Precious Kashmir

Panel constituted to oversee implementation of manpower audit in deptts

Front

31/07/2021

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday constituted a five-member committee to oversee the implementation of manpower audit to be followed across various departments in the Union Territory.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of Committee Comprising of following officers to oversee the implementation of manpower audit to be followed across various departments in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” an order issued by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi under number 669-JK(GAD) of 2021, dated 30-07-2021.

Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee, the order said.

According to the order, Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing & Urban Development Department, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Director General (Codes), Finance Department have been appointed as the members of the committee.

The committee has been asked to finalize the scope of work for manpower audit for various departments in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

It has been further asked to shortlist a Government/Private Agency for conducting the manpower audit in a methodical and professional manner by utilizing scientific tools, the order said, adding that the committee will suggest a framework for optimum utilization of Staff available with various departments/organizations.

Short listing of an agency for this purpose shall be done within a period of 15 days and the Committee shall oversee the conduct of manpower audit across various departments to be completed within a period of six months, the order said, adding that the committee shall be serviced by the General Administration Department.

Govt aims to bring two-third geographical area under forest cover: LG

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

31/07/2021

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha launched “Green J&K Drive-2021” from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu on Friday. During this year, as many as 1.30 crore saplings are proposed to be planted across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Lt Governor planted a ‘cupressus’ sapling in the IIT Campus to mark the launch of this mega plantation drive.

The Green J&K Drive initiative is in consonance with the National Forest Policy, 1988 & the JK Forest Policy, 2011 which envisage afforestation on all degraded & denuded lands in the UT within & outside forests.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that the ‘Green J&K Drive’ aims at creating a people’s movement at a massive scale with the involvement of all stakeholders, particularly village panchayats, women, students, Urban Local Bodies, institutions, NGOs, and civil society.

Our aim is to bring two-third geographical area of J&K under the forest and tree cover. The forest and tree cover in Jammu and Kashmir is about 55%, which is substantially higher than the national average of 24.56%. It is a matter of pride for us that while the present circumstances are posing a difficult challenge to the people at many places, the government machinery and the people of Jammu and Kashmir are discharging their responsibility towards the coming generation by preserving and strengthening our natural wealth, the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor underlined the importance of taking science and ecology together on the path of development. It is vital to ensure balance between development and conservation of our environment. There has never been a more urgent need to revive ecology than today, he remarked.

He expressed satisfaction over the initiation of Green Jammu and Kashmir campaign by Forest Department targeting to plant 130 lakh plants this year, in collaboration with schools, Non-Governmental institutions, Village Panchayat Plantation Committees (VPPCs) to mark the completion of 130 years of dedicated service of the department, which will contribute significantly in increasing the green cover in the UT.

I am happy that the Green India Mission is being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir in the spirit of public participation which will bring economic benefits apart from improving the quality and quantity of forests in 320 villages, said the Lt Governor.

Every citizen must come forward to play an important part in the restoration of ecology. Scientific findings show that this decade matters most in preventing catastrophic climate change and reducing biodiversity loss. The United Nations on 5 June 2021 launched a major ambitious program – the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”, which is an important step towards restoring the destroyed ecology.

If we fail to restore our ecology in the next ten years, at least one million species may become extinct in the coming times. As long as the ecological system is protected, we will be able to conserve our forests, rivers and lakes, mountains, meadows, fields and urban landscapes, which are also a source of wealth and health for the society, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor appreciated the Forest Department and the IIT Jammu for aiming at planting 10,000 trees in the IIT Jammu campus in this monsoon, besides working on Greening and Eco-restoration of forest land diverted for the purpose of creation of this august institution.

The Lt Governor asked the IIT Jammu administration to put dedicated efforts in taking eco-friendly initiatives so that this reputed institution can join the Green Metric World Colleges competition on the basis of its Green Campus and Sustainability and can make its place in the top 50 ranking.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister, the whole country is making headway in exploiting solar power to reduce the carbon footprint. We can also explore the same to prevent the increasing imbalance of environment, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor advised the IIT Faculty to install a bio-digester to convert the campus waste into energy. This technology can change the way we manage solid waste and help make the campus environmentally sustainable with economic benefits. Apart from this, setting up of Biodiversity Park in the campus on the lines of Visvesvaraya Technological University can also be considered, he added.

