Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today called upon all stakeholders for doubling the efforts for branding and marketing of the local Agri-products, besides seamless extension of technology from Lab to Field for bringing long term and revolutionary changes in the agriculture sector.

Speaking during the inaugural ceremony of five days long Kisan Mela, the Lt Governor suggested to focus on strategic and professional approach for Branding and Marketing of local products to increase the income of farming community, and stressed for understanding the importance of Kisan Mela which can bring change in the lives of farmers.

The Lt Governor observed that J&K farmers have huge potential for becoming Agri-entrepreneurs.

The theme of this Kisan Mela – “Self-sufficient Agriculture, Self-Reliant India” is not merely a slogan, it’s a vision given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for taking a leap towards the transfer of new knowledge, and making farmers of the country AatmaNirbhar. AatmaNirbhar Krishi and AatmaNirbhar Kissan are the bedrock of AatmaNirbhar Bharat said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor congratulated the University for organizing the Kisan Mela with a focus on demonstration of the innovative technologies developed by the university to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in the Jammu region.

The event is bringing a large number of farmers, farm women, livestock owners, Agri-preneurs, industrialists, rural youth, researchers, technocrats, extensions workers, students, and policymakers at one platform, and giving farmers direct access to the latest innovative ideas available in the field of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and other allied sectors, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that the Kisan Mela would provide an exclusive platform to farmers to exchange ideas and gain new knowledge in farming. He added perceptiveness as a fifth “P” of marketing in addition to already existing four P’s viz Product, Price, Place, and Promotion for aggressive marketing of agri-products.

Emphasizing on increasing productivity, making agriculture sustainable and developing Agri-preneurs, the Lt Governor observed that in the last 8 month, reformative measures are being taken for the growth of agriculture and horticulture sectors.

The Lt Governor called for connecting farmers with buyers on the lines of Buyer-Sellers meet, besides taking Krishi Mela to Panchayat and Block level. He emphasized on establishing Panchayat level innovative model collection centres and promoting the markets of the villages and group marketing with the help of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Agriculture Universities. He also stressed for promotion of success stories of progressive and award-winning farmers on all the platforms.

Laying special emphasis on realizing the true growth potential of the local agriculture and horticulture produce, the Lt Governor called for better branding and nation-wide market availability to the local products which will ultimately benefit the farmers and Self-Help groups.

The Lt Governor made valuable suggestions for tapping the immense growth potential of agriculture and allied sector products of J&K. He stressed on the need to provide hand holding to the Self-Help Groups and enhancing their knowledge in branding and marketing of the products.

The Lt Governor further suggested for constituting Marketing Experts team by Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendra so that the desired focus can be given to the marketing component.

Focus must be given to various elements of Marketing like branding, packaging, distribution, market channel, and self-promotion, he added.

Highlighting the great potential of the Horticulture sector in the UT, the Lt Governor called for taking the added advantage of the recall value of the horticulture products of J&K and making most of it.

Assuring full support of J&K Government to all the stakeholders involved in agriculture and allied sectors, the Lt Governor observed that the GI Tagging and organic certification has been done to promote the products of J&K at the global market.

Addressing the transportation issue, the Lt Governor observed that the work on dry port facility in Samba has already begun and  the demand for augmenting Air Cargo services in J&K was put forth during the NITI Aayog meeting held recently, to strengthen the distribution channel.

While appreciating the efforts being made by Universities towards promoting Agri- technological innovations, the Lt Governor stressed on the need for registration of innovations and asked SKUAST to make a move ahead in this direction and implement a mechanism on the lines of agriculture universities of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. “Agricultural Universities of J&K need to contribute to the Rural and National level Innovation Registry. File patents for actionable innovations”, the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor also stressed that the University should start Horticulture, Dairy Farming, and Agriculture Engineering departments at the earliest.

Terming Agro-Processing Centre scheme of the Central Government as a game-changer, the Lt Governor observed that the implementation of this scheme will give new dimension to the agro-processing sector in the UT. J&K has an abundance of raw material. In last 5 years, food processing centers increased by 10%. We need to tap this potential and create new markets which will facilitate the farmers, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also made a special mention of the progressive farmer, Vimla Devi from Reasi. He called upon the scientists of the University for preparing District-wise data of all such Agri-preneurs so as to provide requisite technical handholding to them to increase farm production and in turn their incomes.

