J&K Assembly Passes Multi-Crore Grants For Key Sectors

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Jammu- The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed grants amounting to Rs 59,431.23 lakh for the General Administration Department (GAD), Rs 56,009.69 lakh for Planning, Rs 14,183.38 lakh for Information, Rs 12,47,727.65 lakh for the Power Development Department (PDD), Rs 62,70,347.94 lakh for Finance, Rs 7,083.77 lakh for Parliamentary Affairs, Rs 76,284.53 lakh for the Law Department (excluding the Election Department), Rs 81,073.94 lakh for Revenue, Rs 4,06,130.30 lakh for housing & Urban Development (H&UDD), Rs 61,280.18 lakh for Tourism, Rs 46,683.86 lakh for Hospitality, Protocol & Estates, Rs 20,459.31 lakh for Culture, and Rs 1,96,369.04 lakh for Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRRR). The grants were passed following three days of extensive discussions in the House.

CM Omar Abdullah began his speech with a Kashmiri proverb:“Vandi txalli, sheen gallie, bai yee bahaar” (Winter will pass, the snow will melt, and spring will come again). Responding to discussions on the Demands for Grants, the Chief Minister acknowledged concerns raised by members and emphasized the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.

“Some honorable members felt that I was too pessimistic in my previous speeches. So today, I decided to start differently. We are not afraid of discussions. We do not shy away from difficult questions. We answer them openly, no matter how tough these are.”

Addressing remarks made by an opposition member comparing his political strategies to cricket, the Chief Minister said:“A smart player adapts to the game. I was bowling pace when conditions favored it; now, I am bowling spin. But I have not changed the game-I remain committed to my responsibilities.”

On Equality and Legal Changes

Read Also Who Used Chartered Flights in J&K? Assembly Seeks Probe J&K Speaker, PDP's Parra Spar Over 'Erased' Motions

The Chief Minister also addressed concerns regarding legal changes in Jammu and Kashmir.“Five years ago, we spoke of equality. Today, we are still demanding it. Ask yourself-are we truly equal to other states? The reality speaks for itself.” He refuted allegations that his government had disrespected the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh.

“The laws governing state subjects were not altered by us but by others. Before 2019, you practiced under the Ranbir Penal Code, named after Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Today, you follow a different law. Who, then, changed history?”

On Economic Development and Employment

The Chief Minister highlighted economic disparities and employment challenges, particularly for local youth.“If four people from Haryana can work here, then ensure the same opportunities exist for our people in Haryana, Himachal and beyond. Setting up industries in Himachal is difficult due to strict local policies. In contrast, we have no such restrictions.

Urban Development and Infrastructure Speaking on urban infrastructure, the Chief Minister acknowledged shortcomings in Smart City projects.“We built footpaths, yet people still walk on roads. We created cycle tracks, but motorcycles now occupy them. We constructed multi-level parking facilities, yet vehicles remain parked on the streets. Infrastructure alone is not enough; we need a collective shift in mindset.”

He also stressed the importance of decongesting cities through planned residential townships.“We are not settling outsiders. When your government spoke of New Srinagar and New Jammu, no one objected. Our goal remains the same-to develop new residential areas and prevent urban decay.”

Disaster Management and Cultural Preservation

Regarding disaster management and relief efforts, the Chief Minister reassured members about the government's commitment to providing proper rehabilitation and housing for displaced communities.

On cultural preservation, he highlighted ongoing restoration efforts at 33 heritage sites across Jammu and Kashmir, with a budget of ₹65 crore. Future plans include restoring 73 additional sites with an estimated cost of ₹170 crore.“Heritage defines our identity. Projects like the Mubarak Mandi restoration must be completed soon. We cannot let history fade.”

The Chief Minister reiterated the need for efficient governance and accountability in planning and finance.“The Planning Department's role is crucial. It is not just about drafting policies but ensuring their execution. We must reconsider the decision to merge planning with finance and restore its independent role.”

Hospitality, Protocol & State Infrastructure

The Chief Minister emphasized that government expenditure on state guests is a common practice and has been followed by previous governments as well. While he refrained from detailing the exact spending, he assured the House that steps are being taken to utilize existing assets effectively.

