SHOPIAN: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar Wednesday visited the Fruit Mandi Aglar to review the ongoing construction work of Community Hall (Sarai) for accommodation facilities to stakeholders associated with the production and procurement trade of fruits.
The Mandi was devoid of this welfare and enabling feature till date. The District Administration Shopian along with the Mandi Association recently had decided for the construction of the Community Hall for visitors looking for accommodation for night stays. During his visit, the DC assessed the pace of work and instructed the concerned authorities to complete the project promptly.
The accommodation facility is aimed at providing a comfortable stay to stakeholders, improving their overall experience.
The visit underscores the administration’s commitment to developing infrastructure and promoting the welfare of stakeholders associated with the fruit mandi. DIO Shopian, President Fruit Mandi Association and other concerned accompanied the DC during the visit.
BANDIPORA: The Department of Agriculture Bandipora on Wednesday organized a Mega Kisan Mela at the Mini Secretariat Bandipora aimed at fostering agricultural growth and empowering local farmers.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, the DC highlighted the significant progress made in the agriculture and allied sectors, underscoring the vital role of agriculture in employment generation and the local economy.
He emphasized that agriculture is the key to employment and stressed the importance of controlled farming for sustainable growth.
Qadri also stressed the benefits of adopting modern agricultural technologies and establishing market linkages for agricultural products to boost production and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
In his address, DC encouraged farmers to take full advantage of the various government schemes, including the PM Kisan scheme, which aims to empower farmers financially. He also highlighted the significance of social security schemes provided by the government to ensure the welfare of farmers.
Earlier, the DC along with ADC Zaffar Husson Shawl inspected the various stalls set up by the Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Animal Husbandry, and other allied departments. These stalls showcased the latest farming technologies, agricultural practices, and products related to different sectors of agriculture to provide an opportunity for farmers to directly interact with experts and learn about the advancements in agriculture and allied fields On the occasion, Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora provided an overview of the achievements of the agriculture department and highlighted the impact of various schemes aimed at uplifting the agricultural sector.
District officers from Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora shared their valuable insights, progress, and experiences in their respective fields, highlighting the collaborative efforts in boosting the agricultural sector.
On the occasion, farm machinery at subsidized rates were also handed over to farmers under various government schemes to enhance agricultural productivity by making modern farming equipment more accessible to farmers.
The event also featured success stories from progressive farmers, who shared their innovative approaches and strategies for success in agriculture, offering inspiration to others present during the programme.
Among others, the event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Zaffar Hussain Shawl, CPO and officers from agriculture and allied departments, along with a large gathering of farmers and agricultural enthusiasts.
KULGAM: To take firsthand appraisal of public issues and grievances at their door steps, the District Administration Kulgam today organized public outreach programmes as part of weekly Block Diwas in three blocks of the district viz. Waltangoo Kund, Kulgam and D.K.Marg. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan took appraisal of issues of people in grievances redressal camp held in far-off Waltangoo Kund area.
The grievance redressal programme witnessed participation of people from Waltengoo, Kanchloo, Nigeenpora, Razloo, Waripora and other areas who put forth various developmental and welfare demands before the chair.
The DC gave patient hearing to all the demands put forth by the people and issued on spot directions for redressal of several issues.
Officers and heads of departments responded to the queries and grievances of the people pertaining to their departments.
Later, the DC also visited Ziyarat Shareef Hazrat Syed Noor Shah Wali Bagdadi RA at Kund. The programme was also attended by DDC Member Kund, Gulzar Ahmad; ACR, ACD, A-SP National Highway, CEO, BDO, Tehsildar and other officers.
The concerned Officers of District Administration also convened public outreach programmes at Kulgam and D.K.Marg blocks, listening patiently for early redressal of their genuine grievances.
GANDERBAL: In a bid to address the concerns and aspirations of the locals, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir, led the Block Diwas program at Manasbal for Block Safapora in the district.
The Block Diwas focused on addressing public grievances and ensuring time-bound redressal of issues.
The event served as a platform for direct communication between the administration and the public, focusing on fostering inclusive development and addressing pertinent issues. During the event, residents of Safapora and nearby villages raised various concerns, including timber availability, damage to Srinagar Bandipora Road due to leakage from water pipes, widening of Safapora-Ganderbal Road, post-office pin code issues, old age pension scheme issues, irrigation canal encroachment, staff shortage at PHC, need of retaining wall at Gratabal graveyard, concerns over dumping of waste at the playground, distribution of electric poles and unscheduled power cuts.
After attentively listening to the concerns raised, the DC reiterated the administration’s commitment to inclusive development, emphasizing the importance of local participation in development of an area.
The DC appealed to the locals to cooperate with line departments to ensure proper implementation of government schemes. He also encouraged them to remain vigilant and actively monitor the progress of developmental projects in their area. Immediate instructions were issued to the relevant departments for the timely resolution of the genuine issues raised during the Block Diwas.
