Minister directs strict financial discipline, avoiding cost, time overruns
Srinagar : Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, SakeenaItoo, Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at Civil Secretariat here to assess the physical and financial progress achieved under the Strengthening and Augmentation of State Capabilities for Citizen-Centric Infrastructure (SASCI), CAPEX Budget and other flagship developmental schemes being implemented by the Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education departments besides implementation of key budget announcements in these departments.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez; Commissioner Secretary Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Mission Director ICDS, Mission Director RUSA, Mission Director Samagra Shiksha, Director School Education Jammu/Kashmir, Director Health Jammu/Kashmir, Special Secretaries of concerned departments, Director Planning/Finance of concerned departments, and other senior officers.
The Minister conducted a detailed department-wise review of the status of ongoing infrastructure projects, expenditure under CAPEX allocations, implementation of SASCI initiatives and other flagship programmes aimed at strengthening the public service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.
SakeenaItoo directed the officers to ensure timely completion of all sanctioned projects without compromising on quality standards. She stressed that every developmental initiative must translate into tangible benefits for the people and contribute towards strengthening essential public infrastructure here.
The Minister underscored the importance of effective planning, inter-departmental coordination and regular monitoring to achieve the desired outcomes. She instructed the officers to remove bottlenecks delaying execution of projects and adopt a result-oriented approach for ensuring optimal utilisation of funds.
SakeenaItoo reiterated the government’s commitment towards transparent, accountable and people-centric governance, asserting that development projects must be executed efficiently to maximise public benefit.
“Maintain strict financial discipline, adhere to prescribed timelines and ensure regular monitoring of the progress of all projects to avoid cost and time overruns”, she said.
The Minister directed the departments to strengthen the field-level supervision, improve coordination among executing agencies and ensure periodic reviews so that all flagship schemes are implemented effectively and their intended objectives are achieved within the prescribed timeframe.
Taking stock of the School and Higher Education Departments, the Minister highlighted the importance of upgrading educational infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment for students. She directed the officers to expedite construction and upgradation works, ensuring that educational institutions are equipped with the necessary facilities to support quality education.
Regarding the education department, the Minister was informed that 24228 schools, both public and private are operational in Jammu and Kashmir, including 37 KVs, 20 JNVs and six schools of Tribal affairs department, with total enrolment of about 2657883 students. It was also given out that among 1421 works proposed under UT CAPEX 2026-27, 786 works are targeted for completion with 90 works already stand completed.
It was also informed that under SASCI, a total outlay of Rs 2648.89 lakh has been proposed for various kinds of works across UT. Under Samagra Shiksha, it was revealed that 3019 Civil works have been completed in last one and half years. It was also informed that skill education has been introduced in 1350 high and higher secondary schools, besides 3008 digital Labs have been established while as 2388 ICT Labs and 4597 smart classrooms are in the process of establishment. The meeting was also informed that 396 schools have been approved for upgradation under PM-SHRI scheme while 45 Atal Tinkering Labs and 159 STEM Labs have already been established in approved schools under this scheme.
Regarding higher education department, the Minister was informed that for the year 2026-27, Rs. 468 crore have been approved for allocation, with Rs. 227.71 crore available for spending. It was given out that under PM-USHA RUSA for the year 2026-27, Rs. 75.35 crores have been outlayed for various works. The meeting was also informed that some major projects have been targeted for completion during 2026-27 under Capex like Construction of five College Buildings, 14 New Additional Blocks/Administrative Blocka, 4 Science Blocks, 12 Additional Classroom Blocks, 11 Automation of libraries, 8 Multipurpose Halls, two Library Blocks, three Girls/Boys Hostels and 12 Smart Class roo Under SASCI, it was informed that 21 works with an outlay of Rs. 71.77 crores will be carried out during 2026-27.
Reviewing the Health and Medical Education Department, Sakeena Itoo emphasized the need to accelerate the pace of infrastructure development in hospitals and health institutions besides ensuring availability of quality healthcare services. She directed the concerned officers to closely monitor all ongoing works under SASCI and CAPEX and complete them within the stipulated timelines.
The Minister was informed that 64 Dialysis centers, with 2 each in 32 SDHs/CHCs of various districts have been established. It was also informed that Cath Labs for GMC Doda and GMC Baramulla will be established during the current fiscal besides PET scan at an estimated cost of Rs. 35 crore will also be established in GMC Srinagar and GMC Kathua. The meeting was also informed that 51 AI X-ray machines at a cost of Rs. 2.50 crore have been proposed for the current fiscal as well as lift and oxygen plant maintenance for Rs. 9.50 crore.
While reviewing the Social Welfare Department, the Minister called for effective implementation of welfare schemes and directed officials to ensure that benefits reach all eligible beneficiaries in a transparent and time-bound manner. She also stressed the need to strengthen the institutional infrastructure for improved delivery of social welfare services.
The Minister emphasized that sustained monitoring, accountability and efficient execution remain key to achieve the developmental goals envisioned by the Government, while reiterating her commitment to improve healthcare, education and social welfare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir
During the meeting, senior officers briefed the Minister about the current status of ongoing projects, financial expenditure, achievements made so far and challenges being faced during implementation. They assured the Minister that all necessary efforts are being made to expedite execution of developmental works and ensure timely completion of projects in accordance with the Government’s priorities.
