JAMMU, DECEMBER 22: The Union Territory Cabinet on Monday approved a series of significant welfare and administrative measures, including the allotment of five marlas of government land to families affected by monsoon floods, enhancement of pay for Village Level Workers and financial support for two cooperative banks facing stress.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat, lasted for over an hour and was attended by all ministers and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The Chief Minister’s Office later confirmed that key administrative and developmental matters were taken up during the meeting. All decisions cleared by the Cabinet will now be forwarded to Manoj Sinha for final approval, as mandated under UT rules.
Sources said the Cabinet gave its nod to a long-awaited proposal for allotment of five marlas of land to people whose houses were extensively damaged due to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides during the monsoon season this year. The administration has already completed an assessment exercise to identify eligible beneficiaries, and the land will be allotted at the nearest available government locations where homes were destroyed.
The decision follows widespread damage caused by intense rainfall events, particularly on August 14 and August 26, which left several families homeless and resulted in heavy losses to crops, private property and public infrastructure. The Chief Minister had earlier assured affected families of land-based rehabilitation as a permanent relief measure.
In another major decision, the Cabinet approved an increase in the pay level of Village Level Workers, now designated as Panchayat Secretaries, from Pay Level-2 to Pay Level-4. The move will result in a salary hike of around ₹5,000 per month. The revision fulfils a long-pending demand of VLWs and follows a detailed review by the Rural Development Department, with concurrence from the Finance Department.
The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to infuse ₹118 crore into the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank and the Anantnag Central Cooperative Bank. Both institutions have been grappling with financial and operational challenges, but remain critical to the cooperative credit ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for rural and agricultural sectors. The funding support is aimed at stabilising the banks and restoring public confidence.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the re-designation of around 20 posts of District Panchayat Officers as Block Development Officers in the Rural Development Department, a move expected to streamline administrative functioning and strengthen grassroots governance.
Sources said the meeting also included discussions on broader financial issues, including central funding flows and matters related to daily wage workers.
The previous Cabinet meeting, held on December 3, had approved the revised Reservation Policy for Jammu and Kashmir based on recommendations of a Cabinet Sub Committee. That policy is currently awaiting approval from the Lieutenant Governor.