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Farmers’ Welfare on Top Most Agenda of the Govt: Reiterates Advisor

SNS KASHMIR

. BARAMULLA, MARCH 25:

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Ahmad Khan today paid visit to Fruit Mandi Sopore where he met various fruit growers and other concerned stakeholders who appraised him about their issues and demands.

The advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar, Director Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, MD JKHPM Shafat Sultan, ADC Sopore,SP Sopore,heads of various concerned departments, district and sectoral officers among other concerned functionaries.

On the occasion, President of Fruit Growers Association Sopore Fayaz Ahmad Malik appraised the advisor about his grievances/demands which include drinking water facility in the mundi, completion of Bagh-e-Sundri road, formulation of proper mechanism for protecting local farmers as fruits especially from Iran are entering the Indian markets without proper tariff, reduction of import duty on fruits exporting to Bangladesh. The president also demanded proper accommodation of fruit growers, testing lab for controlling spurious pesticides, land acquisition for the expansion of fruit mundi, establishment of cold storage, crop insurance among other demands of vital significance.

While reiterating that farmers’ welfare is on the top most agenda of the government, the Advisor said that every possible initiative is being taken to protect the interest of farmers. He assured that all the genuine demands shall be taken for their timely redressal adding that a proper mechanism shall be formulated wherein effective grading and packaging system of fruits shall be introduced in order to control erratic price fluctuation of horticultural produce. The advisor added that government is working on up gradation of basic infrastructure in fruit mundis so as to make them at par with standards of international markets.

Advisor further added that random inspection of pesticide dealers shall be carried out and strict legal action shall be taken against those involved in the sale of sub-standard pesticides and fertilizers.

Meanwhile, several other delegations called on the advisor who highlighted their issues and demands meant for the overall welfare of the area. The delegations who called on the advisor include Traders Federation Sopore, Civil Society Sopore, Civil Societies of Watergam and Dangiwacha among other prominent stakeholders of the society.

These delegations demanded Indoor Sports Stadium for Sopore, establishment of University Campus at Sopore, placement of officers in govt offices wherein positions have been left vacant, completion of CHC Dangiwacha, establishment of mother and child care hospital in the area, uninterrupted power supply during the schedule hours and also extended other demands of vital public importance.

The advisor gave a patient hearing of all the issues and demands and assured that necessary initiatives shall be taken for their timely redressal.

Earlier, the Advisor accompanied by the concerned officers inspects Govt run Apple Juice Plant situated at Mazbug area of Sopore where he took first hand appraisal of its functioning.

The advisor took inspection of various aspects associated with the Juice Plant wherein he directed to strengthen employment oriented activities in the plant so that more and more unemployed youth are motivated to take up entrepreneurship as a career option.

‘Those raising voice are being charged with sedition, summoned by agencies, won’t change any stance on fight for rights of people, restoration of Art 370’

SNS KASHMIR.

SRINAGAR , MARCH 25 :

The former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Thursday said that the dissent has been criminalized in the country, saying that there will be no change in the party’s strategy over fighting for the rights of people including the restoration of Article 370.

“One who speaks against you (Government of India) is being either booked under seditious charges or being summoned by the investigative agencies,” Mehbooba said after nearly five-hour long questioning by Enforcement Department (ED) here in Srinagar with regard to the money laundering case

“I was questioned about my father’s property in Bijbehara, which we have sold out and was asked how you sold it and other related things. Second about the funds during her tenure as Chief Minister,” she said, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that she has nothing to hide as she is pure.

Mehbooba further stated that there will be no change in the party’s stance over the fight for the rights of Jammu and Kashmir people especially regarding the restoration of Article 370—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR.

SRINAGAR, MARCH 25 :

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men was killed while three others were critically injured in a hit and run attack by militants at Lawaypora area of Srinagar outskirts on Thursday, officials said.

A top official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), militants fired at the CRPF party at Lawaypora area of Srinagar in which four CRPF men were injured.

“One injured CRPF man succumbed, while three others have been shifted to 92 base hospital for treatment,” top official said—(KNO)

Testing to be increased, random sampling being stepped-up

Lakhanpur restrictions to stay

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, MARCH 25:

In view of fresh surge in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government mulled re-imposing night curbs across the Union Territory, making “area specific Containment Zones”, increasing RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT), random sampling in schools and colleges and acting tough on those violating the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) like wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing.

The Government has also decided to go ahead with restrictions imposed at Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir following fresh spread of COVID-19 in the neighbouring Punjab where number of cases of UK’s new virus have also been found.

Officials told the Excelsior that the Government is considering re-imposition of night curbs across the Union Territory in the next guidelines which are likely to be issued by the end of this month to keep Coronavirus under check. Existing guidelines are in place till March 31 and revised SOP will come into effect from April 1.

However, there is no proposal to enforce lockdown but the Government might authorize the District Magistrates to impose “area specific Containment Zones” where COVID positive cases are detected to prevent further spread of the virus.

