SAC approves 2% DA hike for State Government employees, pensioners

SRINAGAR, SEP 12: The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Shri Satya Pal Malik accorded sanction to the release of additional installment of 2% Dearness Allowance (DA) to the State Government employees and pensioners w.e.f 1st July, 2018, over the existing rate of 7% of the basic pay / pension.
The arrears from July, 2018 to September 2018 will be credited to respective G.P Fund accounts of the employees and w.e.f October, 2018, the salary /pension will be drawn on revised rates of D.A. However, pensioners or those employees retiring this year will be paid arrears in cash.
The impact on the exchequer on account of Dearness Allowance would be Rs 118 crore for the current financial year and the annual financial implications would come to Rs 177 crore approximately.
The enhancement of DA would benefit around 4.50 lakh State Government employees and 1.60 lakh pensioners.

J&K Start-up Policy 2018 approved

SRINAGAR, SEP 12: In a significant decision to facilitate and nurture growth of new Start-ups, the State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik approved the “J&K Start-up Policy 2018”.
Advisors to the Governor, B B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary to Governor, Umang Narula attended the meeting.
The Policy aims to inspire the young and entrepreneurial brains of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a vibrant and conducive Start-up ecosystem in the State. The Government through this Policy aims to empower Start-ups to grow through innovation and design which, inter-alia, will help in accelerating economic growth besides generating employment opportunities.
The Policy shall give special attention to Start-ups with disruptive value additions in Food Processing and Allied activities, Agriculture including Horticulture and Floriculture, Textiles, Apparel & Fashion Technology, Renewable Energy, Handicrafts & Handlooms and their design element, Electronics System Design and Manufacturing, Information Technology enabled Services
The Policy will facilitate growth of new Start-ups through establishment of at least 10 new state-of-the-art incubators, Innovation Labs and Fabrication Labs across the three regions of the State including private sector. A strong institutional framework will be put in place for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.
A Monthly Allowance upto Rs 12,000 (for a period of one year) during incubation and one-time assistance upto Rs 12 lakh shall be given to a recognized Start-up for Product Research & Development or introduction of an innovative product or service in the market.
A Start-up shall be eligible for Energy Assistance, International Patent Filing Cost Reimbursement, Tax benefits/ relaxations in Public Procurement processes. Other interventions proposed in the Policy are creation of Innovation/Skill Development Fund, establishment of Jammu and Kashmir Angel Network (JKAN), Academic Interventions and Awareness and Outreach.
The Policy shall be valid for a period of ten years or till a new Start-up Policy is framed by the Government.

Approves JK Single Window (Industrial Investment &Business Facilitation) Act-2018

SRINAGAR, SEP 12: In another landmark decision, the State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Shri Satya Pal Malik approved the “J&K Single Window (Industrial Investment and Business Facilitation) Act, 2018”.
The Act is an initiative, under the flagship program of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) of Government of J&K, aimed at comprehensive and unprecedented overhaul of the outdated processes and procedures involved in setting up and operation of businesses in the state.
The legislation aims at making the doing of business in the State much easier and to create a hassle-free business friendly environment here.
Earlier, Pre-establishment approvals/NOCs would take months/years to obtain. The approvals/NOCs can now be obtained in a matter of week(s) through on-line mode in a time bound manner. Under a single umbrella, services of more than 12 departments have been brought to the door steps of the people through on-line mode. All services from Pre-establishment, Pre-Operation to Renewals will be available at the Single Window Portal.
The legislation also provides for a three level Committee at the State, Division and District level, fast clearances within the stipulated timeframe; minimum physical touch points with the official hierarchy; provision of deemed clearances; better compliance and transparency and an inbuilt grievance redressal mechanism.
The enactment of this ‘Single Window Act’ would ensure an improved EoDB ranking of the State of J&K during 2018.

Ex-gratia for NoKs of slain Police personnel enhanced from Rs 48 Lakh to Rs 70 Lakh

SRINAGAR, SEP 12: The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Shri Satya Pal Malik accorded sanction to the enhancement/grant of ex-gratia relief to the NoKs of J&K Police Personnel killed in course of performing duties attributed to act of violence/militancy related incidents.
The decision will enhance the existing cumulative ex-gratia relief admissible to the NoKs of J&K Police Personnel from Rs 48 lakh to Rs 70 Lakh and to NoKs of SPOs from Rs 14.5 Lakh to Rs 30 Lakh.
The ex-gratia relief has been enhanced from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 Lakh under SRE(R&R) to NoKs of the J&K Police Personnel/SPOs and CAPFs/Army personnel; from Rs 3 Lakh to Rs 7 Lakh to NoKs of J&K Police Personnel from the Police Welfare Fund (MHA); from Rs 18 Lakh to Rs 33 Lakh to the NoKs of J&K Police Personnel, out of State Resources and grant of additional amount of Rs 12.50 lakh to the NoKs of Special Police Officers (SPOs), out of state resources.
The SAC further approved that education of two children in private schools in the State upto class 12th of such personnel of Jammu & Kashmir Police as may be martyred in militancy related incidents/violence, shall be borne by the State Education Department.