SAC approves Trade & Export Policy, amendment in Panchayati Raj Act, Grid Station for Downtown

Srinagar, Aug 02 (KNB): The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here last evening under the chairmanship of Governor, N N Vohra gave nod to the first ever J&K Trade & Export Policy, 2018-28. Besides it approved amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to provide for consultation with Halqa Majlis before preparing the development plan for a Panchayat.
The J&K Trade & Export policy will create an enabling eco-system to ensure effective participation in the designed framework-based trading system that has emerged at the National and International levels and help in seizing opportunities available in global liberalized market.



The envisioned targets in the policy include, to enhance the Domestic Trade Volume by 5 times in next 10 years; to transform the system from regulator to facilitator and from performer to enabler; to provide employment opportunities to educated unemployed and skilled youth in export trading of goods and services; to encourage, promote and facilitate more investment in enterprises and built a strong, responsive and vibrant business environment in the state.
The policy shall be valid for a period of 10 years or till a new Trade and Export policy is announced.
AMENDMENTS TO THE PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT, 1989
The SAC also approved amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to provide for consultation with Halqa Majlis before preparing the development plan for a Panchayat.



The decision is a step towards devolution of more powers to the people who will be empowered to take decisions about their developmental requirements/ area specific activities.
Also, in order to provide continuity to the development of Panchayats and in the absence of Halqa Panchayats, the amendment empowers the concerned BDO to collect fee/ taxes already imposed by the Halqa Panchayat.
To facilitate the process of early Panchayat elections in the State, the SAC approved amendment proposed by Department of RD&PR to exclude the Sarpanch from the minimum and maximum number of Panchs in a Panchayat, so that no fresh exercise of delimitation of Panchayats is required to be undertaken.
REVISION OF FARE FOR COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLES
The SAC approved revision in the passenger fare of all commercial passenger vehicles keeping in view sharp rise in the fuel prices and other operational and maintenance cost.
LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF 100MVA GRID STATION IN DOWNTOWN
The SAC approved transfer of a piece of land measuring 78 x 33.5 sqm at Jammu & Kashmir Industries (JKI) Residential Sarai, Nowshehra, Srinagar to the Power Development Department (PDD) for construction of a 100 MVA Grid Station.
The development of this Grid Station would fulfil a long pending demand of downtown residents of Srinagar. (KNB)