Night restrictions on movement of people were lifted gradually in September-October last year after steep decline in Coronavirus cases. At the same time, the authorities had stopped declaring areas as Containment Zones as cases had receded to quite an extent by the end of last year. Past couple of months have witnessed just 20 to 25 positive cases a day in the Jammu region.

Several States have imposed night curfew following surge in the cases and Jammu and Kashmir is also expected to revive night restrictions across the Union Territory from April 1 in the revised guidelines to be issued by the end of March.

However, it will not impose lockdown but authorize the District Magistrates to take decision on declaring some areas as Containment Zones in the event of spurt in cases.

The Government is likely to keep educational institutions including Schools and Colleges functional but might ask the Health Department to conduct random sampling of students and staff wherever necessary to detect isolated COVID cases which could give spread to the pathogen if not traced in time.

“The Government has decided to strengthen both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests across the Union Territory. The testing is being increased as less tests could leave many cases undetected leading to spread of COVID-19,” sources said, adding that the administration is likely to be asked to go for contact tracing aggressively so that no positive case goes undetected.
The Government has decided to go hard on violators of COVID guidelines across the Union Territory.

“Strict instructions are being issued by the Government for imposing fines on those not wearing masks and violating social distancing guidelines,” sources said.

The Government has decided that existing restrictions at Lakhanpur will continue as Punjab, the bordering State of Jammu and Kashmir, has witnessed surge in COVID cases including UK virus. Any leniency at Lakhanpur could lead to spread of cases in the Union Territory, they said.

It may be mentioned here that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had yesterday directed all States/Union Territories to intensify RT-PCR testing and vaccination following rise in Coronavirus cases in many States. Though cases have increased in Jammu and Kashmir too from 40-50 per day in first week of this month to around 150 presently, sources, however, felt that strictness at this stage and following COVID guidelines by the people could keep the virus under check.

Otherwise, they cautioned, the cases might increase in Jammu and Kashmir also like Punjab and other States.

Yesterday, the Central Government had ordered that all persons aged above 45 years will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination from April 1.

(Daily excelsior)

Work on phase-II worth Rs 1630 Cr to begin soon, to be completed within three years: CE I&FC

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 24 :

The government on Wednesday said that the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) project for Comprehensive Flood Management works on river Jhelum are going on at a pace, saying that one of the two phases has been almost completed.

Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood control (I&FC), Iftikhaar Kakroo told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the PMDP project for Comprehensive Flood Management works on river Jhelum was divided into two phases.

He said that 95 per cent work of Phase-I has been completed so far and it is in its final stage now. The Phase-I was worth Rs 399 Crores, he informed.

Kakroo further informed that phase-II of the project worth Rs 1630 Crore will be started in the upcoming financial year. He added that the project will be completed in three years. “It is a three-year project and the work over it will be started very soon,” he informed.

Several works including the dredging process and other related works were started in river Jhelum and other streams across the Valley following the 2014 deluge that damaged property worth crores in the Valley besides claiming dozens of lives as well.

It is worth mentioning here that the dredging process got delayed as the project missed several deadlines.

Pertinently, the chief Engineer in a meeting chaired by the Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, had informed that under Phase I, the discharge carrying capacity of river Jhelum has been increased from 31800 cusecs to 41000 cusecs while as the carrying capacity of Flood Spill Channel (FSC) Padshahi Bagh has been increased from 4000 to 8700 cusecs.

He had also revealed that re-sectioning at Bemina and Shariefabad of FSC has been completed while as the construction of two bridges at NaidKhai and Shariefabad on FSC is going on and will be completed within a month.

During the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar had stressed on the officers to maintain quality of works besides taking up proactive measures to make the flood management successful. He had asked them to ensure that all the ongoing works are completed within the fixed timelines.

He had directed the concerned officials to raise the embankments at all vulnerable spots besides carrying out dredging works at critical points to increase the carrying capacity of the river and FSC.

Advisor Bhatnagar had further directed the officials to evolve an effective mechanism for controlling the soil erosion around the embankments besides formulating a long term plan for management of tributaries so as to reduce the impact of floods—(KNO)

SRINAGAR, MARCH 24 :

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) on Wednesday said that it will conduct the elections for Executive Committee and Office Bearers under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar.

Spokesperson of KCC&I in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) welcomed the direction of the High Court for conducting the elections for Executive Committee and Office Bearers within one month and by the end of April, 2021.

The six members committee shall conduct election under supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar. The members as per the statement include Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, Rauf Ahmad Punjabi, Nazir Ahmad Mir, Abdul Majid Mattoo, Abdul Hamid Punjabi and Mushtaq Ahmad Wani—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU MARCH 24 :

Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the preparations being made for a safe and hassle-free Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2021.

Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor/CEO, SASB, Administrative Secretaries of departments of Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, and Tourism besides Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir & Jammu, concerned Deputy Commissioners and Additional CEO SASB participated in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the arrangements for safe, smooth, and secure movement of pilgrims particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Baltal and Chandanwari yatra tracks up to the Holy Cave.

