||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh May 29, 2024||

In a pivotal meeting held today, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo convened with Administrative Secretaries to meticulously review the progress of fund utilization for the 2024-25 fiscal year in Jammu and Kashmir. The session, which also assessed the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), marked a crucial step in ensuring efficient budget management and project completion across the Union Territory.

**Review of Budget Utilization**

Chief Secretary Dulloo closely examined the works uploaded by each department on the BEAMS (Budget Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System) portal and the funds released under the Vote on Account (VoA) for 2024-25. He inquired about the current expenditure levels and the progress of ongoing projects.

The meeting emphasized the need for Administrative Secretaries to meticulously review their department’s project lists on BEAMS, particularly focusing on removing long-pending incomplete projects. Dulloo highlighted the importance of streamlining fund releases on BEAMS to ensure timely execution of seasonal activities in the Agriculture Production Department and efficient land acquisition processes through the Revenue and Forest Departments.

**Focus on Critical Projects and Funding**

A significant portion of the discussion centered around the need to accelerate funding and completion of critical projects transferred from the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to the Public Works Department (PWD). The Chief Secretary underscored the urgency of pacing up expenditures on NABARD-funded works to secure additional funding tranches from the organization.

**JKIDFC Funded Projects and Village Infrastructure**

Dulloo also reviewed projects funded by the Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC). He proposed that the remaining funding for incomplete projects should be adjusted from the regular budget. Furthermore, he emphasized exploring opportunities to enhance village infrastructure, including ensuring the final stages of irrigation facilities under the convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

**Enhancing Non-Tax Revenue Collection**

Addressing non-tax revenue, the Chief Secretary urged officers to intensify their efforts to surpass last year’s revenue collection. He advocated for the adoption of advanced technologies and other necessary measures to streamline and enhance the efficiency of this process.

**Insights from the Finance Department**

In a comprehensive presentation, Principal Secretary, Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya, provided an in-depth analysis of the current budget. He highlighted expenditure trends observed in the Union Territory over the past decade, from 2014-15 to the present. Key aspects of his presentation included:

– **Expenditure-wise Categorization of Works**: Delays in project completions and expenditure categorization were discussed, highlighting the need for better project management.

– **Revenue and Capital Expenditure**: Vaidya showcased the substantial increase in both revenue and capital expenditure over the years, indicating a positive trend in financial growth and project investments.

– **CSS Funding and Receipts**: The meeting was informed about the significant increase in funds received under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, with a total of Rs 10,324 crore received under 110 schemes for 2023-24, almost doubling from the amount received in 2021-22.

**Fiscal Achievements and Future Outlook**

The meeting revealed a significant jump in both project completions and budget allocation over the past 5-6 years. The total expenditure for 2014-15 was Rs 35,681 crore, which increased to Rs 87,501 crore in 2023-24. Similarly, capital expenditure rose from Rs 9,330 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 22,628 crore in 2023-24.

For the current year, it was noted that the total receipts stood at Rs 9,993 crore, with an expenditure of approximately Rs 11,465 crore. The Parliament’s passing of the Vote on Account for the Union Territory, pending the regular budget passage due to the Lok Sabha elections, was also highlighted.

**Conclusion**

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo’s review meeting marked a significant step towards enhancing budget utilization efficiency and project management in Jammu and Kashmir. The strategic focus on critical projects, streamlined funding processes, and increased non-tax revenue collection aims to propel the Union Territory towards robust financial and infrastructural growth.