Project YUVA gets Govt nod
*JKAS cadre review approved
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: In a landmark decision, the Administrative Council here today approved the proposal for transfer of Evacuees’ land conferring proprietary rights to the Displaced persons of 1947, 1965, 1971 and West Pakistan. This decision will confer absolute proprietary rights over Evacuees’ land to DPs as already conferred over State land.
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LG Manoj Sinha chaired the AC meeting.
As per the decision, the Custodian concerned will transfer the land in favour of the DPs in a time-bound manner. Custodian General shall ensure proper safeguards to prevent any misuse particularly unauthorized encroachments on the evacuees’ land.
The Government has issued directions for time-bound processing of applications giving proprietary rights to DPs over evacuee land in 30 days and the entire process is expected to be completed within 6 months, providing major relief to the displaced persons.
The total quantum of transferred land shall be as per the land ceiling provided by Cabinet Order No. 578-C of 1954 and the ceiling under the Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976.
The decision fulfills demands of all connected families, which have been requesting for ownership rights since past so many decades. The Government has always remained committed to provide benefits to the displaced persons, an official handout said.
The Administrative Council also approved Project YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) a groundbreaking initiative aimed at accelerating employment opportunities through entrepreneurship across the Union Territory. This initiative is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to empower youth, women, and other vulnerable groups by fostering a dynamic ecosystem for creating entrepreneurship.
The vision of the programme is to convert Jammu and Kashmir as a thriving hub of enterprises & holistic employment by fostering entrepreneurship culture, unlocking its inherent potential for transition towards sustainable economy, livelihood and empowered youth. To achieve this vision a four-pronged strategy has been formulated to enable enterprises and employment over the next five years which includes creation of nano-entrepreneurs and collectives: targeting mass self-employment through small-scale businesses, creation of new MSMEs in Focus & Sunrise Sectors: Promoting growth in futuristic, sunrise and region specific focus sectors. sectors like renewable energy and pharmaceuticals, business acceleration of existing enterprises: supporting the expansion and growth of current MSMEs, creation of neo-innovative enterprises: encouraging startups and innovative MSMEs in emerging sectors.
The programme aims to develop an effective business ecosystem & enable enterprise through a comprehensive set of interventions anchored around the 4Cs: Culture(ecosystem creation), Capital (credit enablement), Capacity (Skill Development and handholding) and Connectivity (Market Linkages).
The programme aims at creating 1.37 lakhs enterprises resulting in employment opportunities for 4.25 lakhs youths of J&K in the next five years with a budgetary support of around 1830 crores and influx of more than 5,000 crores from banks and financial institutions. This project shall be implemented in convergence with self-employment schemes of other Departments to ensure better effectiveness by leveraging on the resources of other programmes and will also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of existing employment generation schemes.
This programme is in sync with the recent Union Budget (2024-25) announcements and the vision of Prime Minister of creating employment opportunities for 4 crores youth of the nation.
This programme is a watershed initiative for generating sustainable economic model for generation of employment opportunities for the youth of J&K through entrepreneurship ecosystem. With this initiative, the Government of J&K is set to transform the employment landscape in Jammu & Kashmir.
In the long term this programme is poised to have transformative impact on the UT’s economy as ripple effects of this initiative will be felt across the region as new businesses generate wealth, improve living standards and contribute to the overall prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir. With this initiative, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir is not only addressing the immediate need for job creation but is also laying the foundation for a vibrant, dynamic and sustainable economy that will benefit generations to come.
Meanwhile, the Administrative Council also approved creation of of posts of different ranks (from Deputy Director Prosecution to class IV), totaling 83 posts, in Prosecution Department to comply with relevant provisions of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary and Dr.Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor participated in the meeting.
As per existing arrangement, there are only twelve posts of Deputy Directors to cater twenty Districts. In order to have an independent Deputy Director for each District, eight more posts of Deputy Directors along with supporting staff are required to facilitate creation of District Directorates in each District, as prescribed in terms of Section 20 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). This would improve handling of matters related to Prosecution in various courts as per revised framework as per different provisions of BNSS to strengthen the Criminal Justice System, for ensuring timely delivery of justice.
The Administrative Council also approved creation of (772) posts of different categories for Government Railway Police (GRP) J&K to strengthen the railway security apparatus between Katra- Banihal segment. The recommendations for creation of (772) posts for Katra-Banihal segment has also been made by Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC), comprising members from Railways, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and J&K Police. The proposed posts span from post of Superintendent of Police till lower rung posts in the non-gazetted and class-IV cadre.
The Administrative Council also approved creation of 30 posts of different categories in the office of State Election Commission, J&K. The State Election Commission, J&K was constituted in October, 2020 with the appointment of First State Election Commissioner. However, till date except for the post of State Election Commissioner, no post/staff have been created for the Commission and Commission has been functioning with assistance of staff attached from various other Departments. It was considered necessary to create these posts to ensure smooth functioning of State Election Commission.