He enjoined upon the administration to undertake preparations for an expected footfall of 6 lakh yatris this year. To ensure secure passage of pilgrims, directions were issued to appropriately ramp up the holding capacities, yatri accommodations, and public utilities across the route from Lakhanpur to the Holy cave and vice-versa; with special attention to arrangements in consideration of weather extremities.

He directed the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to closely monitor the arrangements being put in place in transit camps along the Yatra route particularly at Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, Anantnag, Srinagar, Baltal, and Chandanwari. Deputy Commissioners were directed to enhance the holding-capacity of transit camps under their jurisdictions to accommodate approximately 1.22 lakh yatris including both the cave-bound pilgrims as well as those on the return journey; on a daily basis.

The Chief Secretary asked the Divisional Commissioners to ensure availability of basic amenities at these transit camps, besides, ensuring adequate provisions all along the route. They were asked to project additional requirement of resources to the Tourism Department for timely projection and approval.

To ensure completion of various works and arrangements well in time, it was impressed upon the concerned to initiate the implementation of plans and projects in the 1st week of April 2021—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

BANDIPORA MARCH 24 :

The Vice-Chairperson of District Development Council (DDC) Bandipora on Wednesday called upon new Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bandipora to congratulate and welcome him for new place of posting.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that vice-chairperson DDC Bandipora Kaunsar Shafeeq called upon SSP Bandipora Mohammad Zahid today at his office.

The statement reads that DDC vice-chairperson was accompanied by DDC member Hajin-B, Dr Mustafa Khan and DDC Member Bonakoot, Abdul Ghani Wani and several sarpanchs and panchs of the area.

“DDC vice-chairperson congratulated and welcomed SSP Bandipora for his new place of posting and hoped that he will work with honesty, dedication and vigour for the betterment of the district,” the statement reads—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 24 :

The former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti will appear before the Enforcement Department (ED) on Thursday.

PDP Chief told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that she will appear before the ED at its Srinagar office at 11:00 AM in the morning.

Pertinently, ED had issued summon to Mehbooba Mufti on March 5 this year, asking her to appear before the agency for questioning in a money laundering case in New Delhi on March 15.

ED later asked her to appear at ED’s headquarters in New Delhi for questioning on March 22 after Delhi High Court on March 19 refused to stay summons issued to her by the central agency—(KNO)

Govt working on principle of “Minimum Government Maximum Governance” for bringing more accountability, transparency: Sinha

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU MARCH 24 :

Govt working on principle of “Minimum Government Maximum Governance” for bringing more accountability, transparency: Sinha

Laying special focus on making the public service delivery system more robust, citizen friendly and hassle-free, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday launched 14 e-services of Municipalities across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir here at Civil Secretariat.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that the launch of eight Government-to-citizens and six Government-to-businesses e-services for Urban dwellers and business owners, to provide hassle free online services is yet another milestone in the direction of providing effective public service delivery at the doorsteps of people.

J&K Government is working on the principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, as envisioned by the Prime Minister, to make working of the government more accountable, responsive and transparent, said the Lt Governor.

Terming faceless and paperless services as a leap towards ‘Good Governance’, the Lt Governor said that these e-services will reduce human interface, besides ensuring hassle-free services to the people in a fast and transparent manner.

The Lt Governor observed that the services like provision of online Birth and Death Certificates, corrections in birth/death certificates, Licenses and NOCs for various trade activities, Dairy registration, Road cutting permissions, new sewerage connection, registration of pet dogs, registration of Pet Clinic, Bird/Pet Trade etc, besides other public services have been made transparent and simplified through online mode.

The Lt Governor impressed upon the concerned officers to expedite the provision of remaining e-services, including online building permission, and explore the possibilities of increasing revenue of ULBs to make them vibrant and self reliant.

He directed the concerned officers to take comprehensive measures for making Urban Development Plans of Jammu and Srinagar a reality at the earliest. He also called upon the Mayor JMC for holding awareness campaigns and taking local people onboard for making the Urban Local Plan and public services self-sustainable.

Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation also spoke on the occasion and said that with the launch of these e-services, long pending demand of making various public services available through online mode is fulfilled.

Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department briefed the Lt Governor about 14 e-services developed by H&UDD. He also informed about other e-services that are at advanced stages and would be made available online soon.

Avny Lavasa, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the salient features of newly launched e-services. She also apprised the Lt Governor about the timelines within which the services would be provided.

Junaid Mattu, Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Ms. Purnima Sharma, Deputy Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation and Sh. Parvez Qadri Deputy Mayor SMC were also present.

B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; D. Thara, Joint Secretary MoHUA; Dheeraj Gupta , Principal Secretary H&UD; Athar Amir Khan, Commissioner SMC; HoDs, officers of Civil administration and NIC were present in person and through video conferencing—(KNO)