“Whatever measures we are taking today to restore ecology and reduce air pollution, plastic pollution, I believe that it will prove to be a boon for the coming generations whether it is in villages or in cities”, maintained the Lt Governor.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor handed over the cheques worth Rs 1.97 cr to various Village Panchayat Plantation Committees (VPPCs) as the proceeds of harvesting of mature trees.

Appreciating the role of Social Forestry, the Lt Governor exhorted the department as well as the PRIs to work with renewed zeal and coordination to scale up the plantation activities for all the more encouraging results, thereby making PRIs truly empowered and self-reliant.

Earlier, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, in his address through video conferencing urged the Forest department and the Village Panchayat Plantation Committees to engage common people in the drive in a participatory mode to enhance the forest and tree cover. Even if each person plants one sapling, we will have sufficient green cover to surpass our target of taking J&K to the highest level of green cover, he added.

Dr. Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, in his address highlighted the initiatives of Forests department in improving the ecology and green cover in the UT.

Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment spelled out the future action plan for making the initiative a grand success.

Dr Manoj Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu read the welcome address and Sh. Roshan Jaggi, Director Social Forestry delivered the vote of thanks.

Bharat Bhushan, Chairman DDC Jammu; Vice Chancellors of various Universities; senior officers from Civil Administration, Police and Forests department, Sarpanches and members of VPPCs from across the UT, besides the students and faculty of IIT Jammu were present on the occasion.

HC upholds selection of SIs in JKP

City

Precious Kashmir

31/07/2021

Srinagar: The High Court on Friday dismissed appeals against its single bench’s judgment, upholding the selection and appointment of Sub Inspectors in J&K Police pursuant to advertisement notice on 30 December 2016.

In terms of the advertisement notice (No.Pers-A/400/2016/75303-403), the Director General of Police had invited applications for the posts of Sub Inspectors in Executive and Armed wings of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The final selection list was issued by the officials vide PHQ order (No.6626 of 2018) on 15 of December, 2018.

Subsequently, a number of aggrieved candidates challenged the selection list as well as the consequent appointments in a bunch of separate petitions.

The court’s single bench did not find substance in any of their contentions and dismissed their pleas on 9 August 2019, thereby upholding the selection and the appointment.

Aggrieved, they filed appeals, challenging the judgment on various grounds.

“We are of the considered opinion that there has been no gross or glaring illegality or irregularity in the process of selection of Sub Inspectors which is subject matter of these appeals,” a division bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sanjay Dhar said while dismissing the appeals.

“It was not open to the writ petitioners (the aggrieved candidates) to challenge the selection process after having participated in the same simply because had failed to make the grade,” the court said.

The Division Bench said that the single bench has rightly observed that “estoppel by conduct would apply with full force to the case of the writ petitioners (aggrieved candidates” and they are barred from challenging the selection process in the facts and circumstances of the case.”

The Division Bench said that while it was true that the advertisement notice provided conditions of employment as prescribed under the Rules of 2015, “but the conditions of employment in the context of instant case will have reference to only those rules notified under SRO 202 which relate to nature of appointment, fixation of pay, increments, dearness allowance and other conditions of service etc. and not to the process of selection.”

Even Circular (No.09-GAD of 2016) dated 29.01.2016, the court said, makes it amply clear that in order to harmonize the service conditions of all Government employees, the SRO 202 has been made applicable to all the posts for which selection is made by J&K Service Selection Board, Departmental Recruitment Boards etc. relating to selection in Government departments.

“So, it is only with regard to service conditions that SRO 202 of 2015 has been made applicable in all kinds of selections in Government departments. The fact that the said Circular bears reference to Departmental Recruitment Boards makes it clear that the Rules of 2015 did not obliterate or extinguish the possibility of selections being made by Departmental Recruitment Boards constituted under special rules of a particular department.”

