CM Omar Abdullah calls for wider coverage under social security schemes

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of financial inclusion schemes, social security coverage, district capex and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) works programme. He also reviewed GST collection and tax and non-tax revenue for the current financial year.

Principal Secretary (Finance) Santosh D Vaidya gave a detailed presentation on the financial and social inclusion schemes, revenue generation trends and district-wise progress under capex and CDF works.

The CM noted the tardy pace in uploading and tendering of works, and directed all departments and districts to focus on revenue realisation and social inclusion schemes, with progress monitored on a monthly basis rather than corrective measures being left to the final quarter.

“Departments must not wait for February and March to chase revenue targets. Each department will receive specific communication from the Finance Department flagging their areas of concern and giving a six-month revenue target breakdown. They should start working on improving revenue realisation today, with a clear monthly plan,” the Chief Minister stressed.

He further directed that Deputy Commissioners be given district-specific instructions from the Finance Department, particularly regarding the coverage of social welfare schemes such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Integrated Social Security Scheme, and widow, old-age and disability pensions. He asked DCs to ascertain the reasons for a drop in enrolment of account holders under PMJDY and other schemes.

Omar instructed that MLAs be informed about the works included in the UT and District Capex plans which were prioritised by legislators during pre-budget meetings and to intimate them about works found to be unviable.

He cautioned that delays in revenue mobilisation could force the government into difficult decisions such as imposing cuts in departmental expenditure.

During the meeting, it was noted that social security schemes have registered impressive growth in recent years—with PMJDY account holders crossing 23 lakh, PMSBY enrolments touching 23.8 lakh and PMJJBY covering nearly 9.83 lakh individuals.

On welfare schemes administered by the Building and Other Construction Workers Board, the meeting was informed that Rs 166.90 crore had been disbursed to 2.5 lakh beneficiaries in 2024-25. However, active worker registration remains low, necessitating expansion efforts.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, all Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners of all districts and other officials, both in person and through virtual mode.