Jammu: Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Koul, a former Professor of Medicine, was on Friday appointed the Director of the prestigious Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura (SKIMS) in Srinagar.

The search committee to select the SKIMS Director from amongst 15 applicants included some of the most senior and respected doctors of the country, including AIIMS, New Delhi, Director, Dr Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS Director, Dr M.C. Misra, and PGI, Chandigarh, Director, Dr Surjit Singh.

An order issued by J&K’s General Administration Department said: “As approved by the Chairman, governing body SKIMS Soura Srinagar (Hon’ble Lt Governor J&K) Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Koul, ex-Professor and Head of Department, General Medicine, SKIMS is hereby appointed as director of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, (SKIMS) Soura Srinagar with effect from 01-01-2022.”

Dr Koul is among the few doctors in the country with the highest number of publications in prestigious national and international medical journals.

His over-three-decade-long experience in SKIMS is likely to stand him in good stead to head the most prestigious super-speciality hospital in J&K.

Urges department to target 4 lakh Mahila Kissan under MKSPS in 2022

JAMMU: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta today directed the Rural Development Department to gear up to meet annual capex targets for sustainable, people-centric development in the rural landscape of J&K.

He made this observation while reviewing the Capex of the department in which Commissioner/Secretary, Rural Development Department and other senior officers of the department were present.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to ensure that tendering is followed in all works in the department and all administratively approved and technical sanctioned works are allotted expeditiously in a transparent manner.

Dr. Mehta directed the department to meet the target of 30000 works under capex and saturate all the eligibility cases under PMAY-G with first installment by the end of the current fiscal year.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to cover all villages under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) during the current year besides targeting 4 lakh Mahila Kissans under Mahila Kissan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana Scheme (MKSPS) in the next year for creating sustainable livelihood options for women in the rural areas.

In her presentation, Commissioner/Secretary, Rural Development Department informed that the ongoing departmental works both in the category of non convergence and convergence works will be completed during the current fiscal year.

It was further informed that Rs. 40 Cr have been sanctioned during the year 2021-22 for the construction of residential buildings of DDCs/BDCs and all efforts will be made to complete the 68 works taken up during the current year.

Giving details of MGNREGA works, it was informed that 86 % of the released funds have been utilized and 215 lakh person days have been generated during the current year.

Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, the department informed that although69161 houses out of 137986 houses have been constructed till now, all out efforts will be make to meet the annual target by March end next year.

Under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA),it was noted that 98% expenditure has been made under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) and 10636 IHHLs and 322 community sanitary complexes (CSCs)have been constructedso far during the current fiscal year.

MD,SLRM Informed that under UMEED Scheme, 6810 Self Help Groups have been mobilized against the target of 11000 Self Help Groups (SLGs) and 91.48 % expenditure has been incurred during the current fiscal year.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to prepare a compendium of fully functional 3000 Panchayat Ghars with geotagged photograps. He further directed the department to ensure that all Panchayat Ghars were supplied with computers by the end of January next year.

Dr. Mehta asked the department to explore the feasibility of setting up of CSCs at bus stands and village /sub-urban markets so that their maintenance is ensured through an aggregator approach.

In his presentation, the Principal Secretary, YSS informed that while 118 works out of 534 approved works have been completed so far, the remaining works will be completed by the end of the current year.

It was further informed that J&K has 18 playgrounds, which have flood light facilities.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to ensure that every district has at least one playground with flood lighting facility.

In his presentation, the Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Department informed that Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE) had sanctioned 19000 Solar Street Lights and all 19000 SSLs stand installed.

30186 Solar Home Lights have been distributed by JAKEDA under PMDP in remote villages/hamlets of the UT at a total project cost ofRs. 20.22 Cr.

It was further informed that the Ministry has sanctioned 5000 Solar Agriculture Pumps under PM-KUSUM schemeat an estimated budget of Rs. 135.96 Cr for installation during the years, 2021-22 and 2022-23.

He further informed that MNRE has sanctioned 54 MW Rooftop Solar Power projects under Achievement Linked Incentive Scheme and 8.5 MW aggregate capacity has been installed at 69 sites.

JAKEDA has also provided solar power facility in 2227 Primary, Secondary/Hr. Secondary Schools of J&K under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan having aggregate capacity of 7.90MW.

The Chief Secretary directed the department to ensure that all government buildings in Jammu City are provided with solar power facility on sustainable basis.

Dr. Mehta directed the department to explore the possibility of generating energy from biomass in Kashmir Valley, besides considering setting up of one plant in J&K for fuel generation from plastic wastes.

He asked the department to think about providing Solar Light options in Kandi areas.

