SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has disclosed in the Assembly that expenditure incurred on salaries, allowances, vehicles and discretionary funds by members of the Council of Ministers crossed Rs 330 lakh during the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26, with no irregularities or misuse of funds reported in any case.
According to the details tabled in the House, the Chief Minister accounted for a total expenditure of Rs 126.40 lakh over the two-year period. This included Rs 10.85 lakh towards salary and Rs 17.05 lakh in allowances. Discretionary funds amounted to Rs 79.78 lakh, while Rs 18.72 lakh was spent under travel, hospitality and other related heads. No expenditure was recorded under vehicles (POL), as fuel expenses are borne by security arrangements. The government informed the Assembly that no violations of norms were detected.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolios of Public Works (R and B), Industries and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Skill Development, incurred a total expenditure of Rs 67.72 lakh during the period. This comprised Rs 10.06 lakh in salary, Rs 16.25 lakh in allowances, Rs 12.86 lakh on vehicles (POL), Rs 3.78 lakh in discretionary funds and Rs 21.05 lakh under travel and related heads. Minor amounts were also recorded under other perks. The government stated that no irregularities were reported.
The Minister for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare recorded a total expenditure of Rs 47.70 lakh. Salary and allowances together amounted to Rs 26.35 lakh, vehicle expenses stood at Rs 7.46 lakh and discretionary funds at Rs 3.75 lakh. Travel and related heads accounted for Rs 8.25 lakh. The Assembly was informed that no misuse of funds was found.
The Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs incurred Rs 52.00 lakh over the two financial years. This included Rs 10.06 lakh in salary, Rs 16.25 lakh in allowances, Rs 9.70 lakh on vehicles, Rs 4.25 lakh in discretionary funds and Rs 10.13 lakh under travel and other heads. The government reported compliance with all prescribed norms.
The Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections recorded total expenditure of Rs 50.68 lakh. Of this, Rs 26.35 lakh went towards salary and allowances, Rs 3.90 lakh towards vehicles and Rs 4.20 lakh under discretionary funds. Travel and related expenditure amounted to Rs 14.73 lakh. No irregularities were disclosed.
The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services Sports and ARI Trainings incurred Rs 52.44 lakh during the two-year period. Salary stood at Rs 10.09 lakh, allowances at Rs 16.03 lakh, vehicle expenses at Rs 7.21 lakh and discretionary funds at Rs 2.91 lakh. Expenditure under travel and related heads totalled Rs 15.61 lakh. The government stated that there were no violations of financial rules.
A year-wise comparison shows that expenditure increased in 2025–26 in most cases, largely due to higher allocations under discretionary funds and travel-related heads. For instance, the Chief Minister’s discretionary spending declined from Rs 50.00 lakh in 2024–25 to Rs 29.78 lakh in 2025–26, but overall expenditure rose owing to increases in other components.
The government told the Assembly that in all cases the column relating to “irregularities/misuse of funds or violations of Government norms” recorded “Nil”, indicating that no adverse findings had been reported during the two financial years under review. -(KL)
