JK News Today
Cabinet approves implementation of 7th pay commission recommendations
Slew of administrative reforms rolled out
JAMMU, APRIL 24: In a major decision, the state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved implementation of 7th pay commission recommendations for state government employees and pensioners with effect from January 2016.
The decision would benefit around five lakh employees and pensioners in the state. The financial implications for the implementations of 7th pay commission recommendations would be Rs 4201 crore annually while financial implications on account of one-time arrears would be Rs 7477 crores.
The State government employees can now draw the salary for the month of April 2018 as per the revised scales.
According to the decision, for the purpose of implementation of 7th Pay Commission Recommendations, basic pay as on 31.12.2015 of employees shall be multiplied by uniform factor of 2.57 and then adjusted in the matrix recommended by the Pay Committee.
The benefit of House Rent Allowance on revised pay shall be available from April, 2018 and all allowances except Dearness Allowance (DA) shall continue as before while DA from January, 2016 onwards shall be paid on revised pay on new rates to be notified by Finance Department.
According to the decision, Gratuity shall be enhanced from the existing ceiling of ₹10.00 lakh to ₹20.00 lakh with effect from 01.01.2016, with increase in the ceiling on gratuity by 25 percent whenever DA rises by 50 percent as recommended by 7th CPC/ as per Central Government pattern.
The pensioners shall be given option to choose revision of pension by any of the two formulations suggested by the Pay Committee.
Arrears of pensioners shall be paid in cash in three six monthly instalments while arrears of all employees shall be drawn and credited to their G.P Fund accounts with moratorium of 3 years for withdrawal of same. However, there will be no moratorium for withdrawal in case of employees retiring upto 31.03.2021.
The implementation of 7th pay commission recommendations for PSUs and autonomous organizations will depend on the availability of resources with the respective organizations.
Regarding pay anomalies, the cabinet decided that the existing Pay Committee shall look into and address the issue of anomalies starting with the issue of anomalies of the Clerical Cadre.
The cabinet also approved a slew of administrative reforms to streamline the functioning at various levels in the government. These measures include increasing working days and working hours for government business, putting in place system of automatic abolition of posts which are not filled for 3 years, establishment audit of all offices needs to be expedited to work out norms for optimal sanctioned strength of employees in all offices/ Departments across the State, making of illegal appointments of whatsoever nature (whether regular, adhoc or casual) by any officer be treated as major offence, Visitor Management System, particularly in Civil Secretariat to be streamlined, Drawl of pay by Drawing and Disbursing Officers in all offices to be linked to Biometric Attendance and objective assessment of skills & competencies required to be made.
Cabinet approves JK Protection of Children from Sexual Violence Ordinance-2018
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 and the Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Children from Sexual Violence Ordinance, 2018.
As per the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, committing rape on women under 16 years of age has been made punishable with rigorous imprisonment for 20 years and may extend to life sentence, which shall mean remainder of that person’s natural life, committing rape on women under 12 years of age has been made punishable with death sentence.
Gang-rape of women under 16 years of age has been made punishable with imprisonment for life, which shall mean remainder of that person’s natural life, gang-rape of women under 12 years of age has been made punishable with death sentence.
According to the ordinance, investigation in such cases is to be completed within a period of two months whereas trial is to be completed within six months and reasons for any delay be communicated to the High Court.
Stringent provisions for bail have been incorporated in the Ordinance. It has been provided that no bail shall be granted without hearing Public Prosecutor.
The Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Children from Sexual Violence Ordinance, 2018, will provide alternative punishment for an act or omission constituting an offence under the ordinance and also under various provisions of the state Penal Code relating to sexual assault. The offender found guilty of such offence shall be liable to punishment only under such law or the Ordinance as provides for punishment which is greater in degree.
The Ordinance provides provisions relating to child-friendly procedures and reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and trial of offences. The Ordinance also provides for provisions relating to establishment of special courts for speedy trial of such offences. The ordinance makes it mandatory for the educational institutions to ensure safety and protection of children and not to expose them to any kind of sexual abuse.
