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In maiden UT budget Rs 38764 Cr allocated for development, Rs 62,664 for revenue expenditure, Union FM talks about economic resilience of J&K

Srinagar, Mar 17: The Centre on Tuesday presented Rs 1,01,428 crore budget for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the Parliament which is empowered to approved budgetary allocations for the union territories with legislatures when they are without elected governments.

According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), unveiling the maiden budget for Jammu and Kashmir UT in the Lok Sabha, Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman said the budget for 2020-21 for J&K shall cross one lakh crore mark for the first time in history.

“This is the highest ever budget envisaged for Jammu and Kashmir,” she said, adding that this is an indicator of BJP-led Central government’s commitment to make J&K a model of development.

Budget estimates

The total budget estimates for the next fiscal is Rs1,01,428 crores. Of this Rs 38,764 crore have been earmarked for infrastructure development, which shows an increase of 27% in development expenditure.

“The capital component of the budget has increased substantially. We hope to achieve GSDP growth of 11 per cent making the UT one of the fastest growing UTs/States,” reads the budget speech. The remaining Rs 62,664 crore would be utilized on salaries, pension, seventh pay commission and Leave Travel Concession commitments and other components of revenue expenditure. In her budget speech, the Finance Minister said creation of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 31st of October, 2019 has created a lot of hope amongst the people of J&K. “There is a need to fast-track development to meet the aspirations of the people. The Government is committed to peace, progress and prosperity of the people of J&K. We have already taken path-breaking steps after imposition of Governor’s/President’s rule in the J&K,” she said.

She said improving governance has been one of the first tasks. “Some of the key reforms that have already taken roots in the UT are significantly improved financial discipline, such as mandatory e-tendering, compliance with pre-requisites such as administrative approval and technical sanctions etc. before commencement of execution of works, implementation of Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS), e-Kuber for integration of treasuries with RBI, online payment system (PAYSYS) etc. besides 100% physical verification and timely payments from government treasuries,” she said.

As per KNO, the Finance Minister said “while on one hand reforms are being implemented, there is equal focus on completion of projects. “The number of projects completed in State Sector is 2800, 1165 in District sector, 1930 under “Back to Village’’ Programme and 483 languishing projects under Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation. This bears a healthy comparison to the number of projects completed during last year,” she said.

She said the Government has also taken measures to avoid parking of funds and over ` 1,000 crore has been ploughed back in the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of J&K. “Some other major reforms undertaken in J&K is implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, constitution of District Planning and Development Boards, and unbundling of Power Sector. Abolition of Toll Tax has been one of the major reforms that have helped in creation of one nation, one market. Besides all the central laws as provided under Re-organisation Act, 2019 have been implemented across the Union Territory of the Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

She said the Government of India hopes to strengthen institutional mechanisms further for streamlining expenditure and make the UT a model of development.

“Notwithstanding some of the problems, the pace of development has shown a remarkable resilience both in terms of revenue and development expenditure. The overall expenditure has gone up by ` 5,600 crore by end of January, 2020 compared to last year. GST growth at end of February, 2020 was 13%. Significantly, growth of GST cash for December, 2019 was 40% and GST growth for February, 2020 (cash and credit) was 31%, making J&K one of the better performers on this parameter,” she said.

The Finance Minister said economic resilience is also indicated by growth of over 60 % in stamp duty collections, 7.5 % growth in excise collections, and growth of 1.7% in toll tax at end of December, 2019.

“Apple exports have been at par with last year, and export of handicrafts, crewel, shawls etc have been greater than last year. The ATM and Bank transactions have also shown positive trend as compared to last year. The macro-economic parameters show that J&K economy has risen up to the challenges of transition and continues to do so well,” reads the speech—(KNO)

Srinagar, March 17: Amid coronavirus scare, Srinagar city on Tuesday turned into a ghost city with empty walkways, streets, and very little transport and other business establishments.

There is growing scare after several cases were detected positive in Jammu and Ladakh.

In Kashmir, government Tuesday also ordered closure of restaurants.

Amid fear of coronavirus in the capital city, Srinagar on Tuesday wore a deserted look with less number of people were seen standing in the busiest markets of Srinagar.

