AC approves J&K Film Policy-2024; extends amnesty scheme for domestic consumers of electricity till March 2025

•  Installation of vertical lift from Peerkho to Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex approved

• 22 kanals, 2 marlas land transferred to Animal Husbandry Deptt

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Administrative Council, which met here on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor has approved Jammu and Kashmir Film Policy-2024. The Policy aims to position J&K as a hub of cinematic creativity and productivity. The approved policy will supersede the current Film Policy i.e., J&K Film Policy-2021.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, J&K; Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
The policy provides for time bound administrative assistances, setting up of Single Window Cell, facilitation for granting of permission for shooting films, package of financial assistance, promoting Government/Non-Government Organizations associated with publicity of cinema and striving to create nationally competitive infrastructure for film making.

Admn Deptt of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society changed from Tourism to Culture Department

JAMMU: The Administrative Council has accorded approval for change of administrative department of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society (MMJHS), Jammu, from Tourism Department to Culture Department.
Since maintenance of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex aligns with the role and responsibility of the Culture Department, the proposal was mooted by Tourism Department for change of Administrative Department of the society from Tourism to Culture Department.
By placing MMJHS under the Culture Department, its projects will become part of the Culture Department’s regular budget, making heritage preservation more organized and effective and will also address funding concerns and impart efficiency in control of the affairs of the complex.

The policy provides for bodies like Film Development Council, J&K Film Division, Script Screening Committee, Divisional Location Permission Committee, Film Development Fund and mechanism for branding and promotion of activities by means of film festivals.
To ensure that a chunk of the film shooting for a film seeking subsidy from the UT Government, the criteria of a minimum of 20 days of shooting has been provided. The criteria for claiming subsidy for Films/ TV Serials/ Shows/Web Series etc. has also been notified in the policy.
The maximum subsidy in the regional languages of J&K will be Rs 1.25 crores.
A Film Development Fund shall be created from fiscal year 2024-25 with allocation of Rs. 500 crores (payable in next 05 years with an annual budgetary grant of Rs. 100 crores.) to be sourced from CAPEX budget for disbursement of subsidies/incentives. The minimum cost of production of the film shall be Rs.10 crores and it must be screened on minimum 25 screens across the country. For domiciles of J&K, the minimum cost of production of a film shall be Rs.50 lacs and it must be screened on minimum 3 screens. The in-eligible categories for subsidy have also been notified in the policy. The policy will have positive impact on the economy in terms of generating employment and growth of film tourism. The policy will be valid for 05 years.
The AC has also approved extension of Amnesty Scheme-2022 upto 31-3-2025 in favour of Domestic Consumers of electricity.
The scheme provides for waving off 100% interest/surcharge on outstanding principal amount. In UT of J&K, the domestic consumer category comprises over 86% of JKPDD consumers and around 50% of total energy consumption in the UT is from the said category of the consumers.
However almost 30 per cent of these Domestic consumers (Approx.5.50 lakh) in the said sector are either making staggered payments or have not made any payment towards their electricity bills primarily due to huge accumulation of outstanding power dues including late payment surcharges/interest which is leading to high commercial losses to JKPDD/ Discoms.
The Amnesty Scheme has resulted into the recovery of Rs. 235.58 crore from domestic consumers.The Domestic consumers shall be benefited by waving off the surcharge amount and payments of principal amount in affordable installments (EMIs).
The Government/DISCOMS shall be able to recover the outstanding principal amount which shall result in decreasing the ARR/ACS gap and shall have a positive effect on lowering of AT&C losses too.
The Administrative Council also accorded administrative approval for installation of vertical lift from Peerkho Station of Jammu Ropeway Project to Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex at an estimated cost of Rs 25.07 Cr.
The vertical lift comprises two lifts, each with a capacity of 13 passengers, ensuring efficient transportation between Peerkho Station and Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. The project includes foot over bridge for connectivity and safety measures for the passengers.
The installation of this lift will have no adverse structural impact on Mubarak Mandi Complex. The project has been conceptualised with technical vetting from IIT Jammu.
It is an initiative aimed to seamlessly integrate key tourist attractions, thus fostering tourism and cultural exploration of the region. The area is famous for ancient temples and has scenic advantage due to upcoming Tawi river front project.
The Administrative Council (AC) approved transfer of 22 Kanals and 2 Marlas of land situated in Estate Devipora, tehsil Tulmulla, district Ganderbal in favour of Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) for establishment of Dairy Plant.
The Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers Cooperative Limited (JKMPCL) shall be implementing agency for implementation of the Central Sector Scheme, National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) which shall be contributing 90% of the funding under the central sector component, and remaining 10% will be JKMPCL’s share, for execution of the project. The project shall provide employment and reduce agro-farm wastages and also enhance nutritional value of the produce. With this decision, approximately 1.50 lacks milk producers will be benefitted in the area and employment opportunities for approximately 400 to 500 people will be created.