J&K Budget 2019-20: Highlights

Jammu, Dec 15: Following are the highlights of the Rs 88,911 crore budget approved by Jammu and Kashmir state administrative council (SAC) for FY 2019-20.

Infrastructure:

• Rs 30,469 crore earmarked for investment in development sector;
• Rs 3,631 crore additional investment in 1,643 languishing projects;
• To build spending capacity, line departments to be provided funds for hiring consultants, creating DPR preparation cells, project implementation agencies, IT consultants etc;

Local governance:

• Rs 2,573 crore for Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rs 1,030 crore for Urban Local Bodies in next 15 months;
• Every Panchayat to get Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore depending upon area, population;
• 2,000 posts of Accounts Assistants proposed to be created for Panchayati Raj;

Institutions:

• MGNREGA funds proposed to be supplemented by 10 per cent capital infusion from the state exchequer to create quality assets;

Rural Development:

• State allocation for rural development department proposed to be doubled to undertake works of urgent public need;
• Rs 7 crore state share proposed to be provided to rural development department for solid Waste management;
• Rs 1 crore additional funds proposed to be allocated to rural development department for construction of quality pathways in mountainous villages;

Agriculture /Horticulture:

• Annual allocation to agriculture sector proposed to be enhanced by Rs 20 crore;
• 50 per cent subsidy proposed for all new controlled atmospheric stores to be established next fiscal;
• 50 per cent subsidy for refrigerated vans for transportation of perishable vegetables/fruits;
• Provision of Rs 9.18 crore to meet freight subsidy for transportation of cut-flowers to promote commercial flower cultivation

Education:

• Rs 250 crore proposed for upgradation of infra in existing, New Degree Colleges;
• Rs 100 crore to be allocated for providing benches and desks for students in primary and middle schools;
• Rs 45 crore for providing assured electricity, drinking water supply to schools;
• Rs 5.5 crore for reactivating EDUSAT, setting up additional smart classrooms;
• Rs 3.50 crore proposed to be provided to help prepare students for competitive exams like IAS/KAS/JEE/NEET/Banking;
• Rs 1,000 crore for regularisation of Rahbar-e-taleem and SSA teachers;

Healthcare:

• Rs 350 crore for completion of under-construction buildings of Medical Colleges, district and sub-district Hospitals, public health centres etc;
• Rs 100 crore for onetime augmentation of equipment in hospitals;
• Rs 87.09 crore state share proposed for AIIMS Vijapur in Jammu region and AIIMS Awantipora in Kashmir valley;
• Rs 32 crore additional State share for five New Medical Colleges;
• Rs 1.50 crore for purchase of five critical care ambulances for hilly districts;
• Rs 1 crore for drug-de-addiction centre at SKIMS Medical College Bemina;
• Sonam Narbo Hospital, Leh proposed to be upgraded to 300 bedded hospital for which a provision of Rs 3 crore has been made;

Power Sector:

• Rs 5,000 crore earmarked for power purchase;
• Rs 300 crore proposed over and above normal outlay, PMDP and centrally sponsored schemes for upgradation of power distribution network;
• Rs 55 crore proposed for promotion of solar power; PHE/Irrigation & Flood Control:
• Rs 1,500 crore allocation proposed to augment drinking water supply;
• Mega drinking water supply project on Chenab River to be taken up for execution to augment potable water supply in Jammu;
• Rs 150 crore for upgradation of irrigation facilities;
• State share provided for Shahpur Kandi Dam project and Ujh multipurpose project;
• Rs 12 crore provided for purchase of dredgers for Irrigation and Flood Control Dept;

Roads and Buildings:

• Additional Rs 1,000 crore for completion of languishing connectivity projects;
• Annual allocation for macadamisation proposed to be enhanced from Rs 100 crore to Rs 400 crore for 2019-20;
• Rs 100 crore proposed for land acquisition of PMGSY roads;
• Rs 20 crore for beautification of bridges and flyovers in Srinagar and Jammu;

Industries and Commerce:

• Rs 400 crore for augmentation of infrastructure including waste disposal in existing and upcoming industrial estates;
• Pending issues of amnesty on interest and penalty of power arrears of industries resolved;

Tourism:

• Rs 130 crore for tourism promotion in addition to Rs 2,000 crore under PMDP for infrastructure upgradation;

Culture:

• Rs 50 lakh for nomination preparation process for "World Heritage Licensing of Mughal Gardens by UNESCO"
• Rs 1 crore each proposed for establishing dedicated Art Galleries in Srinagar and Jammu
• Rs 1 crore provided for construction of Planetarium near Kala Kendra Jammu
• Rs 25 crore to be provided for establishment of Art and Culture Centres at district level

Youth Services and Sports:

• Rs 350 crore proposed for massive upgradation of sports infrastructure;
• Rs 5 crore for promotion of youth exchange programmes;

Transport:

• Rs 25 crore for subsidy for purchase of 500 new buses in private sector;
• Rs 36 crore for revival of SRTC;
• Rs 25 crore for purchase of low floor buses;

Housing and Urban Development:

• Metropolitan Authorities to be created for Srinagar and Jammu with an initial outlay of Rs 100 crore;
• Rs 500 crore for construction of drainage and sewerage network, STPs;
• Rs 10 crore for installing high mask lights in Srinagar and Jammu;
• Rs 10 crore proposed for riverfront development in Jammu city and connecting Vikram Chowk with Gujjar Nagar bridge along river Tawi;

IT Infrastructure:

• Rs 15 crore for providing dedicated IT infrastructure at Civil Secretariat, Jammu to avoid relocating of computers and other paraphernalia during Durbar Move;
• Rs 5 crore for digitisation of office records of Civil Secretariat;
• Rs 3 crore for installation of robust LAN Network in Civil Secretariat.

PTI