Fare to be up by 18 pc, e-autos charges to be fixed
*90 new posts for GMC Sgr, 46 for Jammu
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 12: The Omar Abdullah Cabinet will meet here tomorrow for the first time after clearing budgetary proposals on February 4 to take up revision of TA/DA, medical and other allowances admissible to MLAs, Leader of Opposition, Presiding Officers and Ministers and increase of 18 percent for all categories of passenger vehicle fares and fixation of charges for e-autos.
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The Cabinet is likely to approve creation of 136 posts of Professors and Associate Professors in the Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) of Jammu and Srinagar.
The Cabinet meeting is scheduled for 2.30 pm at the Civil Secretariat tomorrow, the officials said.
They said the Cabinet is expected to give nod to significant amendment in various rules related to the function of Legislative Assembly like revision of TA/DA, medical and other allowances admissible to MLAs, Leader of Opposition, Presiding Officers (Speaker and Deputy Speaker), Ministers and Ministers of State.
Amendments have been proposed in TA Rules, Ministers and Ministers of State (Motor Car Advance and Allowances) Rules, Leader of Opposition in Legislature (Allowances, Medical and other Facilities) Rules, substitution of Rule 6 of J&K Ministers, Minister of State and Deputy Minister Housing Loan Rules, extension of medical facilities to the Ministers, Presiding Officers and their families and Leader of Opposition in State Legislature (Allowances, Medical and Other Facilities) Rules and J&K Ministers’ Travelling Allowances Rules.
If approved by the Cabinet followed by the Lieutenant Governor, the amendments will lead to increase in different allowances of the MLAs, Leader of Opposition, Presiding Officers and Ministers.
The allowances which will go up include Medical Allowance of LoP, daily allowance, Motor Car Advance and Allowances of Ministers besides advances of motor car to the Assembly Members. The MLAs will also get enhanced TA and medical facilities.
Sources said the Finance Department has given concurrence to the proposal.
Another significant proposal before the Cabinet tomorrow is revision of passenger fares.
“The Transport Department has proposed revision of passenger fare with a hike of 18 percent for all categories of commercial passenger vehicles over and above the rates and fixation of fare with regard to e-rickshaws at the rate of Rs 15 per km and e-auto at the rate of Rs 25 for the first per km and Rs 20 for subsequent kms,’’ the sources said, adding that the last revision was notified in 2021.
The Transport Department proposal said the Transport Association asked for a hike of 35 percent to 40 percent. However, the Fare Revision Committee after taking into consideration all relevant factors as well as impact of a proposed increase on the general public, made recommendations of further increase of 18 percent for all categories of passenger vehicles.
The Cabinet, as per the sources, will also take up creation of 136 posts of various categories for implementation of Phase-II of 3-tier faculty structure in the GMC/SSH Jammu and Srinagar, as per National Medical Commission’s norms on the pattern of new GMCs of J&K.
Accordingly, the Health and Medical Education Department has proposed creation of 136 posts including 27 Professors—10 in GMC Jammu and 17 in GMC Srinagar and 109 Associate Professors including 36 in GMC Jammu and 73 in Srinagar.
Out of total of 136 posts of Professors and Associate Professors proposed to be created, 46 are for Jammu and 90 for Srinagar i.e. the posts being created for GMC Jammu are nearly 50 percent less from the GMC Srinagar.
The Finance Department has given concurrence to the proposal which involves estimated annual financial implications of Rs 17 crore. The proposal would enhance 158 PG seats in various disciplines.
The Cabinet is also expected to approve the consent of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the UT of Ladakh to extend services of Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (J&K Special Tribunal) as Real Estate Appellate Tribunal for the UT of Ladakh
“Real estate activity in the UT of Ladakh is low and, therefore, the UT has considered it appropriate to establish a separate RERA and a joint REAT with the UT of J&K. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has advised that Ladakh may continue with interim arrangement for RERA and concurred with the proposal to establish a joint REAT with J&K. The Law Department has concurred with the proposal,’’ the sources said.
The Cabinet is also expected to order promotion of Abdul Majid Tak, Joint Director Fisheries as Director Fisheries and release of Special Scale (Non-Functional) of JKAS in favour of JKAS officer, Rajesh Kumar Basotra.
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