Jammu, Apr 17 (KNO): Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo convened a high-level meeting of the Finance Department, attended by the Administrative Secretaries, to review the progress of departmental work plans and the status of reforms under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary assessed expenditure trends and underscored the importance of timely and efficient utilization of allocated resources. He emphasized the need to prioritize capital expenditure (Capex) from the very beginning of the financial year, cautioning against the tendency of last-minute spending rushes that often compromise efficiency and outcomes.
Highlighting the importance of proactive planning, the Chief Secretary directed departments to ensure prompt uploading of works on the BEAMS portal to facilitate timely tendering and execution. He further stressed the need for equitable distribution of projects across districts, aligned with on-ground requirements to ensure balanced development across all regions.
Reiterating the strategic importance of SASCI reforms, the Chief Secretary urged Administrative Secretaries to accord them top priority, noting their potential to bring substantial economic benefits to the Union Territory through incentive-based funding amounting to hundreds of crores. He called for their strict implementation in both letter and spirit to ensure tangible outcomes.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, emphasized accountability and adherence to timelines, urging all departments to finalize and upload their action plans on the BEAMS portal by April 21, 2026. He noted that while 100 percent budget allocation has been made, further financial releases including the second installment of Capex funds will be contingent upon fulfillment of key reform conditions and demonstrable progress.
The meeting also highlighted key reforms mandated under SASCI guidelines, including the adoption of end-to-end digital tendering and contract management systems under Component II. Departments such as Power Development Department (PDD), Jal Shakti, Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), and Youth Services & Sports (YSS) were directed to onboard the PWD-OMAS platform at the earliest to enhance transparency, monitoring, and accountability.
Progress in critical sectoral reforms was also reviewed, including mining sector reforms, operationalization of the Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2024, rollout of AgriStack in the Agriculture Department, and livestock sector reforms. It was emphasized that significant advancements in these areas are crucial for unlocking subsequent funding tranches.
To streamline financial management, all departments were directed to establish separate Single Nodal Agency (SNA) accounts for efficient release and monitoring of SASCI funds.
A detailed presentation outlined the proposed financial outlay under SASCI for the financial year 2026–27, totaling ₹4023.5 Cr. This includes ₹1406 Cr under Part I and Part II untied components, along with a substantial ₹2617.5 Cr available under incentive-based components linked to capital expenditure performance and reform milestones across sectors such as public finance IT infrastructure, mining, AgriStack, livestock, financial management efficiency, and compressed biogas initiatives.
The meeting also reviewed allocations under the Public Health Infrastructure component, with ₹330 Cr earmarked to improve key health indicators, including reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), attainment of NQAS certification, and reduction in TB mortality.
Reviewing past financial performance, it was noted that ₹946 Cr had been expended during the April–September period of the previous financial year. The Chief Secretary emphasized that expenditure must reach at least ₹1040 Cr in the current year to qualify for incentive-based funding under Part III of the scheme, which focuses on capital expenditure growth.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and reform-driven growth, the Chief Secretary called upon all departments to maintain momentum, ensure transparency, and deliver measurable outcomes aligned with the objectives of the SASCI framework—(KNO)