation of posts for regularisation of left over eligible DRWs (Daily Rated Workers) engaged prior to 31st January 1994.
The Empowered Committee comprises Commissioner Secretary Finance as Chairman and other members from the concerned department, Law Department, GAD and Director Codes who shall be the Member Secretary. The Committee shall give its approval after scrutiny of the proposals in terms of SRO 64 of 1994.
Promotion of IPS officers
The Cabinet sanctioned the promotion of Mr. S. K. Mishra, IPS to the Grade of DGP (Pay Scale Rs 7500080000), with effect from 11th May 2015. It also sanctioned promotion of Dr. B. Srinivas IPS to the Grade of ADGP Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) Pay Scale Rs 67000-79000, with effect from 1st January 2015.
In another decision the Cabinet also accorded sanction to the continuation of the temporary posts of IGP IR Kashmir, IGP IR Jammu, IGP CIV PHQ and IGP Telecommunication of IPS Cadre of J&K for a further period of one year with effect from 1st January 2015, in the Pay Band of Rs 37,400-67,000 with GP of Rs 10,000 in the Super Time Scale -II.
However, the Cabinet decided that as a matter of policy, no temporary additions to the IAS, IPS and IFS Cadres be made at any level in future.
Sub-treasuries at Kapran, Zainapora
The Cabinet accorded sanction to the establishment of Sub- Treasuries at Kapran and Zainapora, district Shopian with the creation of 5 posts in each treasury.
Draft Pvt Security Regulation Ordinance
The Cabinet gave nod to the draft Jammu and Kashmir Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Ordinance. The Ordinance aims at providing a legal framework for regulating the functioning of the private security agencies including their licensing, de-licensing etc.
With the expansion of the economy a large number of private business enterprises have come up in the State which has increased the demand for security, resulting in proliferation of private security agencies. Although, these private security agencies have helped in meeting the security needs, yet their unregulated activities can have serious security implications, therefore there was a need to have a Law for regulating the functioning of these private security agencies.
Emoluments for LAHDC Councillors
The Cabinet approved retrospective enhancement of salary of the Councillors of LAHDC Leh and Kargil from September 2009 and payment of arrears on account of this from September 2009 up to 13th February 2012.
Exchange of land at Bijbehara
The Cabinet approved transfer of 3 Kanal 7 Marlas of land at Padshahibagh Bijbehara district Anantnag belonging to the Animal Husbandry Department to Tourism Department for the development of integrated wayside facility including high-end restaurant, recreation and shopping area.
It also approved transfer of State land measuring 2 Kanal at Estate Jablipora, Bijbehara in exchange to the Animal Husbandry Department for the construction of Block Veterinary office & Hospital.
Remuneration of Settlement Assistants
The Cabinet approved enhancement of monthly remuneration of Settlement Assistants from the existing Rs 2000 per month to Rs 4500 per month with immediate effect.
PLO post created in SIC
The Cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of a post of Public Law Officer in the J&K State Information Commission in the Pay Band of Rs 9300-34,800 with GP of Rs 4800 by corresponding reduction of one post of Under Secretary.
Hirdesh Kumar promoted as Commr/Secy
The Cabinet approved promotion of Mr. Hirdesh Kumar IAS to the Super Time Scale of Rs 37,400-67,000 + GP Rs 10,000 with effect from 1st January 2015.
Consequent upon his promotion, Mr Hirdesh Kumar shall be designated as Commissioner Secretary to the Government TE, Youth Service and Sports and IT Department.
Bhat appointed Secy LC
The Cabinet approved the appointment of Special Secretary Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Abdul Majid Bhat as Secretary, J&K Legislative Council on deputation basis in his own pay and grade.
It also accorded sanction to the promotion of Director State Motor Garages, Mr. G. A. Sofi to a common pool of posts for HoDs, in the Pay Band of Rs 37,400-67,000 with Grade pay of Rs 10,000 with immediate effect.
Consequent upon his promotion, Mr. G. A. Sofi, Director, State Motor Garages, J&K, is re-designated as Director General, State Motor Garages, J&K.
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