1.18 Lakh Cr

for digitization and CCTVs in Police Stations; 30 Cr for improving Quality in Schools, School Infrastructure, for Career Counseling and for introduction of additional Streams in Schools; and 5 Cr for replacement of old fleet in transport sector.

The budget envisages a fiscal deficit of Rs 20,760 crore and a 7.5 percent growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP). The capital expenditure for the fiscal has been proposed at Rs 38,566 crore, which is 14.64 percent of the GSDP. The revenue expenditure is expected to be Rs 80,162 crore, and the revenue receipts for the next fiscal stood at Rs 97,861 crore.

Total receipts in respect of the proposed “Vote on Account” for 202425 are estimated at Rs 59,364 crore, excluding the provision for ways and means advances of Rs 16,568 crore. These receipts include Rs 48,930 crore as revenue receipts and Rs. 10,434 crore as capital receipts.

“The total gross receipts in respect of proposed “Vote on Account” for 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 75,932 crore, including the provision for ways and means advances of Rs 16,568 crore,” the interim Budget 2024 for Jammu and Kashmir read.

Parliament’s approval has been sought only for Rs 75,932 crore, including the provision for ways and means advances of Rs 16,568 crore. The Union Territory’s full budget will be presented once the new government is elected after the conclusion of the 2024 general elections.

According to FM Sitharaman, the crucial reforms undertaken in 2019 enabled “path-breaking” measures by the Union Territory Government to decentralise governance structure, promote inclusive development, upscale revenue generation and step up infrastructure development.

“The government is maintaining law and order to ensure security while simultaneously implementing initiatives for economic and social development. The Government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism,” she pointed out.

Security forces are taking effective and continuous action in countering terrorism. Due to the effective measures and efforts taken, the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly improved, Sitharaman added.

The interim budget for 2024-25makes provisions for the ongoing initiatives for infrastructure development, sustainable agriculture, new industrial estate, PRI level works, employment generation, developing tourism, and social inclusion. During preparation of the interim budget proposals, consultations were held with all the Departments and various stakeholders to provide for ongoing initiatives and arrive at realistic budgetary numbers. For finalizing expenditure proposals, assessment of financing needs of infrastructure projects, social and economic measures undertaken by Departments was undertaken.

The budgetary exercise focused on the imperative of advancing the cause of the greater collective good within the realistically realizable resources. While the budgetary estimate for the next financial year 2024-25 is about 1,18,728 Cr, the UT Government has proposed the Vote on Account for 59,364 Cr.

The two Appropriation Bills on the Supplementary Demands for 202324 and Vote on Account for 202425 of the UT Government are likely to be considered by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during 7th to 9th February 2024. rolls for and the conduct of all elections to panchayats and municipalities are vested in a State Election Commission.

The similar provision was incorporated in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.

However, as per municipal laws of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the conduct of all elections to municipalities and municipal corporations lies with the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir.

The provisions pertaining to State Election Commissioner in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 are at variance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Section 36B of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 provides that the State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except by an order made by the Lieutenant Governor on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after an inquiry conducted by a sitting or a retired judge of the High Court, on a reference made to him by the Lieutenant Governor.

“In order to provide reservation to the “Other Backward Classes” in the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and to bring consistency in the local bodies laws of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the provisions of the Constitution, it has become necessary to amend certain provisions of the Acts and to introduce a Bill in Parliament, namely, the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” according to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill.

Officials said for the first time, a survey was conducted in 2019 through district census official on OBCs. Initially 27 castes were included in the list and another 15 cases were added to the list last year. The State Election Commission will also decide on the number of OBCs.

Revision of panchayat electoral rolls started in January this year and now the delimitation of constituencies is being done and for the first time which will also include rotation of reserved seats.