SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said 46,237 of the 46,998 developmental works recommended by elected representatives have been included in the District Capex Plans for 2026-27.
The figures were provided by the Finance Department in response to a starred question by MLA Tariq Hamed Karra of Central Shalteng regarding the incorporation and execution of developmental works recommended by legislators.
According to the department, the District Development Commissioners (DDCs) were instructed to formulate district plans in consultation with MLAs. The Finance Department issued instructions to the DDCs on April 1, 2026, asking them to prepare the District Plan on a project, work and activity basis.
The department said DDCs had also been advised to ensure that works were selected after consultation with elected public representatives.
Of the 46,998 works recommended by MLAs, 46,237 were accommodated in the District Capex Plans for 2026-27.
Separately, the department said 9,800 works had been prioritised by MLAs under the UT Capex component during 2025-26. Of these, 5,875 have been accommodated in the UT Capex Plan.
The government attributed the partial inclusion of these works to the large volume of activities and funds involved, with some works taken up by the concerned departments during 2025-26 and others accommodated in subsequent years.
On delays in the execution of sanctioned works, the Finance Department said ongoing projects were already under execution, while newly approved works had to pass through administrative approval, technical sanction, tendering and allotment before work could begin.
The department said this process could take a couple of months for new works to commence on the ground. It added that departments and DDCs were required to plan the process so that works could be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Some projects, it said, could also face delays because of legal, technical or land-related issues. Such matters are reviewed during meetings at district, departmental and Union Territory levels, with directions issued for their resolution.
The government further said works costing more than Rs 2 crore that have been accorded high priority were being funded under the Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for earlier completion.
On future consultation with MLAs, the Finance Department said the District Capex Plans for 2026-27 had already been prepared by the respective DDCs in consultation with the concerned MLAs and subsequently examined and approved.
The approval of the District Capex Works Plans was conveyed to the DDCs through letter No. FD-DED1/25/2026-03 dated June 25, 2026, the department said.
It added that the approved works were currently at different stages of execution.
Apart from District Capex allocations, Rs 4 crore per MLA per year is provided to districts under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scheme for works recommended by the respective legislators, subject to the existing CDF guidelines. These works, too, are at various stages of execution.
On accountability and monitoring, the government said implementation of District Capex and CDF works was being regularly monitored by the DDCs and the Finance Department.
Executing agencies are responsible for completing approved works within the prescribed timelines and complying with applicable guidelines, it said. Delays are reviewed by the Finance Department or DDCs, with action taken under existing rules and instructions.
The government said monitoring also included periodic progress reports, physical verification of works and district-level review meetings. Complaints concerning implementation are examined by the Finance Department or DDCs and dealt with according to the prescribed procedure.
On the low-bid system, the department said it had already introduced financial safeguards for abnormally low bids.
It referred to Circular Instructions No. FD-Code/441/2021-02-158 dated August 8, 2025, along with a corrigendum to its annexure, which provides for seeking Additional Performance Security from successful bidders quoting abnormally low bid prices against the advertised cost.
The measure, according to the department, is intended to reduce the risk of non-performance, abandonment and delays in execution of works.
