State Administrative Council meeting: Key decisions
JAMMU, JANUARY 25: The State Administrative Council (SAC) which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik took a number of decisions pertaining to different developmental activities in the state.
According to an official communiqué, SAC approved diversion of around 57 ha of Forest land in various parts of the State for undertaking developmental activities in the roads, drinking water, electricity, Railways and Fire & Emergency sectors.
The SAC also approved a proposal for diversion of Forest land for construction of Degree College at Sunderbani in Nowshera Forest Division keeping in view the importance of the project from public standpoint.
The diversion of Forest Land has been approved in pursuance to the recommendations of the 111th and 112th Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) meetings held on 04-01-2019 and 21.01.2019 respectively under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary.
The proposals cleared today include use of forest land for upgrading to Chenani – Sudhmahadev section of National Highway-244, widening / upgradation of R.S pura- Suchetgarh road, Water Supply Scheme at Baba ReshiCheerdara, Transmission line from Alustang – Leh for installation of Towers, construction of Fire and Emergency Station in Ramnagar, erection of Cell Phone Towers and providing Telecom Services in Kishtwar and Udhampur Districts, construction of PMGSY roads in Poonch, Rajouri and Bandipora Districts, construction of 1640 M Span bridge over River Chenab at Sajwal/Jourian and other critical infrastructure of Army and GREF.
Work on these projects could not commence till date due to pending Forest clearance. By virtue of the State Administrative Council decision, the work on all these projects shall get started and give impetus to the developmental projects much to the convenience of the general public.
Meanwhile, the State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the exemption of Toll Tax on machinery, equipment and key input materials being brought to the State for special projects like those under PMDP, National Highways, Airports, Railways, Educational and Medical Institutions etc.
Such exemption will only be granted if the executing organ of the Central Government or the State directly seeks such exemption in advance specifying numbers or volume of machinery, equipments or key input materials being brought. Such exemption will not be granted, if applied directly by the contracted executing private firms.
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Approves diversion of 57 ha forest land for developmental activities
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Grants Toll Tax exemption for special development projects
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Approves infrastructure development at Sheep Breeding Farm Khimber with NABARD funding
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Approves grant of 3rd Time Bound Promotion for Veterinary Doctors
Pertinent to mention is that Toll Tax on machinery, equipment or key input materials being brought into the State for the execution of important projects adds up to the cost of the project, which was not originally envisaged. Since all prestigious projects are almost 100% centrally funded in the absence of State’s own resources, therefore, it makes sense that the State plays a facilitating role by not levying additional tax on machinery, equipment or key input materials being brought into the State for execution of these projects.
The State Administrative Council (SAC) also accorded administrative approval to the construction of required infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 35.80 Crore at the Sheep Breeding Farm Khimber, Srinagar under NABARD Tranche XXIV.
Sheep Breeding Farm at Khimber shall have state of art infrastructure & in- house fodder production for livestock. It shall serve as major Germ Plasm Centre/Mother Stud Farm of the State and elite rams produced at the farm shall be distributed for genetic upgradation of local livestock enhancing mutton/wool production besides creating avenues for employment through establishment of sheep rearing units.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department had a Sheep Breeding Farm at Dachigam. In 2017, the Sheep Breeding Farm at Dachigam along with its immovable assets was transferred to the Forest, Environment & Ecology Department.
After inspecting various sites, land at Khimber, Srinagar was found suitable for relocation of Sheep Breeding Farm. The land measuring 629 Kanals and 7 Marlas at Khimber has been transferred to Animal and Sheep Husbandry department for establishing a Sheep Breeding Farm vide SAC decision No 01.01.2019 dated 04.01.2019.
Furthermore, the State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the grant of 3rd Time Bound Promotion in favour of Veterinary Doctors. The Time Bound Promotion scheme was introduced in the Animal/sheep Husbandry Department in February, 2004.
The scheme provides that veterinarians with more than 10 years’ service in respect of BVSC and more than 7 years’ service in respect of posts graduates will be entitled for first Time Bound Promotion. Veterinarians with 15 years of cumulative service are entitled to 2nd Time Bound Promotion.
Vide Government Order No. 03-ASH of 2010 dated 01.01.2010, sanction was accorded to the grant of dispensation of 3rd Time Bound Promotion to the eligible Veterinarians who rendered 20 years of cumulative service to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 14300-18300 revised to Rs. 37400-67000 with grade pay of Rs. 8700 at par with Assistant Surgeons of Health Department. However, retired doctors who completed 20 years of cumulative service before 01.01.2010 could not be covered under the scheme for having already superannuated from service.
Aggrieved by the Government order dated 01.01.2010, a group of retired veterinary doctors (Petitioners) filed a number of SWPs in the Hon’ble High Court. The High Court disposed of the SWPs with the directions to the State Government to accord consideration to the petitioners’ claim.
The SAC after considering various aspects and in view of the court directions accorded sanction to the grant of 3rd Time Bound Promotion notionally w.e.f 01.01.1996 and monetarily w.e.f 17.02.2004.
