JAMMU, May 9,2026 : In a major administrative and welfare-oriented decision, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Saturday approved the creation of six new divisions in the Jal Shakti Department (JSD), several key technical and engineering posts, and authorized DISCOMs to implement the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for economically weaker households across the Union Territory.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Public Service and Outreach Office on Gupkar Road in Srinagar, lasted for over an hour and focused on strengthening governance, public infrastructure, and inclusive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to official sources, the Cabinet approved a major cadre review and reorganization of the Jal Shakti Department, including the establishment of six new divisions aimed at improving water supply, hydraulic infrastructure, and monitoring systems in remote and underserved areas.
The newly approved divisions include:
- Hydraulic Divisions at Gandoh, Gurez, and Tangdar
- PHE Division at Mendhar
- Two Water Quality and Monitoring Divisions in Jammu and Srinagar
The Cabinet also approved:
- Creation of the post of Secretary Technical
- Establishment of a separate Design, Inspection and Quality Control (DIQC) wing
- New offices for Superintending Engineers under Hydraulic Circles Jammu-II and Bandipora
As part of the restructuring process, the government sanctioned:
- Reorganization of Mechanical Sub-Divisions
- Creation of 43 new posts through rationalization of 62 existing posts
- Encadrement of 10 posts
- Reassignment of 137 posts within the cadre structure
The Cabinet further revised deputation reserve and leave reserve quotas for engineering officials to improve administrative efficiency and workforce management in the department.
In another key welfare initiative, the Cabinet authorized DISCOMs to implement the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana under the RESCO/Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households.
Under the ambitious scheme, eligible poor families will receive 2 KW rooftop solar systems designed to provide up to 200 units of free electricity every month.
Officials stated that the initiative aims to:
- Reduce chronic energy poverty among economically weaker families
- Improve living standards in remote areas
- Cut transmission losses through localized solar generation
- Ease financial burden on poor households
- Support renewable energy and Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets
The Cabinet also empowered the Power Development Department (PDD) and DISCOMs to proceed with the tendering process, including floating Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and coordinating with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for implementation of the project.
The decisions taken during the Cabinet meeting are being viewed as a major step toward infrastructure modernization, renewable energy expansion, and governance reforms in Jammu and Kashmir.