Subsequently, the court ruled that the officials have not committed any illegality or irregularity in undertaking the selection process in accordance with the J&K Police Rules. “Thus, it cannot be said that there has been any gross or glaring illegality in the process of selection.”

To the contention that the Selection Committee was to be constituted by the Director General of Police and not the Government, the court said: “Even after the delegation of power, the ultimate power always remains with the delegator and is never renounced.

The Government being the source of power, which it has delegated to Director General of Police under Rule 172, was well within its power and jurisdiction to constitute a Selection Committee and, as such, no fault can be found with the procedure adopted by the Government in this regard.” (GNS)

MeT predicts widespread rains in J&K

Front

Precious Kashmir

31/07/2021

Srinagar: Weatherman on Friday forecast “widespread light rain and thundershowers over Jammu and Kashmir divisions.”

“Fairly widespread to scattered light rain and thundershowers,” have been predicted for subsequent two days, according to a weather forecast issued by the local meteorological department here.

Earlier in the day, the weatherman said a brief spell of heavy shower may occur at some places which may trigger flash flood, mudslide, landslide etc.

“Accordingly, people are requested to remain alert and move away from places vulnerable to such events and don’t give chance to turn vulnerability into disaster”.

Meanwhile, the official said that Srinagar received 7.3 mm of rain in 24 hours till 0830 hours while the summer capital of J&K recorded minimum temperature of 20.0 degrees Celsius which is 1.9 degrees Celsius above the normal for the season.

Jammu, the winter capital of J&K, received no rain during the time and recorded minimum of 26.6 degrees Celsius against normal of 25.2 degrees Celsius, he said.

Katra recorded downpour of 3mm of rain while Batote had 5mm, Banihal 0.2mm and Bhaderwah 35mm, the official said.

Qazigund, the gate town of Kashmir, received no rain and recorded minimum temperature of 19.6 degrees Celsius, he said.

Pahalgam received 17.4mm of rain while the famous tourist resort recorded a low of 15.4 degrees Celsius. Kokernag had 9.0mm of rain even as it recorded a minimum of 15.4 degrees Celsius, the official said.

The border town Kupwara received 22.0mm of rain while it recorded minimum temperature of 19.6 degrees Celsius, he said.

World famous skiing and tourist resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir had no rain and was the coldest place in Valley, recording minimum of 13.5 degrees Celsius, he added. (GNS)

Ensure 100% door-to-door collection of solid waste: CS to HUDD

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

31/07/2021

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Friday chaired the 8th meeting of State Level Apex Committee (SLAC) on Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and reviewed the functioning of solid waste management system under the scheme.

Administrative Secretaries of departments of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Housing & Urban Development, Jal Shakti, Planning, Development & Monitoring, besides, Commissioners, Municipal Corporations, Jammu/Srinagar along with Directors, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu/ Kashmir participated in the meeting.

It was informed that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, efforts are being made towards scientific disposal of solid waste through scientific solid waste management, robust IEC activities for bringing about a behavioural change, and various capacity-building measures. Currently, 100% door-to-door collection of solid waste is being done in 984 wards with 100% source segregation is 178 wards.

The Chief Secretary directed the Housing & Urban Development Department to ensure 100% door-to-door collection of solid waste across all towns and cities of Jammu and Kashmir by 2nd October 2021, besides, raising the number of towns with 100% source segregation.

It was informed that as per the approved action plans for 76 ULBs and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), the Department is undertaking decentralized solid waste management via dedicated source segregation, door-to-door collection, primary and secondary transportation, intermediate waste storage, scientific processing, and final disposal as per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Further, Municipal Committees of Pahalgam and Gulmarg have established processing plants with auto-composters and magnetic disintegrators to process bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes, respectively.

