Srinagar, | Sept:21:Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports and ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma, Monday said that 8,79,112 beneficiaries have been covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) in Jammu and Kashmir as on January 1, 2025.
The Minister was replying to the question raised by Sajad Gani Lone in the Legislative Assembly Monday.
The Minister apprised that the government of J&K has announced provision for refilling cost of 06 free domestic LPG cylinders per annum for AAY families through Aadhaar enabled DBT into the bank account of the beneficiaries. Necessary action for implementation of the scheme is underway and examination of various aspects/modalities involved is presently underway. The exact financial implication shall be worked out upon finalization of the scheme.
Govt ensures transparency, fairness in allotment of works below departmental estimates: Dy CM
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary Monday informed the House that the government follows a well-defined, transparent and rule-based mechanism for allotment of works, including those where the accepted bid is lower than the departmental estimated cost.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Mehraj Malik regarding the allotment of works below departmental estimates, the Deputy Chief Minister said that departmental estimates are prepared strictly in accordance with the applicable Schedule of Rates, prevailing site conditions, approved technical specifications and quantities. Wherever required, prevailing market rates are also taken into consideration, he added. He said that all estimates are subjected to due technical scrutiny and are sanctioned by the competent authority in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedures.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that works are subsequently allotted through a transparent and competitive e-tendering process to the lowest responsive and eligible bidder, strictly as per the applicable tendering provisions.
He clarified that where a bid is substantially lower than the departmental estimated cost, it is not accepted mechanically. Instead, its reasonableness, financial viability and the bidder’s capacity to execute the work are examined in accordance with the applicable rules, Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) and prescribed procedures before a decision on award is taken.
He further informed the House that a well-defined mechanism is in place for scrutiny of substantially low or abnormally low bids. Before awarding such works, the bidder’s eligibility, technical and financial capacity, past experience, available resources and the reasonableness and viability of the quoted rates are duly assessed with reference to the tender conditions and applicable SBDs.
Wherever prescribed under the tender conditions, Additional Performance Security is also obtained from the successful bidder to safeguard the government’s financial and contractual interests, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that allotment of a work at a rate lower than the departmental estimate does not dilute the prescribed quality standards. During execution, compliance with the approved specifications, quantities, quality parameters and contractual conditions is ensured through regular inspections, testing and established quality-control mechanis
He stated that appropriate Defect Liability and Maintenance provisions are incorporated in contracts, wherever applicable. The concerned field officers remain responsible for monitoring the condition of completed works during the stipulated period and maintaining prescribed inspection and maintenance records.
“Where any defect attributable to the contractor is noticed, the contractor is directed to rectify the same in accordance with the contractual provisions and within the stipulated time,” he said.
Surinder Choudhary added that in case of failure to comply with the contractual obligations, necessary action is taken under the relevant provisions, including withholding or recovery of payments and invocation of performance securities, wherever warranted.
Referring specifically to PMGSY works, the Deputy Chief Minister said that maintenance and performance of completed road works are also monitored through the e-MARG portal, in accordance with the applicable provisions. The system facilitates systematic monitoring of road conditions, maintenance obligations and timely rectification of deficiencies, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister maintained that every bid, whether above, at or below the departmental estimate, is considered strictly on the basis of the prescribed rules, eligibility criteria, financial and technical viability and contractual safeguards.
Water Supply in Batamaloo, Aloochi Bagh to get major augmentation; new WTPs, OHTs to strengthen supply network: SakeenaItoo
Minister for Health and Medical Education, SakeenaItooMonday informed the Legislatiuve Assembly that the government is undertaking a series of long-term measures to augment potable water supply in S.D. Colony, Batamaloo, Aloochi Bagh and adjoining densely populated areas.
The Minister said this while replying on behalf of Minister-In-charge Housing & Urban Development Department to a question raised by MLA Lal Chowk Constituency, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed Pardesi, during Question Hour regarding upgradation and augmentation of the water supply scheme in the area, the Minister said that a number of interventions have already been taken up to address the existing deficiencies and improve the adequacy, reliability and service levels of drinking water supply.
She stated that additional storage infrastructure is being created through construction of a 70,000-gallon capacity RCC Overhead Tank (OHT) at Danderkha, Batamaloo, under AMRUT 2.0. The work is presently under execution and is targeted for completion by the end of 2026-27. On commissioning, the facility is expected to enhance the storage capacity and improve the availability and service levels of potable water in Batamaloo and adjoining areas.
Similarly, the department has taken up construction of another 70,000-gallon capacity OHT at Khadi Mill, Aloochi Bagh, including complete electro-mechanical works and operation and maintenance, under AMRUT 2.0. The project, estimated to cost ₹213.00 lakh, is presently in progress and is targeted for completion by the end of 2026-27.
The Minister said that, upon commissioning, the facility is expected to improve the water supply to approximately 477 households in Aloochi Bagh and adjoining areas.
SakeenaItoo informed the House that two new Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), with capacity of 5.50 MGD at Alusteng and 5.00 MGD at Rangil respectively, are presently under execution and expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of the current year.
The Minister said that commissioning of these additional treatment capacities would substantially augment the availability of treated water in Srinagar city and, consequently, improve the water supply position in Batamaloo and its adjoining areas.
She further informed that, with a view to provide additional augmentation in the area, a 2.50 MGD Water Treatment Plant at Mehjoor Nagar has also been proposed. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project has been prepared and submitted for approval and subsequent funding of the scheme.
The Minister assured the House that the ongoing augmentation measures and projects under execution will help strengthen the water supply network and improve the availability and reliability of potable water in the city, including S.D. Colony, Batamaloo, Aloochi Bagh and adjoining areas.MLA also raised a supplementary to the question.
