Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 15: State Cabinet today gave nod to the introduction of four important bills in the State Legislature during the ongoing Budget Session and transfer of 18 mandatory functions of various departments to the Urban Local Bodies.
The bills, which received the approval of the Cabinet for introduction in State Legislature, are Jammu and Kashmir Private Security Agency (Regulation) Bill of Home Department, J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill of Social Welfare Department, Bill for constitution of board for Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Ji and Shri Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrines at Billawar and Jammu and Kashmir Golf Development and Management Authority Bill, authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR.
Sources said that Cabinet has given nod to the transfer of 18 functions, functionaries and funds to the Urban Local Bodies of the State, which is mandatory for release of balance amount of Rs 367.64 crore under the JNNURM.
It is pertinent to mention here that pursuant to the agreement signed by the State Government with the Union Government for implementation of JNNURM, the Union Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation sanctioned 108 projects for an amount of Rs 1312.68 crore for the State. So far against the committed ACA of Rs 1139.36 crore, an amount of only Rs 771.71 crore has been released.
“Following the transfer of 18 functions, functionaries and funds to the Urban Local Bodies as approved by the Cabinet, the State would be able to get balance amount of Rs 367.64 crore from the Union Government”, sources said, adding “now formal orders will be issued for transfer of funds, functionaries and schemes including the plan allocation, centrally sponsored schemes and the concomitant assets of the connected departments on as it is whereas basis”.
In response to a question, sources said, “these 18 functions are presently being performed by various departments like PWD (roads), PHE (water supply), PDD (street lights) etc”.
About the J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, sources said, “the Government intends to enact legislation as the J&K Juvenile Justice Act of 1997 is falling short of taking full care of rehabilitation of the juveniles”, adding “moreover the Government wants to have a legislation at par with National Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2006”.
Sources further said that the objective behind enacting new legislation is to lay down the basic principles for administering justice to a juvenile or the child, make the judicial system meant for a juvenile or the child more appropriative of the developmental needs in comparison to criminal justice system as applicable to adults, prescribe a uniform age of 18 years for both girls and boys, ensure speedy disposal of cases by the authorities within a time-limit of four months, spell out the role of the State as a facilitator rather than doer, create special juvenile police units with a humane approach through sensitization and training of police personnel and to provide effective provisions and various alternatives for rehabilitation and social integration of abandoned, destitute, neglected and juveniles in conflict with law.
About the bill regarding constitution of Board for Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Ji and Shri Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrines at Billawar, sources said, “though the pilgrimage to these shrines is increasing every year, the facilities and infrastructure is insufficient to cater to the requirement of pilgrims”, adding “the Government wants to establish a Shrine Board on the lines of Shiv Khori Ji Shrine Board for better management, administration and governance of these shrines. Moreover, with the setting up of Shrine Board there would be judicious use of the offerings”.
At present, a management committee headed by Tehsildar Billawar is looking after the affairs of Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Ji Shrine while as a committee headed by former MLA is taking care of the affairs of Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrine.
“The purpose behind enactment of legislation vis-à-vis private security agencies is aimed at regulating their functioning keeping in view the security ramifications”, sources said, adding “if enacted by the legislature the Government would be able to appoint controlling authority, which will regulate the functioning of private security agencies including registration and licensing etc”.
Moreover, under the legislation the Government would have powers to debar certain categories of persons from being eligible for obtaining license for running the private security agency, set up mechanism for renewal of licenses besides laying conditions and eligibility for the issuance of a license and being a security guard, sources said, adding imposing restrictions on private security guards on disclosure of information acquired while working in any establishment and imposing punishment for contravention of provisions contained in the license would also be the salient features of the legislation.
According to the sources, Cabinet also approved solar power policy prepared by the Science and Technology Department, creation of two Sub-Transmission Divisions-one each at Leh and Kargil, environment management and rehabilitation and resettlement plan for 850 MW Rattle Hydro Electric Project, implementation of the condition of local employment for providing incentive under the State Industrial Policy, 2004 and implementation of National Optical Fibre Network in the State besides creation of posts of Assistant Surgeons in the Prisons Wing of the Home Department, posts for Lolab-Bangus-Drangyari Development Authority, creation of posts for proper implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, posts of various categories in the Neuro-Surgery, Anesthesia and Critical Care for Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar.
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