Moreover, JMC is setting up a 350 TPD solid waste processing plant at Jammu in collaboration with National Agriculture Corporative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). JMC has also established integrated solid waste management facility at Bandurakh with the capacity of 125 TPD for 26 municipal wards, besides, undertaking bio-remediation of 1,25,000 MTs of legacy waste from Bhagwati Nagar dumping site.

Similarly, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is setting up a waste-to-energy plant with a capacity of 625 MTPD waste processing and 5MW energy generation at Achan, Srinagar.

The Apex Committee approved the action plan of solid waste management for SMC for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) facilities at an estimated cost of Rs. 529.75 crore over the next five years. The Committee also approved the revised solid waste management action plan worth Rs. 415.21 crore for JMC.

The new concept of decentralized waste management is based on the scientific segregation of wet and dry waste at the household-level followed by door-to-door waste collection and transportation to waste management centres. The segregated waste is proposed to be appropriately disposed of and recycled on scientific lines with linkages for generating non-conventional renewable energy in the form of Compressed Natural Gas.

COVID-19: 137 test positive

Front

Jahangeer Ganaie

31/07/2021

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Union territory on Friday witnessed one death and 137 fresh positive cases were also reported, taking the number of total active cases in the UT to 1,171.

With one more death reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll in the UT has reached 4,378 and 137 fresh positive cases reported on Friday have pushed the tally of positive cases to 321,344.

Of the exact number of 321,344 cases, 199,627 are from Kashmir division and 121,717 from Jammu division. Officials said that among 137 new cases, 79 belong to Kashmir division while as 58 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 199,627 including 196,678 recoveries and 2,236 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 121,717 including 119,117 recoveries and 2,142 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 1,144 including 710 from Kashmir division and 434 from Jammu division.

With 109 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 315,795 which is 98.27 percent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 26 from Srinagar, 15 from Baramulla, 07 from Budgam, 06 from Pulwama, 02 from Kupwara, 00 from Anantnag, 02 from Bandipora, 08 from Ganderbal, 13 from Kulgam and 00 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 58 from Jammu division include 13 from Jammu, 01 from Udhampur, 08 from Rajouri, 14 from Doda, 01 from Kathua, 00 from Samba, 01 from Kishtwar, 04 from Poonch, 02 from Ramban and 14 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.

Meanwhile, authorities on Friday said that no fresh case of Mucormycosis popularly known as black fungus was reported in the UT and tally stands at 35.

One Covid death has been reported from GMC Doda.

As per officials figures, 71,370 positive cases including 832 deaths and 70,223 recoveries are from Srinagar, 23,610 including 282 deaths and 23,221 recoveries are from Baramulla, 22,886 including 22,615 recoveries and 205 deaths are from Budgam, 15,174 including 14,928 recoveries and 194 deaths are from Pulwama, 14,060 including 165 deaths and 13,861 recoveries are from Kupwara, 16,322 including 16,079 recoveries and 205 deaths are from Anantnag, 9,467 cases including 9,350 and 100 deaths are from Bandipora, 9,897 including 9,771 recoveries and 78 deaths are from Ganderbal, 11,257 including 11,114 recoveries and 117 deaths are from Kulgam and 5,584 including 5,516 recoveries and 58 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 52,754 including 51,498 recoveries and 1,139 deaths are from Jammu district, 11,291 including 11,129 recoveries and 135 deaths are from Udhampur, 10,927 including 10,651 recoveries and 225 deaths are from Rajouri, 7,241 including 7,024 recoveries and 125 deaths are from Doda, 9,262 including 9,106 recoveries and 151 deaths are from Kathua, 7,123 including 6,991 recoveries and 119 deaths are from Samba, 4,639 including 4,559 recoveries and 44 deaths are from Kishtwar, 6,261 including 6,128 recoveries and 95 deaths are from Poonch, 5,965 including 5,876 recoveries and 66 deaths are from Ramban and 6,254 including 6,155 recoveries and 43 deaths are from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin 2,834,122 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 8,805 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 1,171 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 2,466,795 persons have completed the surveillance period and 352,973 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 11,660,513 samples are available. Out of 11,660,513 the number of samples tested negative stands at 11,339,169 while as 321,344 have tested positive, among them 1,171 persons are active, 315,795 persons have recovered and 4,378 persons have died. (KNO)

Litigants can enter court premises from Aug 2

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

31/07/2021

Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday said that entry into the Court premises of the litigants will be allowed from August 2. However, the entry of the litigants into the Court Buildings shall continue to be prohibited till further orders, according to the Registrar General of court Jawad Ahmad said in the order.

