In a significant move to advance inclusive growth and strengthen decentralized governance, the District Development Council (DDC), Jammu, convened a high-level meeting the other day at the Meeting Hall, Panchayat Bhawan, Rail Head Complex, to deliberate upon and approve the District Capex Budget for the financial year 2025–26.
The meeting was presided over by the Chairman DDC Jammu Bharat Bhushan and witnessed the presence of the Vice-Chairman Suraj Singh, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from various constituencies of Jammu district and elected DDC members.
Also in attendance were key administrative officials, including the Chief Planning Officer, Ajaypal Singh, senior sectoral officers associated with Capex Budget planning and implementation, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Khour (Nodal Officer – ABDP) and Block Development Officers (BDOs) from all blocks of the district.
The proceedings were conducted in a very cordial and collaborative atmosphere, reflecting the collective commitment of all stakeholders to foster development through constructive dialogue and mutual respect.
The session commenced with a detailed presentation by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Jammu, Sher Singh, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Development Council. In his address, the ADDC provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed Capex Budget for 2025–26, which focuses on holistic, participatory, and need-driven development.
The proposed budget incorporates a wide spectrum of initiatives targeting the upliftment of rural and urban areas alike, with emphasis on Area Development Grants allocated to DDCs, BDCs and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to support local governance and grassroots development; Aspirational Block Development Programme (ABDP) and Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme (APDP) aimed at transforming underdeveloped blocks and panchayats through targeted interventions; Infrastructure and service delivery enhancements across critical sectors, including Public Works Department (PWD), Education (Elementary and Secondary), Health, Youth Services & Sports, Samridh Seema Yojana (SSY) and Public Health Engineering (PHE).
Following the presentation, a robust and constructive discussion took place. The DDC members shared insightful feedback and highlighted specific local needs. Several members submitted requests for the inclusion of additional works and projects to better reflect the developmental aspirations of their respective constituencies.
Acknowledging the importance of timely planning, the Chair directed that all supplementary proposals must be formally submitted by 12:00 noon on July 31, 2025, for consideration in the revised Capex Budget. In the absence of new submissions by the deadline, the initially proposed budget will be deemed final and approved.
At the conclusion of the session, the Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to officially sign and endorse the District CAPEX Budget 2025–26 on behalf of the entire House. Subsequently, on 31st July, 2025, the final CAPEX Budget was formally approved by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, in accordance with the resolution passed during the meeting.
The approved Capex Budget represents a strategic roadmap to accelerate socio-economic progress across Jammu district. It aims to foster inclusive development, improve core infrastructure, and enhance public service delivery through transparent, accountable, and community-centric planning.
The District Development Council reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the developmental needs of every block, panchayat, and citizen are addressed with urgency, equity, and diligence.
