Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday observed that border dwellers face numerous challenges and said his government will convene a meeting of MLAs from border areas in April to address the issues faced by them.
He also said that over Rs 144 crore have been disbursed to farmers, whose lands were affected by fencing along the International Border (IB).
Responding to supplementary questions from various MLAs representing different parties regarding concerns raised by border residents, Abdullah told the House, “This is a humanitarian issue. Border residents face numerous challenges.”
He added that following the conclusion of the session in April, a meeting with all border area MLAs will be held.
“I will convene a meeting with all MLAs representing border areas along with officials. The government will take whatever steps are necessary,” he said.
Several BJP members, including Vijay Kumar, Surjit Singh Salathia, Devinder Kumar Manyal, and CPIM member M Y Tarigami, raised issues related to land compensation, agricultural activities by locals before fencing, and poor conditions of border hamlets.
A heated exchange of words also took place between Tarigami and BJP MLA Balwant Manokita, who alleged there is no border area in the constituency of the member, who is asking questions about the border areas of Jammu.
Tarigami countered him by saying he can raise questions about any area and Jammu does not belong to him alone.
The chief minister said Rs 155.08 crore has been allocated as compensation, out of which Rs 144.12 crore has already been disbursed to landowners, with the remaining amount pending title verification.
“We are not sitting on funds. Rs 11 crore remain unspent in the disbursement process. We will instruct the department to expedite the disbursement efforts on fast track,” he assured.
He said the border issue is not just one MLA’s concern but is a broader concern for people living in border areas, whether in Jammu or the Kashmir Valley.
Earlier, responding to a question from Hiranagar MLA Vijay Kumar during the Question Hour, Minister for Revenue Sakina Itoo informed that the BSF has acquired 13,415 kanals of land across 113 villages in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts of Jammu division for border fencing along the Indo-Pak border.
She said the BSF has laid fencing along a 135-feet wide strip in these border districts.
CM says, Govt to review transfer of Planning functions to Finance deptt; assures timely GP Fund disbursement
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the decision to shift the Planning department’s functions to the Finance department is under review, and any necessary changes will be implemented accordingly.
The Chief Minister made this statement while responding to a supplementary question from Javid Hassan Beig.
He reiterated that he had already mentioned during the budget and grants discussion that the functions of the Planning department were being transferred to the Finance department, and the government is now reviewing the decision to determine if any modifications are needed.
Regarding another supplementary question on the General Provident (GP) Fund, the Chief Minister acknowledged that employees sometimes experience delays in receiving their disbursements.
“This occurs when the treasury position becomes constrained. However, we are making every effort to ensure that employees receive their GP funds as quickly as possible,” he assured the House.
Informing the House about the status of GP Fund disbursement, the Chief Minister stated that Rs 5,476 crore has been paid as GPF during the 2024-25 financial year.
As the minister in charge of both Finance and Planning, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that the allocation of funds—whether for Revenue Expenditure or Capital Expenditure—falls under the purview of the Finance department in accordance with business rules and statutory norms.
Earlier, while responding to the member’s question, he informed the House that funds for all departments in the J&K government are allocated through the Budget Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System (BEAMS), which is the most efficient mechanism for real-time fund allocation.
He highlighted that this system has significantly improved efficiency, accountability, and reporting while ensuring effective monitoring of financial resources.
The Chief Minister stated that the Finance department has been handling the Capex Budget since FY 2019-20.
He further elaborated that IT-enabled platforms such as BEAMS (Budget Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System), PAYSYS (Payment System), PROOF (Photographic Record of On-site Facility), and Treasury Net have been implemented to enable real-time tracking of resource flow and expenditure, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in public finances.
“Additionally, through the EMPOWERMENT (Enabling Monitoring and Public Overview of Works Executed and Resources for Meaningful Transparency) system/Janbhagidari portal, every citizen has access to track the release of funds from the Finance department down to the level of the executing/implementing agency. This is the first-of-its-kind system that allows people to oversee works being executed in their areas, with real-time progress monitoring. This initiative serves as a powerful tool for the real empowerment of the general public,” he said.
“NHPC allocates ₹28.67 crore for CSR in J&K during current fiscal”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stated that NHPC has allocated a total of Rs. 28.674 crore for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in J&K for the financial year 2024-25, out of a total Rs. 167.93 crore earmarked for pan-India CSR initiatives.
The Chief Minister made this statement while responding to a question raised by Member Waheed Ur Rehman Para.
He informed the House that NHPC’s CSR activities cover key sectors such as health and sanitation, education and skill development, rural development, sports, and disaster management. In response to a supplementary question, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for consulting the MLA when planning and implementing CSR projects.
“We will convey this recommendation to NHPC and request them to involve the MLA in identifying priority areas for CSR initiatives,” he said.
He further added that CSR funds should be utilized in consultation with local communities, ensuring that the maximum benefits reach the people. “As far as I know, the company consults with local stakeholders before making decisions on CSR projects to ensure the most effective use of these funds,” he stated.