Reports said all the main routes in the capital city were devoid of traffic, with very less number of vehicles were seen plying on Tuesday people wearing masks were seen almost at every place in the city.

Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattoo last week ordered the closure of the Sunday market as a precautionary measure because of COVID-19.

In view of the COVID-19 threat, the government had ordered the closure of all educational institution including colleges, universities across Jammu’ and Kashmir, besides control rooms and surveillance teams have been constituted in all the districts of Union Territory besides two coronavirus lab testing facilities had already been made functional in SKIMS, Srinagar and GMC Jammu.

Govt also had urged citizens especially those with travel history to affected countries such as China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, etc to self-declare immediately and to report to the nearest government health facility If any symptoms are found.

Pertinent to mention here an official of SKIMS told Kashmir Indepth News Service, no patient has tested positive of coronavirus in Kashmir so far. (KINS)

Jammu-Sgr travel becomes a costly affair, students, employees say drivers fleecing them by charging Rs 3500 per passenger

Srinagar, Mar 17: There is an open loot going on in Jammu and none other than drivers are involved in the act as they charge Rs 3000 and even more per passenger especially students and employees who are desperate to reach Srinagar by road journey.

According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), dozens of students who were studying in various colleges and universities of India, complained to that after reaching Jammu from various parts of country, they were asked to pay Rs 3000 per passenger by the drivers at Jammu for travelling to Srinagar. “Many of us failed to pay the amount and were left with no option to manage money from friends and others,” a group of students said.

Adil Nazir, who had travelled by train Chandigarh to Jammu, said he reached Jammu early on Tuesday morning. “I was already very tired and when I tried to board a Travera vehicle for Srinagar in a bus stand at Jammu, I was asked to pay Rs 2800. I was shocked as I was having only 1500 in my pocket. I had to go to nearby ATM to withdraw more money,” he said.

Like Adil, there were dozens of others, who were also desperate to travel to Srinagar, were asked to pay the same rate for boarding vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar.

Imtiyaz Ahmed, who works in a cellular company in Chandigarh, said that he reached Jammu on Monday morning and went to bus stand Jammu to board a vehicle for Srinagar. “I saw drivers including some Kashmiris as well, demanding Rs 3500 in advance for boarding the vehicle for Srinagar. I was surprised to see the new rate with no check from the authorities,” he said. “Many women passengers including some patients, who had reached Jammu to see a doctor and wanted to reach back to their homes in Srinagar, were finding it difficult to pay hefty amount.”

Rouf Ahmed, a driver said that genuine rate from Jammu to Srinagar was Rs 1200 but some drivers were looting people on the pretext of Coronavirus scare by stating that it’s time to reach their respective homes as early as possible. “Government must take action against these drivers. They are creating problems for genuine drivers,” he said.

A group of passengers who couldn’t afford to pay the amount sought by the drivers that they decided to lodge a protest at Deputy Commissioner Jammu and also Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Jammu. “This is open loot and there is no check,” they said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Tuesday said Pakistan is “continuously looking to foment trouble” in J&K by pushing militants here, “but like the past their all evil attempts will be foiled with fortitude”.

He also said that safety and security of people is the prime concern of J&K Police and directed that security of venerable places and persons be beefed up as per requirement.

DGP made these remarks while taking a review of security scenario and preparedness on law and order situation in north Kashmir.

On the second day of his visit to Kashmir Valley, the DGP, accompanied by IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, today visited Kupwara, Handwara and Baramulla, frontier districts of north Kashmir and took a review of security scenario and preparedness on law and order situation in border area and in the hinterland of these districts, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

DGP while addressing the officers’ meetings and briefings complimented the forces for their good work and said that Jammu and Kashmir Police and all other security forces have maintained high morale during tough times because of which normalcy has returned.

“Although the militant activities have been brought down, forces have to remain on constant vigil and alert so that any evil attempt to disrupt peace is effectively foiled,” he said, adding, “The brave Jawans and officers of police and other forces working in J&K as a team have faced come up to the expectations of the people.”

