Jammu, May 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Friday approved a series of significant decisions, including a hike in Dearness Allowance (DA), key administrative reforms, and multiple development projects across departments.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu, marked the final Cabinet session in the winter capital before the Civil Secretariat shifts to Srinagar for the next six months.
Among the major decisions, the Cabinet sanctioned a 2 percent increase in DA for government employees and pensioners, raising it from 58 percent to 60 percent.
The Cabinet also approved several infrastructure and public service initiatives, including the construction of three new grid stations and sewerage treatment plants in Baramulla and Rajouri, aimed at improving urban infrastructure and waste management systems.
In a major administrative reform, the Cabinet agreed to merge “The Jammu & Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act” and “The Jammu & Kashmir Self-Reliant Cooperatives Act” into a single unified legislation, simplifying governance of cooperative institutions in the Union Territory.
The Health and Medical Education Department received a boost as the Cabinet cleared the re-designation of Medical Superintendents as Professors, Deputy Medical Superintendents as Associate Professors, and Assistant Medical Superintendents as Assistant Professors. This move is expected to enhance academic capacity and increase postgraduate (PG) seats in Government Medical Colleges.
The Cabinet further approved cadre review and restructuring of the Jal Shakti Department, along with new recruitment rules for State Motor Garages.
Decisions were also taken to safeguard properties belonging to Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, and to regularize lecturers in the Education Department.
In addition, promotions of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers across various ranks—including Under Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Special Secretaries—were cleared, subject to approval by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of a supernumerary post of District Judge and sanctioned the establishment of nine posts of District Ayush Officers across various districts, including Pulwama.
Several development proposals from the Public Works, Housing & Urban Development, and Rural Development departments were also given the green light.
All approved decisions will be forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for final assent.
The meeting was attended by all Cabinet ministers and senior officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The next Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held in Srinagar after the Civil Secretariat resumes functioning there from May 4.(KNC)