Cabinet observed that both the Ordinances will prove useful and will act as a deterrent with regard to violence against women in general and sexual violence in particular in the state.
Cabinet approves JK Preventive Detention Laws Ordinance- 2018
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved the Jammu and Kashmir (Preventive Detention laws) Ordinance, 2018.
According to the decision the Ordinance would provide the government a wider choice of retired eligible persons who could be considered for selection/ appointment as chairmen and members of the advisory boards under the legislations.
Cabinet approves time-bound grade promotion for KAS officers; cadre review of Secretariat Subordinate Services
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved grant of time-bound grade promotion for the KAS officers.
As per the decision, a Junior KAS/feeding service officer in the pay band of Rs 9300-34800 with grade pay of Rs 4800 will be eligible for placement in scale of 15600-39100 + GP 6600. (Deputy Secretary level- non-functional scale after 10 years of service)
A Time Scale KAS officer with 4 years’ service in the Time Scale will be eligible for placement in the Selection Grade (non-functional) of Rs 15600-39100 with grade pay of Rs 7600.
A Time Scale KAS officer with 08 years of service in Time Scale may be considered for placement in Special Scale Rs 37400-67000 + GP Rs 8700 (non-functional).
The cabinet also approved cadre review of secretariat subordinate services and approved measures to fast-track promotion of officers belonging to the secretariat sub-ordinate service.
Cabinet approves setting up of JK Renewable Energy Corporation
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved setting up of Jammu and Kashmir Renewable Energy Corporation.
According to the decision, the corporation will be a private limited company wholly owned by the state government with the authorized share capital of Rs 1 crore fully paid up and subscribed by the state government.
The cabinet authorized the administrative secretary Science and Technology department to take necessary steps for creation and setting up of the Renewable Energy Corporation.
Cabinet approves enhancement of duty allowance of Volunteer Home Guards
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved the enhancement of duty allowance of volunteer home guards from Rs 90 to Rs 300 per day. The proposed enhancement will benefit 4300 Home Guard.
According to the decision, the Volunteer Home Guards will be entitled to Rs 300 per day instead of Rs.90/- which will cover both the training period of two months and three months call up duty in a year.
The enhancement in remuneration/honorarium will be borne by the State Government and above the central share.
Cabinet approves academic arrangement of 2154 posts of teachers
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved to make academic arrangement 2018-19 for 2154 posts of teachers referred to the Service Selection Board.
The cabinet observed that pending selection against the referred posts, the school education department would make academic arrangement for the session 2018-19 in respect of all the vacancies for all districts except Jammu and Srinagar where there is saturation of staff.
The move is to address the deficiency of teachers in Zone-III far flung areas and the concerns raised by the Legislators during the Budget Session 2018 about the shortage of teachers in schools particularly in far flung areas.
The cabinet observed that the school education department require putting in place a fool proof mechanism in place to ensure that academic arrangement against these posts of teachers is made in a most transparent manner.
Cabinet approves engagement of 2200 Lecturers, 400 Teachers on academic arrangement basis
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved temporary engagement of 2200 Lecturers and 400 Teachers under up-gradation programme on academic arrangement basis for the academic Session 2018-19.
The arrangement will be made at an enhanced honorarium of Rs.14000/- per month and at the rate of Rs.10500/- for third/hard zone and Plain areas in respect of Lecturers for ten months in Higher Secondary Schools and Rs.7500/- per month and Rs.4500/- per month for 3rd/ Hard Zone and Plain Areas respectively in respect of Teachers for 10 months in upgraded High Schools. The academic arrangement will subsist till regular selections are made.
Cabinet approves re-engagement of Constable (Operators) as Wireless Assistants
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved re-engagement of Constable (Operators) as Wireless Assistants who were disengaged earlier owing to wrong advertisement.
