Govt to assess, address issues of Border, LOC fencing landowners: Omar

Govt to review transfer of Planning functions to Finance Deptt: CM

25/03/2025

JAMMU, Mar 24: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, today assured the House that the government would discuss issues affecting the border and LoC landowners, particularly those with properties within the border fencing area.
The Chief Minister, while intervening during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, stated that funds are being disbursed efficiently. Out of the Rs 155 crore received, Rs 144 crore have already been distributed among the landowners, leaving only Rs 11 crore to be released soon. While individual concerns may persist, the government is committed towards expediting the fund disbursement as efficiently as possible.
He said that the concerned department will be urged to expedite the process in this regard. "However, as one of the members pointed out, this is not merely an issue of relief but it's a humanitarian concern. Beyond this relief, there are so many other pressing concerns affecting the people in these areas that demand our attention," he asserted.
"I urge the members to allow the session to conclude at the earliest. Once the session ends in the first week of April, I will convene a meeting with all the members representing the border and LoC areas," maintained the Chief Minister. We will engage in comprehensive discussions and promptly implement the necessary government actions, he added.
Earlier, replying to the main question raised by Vijay Kumar, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on behalf of Chief Minister, said that land measuring 13415 Kanal in 113 villages of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu division has been acquired by the BSF for Border fencing.
The Minister informed that an amount of Rs. 155.08 crore, as compensation, has been received by the concerned Collectors, out of which, Rs. 144.12 crore have been disbursed among the landowners and remaining amount is under process of title verification.
Omar also informed the Legislative Assembly today that the decision to shift the Planning Department's functions to the Finance Department is under review, and any necessary changes will be implemented accordingly.
The Chief Minister made this statement while responding to a supplementary question from Javid Hassan Beig.
He reiterated that he had already mentioned during the budget and grants discussion that the functions of the Planning Department were being transferred to the Finance Department, and the government is now reviewing the decision to determine if any modifications are needed. Regarding another supplementary question on the General Provident (GP) Fund, the Chief Minister acknowledged that employees sometimes experience delays in receiving their disbursements.
"This occurs when the treasury position becomes constrained. However, we are making every effort to ensure that employees receive their GP funds as quickly as possible," he assured the House.
Informing the House about the status of GP Fund disbursement, the Chief Minister stated that Rs 5,476 crore has been paid as GPF during the 2024-25 financial year.
As the Minister in charge of both Finance and Planning, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that the allocation of funds-whether for Revenue Expenditure or Capital Expenditure-falls under the purview of the Finance Department in accordance with business rules and statutory norms.
Earlier, while responding to the member's question, he informed the House that funds for all departments in the J&K Government are allocated through the Budget Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System (BEAMS), which is the most efficient mechanism for real-time fund allocation.
He highlighted that this system has significantly improved efficiency, accountability, and reporting while ensuring effective monitoring of financial resources.
The Chief Minister stated that the Finance Department has been handling the Capex Budget since FY 2019-20.
He further elaborated that IT-enabled platforms such as BEAMS (Budget Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System), PAYSYS (Payment System), PROOF (Photographic Record of On-site Facility), and Treasury Net have been implemented to enable real-time tracking of resource flow and expenditure, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in public finances.
"Additionally, through the EMPOWERMENT (Enabling Monitoring and Public Overview of Works Executed and Resources for Meaningful Transparency) system / Janbhagidari portal, every citizen has access to track the release of funds from the Finance Department down to the level of the executing/implementing agency. This is the first-of-its-kind system that allows people to oversee works being executed in their areas, with real-time progress monitoring. This initiative serves as a powerful tool for the real empowerment of the general public," he said.

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