“In continuation to the earlier order dated 30.06.2021 on the subject, the Chief Justice has been pleased to order that in view of the considerable decline in Covid-19 infection cases in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, the litigants shall be allowed entry into the Court premises with effect from 2nd August 2021, to enable them to meet their counsel in their chambers,” the order reads, adding, “However, their entry into the Court Buildings shall continue to be prohibited till further orders.” (GNS)

Secretary Higher Education e-reviews implementation of PMSSS in JK

City

Precious Kashmir

31/07/2021

SRINAGAR: Secretary Higher Education, Sushma Chauhan, today chaired a virtual meeting to review progress on Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), Jammu and Kashmir 2021-22.

Secretary emphasized upon the Nodal Principals, Higher Education Department and Directorate of School Education, Jammu and Srinagar wide publicity of the scheme.

It was informed in the meeting that all the facilitation and documentation centres have been made functional. Besides, training programme for Principals of Government Degree Colleges and concerned institutions as well as workshops for students and parents and other stakeholders shall be organized in coming days in coordination with AICTE team.

The department being a nodal agency for implementation of this scheme in J&K is making every effort to ensure that its benefit reach to each and every corner of the UT.

Pertinently, PMSSS is a financial assistance scheme for J&K students to pursue undergraduate studies outside the UT implemented by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), MHRD New Delhi through Higher Education Department of J&K as nodal agency. The scholarship is provided to the eligible students for the course under three heads including General, Professional and Medical Courses with a total of 5000 scholarships every year in the institutions outside J&K.

The meeting was attended by Director, School Education, Jammu; Additional Secretary, Higher Education Department; Secretary, Board of Technical Education, J&K; Director (Academics), JK Board of School Education; Nodal Principal, GCW MA Road, Srinagar; Nodal Principal, GGM Science College, Jammu; Principal, GCET, Jammu; Principal, Government Polytechnic College (Boys/Women), Srinagar; Principal, Government Polytechnic College (Women), Jammu and Consultant, PMSSS.

Air pollution in Delhi-NCR show decreasing trend over last 4 years

National

Indo Asian News Service

31/07/2021

New Delhi: An early estimate from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D), has shown a decreasing trend in PM2.5 concentration over Delhi-NCR over the last four years.

“Our data is showing that pollution levels have gone down. In 2020, it had anyways gone down because of the lockdown etc. But data from 2017 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019 has shown a decreasing trend,” said Sagnik Dey, associate professor at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT-Delhi.

A number of policy measures have been taken in the National Capital Region (NCR) to curb air pollution such as switching to cleaner BSVI fuel, installing CEMS monitoring across industries, cleaner zig zag technology in brick kilns, completion and use of Eastern and Western Peripheral Highways, which bypasses heavy traffic away from Delhi limits, and deployment of happy seeders, which address crop residue burning to an extent.

“With all these measures, the data from the government monitoring has shown a decreasing trend in PM2.5 concentration over Delhi-NCR,” said S.N. Tripathy, head of the Civil Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur.

But Tripathy also put an immediate caveat: “The time series is very short, and yet, the data is showing some decreasing trend.”

Because of this, both Dey and Tripathi declined to hazard a guess to put a quantum on the levels of pollution, which may be in the range of 10-15 per cent or 15-20 per cent.

Tripathy is part of the National Knowledge Network, which has been set up to provide scientific guidance to achieve National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) goals and has been pushing for adopting an airshed approach as a provincial management expanding to the states.