The 5-Day long Kissan Mela is the exhibition of proven and advanced techniques to motivate farmers for its adoption and realizing the objectives of AatmaNirbhar Bharat. Latest agri-start-ups, kisan ghosties, sale of quality seed and planting material, live demonstration of improved varieties, flower show, vegetable show, fruit show, passport mela, animal & dog show, agri-tourism, industrial meet, rural sports, and farmers-scientist interaction, presentation by innovative farmers will be held during the five-day mela.

Farooq Khan, Advisor to the Lt Governor expressed his happiness over the implementation of various proposals discussed with Prof. J. P. Sharma. He stressed on the need to impart practical knowledge to the students so that they could connect themselves with the various aspects of agriculture and develop themselves from ’Job Seekers’ to ‘Job Providers’.

Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers’ welfare and Horticulture also spoke on the occasion. He said that today’s Kisan Mela is a farmer’s outreach programme and an innovative one. While expressing satisfaction for working of University, he suggested to improve course curriculum and make it practice-oriented. He said that Department of Agriculture and other line departments along with university are working in tandem to reach the farming community with all the facilities at doorstep.

In his welcome address, Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, and Chief Patron of the Kisan Mela, highlighted the activities of the University and said that 5 days Kisan Mela is the first of its kind in the history of SKUAST-Jammu which is also available on virtual platform. He also expressed gratitude towards the Lt Governor for making several interventions for the advancement and development of the University. Prof. Sharma said that University is working on the replication of Innovation of farmers and also strengthening facilities like conversion of Herbal Garden into wellness centre, agro-tourism, branding and marketing of local products for which Industrial meet is also scheduled for 18.03.2021.

The Kisan Mela is being organized in collaboration with Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Floriculture, Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries, Command Area Development, National Horticulture Board, JKEDI, ICCR etc.

Meanwhile, five publications for farmer’s local languages were released by the dignitaries on the occasion.

Earlier, the Lt Governor inaugurated livestock show, flower show and inspected exhibitions and stalls demonstrated by the university, line departments, farmers, start-ups, etc.

Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Dr. Rajbir Singh. Director, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI); Regional Passport Officer, Director(s) of line departments, Secretary, J&K Kissan Board, Dr. S.K.Gupta, Director Extension, Dr. Jag Paul Sharma, Director Research cum Registrar and Other Statutory Officers of the University, Faculty members of SKUAST-J, besides scores of farmers, were present on the occasion.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday ordered a major reshuffle in administration.  As many as 34 officers were transferred with immediate effect.

According to separate orders Dr Piyush Singla (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.

Mohammad Aijaz (IAS ), Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.

Avny Lavasa (IAS), Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, has been asked to hold the charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Jammu City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, in addition to her own duties, till further orders.

Anshul Garg (IAS) , Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.

Rahul Yadav (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kathua.

Doifode Sagar Dattatray (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Doda, has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, relieving Choudhary Mohammad Yasin (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K of the additional charge of the post.

Krittika Jyotsna (IAS), Chief Executive Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency, holding additional charge of Secretary, J&K Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.

Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary (IAS), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama.

Athar Aamir Ul Shafi (IAS), Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, shall hold the charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Srinagar City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Basharat Qayoom (IAS), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited.

Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat (IAS), Sub Divisional Magistrate, Karnah-Tangdhar, holding additional charge of Sub-Registrar, Karnah Tangdhar, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam. Rohit Khajuria (KAS) Deputy Commissioner, Samba, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

Showkat Aijaz Bhat (KAS), Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

Anuradha Gupta (KAS), Director, School Education, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Samba.

Ajay Kumar (KAS), Director, Development Expenditure, Division-I, Finance Department, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Reasi.

Inderjeet, KAS, Director, Agriculture, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Poonch.

Vikas Sharma(KAS), Director, Geology and Mining, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Doda.

Indu Kanwal Chib (KAS) Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur.

