Cabinet to Approve Enhanced Allowances for Ministers, MLAs, and Real Estate Reforms

The Omar Abdullah Cabinet is set to meet in Jammu to approve a series of significant proposals, including the revision of travel and daily allowances (TA/DA) for MLAs, the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Presiding Officers, and Ministers. The meeting, scheduled for 2:30 PM at the Civil Secretariat, will also consider a fare hike of 18 percent for all categories of passenger vehicles and the establishment of a joint Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (REAT) for the UT of Ladakh.

The Finance Department has already given its concurrence to the proposal, which will lead to an increase in various allowances. The allowances set to be revised include the Medical Allowance for the LoP, daily allowances, Motor Car Advance and Allowances for Ministers, and enhanced medical facilities for MLAs.

Additionally, the Cabinet will review the proposal for a fare revision, which includes an 18 percent increase for all categories of commercial passenger vehicles. The Transport Department has recommended a fare of Rs 15 per km for e-rickshaws and Rs 25 for the first km and Rs 20 for subsequent kms for e-autos. These changes come after the last fare revision in 2021.

Another crucial agenda item is the creation of 136 new posts for the implementation of Phase-II of the 3-tier faculty structure in the Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) of Jammu and Srinagar. These posts include 27 Professors and 109 Associate Professors, with 46 posts for Jammu and 90 for Srinagar. The estimated annual financial implication of this proposal is Rs 17 crore, and it will enhance 158 PG seats in various disciplines.

The Cabinet will also consider the consent of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the UT of Ladakh for extending the services of the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (J&K Special Tribunal) as the REAT for Ladakh. Given the low real estate activity in Ladakh, the UT has deemed it appropriate to establish a separate RERA and a joint REAT with J&K. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has advised that Ladakh continue with an interim arrangement for RERA and has concurred with the proposal to establish a joint REAT with J&K.

Other items on the agenda include the promotion of Abdul Majid Tak, Joint Director Fisheries, to Director Fisheries, and the release of a Special Scale (Non-Functional) of JKAS in favor of JKAS officer Rajesh Kumar Basotra.

These decisions are expected to have a significant impact on the functioning of the legislative and administrative bodies, as well as on the public transportation and real estate sectors in the region.