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JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, chaired a high level meeting to assess progress on National Highway projects being executed across the Union Territory. Emphasising the critical importance of these projects, he issued firm directives to ensure their timely completion while minimising public inconvenience.

The meeting was attended by senior officers including Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar; Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Sheetal Nanda; Secretary, Public Works (R&B), Bhupinder Kumar and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar while other officers participated online.

Representatives from key agencies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were also present. The Chief Secretary reviewed various National Highway projects, examining the individual packages, scheduled completion dates and current progress. He specifically instructed the NHAI to expedite project completion while ensuring that public inconvenience is minimised. "Delays are unacceptable. We must prioritise efficiency and public convenience in equal measure," he asserted.

The review encompassed critical infrastructure projects like Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (DAK) Expressway, four-laning of Banihal Bypass, Srinagar Ring Road, Jammu-Akhnoor National Highway, Chenani-Sudhmahadev Road, Khellani Bypass Tunnel and various projects under Project SAMPARK. Dulloo scrutinised the physical and financial status of these projects, emphasising added accountability and swift resolution of any impediments.

Addressing the challenges posed by the region's unique topography, the Chief Secretary emphasised the need for proactive planning. "Weather conditions and natural challenges must be anticipated and integrated into our project timelines to prevent unnecessary delays," he directed the officers. In a move to prevent resource-related delays, the Chief Secretary directed Director Geology and Mining, Suraj Parkash Rukwal, to conduct field visits and ensure that mining activities do not hinder the project progress.

Furthermore, he discussed the forest clearance issues with Commissioner Secretary, Sheetal Nanda. Officers from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department Kashmir and R&B Pir Panjal also presented updates on their respective projects.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress on Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and engaged with Deputy Commissioners to identify and address district-specific challenges, particularly those related to land acquisition. He asked them to expedite the processes and resolve issues promptly to facilitate smooth project execution.

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SRINAGAR: In a significant step towards social welfare, the Jammu and Kashmir Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has ordered the enhancement of pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS). This move marks the fulfillment of a key commitment made by the Chief Minister in the J&K Legislative Assembly on March 7.

As per the revised structure, effective from April 1, 2025, pension beneficiaries will receive increased financial assistance. “This is not just assistance—it’s our commitment to an inclusive and caring welfare state,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated. Individuals below 60 years of age will now receive ₹1,250 per month, while those aged between 60 and 79 years will be entitled to ₹1,500 per month.

Senior citizens 80 years and above will receive a monthly pension of ₹2,000, ensuring better support for the elderly. As per the order, the government has announced significant enhancements in social pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) to provide better financial support to vulnerable sections of society.

Under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the pension for individuals aged 60-79 years has been increased from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, while those aged 80 years and above will now receive ₹2,000 instead of ₹1,000. Similarly, under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), widows aged 40-59 years will receive ₹1,250 (earlier ₹1,000), those aged 60-79 years will receive ₹1,500 (earlier ₹1,000), and widows 80 years and above will now receive ₹2,000.

Additionally, the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) has been revised, with pensions for disabled individuals in the 18-59 years category raised to ₹1,250, those 60-79 years receiving ₹1,500, and those 80 years and above now receiving ₹2,000. Furthermore, under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), which is UT-funded, pension rates have been revised across multiple beneficiary groups.

Old Age Pensions have been increased to ₹1,250 for females aged 55-60 years, ₹1,500 for those 60-79 years, and ₹2,000 for those aged 80 years and above. Similarly, Widow/Divorcee Pensions have been enhanced to ₹1,250 for widows below 60 years with a legal marriageable age, ₹1,500 for those 60-79 years, and ₹2,000 for those 80 years and above.

The Disability Pension has been revised to ₹1,250 for those below 60 years, ₹1,500 for those 60-79 years, and ₹2,000 for those 80 years and above. A similar structure applies to the Transgender Pension, ensuring increased financial assistance across all age categories.

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JAMMU: Union Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Sanjeev Chopra today visited Jammu and reviewed the functioning of Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and FCI here. He also assessed the status of implementation of schemes and other reforms across Jammu and Kashmir.

Interacting with the officers of the FCS&CA Department, J&K and FCI, J&K, here, the Union Secretary hailed the efforts made by the department in making the Public Distribution System clean and efficient. He asked the officers to continue these efforts and take follow up actions on suspect beneficiaries, whose details are being shared by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, with States/UTs.

