Administrative Council extends relief under SRO 43 to the next of kin of violence victims

Srinagar : The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, extended relief under SRO 43 to the next of kin of victims who were non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir having died in the recent violence in the Kashmir valley, as per the eligibility criteria of the SRO.Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K, and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.This would enable the Government to provide cash compensation to this category of militancy affected people.
J&K rolls out Aspirational Blocks Development Programme
Encourages competitive development among the 44 most backward blocks of the UT
For intensive and focussed development of the 44 most backward blocks of the Union territory, the Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the rollout of the prestigious ‘Aspirational Blocks Development Programme’.Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.The blocks identified under the Aspirational Blocks Development Programme are the most backward blocks of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir which require special focus to bring them at par with other blocks. The programme aims to improve development in terms of various socio-economic parameters like education, health and wellbeing; and overall living conditions of the people.These Aspirational Blocks shall be developed through convergence of various ongoing UT schemes/programmes, and centrally sponsored schemes/ programmes. The District Development Commissioners will be tasked with preparation of a suitable development plan, whereas, the Planning Development and Monitoring Department will constantly monitor the district-wise progress of these blocks through a digital portal.Under the programme, the resources will be clearly delineated across various sectors of development – poverty, health & nutrition, education, and basic infrastructure, at the district level. Additionally, an amount of Rs. 1.00 crore will be provided to each block after fulfillment of defined criteria.The best practices implemented in the development of Aspirational Blocks will be acknowledged and duly replicated in other blocks towards ensuring an inclusive and equitable socio-economic development of the Union territory.

AC approves creation of 4 new Courts of Additional District & Sessions Judge
The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, accorded approval for creation of four courts of Additional District & Sessions Judges at district headquarters- one each in District Samba, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Poonch.Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.The Administrative Council also approved creation of 40 new posts of different categories (10 each) at the new court complexes in the 4 selected districts having a financial implication of Rs. 258.245 lacs (salary) and Rs 21.657 lacs (NPS) per financial year.The gradual increase in the population of Jammu and Kashmir has substantially enhanced the judicial work load which has necessitated the opening of new court complexes to cater to the increased public demand.
Sports stadium coming up at Kupwara
AC approves transfer of 60 Kanal land to Youth Service & Sports Department
The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the transfer of land measuring 60 Kanal at Village Haqanibad Punzwa, Tehsil Villigam, District Kupwara to the Youth Service & Sports Department for construction of a sports stadium.Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.The upcoming stadium will cater to the needs of local population as well of the youth from the 20 neighbouring villages by purposefully engaging 20,000 youth with sporting activities across a number of disciplines.During this financial year, an amount of Rs. 100.00 lakh has also been earmarked for the development of the infrastructure, of which Rs. 50.00 lakhs stands allocated to the Department to kick-start the works at an earliest.
AC approves rollout of 3rd Party Inspection Guidelines in road sector
Emphasis on framing realistic DPRs/bid documents, quality check and monitoring, and payment after verification
In a bid to improve the quality of infrastructure in road sector and fix responsibility for proper maintenance of assets, the Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the rollout of the 3rd party inspection guidelines in Jammu and Kashmir.Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.The new guidelines have been framed on the lines of established regulations in respect of road network created under the PMGSY scheme. Accordingly, structured control mechanism is being established in PW(R&B) Department to carry out scientific and periodic independent inspections for all district roads and state highways by undertaking monitoring via in-house departmental engineers and empanelled consultant of National stature.The quality control mechanism also defines procedures and timelines to properly govern preparation of realistic detailed project reports (DPRs); preparation of bid documents and effective selection process for procurement of works; quality control on material and workmanship through enforcement of technical standard; and quality control requirement by regular testing, close supervision and inspection.

The mechanism has provisions for ensuring preparation of realistic detailed project report (DPR) on the basis of detailed drawings and design, with adequate attention to investigations and pre-construction activities which are essential for proper design and estimation of the project as per standard IS, IRC codes of practice and as per JKPWD Engineering Manual 2021 and other guidelines issued by the department for time to time; preparation of bid documents and effective selection process for procurement of works, based on proven capacity and ability of the contractors in accordance with the relevant guidelines; constant monitoring of projects by undertaking on-site supervision, Quality Control measures including materials and workmanship, primarily through testing.The new guidelines make it mandatory to conduct independent quality tests in accordance with the standard codal requirements and verify that the quality management system is achieving its intended objectives. They also prescribe non-release of payments to the contractors until works are inspected and graded satisfactory by the quality monitor.Further, the Directorate of Design, Inspection & Quality Control which has the mandate for designing and quality control, shall be the Nodal Agency for implementation of Quality Control Mechanism independently under overall supervision of PW(R&B) Department as Quality Control Unit.With the rollout of 3rd party inspection system, the quality of works executed under various programmes/schemes in road sector will be brought under scrutiny and responsibilities will be fixed for non/under performance of various agencies.
Additional land allotted for Shahpur Kandi project
The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the transfer of land measuring 39 Kanal 10 Marla at village Kutlehar, Tehsil & District Kathua to the Jal Shakti Department for construction of the main Ravi canal from Shahpur Kandi Dam to Basantpur.Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.Recently, the Government of J&K and Government of Punjab signed a fresh bilateral agreement on Shahpur Kandi Project which aims to provide water to the Union territory to enhance agricultural protection in the Kandi belt of Kathua and Samba districts.