National

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 3: Minister for Transport, FCS &CA, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Satish Sharma, today convened separate meetings with senior officers to review the preparedness of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Transport Department in view of winter season. He also met with various delegations at Civil Secretariat Srinagar.

While reviewing the preparedness of Transport Department, the Minister enquired about the maintenance of busses, revenue generation, transport services to remote areas etc. He said besides bringing efficiency and transparency in working of the department, there is a need for providing better and efficient transport facilities to the public, especially people living in far flung areas and patients. He stressed the need for adopting and incorporating innovative ideas for further improving and streamlining functioning of the Transport Department.

While reviewing the functioning of FCS&CA, the Minister assessed the stock and supply position of essentials in Kashmir division besides taking stock of extra arrangements made by the department for winter season. He expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the department saying that FCS &CA is directly linked with the people and it becomes mandatory on its functionaries to take every possible step to ensure that consumers do not face any kind of difficulty, especially during winter season.

The Minister also met various delegations, led by MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi, MLA Chanapora, Mushtaq Guroo, MLA Lolab, Jamshaid Lone and MLA Zainapora, Showkat Hussain Ganie who raised many issues pertaining to their respective areas.

A delegation of Jammu & Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association (JKHARA) met the Minister and apprised him of various issues related to tourism sector and its upliftment.

The Minister assured the delegations that issues raised by them would be taken up with the concerned authorities and would be addressed promptly.

Later, the Minister visited SMHS hospital in Shireen Bagh to personally check condition of the injured shopkeeper named Innayat Sheikh, who was injured in a hit-and-run accident near Bakshi Stadium. He enquired about his well being and assured all possible support from the Government. He also instructed the doctors and nursing staff to provide proper medical care to the victim.

MLA Chanapora also accompanied the Minister during the visit.

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 03: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today held a detailed inspection of Jawaharlal Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) Hospital Rainawari and reviewed the overall status of medical facilities available for the locals there.

MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq and other senior officers of health department accompanied the Minister.

During the inspection, Sakeena Itoo held detailed round of the hospital and reviewed overall functioning of the health facility. She inspected OPD, IPD, Operation theatre, blood bank and other units of the hospital.

Interacting with the hospital administration and other on duty staff, the Minister emphasized on cleanliness and hygiene inside the wards for maintaining overall patient care environment in the hospital. “Round the clock heating arrangements should be maintained in the hospital in view of harsh cold this winter”, Sakeena directed the hospital administration.

The Minister further underlined on importance of timely maintenance of medical equipments in hospital in order to improve quality of healthcare services for the public.

During the inspection, Sakeena Itoo also visited medical supplies section of the hospital and evaluated the inventory. She called upon the officers to maintain adequate stock of medicines and other equipments in the hospital during the winter months.

The Minister assured the hospital administration of continued support from the Government and advised them to work with zeal and zest so that the government hospitals meet the needs of population.

The Minister also interacted with the patients and their attendants and took on spot feedback from them about the healthcare services being provided at the hospital.

JAMMU, JANUARY 02: Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police Anand Jain today chaired a meeting to review the preparations for UT level celebration of Republic Day-2025.

The meeting was attended by IGP Crime, DG Youth Services and Sports, senior officers from Police and HODs of different departments including Culture, Science and Technology, Health, Co-operative, Traffic and Security.

The meeting focused on finalizing the Tableaux to be made by different departments. The theme based Tableaux of each department will promote the respective initiatives and schemes launched by the government for the welfare of the people.

The Divisional Commissioner directed the departments to appoint nodal officers to coordinate the arrangements with different departments. He stressed seamless execution of the themes and concepts approved for the respective departments.

It was informed that the Tableaux of Jammu Kashmir Police will showcase the unrelenting efforts against Drug abuse and Narcotics. The Health department will display its efforts towards implementation of TB Mukt Bharat in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Culture department will promote the cultural diversity and folk culture of Jammu Kashmir. The Tableaux based on PM Suryaghar Yojna, Fit India movement, Swachh Bharat Mission, Cooperative Credit Societies shall be other features of the celebration of Republic Day 2025.

The Divisional Commissioner directed the departments to complete their respective Tableaux by 20th of January. He further issued necessary directions with regards to preparations and arrangements of the UT level celebration of the National festival.

GANDERBAL, JANUARY 02: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, today inspected Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Rangil in Ganderbal to take stock of its functioning.

The Minister inspected various units of the plant and enquired about their operational status. He took stock of water supply to households, storage capacity, water reservoirs, pump room and water testing laboratories. He was informed that the water treatment plants at Rangil feed portable drinking water to a large population of Srinagar city, Ganderbal district and few areas of Baramulla district.

While inspecting the 20 million gallons per day (MGD) and 10 MGD reservoirs at Rangil, Javed Rana maintained that nature has gifted the valley with abundant water resources and it is our prime duty to protect and keep them pollution free.

While sharing suggestions for further improvement, Rana urged upon the officials to carry out regular inspection of water tanks. He asked them to keep the surroundings of Rangil WTP clean from any possible contamination of water. He stressed upon the concerned officials to ensure that quality water is supplied to the consumers besides regular water tests are done.