Principal Secretary, Estates in his presentation informed that about equal number of heads of departments are working in both the capital cities of the UT and that after the practice of Darbar Move was stopped, work in offices across J&K is going on smoothly.

It was further informed that 5 ongoing languishing projects will be completed by the end of the current fiscal year.

It was further informed that the tenders for outsourcing of sanitation work in Civil Secretariat, Jammu will be floated in the next week.

Dr. Mehta advised the department to improve the aesthetics of the entrance of the secretariat by de-congesting the area in and around the lawns and reimagining the existing landscape design so that the front yard of the secretariat becomes aesthetically pleasing.

The Chief Secretary asked the department to examine the feasibility of accommodating KAS trainees/health department officials/employees of JaKeGA on merits under an institutionally approved framework in the recently vacated housing units/quarters in J&K.

Jammu: Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Rohit Kansal today inaugurated the first ever Kisan Call Centre at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Jammu(SKUAST-J) with toll free no 1800-180-7196. Prof JP Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu was present on the occasion.

Talking about this ambitious plan of Govt of India, Rohit Kansal, in his address termed agriculture and allied sectors vital for Indian economy. He told that the sectors constitute 20 percent of India’s GDP and employ half our population. He highlighted the role of agriculture universities in innovating novel methods of agriculture to mend the drawbacks of conventional agricultural practices. He also laid stress on value addition and post production processing to increase farmers income.

Speaking on farmers welfare, the Principal Secretary said that there is a need to introduce innovation in farming methods while ensuring that all risks involved with it are covered. Universities and research institutes have a crucial role to play in this, he said.

The Principal Secretary called for increasing production volume of key products of Jammu & Kashmir like walnut, cherry and saffron. We would be in better position to influence markets if only our produce is significant, he underlined.

The Vice Chancellor briefed about the importance of exclusive Kisan Call Centre of University to deliver effective extension services to the farming community in their local dialect. He stressed upon effective implementation of National Education Policy in farm Universities in collaboration with Higher Education Department. Discussing the need of value addition, post-harvest management and marketing, Vice Chancellor informed that the University is taking pre-emptive steps to enhance farmers’ income through formation of Farmer Producer Organisations. He also highlighted various new initiatives taken by the university including establishment of new faculties and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Rohit Kansal also visited various constituent units of SKUAST-J including Sanjeevni Tapovan, CoE of Mushroom, School of Biotechnology, CoE Bee Keeping and interacted with faculty members and students.

Earlier, Dr SK Gupta, Director Extension SKUAST-Jammu welcomed the guests and briefed about the newly established Kisan Call Centre facility. Dr Bikram Singh Dean FoA presented vote of thanks.

Dr AK Sharma, University Librarian, Dr Rakesh Nanda, Director Education, Dr M.S. Bhadwal, Dean FVSc. & AH, Dr S.E.H. Rizvi, Dean FBSc., Dr Sushil Gupta Registrar, Dr Pardeep Wali Director Research, Dr. Rajesh Katoch, Dean Student Welfare, Sh. Rajesh Talwar, Comptroller, Sh. Dharam Paul, Estates Officer and heads of departments of Faculty of Agriculture were also present on the occasion. Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma carried out the proceedings of the inaugural function.

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: A nineteen-year-old girl from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has brought laurels to the whole Jammu and Kashmir by bagging gold medal in youth games All India National Championship 2021.

Shariya Manzoor, a resident of Nehama village in Kakapora belt of Pulwama district who is pursuing her Bachelor’s from Government Degree College Pulwama wants to become a boxing champion.

While talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Shariya said that she is very happy to win the gold medal at national level in boxing and she will work hard as her dream is to reach the Olympics.

She further said that she was interested in boxing since her childhood but in absence of any infrastructure and coach in the district she faced various challenges.

“I had to merge with martial arts in absence of any support from the government side despite contacting the sports council and others,” she said, adding that, “I have won gold medals in the national Thang soo do championship besides that I have also participated in the belt wrestling championship.

“Without learning boxing, anywhere, I have won silver medals twice in UT level championships in the last two consecutive years but still there is no proper support from the government and I am wandering to get a special boxing coach,” she said.

Shariya said that lack of infrastructure is becoming an obstacle for dozens of youth especially girls who are very much interested in boxing but are forced to choose some other field.

“My dream is to become a boxing champion but I want support from the government so that I can prove my mettle at mega stages,” she said.

“I am practicing hard and learning some art forms and boxing at the Lion’s Den academy in Pulwama and I am hopeful that I can participate in the Olympics and show my boxing skills.”—(KNO)