Meanwhile, with a view to strengthen administrative set-up, the Administrative Council approved cadre review of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services.
The review shall revise the strength and composition of the services in view of increased complexities and scale of operations as well as changes in work profiles due to new schemes and initiatives after specific recommendations from the Administrative Departments.
The revised strength shall accommodate 87 new posts, with deletion of 50 posts coupled with creation of 46 posts. The decision shall also up-grade 29 posts to ensure adequate administrative experience and efficiency in disposal of government business. The review shall also enable career progression as well as employment avenues for the youth by releasing vacancies for direct recruitment through concerned recruiting agencies.
The Administrative Council further issued directions that the re-structuring of Jammu and Kashmir Police Service cadre may also be fast tracked by the Home Department.
The Administrative Council also approved the revised schemes of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL). It also approved revival of other existing schemes and introduction of new schemes designed to enrich the cultural fabric of Jammu & Kashmir. This would help in supporting the local artists and sustaining the cultural activities in J&K.
Among the revised schemes, the publication of Sheeraza will now be expanded to include Shina, Balti and Bhadarwahi languages, in addition to the existing Dogri, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Pahari, Gojri and English. UT level writers’ camp will be organized in both the regions for broad based participation of writers and literary persons. The Academy’s own theatrical productions will be showcased not only within the Union Territory but also across India, bringing local stories to a national audience.
In a move to safeguard Jammu & Kashmir’s intangible cultural heritage, traditional art forms such as Guri, Sugli, Daastan Goi, Pahari Baar, Gojri Baeth, Musadhe, Hafiz Nagma, etc. will be revived. The musical programs will now include performances of Sufiana and Indian Classical music, ensuring these genres continue to thrive. The revised schemes also emphasize intercultural exchanges and will support international visits by cultural troupes, enhancing the region’s global cultural presence.
New schemes introduced include the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme, aimed at revitalizing the mentor-disciple tradition across various art forms, and the Documentation of Intangible Cultural Heritage initiative, which will focus on systematically archiving the region’s oral traditions, performing arts, and traditional craftsmanship. Additionally, the creation of a modern Archival Studio will leverage digital technology to preserve and disseminate Jammu & Kashmir’s artistic and cultural expressions.
The Administrative Council also approved the celebration of up to 50 anniversaries annually, honouring prominent figures from Jammu & Kashmir in the fields of art, culture, and languages. To further recognize literary contributions, Best Book Award with a cash prize of Rs 1.00 lakh and Best Translation Award with a cash prize of Rs 75,000 will cover various languages spoken in Jammu & Kashmir. The approval accorded by Administrative Council also has provision for supporting the authors in publication of their books by providing subsidy subject to the condition that monthly income of such author is less than Rs 1.00 lakh. The schemes also include revival of children’s music and painting competitions to promote the talent among young minds.
In a substantial boost to the welfare of the artistic community, Rs 50 lakhs has been allocated as seed money for the operationalization of the Artists and Writers’ Welfare Fund. Overall, the financial implications of these revisions and new initiatives amount to Rs 5.76 crores, demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting and revitalizing the cultural realm in Jammu & Kashmir.
This comprehensive overhaul of the JKAACL’s schemes marks a pivotal moment in the cultural renaissance of Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring that the region’s rich heritage is both preserved and dynamically advanced for future generations.
In an important development to give a fillip to enthuse start-up initiatives by youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the Administrative Council also approved operational guidelines for the Jammu and Kashmir Startup Policy, 2024-27.
The Administrative Council in its earlier meeting held on 19.02.2024, had approved the said policy.
The Council today approved the operational guidelines which has elaborate provisions related to start-up recognition, access of seed funding-eligibility, process of filing application, short listing and selection, disbursal of seed funds, funding guidelines, start-up awards for encouraging entrepreneurship, incubators and market access for growth of start-ups, networking and collaborations between start-ups.
JKEDI shall be Nodal agency for the policy implementation. These operational guidelines shall nurture and inspire the entrepreneurial talent of Jammu and Kashmir by creating a vibrant and robust Start-up ecosystem. The policy is slated to recognize and facilitate well performing, potential & promising start-ups of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Administrative Council also approved transfer of land measuring 2292 kanals and 2 marlas for different departments.
These include 1212 Kanal 12 Marla situated at Tehsil Dinga Amb, District Kathua, 1070 Kanal situated in Tehsil Samba and Vijaypur, in district Samba in favour of Industries & Commerce Department for establishment of Industrial Estates in these districts. Establishing Industrial estate shall play an important role in the development of the area, create various employment opportunities which shall be in the interest of the public and the government.
Further, Administrative Council also approved transfer of land measuring 02 Kanal 14 Marla situated at Shuhama in District Ganderbal for construction of Police post and 06 Kanal 16 Marla and 03 Sirsai situated at Lar in District Ganderbal for construction of Police Station. This shall ensure proper and secure accommodation for police personnel posted in these areas, to deal with the law & order and other public related issues as well.
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