Shafqat Iqbal (KAS), Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

O.P. Bhagat (KAS), Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

As per a separate order, Bipul Pathak (IAS), Principal Secretary to the Government, Science & Technology Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Social Welfare Department, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Alok Kumar (IRS), Principal Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, has been asked to hold the charge of Principal Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department and Chief Executive Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

Sarita Chauhan (IAS ), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, holding additional charge of Chairman, J&K Special Tribunal, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department. “She shall continue to hold the charge of Chairman, J&K Special Tribunal, in addition to her own duties, till further orders.”

Sanjeev Verma (IAS), Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.

Saurabh Bhagat (IAS), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department, has been transferred and posted as Director General, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development.

1. Raju (IAS), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Estates Department, has been asked to also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Civil Aviation Department and Civil Aviation Commissioner, in addition to his own duties, till further orders, relieving Ms. Rukhsana Gani (KAS), Administrative Secretary, Hospitality and Protocol Department of the additional charge of the post.

Talat Parvez Rohella (KAS), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Hospitality and Protocol Department.

Rukhsana Gani (KAS), Administrative Secretary, Hospitality and Protocol Department, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Registration, J&K.

Zubair Ahmad (KAS), Director General, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, relieving  Simrandeep Singh (IAS), Secretary to the Government, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the additional charge of the post.

Sheetal Nanda (IAS), Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department.

Yasha Mudgul (IAS ), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Secretary to the Government, Cooperatives Department, relieving  Navin Kumar Choudhary, IAS (JK:1994), Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare of the additional charge of the post. Sushma Chauhan, IAS (JK:2009), Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, holding additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Jammu City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, is transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department. She shall also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, in addition to her own duties, till further orders. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, IAS (JK:2009), Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, holding additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Srinagar City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, is transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Mission Youth. He shall also hold the additional charge of Mission Director, Skill Development Mission, relieving Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS) of the additional charge of the post.

Dr. Raghav Langer (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, has been transferred Divisional Commissioner, Jammu.

Also, Dr. Pawan Kotwal (IAS), Inspector General of Registration, J&K, has been transferred and his services placed at the disposal of the Union territory of Ladakh for further posting.

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that at least 31 civilians and 39 security personnel lost their lives in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and International Border post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The MHA was replying to queries raised in the Lok Sabha about ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir and losses suffered post abrogation of Article 370 including the treatment and compensation to civilians and shelters prepared for the protection of civilians.

In a written reply, Minister of State (MoS), Home Affairs, GK Reddy as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the incidents of ceasefire violations/cross border firing by Pakistan along the LoC/ IB in Jammu and Kashmir have been reported since decades.

“Immediate and effective retaliation is undertaken by the security forces in such cases,” GK Reddy said, adding that 31 civilians were killed and 39 security forces were martyred in such incidents from August 05, 2019 to February 28, 2021.

He said that the affected persons with minor injuries were treated in the hospitals located in the close vicinity and those seriously injured were referred to the tertiary care hospitals.

“Ex-gratia cash relief of Rs 5 lakh was given to next of kin (NoK) in case of death or the victim with more than 50 per cent disability,” the reply reads.

It reads that the compensation for damage to houses/losses, loss of the crop, loss of livestock, stay at relief camps and displacement, etc, to those affected by cross border firings was also reimbursed by the Government of India as per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines.

Reddy in his reply said that compensation of Rs 50,000 per loss of a domestic animal was also given. “Besides, the government of Jammu and Kashmir also provides relief to such injured persons as per their extant rules.”

He also informed that the government has sanctioned the construction of 14,460 bunkers including 1,431 community bunkers and 13,029 individual bunkers to provide protection to the people living in the areas close to the IB/LoC and to safeguard human lives in the event of cross border firing.

“Out of these, 7856 bunkers have already been constructed in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir,” the reply reads.

Srinagar: Government of India (GOI) Tuesday said that keeping in view the modern weapons used by the militants, it has been strengthening its counter militancy apparatus.

A question was raised in the Lok Sabha whether the government is aware that militants have resources and more advanced arms and ammunition and what are the plans to equip security forces and intelligence agencies with advanced weaponry and quotient to combat militants.

Replying to a query, MoS GK Reddy, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), while acknowledging the fact said that militants have been using modern weapons and equipment to commit militancy acts across the world.

“Combat against militancy is a continuous process,” Reddy said.

