Relief under SRO-43 extended to non-local militancy victims
Aspirational Blocks Development Programme also rolled out
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday extended relief under SRO-43 to the non-local victims of terrorist violence, which will entitle their next of kin to cash compensation.
The decision was taken by the Administrative Council of the Union Territory, which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, an official spokesperson said.
The decision extended relief under SRO-43 to the next of kin of victims who were non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir and were killed in the recent violence in the Kashmir valley, he said.
Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the LG, along with Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the LG, attended the meeting.
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta also was part of the meeting where the decision was finalised.
At least five non-local workers were killed in terrorist violence during the month of October this year.
SRO-43, promulgated as Compassionate Appointment Rules in 1994, was enacted to compensate kin of victims of militancy among government employees and other permanent residents of J&K.
In another decision the AC announced the rolls out of Aspirational Blocks Development Programme. The decision will benefit 44 most backward blocks of the Union territory.
The blocks identified under the Aspirational Blocks Development Programme are the most backward blocks of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir which require special focus to bring them at par with other blocks. The programme aims to improve development in terms of various socio-economic parameters like education, health and wellbeing; and overall living conditions of the people, the spokesman added.
These Aspirational Blocks shall be developed through convergence of various ongoing UT schemes/programmes, and centrally sponsored schemes/ programmes. The District Development Commissioners will be tasked with preparation of a suitable development plan, whereas, the Planning Development and Monitoring Department will constantly monitor the district-wise progress of these blocks through a digital portal.
Under the programme, the resources will be clearly delineated across various sectors of development – poverty, health & nutrition, education, and basic infrastructure, at the district level. Additionally, an amount of Rs. 1.00 crore will be provided to each block after fulfillment of defined criteria.
The best practices implemented in the development of Aspirational Blocks will be acknowledged and duly replicated in other blocks towards ensuring an inclusive and equitable socio-economic development of the Union territory.
The AC also accorded approval for creation of four courts of Additional District & Sessions Judges at district headquarters- one each in District Samba, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Poonch.
The AC also approved creation of 40 new posts of different categories (10 each) at the new court complexes in the four selected districts having a financial implication of Rs. 258.245 lacs (salary) and Rs 21.657 lacs (NPS) per financial year.
The gradual increase in the population of Jammu and Kashmir has substantially enhanced the judicial work load which has necessitated the opening of new court complexes to cater to the increased public demand.
The AC also approved the transfer of land measuring 60 Kanal at Village Haqanibad Punzwa, Tehsil Villigam, District Kupwara to the Youth Service & Sports Department for construction of a sports stadium.
The upcoming stadium will cater to the needs of local population as well of the youth from the 20 neighbouring villages by purposefully engaging 20,000 youth with sporting activities across a number of disciplines.
During this financial year, an amount of Rs. 100.00 lakh has also been earmarked for the development of the infrastructure, of which Rs. 50.00 lakhs stands allocated to the Department to kick-start the works at an earliest.
Meanwhile, the AC also approved the transfer of land measuring 39 Kanal 10 Marla at village Kutlehar, Tehsil & District Kathua to the Jal Shakti Department for construction of the main Ravi canal from Shahpur Kandi Dam to Basantpur.
Recently, the Government of J&K and Government of Punjab signed a fresh bilateral agreement on Shahpur Kandi Project which aims to provide water to the Union territory to enhance agricultural protection in the Kandi belt of Kathua and Samba districts.
KV News