The government on Saturday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to constitute a commission for air quality management in Delhi-NCR and its surrounding regions based exactly on the airshed approach.

“Domestic policies such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna, which has provided a successful solution in the form of 14 crore LPG connections in India, too has been making a huge difference. Household cooking contributes to one-fourth of the mortality burden due to air pollution in the region. Not just domestic cooking, the street vendors shifting to LPG too may have helped,” said Tripathi.

Lead is a carcinogen generated from solid fuels used in household cooking while nitrogen dioxide emissions (NOx) are mostly attributed to transport.

Agriculture sector backbone of J&K’s economy: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

30/07/2021

Agriculture sector backbone of J&K’s economy: LG

‘UT witnessing new rural economic revolution, which never happened in last 70 years’

Kathua: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Thursday said that the structural changes and consolidation of different programmes for farm and non-farm population in the rural areas is nothing short of a revolution for rural J&K.

Attending the first-ever “Vishal Pashudhan Vyapar Mela” at Sports Stadium, Hiranagar in Kathua district, Sinha said the UT has also redefined the agriculture and horticulture business in the country with expanded operations and strong supply chain system, which had never happened in the last 70 years.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor welcomed the farmers from other states to the mega Livestock Trade Fair.

The first of its kind event in the UT will provide a major fillip to the Animal Husbandry sector with an additional source of income to the farmers. It is an effort on the part of the government towards providing a single platform for sale/purchase of high-quality livestock breeds that will strengthen J&K’s Dairy sector, besides exploiting the full potential of J&K in milk, fodder & mutton production, to cut down imports and bridge the demand and supply gap in the poultry sector, and generating employment by attracting new entrepreneurs, observed the Lt Governor.

The Mela will facilitate doubling the income of farmers through the adoption of best practices, genetic up-gradation of milch animals, latest technical interventions and proper management of high-quality breeds of milch animals. Further, the hardships faced by farmers in the cumbersome purchase process of high-quality breeds from the adjoining states and their transportation to the destination district of UT of J&K will be eliminated as high-quality breeds of cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, etc. from neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh etc. shall be displayed for sale & purchase, said the Lt Governor.

In addition, the related machinery of latest technology pertaining to Animal & Sheep Husbandry sectors including fodder management shall also be displayed and made available for the farmers and dairy entrepreneurs. The insurance of animals after sale/ purchase will also be facilitated by the department of Animal & Sheep Husbandry, he added.

Terming Agriculture sector as the backbone of J&K’s economy, the Lt Governor stated that the government is making resolute efforts to develop this huge growth potential sector to double the income of the farmers and the other stakeholders involved in the Agriculture and allied sectors.

70% of our population is dependent on agriculture with around 76 lakh people being dependent on agriculture. This year, the budget of Rs 2008 crore has been earmarked for the Agriculture sector which is way more than the budget per capita as compared to many other states and UTs, he added.

The Government has made reformative interventions to bring a revolution in the agriculture sector, the record production registered in agriculture, and horticulture is the result of this change. The efforts of the last one year have put J&K on the map of big agriculture and horticulture powers, said the Lt Governor.

Quoting some instances of the exemplary work being done in the agriculture and horticulture production, the Lt Governor observed that a few years ago, a farmer produced roughly two kilograms of saffron from a hectare of the field; however, today 5 kg of saffron is being produced in one hectare.

Taking the lab technology to the fields, our agricultural scientists, researchers are touching new heights with their hard work. Around 500 farmers of Doda district have now adopted new techniques, and left the traditional cultivation of maize to cultivate lavender, triggering a new revolution under Aroma Mission, added the Lt Governor.

Underscoring the innovative measures undertaken by the Government, the Lt Governor noted that the High Density Plantation has been started in mission mode and material for High Density Plantation is being made available to the farmers at subsidized rates.

Appreciating the efforts of the Agriculture Department, the Lt Governor said that the Government machinery is extending all-out support to the farmers to facilitate their socio-economic growth.

