June 2024

RAMBAN, JUNE 09: Social Welfare Department Ramban, under the overall guidance of Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary organised a 3 KM Marathon to generate public awareness regarding ill effects of drug abuse and encourage education and participation of girl child under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).

The Marathon was held under the supervision of District Social Welfare Officer Rahul Gupta. He said that the Department is committed to work for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and promote Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. “Such events can play a pivotal role in promotion of healthy lifestyle among youth and also act as an agent for generating awareness among the masses”, he added.

The 3 KM run started from Ramban Petrol Pump and culminated at District Administrative Complex Maitra.

As many as 200 runners participated in the event with great zeal and fervour. Top three runners under the Men and Women category were felicitated with prize money and momentos .

Mohd Aqib, Preetam Kumar and Shubam Singh clinched first, second and third positions respectively in Men’s category, while Samta Devi, Shruti Devi and Tanvi Katoch got first, second and third position respectively in women’s category.

Winners of the event thanked the District Administration Ramban for organising such events and also appreciated the overall management of the event.

SRINAGAR, JUNE 09: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today convened a meeting with the field functionaries to assess gaps in infrastructure development and plan measures for improvement in border villages through convergence of different schemes.

“The department has formulated a detailed plan for development of critical infrastructure in all border villages in the UT. Community development, youth skilling and empowering village communities for planning and asset management are key components of the plan besides addressing specific infrastructure gaps”, stated the Secretary.

Director, RDD Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Director RDD Jammu, Mumtaz Ali, Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal, Director Finance, Umar Khan, Director Planning, Kamal Kumar Sharma and other senior officers attended the meeting.

The Assistant Commissioners Development, Assistant Commissioners Panchayat and Block Development Officers from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora made detailed presentations about their village development plans.

Dr Shahid said that the department is initiating a flagship program for border areas to address the infrastructure demands with focus on empowering the village communities. He reviewed the plans formulated by various districts. He suggested crucial interventions for improving economic condition in these villages, by introducing income generating activities, economic development and social growth.

He stressed to ensure development of smart classrooms, model Anganwadi centres, tourism facilities, panchayat ghars, common service centres, sanitation facilities, high density horticulture plantation, milk and wool processing units, development of village roads, drinking water facilities and special interventions for women, children and specially abled persons besides senior citizen and youth specific planning.

Shabir Hussain discussed about development of home stays in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora and provision of machinery for milk chilling plans, horticulture crops and infrastructure in essential service sectors.

Mumtaz Ali dwelled on plans for various border districts of Jammu with focus on schools, village infrastructure, milk production, haats and other facilities. Besides, the BDOs made detailed presentations about gap analysis, assessment and planning for village development in their respective districts.

Sham Lal shared the plan under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan for development of Panchayat Ghars, Common Service Centres and Libraries.

The officers briefed the field officers about the interventions proposed under the Digital Village concept and capacity building of village communities, skilling of youth group with focus on self employment revenues.

ANANTNAG, JUNE 08: The Director General (DG) Rural Sanitation, Jammu and Kashmir, Anoo Malhotra Saturday conducted an extensive visit to Nunwan and Chandanwari to assess the sanitation facilities along the Pahalgam axis in preparation for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY), 2024 which is scheduled to commence on the 29th of this month.

The DG was accompanied by representatives from Gravity Private Management Solutions, the firm responsible for installing portable toilets along the route to the Holy Cave.

She emphasized the urgency of intensifying the installation activities to ensure all facilities are in place and fully operational before the Yatra begins.

In her directive, the DG stressed the importance of installing clear signage and posters to guide pilgrims to sanitation facilities easily. She also underscored the necessity of setting up pink toilets specifically for female pilgrims, ensuring their convenience and privacy during the pilgrimage.

The DG’s visit highlights the commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to provide a clean and hygienic environment for all pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The timely completion of these sanitation facilities is paramount to ensuring the comfort and well-being of the hundreds of thousands of devotees expected to participate in this sacred journey.

