*MHA to be approached on re-fixing IPS cadre strength
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 6: State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed this afternoon, gave nod to the holding of Urban Local Bodies election and increase in the tenure of Chairmen and Members of Jammu and Kashmir State Accountability Commission and Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission.
While approving the holding of elections to the Municipal Corporations, Councils and Committees in the State, the Cabinet decided that the electoral process would be set into motion at the earliest in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
The elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were last held in the year 2005 and their five-year term expired in 2010. Thereafter, no attention was ever paid towards holding fresh elections to these grass root level democratic institutions in urban areas of the State.
Due to non-holding of elections, the State lost Central assistance worth several hundred crores of rupees as the funds for both Urban and Rural Local Bodies are conditional and unless these stipulations are fully met, the Union Government doesn’t provide funds.
The holding of ULB polls as early as possible is imperative to avail full financial assistance recommended by the 14th Finance Commission.
As reported exclusively by EXCELSIOR, the Cabinet also approved amendment in Jammu and Kashmir State Accountability Commission Act in order to increase the tenure of Chairperson and Members of this vital Commission. Moreover, it also gave nod to the increase in tenure of SHRC Chairman as also of Vice-Chancellors of Kashmir and Jammu Universities.
At present, the SAC and SHRC Chairmen and Members have three years tenure but following amendments in the concerned Acts they would have five years tenure. Similarly, the Vice-Chancellors of JU and KU would have five years tenure as against present three years tenure.
The Cabinet also approved the review of the strength and composition of the Jammu and Kashmir Cadre of IPS and in this regard authorized the Home Department to recommend to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs the proposal to re-fix the strength of J&K Cadre of IPS.
The creation of a separate Department of Tribal Affairs with the subjects viz Tribal Affairs and J&K Advisory Board for Development of Gujjars and Bakerwals also received the Cabinet approval.
The department will ensure a dedicated approach for the integrated socio-economic development of the Schedule Tribes in a coordinated and planned manner. It will be mandated for overall policy, planning and coordination of the programmes for the development of Schedule Tribes.
Allotment of 10 acres (80 kanals) of land at Industrial Estate, Ghatti, Kathua to the J&K Science and Technology Department for setting up of a Bio-Technology Park also received the approval of Cabinet, which even accorded sanction to the extension of the existing Industrial Policy-2004 for a further period of 3 months with effect from 1st April to 30th June, 2015 or till the new J&K Industrial Policy- 2015 is notified, whichever, is earlier.
The Bio-Technology Park was sanctioned by Dr Jitendra Singh in his capacity as Science and Technology Minister in BJP-led Union Government in the month of July-August last year and the foundation of the project was laid by him in September-October 2014. But the work on the project could not be started due to delay in transfer of land.
As the land issue has now been completely resolved, work on project would begin shortly and completed within a period of three to five years at a cost of Rs 80 crore. This would be first of its kind Bio-Technology Park in North India.
The Cabinet also appreciated the efforts of the members of the Council of Ministers and officers and officials of the Civil and Police administration in providing succour to those affected by the recent prolonged spell of snow and rains in most areas of the State.
The Cabinet highly appreciated the professional management of the threat of floods and the quick response of the administration in providing immediate relief to the sufferers. The helping hand extended by the Government of India and its solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir in their hour of need was also deeply appreciated.
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