Jammu, Jul 16: Bolstering its energy conservation initiatives and prudent utilisation of resources, J&K government has chalked out a set of action points for implementation by its administrative departments, commencing from the Civil Secretariat Kashmir and Jammu and trickling down to other subordinate offices.
As per official sources, the action points focus to leverage the use of virtual platforms and video conferencing for conduct of official meetings and party meetings as a measure to reduce expenditure on travel, conserve time and energy, and promote prudent utilization of public resources.
In connection with government-led austerity, all departments including Home department and Transport department have been asked to reduce VIP fleet and convoy size. They have been instructed to reduce convoy strength of Ministers, MLAs, MPs and senior officials by at least 50 per cent (other than what is required for security).
It has been asked to ensure that all new vehicle purchases in the Secretariat to be EVs (Electric Vehicles) and all outsourced vehicles in the Secretariat may be EV only.
To ensure the implementation vis-vis energy conservation and reduction in travel expenditure, all Administrative Secretaries have been directed to ensure that at least 50 percent of internal official meetings held in the Civil Secretariat, Jammu and Kashmir, and in all subordinate offices under their administrative control are conducted through video conferencing and other virtual platforms.
“The action points, firmed up by the General Administration Department, cover a wide range of sectors including energy conservation, transportation, agriculture, public procurement, domestic manufacturing, tourism, sustainable consumption, digital governance and resource optimisation,” official sources maintain.
Further, all inter-district review meetings, training programmes, departmental seminars, workshops and stakeholder consultations will also be conducted through video conferencing or virtual mode. The Administrative Secretaries have been directed to issue suitable instructions to all subordinate offices under their administrative control to adopt this practice in letter and spirit.
As per sources, an Action Taken Report (ATR) in this regard will be furnished to the General Administration Department for consolidation, monitoring and appraisal of the concerned quarters.
To cut non-essential government expenditure, the action points involve freezing of non-essential foreign travel, study tours and consultancy assignments for 6 months.
For reduction in energy consumption, focus is to accelerate Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption by waiving or reducing road tax and registration fees on EVs for the next 12 months.
Action points for the Transport Department emphasise to mandate conversion of government and PSU fleet to EVs in phase; expedite Discom approvals for EV charging tariff and dedicated feeder lines.
To encourage innovative materials in constructions, the PW(R&B) department will promote bio-bitumen, plastic-waste bitumen and concrete roads in projects to reduce bitumen import dependence. It will issue advisory mandating consideration of bio-bitumen in all new road tenders.
For fast-tracking pending clearances, the Mining Department has been asked to expedite mining permissions and lease approvals pending with governments; ensure quick operationalisation of new mining leases. It will give special focus on critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earths, copper) and coal, where import dependence is high.
As per the set of action points, to reduce energy consumption, Power Development Department (PDD), Estates Department, Divisional Commissioners and the Deputy Commissioners will mandate air-conditioning thermostat setting of 24-26 degrees Centigrade in all government buildings; issue advisory to private offices, malls, hotels and shopping complexes to follow the same thermostat setting and instruct to switch off non-essential lighting, decorative lighting and outdoor signages in commercial areas after 10 pm.
Higher Education and School Education Departments will advance summer office timings in universities, colleges and schools by one hour to maximise daylight and reduce lighting and AC load.
For Industries and Commerce department, Agriculture Production Department, Cooperative and other related departments, the action points suggest creating “Made in J&K” sections by partnering with retail chains, malls, supermarkets, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, and commerce platforms. They have also been asked to mandate at least one dedicated aisle in UT-run consumer cooperatives (e.g., Apna Bazaar, KendriyaBhandar, Co-op Co stores) for local products.
All administrative departments, including the Finance Department and Industries and Commerce Department have been directed to strictly enforce Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017 across all departments and PSUs. They will conduct a 30-day audit of government and PSU procurement to identify avoidable imported items (electronics, furniture, stationery, vehicles, toys) and switch to domestic sources.
