Jammu, Mar 13 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is scheduled to meet on Friday at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to discuss several key proposals, including enhancement of allowances for Ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Presiding Officers and the Leader of Opposition.
Sources Said that the meeting is scheduled to be held at 2:30 PM and will deliberate on amendments to rules governing travelling allowance (TA), daily allowance (DA), medical benefits and other facilities for legislators and ministers.
Sources said the proposed amendments include changes in TA Rules, Ministers and Ministers of State (Motor Car Advance and Allowances) Rules, Housing Loan Rules and Leader of Opposition Allowances and Medical Facilities Rules. If approved and subsequently cleared by the Lieutenant Governor, the amendments would enhance allowances including medical allowance for the Leader of Opposition, daily allowances, motor car advances for ministers and improved TA and medical benefits for MLAs.
They said the proposal has already received concurrence from the Finance Department.
The Cabinet is also expected to take up a proposal regarding revision of passenger transport fares across the Union Territory.
According to sources, the Transport Department has recommended an 18 percent hike in fares for all categories of commercial passenger vehicles. The department has also proposed fixation of charges for electric autos and e-rickshaws, suggesting a rate of ₹15 per kilometre for e-rickshaws and ₹25 for the first kilometre and ₹20 for each subsequent kilometre for e-autos.
Transport associations had reportedly demanded a 35 to 40 percent hike, however, the Fare Revision Committee recommended an 18 percent increase after assessing its impact on the general public, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet is also likely to approve creation of 136 new faculty posts in Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) of Jammu and Srinagar under Phase-II implementation of the three-tier faculty structure as per National Medical Commission norms.
As per the proposal, 27 posts of Professors—10 for GMC Jammu and 17 for GMC Srinagar—and 109 posts of Associate Professors—36 for Jammu and 73 for Srinagar—are proposed. In total, 46 posts are proposed for GMC Jammu and 90 for GMC Srinagar.
Officials said the proposal, which carries an annual financial implication of around ₹17 crore, is expected to increase postgraduate medical seats by around 158 in different disciplines.
The Cabinet may also approve extension of services of the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal for the Union Territory of Ladakh under a joint arrangement between the two UTs.
Officials said Ladakh has limited real estate activity and intends to continue with the interim arrangement by sharing the appellate tribunal with Jammu and Kashmir. The proposal has already received support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the J&K Law Department.
Among other matters, the Cabinet may also consider promotion of Joint Director Fisheries Abdul Majid Tak as Director Fisheries and grant of Special Scale (Non-Functional) of JKAS in favour of officer Rajesh Kumar Basotra, sources added. —(NVI)
