Roadmap in view of current scenario reviewed
*Says work suffering to some extent in absence of rules
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 29: The UT Cabinet today discussed delay in release of business rules, enhancement of MLAs’ salary and roadmap ahead in current security scenario including winning back confidence of the tourists and ensuring normalcy in the region in the aftermath of any retaliatory action by India on Pakistan following April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local lost their lives.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his official residence here and could well be last meeting of winter season before the Council of Ministry shifts to Srinagar in first week of May.
Though no official statement was issued by the Government after the Cabinet meeting that lasted an hour, sources told the Excelsior that the Council of Ministers discussed delay in issuance of business rules, which were finalized by the Cabinet on March 6 and sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval.
In yesterday’s special session of the Legislative Assembly, Omar mentioned business rules besides Statehood saying he will not ask for Statehood now as this is not the time to do politics.
“Nearly two months have passed since the business rules were sent to the LG but they have not been approved so far,” the Cabinet reportedly observed and decided to send reminder to the LG seeking early clearance of the rules.
The Cabinet was of the view that some works of the Government have been suffering in absence of the clear business rules.
The rules had been finalized by a high level committee of the Government.
Few days back, Omar Government completed six months in the office.
Omar took oath as the Chief Minister on October 16, 2024 along with five Cabinet Ministers.
“Amendments in the Business Rules were necessitated as Jammu and Kashmir had switched over from the State to Union Territory on August 5, 2019 and this was for the first time that political Government was formed after Assembly elections in September-October last year,” the sources said.
The new Business Rules have defined powers of the Chief Minister, the Cabinet, Ministers and Administrative Secretaries.
Powers of the Lieutenant Governor have already been defined as he holds charge of the law and order, public order and All India Services.
They added that powers of the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and the Administrative Secretaries have been clearly defined with amendments in the Business Rules.
Under Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act-2019, the Lieutenant Governor shall make rules on the advice of the Council of Ministers for the allocation of business to the Ministers; and for the more convenient transaction of business with the Ministers including the procedure to be adopted in case of a difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and the Council of Ministers or a Minister.
After reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Home Ministry notified the business rule for J&K UT on August 27, 2020. The Business Rules were issued by MHA in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, read with the Proclamation, dated 31st October, 2019 issued under section 73 of the said Act.
Sources said the Cabinet also discussed increase in the salary of MLAs, an assurance the Chief Minister, who also holds charge of the Finance Department, gave in the Legislative Assembly while replying to debate on the demands of grants of his Ministry.
Presently, the MLAs get Rs 80,000 salary and Rs 80,000 worth allowances making it a total of Rs 1.6 lakh per month
Omar had assured in the Assembly that a Committee will be set up to ensure that salary of the legislators increase like that of Members of Parliament (MPs).
As per the sources, the roadmap ahead for Jammu and Kashmir in view of present scenario in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack also figured prominently.
It was reportedly decided that the Government will make all out efforts to win back confidence of tourists which has been shaken to some extent by the terror attack. The Cabinet hoped that arrival of tourists will pick up gradually.
It also discussed the efforts required to maintain peace and normalcy in case of an Indian retaliation in Pakistan following Pahalgam terror attack.
The post Cabinet discusses delay in release of business rules, hike in MLAs’ salary appeared first on Daily Excelsior.