The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed the grants amounting Rs 2796.07 lakh for Information Technology, Rs 70312.76 lakh for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Rs 4048.90 Lakh for ARI Trainings, Labour Stationary and Printing, Rs 12617.03 lakh for Transport, Rs 62154.91 lakh for Youth Services and Sports and Rs 17279.10 lakh for Science and Technology departments.

The grants were passed after a daylong detailed discussion in the House.

Summing up the discussion, the Minister said that the Jammu and Kashmir government is driving a comprehensive digital transformation mission to deliver inclusive and hassle free services. The IT Department of Jammu and Kashmir stands at the forefront of the region's digital revolution, dedicated towards enhancing the governance efficiency, transparency and citizen empowerment through cutting-edge digital technologies, he added.

“Over the past many years, the number of online services has increased from around 60 to 1166, along with a provision for capturing citizen feedback through the Rapid Assessment System and integration with Mobile Dost, Digi-Locker. All the online services are being brought under the ambit of auto appeal and auto escalation mechanism as per provisions of the Public Services Guarantee Act, 2011”, informed the Minister.

The Minister said that e-Governance Centre of Excellence, Capacity Building Programmes, Augmentation of Compute in State Data Centre, Strengthening of Digital Connectivity are some of the major initiatives launched to galvanize an effective AI ecosystem and nurture quality human resources in the field besides investing in research, development and innovation. He added that JKSWAN would be extended horizontally at District, Tehsil and Block Headquarters. The government Wi-Fi/Intranet would be made seamless in all the government offices, including J&K House in New Delhi. Besides, the District LAN would be established at District HQs, he added.

“Digital Village Centres shall be established in 1000 Gram Panchayat locations with a vision to improve the connectivity and outreach besides extension of e-office services”, added the Minister.

Additionally, the IT Department shall implement various other e-Governance initiatives like Automation of Hospitals, Unified Dashboard, Digital Signage for dissemination of information at district and Panchayat level to the citizens, IVRS, establishment of NOC/SOC to support e-Governance at the grassroots level.

Regarding the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, the Minister said that the department has been functioning in J&K with the prime motive to provide food security to different sections of the society through implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The Minister said that 16.64 lakh households comprising 66.82 lakh beneficiaries under NFSA are eligible to receive free food grains every month in J&K under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). While each AAY household gets 35 kg of food grains every month, free of cost, each beneficiary in a Priority Household gets 5 kg of food grains every month, free of cost, he added.

He informed that food grains are also made available at a scale of 5 kg per beneficiary, at highly affordable and subsidized cost of rice @ Rs.15/kg, wheat @ Rs. 12/kg and wheat flour @ Rs.13/kg, to around 8.15 lakh Non-Priority Households (NPHH), comprising nearly 31.70 lakh beneficiaries in J&K.

The Minister said that the government is presently implementing the Prime Minister’s Food Supplementation for Priority Households Scheme in the UT. The scheme is providing additional 5 kg of rice every month to a member of PHH, subject to a maximum of 10 kg per household at a cost of Rs 25/kg only, in a manner that the total entitlement of the household does not exceed 35 kg under all schemes, he added. He said that 13.49 lakh Households are eligible  under this scheme.

The Minister informed that providing additional free food grains, in the context of AAY families, is a proposal in the Annual Financial Statement of 2025-26. Moreover, sugar is also being provided to AAY families, at a scale of 1 Kg/ family per month at the rate of Rs 13.50 per Kg only.

He said that following the shifting to Ration Card Management System in September, 2022, about 28996 new Ration Cards under NFSA and 45075 under NPHH have been issued to the deserving households and the registered e-shram registrants, reported to be not covered under the Public Distribution System.

The Minister further said that after deleting duplicate beneficiaries through de-duplication and field verification, the J&K government has ordered for inclusion of children born after Census 2011, during the years 2011 to 2016, for extending them the benefits under PDS.

The Minister informed that the distribution network of the department comprises of around 6630 Sale Outlets, of which, 4645 are Fair Price Shops and 1985 are Government Sale Centres. Of these, 6390 (96%) are working in an online mode and 240 are working in off-line mode.

The Minister said that One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) has been implemented across Jammu and Kashmir in 2020 and presently the facility is available in 96% of the Sale Centres where devices work in an online mode. “Jammu and Kashmir is at 9th rank in the country in terms of ONORC transactions”, he added.

The Minister said that the department has pursued reforms in a mission mode to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) transparent, credible and convenient to the public. He added that the nominee policy for Aadhaar enabled Public Distribution System has also been put in place for the benefit of beneficiaries, who are old, sick, disabled, minors and working class with worn out fingerprints, so as to ensure regular supply of ration to these beneficiaries through their nominees. Additionally, the department has also introduced Aadhar based OTP, to facilitate transactions in such cases, where biometrics fail, he added.

