Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 28: Governor N N Vohra today chaired the first meeting of the State Administrative Council (SAC) constituted on June 21 after proclamation of Governor’s rule in the State.
Advisors to the Governor, B B Vyas and Vijay Kumar besides Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam attended the meeting.
The SAC deliberated upon the various proposals submitted by Administrative departments for its consideration and approval.
The SAC gave major impetus to developmental activities in the State by providing forest clearance to various developmental projects in the road, railways, transmission, health, drinking water and other sectors involving 153.18 hectare of forest land spread across the State.
The proposals were recommended by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), headed by the Chief Secretary in its 105th, 107th and 108th FAC meetings.
Among other projects, the SAC accorded approval to the prestigious project of AIIMS at Vijaypur, Ring Road Srinagar, 14 projects of PMGSY and two projects pertaining to GREF and the Army. Another project which was cleared was regarding the laying of 132 KV transmission line from Grid Station Katra to Gran (Reasi) for Konkan Railways.
The FAC in its 105th meeting had approved diversion of forest land for development works viz Road from Pathwar to Thathi (Jammu), Road from Chalog to Dhaman (Basholi), Road from Purana Tulail to Dangithal and from LO – 26 to Safaid Aab (Bandipore), Road from Dhaino to Papriya (Batote), Road from Malla to Jogwan (Jammu), Ring Road Srinagar City and Tunnel T-6 to T-12 on Katra Dharma Section (Mahore) etc.
The FAC in its 107th meeting had approved diversion of forest land for development works viz construction of road from Juthal to Manoh (Jammu), road from Mankal to Mudva (Langate) and for the purpose of laying of 132 KV D/C Transmission Line from Grid Station Katra to Gran (Reasi) for Konkan Railways etc.
The FAC in its 108th meeting had approved diversion of forest land for development works viz widening of CL-9 road Dogra Mandir Parole Janial Bamial to NHDL (Kathua), Road from Panssa to Prankote (Reasi), Road from Cherji to Sumnabhatta (Kishtwar), Road from Shivas (Sohal) to Ongayee (Kishtwar), Road from Pethgam to Renai (Kishtwar), Road from Sohal to Kaban (Kishtwar), Road from Jangalwar to Sarsi (Kishtwar), Road from Kachnambal to Wangath via Baba Nagri (Sindh Forest) and Road from Bhargran to Behota (Batote) etc.
Further, the SAC directed the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department undertake a comprehensive physical and financial audit of the CAMPA works through the Monitoring and Evaluation wing in the PCCFs office.
In a significant decision meant to benefit the youth in particular residing near the International Border/LoC, the SAC accorded sanction to the raising of two Border Battalions, one each for Jammu and Kashmir regions, along-with the creation of 2014 posts of various ranks. The 1402 posts of constables available in these two Border Battalions would be filled from amongst the youth residing within 0-10 kilometers from IB/LoC. The remaining 600 posts will be filled by recruitment from across the State.
“The decision of establishment of two Border Police Battalions will positively impact upon the lives of thousands of youth residing in border areas of the State. The residents of border areas have been highlighting the issue of their under-representation in the State Police Force and have persistently demanded raising of adequate number of Border Police Battalions, with a provision of exclusive recruitment for the border residents,” an official handout said.
The SAC further directed the Home Department to complete the recruitment to these Border Battalions through a transparent recruitment process within the next six months and the status be placed before the SAC then. Funds to the tune of Rs 162 crore will be made available for creating the requisite infrastructure for these Battalions and another Rs 36 crore will be required annually for meeting the recurring expenses towards salary etc.
The SAC took note of the status of the construction of 12,165 individual and 1347 community bunkers along the IB/LoC being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 415 crore.
The SAC further directed the Home Department to take appropriate measures to ensure that community type bunkers, upon completion, are handed over to the district administration concerned for optimum utilization and adequate maintenance.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has accorded sanction to the construction of 1431 community type bunkers and 13,029 Individual type bunkers for safety and security of the residents in five border districts of Jammu division viz Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch.
A Divisional Level Committee has been constituted to supervise and review the progress of construction and also furnish physical and financial progress reports on monthly basis.
The SAC accorded sanction to the enhancement of financial relief, from existing Rs 3000 per month to Rs 4000 per month w.e.f June, 2018 in respect of World War-II veterans and widows of such veterans. The decision will benefit nearly 380 veterans and widows.
The SAC accorded sanction to the creation of 32 additional posts of various categories for the recently upgraded three health institutions including 16 posts for Sub District Hospital (SDH) at Hazratbal in Srinagar, 8 posts each for Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Domana in Jammu and PHC Devar in Kupwara. The availability of additional manpower will further improve the patient care in these health institutions.
Meanwhile Vohra today approved release of funds towards remuneration/honorarium of 4300 Home Guards, which had been enhanced earlier from Rs. 60 per day to Rs. 300 per day for 5 months in a year over and above the Central share.
Accordingly, Finance Department has been directed to release 50% of the revised budget which works out to Rs. 19.35 crores per annum. The Home Department has been directed to immediately implement the revised scheme of remuneration/honorarium to the Home Guards following the release of funds by the Finance Department for the purpose.
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