Javed Rana enjoined upon the officers to expedite the work on 5 MGD filtration plant, while maintaining set quality parameters, which will further boost the carrying capacity of the Rangil plant.

Appreciating the work of the officers of Jal Shakti department, the Minister further emphasised on efficient water supply management and clean, safe drinking water supply to every household. He said that the government is committed to provide drinking water tap connections to every household under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Department, Kashmir, Braham Jyoti Sharma, presented a brief about the functioning of both 20 MGD and 10 MGD WTPs and the future plans. He apprised the Minister that the water treatment plant assumes huge significance as it feeds potable drinking water to various habitations of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Baramulla districts. He also said that work is in progress on the 5 MGD water filtration plant and steps are afoot to complete it within the stipulated timeframe.

RAMBAN, JANUARY 2: Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) of the State Bank of India successfully conducted its 30-day Tailor Training Program for Women here today.

Organised under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Ramban, the training aimed at empowering women through skill development and promoting self-employment.

The valedictory ceremony was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Roshan Lal as the Chief Guest.

In his address, the ADDC shared his personal experiences of perseverance during challenging times, inspiring the trainees to embrace self-employment opportunities. He encouraged participants to leverage government schemes such as PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme), Mudra and HADP (Holistic Agriculture Development Program) for their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Director RSETI Ramban Harvinder Singh briefed the Chief Guest on the institute’s mission and its pivotal role in fostering self-employment across the region. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Senior Faculty Member, marking the culmination of the event.

Expressing their gratitude, the trainees thanked RSETI Ramban for providing them with the opportunity to acquire valuable skills and boost their confidence to pursue tailoring as a livelihood.

During the one month training, the trainees were imparted different skills including Entrepreneurship Competencies, Effective Communication Skills, Marketing Management, Problem Solving Time Management, Banking, Government Schemes, Behavioral Game, Introduction of Dress Designing Basic of stitching & measurement, Saree skills vertices of frill theory paper cutting & practical, stitching of Nighties, Night Suits, Night Gowns, Fancy Nighties theory & practical, School Uniforms for girls blouse & skirts theory & practical, Baby Frock, Saree Zigzag, Chudidhar, Punjabi, Patiyala, Arabic, Rajasthani Pushup, Anarkali Top, Apple Cut Top, Sahraw theory & practical and Basics of Sewing Machine Repairs etc.

RSETI Ramban continues to play a crucial role in empowering rural communities, particularly women, through comprehensive training programs, aligning with national and regional initiatives to create sustainable livelihoods.

At the end, Senior Faculty Amrik Singh Raju concluded the program with a vote of thanks.

KISHTWAR, JANUARY 2: In a significant step towards ensuring welfare for orphaned children, District Magistrate (DM) Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan chaired a meeting of the Sponsorship and Foster Care Approval Committee (SFCAC) today. The meeting focused on deliberations and approvals of new cases under the welfare schemes aimed at providing financial support to orphans.

The Committee approved 23 new cases, taking the total number of beneficiaries under these schemes to 223, against a target of 201. The committee had earlier approved 200 cases following a meticulous verification process.

The focus of the discussion revolved around saturating the target and ensuring that no eligible child is left out of the benefits provided under these schemes.

The Sponsorship and Foster Care Schemes, implemented under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), aim to provide financial assistance to children in need of care and protection. The Sponsorship Scheme provides monetary support to families or guardians to ensure proper upbringing of children, while the Foster Care Scheme allows children to live with foster families, ensuring a nurturing environment for their holistic development.

DM Kishtwar emphasized the importance of achieving 100% saturation of the target to extend the benefits of these schemes to all eligible orphans in the district. He directed the committee to ensure the inclusion of every orphan in Kishtwar under the schemes and instructed for robust verification to eliminate any discrepancies.

Besides the participants discussed strategies for effective implementation and evolving workable follow-up mechanisms for the schemes. The committee decided to streamline the application process further and ensure timely disbursal of benefits.

The meeting was attended by the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Zubair Ahmed, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and other committee members. Representatives from stakeholder agencies and NGOs running orphanages in the district were also present.

JAMMU, JANUARY 2: Director Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Jammu S. Arvinder Singh Reen inaugurated the first harvest of the Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes), here today at the Shiitake lab of the Spawn Production Office, Krishi Bhawan.

Shiitake mushrooms, known for their rare medicinal properties including anti-cancer, immune-boosting, and anti-allergic effects, require a specialized cultivation environment. These mushrooms can only grow on sawdust blocks made from hardwood, with a cultivation cycle ranging from 120 to 180 days and a biological efficiency of 20-30% on a wet weight basis.

In his address, Director S. Arvinder Singh Reen emphasized the immense potential of Shiitake mushroom cultivation as a high-value crop for Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that this initiative will not only foster employment generation but also open new avenues for startups, particularly among the region’s unemployed youth. Additionally, the project supports the diversification of existing mushroom cultivation activities within the UT.

