Jammu, Dec 31: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has received approval for over ₹1,430 crore in central assistance for reconstruction of public infrastructure damaged by recent natural disasters and for undertaking disaster mitigation measures across affected districts.
The assistance has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs following an assessment by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team that visited the UT after incidents such as cloudbursts. Based on the team’s findings, the calamities were classified as severe, making the UT eligible for enhanced financial support.
The matter was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, attended by all Administrative Secretaries. The meeting focused on the progress of reform-linked financial initiatives, including Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and SNA SPARSH, being implemented across departments under the supervision of the Finance Department.
Principal Secretary, Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya briefed the meeting on approvals received, expenditure incurred, and progress achieved under various centrally supported and reform-based schemes. He outlined the utilisation status of funds and milestones achieved by the UT in securing central assistance.
The Chief Secretary thanked the Government of India for the timely support, stating that the funds would enable restoration of essential public assets such as roads, power infrastructure, and water supply systems, while also improving the UT’s capacity to manage future disasters.
He directed the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction and the School Education Department to identify eligible mitigation works and ensure their completion by August 2026, as per scheme guidelines.
Emphasising proper utilisation of funds, the Chief Secretary instructed departments to fully utilise the first instalment of ₹944 crore released under SASCI and to process at least one bill under pending Centrally Sponsored Schemes through SNA SPARSH by January 7, 2026. The Finance Department was asked to monitor progress on a daily basis.
An update on SASCI implementation revealed that 222 works across 27 departments have been approved, including 162 ongoing projects and 60 new ones. Against the released amount, expenditure of ₹758 crore has been recorded so far, while departments were urged to fast-track projects showing no expenditure.
The meeting also noted approvals for Unity Malls in Jammu and Srinagar, mining sector reforms, and digital agriculture initiatives, reinforcing the UT administration’s focus on fiscal discipline, timely execution, and effective use of central assistance.
