Srinagar, April 2, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued detailed guidelines and conveyed Capital Expenditure (Capex) ceilings for the Budget Estimates 2026–27, setting timelines and conditions to ensure timely authorization, efficient utilization and outcome-driven execution of development works across the Union Territory.
According to an office memorandum issued by the Finance Department, all administrative departments and District Development Commissioners (DDCs) have been directed to upload approved works on the BEAMS portal in the prescribed format, enabling immediate authorization of 50 percent of allocated funds.
The move is aimed at streamlining budget execution and ensuring early commencement of development works in the new financial year.
Departments and districts have been asked to complete uploading of approved works by April 21, 2026, with responsibility fixed on finance and planning officers at various levels for timely and accurate compliance.
DDCs have been directed to finalise and upload district plans in consultation with MLAs and elected representatives, following a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach.
The Finance Department has mandated that at least 70 percent of Capex allocation be utilised for completion of ongoing projects, while 30 percent may be used for new works.
Officials said the measure is intended to prevent delays caused by spreading resources thinly across multiple projects and to ensure timely completion of priority works.
Departments have also been asked to prioritise pending projects and address funding gaps within available ceilings, with clear identification of such works on the BEAMS portal.
The timeline for completion of new works has been fixed at one to two years, extendable up to three years only in exceptional cases involving large projects.
All ongoing and spillover works expected to be completed during 2026–27 will be treated as the first charge on the Capex budget.
Emphasising outcome-based governance, departments have been directed to prepare annual plans with clearly defined outputs, including number of works and beneficiaries.
The Finance Department has also stressed strict financial discipline, directing that Capex funds should not be diverted for revenue expenditure and that incomplete DPRs should not be funded.
Transparency measures include mandatory uploading of pre-, during- and post-execution photographs on designated applications for monitoring.
Departments have been asked to review previously uploaded works and remove non-priority projects to focus on impactful initiatives.
The government has also directed that instructions of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, along with inputs from elected representatives, be incorporated while finalising plans.
Officials have been warned against creating liabilities through unauthorised works, with accountability fixed on controlling officers.
Funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes will be released promptly upon receipt of approvals, while delays in financial processing are to be reported immediately.
The Finance Department said implementation of budget announcements and deliverables for 2026–27 will be monitored at the highest level. [KNT]