The key raw material for Shiitake cultivation is sawdust, and Jammu and Kashmir is uniquely positioned to benefit from this, with its abundant supply of sawdust and Wooden Chips generated by the Jammu and Kashmir’s cricket bat industry. Furthermore, the ideal temperature range of 20-28°C (68-82°F) for Shiitake growth is well-suited to the region’s climate, making it an ideal location for large-scale production.

The Directorate of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Jammu has successfully initiated the commercial cultivation of Shiitake mushrooms for the first time in the region. The Spawn Production Laboratory at Talab Tillo Jammu has successfully achieved spawn production and spawn run, following the protocols established by the Directorate of Mushroom Research, Chamba Ghat, Solan (H.P). Additionally, 1,000 ready-to-fruit blocks have been procured from District Project Manager-JICA, ODA Palampur, and are being supplied to progressive mushroom growers and DCTCs across the Jammu Province to encourage commercial cultivation of Shiitake mushrooms. Fruit initiation in these blocks has also been successfully achieved across the Jammu division.

The programme was attended by Deputy Director Central Dr. Ashwani Sharma, Agriculture Chemist Dr. Aman Jyoti Sharma, Spawn Production Officer Verinder Dogra, Mushroom Development Officer Raghubir Pal Kochar, SMS-RL Dharmesh Vaid, SMS-SDL Kewal Krishan Sharma, along with the staff from the Spawn Production and Mushroom Development Offices.

This groundbreaking project is poised to pave the way for sustainable agricultural practices, increased employment opportunities, and a prosperous future for the mushroom cultivation industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

KISHTWAR, JANUARY 02: To promote child health, the District Administration has launched a mass campaign to select healthy babies and extend medical facilities to the pregnant ladies, lactating mothers and newly born babies across the district.

In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rajesh Kumar Shavan chaired a meeting of the stakeholder departments to reinforce the schedule for organizing the events across the district.

The competition, which began on 1st January 2025, has generated significant enthusiasm among mothers, who care for the health and well-being of their babies despite all challenges .

The healthy baby shows for male and female children (6 months to 6 years), started at the Panchayat level would proceed to the Block level and culminate at the District level. The winners will be felicitated on the occasion of Republic Day 2025, with citation certificates and incentives.

A committee consisting of AWWs, AWHs, members of the Village Monitoring Committee, and women members of the Pani Samiti will conduct a preliminary survey of healthy babies from 1st to 5th January 2025 in each Panchayat based on specific criteria. The Village/Panchayat level committee will submit the selected list of 06 healthy babies (3 Male 3 Female) to the Block Level Committee along with documentation of all events.

The Block Level Committee consisting of BDO, CDPO, BMO, TSWO TSO will organize an inter-Panchayat competition from 7th to 9th January 2025 and select 06 healthy babies (03 male 03 female) for the District Level Competition.

The District Level Committee consisting of PO ICDS Kishtwar, ACD Kishtwar, CMO Kishtwar, DSWO Kishtwar, and AD FCS&CA Kishtwar will organize an inter-block competition from 14th to 18th January 2025 and select 02 healthy babies per block (01 male and 01 Female) and those will be the winners of the Competition.

This competition will be closely monitored by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Block Medical Officers (BMOs) concerned, with thorough screening of the newborn children.

The main objective of the competition is to promote the health and well-being of newborns and to ensure proper care for their mothers also

RAMBAN, JANUARY 02: Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ramban, Arjun Singh Raju today called for promotion of cultural activities by providing local artists a platform to eke out their potential.

Inaugurating a private music recording facility, “Pahari Saga Studio,” here at Maitra, the MLA highlighted the importance of such initiatives in preserving and promoting the local art and music. He emphasized that in today’s digital age, music videos can play a pivotal role in showcasing Ramban’s rich cultural heritage and scenic tourist destinations, contributing to the local economy.

Encouraging local artists, including Music Director Ashh-k, Ronak Thakur, Abdul Majid Malik, Jeevan Pahar, Mohan Lal and Sangita Rajput, the MLA assured full support from his end and the government to foster growth in tourism and cultural activities besides providing opportunities for talent development.

The establishment of “Pahari Saga Studio” is expected to inspire local artists and enhance Ramban’s cultural landscape while attracting more visitors to explore its natural beauty and traditions.

RAJOURI, JANUARY 02: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma conducted a surprise inspection of the Primary Health Center (PHC) Kallar Chatyar, which serves dozens of villages near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri Doongi area.

During the inspection, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the attendance of the staff, emphasizing strict adherence to duty rosters. Highlighting the importance of accountability, he directed the hospital administration to address identified shortcomings and implement necessary improvements within a few days.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the staff to ensure that all available healthcare services are delivered seamlessly and without hindrance to the public. He interacted with locals visiting the health facility to gather feedback on the quality of services, assuring them of the administration’s commitment to upgrading healthcare facilities in the region.

The surprise inspection reflects the district administration’s dedication to providing accessible and efficient healthcare to residents, particularly in remote areas near the LoC.