Regarding the Administrative Reforms, Inspections and Trainings Department, the Minister said that it plays a pivotal role in enhancing the governance, improving administrative efficiencies and ensuring transparency in public service delivery.  “The department acts as a facilitator of good governance, ensuring that the administration functions efficiently, transparently and in the best interest of the public”, he added.

The Minister said that the ARI & Trainings Department has recently devised a uniform Performa in order to bring administrative reforms in the government departments across J&K. The Performa has been created for conducting administrative inspection in the government, semi-government, Corporation, Boards and other entities. During the financial year 2024-25, the department has conducted administrative inspection of 39 government departments aimed to identify the gaps in their management of affairs and suggest reforms and corrective measures for better administration.

The Minister said that the ARI & Trainings Department has been mandated to finalize, update and amend the Service Recruitment Rules. “After reconstitution of the Standing Committee in April 2024 to vet the proposal and amend the Service Recruitment Rules, Recruitment Rules of 15 services have been cleared by the said Committee during the current financial year,” he added.

The Minister informed that, so far, the department has analysed Recruitment Rules of 65 services of various departments in a Mission Mode. He said that the department has issued NDC mandatory in respect of Education Loan availed for Diploma/Degree courses. The department has issued 377 NDCs and an amount of Rs 32.97 lakh stand realized in the government exchequer during the current financial year, he added.

He added that another important body working under the administrative control of the ARI & Trainings department is the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE), a statutory body responsible for conducting entrance examinations and counseling for admission to various professional courses in J&K and Ladakh. During the current financial year, 1107 allocated seats for MBBS, 108 allocated seats for BDS and 21 allocated seats for MDS have been filled, he added. Besides, out of 320 allocated seats for AYUSH, 305 seats have been filled and 229 seats have been filled out of 330 allocated seats for B.Ed.

Regarding B.Tech admissions, out of 2462 allocated seats 757 seats have been filled. In addition, admission to 4706 paramedical courses has been finalized” he informed.

The Minister also announced the adoption of an e-counseling system for admission through JKBOPEE to various professional courses starting from the next academic session.

He further said that the Transport Department comprises of Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) and State Motor Garages Department (SMG). All activities carried out by the Transport Department are meant to provide better and dependable transport facilities to the citizens in a well coordinated manner, he added.

The Minister said that MVD has been entrusted with the responsibility of administering the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules through regulatory and enforcement mechanisms. He added that another wing under the Transport Department is the State Motor Garages, which has been entrusted with the job of maintaining light motor vehicles of all State Government Departments including the B.P. Vehicles of Ministers, other protected serving government officers and vehicles attached with the SSG/SSF.

The Minister said that JKRTC is one of the important wings of the Transport department, which plays a crucial role in providing regular, adequate, economical and coordinated services to the public in J&K as well as outside the UT.

The Minister informed that under the Inland Waterways sector, the Transport Department has recently signed a MoU with Inland Waterways Authority of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. “The total value of the MoU was approximately Rs 100 crore with the responsibility of providing onshore facilities, floating jetties, navigational aids and dredging and other water navigational infrastructure, which will be boosting our river cruise tourism and economy as well” he added.

Regarding the department of Youth Services & Sports, the Minister said that the department is striving to create world-class sports infrastructure to promote sports activities and optimally tap the constructive and creative energy of the sports persons of J&K. 

The Minister informed that more than 65.24 lakh youth were engaged in different sports activities in the year 2024-25 under the slogan My Youth My Pride, Har Din Khel Har Ek Ke Liye Khel, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Jan Abhiyan, Calendar of Sports Associations and Regular Coaching Programmes, till date.

The Minister said that hundred Small Khelo India Centres across J&K have been sanctioned (5 per district), the highest in the country, in which 4500 children are being trained regularly with free access to Infra, Coaching, Equipment and Apparels. “Two Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, Water Sports Academy at Nehru Park, Srinagar (Rowing & Kayaking Canoeing), another at MA Stadium, Jammu (Centre of Excellence for Fencing) have been established” he added.

The Minister further informed that more than 15000 sports persons represented J&K in National and Zonal level competitions in different disciplines during 2024-25. The women participation in games has increased manifold as Women Football teams, Women martial art players, coaches and players in other games are seen achieving medals and appreciated at National and International level.

The Minister said that Khel Gaon Nagrota Jammu is one of the prestigious upcoming multi sports hubs costing Rs 33.39 crore, spread over an area of 163 Kanal of land. The facility included major projects like athletics track, hockey turf, cycling track and multi sports indoor hall.

