Srinagar, July 21: In a major decision the state cabinet today approved replacing secret ballot system with open ballot for elections to upper house of the state legislature to put an end to cross voting. The phenomena had recently put state government in dock for allegations of cash-for-vote scam involving BJP legislators.
The cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this morning okayed amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of Peoples Act, to replace the secret ballot system.
The government move follows cross voting scam during elections for some seats of upper House this April wherein seven BJP legislators had voted for ruling National Conference-Congress coalition. The incident had put a question mark over the fairness of the electoral process and government’s responsibility. Under pressure all eleven BJP legislators had resigned from the assembly.
Omar had earlier announced that Government would consider amendment to the law to provide for open ballot and he had accordingly directed Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to prepare amendments.
Accordingly the Department had drafted bill “J&K Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2011" to amend the existing Act, making it mandatory for filling the vacancy in the Upper House by open ballot.
In another decision, an official statement said, the cabinet approved transfer of 1231 kanals 17 marlas land, belonging to Rakh and Farms (Agriculture Production department) at Ganderbal here,  to Higher Education department for establishment of Central University, Kashmir.
The construction of the varsity is pending for more than two years. It is presently functioning from a rented hotel at Sonwar. 
The cabinet also gave consent to regularization of 58 Higher Secondary Schools and 133 High Schools and creation of posts for them. The institutes were upgraded during 2002-03 and 2007-08.
It also approved up gradation of Primary Health Centre, Hajin to Community Health Centre.
Besdies cabinet approved transferring Special Secretary, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Muhammad Javed Khan and posted him as Director Horticulture, Planning and Marketing against an available vacancy.

DECISIONS
Approves transfer of 1231 kanals 17 marlas land for establishment of CU at Ganderbal

Gives consent to regularization of 58 Higher Secondary Schools, 133 High Schools

Gives nod to upgradation of Primary Health Centre, Hajin to Community Health Centre

Muhammad Javed Khan posted as Director Horticulture, Planning and Marketing

Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST