Jammu Kashmir Links Rs 4,023.5 Cr SASCI Outlay to Capex Discipline, Reform Compliance and Performance Targets | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday directed strict adherence to capital expenditure timelines and faster implementation of reform-linked governance measures under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), while reviewing departmental performance and financial planning with Administrative Secretaries.

The review meeting underscored that the Union Territory has projected a SASCI outlay of Rs 4,023.5 crore for 2026–27, including Rs 1,406 crore under untied components and Rs 2,617.5 crore under incentive-linked funding, which will be contingent upon reform compliance, expenditure efficiency, and sectoral performance across key departments.

The Chief Secretary stressed that capital expenditure must be prioritised from the beginning of the financial year and cautioned against end-loaded spending patterns that undermine efficiency. He directed departments to ensure timely uploading of works on the BEAMS portal to enable faster tendering, execution, and monitoring, while also calling for equitable distribution of projects across districts in accordance with local requirements.

Reiterating the importance of SASCI-linked reforms, he said timely and full implementation is essential to unlock incentive-based funding and achieve measurable development outcomes. Departments were instructed to treat reform compliance as a top priority given its direct link to financial allocations.

Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Shailendra Kumar, instructed all departments to upload action plans on the BEAMS portal by April 21, 2026, stressing accountability and strict adherence to timelines. He noted that while 100 per cent budgetary allocation has been made, subsequent releases, including the second tranche of capital expenditure funds, will depend on reform progress and verified performance.

The meeting reviewed key structural reforms under SASCI, including end-to-end digital tendering and contract management systems, adoption of the PWD-OMAS platform by departments such as PDD, Jal Shakti, Housing and Urban Development, and Youth Services and Sports, and strengthening of monitoring mechanisms through Single Nodal Agency (SNA) accounts for improved fund management.

Progress was also assessed in mining sector reforms, operationalisation of the Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2024, rollout of AgriStack, livestock sector modernisation, and compressed biogas initiatives. Officials noted that advancement in these areas is critical for unlocking subsequent tranches of performance-linked funding.

A financial presentation placed the proposed SASCI allocation at Rs 4,023.5 crore for 2026–27, including Rs 330 crore earmarked for public health infrastructure aimed at improving indicators such as Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification, and TB mortality reduction.

The meeting also reviewed past expenditure trends, noting Rs 946 crore spent during April–September of the previous financial year. The Chief Secretary said expenditure must reach at least Rs 1,040 crore in the current year to qualify for incentive-linked funding under capital expenditure growth targets.

Reaffirming the government’s emphasis on fiscal discipline and reform-driven governance, the Chief Secretary called for sustained momentum, transparency, and outcome-based implementation across departments to ensure effective utilisation of SASCI-linked resources.