38 more villages designated as Backward Areas

Cabinet Decisions

The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah approved the recommendations of J&K State Commission of Backward Classes for inclusion of 38 villages in the list of Backward Areas. The villages include Balsaroo,Godhan, Kadyal, Lathari, Mawa, Brahmina, Majoor, Sandal and Sumah of Tehsil Akhnoor and district Jammu; Dragu, Tehsil Bhaderwah District Doda; Rajool, Kummi, Partyal, Padal, Deon, Mohargarh,Talhar, Kathar-Brahmana and Dhergarh of Tehsil and District Samba; Pamrote and Fazalabad of tehsil Surankote; and Gursai of tehsil Mendher District Poonch; Lower Bhatian of Tehsil Thannamandi; Dehri Ralyote of tehsil Rajouri; Hamlet Charung of village Hasplote; Hasyote, Rajdhani, Saim Sammat, Dodason Payeen, Hamlet Ghaikhakha of village Dodasan and Hamlet Remote of village Dodasan Balla of Tehsil Thannamandi district Rajouri; Audsoo, Ganoora and Lalan of Tehsil Anantnag district Anantnag; Odina of tehsil Sonawari district Bandipora; Sehpora tehsil Anantnag; Watalbagh tehsil Ganderbal; Khanpoora and Sheikhzoo of tehsil Lar district Ganderbal.

Creation of LADF:
The Cabinet approved creation of Local Area Development Fund (LADF) for all Hydro-Electric Projects Commissioned during and after 2008 with contribution of 1 % free power generated by the project allocated to State for the purpose by all Hydro-Electric Projects.The State Government shall also facilitate 1 % by way of Development Grants. A special provision for creation of LADF has been made under the State Hydro Power Policy to carry out Local Development Activities to ensure visible additional benefit to local communities in the project area as part of the cost of the project.

Amendment in J&K Water Resources Act:
The Cabinet also approved recasting of section 185-A(2) of the J&K Water Resources (Regulation & Management) Act, 2010, as under:
“The fund, so created, shall be operated upon by the Administrative
Secretary, Finance Department, for the purpose of being utilized for the establishment of hydel projects, hydro-electric projects, multi purpose hydro-electric projects, buying back hydro-electric power projects,already established in the State, capital investment in the electric transmission and distribution network within the territory of the State, and the purchase of power by the State Government or its entities, with the prior approval of the Government.”

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