J&K Cabinet clears 2 percent DA hike, major development and governance proposals in Jammu

• Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet approves key projects, grid stations and sewerage plans before Srinagar move
• Cabinet nod for MS, DyMS redesignation to boost PG seats in GMCs across Jammu and Kashmir
• JKAS promotions, health sector restructuring and major infrastructure proposals approved by J&K Cabinet

Jammu, 30-04-2026: In a significant meeting held in Jammu on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, approved a wide range of administrative, developmental and welfare-related proposals, underscoring the government’s focus on governance reform, infrastructure expansion and sectoral strengthening ahead of the Civil Secretariat’s move to Srinagar for the summer session.

The Cabinet meeting, which was the last one in Jammu before the annual Darbar Move-style seasonal shift of the Civil Secretariat to the summer capital, took up several important matters concerning employees, public services, development works and departmental restructuring. All ministers and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo attended the meeting, with the next Cabinet session now expected to be held in Srinagar after the Civil Secretariat resumes functioning there on May 4.

Among the most significant decisions taken in the meeting was the approval of a 2 percent increase in Dearness Allowance for government employees and pensioners, taking the DA from 58 percent to 60 percent. The move is expected to provide financial relief to a large number of employees and retirees across the Union Territory.

The Cabinet also approved several major development proposals, including the construction of three new grid stations aimed at strengthening the power infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. In the urban infrastructure sector, approval was given for the construction of sewerage treatment plants in Baramulla and Rajouri at an estimated cost of Rs 37 crore and Rs 24 crore respectively. Besides this, various development works proposed by the Public Works Department, Housing and Urban Development Department and Rural Development Department also received clearance.

In another important step, the Cabinet approved the protection of certain assets belonging to Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, reflecting the administration’s continued focus on safeguarding the interests and properties of displaced communities. The Cabinet also cleared amendments and structural changes relating to the cooperative sector. According to sources, it approved a proposal to merge the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act and the Jammu and Kashmir Self-Reliant Cooperatives Act into a single consolidated law, a move intended to streamline the legal framework governing cooperatives in the Union Territory.

Administrative reforms also figured prominently in the meeting. The Cabinet approved the Cadre Review and Reorganization of the Jal Shakti Department, a move likely to improve departmental efficiency and service delivery. New Recruitment Rules for the State Motor Garages also received approval.

In the health and medical education sector, a key proposal relating to the redesignation of senior administrative faculty positions in Government Medical Colleges was approved. Under the proposal, Medical Superintendents will be redesignated as Professors, Deputy Medical Superintendents as Associate Professors and Assistant Medical Superintendents as Assistant Professors. These officers will now be brought under the Department of Hospital Administration, a move expected to strengthen academic and administrative integration in the medical colleges and also increase postgraduate seats in the GMCs.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of a supernumerary post of District Judge, besides clearing the creation of nine posts of District Ayush Officers in the Health and Medical Education Department by reducing 11 posts of Medical Officers. Of these, eight officers will be posted in districts created in 2006-07, four each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions, while one will be posted in Pulwama district.

In the education sector, the regularisation of lecturers also received Cabinet approval. Meanwhile, the promotion of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services officers in three categories, namely Under Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and Special Secretaries, was also cleared in the meeting. However, the formal orders in this regard will be issued only after approval by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

As with other Cabinet decisions in the Union Territory, the proposals cleared in the meeting will now be forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for final approval. The broad range of decisions taken in the Cabinet reflects a multi-sector approach aimed at addressing governance priorities, strengthening institutions and accelerating developmental works across Jammu and Kashmir.