During the visit, the DG was accompanied by ACP Anantnag, DPO Anantnag, Nodal Officer, Pahalgam Axis, Nodal Officer Baltal Basecamp Axis, Field Officer, Rural Sanitation Kashmir, BDO Pahalgam and other officials.

JAMMU, JUNE 08: To empower women farmers and foster self-employment opportunities, a one-day training programme on commercial floriculture was conducted today in the premises of the Agronomist Vegetable Development Scheme, Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo.

Commercial floriculture, a flagship project under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), is aimed at not just enhancing agricultural productivity but also at fostering entrepreneurship among rural women, witnessed enthusiastic participation from 20 women farmers from the Reasi district.

The training programme was inaugurated in presence of Director Agriculture, Jammu Arvinder Singh Reen.

He interacted with the women farmers hailing from different blocks of the Reasi district, exchanging insights and experiences.

Agronomist Vegetable Scheme Vikas Padha contributed significantly to the program’s success through his expertise and guidance.

The day was filled with informative sessions, practical demonstrations, and interactive discussions aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills in commercial floriculture.

Speaking on the occasion, Director Agriculture, Jammu, Shri Arvinder Singh Reen expressed his delight at witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of the women farmers towards enhancing their livelihoods through agriculture-based initiatives. He emphasized the importance of such training programmes in fostering economic empowerment and self-sufficiency among women in rural areas.

Commercial floriculture, characterized by the cultivation and management of flowers for sale, offers lucrative opportunities for farmers, especially women, to diversify their agricultural activities and enhance their incomes. Through the training programme, participants gained insights into various aspects of commercial floriculture, including cultivation techniques, post-harvest management, market trends, and value addition.

The training programme on commercial floriculture under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme is a testament to the commitment of the agriculture sector towards empowering women and promoting sustainable livelihoods. Through initiatives like these, it is envisioned that women farmers will not only gain valuable skills but also contribute significantly to the growth and development of the agricultural sector in the region.

JAMMU, JUNE 08: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, today chaired a meeting to review the progress of beautification, development and maintenance works being executed in Bagh-e-Bahu and Bahu fort.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner JMC, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, SSP Jammu, Director General Floriculture, SSP Traffic, Director Archives Archeology and Museums, senior officers from Tourism, Fisheries, PWD, JDA and concerned departments.

During the meeting, the Div Com took appraisal of the development and maintenance works being executed in the Bagh-e-Bahu under Smart City project and the works of development of Bahu Fort.

The Div Com asked for expediting the pace and timeline completion of all the works. He asked CE PWD to upgrade the road leading to Bagh-e-Bahu and Bahu Fort for the convenience of the Visitors. SSP traffic was asked to take measures for utilization of parking spaces.

Commissioner JMC apprised about the status of development works under execution, including up-gradation of approach road, construction of entry gate, Kiosks, parking space and other works.

It was also informed that new tile works would be executed inside the Bahu fort. The Div Com directed for completing the same by October this year (before Navratres).

The Div Com also reviewed the functioning of light and the Sound Show at Bagh-e-Bahu and directed the Joint Director Tourism to make it more attractive to attract maximum footfall.

Directions were also issued to set up a combined ticketing Counter for Park, Aquarium and other attractions at Bagh-e-Bahu for the ease of visitors and tourists. The Div Com also called for maintaining cleanliness in and around the Bagh-e-Bahu and Bahu Fort.

The Div Com further asked the officials of stakeholder departments to visit the sites of development and maintenance works and monitor the progress on a daily basis.

SRINAGAR, JUNE 08: Under the patronage of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh & Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority and with the approval of Justice Tashi Rabstan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, as well as under the guidance of Justice Sindhu Sharma, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee, a Special Lok Adalat was organized throughout the UT of J&K today, with a special emphasis on the amicable settlement of traffic challans and disputes related to electricity bills pending disposal before various courts in the UT of J&K.

As per the data received from various District Legal Services Authorities in the UT of J&K, a total of 26006 Traffic challans and 767 Electricity disputes were taken up in the Special Lok Adalat, out of which 25037 Traffic Challans and 492 disputes relating to electricity were amicably settled, involving a total amount of Rs. 1,02,56,419/- providing significant relief to the litigants. District Jammu and District Srinagar emerged as the leaders in settling 11887 and 10814 cases respectively which constitutes about 90% of the total cases disposed of in the today’s Special Lok Adalat.

Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Amit Kumar Gupta, while appreciating the efforts of officers and officials of DLSA Jammu and Srinagar informed the media persons that this was the Sixth Special Lok Adalat of the current calendar year. He urged the Advocates in general and the litigants in particular to take maximum benefit of such kind of Special Lok Adalats organized by the J&K Legal Services Authority.

Lauding the efforts of all the Judicial Officers, Secretaries of the DLSAs, Advocates, staff of the district and tehsil courts, and Legal Services Institutions, as well as the litigants for their wholehearted participation in the Special Lok Adalat and facilitating the settlement of cases in such large numbers, he also acknowledged the role of Para Legal Volunteers and the media, both print and electronic, in creating and spreading awareness amongst the masses about such initiatives of the J&K Legal Services Authority.

Gupta further informed that the next Special Lok Adalat is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, focusing on the settlement of Bank Recovery Cases pending disposal in different courts within the UT of J&K as also those yet to filed and are at Pre-litigation stage.

RAMBAN, JUNE 08: Secretary, Roads and Buildings (R&B), Bhupinder Kumar, conducted an extensive tour of Ramban to assess the maintenance work on NH-44, particularly in view of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2024.

The Secretary also reviewed progress on the ongoing construction works on Nashri to Ramban and Ramban to Banihal sections of the NH-44 four-laning project.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, SSP Traffic NHW Ramban, Rohit Baskotra, ADC, Varunjeet Singh Charak, Additional SP, Gourav Mahajan, PD NHAI, Porshotam Singh and other officers were present on the occasion.

The visit included on site inspections and a comprehensive assessment of the construction sites to ensure a thorough review of these critical national projects.

During the tour, the Secretary directed the executing agency to prioritize proper maintenance of NH-44 to facilitate a comfortable and safe journey for the Yatris, tourists, and other commuters. He issued instructions to expedite the progress on Nashri to Banihal stretch of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway four-laning Project, emphasizing its status as a prestigious national undertaking.

The Deputy Commissioner presented a detailed briefing underscoring the district administration’s unwavering commitment towards effective execution of NH-44 four-laning initiative. He highlighted the essential role of district administration’s steadfast support and timely assistance in ensuring a seamless and smooth journey for commuters on the national highway.

The Secretary also reviewed the functioning of various tunnels between Ramban and Banihal. He received updates on ongoing construction activities at critical locations such as Nashri, Dalwas, Mehad, Cafeteria Morh, Panthial and the viaduct bypassing Banihal Bazar. He directed the officers for ensuring completion of the works within the prescribed timeline.

Emphasizing the importance of enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, the Secretary assured that there would be a focused effort to complete the 32 km stretch between Ramban and Banihal at the earliest.

SRINAGAR, JUNE 8: The Department of Culture, Directorate of Archives, Archaeology & Museums organized three day Archival Exhibition both at Kala Kendra, Jammu and Art Gallery, Shergarhi Complex Old Secretariat, Srinagar.

Being organised to mark celebration of International Archives Day, the exhibitions would be held from 8th to 10th June.

Principal Secretary Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta, inaugurated the event at Srinagar which was attended by students from various schools and colleges besides scholars.

In his inaugural address, the Principal Secretary highlighted the importance of preservation and maintenance of the archival records in the repositories.

The Principal Secretary interacted with the students and had threadbare discussion regarding the archival records displayed in the exhibition including manuscripts, important archival files and maps.

Deputy Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Kashmir, briefed the participants about the documents, manuscripts, maps and other treasures displayed in the exhibition.

At Jammu, the exhibition was inaugurated by Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Raj Kumar Katoch at Kala Kendra Jammu.

In his address, the Director mentioned that this day is being celebrated to increase public awareness about the importance of records and archives. The event aimed to showcase the unique, extraordinary and rare documents preserved in the archival institutions, he added.