DDC member Safapora apprised the locals about various developmental works being undertaken in Safapora block. He emphasized the need for improved road connectivity, upgradation of power infrastructure and staff dearth.
The Block Diwas program was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Gulzar Ahmad; ACD, ACR, Executive Engineers of KPDCL, Jal Shakti and R&B besides other district and sectoral officers.
JAMMU: Highlighting the need for making education broad based with proper understanding to connect the younger generation with moral and practical aspects of life, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, said that this would enable youth to contribute more effectively in nation building.
The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at an annual day function organised by Birla Open Minds International School here today
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that imparting education be made more holistic rather than confining it to test and assessment. “Knowledge with proper understanding and guidance is imperative to connect the youth with moral values besides practical aspects of life,” he added.
Emphasing on developing a productive teaching ecosystem where teachers are not restricted to curriculum, the Deputy Chief Minister said that they should also come up with innovative ideas for imparting education.
The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the school in nurturing young minds while emphasising the importance of cultural and educational events in shaping the future. The event also celebrated the achievements of students during the Achievers’ Felicitation Ceremony, recognizing their hard work and dedication in the field of sports.
The highlight of the evening was the thematic play, Anurakt, which captivated the audience with its powerful storytelling and vibrant performances, showcasing the students’ talent and creativity. The play represented the importance of guidance of our parents in our life with emphasis on a stronger parents and children relationship.
Earlier, Chairman of All J&K Transport Welfare Association, Karan Singh Wazir, called on Deputy Chief Minister at civil secretariat to extend congratulations and address pressing issues affecting the region’s transport sector. This high-level interaction underscored the growing concerns within the transportation community and highlighted the urgent need for policy reform and infrastructural upgrades.
The Deputy Chief Minister assured the delegation that the government is committed towards addressing these issues. He reiterated administration’s focus on enhancing urban mobility and infrastructure as part of the broader development agenda. The dialogue is expected to pave the way for collaborative efforts between the government and the transport community, aimed at devising pragmatic solutions to revitalize the sector.
A deputation of Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools Association led by Deepak Handa (Senior Vice President) and Gaurav Charak met the Deputy CM apprising him of delay in fixation and regulation of fee of private schools by the FFRC.
JAMMU: Minister for Youth Services and Sports, FCS&CA and Transport, Satish Sharma, today declared the 68th National School Games in four sports disciplines of Judo, Fencing, Wushu and Football closed in a grand valedictory ceremony at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.
A total of around 4000 athletes and officials drawn from 44 state/UT/organisation teams across the country took part in these prestigious games, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, under the aegis of School Games Federation of India (SGFI). While addressing a large gathering of participants, the Sports Minister extended gratitude to them for showing sporting spirit and discipline during this month long sporting extravaganza, helping its smooth and successful conclusion.
Emphasising Government’s commitment towards promoting genuine sports talent while ensuring that no individual or group would be allowed to politicize sports, the Sports Minister assured that only deserving athletes would be supported and those who have misused sports bodies for personal gain would be shown the door.
Satish Sharma asserted, “let sports be the domain of the sportspersons only, adding only sportspersons should run the sports associations and organisations to yield better results, thus see J&K carving a space on India’s sports map and budding athletes blossoming at the national scene”.
Extending gratitude to the parents, coaches and sports teachers for their unwavering support and encouragement of young athletes, the Minister also highlighted the broader benefits of sports, stating that it is essential in shaping well-rounded individuals, keeping the youth engaged and diverting them from the sedentary lifestyles.
Secretary YS&S, Sarmad Hafeez, while speaking on the occasion, stressed the role of the department in nurturing the sports talent at the grass-root level and instilling values of leadership, discipline and perseverance.
He also congratulated the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, for successful completion of the 68th National School Games in Judo. He expressed confidence that the remaining three national championships would also be successfully organised.
The glittering closing ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address by the Director General of YS&S, Rajinder Singh Tara. He spoke about the significance of such events, not only for promoting sports but also for fostering cultural exchange, brotherhood, and religious harmony among children.
Highlighting the magnitude of the event, Tara informed that over 4,000 participants competed across various sports disciplines during the games, emphasising J&K’s commitment towards nurturing budding athletes and promoting sports in every nook and corner of the Union Territory.
The ceremony also witnessed an enthralling performance by famous Dogri singer Sonali Dogra.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand clinched gold, Haryana bagged silver and Manipur claimed the bronze medal while Anushka Kumari of Jharkhand was declared as the Best Player in the U-17 Girls Football Championship.
The Sports Minister, along with other dignitaries, distributed medals/trophies among the winners of Girls U-17 Girls Football Championship.
GANDERBAL: On the eve of ‘National Human Rights Day,’ the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Ganderbal and District Police Ganderbal, in collaboration with Chief Medical Officer, Ganderbal, conducted a Health and Medical Checkup Camp for jail inmates, at Subsidiary Jail Dignibal, Ganderbal.
The camp, held under the supervision of Abdul Nasir, Chairman DLSA, Ganderbal, was inaugurated by Sheikh Babar Hussain, Secretary DLSA Ganderbal.
