*Law on illegal structures being extended further
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 27: State Cabinet, which is meeting under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti tomorrow morning, is likely to approve draft State Water Policy as per the provisions of the law enacted about seven years back and further extend the applicability of legislation preventing action on illegal structures in twin capital cities and holy town of Katra. Moreover, the Cabinet will approve proposal to reduce maximum qualifying service for availing full pension by the Government employees by eight years.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in the year 2010 the State had enacted Jammu and Kashmir State Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act for regulating water resources, ensuring judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and utilization of water resources and fixing the rates for use of water.
In terms of Section 4 of the Act, the Government was required, from time to time, to prepare the State Water Policy and Plan for the development, management, planning, utilization and monitoring of water resources in the State keeping in view several objectives laid down in the legislation. However, for seven years there was absolutely no focus on this vital aspect of the law.
The Department of Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control woke up from the deep slumber only when the State High Court started issuing directions in this regard while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Moreover, several times the High Court even reprimanded the authorities of the department for adopting dilly-dallying approach in handling the vital issue despite issuance of directions and on last date of hearing the Commissioner/Secretary of the department had to tender unconditional apology.
“The department has finally completed all the formalities and the draft of the State Water Policy is being placed before the State Cabinet tomorrow for approval”, sources said, adding “if approved by the Cabinet it would be for the first time that State would have Water Policy that too seven years after the enactment of Act”.
The objectives of the Water Policy would be to conserve and manage available water resources in most economical and sustainable manner, drought and flood management on scientific lines, planning and management of irrigation and multipurpose projects involving varied socio-economic aspects, ensuring sustainable and conjunctive use of surface and ground water; promotion, conservation and augmentation of traditional water resources and use of scientific and innovative techniques for prevention and reduction of pollution of surface and ground water resources and improvement in quality of water etc.
According to the sources, the Cabinet will also accord approval to the proposal of Housing and Urban Development Department regarding extension in applicability of Jammu and Kashmir Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Act whereby moratorium was imposed on the action against illegal constructions in twin capital cities and holy town of Katra.
As already reported exclusively by EXCELSIOR, the Act was applicable till March 31, 2017 on the ground that Housing and Urban Development Department was working on a comprehensive policy to deal with the issue of unauthorized constructions in the local areas of Jammu, Srinagar and Katra notified under the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, 1970.
The Cabinet will also deliberate on the policy framed by the Housing and Urban Development Department albeit after a delay of several years. “Even if the policy is approved the Act will have to be extended to bring structures that have come up till December 31, 2016 under its purview with the objective of avoiding confusion on certain vital aspects”, sources informed.
They further informed that Cabinet will also reduce the maximum qualifying service required for obtaining full pension by the Government employees. “Earlier the maximum qualifying service was 32 years but in the year 2011 the then Government had reduced the same to 28 years by incorporating necessary instructions in Article 240-A(VI) of J&K CSR”, sources said.
“Now, the maximum qualifying service for full pension is being reduced to 20 years and Cabinet is likely to put seal of approval on the proposal of the Finance Department in this regard”, sources said, adding “this step is imperative in the light of fact that Government has already raised the upper age limit for Government service to 40 years and unless this modification is carried out those entering the Government service at the age of 40 years will remain deprived of pension after attaining superannuation at the age of 60 years”.
They said that Cabinet will also accord sanction to the transfer of 293 kanals of State land at Vijaypur to the Health and Medical Education Department for establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). “While clearing this proposal the Chief Minister may pass instructions for expeditious acquisition of remaining land so as to pave the way for early start of work on the project”, sources added.
Some officers are likely to be promoted in the Roads and Buildings Department, sources further informed.
Follow our WhatsApp channel