J&K approves elections to form block councils

JAMMU : The Jammu and Kashmir governor administration on Friday approved elections for constitution of block development councils (BDC) in the state, an official spokesperson said.

The state administrative council (SAC) which met here under the chairmanship of governor Satya Pal Malik, gave the approval, after issuance of necessary notification in this behalf in consultation with state chief electoral officer and as per dates to be announced by him, he said.

Section 27 of the J&K Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 1989, provides for constitution of a BDC for every block. Every BDC would be a body headed by a chairperson and other members.

Chairperson of the block development councilswould be elected by the electoral college comprising panchs and sarpanchs of halqa panchayat falling within the block, the spokesperson said.

The state administrative council also approved the ‘State Health Care Investment Policy2019’ aimed at promoting private parties and entrepreneurs to set up healthcare infrastructure in the state.

The policy is expected to improve accessibility of quality healthcare services to the people, promote establishment of hospital, medical and allied educational infrastructure and establish the state as a destination of choice for private healthcare service providers, besides promoting medical tourism, a spokesperson said. It aims to encourage private parties/ entrepreneurs to set up healthcare infrastructure in the state.

The administration has approved rehiring of lecturers and teachers on academic arrangement for continued academic activities, an official said.

The administration has also approved 33 posts in Government Medical Colleges (GMC) in Jammu and Srinagar, an official spokesman said.