Citing a research paper on the changing agriculture and horticulture system of Jammu and Kashmir, published in the USA’s science journal ‘Heliyon’, the Lt Governor noted that the paper acknowledged the historic development taking place in Agriculture sector in the UT. The Lt Governor credited the determined efforts of officials of the administration and the farming community for this unprecedented development.

In 2015, the Prime Minister had entrusted upon the Agriculture Departments across the country to work in a mission mode to increase the income of farmers and called for putting the focus on many other options like Animal Husbandry, Beekeeping to generate income throughout the year, which is a great option for small and medium farmers and also encourages integrated farming, said the Lt Governor.

In order to realize the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Government has kept a budget of Rs. 338 crore for Animal, Sheep, Fisheries Department this year to connect the farmers with commercial animal husbandry to exploit the full potential of the sector and ensure the socio-economic development of all stakeholders, the Lt Governor maintained.

In an effort to cut down imports and bridge the demand and supply gap in dairy and poultry sectors, double the income of farmers, and generate employment, the Government has launched Integrated Dairy Development Scheme. Under this scheme, financial support is provided in the shape of 50% subsidy for the Establishment of dairy units, milk collection/chilling processing units, the establishment of market infrastructure and milk/milk-product transportation system, environment management of dairy farms. This year, the Government plans to establish 800 new dairy units, by induction of more than 4000 animals, and other milk processing units. This will enhance the milk production significantly, the Lt Governor said.

Further, under the Integrated Poultry Development Program 2021-22, significant financial support shall be provided for the establishment of new commercial broiler farms. 50% subsidy on Insurance of Poultry Broiler birds, Establishment of Poultry dressing, and processing unit, Establishment of Poultry rendering unit, Establishment of Poultry caged transport vehicles for transportation of poultry and establishment of mini hatcheries/incubators. This year, the department targets to encourage new entrepreneurs to establish more than 500 new commercial broiler farms and other units to enhance poultry production, he added.

Animal health is very important in this entire campaign and we want to extend the best facilities to the farmers by reaching out to their doorsteps through Mobile Veterinary Clinics. The government also plans to establish 26 mobile veterinary clinics this year for providing veterinary care services in remote and inaccessible areas, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor made some valuable suggestions in respect of animal husbandry. He advised the officials to get the census of animals done for better planning and execution of development schemes.

Apart from farming, the biggest support for the farmers is their livestock. I sincerely hope that the farmers will benefit a lot from this Pashudhan Vyapar Mela. I am sure that by fulfilling the aspirations of the farmers, we will move forward in the direction of development, said the Lt Governor.

He also reiterated that the government is committed to improving power infrastructure in the UT. ‘Power transmission and distribution system is being improved substantially. Despite our efforts, some areas in Jammu division remained affected during the last couple of months due to outages. We have identified the gaps. In order to provide uninterrupted and reliable power supply to all, we are introducing strict and innovative measures to meet various challenges in fulfilling energy needs of the people in future, he maintained.

The Lt Governor also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families which suffered loss in the Kishtwar cloudburst and assured every possible support of the J&K Government to the families affected by the natural calamity.

We cannot bring back the lives lost in the unfortunate incident. However, we will ensure the best possible assistance to the affected families. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the bereaved families, he said.

Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department highlighted the major schemes in Animal and Sheep Husbandry aimed at making Jammu and Kashmir self-sufficient in milk production, besides providing livelihood opportunities to the farmers to increase the farmers’ income.

Earlier, the Lt Governor inspected various stalls displayed by the Agriculture and allied departments and farmers. The Lt Governor also handed over the subsidy cheques to the beneficiaries under various schemes on the occasion.

Those present on the occasion included Mahan Singh, DDC Chairperson Kathua; Rahul Yadav, Deputy Commissioner Kathua; Vivek Sharma, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu; Krishan Lal Sharma, Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu, Heads of the Departments, DDC members, BDC Chairpersons, prominent citizens, besides a large number of farmers from the UT and neighbouring states participated in the event.

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