KL Report
SRINAGAR
The State Cabinet which met here on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah accorded sanction to the submission of memorandum for grant of special package involving an amount of Rs. 607.77 crore to Government of India for the rehabilitation of the affected people and for restoration of public infrastructure in Districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban devastated in the recent earthquake.
The Cabinet also approved expansion of quality engineering education at degree level, strictly as per the norms prescribed by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India and subject to the approval by the AICTE and ‘no objection’ from the Higher Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir Government. However, the proposals involving State expenditure and / or joint ventures shall be submitted to the Cabinet. Due to ongoing construction boom in railways, power sectors, the demand for engineers will increase. At present, only 10 percent of the aspirants who apply for engineering courses in the State are accommodated. Therefore, more Engineering Colleges are required in the State, as such the State Government will give ‘No Objection’ to the establishment of Engineering Colleges in the State subject to their adherence/ fulfillment of the AICET norms.
The Cabinet also approved Master Plan of Yusmarg Development Authority. The document will be made available for public viewing in DC Office, Budgam, and in the office of Chief Executive Officer Yusmarg Development Authority, Yusmarg.
In another decision the Cabinet approved unification in the pay scale of patwaries notionally with effect from December 15,2005 and monetarily from February 22,2008.
The Cabinet also accorded sanction to the establishment of J&K Medical Supplies Corporation (JKMSC) for the purpose of purchase of drugs, instruments and disposables and other equipment required in the healthcare institutions. The Cabinet also approved creation of 22 posts of different categories in this regard. It also approved utilization of post of Director Chittranjan Mobile Hospital, Srinagar for Managing Director, J&K Medical Supplies Corporation.
The Corporation would achieve the objective of economizing the purchases; facilitate procurement of quality and standard drugs and put in place foolproof drug testing mechanism.
