(a) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure accountability in the implementation of the projects in Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K);
(b) the steps taken by the Government to improve the Grievance Redressal System in UT of J&K; and
(c) the steps that have been taken in respect of Administrative Reforms in UT of J&K?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a): The Government of J&K has taken several steps/initiatives for ensuring transparency/accountability in financial management and also in the implementation of projects, some of which are as under:
i. Administrative Approvals, Technical Sanction and E-tendering have been made mandatory for transparent execution of works.
ii. Authorization of works/projects and resources allocation is made through BEAMS (Budget Estimation, Allocation & Monitoring System), which is real time and paperless.
iii. Geo-tagged Photographs of works (before and after execution) are now mandatory for making payments at the treasury.
iv. All works/projects being implemented in the UT are in public domain for public feedback/suggestions to improve expenditure outcomes and ensure involvement of people in development works.
v. Financial Reforms and Interventions initiated recently have facilitated early completion of works/projects. During 2018-19 and 2019-20, 9229 and 12637 projects/works were completed respectively. Similarly, during 2020-21, 21943 works/projects were completed which shows significant increase as compared to the previous years. During current financial year 2021-22, 22975 works have already been completed upto January, 2022.
vi. Physical Verification of all works/projects is regularly being done.
vii. With the assistance of NITI Aayog, Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework has been prepared for important centrally sponsored schemes/projects.
viii. Adherence to all codal formalities and General Financial Rules (GFR) is being ensured.
(b): Jammu & Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (JKIGRAMS) has been developed as an e-Governance initiative to provide a 24x7 platform to the Citizens for redressal of their grievances. Several steps have been taken, which include the following:
i. JKIGRAMS Portal has been integrated with CPGRAMS i.e Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System.
ii. JKIGRAMS has been “Decentralized” right upto the District Level with more than 2000 District Offices mapped on the Portal. “Horizontal Expansion” has been undertaken widening the Portal network to include the Administrative Departments in the Secretariat at Jammu/Srinagar along with their HoDs at the Divisional Level.
iii. Monitoring Dashboards have been provided to the administrative Secretaries to monitor the disposal of the grievances under their administrative control. The Grievance Cell uses the same to monitor the progress of redressal of grievances.
iv. To give further impetus to the Grievance Redressal System, an initiative in the shape of Mulaqaat Program is an institutionalized mechanism to provide opportunity for the citizens to interact directly with the Lieutenant Governor and seeking redressal of their grievances that have been filed on the JK grievance portal but have not been redressed.
v. Training of Nodal Officers of the sectoral Departments/Offices dealing with grievance redressal have been taken up as an ongoing process.
(c): The following steps have been taken for Administrative Reforms:
i. Office file work has been shifted from manual to e-office mode from April-2021 and all Heads of Departments have been brought on e-office portal.
ii. Annual Performance Reports of JKAS officers shifted to online mode on SPARROW Portal.
iii. Online Departmental Vigilance Officers Portal is developed as a communication channel between Anti-Corruption Bureau and
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Departmental Vigilance Officers posted in different departments/Districts.
iv. Electronic Vigilance Clearance System for furnishing vigilance clearances through electronic/online mode of all the Government employees has been done.
v. Online portal for e-filing of property returns by employees (PRS-Portal) has been made mandatory.
vi. Transaction of Business Rules of UT of J&K has been notified.
vii. 18 services notified as part of Ease of Doing Business under the Public Service Guarantee Act.
viii. Central Registry Units have been established at Jammu & Srinagar for centralized dak management.
ix. Divisional Commissioners/Deputy Commissioners/Sub-Divisional Magistrates have been delegated more powers for effective control over their subordinates.
x. Dispensing of interviews for selection of candidates through Services Selection Board up to the pay level 5.
xi. Instructions have been revised for pre-appointment verification of character antecedents within a period of 21 days.
xii. As part of the Public Outreach Programme, administrative Secretaries have been allocated districts to monitor development schemes.
xiii. A dedicated Helpdesk established in the General Administration Department to hear the issues of public importance through telephone.
xiv. Around 2500 officials deputed for undergoing training at various Institutions.
xv. 54 Recruitment Rules of various departments/services finalized, besides 98 other rules have been amended/issued afresh to remove ambiguity/anomaly.
xvi. Seniority dispute amongst JKAS officers have been settled and revised seniority list issued.
xvii. Digital Good Governance Index for all Districts of the Jammu and Kashmir has been notified.
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