JAMMU, December 21: The Union Territory Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday morning at the Civil Secretariat, where it is expected to take up a series of significant policy and administrative decisions, including a relief package for flood-affected families, financial support for cooperative banks and service-related matters concerning the Rural Development Department.
Official sources said the meeting, slated for 10.30 am, will be chaired by Omar Abdullah and attended by other ministers and senior officers. One of the key agenda items is the approval of a policy to allot five marlas of land to families whose houses were severely damaged during the recent monsoon season due to flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts.
According to sources, the policy for allotment of five marlas of land has already been finalised after detailed consultations and groundwork. Once approved by the Cabinet, the proposal will be forwarded to Manoj Sinha for final approval, as all Cabinet decisions require the Lieutenant Governor’s consent. The move follows extensive damage to residential houses, agricultural land, crops and public infrastructure during heavy rainfall events, particularly on August 14 and August 26 this year.
The Chief Minister had earlier assured affected families that the government would provide land to those who lost their homes, and officials said the proposed policy is aimed at providing long-term rehabilitation rather than temporary relief. The initiative is expected to bring much-needed stability to families rendered homeless by natural calamities.
Another major decision on the Cabinet agenda is the proposed infusion of Rs 118 crore into two cooperative sector institutions, the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank and the Anantnag Central Cooperative Bank. Both banks have been facing financial and operational challenges, but remain vital for rural credit, agricultural support and cooperative activities in the region. The government believes that timely financial support will help stabilise these institutions and restore confidence among depositors and stakeholders.
Service-related issues in the Rural Development Department are also expected to be discussed. The Cabinet is likely to consider a proposal to enhance the pay level of Village Level Workers, a long-pending demand, recognising their critical role in grassroots governance and implementation of development schemes. In addition, around 20 posts of District Panchayat Officers are proposed to be re-designated as Block Development Officers to streamline administrative functioning and strengthen block-level governance.
Sources said the Cabinet may also briefly review the financial position of the Union Territory, including central funding and preliminary budget-related matters, though the full budget exercise for 2026–27 is still some time away. The Finance portfolio is currently held by the Chief Minister, who is expected to present the budget in March.
The previous Cabinet meeting, held on December 3, approved a revised Reservation Policy based on recommendations of a Cabinet Sub Committee. That policy is currently awaiting approval from the Lieutenant Governor. As per the revised framework, changes were made to the Economically Weaker Section and RBA quotas to increase the Open Merit category, a move that has generated widespread public debate.
Monday’s Cabinet meeting is being closely watched, as its decisions are expected to have a direct impact on flood rehabilitation, rural governance and financial stability in Jammu and Kashmir.