In a first SAC approves JK trade & export Policy
The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here last evening under the chairmanship of Governor, N N Vohra gave nod to the first ever J&K Trade & Export Policy, 2018-28.
The policy reflects the dynamics of Jammu & Kashmir State as an agrarian economy in transition towards a market driven one. It is aimed to transform the state economy from a supply constrained one into a competitive export-led entity responsive to enhanced domestic integration and wider participation in national and global economy in tune with the national policies. It will create an enabling eco-system to ensure effective participation in the designed framework-based trading system that has emerged at the National and International levels and help in seizing opportunities available in global liberalized market.
The envisioned targets in the policy include, to enhance the Domestic Trade Volume by 5 times in next 10 years; to transform the system from regulator to facilitator and from performer to enabler; to provide employment opportunities to educated unemployed and skilled youth in export trading of goods and services; to encourage, promote and facilitate more investment in enterprises and built a strong, responsive and vibrant business environment in the state.
The policy shall be valid for a period of 10 years or till a new Trade and Export policy is announced.
SAC approves revision of fare for commercial passenger vehicles
In order to provide immediate relief to the transporters and vehicle owners who are plying commercial passenger vehicles and are providing transportation facilities to the general public, the State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here last evening under the chairmanship of Governor, N N Vohra, approved revision in the passenger fare of all commercial passenger vehicles keeping in view sharp rise in the fuel prices and other operational and maintenance cost.
In this regard, Motor Vehicles Department carried out the cost analysis based on all relevant inputs including fuel prices in the month of April 2018 and a proposal was submitted to the Transport Department. The Department convened a meeting of the Fare Revision Committee constituted for recommending increase in fare and freight structure, in which representatives of the various Transport Associations and Unions from across J&K also participated.
SAC approves amendments to J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989
The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here last evening under the chairmanship of Governor, N N Vohra, approved amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to provide for consultation with Halqa Majlis before preparing the development plan for a Panchayat.
The decision is a step towards devolution of more powers to the people who will be empowered to take decisions about their developmental requirements/ area specific activities.
Also, in order to provide continuity to the development of Panchayats and in the absence of Halqa Panchayats, the amendment empowers the concerned BDO to collect fee/ taxes already imposed by the Halqa Panchayat.
To facilitate the process of early Panchayat elections in the State, the SAC approved amendment proposed by Department of RD&PR to exclude the Sarpanch from the minimum and maximum number of Panchs in a Panchayat, so that no fresh exercise of delimitation of Panchayats is required to be undertaken.
SAC approves transfer of land for establishment of maiden Vehicle Inspection & Certification Centre
The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here last evening under the chairmanship of Governor, N N Vohra, approved the transfer of State land measuring 61 Kanals 15 Marlas situated at Village Bara, Tehsil Vijaypur, District Samba, to the Transport Department for establishing Inspection and Certification Centre.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Govt of India has decided to set up a model Inspection and Certification Centre on pilot basis across the country for conducting fitness tests of motor vehicles. One such centre has been decided to be established at Village Bara, Samba. The project shall be executed by the International Centre for Automotive Technology.
The MoRTH, GoI will provide Rs 14.40 crore to the State for the initiative. The establishment of this centre will enable automated fitness testing, improve the quality of vehicles on road and reduce road accidents.
SAC approves transfer of land for construction of 100MVA Grid Station at Nowshehra, Srinagar
In order to address the increasing power demand and to provide quality power to the residents of downtown Srinagar, the State Administrative Council (SAC) which met here last evening under the chairmanship of Governor, N N Vohra, approved transfer of a piece of land measuring 78 x 33.5 sqm at Jammu & Kashmir Industries (JKI) Residential Sarai, Nowshehra, Srinagar to the Power Development Department (PDD) for construction of a 100 MVA Grid Station.
The development of this Grid Station would fulfil a long pending demand of downtown residents of Srinagar.
JK Govt restricts random creation of posts under centrally sponsored schemes
Following the decision of the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor N N Vohra, J&K Government Thursday formally embargoed random creation of posts under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
“No post shall be created under any Centrally Sponsored Schemes, whether fully or partly funded, without prior concurrence of the Finance Department and the approval of the Competent Authority,” said an order issued by the Principal Secretary Finance, Navin K Choudhary here this evening.
It said the Rule-34 of the J&K Government Business Rules clearly specifies that all the proposals of the Government having financial implications should be got cleared and concurred by the Finance Department prior to their approval by the competent authority.
According to the order, if there is any commitment of the central government to fund the engagement of staff required on temporary basis for any Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the same should be engaged only after the prior concurrence by the Finance Department.
“The departments should in categorical terms define time period for engagement of such staff under Centrally Sponsored Schemes,” it said adding that the order of engagement must clearly specify that the staff engaged under the scheme shall be coterminous with the scheme and there shall be absolutely no commitment of the State Government for continuance or regularization of staff after the closure of the scheme.
Removal of Pay Anomalies: Finance Deptt issues formal SRO
Following the decision of the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor N N Vohra, regarding removal of Pay Anomalies, J&K Government Thursday issued formal orders for revision of the pay scales of the Clerical Cadre in the State.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by proviso to Section-124 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor is pleased to direct that suitable amendments in the relevant Recruitment Rules shall be made by the concerned Departments to give effect to the up-gradation of Pay Levels of Clerical Cadre posts with effect from 01-05-2018,” said SRO-333 issued by the Principal Secretary Finance, Navin K Choudhary here this evening.
According to the SRO, the pay level of Junior Assistants, Key Punch Operators (Planning, Monitoring & Development Department) and Assistant Compilers (J&K Funds Organization) has been upgraded from the existing Pay Level 2 (19900-63200) to Level 4 (25500-81100).
The pay level of Steno-Typists, Compilers (J&K Funds Organization, Senior Assistants and Jr Statistical Assistants has been upgraded from existing Pay Level 4 (25500-81100) to Level 5 (29200-92300).
Similarly, the pay level of Head Assistants, Statistical Assistants, Jr Scale Stenographers, Jr Legal Assistants and Senior Compilers (J&K Funds Organization) has been upgraded from Existing Pay Level 6 (35400-112400) to Level 6B (35600-112800).
According to the SRO, the pay in the upgraded Pay Level shall be fixed in terms of sub-rule (2) of Rule-7 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Revised) Pay Rules, 2018.
It said in respect of the posts of Junior Assistants/Senior Assistants, incentive equal to two increments at the time of passing of Secretariat Assistant Examination shall not be admissible in the upgraded Pay Levels with effect from 01-05-2018.
It further said the cases already settled in this regard shall not be re-opened.
