Land transferred for public purposes
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 2: In a significant move, the Administrative Council (AC), which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the waiver/exemption of 50 percent of Passenger Tax chargeable on various vehicles from 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.
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Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
The decision will address the genuine demand of the operators of commercial transport who have suffered losses on account of COVID-19 induced nation-wide lockdown and restrictions leading to non-operationalization of the public transport.
For owners of commercial vehicles, who have already deposited the passenger tax for aforesaid period in full, the excess amount paid thereof by them shall be adjusted against the liability accrued or accruable in the next financial year i.e for the time period of 1st April, 2022 to 31st March, 2023.
Further, the recovery of the outstanding passenger tax from the owners of the commercial vehicles for the financial year 2018-19 to 2021-22 will be made in four equal installments on quarterly basis commencing from 1st April, 2022.
Meanwhile, the AC also approved the proposal of Revenue Department to transfer various parcels of land for public purposes.
The Administrative Council approved the transfer of land measuring six kanals in favour of Jal Shakti Department for construction of Over Head Tank (OHT)/Rapid Sand Filtration Plant (RSFP)/Pump cum operator quarter WSS Barzulla Colony and establishment of PHE Division Office, Pulwama.
The Administrative Council further approved the transfer of land measuring 80 kanals situated at village Rakh-i-Asham, Sumbal (30 kanal), Hajin (20 Kanal) and Bandipora (30 Kanal) in district Bandipora to Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) for establishing dumping sites for solid waste management. Proper and scientific disposal of solid waste will boost public health by providing cleaner environment and assist in abetting environmental degradation and pollution, besides realizing the vision of litter-free J&K.
Meanwhile, to provide better patient care in remote areas of Kishtwar district, the Administrative Council approved the proposal of Health and Medical Education Department to upgrade the Primary Health Centre Atholi, Padder to the level of Sub-District Hospital along with creation of 21 Posts of different categories.
The enhanced medical infrastructure and capabilities in Padder will cater to the needs of approximately 30,000 population from feeding villages comprising local population, devotees visiting the pilgrimage site of Machail, tourists, and trekkers.
The newly created posts will ensure availability of senior consultants, medical officers, lab technicians, pharmacists, nurses and the allied staff at the medical facilities in these remote areas.
Pertinently, under the Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP), a 25-bedded new hospital building is coming up at PHC Atholi Padder at an estimated cost of Rs. 12.00 Crore which will enhance the current bed capacity of 5 to 30. The hospital building will be completed during the current financial year 2022-23.
To further strengthen healthcare services in Padder area of Kishtwar district, the Administrative Council also approved establishment of a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) at Machail, Block Padder. The Council also approved seven posts of different categories including Medical Officer, Jr. Pharmacist, Jr. Staff Nurse Lab Technician etc.
The upcoming facility will be completed in one year and will provide better health care facilities to the local masses particularly during harsh winter season besides creating medical facility for tourists/ pilgrims for first aid/emergency treatment especially during the annual Machail Yatra.
Furthermore, to promote skilling of local youth, the Administrative Council also approved setting up of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Paddar with five Trades along with creation of 18 posts of different categories. The approved ITI will be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 10.25 crore.
Establishing an ITI at Padder, Kishtwar has been a long pending demand of the inhabitants of the area as there is an enormous potential of investment in various infrastructural projects in Pir Panjal particularly after the commissioning of Dul-Hasti and Rattle Hydel Power Projects wherein a large number of technically skilled workers are required.
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