Govt rethinks Planning-Finance merger

Jammu, Mar 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that the decision to shift the Planning Department’s functions to the Finance Department was under review and any necessary changes would be implemented accordingly.

Responding to a supplementary question from Javid Hassan Baig, the CM informed this to the Legislative Assembly and reiterated that he had already mentioned during the budget and grants discussion that the functions of the Planning Department were being transferred to the Finance Department.

He said that the government was now reviewing the decision to determine if any modifications were needed.

Regarding another supplementary question on the General Provident (GP) Fund, the CM acknowledged that employees sometimes experience delays in receiving their disbursements.

“This occurs when the treasury position becomes constrained. However, we are making every effort to ensure that employees receive their GP funds as quickly as possible,” he told the House.

Informing the House about the status of GP Fund disbursement, the CM said that Rs 5476 crore had been paid as GPF during the 2024-25 financial year.

As the minister in charge of both Finance and Planning, CM Omar clarified that the allocation of funds – whether for Revenue Expenditure or Capital Expenditure - falls under the purview of the Finance Department in accordance with business rules and statutory norms.

Earlier, while responding to the member’s question, he told the House that funds for all departments in the J&K government were allocated through the Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS), which is the most efficient mechanism for real-time fund allocation.

He said that this system had significantly improved efficiency, accountability, and reporting while ensuring effective monitoring of financial resources.

The CM said that the Finance Department had been handling the Capex Budget since FY 2019-20.

He said that IT-enabled platforms like Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS), Payment System (PAYSYS), Photographic Record of On-site Facility (PROOF), and Treasury Net had been implemented to enable real-time tracking of resource flow and expenditure, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in public finances.

“Additionally, through the Enabling Monitoring and Public Overview of Works Executed and Resources for Meaningful Transparency (EMPOWERMENT) system and Janbhagidari portal, every citizen has access to track the release of funds from the Finance Department down to the level of the executing and implementing agency. This is the first-of-its-kind system that allows people to oversee works being executed in their areas, with real-time progress monitoring. This initiative serves as a powerful tool for the real empowerment of the general public,” CM Omar said.