“The work of Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces is being appreciated at the “highest levels of government and we need to continue our peace efforts with even more dedication to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding, “We need to consolidate normalcy and peace by engaging people particularly youth for achieving the goals of prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.”

According to the spokesperson, DGP first visited Kupwara where he was received by SSP Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar and other officers. DC Kupwara Anshul Garg, SSP Kupwara and other jurisdictional officers apprised the DGP about the overall security situation and measures taken to maintain peace and order in the district.

In the afternoon, DGP visited 15RR Headquarters at Vilgam Handwara where he was received by officiating commandant Lt. CoL Amit Rawat and SP Handwara G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy who briefed the DGP regarding the security scenario in Handwara.

DGP later visited 19th Div. Baramulla where he interacted with the officers of Police, Army, CRPF and BSF. GOC 19th Div, Major General G.P Singh, briefed the DGP J&K about security situation on LoC in 19th Div Sector along the border and hinterland, the spokesperson said. On the occasion SSP Baramulla, Abdul Qayoom, Commandant 40th BN BSF V.K Kasana, CO CRPF 53rd BN Vijay Kumar, and Addl. SP Baramulla Mukesh Kakkar also apprised DGP about the present security scenario of the district.

Hailing the better coordination among all forces, DGP said, “Close liaison should be maintained at every level to foil any attempt by the trouble-makers looking to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.” He exhorted upon officers that with the coordination of other units short range patrolling be explored to keep an eye on every suspected movement.

Calling for conducting joint training/mock drills for all forces at different levels, DGP said that it will help in enhancing coordination and synergy among personnel of different units. He took stock of preparedness on law and order front during the interactions. (GNS)

Srinagar: Three more persons, admitted to the isolation ward of the SKIMS hospital here, on Tuesday tested negative for coronavirus (Covid-19). Also four persons with a history of travel to Saudi Arabia and Iran respectively were admitted to the isolation ward of the SKIMS hospital and CD Hospital here, officials told GNS.

Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo, told GNS that one sexagenarian woman from Srinagar, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, was admitted to the hospital and her sample sent for the test.

Dr Yatoo, who is also HoD hospital administration of SKIMS, informed that three more test reports were received and it came to be negative. “All these three persons were admitted yesterday, one of them late Monday night, and all of them had travel history to the countries affected by the covid-19,” he added.

Meanwhile, a senior doctor at CD hospital here said 3 more persons with symptoms like coronoavirus were admitted to the isolation facility set up in the hospital.

“One of them had returned from Iran and two others from Saudi Arabia (after performing Umrah),” the doctor said. He said before them, nine persons were admitted in the isolation facility.

When contacted reputed pulmonologist and HOD Chest Disease (CD) Hospital Srinagar Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah said that nine samples were tested and all of them came to be negative. “3 test reports are awaited,” he added.

So far, no person has tested positive for the coronavirus in Kashmir Valley and three such cases were reported from Jammu including one of them on March 16.

Meanwhile as per official health bulletin, 2615 people have been enlisted for observation so far in entire Jammu and Kashmir.

It said 113 samples were taken across the union territory and so far three persons tested positive and 105 others tested negative for COVID-19. “Five test reports are awaited.”

Among enlisted persons for observation, it informed 2060 persons are kept in “home quarantine” and 28 in “hospital quarantine”.

230 persons, the government said, have completed their 28 days surveillance period.

A home quarantined person has been advised to stay in a well-ventilated single-room preferably with an attached/separate toilet. Besides stay away from elderly people, pregnant women, children and persons with co-morbidities within the household, the advisory said.

Home quarantined persons should also restrict his/her movement within the house and under no circumstances attend any social/religious gatherings like weddings and condolences.

The government also urged general public to lend support to its efforts to strengthen surveillance mechanism by making self-declaration about their foreign travel history to health authorities. Moreover all social, religious and political organisations are urged to avoid large gatherings.

The Government has urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected.

“The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible,” the Government advisory said.

Further, the Government has appealed people not to panic and take care of health and protect others.

“Public in general is advised to avoid un-necessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and water and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added. (GNS)