Governor initiates civic polls process

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 11

The State Administrative Council (SAC) which met here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Governor NN Vohra set into motion the process for holding elections to the urban local bodies in the state.

The SAC directed the Housing and Urban Development Department to initiate the process of holding elections to municipal bodies (municipal corporations/municipal councils/municipal committees) across the state in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K. It observed that the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, is charged with the responsibility of superintendence, directions and control of preparation of electoral rolls, determination of wards, etc.

The SAC directed the Housing and Urban Development Department to initiate the required steps in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer, including preparation and update of electoral rolls for holding of elections to all the municipal institutions in the state. Various other decisions were taken at the third meeting held under the chairmanship of Governor’s rule. Advisers to the Governor, BB Vyas, Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai besides Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam attended the meeting. The SAC deliberated upon the various proposals submitted by administrative departments for its consideration and approval.

Exemption for start-ups

In a major decision having far-reaching benefits for the entrepreneurs of the state in general and youth in particular, the SAC approved exemption of turnover and experience conditions for all state start-ups and micro and small enterprises (MSEs) registered in Jammu and Kashmir, including the price preference of 20 per cent for public procurement by government departments and organisations. The decision aims at creation of a favourable ecosystem for the state start-ups and MSE sector by enabling them to participate in the tendering process of all state government departments and agencies on an equal platform vis-à-vis experienced entrepreneurs and companies without worrying for turnover and experience qualifications.

Legislation to improve jails

The SAC approved a Bill titled ‘The Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2018’, contemplating massive upgrade of infrastructure, particularly for improving the living conditions of jail inmates. In this context, a reference was made to a public interest litigation pending before the Supreme Court regarding inhuman conditions in the 1,382 prisons and relating to various reformative measures for prisons. The apex court has, from time to time, passed several directions to the Union and the state governments vis-à-vis overcrowding of prisons, inadequacy of staff and poor living conditions for the inmates. Taking note of the directions passed by the Supreme Court, the SAC emphasised the need for massive upgrade of jails at Jammu, Udhampur, Anantnag, Kupwara and Central Jail, Srinagar.

Medical block for Zainapora

The SAC accorded approval to the establishment of a medical block at Zainapora in Shopian along with the creation of seven posts of various categories for the block, including one post each of block medical officer, health educator, accounts assistant and senior assistant, two posts of basic health worker and one post of driver.

Creation of posts for DLSAs

The SAC accorded sanction to the creation of 22 posts of full-time secretaries (sub-judge) and 22 posts of steno-typist (with knowledge of accounts) for 22 District Legal Services Authorities (DSLAs) of the state.

Non-gazetted vacancies

The SAC approved the proposal for seeking prior clearance and concurrence of the Finance Department before referring non-gazetted vacancies under direct recruitment quota to the J&K Services Selection Board and other recruiting agencies, as the case may be.