The Minister said that Khel Gaon Wathoora Budgam and Nagrota Jammu shall be completed soon which shall give huge fillip to the sports of Sub-urban areas. Besides, the synthetic football fields at Jagti Jammu, Hazratbal Downtown Srinagar, Dragad Chitragam Shopian, Azad Ganj old town Baramulla and synthetic hockey Field at Bandu-rakh shall provide great opportunity for popular game of Football and the footballers,  who are proving their mettle at Durand Cup, SAFF Cup, I-League matches where our youth are participating and winning. First in sports infrastructure, the finest standard rock climbing wall at M.A Stadium shall be made available for mountaineering, rock climbing athletes. 

The Minister said that the process of recruitment of outstanding sports persons is being carried out strictly in accordance with the rules governing the field. For the purpose, a high powered committee including the senior most officers of various departments like Home, Finance, GAD, Youth Services and Sports Department and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs had been constituted. “The recruitment under the relevant rules is being carried out in a very transparent manner and is being finalized shortly” he added, 

The Minister said that the Rehbar-e-Khel Policy issued by the government in 2017, provides for regularization of Rehbar-e-Khel on completion of seven years of satisfactory and continuous service against the available/created posts of Physical Education Teachers.

The Minister further said that the department of Science and Technology has been mandated to develop and apply innovative scientific advances and technologies that enable the government to better serve its citizens, protect the environment, create jobs and foster economic growth. He informed that the Science and Technology has two wings under its Administrative Control including Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency and J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council.

The Minister said that JAKEDA, which is a Nodal Agency for promotion and development of Renewable Energy projects, has taken up solarization of all government buildings in J&K. Around 22,000 government buildings are proposed to be solarized under the project. So far, 4673 buildings with a cumulative capacity of 39.6 MW have been solarized, he informed.

The Minister said that 8500 buildings are being solarized at an approximate project cost of Rs 400 crore in Capex mode with a cumulative capacity of 70 MW and remaining buildings would be solarized in RESCO mode. Around 320 MW capacity would be added to the Grid by way of solarizing the government buildings during the year 2025, he added.

The Minister said that the JAKEDA has installed Rooftop Solar Power plants on residential buildings under the Rooftop Phase I and II schemes of the MNRE. “The scheme envisaged 40% Central Financial Assistance up to a capacity of 3 KW and 20% beyond 3 KW and up to 10 KW capacity”, he added.

The Minister informed that under the PM-KUSUM scheme, 5000 Solar Agriculture Pumps have been sanctioned by the MNRE, for upliftment of farmers. Till date, JAKEDA has placed work orders for a cumulative quantity of 3200 Solar Pumps, of which, 2550 solar pumps have been installed and commissioned, he added.

The Minister said that JAKEDA has installed more than 50,000 solar street lighting systems under PRI, BDC, DDC, B2V grants in J&K during the past two years. During the current financial year, more than 20000 solar street lights are being installed across J&K, he added.

The Minister said that the Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council, functioning under the Department of Science & Technology, has sponsored 400 R&D projects across 18 prestigious institutions including IITs, NITs, Medical Colleges, Central Universities, Cluster Universities, the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu.  Further, JKSTIC has provided seed money to 100 budding innovators to develop prototypes of their innovations, he added.

The Minister said that Biotechnology Park at Ghatti, Kathua, is being established by the department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in collaboration with IIIM, CSIR which will be completed in the Financial Year 2025-26 and shall be handed over to J&K.

 The Minister informed that BT park at Handwara in Kupwara district, shall be completed during the Financial Year 2026-27. The Sub-Regional Science Centre at Srinagar is being established in collaboration with National Council of Science Museum, Ministry of Culture, GoI and is likely to be completed by the end of next financial year, he added.

The Minister said that JKSTIC, under the Science Talent Promotion Scheme, has awarded scholarships to 150 meritorious students from J&K in this Financial Year, to encourage the students to pursue Science subjects.

The cut motions on Demands for Grants were, later, withdrawn by the Legislators.

Legislators, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Aijaz Ahmad Jan, Dalip Singh Parihar, Shamim Firdous,  Nizamuddin Bhat,  Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri, Mian Mehar Ali, Vikram Randhawa, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Mohammad Yusuf Taragami, Satish Kumar Sharma, Shabir Kulley, Zaffar Ali Khatana, Hilal Ahmed Lone, Arvind Gupta,  Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mehraj Malik, Peerzada Feroze, Yudhvir Sethi, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Er. Kursheed Ahmed, Javed Ahmed Mirchal, Dr. Pawan Gupta, Javed Iqbal Choudhary, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Muzaffer Iqbal Khan, Arjun Singh Raju, Sunil Bharadwaj, Ifran Hafiz Lone, Irshad Rasool Kar, Bharat Bhushan, Shiekh Khursheed, Reyaz Ahmed Khan and Dr. Sajad Shafi spoke during the discussion on Demand for Grants and raised issues of their respective constituencies.

Later, the House passed the Demand for Grants moved by Satish Sharma by voice-vote.