WAJAHAT SHABIR
The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has fixed April 21, 2026 as the deadline for departments and district administrations to upload approved works under the Capex Budget 2026-27 on the BEAMS portal, with 50 per cent of funds to be authorised immediately thereafter.
In an official memorandum, the Finance Department conveyed Capex ceilings, including District Capex, for the financial year 2026-27, directing all departments and District Development Commissioners (DDCs) to upload approved works promptly to enable timely fund authorisation through the BEAMS portal.
The department has mandated that all ongoing and new works must be uploaded with approval of the concerned minister by April 21, while district plans must be finalised in consultation with MLAs within the same timeline.
A key policy shift emphasised in the order is prioritisation of ongoing projects. The government has directed that at least 70 per cent of the Capex allocation be earmarked for ongoing works, leaving only 30 per cent for new projects, to avoid resource fragmentation and ensure timely completion.
The Finance Department has also asked departments to prioritise languishing projects and those identified under the J&K Public Works Coordination Committee (JPKCC), while ensuring that all work plans are outcome-driven, specifying the number of works to be completed and beneficiaries targeted.
Importantly, the order bars the use of capital outlay for revenue expenditure and cautions against partial DPR funding, such as constructing buildings without essential components like equipment, water, or electricity.
Strict financial discipline has been enforced, with controlling officers made personally accountable for any liabilities arising from unapproved works. Departments have also been instructed to eliminate non-priority or non-starter projects already listed on the BEAMS portal.
The government has further mandated that all works must have clearly defined timelines—typically one to two years, extendable to three years only in exceptional cases—and that pre, during, and post-execution photographs must be uploaded on the PROOF application for monitoring.
In a move to streamline fund flow, the Finance Department assured that releases on BEAMS will be made within one day of receiving approvals under centrally sponsored schemes, while delays at the treasury level beyond one day must be reported immediately.
Additionally, the second instalment of 50 per cent funds for key departments including PWD, Jal Shakti, Forest, and Power Development will be contingent upon full implementation of the Works Activity Monitoring System (WAMS), integrating the entire lifecycle of project execution.
The Finance Department has also directed that district-level planning must follow a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach, ensuring convergence between departmental and district plans. This is aimed at avoiding duplication of works and aligning development priorities across sectors.
To tighten project execution, departments have been instructed to incorporate all critical components—such as land acquisition, forest clearance, and utility shifting—within the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) itself. The order specifically mandates that forest compensation be requisitioned in one go to prevent delays in clearances and execution timelines.
The memorandum also places emphasis on transparency and monitoring, directing departments to upload photographic evidence of works at pre-execution, during execution, and post-completion stages on the PROOF application. This digital tracking mechanism is intended to ensure accountability and real-time oversight of public expenditure.
The Finance Department has also cautioned against creating new financial liabilities, making it clear that execution must strictly adhere to approved costs and sanctioned works. Any deviation or unauthorised expend
