Inaugurates Tourism Capacity Building Camp at Panchanpatri

KULGAM, MAY 25: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo Monday inaugurated a Tourism Capacity Building Camp at Panchanpatri Kulgam and also flagged off an All-Terrain Rally (ATR), trekkers’ expedition, cycle rally and other tourism promotion activities.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government is committed to strengthening the tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir by developing offbeat destinations and promoting adventure tourism activities across Jammu and Kashmir. She said that such programmes provide a valuable platform to inform and aware youth about various government schemes and programmes related to tourism, employment generation and self-employment opportunities.

The Minister emphasized that the promotion of unexplored tourist destinations will not only attract visitors but also create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. She highlighted the importance of involving youth and local stakeholders in tourism-related initiatives for the overall economic development of the region.

The programme was organized with an aim to promote tourism awareness, adventure tourism and enhance the participation of youth in the tourism sector across the district.

Tourism stakeholders, tour and travel operators, local representatives, district officers and a large number of youth participated in the camp. They appreciated the efforts being made to boost tourism infrastructure and adventure activities in the area.

The event also witnessed enthusiastic participation in trekking, cycling and other adventure activities aimed at showcasing the tourism potential of Panchanpatri and adjoining areas.

DC Sgr, SSP call for continued joint enforcement efforts

SRINAGAR MAY 25: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo Monday chaired a meeting of the District Level NCORD Committee to review the impact and progress achieved under the ongoing 100-day anti-drug campaign being implemented across the district.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dr. Sundeep Chakravarthy was also present in the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, Qazi Irfan; Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Aadil Fareed; SP  Headquarter, Umar Shah; IAS Probationer, Alfred Thomas; SDM West, Irfan Bahadur; SDM East, Zubair Ahmad; and Officers from Excise, Drug Control Organisation, DYS&S, heads of ATF’s and Officers of other concerned departments.

At the outset, the meeting held a comprehensive review of the District’s anti-drug strategy, enforcement actions and preventive interventions undertaken during the ongoing 100-days anti-drug Jammu and Kashmir Nasha Mukt Abhiyan.

During the meeting, it was informed that intensified enforcement operations and coordinated action against drug peddling networks have yielded significant results across Srinagar district.

Giving detailed figures, the meeting was informed that 84 FIRs have been registered under NDPS cases and 117 persons have been arrested during the ongoing campaign. It was further reported that 100 driving licences and 46 vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs) linked to NDPS-related violations have been suspended to date, as part of sustained and strict enforcement measures aimed at disrupting drug networks and deterring drug-related activities in the district.

The meeting was further informed that licences of 17 chemists were suspended for violations related to drug regulations and unauthorized handling of controlled substances. In addition, red entries have been recorded in revenue records against identified drug peddlers to strengthen legal and administrative action against repeat offenders.

Additionally, illegal properties worth nearly Rs 40 crore linked to drug peddlers have been attached or demolished in Srinagar as part of the intensified crackdown on narcotics networks and illegal assets generated through drug trafficking.

The Deputy Commissioner and SSP appreciated the coordinated efforts of all departments and agencies involved in the campaign and emphasized the need to sustain the momentum through continued enforcement, public participation and preventive outreach initiatives.

On the occasion, the DC directed all concerned departments to further strengthen inter-departmental coordination and intensify action against drug peddlers and trafficking networks to ensure a drug-free and safer environment in the District. He emphasized renewed focus and coordinated efforts to curb drug abuse and dismantle the ecosystem supporting narcotics trafficking in Srinagar District.

The DC further stressed the importance of a multi-pronged strategy combining strict law enforcement with awareness generation, counselling and rehabilitation measures to effectively tackle the menace of drug abuse, particularly among youth.

The SSP Srinagar reiterated the commitment of the Police in collaboration with civil authorities towards sustained action against narcotics-related activities and called for active support from the public in identifying and reporting drug-related offences.

The meeting also reviewed measures related to intensified surveillance of identified hotspots and vulnerable areas, close monitoring of repeat offenders, strict regulation of pharmaceutical outlets, and effective implementation of awareness programmes across the district.

It further deliberated on strengthening counselling support and rehabilitation initiatives for affected individuals, with a focus on ensuring a coordinated, sustained, and outcome-oriented response to the drug menace.

SRINAGAR, MAY 25: Dr. Farooq Ahmad Dar, Vice President, Sewa Bharti J&K UT and Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Kashmir Prabhari, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Monday.

