SRINAGAR Dec 12: Governor Satya Pal Malik Wednesday announced the report card about achievement of Governor administration in the state.
“Transfer of funds, functions and functionaries to local bodies approved have been approved. Over Rs 2300 crores development funds per annum to be transferred to Panchayats and Rs 1200 crores to urban local bodies. Rs 2500 honorarium per month announced for Sarpanchs, Rs 1000 for Panchs,” he said. The total funds for civic bodies would be Rs 3500 crore annually.
Announcing the achievements of Governor led administration, Malik said conducting of civic polls was for empowering of people and devolution of power, while calling their “successful” completion a “landmark achievement”. He said that elections were conducted for 79 urban local bodies – 1145 councillors were elected and “free and fair” election process completed over a period of 3 months.
Similarly, he said that elections were conducted for 4483 Panchayats with a Sarpanch for each Panchayat Halqa and 35029 Panchs
The government has termed the initiatives of the Governor as ‘Mission Delivering Development and Mission Good Governance’.
For devolution of powers, the government approved Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill-2018, he said.
“Mayors/Deputy Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Presidents/Vice-Presidents of Municipal Councils/Municipal Committees elected through secret ballot Amendments made in the Panchayati Raj Act-1989 to devolve powers to Panchayats, ensure participative decision-making functioning and monitoring of 19 Departments devolved to Panchayats. Social audit of government schemes and programs to be conducted by Panchayats,” he announced.
He said that bottlenecks have been removed for implementation of Rs 80000 crores Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
“Long pending state level issues have been resolved. Land for two new AIIMS, IIT, IIM have been handed over. Work started on Ring Road Jammu. Land for IIM out-campus identified in Kashmir.”
“Final installment of Rs 110.74 cr released by Govt of India under PMDP for upgradation of healthcare infrastructure in JK ensuring full release of the allocation of Rs 900 crore under this sector.”
He said that Jammu & Kashmir Infrastructure Development Corporation (JKIDFC) was constituted to raise Rs 8000 crores for development.
“Major thrust to infrastructure, particularly languishing projects – some for over 20 years. 1296 languishing projects in key sectors with investment of Rs 2700 cr have been approved.”
He said 559 water supply schemes, costing Rs 965 cr approved to ensure assured drinking water supply
“Discussion initiated with Asian Development Bank for $150 million fresh loan for new development projects”
MoU signed between J&K and Punjab Govts for execution of Shahpur Kandi Dam Project, he said. “J&K will also get 20% electricity from Shahpur Kandi, Thein Dams.”
He said that rattle hydroelectric project has been cleared for implementation, which was hanging in fire for over 5 years
He said that J&K would get first-ever Gas Pipeline
He said 175 declarations/notifications involving 8770 Kanals of land for various important developmental projects like roads, bridges, transmission lines have been issued
He said Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act was amended to further empower the Council
Funds earmarked for development works Ladakh region to be released through the Councils, the Governor announced.
For administrative reforms, he said fact finding committees have been constituted to go into areas suspected of having transparency issues
For reformation in recruitments, he said interviews have been abolished for many posts – selection to be made only through common merit-based exam
“Selection of 958 Medical Officers – fastest ever selection process completed by JKPSC in just 42 days. Selection process for 3700 medicos and paramedical staff for 5 New Medical Colleges on fast-track,” while announcing hundreds of recruitment made in various departments.
He said a high-level committee headed by Advisor to Governor has been constituted to address service-related grievances of government employees
The Governor’s Grievance Cell received 35322 complaints/grievances received while 34313 dealt with / forwarded to concerned for timely redress, he added.