Addressing concerns about lost properties after the reorganization of J&K and Ladakh, he stated,“The properties that are gone cannot be reclaimed, but we must make the best use of those that remain.”

He highlighted ongoing efforts to convert the structure in Sector 17, Chandigarh, into a state guest house, which will cost approximately ₹13 crores and cater to patients, students, and public representatives. He reiterated the importance of vertical expansion due to space constraints, drawing parallels with Motibagh in Delhi, and assured the House that alternative accommodations for government officials are being planned.

Government Accommodation & Discipline in Allotment

The Chief Minister acknowledged the acute shortage of government accommodations, forcing many MLAs and ministers to seek private housing or live below their entitlement. At the same time, he pointed out the issue of unauthorized occupation, stating,“There are individuals who exceed their entitlement, and some who have no entitlement yet refuse to vacate are working towards enforcing discipline in this regard.”

He assured that new infrastructure projects would be undertaken with comprehensive planning and strict adherence to Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).

Aviation & Mismanagement of State Aircraft

Responding to queries regarding government spending on chartered planes, the Chief Minister stated that ₹15 crores were spent over three years.

Expressing concern over the mismanagement of the state aircraft, he criticized its prolonged neglect, saying,“The plane purchased with taxpayers' money was left abandoned at Jammu Airport for five years, exposed to the vagaries of weather. This was an unnecessary and avoidable waste.” He lamented the uncertainty over the cost of restoring the aircraft to make it airworthy and stressed that better management of public assets is crucial.

Tourism Development & Infrastructure Expansion

The Chief Minister highlighted the need for robust tourism infrastructure to fully exploit J&K's tourism potential. He noted that many MLAs had requested gondolas for their constituencies but clarified,“Building a gondola does not guarantee tourists will come. We need comprehensive infrastructure development.”

He emphasized the importance of promoting pilgrim tourism in Jammu and proposed creating religious tourism circuits to enhance connectivity between different pilgrimage sites.

He invited MLAs to provide insights on their local religious sites to facilitate this development. He also acknowledged the suggestion of developing agri-tourism, particularly in regions known for Basmati rice cultivation, and assured collaboration on this front.

Media Advertisements & Transparency

Addressing concerns regarding the distribution of government advertisements, the Chief Minister assured transparency and fairness.

He stated,“Newspapers that rely solely on government ads cannot function as independent media. While we will support media houses, we must discourage mushrooming of newspapers that exist only to publish government press releases.”

He also declared that the Srinagar Press Club would be re-established and a fair election would be held to elect its members. He emphasized the need for a unified institution, stating that journalists would be responsible for forming a managing committee to oversee it's functioning.

Power Amnesty & Consumer Responsibility

Regarding power amnesty, the Chief Minister announced the extension of the amnesty scheme but stressed that frequent waivers are unfair to those who pay their bills on time.

He said,“We have given amnesty multiple times, but we must not continue this indefinitely. It is unfair to those who pay regularly.”

He proposed a new scheme that would offer incentives on outstanding dues in proportion to future payments, encouraging a culture of timely bill payments. He also reiterated the importance of metering to improve revenue collection and reduce losses.

Legislators' Salaries & MLA CDF

The Chief Minister addressed concerns over MLAs' salaries, noting that it had not been revised in ten years. He suggested forming a committee comprising leaders of political parties to implement a structured salary revision mechanism based on the parliamentary model. He also proposed aligning the CDF guidelines with the MPLADS framework for better fund utilization. While acknowledging the demand for an increase in CDF allocations, he stated that a reasonable enhancement crore would be considered to increase it from Rs 3 to Rs 4 crore for each MLA.

e-Governance & Judicial Reforms

The Chief Minister commended the successful implementation and functioning of e-office, which has improved efficiency and transparency in government processes. He highlighted efforts to integrate video conferencing in High Court proceedings, ensuring that virtual hearings remain a permanent feature.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the legislators for their valuable contributions during the discussions. He assured that their concerns had been noted and would be addressed appropriately. He also requested the withdrawal of cut motions, which was subsequently agreed upon by the House.

The cut motions on Demands for Grants were withdrawn by MLAs. More than 50 legislators took part in the debates.

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