J&K Govt enhances financial powers of Assistant Commissioners Panchayat up to ₹10 Lakh

Finance Dept amends delegation of financial powers in RDD; move aimed at expediting development works at grassroots level

Srinagar: In a significant administrative measure aimed at facilitating faster execution of rural development works, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has enhanced the delegated financial powers of Assistant Commissioners Panchayat to accord Administrative Approval for works up to ₹10 lakh.The Finance Department, through Notification No. S.O. 231 dated August 31, 2026, issued under the powers conferred by Section 67 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, amended the existing delegation of financial powers to accord Administrative Approval in favour of officers of the Rural Development Department.

As per the notification, the entry “Assistant Commissioner Panchayat — Up to ₹10.00 lakh” has been inserted in the relevant table under the existing delegation of financial powers issued vide Notification No. S.O.-375 dated November 2, 2021.The decision is expected to strengthen the administrative capacity of the Rural Development Department at the district and grassroots levels and facilitate quicker processing and implementation of development works under schemes assigned to Assistant Commissioners Panchayats.

The Finance Department, however, has prescribed specific conditions governing the exercise of these delegated powers. The notification makes it clear that the powers delegated to Assistant Commissioners Panchayat shall be confined to works implemented under the schemes assigned to Assistant Commissioners Panchayats.The enhanced powers will not, by themselves, create any additional financial liability for the Government. The delegation shall also not be construed as authorization for the creation of posts or sanctioning of funds beyond the approved budgetary allocations.

The notification further stipulates that Administrative Approvals must be accorded strictly within the approved scheme guidelines, delegated financial powers and availability of budget.At the same time, all other provisions governing technical sanction, financial sanction, tendering, procurement, execution of works and financial discipline will continue to remain applicable.

The amendment has been issued by the Finance Department on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, with Shailendra Kumar, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department, signing the notification.

The move assumes significance in the context of strengthening grassroots-level governance and improving the pace of development works in rural areas. By delegating greater financial authority to Assistant Commissioners Panchayat, the administration has sought to reduce procedural delays in according administrative approvals while retaining necessary financial and technical safeguards.

The revised delegation is likely to enable concerned officers to take timely decisions on eligible rural development works within the prescribed financial ceiling, thereby facilitating more responsive implementation of government schemes and development programmes at the Panchayat level.