Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed stringent adherence to capital expenditure timelines and accelerated implementation of reform-linked governance measures under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). The directive came during a comprehensive review of departmental performance and financial planning with Administrative Secretaries, emphasizing the link between reform compliance and the projected Rs 4,023.5 crore SASCI outlay for 2026-27.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Union Territory’s projected outlay includes Rs 1,406 crore under untied components and Rs 2,617.5 crore contingent upon reform compliance, expenditure efficiency, and sectoral performance across key departments. The Chief Secretary underscored the necessity of prioritizing capital expenditure from the outset of the financial year, cautioning against end-loaded spending patterns that compromise efficiency.
Departments were instructed to ensure the timely uploading of works onto the BEAMS portal to facilitate faster tendering, execution, and monitoring. The directive also called for an equitable distribution of projects across districts, aligned with local requirements. Dulloo reiterated the critical importance of SASCI-linked reforms, stating that their timely and full implementation is essential for unlocking incentive-based funding and achieving measurable development outcomes. Reform compliance was designated as a top priority due to its direct correlation with financial allocations.
Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Shailendra Kumar instructed all departments to upload their action plans on the BEAMS portal by April 21, 2026. He stressed accountability and strict adherence to the established timelines, noting that subsequent fund releases, including the second tranche of capital expenditure funds, will be contingent upon reform progress and verified performance, despite the 100 percent budgetary allocation already being made.
The review meeting also assessed progress on key structural reforms under SASCI. This includes the implementation of end-to-end digital tendering and contract management systems, the adoption of the PWD-OMAS platform by departments such as Public Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC), Jal Shakti, Housing and Urban Development, and Youth Services and Sports. Furthermore, mechanisms for strengthening monitoring through Single Nodal Agency (SNA) accounts were reviewed to improve fund management efficiency.
Progress in other critical reform areas was also evaluated, including advancements in mining sector reforms, the operationalization of the Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2024, the rollout of AgriStack, modernization of the livestock sector, and the implementation of compressed biogas initiatives. Officials highlighted that substantial progress in these areas is crucial for unlocking subsequent tranches of performance-linked funding.
A detailed financial presentation revealed that the proposed SASCI allocation for 2026-27 stands at Rs 4,023.5 crore. A significant portion, Rs 330 crore, has been earmarked for public health infrastructure development. The aim of these investments is to improve key health indicators such as Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), achieve National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification, and reduce TB mortality.
The meeting also examined past expenditure trends, noting that Rs 946 crore was spent between April and September of the previous financial year. The Chief Secretary emphasized that expenditure must reach at least Rs 1,040 crore in the current financial year to qualify for incentive-linked funding under capital expenditure growth targets. Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and reform-driven governance, the Chief Secretary urged for sustained momentum, transparency, and outcome-based implementation across all departments to ensure the effective utilization of SASCI-linked resources.
The Chenab Times News Desk