Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 12: State Cabinet, which is meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on March 14 at around 6 pm, would accord approval to introduction of four important bills during the ongoing Budget Session of State Legislature besides creation of posts in different departments. The Cabinet is also likely to order reshuffle in the police and civil administration as majority of the Deputy Commissioners are overstaying while as some posts of District SPs are lying vacant.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that the Cabinet will discuss and give approval for introduction of 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 Sukrala Devi Ji and Shri Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrines at Billawar and Jammu and Kashmir Golf Development and Management Authority Bill.
“The Government intends to enact J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) legislation as the J&K Juvenile Justice Act of 1997 is falling short of taking full care of rehabilitation of the juveniles”, sources said, adding “moreover the Government wants to have a legislation at par with National Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2006”.
In response to a question, sources 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 prepared by the Department of Tourism and Culture regarding constitution of Board for Shri Mata Sukrala 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 Sukrala 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 is also likely to approve 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, implementation of reforms under JNNURM and transfer of 18 mandatory functions to Urban Local Bodies and implementation of National Optical Fibre Network in the State.
It will also accord sanction to the 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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