Jammu, Nov 10 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir recorded expenditure of ?3,367.64 crore against an overall allocation of ?5,166.46 crore under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) during 2025-26, leaving ?1,798.82 crore unspent, according to figures reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday.

The expenditure represents around 65.2 per cent of the total allocation, while nearly 34.8 per cent remained unutilised, bringing fund utilisation under the capital investment scheme into focus.

The meeting reviewed the financial and physical progress of projects, current-year allocations and the administration's efforts to secure additional funding through incentive-linked components of SASCI.

For 2026-27, Jammu and Kashmir has ?811 crore available under Part-I untied funds, comprising ?541 crore in current-year receipts and ?270 crore carried forward from the previous financial year.

Against this availability, departments have been assigned an expenditure target of ?608 crore to qualify for the second instalment. The target accounts for nearly 75 per cent of the available Part-I funds.

Omar directed departments to expedite ongoing works and ensure full utilisation of approved funds by March 2027.

Another major component reviewed at the meeting was the ?2,890.51-crore incentive-based funding pool available for 2026-27, linked to governance reforms, financial management and sector-specific performance benchmarks.

The incentive framework covers mining reforms with a target of ?350 crore, livestock sector reforms worth ?150 crore, efficiency in financial management amounting to ?400 crore, implementation of Right of Way Rules worth ?50 crore and capital expenditure targets of ?218 crore.

The administration has either submitted proposals or has them at different stages of verification under these components.

Under Part-II of SASCI, linked to Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Jammu and Kashmir has received ?116 crore against ?176 crore in loan assistance sought for 10 major schemes, representing 66 per cent of the amount requested.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The meeting also reviewed the disaster management component, under which the State Executive Committee has approved ?1,416 crore for Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) across social, infrastructure, productive and cross-cutting sectors, against the NDMA ceiling of ?1,534.58 crore.

An amount of ?424.79 crore has been proposed for immediate release.

In view of the forthcoming visit of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team to assess damages, the Chief Minister directed departments to finalise comprehensive, sector-wise damage assessment reports.

The meeting also reviewed progress under the Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture initiative, with 7.59 lakh Farmer IDs generated, accounting for 59 per cent of the target.

The Digital Crop Survey has been completed in 5,714 villages, covering 83.3 per cent of the target and more than 30.27 lakh land parcels. Pilot distribution of AgriStack-enabled fertilisers through Farmer IDs began on November 5 in Jammu and Srinagar districts.

Omar directed departments to prepare a shelf of encumbrance-free projects by March 2027 for timely tendering and execution during 2027-28. He also stressed compliance with financial reporting requirements, including uploads on the Public Financial Management System and timely submission of action plans on BEAMS.

The review covered projects in Public Works, Jal Shakti, Youth Services and Sports, Power Development, and Housing and Urban Development.

The Chief Minister said SASCI should be utilised as a strategic instrument for accelerating capital investment, strengthening infrastructure and improving governance outcomes across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar, Javed Rana, Javid Dar, Mir Saifullah and Shamim Firdous, Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta and other senior officers. (KNS)