JAMMU, FEBRUARY 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stated that, the government currently has no plans of creating new administrative units, as priority is to operationalize previously established ones.
The Chief Minister made this intervention during the Question Hour on supplementary queries raised by MLA Khanyar, Salman Ali Sagar and several other members, regarding the demand for carving out a new Tehsil by bifurcating certain areas falling under Eidgah and Srinagar North tehsils.
Informing the House, the Chief Minister said that the government’s focus is to make the already created administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir fully functional. He added that most of the MLAs had met him and expressed concern over the non-functioning of several units established in the past.
“It is impractical to demand new units when existing ones remain non-operational,” he remarked.
He stated that the government will consider creation of new administrative units only after ensuring full functionality of the existing ones.
Earlier, Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, who holds the Revenue portfolio, informed the Legislative Assembly that services in Eidgah Tehsil and Srinagar North Tehsil are being delivered efficiently to the general public well within the prescribed timeframe under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA). He further stated that the existing infrastructure and manpower are being optimally utilised to ensure smooth delivery of services.
Responding to a question on whether the government intends to consider the persistent public demand for carving out a new Tehsil by bifurcating areas under Eidgah and North Tehsils, the Minister said that there is no such proposal presently under consideration in the department.
Legislators Abdul Majeed Larmi and Tanvir Ali Sadiq raised supplementary questions on the subject.
Govt to examine creation of R&B sub-division for Ajas: Deputy CM
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today informed the House that the government will examine the suggestion for creation of R&B sub-division for Ajas area in Bandipora district.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Hilal Akbar Lone in the House today regarding establishment of R&B Sub-division.
He said that though no request or demand has been received and no such proposal is under consideration in the department at present, however, same shall be examined in due course of time.
Proposals for additional infrastructure at Latti, Patnitop are under examination: Deputy CM
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today informed the House that the proposals for additional infrastructure at Latti and Patnitop are under examination and shall be considered subject to the feasibility and availability of funds.
The Deputy Chief Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Legislative Assembly.
He informed that the UT of Jammu and Kashmir regularly takes up proposals with NABARD for sanction of projects under the RIDF, wherein assistance is primarily provided in the form of loans, as per the prescribed norms.
He said that the proposals are formulated and submitted in a phased manner, based on the readiness of projects, absorptive capacity and repayment capability. These will be processed for sanction strictly in accordance with the NABARD guidelines, he added.
He apprised that delay in disbursement of compensation is mainly attributed to pendency of court cases, land ownership disputes and non- availability of funds for land compensation at certain stages.
Legislator Nazir Ahmad khan raised supplementary question on the subject.
NOCs issued after thorough scrutiny: Forest Minister
The government today informed the House that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are issued only after thorough scrutiny and field verification, in strict adherence to the prescribed norms and statutory provisions for construction of residential houses.
This was revealed today by Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, while replying to a question raised by Legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani in the House today.
The Minister informed that during the period from January 2024 to December 2025, the office of Wildlife Warden, South Division, Anantnag received a total of 349 applications for issuance of NOCs for construction of residential houses from bonafide local residents. He added that these applications were forwarded by the Pahalgam Development Authority, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pahalgam and Block Development Officer Pahalgam and after due scrutiny and field verification reports, NOCs were issued in respect of 346 applications.
Regarding the empanelled employees, the Minister stated that the Wildlife Department has a total of 517 empanelled employees/workers across various divisions of Jammu and Kashmir, engaged in the protection, conservation and management of wildlife resources. He stated that salaries and wages of all these empanelled employees are being disbursed in a timely manner and no arrears are pending against them.
With regard to funding, the government stated that for the financial year 2025–26, the Wildlife Department has been allocated funds under different schemes, adding that an amount of ₹8575.71 lakh has been allotted under CAPEX, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and CAMPA.
No proposal to relax change of Land Use ; Govt tells Assembly
The government today clarified that there is no such proposal under consideration in the Revenue Department regarding relaxation in the Change of Land Use (CLU) norms.
This was revealed today by Minister Javed Ahmed Rana in response to a question raised by Legislator Surjit Singh Salathia in the Legislative Assembly. The Minister was replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Minister stated that the government does not intend to grant any relaxation in respect of change of land use at present. It was further clarified that there is no proposal to exempt rural areas from the existing provisions related to CLU.
The government also stated that there is no proposal under consideration to reduce the prescribed fees or to ease the prescribed formalities in respect of change of land use.
Legislators Vikram Randhawa, Rajiv Jasrotia and R S Pathania raised supplementary questions on the subject.
Thanamandi Rajouri Water Supply Project gets ₹5.23 cr boost under AMRUT 2.0: Javed Rana
The government today informed the Legislative Assembly that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has been extended by the Government of India till 2028 and necessary steps are being taken to ensure smooth implementation of Water Supply Schemes (WSS) in Rajouri district, despite temporary challenges related to fund availability.
This was stated by Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana in reply to a question raised by Legislator Iftikar Ahmed in the House.
The Minister informed that some newly completed/commissioned schemes in Rajouri district facing shortages of manpower is being taken care of through rationalization and internal deployment of the available staff within the Division to ensure smooth operation of essential water supply services.
Giving details of manpower strength of Civil and Mechanical wings in Rajouri district, he said that the vacancies are being referred to the recruitment agencies like JKPSC, SSRB on regular basis.
On projects under AMRUT 2.0, the Minister informed that “Augmentation of Water Supply Scheme Thanamandi, Rajouri”, has been allotted at an estimated cost of Rs.5.23 crore. He said that the work is currently in progress and is expected to be completed during 2026–27.
He added that the project includes construction of intake chambers, gravity mains, a rapid sand filtration plant, sump tanks, ground service reservoirs and distribution systems.
Govt won’t compromise on quality of macadamization works: Deputy CM
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that there will be no compromise on the quality of macadamization works and no payment is released to the contractors in case of use of sub-standard material.
The Deputy Chief Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Mubarik Gul in the Legislative Assembly.
He said that strict instructions have been given to the officers at district level for taking local Legislators on board before formulation of macadamization plans or road projects.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that 344.32 kilometre of road length has been macadamized/ black- topped across J&K during 2025-26. He added that the macadamization of roads in various constituencies during the ensuing financial year under the various sectors /schemes shall be prepared once the ceiling is received from the Finance Department.
Legislator Chander Prakash Ganga raised supplementary question on the subject.