According to the decision, they will be called as ‘Wireless Assistants’ and entitled to honorarium of Rs.25000 per month and entitled to regularization against commensurate positions after completing 10 years of continuous working and will be called designated wireless operators.
The posts of constable operators will be utilized for their regularization and in the event of their non-availability these positions shall be deemed to have been created.
According to the decision, their past service in the Police Department will also be counted and will be allowed annual hike of 3% on higher consolidated remuneration, terminal benefits under NPS, leave and medical reimbursement. They will work under administrative control of PHQ and shall be considered a Belt Force and their service bio-data records will be maintained by PHQ as per the Police Rules.
In the matter of work, conduct, discipline and appeal, they will be governed by Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Employees) Conduct Rules, 1979 and CCA Rules, 1956 while their career progression will be worked out separately.
Cabinet approves establishment of State Knowledge Initiative Platform
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved establishment of State Knowledge Initiative Platform (SKIP).
SKIP aims to to implement the recommendations of the knowledge initiative group as to serve as for generating knowledge-based policies and a clearing house for new ideas and to serve as permanent think tank on all matters leading to education, knowledge and skills.
The SKIP shall comprise a Governing Council headed by Chief Minister as Patron, Advisor to Chief Minister as Chairman, Minister for Education as Co-Chairman and all other Members of the working group for operationalization of knowledge initiate. Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department shall be the ex-officio Secretary General of the Council. The SKIP shall carry out its activities through its Secretariat which shall comprise suitable personnel, initially drawn on deputation from the State Government/autonomous bodies/Universities.
Cabinet observed that the role of SKIP will be to advise the Government on implementation of recommendations of the knowledge initiative group, implementation of the vision documents, preparation and implementation of policies, guidelines and schemes with multiple objectives etc, evolve schemes and mechanism for promotion and preservation of classical, heritage and folk music and provide a forum for interaction among academia industry and service sectors.
Cabinet approves enhancement of perks of Chairman, Executive Councillors, Councillors of LAHDC
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved enhancement of salaries and allowances of Chairman, Executive Councillors and Councillors of Ladakh Hill Development Council (LAHDC).
Cabinet approves promotion of Officers of Accounts (Gazetted) Service
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved Promotion of Seven Officers of Accounts (Gazetted) Service to the Super Time Scale.
The Officers promoted to the Super time scale includes, Laila Chanda, Director Finance (holding the Additional charge of Director General, Budget), Tehseena Mufti, Director Finance, Cooperative Department, Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, Director Finance, Mohammad Yousuf Pandith, Director Finance, Neelam Gupta, Director Finance, ARI & Trainings Department, Kulbir Kour Gujral, Director Finance(Principal), Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Director Finance.
The cabinet also approved promotion of Mohammad Rafi Andrabi, Director Codes against the vacancy occurring on the superannuation of Laila Chanda on 31.05.2018.
Meanwhile cabinet also approved the promotion of Manzoor Ahmad Wani, Joint Director, J&K Funds Organization, Kashmir and Mohammad Ayoub Nasir, FA& CAO, JK Industries to the Special Scale.
The cabinet also approved promotion of Manohar Lal, Treasury Officer, Additional Treasury, New Plot, Jammu and Tariq Ahmad Wani, Deputy Director, Audit & Inspections, Kashmir to the Selection Grade from 05.03.2018.
Cabinet approves transfer of irrigation land for widening of Jammu-Akhnoor Road
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved transfer of irrigation land for widening and four laning of Jammu-Akhnoor Road.
1310 Kanals of land belonging to 19 villages falling under the alignment of the Jammu-Akhnoor road belonging to the Irrigation Department have been transferred for widening/ four lanning purpose.
Cabinet approves taking-over of Abhinandan Home Solina, Rambagh
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved the taking over of Abhinandan Home at Solina, Rambagh, Srinagar.
According to the decision, Social welfare department will take over the administration, management and governance of Abhinandan Home along with land and construction therein and entrusting its administration and management to Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir.
