The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council headed by governor Satya Pal Malik approved on Saturday Rs 88,911 crore budget for 2019-2020. The financial plan focuses on infrastructure development, good governance and empowerment of local self- government institutions. Governor Malik approved the budget at a specially convened meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, state chief secretary B V R Subrahmanyam said. Principal secretary finance, Navin K Choudhary gave a detailed presentation to the SAC on the revised estimates for ongoing fiscal and budget estimates for next fiscal and other key features of the budget. Following are the highlights of the Rs 88,911 crore budget approved by Jammu and Kashmir state administrative council (SAC) for FY 2019-20. Infrastructure: Rs 30,469 crore earmarked for investment in development sector. Rs 3,631 crore additional investment in 1,643 languishing projects. To build spending capacity, line departments to be provided funds for hiring consultants, creating DPR preparation cells, project implementation agencies, IT consultants etc. Local governance: Rs 2,573 crore for Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rs 1,030 crore for Urban Local Bodies in next 15 months. Every Panchayat to get Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore depending upon area, population. 2,000 posts of Accounts Assistants proposed to be created for Panchayati Raj. Institutions: MGNREGA funds proposed to be supplemented by 10 per cent capital infusion from the state exchequer to create quality assets. Rural Development: State allocation for rural development department proposed to be doubled to undertake works of urgent public need. Rs 7 crore state share proposed to be provided to rural development department for solid Waste management. Rs 1 crore additional funds proposed to be allocated to rural development department for construction of quality pathways in mountainous villages. Agriculture /Horticulture: Annual allocation to agriculture sector proposed to be enhanced by Rs 20 crore. 50 per cent subsidy proposed for all new controlled atmospheric stores to be established next fiscal. 50 per cent subsidy for refrigerated vans for transportation of perishable vegetables/fruits. Provision of Rs 9.18 crore to meet freight subsidy for transportation of cut-flowers to promote commercial flower cultivation. Education: Rs 250 crore proposed for upgradation of infra in existing, New Degree Colleges; Rs 100 crore to be allocated for providing benches and desks for students in primary and middle schools Rs 45 crore for providing assured electricity, drinking water supply to schools Rs 5.5 crore for reactivating EDUSAT, setting up additional smart classrooms Rs 3.50 crore proposed to be provided to help prepare students for competitive exams like IAS/KAS/JEE/NEET/Banking Rs 1,000 crore for regularisation of Rahbar-e-taleem and SSA teachers Healthcare: Rs 350 crore for completion of under-construction buildings of Medical Colleges, district and sub-district Hospitals, public health centres etc Rs 100 crore for onetime augmentation of equipment in hospitals Rs 87.09 crore state share proposed for AIIMS Vijapur in Jammu region and AIIMS Awantipora in Kashmir valley Rs 32 crore additional State share for five New Medical Colleges Rs 1.50 crore for purchase of five critical care ambulances for hilly districts Rs 1 crore for drug-de-addiction centre at SKIMS Medical College Bemina Sonam Narbo Hospital, Leh proposed to be upgraded to 300 bedded hospital for which a provision of Rs 3 crore has been made Power Sector: Rs 5,000 crore earmarked for power purchase Rs 300 crore proposed over and above normal outlay, PMDP and centrally sponsored schemes for upgradation of power distribution network Rs 55 crore proposed for promotion of solar power PHE/Irrigation & Flood Control: Rs 1,500 crore allocation proposed to augment drinking water supply Mega drinking water supply project on Chenab River to be taken up for execution to augment potable water supply in Jammu Rs 150 crore for upgradation of irrigation facilities State share provided for Shahpur Kandi Dam project and Ujh multipurpose project Rs 12 crore provided for purchase of dredgers for Irrigation and Flood Control Dept Roads and Buildings: Additional Rs 1,000 crore for completion of languishing connectivity projects Annual allocation for macadamisation proposed to be enhanced from Rs 100 crore to Rs 400 crore for 2019-20 Rs 100 crore proposed for land acquisition of PMGSY roads Rs 20 crore for beautification of bridges and flyovers in Srinagar and Jammu Industries and Commerce: Rs 400 crore for augmentation of infrastructure including waste disposal in existing and upcoming industrial estates Pending issues of amnesty on interest and penalty of power arrears of industries resolved Tourism: Rs 130 crore for tourism promotion in addition to Rs 2,000 crore under PMDP for infrastructure upgradation Culture: Rs 50 lakh for nomination preparation process for "World Heritage Licensing of Mughal Gardens by UNESCO" Rs 1 crore each proposed for establishing dedicated Art Galleries in Srinagar and Jammu Rs 1 crore provided for construction of Planetarium near Kala Kendra Jammu Rs 25 crore to be provided for establishment of Art and Culture Centres at district level Youth Services and Sports: Rs 350 crore proposed for massive upgradation of sports infrastructure Rs 5 crore for promotion of youth exchange programmes Transport: Rs 25 crore for subsidy for purchase of 500 new buses in private sector Rs 36 crore for revival of SRTC Rs 25 crore for purchase of low floor buses Housing and Urban Development: Metropolitan Authorities to be created for Srinagar and Jammu with an initial outlay of Rs 100 crore Rs 500 crore for construction of drainage and sewerage network, STPs Rs 10 crore for installing high mask lights in Srinagar and Jammu Rs 10 crore proposed for riverfront development in Jammu city and connecting Vikram Chowk with Gujjar Nagar bridge along river Tawi IT Infrastructure: Rs 15 crore for providing dedicated IT infrastructure at Civil Secretariat, Jammu to avoid relocating of computers and other paraphernalia during Durbar Move Rs 5 crore for digitisation of office records of Civil Secretariat Rs 3 crore for installation of robust LAN Network in Civil Secretariat. (With PTI inputs)

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