Mufti reiterates Govt’s resolve to confront political, economic challenges with commitment

Hails administration for partnering in ensuring transparent, effective, people-friendly governance

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the present government assumed office amid arduous political and administrative challenges and some of these challenges continue to dog the Government even today.
Education Minister, Mr Naeem Akhtar, who is also the Government Spokesman, said the Chief Minister in his opening remarks at the State Cabinet meeting today made it clear that the state cabinet represents the diversity and the composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir, and with the active support of the administration, the Government has started confronting these enormous and intricate challenges with great maturity and political sagacity.

“The Government is, with the spirited support of all its instruments, firm in its resolve to put the state back on the path of peace, progress and prosperity with accountability, transparency and good governance being the fundamental inputs for its functioning,” Akhtar quoted Chief Minister having stated at the meeting.
“We are committed and will play our role in the protection and promotion of the political, economic and social well-being of our citizens,” the Chief Minister, according to Akhtar, said.

According to Akhtar, the Chief Minister told his cabinet colleagues that while he is personally not inclined much towards making frequent changes in the administration, but sometimes, such exercises are imperative in the larger interest of the effective delivery of governance so that the right person is placed at the right place and do away with stagnation at various levels.

Hailing the administration for having got fully involved in infusing new life in governance and systems of delivery, the Chief Minister, according to Akhtar, said while the political executive frames the broader policy guidelines, it is the administration that has to ultimately take the process to its logical conclusion so that the people on ground get the much-needed relief and reap the benefits of the Government’s welfare measures.

The Chief Minister, according to Akhtar, also hailed the police and other security forces for showing utmost restraint amid difficult situations in the larger interest of peace. “Except for some unfortunate incidents where police and paramilitary forces actions resulted in tragic loss of civilian lives, which needs to be avoided in future, the police has tried its best to maintain peace without going to extremes,” the Chief Minister said and added that the Government would always encourage its administrative instruments to come up to the expectations of the masses.

The Chief Minister said that during the two latest cabinet meetings, the Government has taken some significant decisions which will go a long way in ensuring larger public welfare and effective governance.

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Cabinet approves Amnesty Scheme for electricity consumers
Waives 100% surcharge on outstanding electricity bills, Electricity duty reduced by 12%

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, approved rationalisation of the electricity duty by reducing the existing rate of 22% to 10% in respect of all consumers w.e.f the date of notification.

The Cabinet also approved waiver of 100% surcharge on outstanding electricity bills as on 1st August 2015, provided the domestic consumer makes the outstanding payment by or before 31st March 2016, in maximum of four equal installments. The domestic and agriculture (excluding government) categories of consumers who have fully paid their bills shall not be eligible under this scheme.

It also asked PDD to organise special camps in each division for successful implementation of the scheme besides approved outsourcing of the activities of meter reading and bill distribution by the PDD.

The Cabinet also passed instructions for the J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission to review distribution of tariff structure twice a year and make recommendations to the government for its consideration.
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Cabinet extends Industrial Policy-2004

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, accorded sanction to the extension of existing Industrial Policy-2004, for a further period of two months w.e.f 1st September to 31st October 2015 or till the New Industrial Policy -2015 is notified, whichever, is earlier.

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Cabinet gives authorisation to procure 6500MT of Bitumen VG-10 from open market

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, authorised the Stores Procurement Department of PW(R&B) to buy/ procure deficit Bitumen of VG-10 grade amounting to 6500MT from open market.

The PW(R&B) Department has undertaken a massive up-gradation programme of more than 1000km with a consequent large requirement of Bitumen. Further, the short working season in the State, particularly in Kashmir renders the entire exercise critically time bound for which availability of the full quantity of Bitumen within the working season is a must.
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