The Union Secretary while advising the Department to share details of savings made, subsequent to implementation of Optimized Route Plan, also instructed the FCI to make available food grains in different districts as per Route Optimization Plan. The Union Secretary also reviewed the operations of FCI, J&K region.

 While reviewing the wheat procurement in the J&K region, he emphasised that FCI and FCS&CA J&K should make all out efforts to ensure procurement of wheat and try achieve the target fixed by GOI in RMS 2025-26. Earlier, in his presentation, Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA, Zubair Ahmad presented an overview of the functioning of the department with stress on new initiatives and issues flagged by Central Government.

He informed the Union Secretary that the Department is presently providing free and subsidised food grains to 24.76 lac households, comprising 98.81 lac beneficiaries in J&K. While 67 lac beneficiaries are provided free foodgrains every month under PMGKAY, another 31.75 lac beneficiaries are provided food grains at highly subsidised rate in NPHH group.

He also said that the distribution network across J&K is built around 6622 sale outlets and 6390 such outlets are presently working in an online mode. He added that Aadhaar authentication rate of 95% has been achieved in distribution process by now.

He also informed that after achieving 100% Aadhaar seeding, the Department has completed e-KYC of 87% beneficiaries under NFSA and 75% of beneficiaries in Non Priority Households group. He also apprised the Union Secretary that the department has started implementation of Route Optimization Plan in eight districts of J&K on trial basis and complete implementation across all the districts would commence in the month of June,2025.

The Union Secretary was also apprised about the status of implementation of SMART PDS in J&K. Regarding One Nation-One Ration Card (ONORC), the Union Secretary was informed that till now 1.66 lakh interstate and 29.33 lakh intrastate transactions were made under NFSA alone, taking J&K to 9th position in the country.

Later, Sanjeev Chopra also visited Fair Price Shop at Jhajjar Kotli and interacted with the dealer and the beneficiaries. He advised the officers to undertake updation of mobile numbers of beneficiaries and also emphasized on enhancing the viability of FPSs. The Union Secretary was accompanied by Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA, Director, FCS & CA Jammu, Rifat Kohli; General Manager, FCI , L.Chatru Naik and other officials of the Department.

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• Our government stands committed to uplifting every household in need: CM

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has enhanced the Financial Assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS) for poor girls, increasing the amount from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 for families holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards.

 An order issued by the Department of Social Welfare stated that in partial modification of Government Order No.49-JK(SWD) of 2022 dated March 22, 2022, the financial assistance has been increased to ₹75,000 (one time) for eligible AAY category girls of marriageable age under the scheme.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that it is “a step towards dignity and empowerment.  "Our government stands committed to uplifting every household in need. This support will be directly credited before marriage via DBT,” he remarked. The decision follows Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Budget Speech on March 7, in which he announced a series of pro-poor initiatives, including the enhancement of marriage assistance for AAY-category girls.

The revised scheme will take effect from April 1, 2025. To ensure transparency and efficiency, the financial aid will be directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system before the marriage.

 In another major welfare initiative, the J&K government has approved the distribution of additional food grains free of cost to AAY households with four or more members under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This move aims to strengthen food security for the region’s most vulnerable families and fulfills a key commitment made in Budget 2025-26.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hailed the initiative as a significant pro-people decision, emphasizing that the government is delivering on its promises. “We are committed to ensuring food security for our most vulnerable families. Under this initiative, all AAY households will receive additional food grains free of cost. Each beneficiary in a family with 4 or more members will get up to 10 kg of food grains, reinforcing our commitment to social welfare,” he stated.

 Furthering his Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister had also flagged off the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative—a free Government bus service for women—on April 1 from the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC).

Speaking at the launch event, CM Omar Abdullah said, “This initiative will create an environment where women feel empowered to travel freely, without financial constraints. It marks another step towards ensuring gender equality and mobility for women across Jammu and Kashmir.” The Omar Abdullah-led Government has fulfilled yet another promise by implementing Zero Stamp Duty on property transfers through Gift Deeds within blood relations.

In this regard, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued S.O. 75, dated 27th March 2025, under Section 9(a) of the Stamp Act, 1977, to remit Stamp Duty on such transfers. The term “Blood Relations” includes parents, siblings, children, and grandparents. This notification has come into force w.e.f. 1st April 2025.