J&K to seek Rs 1500 cr for JJM-II, MoU to be signed
Bills including creation of Private Varsities to be cleared
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 25: Ahead of commencement of second half of budget session of the Legislature, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet is meeting here tomorrow with various major issues on agenda including a couple of Government bills which will come up for consideration and passing of the House. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the UT Government with the Centre for extension of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is also one of the major issues before the Cabinet.
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Official sources told the Excelsior that the Cabinet meeting is scheduled at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s official residence at 6 PM tomorrow. Though tomorrow is a holiday on account of Ramnavmi, the Cabinet meeting has been scheduled as budget session of the Legislature will resume on Friday with budget in the form of Appropriation Bill listed for passage on day one.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sought Rs 1500 crore for JJM (Phase-II) but the Central Government has made it clear that the funds will be available only after the Union Territory signs an MoU with the Centre. A detailed draft has been prepared by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for approval by the Cabinet for signing of the MoU,’’ the sources said.
As per the draft proposal, there will be two components of second phase of JJM including New Schemes and Retrofitting. The Centre has made it clear that the funds will be given only for the New Schemes subject to signing of the MoU between the UT and the Central Governments.
However, they said, as far as Retrofitting is concerned, all expenses will be borne by the UT Government.
As per the draft proposal, the Centre has kept three conditions for the UT Government for implementation of the JJM Phase-II including creation of Sujal Gaon ID, reconciliation of funds and signing of MoU. “When all these three conditions are met, the UT Government will become eligible for the Central funds under the extended JJM Scheme,’’ the sources said.
The proposal revealed that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has sought Rs 1500 crore from the Centre under JJM Part-II.
Meanwhile, a couple of bills which the Government proposed to bring in the budget session of the Legislature, which is resuming on March 27 and will last till April 4, have also been listed for approval by the Cabinet, the sources said.
One of the bills include setting up of Private Universities in Jammu and Kashmir which exist in almost all neighbouring States like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh besides Haryana and New Delhi.
During budget session in February, Minister for Education, Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare Sakina Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that there are currently no private universities in Jammu and Kashmir but emphasized that setting up of the of Private Universities is the need of the hour and that demands have been received for their creation.
Sources said if approved by the Cabinet, the Private Universities bill may be taken up during budget session of the Legislature.
So far, the Government has introduced three Government bills in the Legislative Assembly including the Jammu and Kashmir Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy Act, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 and a bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir State Civil Courts Act.
From March 27 to April 4, there are seven sittings of the Legislature, two each of which are reserved for the Government business, Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Resolutions. One day (March 27) is fixed for passing of the budget.
Sources said the Cabinet is also expected to finalize the Government response on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions especially the sensitive ones seeking ban on sale, purchase and consumption of liquor and tobacco, regularization of daily wagers etc.
The Government has already made it clear that regularization of daily wagers will start this year itself.
As per the sources, promotion and transfers of some JKAS officers is also expected to be taken up by the Cabinet.
It may be mentioned here that all Cabinet decisions are subject to approval of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
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