They projected various important matters pertaining to strengthening of grassroots-level outreach programmes under Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign, and other issues of public importance.

GANDERBAL, MAY 25: Under the chairmanship of Abdul Nasir, chairman district legal services authority Ganderbal and under the guidance of Sheikh Babar Hussain, secretary district legal Services authority Ganderbal, the district legal services authority in collaboration with ARTO Ganderbal conducted road safety and legal awareness drive at Duderhama Ganderbal.

Burjeena Hameed and Shaheena Ali, Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsels, actively participated in the awareness drive and distributed pamphlets and awareness material among the participants. The campaign focused on various aspects of road safety including adherence to traffic rules, mandatory use of helmets and seat belts, prevention of rash and negligent driving, avoidance of over-speeding and observance of statutory obligations under the Motor Vehicles laws.

During the programme, emphasis was also laid upon the importance of legal awareness in safeguarding the rights and safety of citizens and on the role of Legal Services Institutions in promoting access to justice and dissemination of legal literacy among the masses.

The Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) Ganderbal extended full cooperation for the successful conduct of the awareness drive by providing informative pamphlets and road safety awareness material for public distribution.

The participants appreciated the joint initiative undertaken by DLSA Ganderbal and ARTO Ganderbal and actively responded to the awareness campaign.

The programme concluded with a collective resolve to continue such awareness initiatives in the larger public interest for promoting road safety, legal consciousness and responsible citizenship.

DODA, MAY 25: Member Legislative Assembly(AC 52-Doda),  Mehraj Din Malik along with District Development Commissioner Krishan Lal, Monday presided over a comprehensive meeting regarding the preparation and implementation of the GIS-based Master Plan for Doda Town.

At the outset, the DC provided a detailed overview of the proposed master plan and highlighted the importance of scientific and technology-driven urban planning for the sustainable development of the district.

The meeting was attended by officers from across the line departments, including Town Planning, Revenue, PWD, Rural Development, Forest, Health, Education, Fire and Emergency Services, MVD, Traffic Department, Food and Civil Supplies, Municipal authorities, Statistics and Evaluation Office, besides other concerned agencies.

Detailed deliberations were held on the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for planned development, land use mapping, road connectivity, disaster management, environmental conservation, infrastructure development and regulation of construction activities in urban as well as rural areas of the district.

The DDC stressed the need for inter-departmental coordination and directed all departments to provide updated records, maps and field data for the timely preparation of an accurate and people-centric master plan.

Planner Shivani Garg from Guru Nanak Dev University delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the proposed GIS-based Master Plan for Doda town. The presentation covered important aspects related to zoning, traffic management, public utility spaces, drainage systems, green zones, tourism potential, beautification projects and future infrastructure requirements for the town. Stakeholders also participated virtually and shared valuable suggestions for making the master plan more practical, sustainable and development-oriented. The DDC emphasized that the GIS-based planning system would ensure transparency in decision-making, better resource management, systematic urban expansion and improved civic amenities for the public.

The participating departments shared their valuable suggestions and sector-specific inputs for the formulation of a comprehensive and well-developed master plan. Officers highlighted the need for proper zoning, expansion of road networks, preservation of environmentally sensitive areas, strengthening of drainage systems, development of public amenities, protection of agricultural land and creation of sustainable urban infrastructure. The departments also emphasized coordinated planning to meet future population growth and developmental requirements of the district

Speaking at the meeting, MLA Mehraj Din Malik highlighted the need for a modern and public-friendly master plan equipped with proper waste disposal systems, beautified parks, open gym facilities, better drainage networks and adequate public utilities. He stressed the importance of uninterrupted electricity supply in schools and other public institutions and urged departments to launch large-scale plantation drives, particularly on vacant forest land and government premises, with special focus on fruit-bearing plants. He also emphasized inclusive public participation from all sections of society in the planning process to ensure balanced and holistic development of Doda town.

The MLA emphasized the need for proper demarcation and rationalization of municipal limits to ensure planned urban expansion and effective civic management in Doda town. He also raised concern over the sinking zones identified in certain areas of Doda city and stressed that timely preventive and protective measures must be taken to safeguard public property, infrastructure and human lives. The MLA underscored the importance of incorporating disaster-resilient planning and scientific assessment in the GIS-based Master Plan so that future development is carried out in a safe, sustainable and environmentally balanced manner.

The DC further informed that the district administration is working towards strengthening water supply infrastructure on a large scale and reiterated that environmental protection and plantation drives would remain an integral part of the proposed master plan.