Jammu, Jan 28: The annual budget sessions of the state legislature will commence from February 28. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held here on Friday.
Sources said the state cabinet, which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah approved summoning of State Legislative Assembly and the State Legislative Council at Jammu for the Budget Session 2011-2012 from February 28, 2011.
A recommendation in this regard will be sent to the Governor NN Vohara which has the final authority to summon the session.
The cabinet also approved appointment of Madhav Lal, IAS (JK:77 batch) as Chief Secretary of the State. The present incumbent SS Kapur is retiring on January 31 this year.
Lal is the senior most IAS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre and was on deputation with the central government for the past three years.
In another decision, the Cabinet approved the draft Forest Policy of the state. However, it further observed that the Action Plans and Projects as may be prepared by the Forest Department from time to time for effective operationalization of this Policy will be subject to the normal process of consultations with the Planning and Finance Department for allocation of resources and financial concurrence.
In another significant decision the cabinet approved the enhancement of water usage charges across the state. The proposal regarding enhancement of the water usage charges was moved by the Ministry of Public Health Engineering (PHE).
The Cabinet also approved establishment of Polytechnic Institute sanctioned for Rajouri District under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely “submission on Polytechnics under Coordinated Action for Skill Development” in the Campus of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri.
Six additional Programme Implementation Units at Ganderbal, Uri, Handwara, Billawar, Ramnagar and Banihal under PMGSY alongwith creation  of 24 posts of different categories were also approved. The minister approved Master Plan for Kokernag Development Authority and transfer of State Land measuring 100 kanals, situated in village Birpur, Tehsil and District Samba in favour of J&K Health and Medical Education Department for construction of Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital.
The Cabinet approved establishment of an Irrigation and Flood Control Sub- Division at Khaltsi by corresponding reduction of Sub-Division No. 1 of Irrigation division Igo-Phey under the Administrative control   of the Irrigation Division, Leh along with supporting staff.
It also approved enhancement of the duty allowance of Volunteer Home Guards from the existing Rs. 45/-per person per day to Rs. 60/- per person per day during the call up duty of 90 days in a year. The meeting also gave its nod for creation of two posts of Joint Controllers one for Jammu and another for Kashmir Division in the pay band of Rs. 15600-39100+ grade pay of 6600 by corresponding reduction of equal number of posts of Deputy Controllers and creation of seven posts of Deputy Controller, Legal metrology by corresponding reduction equal number posts of Assistant Controllers.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST