The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet today cleared several key proposals, including allotment of 5 marlas of land to people affected by monsoon rains and floods, infusion of government funds into two cooperative banks, and an increase in pay scale of Village Level Workers (VLWs)—now designated as Panchayat Secretaries.
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat and was attended by all Ministers and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The meeting lasted over an hour.
In a brief statement on X, the Chief Minister’s Office said the Cabinet considered important administrative and developmental matters. All decisions approved by the Cabinet will be forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for final approval.
Sources said the Cabinet approved the proposal to allot 5 marlas of land to families whose houses were extensively damaged due to flash floods and landslides triggered by cloudbursts and heavy monsoon rains in Jammu and Kashmir this year. The land will be provided at the nearest available government land, and the administration has already identified eligible beneficiaries following a detailed assessment.
Large-scale damage to civilian houses, agricultural land, crops and government infrastructure was reported, particularly during heavy rains on August 14 and August 26. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier announced the government’s decision to provide five marlas of land to severely affected families.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal to upgrade the pay level of VLWs/Panchayat Secretaries from Level-2 to Level-4, resulting in an increase of approximately ₹5,000 per month. This long-pending demand was examined and endorsed by the Rural Development Department, with concurrence from the Finance Department.
Additionally, the Cabinet cleared the proposal to infuse ₹118 crore into the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank and Anantnag Central Cooperative Bank to revive their financial health. Both banks have been facing serious financial challenges but play a crucial role in the cooperative sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Cabinet further approved the re-designation of about 20 posts of District Panchayat Officers as Block Development Officers in the Rural Development Department.
Issues related to finances, including central funding and daily wagers, were also discussed during the meeting.
The last Cabinet meeting was held on December 3, during which the government approved the much-awaited new Reservation Policy for Jammu and Kashmir based on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee. The Chief Minister has stated that the policy is currently awaiting approval from the Lieutenant Governor.
As per procedure, all Cabinet decisions of the Union Territory are subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor.