Earlier on the recommendations of the Chief Minister, Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment agreed in principle for opening of co-educational Residential School for visually impaired children in Srinagar with intake capacity of 200 children/hostel facility.
Cabinet approves financial autonomy for JK State Sports Council
JAMMU, APRIL 24: In a major decision, the state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved grant of financial autonomy to the J&K State Sports Council.
According to the decision, grant of annual grants by the Financial Department and Planning Development and Monitoring Department towards Revenue and Capital expenditure to the J&K State Sports Council will be as Grant-in-Aid with an annual hike upto 10 percent.
The sports council will continue to be provided funds under Centrally Sponsored schemes, PMDP funds as the case may be. The Sports Council will be free to raise its own internal resources and it will constitute a finance committee/ standing council with the approval of President J&K State Sports Council for approval of expenditure plan and expenditure monitoring. The council will put in place a robust accountability mechanism to ensure judicious utilization of resources.
Cabinet approves transfer of land for developmental projects
JAMMU, APRIL 24: The state cabinet that met here today under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved transfer of state land measuring 1255 Kanals and 10 Marlas situated at village Sanai of Tehsil Surankote and village Kalaban of Tehsil Mendhar, District Poonch to the Higher Education Department for establishing Surankote campus of the university of Jammu.
The Cabinet also approved transfer of state land measuring 68 kanals situated in village Safapora, Tehsil Lar, district Ganderbal to the higher education department for establishment of Govt College of Engineering and Technology in district Ganderbal.
The cabinet also approved transfer of state land measuring 92 kanals, situated at Aloochi Bagh Srinagar (under the possession of Sericulture department) to the Estates Department for construction of residential flats for VVIPs, legislators and government employees.
Meanwhile the cabinet also approved the transfer f state land measuring 1000 kanals to the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipura situated in Village and Tehsil Awantipura of district Pulwama for establishing Bio-Diverse Botanical Reserve, Solar Power Plant and expansion of the existing infrastructure of the university.
The cabinet also approved use of approx 47.1523 ha Forest Land for Non-Forestry Purposes.
Out of 24 proposals approved, 15 pertain to construction of road projects by PMGSY while two pertain to construction of 10000 gln & 50,000 gln service reservoir at Ban & Khanpur Nagrota respectively in Jammu Forest Division by PHE and one pertains to construction of 220 KV Multi Circuit Kishanganga to Amargarh Transmission Line.
Governor promulgates “The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018”
JAMMU, APRIL 24: Governor N. N. Vohra has promulgated “The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018”. The provisions of the existing Code of Criminal Procedure, Samvat 1989, inter-alia, provide that all proceedings in a criminal trial are required to be taken in presence of the accused which would result in prolonged trial due to non-production of accused for one or other reason.
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act), which is applicable to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, has been amended by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008 (Central Act No.5 of 2009) wherein Section 161, 164, 163 and 275 have been amended to provide for recording of evidence through video electronic means (Video Conferencing).
To introduce the use of Video Conference in the State, as an admissible method/means for securing the presence of accused in criminal trials, variousprovisions of Code of Criminal Procedure, (Samvat 1989) corresponding to the amended provisions of Central Law, viz sections 167(2), 342, 353, 360, 364, 540-A are required to be amended. The introduction of the concept of securing the accused through Video Conference from the Jails as an alternative means would help in the speedy disposal of criminal trials, besides being cost effective and helping in preventing law and order situations in certain cases.
The amendment in the Central Act has rendered the recording of evidence through electronic video linkage to be legally permissible. It is considered as a valid practice in other States of the country as well.
In J&K, the operationalisation of video conferencing facilities in jails is being done in a phased manner. Under e-Courts Mission Mode Project, Video Conferencing facility has been provided in all twelve (12) jails in the State and also to the 12 District Court Complexes. The facility will also be extended to all the Court Complexes in the State in due course of time.
