Governor N.N. Vohra has delegated powers to the Chief Secretary and Administrative Secretaries to exercise the powers of the Ministers in respect of various developmental and administrative matters. Delegation of powers has been made in pursuance of the J&K Delegation of Powers Act, 2016 ( Governor’s Act No. 1 of 2016).The powers delegated to the Chief Secretary include the powers to accord administrative approval to all kinds of works/projects costing over Rs.7.5 crore up to Rs.20 crores with the concurrence of Planning & Development Department and Finance Department. The Chief Secretary has also been delegated power to sanction funds in cases under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Plan Schemes having financial implication above Rs. 50 crore in each case.
The Administrative Secretaries have been delegated powers to accord Administrative Approval in respect of individual works costing up to Rs.7.5 crore and for release of funds (scheme/object wise) authorised by the Finance Department and Planning and Development Department in favour of the Departments under their administrative control. They have also been authorised to sanction advance drawal of Rs.25 lacs, with the concurrence of the FA/CAO, and beyond Rs.25 lacs, with the prior concurrence of the Finance Department.The delegated powers cover administrative matters relating to deputation of officers outside the State, relaxation cases under Medical Attendance Cum Allowance Rules, sanctioning of all types of leaves of officers, finalization of the pension and G.P. Fund withdrawal cases, and imposition of minor penalties etc. In addition, specific powers have also been separately delegated to the Administrative Secretaries of Planning and Development Department, Finance Department, GAD, Revenue Department, Higher Education Department, Labour and Employment Department, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department, School Education Department and Law Department with regard to matters being dealt by them. It has also been decided that the cases not specially mentioned shall be submitted to the Governor through the Chief Secretary.The Raj Bhavan spokesperson recalled that while addressing the Administrative Secretaries on 11th January, 2016, Governor had directed that every important matter must be timely disposed off and cases which required the approval at his level should be sent to him. Delegation of powers to the Administrative Secretaries issued today will enable timely decision making for prompt and efficient delivery of various services to the people of the State.