SRINAGAR: THE Jammu & Kashmir Government, in a significant decision aimed at giving a further fillip to the people to people contact between those living on both sides of the Line of Control, on Wednesday authorized its Department of Industries and Commerce to work out modalities for establishing banking facilities for the cross LoC trade.
This follows the go ahead from Reserve Bank of India to institutionalize the cross LoC trade through a proper banking mechanism and doing away with the present barter system, said states Education Minister Naeem Akhtar who also happens to be the government spokesperson. The authorization came at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu.
This important decision would go a long way in expanding the scope and ambit of the cross LoC trade, he said, adding that the cabinet also gave its nod to develop tourism infrastructure at selected border points for the promotion of border tourism in the state. To begin with the government has decided to develop tourism infrastructure at Suchetgarh and Chamlyal in Jammu region, he said, adding that such facilities would be extended to other border areas in the state as well over a period of time.
The cabinet also welcomed the resumption of Indo-Pak talks. Hailing the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in reviving peace process in the region. The cabinet observed that while peace process between India and Pakistan is of great significance for the whole South Asian region, it has the greatest impact on Jammu and Kashmir which faces the maximum brunt because of Indo-Pak hostilities.
Planning and Dev Deptt restructured
The Cabinet which met in Jammu on Wednesday Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti in chair, gave nod to the proposal regarding reorientation and reorganization of the Planning and Development Department with the aim to ensure focused monitoring of public expenditure, timely preparation of DPRs and close monitoring of development projects.
Accordingly, as per the proposal, the Planning and Development Department shall become Planning & Monitoring Department, an official spokesperson said this evening.
The need for change was necessitated following the replacement of Planning Commission of India by NITI Aayog and acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations by the Union Government, with long term ramifications as regards the planning process in the State. Under the new framework, Revenue Expenditure and Capital Expenditure Budget have been separated from last year and the process of rationalization will continue over the current year.
Similarly, in terms of a more effective delivery strategy for inclusive and balanced regional development, the State Government needs to lay stress on alternate systems of delivery of development programmes and public services: particularly execution of projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Moreover, there is an equally pressing need for making the development process environment friendly and responsive to the needs of people living in far flung and difficult areas besides there is also a need to have a full-fledged project formulation division with capacities to identify and arrange the services of consultants as may be required for preparation of DPRs.
In these circumstances, a strong need was felt to reorient the Planning & Development Department on certain key aspects relating to the development process in the State.
46 officers promoted to KAS time scale
SRINAGAR: Cabinet accorded promotion of forty six officers to the Time Scale of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) on Wednesday.
Cabinet also approved promotion of Zakir Hussain Choudhary, in-charge Director, State Motor Garages as Director State Motor Garages in the Pay Band of 37400-67000 with Grade Pay of 8700 w.e.f 21st August-2015.
Cabinet also accorded sanction to the promotion of Pawan Kumar, Senior Scale Officer to the Selection Grade of the J&K Accounts (Gazetted ) Service w.e.f 14th March-2016.
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