- No power tariff hike since December 2023; billing based on actual consumption: CM
- Tourism projects worth ₹307.12 lakh completed, another underway in Ramgarh: CM
JAMMU, Feb 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated that his government is committed to filling vacancies in a time-bound manner, announcing that over 30,000 vacancies will be filled during current year.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while replying to a question raised by member Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly.
Informing the House, the Chief Minister stated that vacancies arise from time to time in various Government Departments, including field-level posts, due to, retirements, promotions, resignations and other administrative reasons. “There are institutional mechanisms in place for periodic assessment of vacancies and timely referral to the concerned recruiting agencies in accordance with the statutory provisions,” he said.
He further noted that to ensure essential services and field-level functions are not adversely affected, adequate staff strength is maintained across departments. Wherever necessary, interim administrative arrangements are adopted in accordance with established rules.
The Government, he said, has taken several measures to expedite the filling up of vacancies. These include advance identification and consolidation of vacancies, time-bound referral of requisitions to recruiting agencies, streamlining of procedural requirements, regular monitoring at the administrative level, and ensuring efficiency and transparency in recruitment process.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly that there has been no hike in power tariff since December 2023. He stated that billing in metered areas is carried out strictly as per actual electricity consumption, while in non-metered areas, bills are raised on a flat-rate basis in accordance with the agreed load, without any arbitrariness.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Responding to a supplementary regarding rationalisation of power tariff, the Chief Minister informed the House that tariff determination falls within the domain of the regulatory authority, namely the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC). He said the tariff is fixed strictly in accordance with the rationale and parameters laid down by the regulator.
The Chief Minister further clarified that Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses are not realised from consumers.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly that three tourism projects have been completed and one project is currently in progress in Ramgarh Constituency at a total cost of ₹307.12 lakh under the Capex Budget.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, which was asked on his behalf by member Surjeet Singh Slathia during the Question Hour.
The House was informed that the Tourism Development Plan for the year 2026–27 has not yet been formulated. However, new projects for Ramgarh Constituency will be considered for 2026–27, subject to feasibility as per established tourism norms, availability of funds and necessary approvals.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, stated that ₹123.41 lakh was sanctioned under the Capex Budget for the development and beautification of Sidh Goria Temple. The works included beautification of the surrounding area, construction of parking facilities and toilet blocks, development of a pond, installation and commissioning of high mast lights and allied works. He informed that the project stands physically completed.
He further said that ₹100.00 lakh was sanctioned under the Capex Budget for the development of Baba Chamlyal Shrine. The sanctioned works comprised construction of flooring and pathways, installation of lights and allied works, which have also been physically completed.
The Chief Minister added that the department undertakes publicity of the annual mela at Sidh Goria Temple and Baba Chamlyal Shrine through flex hoardings, newspaper advertisements and booklets to promote religious tourism.
Regarding other religious sites including Ganga Mata Temple, Banu Temple and Ram Temple, he stated that their development will be considered in future, subject to feasibility, availability of funds and necessary approvals.
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