State Administrative Council nod for 40 degree colleges in state

Governor Satya Pal Malik-led State Administrative Council decided to open 40 new degree colleges, including 26 degree colleges already sanctioned, in a phased manner across the state.

Acknowledging the need for opening up more colleges in remote areas, the SAC decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Finance, to finalise the locations and other logistics.

The SAC also approved the formation of a joint venture company for the development of the 850 MW Ratle hydro electric project and its transfer to J&K within a period of seven years of its commercial operation.

As reported exclusively by Kashmir Post, the SAC also abolished interviews for the recruitment of medical officers in the health and medical education department.

The SAC directed the health department to immediately formulate and finalise the eligibility and selection criteria for the posts of medical officer, including the standard of the written test in consultation with the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission. There are at present over 1,000 vacancies for medical officers.

With a view to providing a fillip to the developmental activities across the state, the SAC approved Rs 8,000 crore for completing all projects languishing in the state. For this, the SAC approved the establishment of a new infrastructure company, Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC). The JKIDFC has been authorised to raise a loan not exceeding Rs 8,000 crore from various financial institutions for completion of projects. The SAC also accorded approval for operationalisation of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Trading Company Limited.