CS Pushes Progress on ₹1430 Cr Disaster Recovery Projects

Jammu : In a major relief for the UT of J&K, the Central Government, on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has approved a comprehensive allocation of over Rs1,430 Cr for reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure and implementation of disaster mitigation measures across affected districts of the UT.
The significant development came to light during a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, which was attended by all Administrative Secretaries. The meeting was convened to assess the progress of key reform-oriented financial initiatives such as Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and SNA SPARSH, being monitored by the Finance Department and implemented across various departments of the UT Government.
During the recent meeting, Principal Secretary of Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya, highlighted significant achievements by the Union Territory (UT) in securing central financial assistance across various sectors. Following recent natural disasters, including cloudbursts, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) assessed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, leading the Ministry of Home Affairs to classify the calamities as “severe.” This classification facilitates substantial funding for infrastructure reconstruction and long-term mitigation strategies. The Principal Secretary presented a comprehensive status report detailing approvals, expenditures, and reform benchmarks achieved under various centrally sponsored and reform-linked schemes. The Chief Secretary expressed appreciation for the timely support from the Government of India, emphasizing its importance in enhancing the UT’s disaster preparedness and enabling extensive reconstruction of public assets, such as roads and water supply systems. The Chief Secretary directed relevant departments, particularly the Department of Disaster Management and the School Education Department, to identify eligible mitigation projects for the approved funding and ensure their completion by August 2026. He stressed the importance of optimal fund utilization, urging departments to fully utilize the initial Rs 944 crore released under the SASCI scheme and set a deadline of January 7, 2026, for processing pending bills. An update on SASCI implementation revealed that 222 projects across 27 departments have been approved, with Rs 944 crore released as the first installment and Rs 758 crore already spent. The Principal Secretary urged departments to expedite implementation, particularly for 95 projects currently showing no expenditure, to ensure full fund utilization within the designated timelines. The Government of India has also approved additional allocations under SASCI for 2025-26, contingent on the progress made in utilizing the initial loan of Rs 1,431 crore. To claim this additional funding, it is essential to expedite ongoing capital investments and implement infrastructure works effectively. The meeting also discussed fresh approvals under Part-II reforms, with Jammu and Kashmir included in the Unity Mall initiative, which has received special assistance of up to Rs 200 crore for establishing Unity Malls in Srinagar and Jammu. Additionally, significant advancements in the mining sector were noted, with a new Minor Mineral Policy introduced and Rs 100 crore sanctioned for mining sector reforms. Furthermore, under the Digital Public Infrastructure initiative for agriculture, Jammu and Kashmir is implementing the Farmers’ Registry and Digital Crop Survey, achieving milestones that led to the approval of Rs 60 crore by the Government of India. The Chief Secretary reaffirmed the UT Government’s commitment to financial discipline, timely reform execution, and effective utilization of central assistance to bolster infrastructure, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable development across Jammu and Kashmir.