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| Barter system in cross-LoC Kashmir trade to go: Govt | | Cabinet Decisions | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 27: Government on Wednesday said it would soon do away with the barter system in the cross-border business with Pakistan and the trade would be conducted through proper transactions after an approval from the Reserve Bank of India.
The Government spokesman, Naeem Akther, while addressing a news conference after attending the cabinet meeting here said, "The cross-border trade with Pakistan-administered Kashmir was allowed in October 2008 as a major confidence building measure between the parts of the state divided between India and Pakistan. But the trade has so far been done through barter system with exchange of goods and no money transaction."
This, according to traders, has led to a very low turnover of exchange of goods worth Rs.3,700 in the last nearly eight years.
The trade is conducted through the Line of Control -- the de facto boundary in Kashmir between India and Pakistan -- from border points in Chakan-da-bagh-Rawalakote route in Jammu and Salamabad-Chokoti in Kashmir.
Akhtar said the government also planned to build infrastructure at the Suchetgarh border crossing with Pakistan in Jammu for developing the place on the pattern of the Wagah border in Punjab.
"Suchetgarh would finally become the trade and travel window between the two countries facilitating the people living on the two sides of the international border."
He said the state government welcomed talks between India and Pakistan foreign secretaries that is going to have an impact on the peace process in the state.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown statesmanship by resumption of the dialogue process at the foreign secretaries level after the Pathankot attack."
He said while the attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, blamed on militants who crossed over from the border with Pakistan, cannot be overlooked but the two countries needed to work jointly "to prevent such a happening" in future.
Numberdars, Chowkidars to get Rs 1500 a month
To make the institutions of Lambardars and Chowkidars productive and useful in the present system of governance, the Cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti enhanced the honorarium of Lambardars and Chowkidars from Rs 751 to Rs 1501 and Rs 750 to Rs 1500 respectively.
In the Budget 2015-16, Finance Minister had made an announcement regarding redefining the roles of Lambardars and Chowkidars in view of the changed scenario coupled with suitable enhancement in their honoraria. To deliberate upon the issue, Finance Minister had proposed setting up of a Committee that shall examine the issues and submit recommendations related to making Lambardars and Chowkidars productive functionaries in the existing system of self governance, when Panchayats across the State have been established.
After threadbare discussions with the various stakeholders, the Committee had submitted its report and recommendations, for consideration of the Cabinet.
Cabinet directed the Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation department to also notify the new enhanced roles and functions of Lambardars and Chowkidars.
Cabinet approves 5% interest subsidy for four years for flood hit traders/business
Extending major relief to September -2014 flood affected traders/business units, the Cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti accorded sanction to the grant of 5% interest subvention w.e.f 1st April, 2016 with a cap of Rs 5 Lac per unit for a period of four years.
This means subsidizing interest on loan to flood hit traders/ business to an extent of 5% starting from 1st April-2016 to31st December-2020.
Cabinet sanctioned the second tranche of assistance proposed to be given to small traders and business establishments who have been given start up incentive with turn over upto Rs 10 Lac.
This interest subvention assistance also extends to such affected business units having existing linkage with the banks but may have not availed the Special Rehabilitation Package as approved by SLBC in its meeting held on 23rd September- 2014 and also do not figure in the list of units identified by the concerned Divisional Commissioners.
To ensure proper implementation of the interest subvention assistance scheme, Cabinet ordered constitution of a High Level Coordination Committee headed by Chief Secretary and comprising representatives of Relief & Rehabilitation department, Finance department, Planning & Development department, Industries & Commerce department, J&K Bank (SLBC) and or any other appropriate agency.
The Committee shall meet on monthly basis and ensure that only genuine traders/self employed business units have been covered by the banks under the scheme, ensure proper end utilization of the released assistance, consider mid course corrections/changes in the modalities of implementation based on feedback from relevant stakeholders and take proper action to redress grievances of traders /business units.
Cabinet orders Aadhar based biometric identification
To enable an informed and judicious view on the issue of regularization of around 61,000 casual labourers/ workers, the Cabinet which met here today ordered instituting a fast track system for Aadhar based biometric identification and skill profiling of all CSLWs within three months.
The exercise shall enable authentication of data regarding casual labourers and to avoid duplication. The CSLWs include a wide range of categories of the Daily Rated Workers (DRW), Casual Labourers etc.
Cabinet approves promotion of 46 officers to Time Scale of KAS
The Cabinet approved promotion of forty six (46) officers to the Time Scale of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS).
Cabinet also approved promotion of Zakir Hussain Choudhary, incharge Director, State Motor Garages as Director State Motor Garages in the Pay Band of 37400-67000 with Grade Pay of 8700 w.e.f 21st August-2015.
Cabinet also accorded sanction to the promotion of Pawan Kumar, Senior Scale Officer to the Selection Grade of the J&K Accounts (Gazetted ) Service w.e.f 14th March-2016.
Cabinet gives nod to reorganization of Planning and Development Department
The Cabinet gave nod to the proposal regarding reorientation and reorganization of the Planning and Development department with the aim to ensure focused monitoring of public expenditure, timely preparation of DPRs and close monitoring of development projects.
Accordingly, as per the proposal, the Planning and Development department shall become Planning & Monitoring Department, an official spokesperson said this evening.
The need for change was necessitated following the replacement of Planning Commission of India by NITI Aayog and acceptance of the 14thFinance Commission recommendations by the Union Government, with long term ramifications as regards the planning process in the State. Under the new framework, Revenue Expenditure and Capital Expenditure Budget have been separated from last year and the process of rationalization will continue over the current year.
Similarly, in terms of a more effective delivery strategy for inclusive and balanced regional development, the State Government needs to lay stress on alternate systems of delivery of development programmes and public services: particularly execution of projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Moreover, there is an equally pressing need for making the development process environment friendly and responsive to the needs of people living in far flung and difficult areas besides there is also a need to have a full-fledged project formulation division with capacities to identify and arrange the services of consultants as may be required for preparation of DPRs.
In these circumstances, a strong need was felt to reorient the Planning & Development Department on certain key aspects relating to the development process in the State. |
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