Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Friday approved an 18 percent hike in passenger vehicle fares and cleared a proposal to enhance allowances for ministers and legislators during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu.
Sources said the Cabinet gave its nod to revise fares for all passenger vehicles across the Union Territory. The fare for e-rickshaws has been fixed at Rs 15 per kilometre, while e-autos will charge Rs 25 for the first kilometre and Rs 20 for every additional kilometre.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal to enhance allowances for Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the Speaker and the Leader of Opposition. The amendments to the rules will provide improved provisions for travel, medical care, housing and car loan facilities, sources said.
In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the creation of 136 faculty posts in Government Medical College Jammu and Government Medical College Srinagar. The posts include 27 Professors and 109 Associate Professors, aimed at strengthening medical education and healthcare services in the Union Territory.
Sources said the Cabinet also gave its consent for Ladakh to use the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as a joint Real Estate Appellate Tribunal.
The proposals cleared by the Cabinet will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed the need to improve administrative efficiency and ensure better public service delivery. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, along with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.
Separately, the Chief Minister also chaired a review meeting on the implementation of works under the SASCI scheme, directing officers to ensure timely execution and effective monitoring so that benefits reach people on the ground without any lapse of funds.
