MoS in J&K govt gets more powers

Jammu and Kashmi Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has delegated more powers to ministers of states (MoSs) which include transferring of non-gazetted officers.
The independent powers granted to the MoSs included power to approve the transfers of non-gazetted staff, which require approval of the administrative department, according to an official order issued by the Chief Minister late last night.
The order will empower 6 MoSs in 25 member Council of Ministers in Mufti Sayeed government.
"All proposals in respect of the PPP projects and other projects relating the developmental initiatives, shall be placed before the Minister-in-Charge by the Minister of State," the order said.

The order also gave say to the MoSs in transferring and posting of the gazetted officers.
"All files requiring approval of the Minister-in-Charge shall be routed through the Minister of state, and the files should be disposed off within one week," the order said.

They will have power to accord administrative approval to the works beyond the competence of HoDs up to Rs 3 crore, besides powers to sanction advance withdrawal up to Rs 15 lakh with the concurrence of financial adviser (FA) and chief accounts officer (CAO).
They will have powers to sanction medical treatment outside the state in respect of the non-gazetted staff under the J&K Medical Attendance-cum-Allowance rules, it said.

MoSs will have powers to sanction charge allowance in favour of the officers/officials, officiating on the higher posts; to sanction deputation of non-gazetted staff to attend the technical conferences, and to sanction festival advance in favour of the staff, the order said.
MoSs were granted powers to sanction condemnation of old
vehicles and recommend purchase of new ones in replacement thereof, subject to budgetary allocation.
They will also have powers to approve blacklisting of contractors and suppliers as per the norms laid down under Rule 18.1 of the J&K Financial code.
MoSs can now lay the reports of different committees, wherever constituted, before the State Legislature.

They can now also order withholding of increments under Rule 30 (iii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules in case of the non-gazetted employees under their administrative control.
MoS can now sanction expenditure in connection with the ceremonial functions, such as laying of foundation stone or opening of a public building, etc.
He can also sanction honorarium in favour of the non-gazetted employees with the concurrenceof the Finance Department.