Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 12: The Finance Department has issued comprehensive guidelines for the effective implementation of the Union Territory (UT) Capex Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25.
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The directives emphasized the need for accurate submission of the approved work plans by all the Departments (Deptts) and District Development Commissioners (DDCs) through the BEAMS portal by August 15, 2024 in order to ensure the efficient authorization and disbursement of the Capex funds.
As per a notification issued in this regard, the responsibility for uploading the approved work plans lies with the Director Finance(s), Director(s) Planning, Financial Advisor & CAO(s), and Joint Director(s) Planning, who must ensure that the plans are approved by the competent authority.
The District Development Commissioners have been asked to ensure that all the activities, works are selected after due consultations with the representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions as per the guidelines already communicated by the Finance Department.
Additionally, the Chief Planning Officers (CPOs) and Accounts Officers (AOs) in each district have been asked to upload the District Sector Project Work Plans onto BEAMS once they have received the necessary approvals.
“The planning process at both the departmental and district levels should adopt a comprehensive approach, considering the entire society and Government,” ordered the Finance Department.
Further, it has been directed that the departments shall review and integrate the recommendations from the Administrative Council, Chief Secretary’s conferences, and other relevant consultations into their annual plans.
Departments are also instructed to streamline existing works on BEAMS by eliminating non-priority projects besides placing emphasis on completing ongoing and new works, rather than initiating underfunded projects.
It has also been directed that new activities should only be undertaken if at least 40% of the project’s cost is covered by the 2024-25 budget.
Additionally, the Finance Department has ordered that the timelines for completing new works should be between one to two years, with extensions up to three years for mega-projects.
“Priority should be given to ongoing and spill over projects expected to be completed within the financial year or the following year,” read the Departmental notification.
It has also been given out that the departments and DDCs should focus on achieving clear outcomes and benefits for the public in their annual plans.
“They should also prioritize JPKCC projects and languishing projects, ensuring that funds are allocated within the approved ceilings on BEAMS,” ordered the Finance Department.
The notification further directed that the capital outlay must be strictly used for capital expenses and not for revenue-related expenditures.
“All expenditures must align with the approved activities and costs to prevent unauthorized liabilities,” it said.
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