During the camp, Secretary DLSA interacted with the jail inmates, listened to their grievances and concerns. He assured them the authorities’ commitment in ensuring their basic rights and well-being.
He highlighted the importance of the day, emphasizing that National Human Rights Day is a reminder of the need to protect and promote human rights, dignity, and well-being of all individuals, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society and the under trial prisoners.
The camp aimed to provide free medical checkups and health services to the inmates. A team of medical professionals conducted health checkups, provided medical consultations, and distributed medicines among the jail inmates.
This initiative is part of the District Legal Services Authority’s efforts to provide welfare services to jail inmates by ensuring their overall well-being on the Human Rights Day.
Emphasises smooth implementation of Government Schemes
BANDIPORA: The District Consultative Committee (DCC) / District Level Review Committee (DLRC) meeting for the September quarter of FY 2024-25 was held today at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, and was attended by Vice Chairperson District Development Council (DDC), Kousar Shafeeq, Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Lead District Manager (LDM) Bandipora and district officers from various departments and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NABARD, Stand Up India besides other stakeholders.
The meeting commenced with a briefing by LDM Bandipora, Shameem Ahmad Haji, on the performance of banks in both priority and non-priority sectors, as well as the progress of various beneficiary-oriented social security schemes.
During the meeting, a detailed review of the performance of banks was carried out, focusing on the Annual Credit Plan, MSME sector achievements, and specific schemes such as Artisan Credit Cards, Pradhan Mantri Weavers Mudra Scheme, PMEGP (KVIC, KVIB, DIC), NULM, NRLM, REGP, and others.
It was informed that banks in Bandipora had disbursed advances totaling Rs. 1757.24 crore, with a Credit Deposit (CD) ratio of 96 percent for the quarter ending September 2024. The meeting also discussed various challenges and bottlenecks affecting the performance of banks in the district.
Speaking on the occasion, DC emphasized the importance of improving coordination between line departments and banks to address these issues.
He urged line departments and banks to enhance communication and improve awareness programmes, especially with respect to social security schemes. He stressed the need for a more people-friendly approach to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of services to the public.
The DC expressed concern over the low level of agricultural credit being disbursed by banks in the district and urged the concerned banks to enhance their performance in this critical sector.
He also directed the concerned departments to actively follow up on sponsored cases to minimize rejection rates and work closely with banks to ensure better outcomes. The DC concluded the meeting by reiterating the need for a collaborative approach between all stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of various government schemes and improve financial inclusion in the district.
Stresses upon officers to hold regular inspections of health institutions
KUPWARA: In order to ensure smooth and vibrant functioning of Health Institutions in the district, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan Monday convened a meeting of all health officers to review the performance of the health sector.
Addressing the meeting, the DC said that the health sector is a crucial sector concerning the interest of masses and stressed upon the officers to work with added zeal and utmost sincerity so that the people do not face any inconvenience in getting uninterrupted service from the Health Institutions across the district.
The DC directed the Chief Medical Officer and Block Medical Officers to hold regular inspections of health institutions in their respective jurisdictions to ensure smooth functioning of these institutions. She also directed them to make a comprehensive plan to provide the schedule for availability of doctors of different branches so that the people get hassle free treatment. She also impressed upon them to ensure availability of the paramedical and other staff in the institutions.
Regarding the punctuality in hospitals, the DC directed the concerned officers to ensure punctuality of the doctors and staff in the health facilities across the district and said that anybody showing dereliction in performing their duty will face action under rules. Earlier, Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Dr. Ramzan presented the health profile of the district through a detailed powerpoint presentation.
On the occasion, it was informed that 307 health institutions including 234 Sub Centres, 33 Primary Health Centres, 31 NTPHCs, 7 Community Health Centres, one each Associated District Hospital and District Tuberculosis Centre are functioning across the district to cater the needs of the population.
Highlighting the performance of the health institutions, he informed that 1195701 patients under OPD and 80380 under IPD were attended during the current financial year from April to November 2024. Besides, 5882 institutional deliveries, 33401 USG, 29357 ECG, 2980 Dialysis and 4478 CT scans have also been done during the same period. He also informed that 9847 new pregnant women have been registered for ANC across 10 medical blocks of the district.
During the meeting, the DC also took a comprehensive review of various centrally sponsored schemes which include AB-PMJAY, Ayushman Bharat/JK Sehat, ABHA ID, JSY, Clinical Establishment, NCD Screening, NPCDCS and other schemes. She stressed upon the concerned officers to ensure cent percent coverage of these schemes among the targeted population so that people are benefitted well in time.
While reviewing implementation of NTCP & COTPA Act 2003, it was informed that 153 challans were imposed under the relevant provisions of the law, realizing an amount of Rs.20650. Besides, counseling sessions both at district and block levels were held to control the use of tobacco products among the people.
The meeting was attended by CMO Kupwara, CPO, Block Medical Officers and other concerned.
