Jammu, March 14 (NationPress) The Cabinet of Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has sanctioned an 18% rise in transportation fares while also approving revisions in the allowances for ministers and MLAs, as confirmed by an official on Saturday.

During the Cabinet meeting held on Friday, CM Omar Abdullah reviewed multiple significant proposals that included the 18% increase in passenger transport fares, the adjustment of allowances for ministers and legislators, and the establishment of faculty positions in the Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar.

“The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet has endorsed an 18% fare hike for passenger commercial vehicles throughout the Union Territory. Although transport operators requested a fare increase of 35–40% due to rising operational expenses, the government opted for a more modest adjustment. Additionally, the Cabinet has set standardized fares for electric passenger vehicles.

“According to the new regulation, e-rickshaw fares are fixed at Rs 15 per kilometer, while e-auto fares will be Rs 25 for the initial kilometer and Rs 20 for each subsequent kilometer.

“This initiative is designed to establish fare uniformity, as these vehicles previously charged passengers without a standardized rate. In another significant resolution, the Cabinet has approved the establishment of 136 faculty positions within the Health and Medical Education Department for Government Medical Colleges in both Jammu and Srinagar,” the statement indicated.

The new positions comprise 27 professors and 109 associate professors. Of these, 10 professors and 36 associate professors are designated for Government Medical College Jammu, whereas 17 professors and 73 associate professors have been allocated to Government Medical College Srinagar.

The Cabinet also sanctioned revisions to various allowances and benefits for ministers, MLAs, presiding officers of the Legislature, and the Leader of the Opposition (LoP).

Changes have been made in the regulations governing travel allowances, medical benefits, motor car advances, and other related perks, which will result in increased allowances.

Moreover, the Cabinet has given the green light for a proposal that permits the Union Territory of Ladakh to utilize the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as a joint appellate authority for real estate issues, given the limited real estate activities in Ladakh.

In other decisions, the Cabinet has promoted Abdul Majid Tak, currently serving as Joint Director of Fisheries, to Director of Fisheries, and has granted a Special Scale (Non-Functional) of JKAS to officer Rajesh Kumar Basotra.

Officials mentioned that the resolutions passed by the Cabinet will be implemented following approval from the Lt Governor.