Cabinet meeting on Monday; major reshuffle likely;Power amnesty on cards; review on abandoned projects likely

By admin On Feb 12, 2017

VIVEK SHARMA
JAMMU: The State Cabinet is likely to meet here at civil secretariat on Monday at 5:00 PM to take call on various administrative matters including promotions and transfers, which became bone of contention during the previous meeting, prompting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to leave midway.
Though the transfers do not form part of agenda, yet speculations are on rife that many high ranking officers including divisional and district heads may be transferred. The reshuffle in the administration assumes added significance in view of proposed Panchayat Elections and by elections to two Lok Sabha seats of Anantnag and Srinagar.
However, official sources said that the crucial parliamentary seats may be differed as both the Centre and the State Governments would test waters especially in Kashmir which underwent a traumatic phase of unrest post terrorist Burhan Wani’s killing.
The Panchayat elections are seen as prelude to carrying out the Lok Sabha elections for two Kashmir seats, fallen vacant due to election to Legislative Assembly and appointment of Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister and resignation of Tariq Ahmed Karra owing to difference over tackling Kashmir unrest by the PDP-BJP Government.
According to sources, hectic political activities are on to have the Panchayat elections postponed as the mainstream parties are skeptical about response in the Valley. The Cabinet may take call on these crucial issues related to elections.
The appointment of Director State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) and promotion of several IFS officers may also figure in the meeting.
Besides the promotion of senior IFS officers, Vasu Yadav , Chief Conservator of Forest is likely to be appointed as Secretary Technical Forest and Environment.
Regulation of 19 casual workers of Animal; Husbandry Department is also likely to get Cabinet’s nod.
The State Cabinet shall also discuss two major power projects-1000 MW Pakal Dul hydro electric project and policy for grid connected Rooftop solar photovoltaic power plant 2016 net metering based.
The Cabinet may also approve extension for amnesty scheme for electric consumers 2015.
Reliable sources told STATE TIMES that the Cabinet agenda also mention to approve land for the IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu.
The Cabinet will also discuss on exemption of work contract tax and other state taxes and duty, implementation of Din Dayal Uphadya Gram Joyti Yojna, integrated Power Development Scheme and Prime Minister Development Package in the State besides proposal of formation of Toshamaidan Tourism Authority and establishment of Women’s College at Batpora, Srinagar.
The Cabinet will also approve the promotion/confirmation of the post of Director Health Services Jammu besides the formation of district offices of Geology and Mining in the State.
The Cabinet also has a proposal for extending financial autonomy to Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages and creation of the post of Superintendent of Jail Rajouri.