AJK Cabinet Ends ‘Principle Approval’ Practice, Enforces Rules of Business

Muzaffarabad (News Desk)-Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet meeting was held here today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, during which a record 30-point agenda was presented.The Cabinet approved a series of administrative decisions including reducing the number of government departments to 20, the Eighth Amendment to the AJK’s Accountability Bureau Act, the schedule of civil registration fees, financial assistance and medical facilities for all employees of the Electricity Department.

The Fifth Amendment to the Power Development Organization Act, bilateral agreements for utilization of water potential related to the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Project, inclusion of the 1989–90 refugees’ scheme in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), the revised budget 2024–25 and estimated budget 2025–26 of the Mangla Dam Housing Authority, establishment of an endowment fund for the University of Haveli, increase in stipends for house job doctors, payment of arrears of special allowance to Civil Secretariat employees, appointment of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

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Revised budgets of the Auqaf Department, recommendations of the committee on pending matters of the Islamic Ideological Council, schedule of taxes for Town Committee Kahori and allocation of additional funds for the pension fund of local government institutions.The Cabinet decided to withdraw the practice of obtaining “principle approval” from the former prime minister and directed departments to strictly follow the procedures laid down in the Rules of Business.The Cabinet also approved inclusion of the housing scheme for refugees of 1989–90 in ADP 2025–26, under which 750 houses are being constructed with federal assistance, and land will be purchased in areas where state land is not available.

Briefings were also given on the education package, strengthening of higher education, and the new transport policy.During the meeting Cabinet members received a comprehensive briefing on the implementation of the agreement reached with the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.

The cabinet was informed that formal notifications regarding withdrawal of FIRs, establishment of Women and Children Police Stations at all three divisional headquarters, and the five KVA electricity tariff have been issued.The cabinet was informed that compensation was being paid to the families of martyrs and injured persons,

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While applications were being received for providing government employment to one family member of each martyr.It was told that a report on land allotment for the affectees of Mangla Dam upraising will be finalized before December 25.It was told that a committee was working on restoration of the Local Government Act, 1990 and matters related to the health card scheme with State Life Insurance Corporation are at final stages.The federal government will provide Rs 10 billion for the supply of MRI and CT scan machines to district hospitals and for upgradation of the electricity system. A feasibility report for Mirpur International Airport has also been prepared. Educational boards in Mirpur and Rawalakot have also been approved.

The Cabinet approved the draft related to the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Project, under which Azad Kashmir will receive a royalty of Rs 1.10 per unit of electricity generated, and the concerned company will ensure compliance with labour laws and payment of taxes.Speaking on amendments to the Accountability Act, the Prime Minister said that accountability must be ensured in its true spirit, without any scope for political victimization or misuse.

He directed that employees of the Electricity Department who are injured or die during duty must be provided financial assistance and medical facilities.The PM Faisal Mumtaz Rathore also directed the relevant authorities to resolve the issues relating to Qaries (teachers of the Holy Quran) on a priority basis