The written reply reads that “the government has been strengthening its counter militancy apparatus including equipping security forces and intelligence agencies with requisite resources, equipment, weaponry, modern technology, training, etc.”—(KNO)

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed Lok Sabha that a total of 32,31,353 applicants have been issued domicile certificates in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir while 2,15,438 applications have been rejected till December 30 last year.

MHA was replying to query raised in Lower House about the process of issuing the domicile to those who have applied including the permanent residents of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs GK Reddy in a written reply said that a total of 35,44,938 applications for the issue of domicile certificates have been received as on 31st December 2020, out of which 32,31,353 applicants have been issued domicile certificates.

As per information provided by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, a total of 35,44,938 applications for the issue of domicile certificates have been received as on 31st December 2020, out of which 32,31,353 applicants have been issued domicile certificates,” Reddy said.

“As of 31st December 2020, a total of 31,08,682 domicile certificates have been issued to the dependents/holders of erstwhile Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir,” Reddy said.

Reddy said that a total of 2,15,438 applications has been rejected as of 31st December 2020.

“Rule 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir Grant of domicile certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020 mandates certain documents to be annexed with the application”, the MoS said. “The applications which lack the prescribed documents are rejected.” ( KNO)

Srinagar: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that after the constitution of District Development Council (DDCs), District Development Boards (DDB) have ceased to exist.

Similarly, the District Planning Committee chaired by the Member of Parliament representing the area has taken the place of DDB.

The Minister of State (MoS) GK Reddy, in a written reply filed in Lok Sabha, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that as per information provided by Union Territory of J&K, there was no provision of District Development Councils (DDCs) in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Reddy informed that the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 was adapted through the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Fourth Order, 2020 and was notified on 16th October 2020.

“The adapted law provides for direct election of Sarpanch/Panch and members of DDC. Further, every DDC shall have a fund to be called the DDC fund comprising grants by the government and its own resources,” Reddy said.

The reply reads that the members of DDC exercise and perform functions as per the mandate provided in section 46 of Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, as adapted.

“After the constitution of DDCs, District Development Boards have ceased to exist in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and District Planning Committee chaired by the Member of Parliament representing the area, has taken the place of DDBs”, the reply reads.

The reply further reads that the District Planning Committees perform functions as envisaged in section 47B of the said order.

Notably, Government of India (GOI) recently conducted the maiden DDC elections across Jammu and Kashmir with a chairperson representing each district comprising of a total of 14 members—(KNO)

 Fresh projects worth Rs. 109 cr approved for Sgr, Jammu,  Anantnag

Jammu: The Chief Secretary, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam today chaired the 7th meeting of State Level Apex Committee (SLAC) on Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and reviewed progress made under the scheme.

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

It was informed that the Swachh Bharat Mission aims to eliminate open defecation, scientific disposal of solid waste and bringing effective behavioural change regarding healthy sanitation practices through five components of Individual Household Toilets (IHHTs), Community Toilets/Public Toilets (CT/PTs), scientific solid waste management, IEC activities, and capacity-building measures.

To reinforce the momentum achieved by the Housing & Urban Development Department under the vision of SBM, the State Level Apex Committee approved the revised target of 51,232 Individual Household Toilet (IHHT) Units across all the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Jammu and Kashmir along with the revised target of 2757 Community Toilets/Public Toilets. It also approved procurement of 30 mobile toilets by Directorate ULB Jammu and Jammu Municipal Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.77 crore.

The Committee further approved the action plan for establishing de-centralized solid waste management facilities in 76 ULBs at an estimated cost of Rs. 404.52 crore over the next five years. The new concept of decentralized waste management is based on 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.

Later, the Chief Secretary chaired the 7th meeting of the State Level High Power Steering Committee (SLHPSC) for implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).

The Committee reviewed the progress of projects under AMRUT in Jammu, Srinagar and Anantnag which are at various stages of completion, and approved various new projects including the construction of stormwater drainage at Hamdania Colony, drainage network in Digiana and up-gradation of drainage in JMC.

The Committee also gave its nod for change of location of the proposed cycle track in Srinagar City; from Shivpora to Batwara.

The meeting was attended by the Administrative Secretaries of departments of Housing & Urban Development, Transport, Forest, Environment & Ecology, Jal Shakti, Commissioners, Municipal Corporations, Jammu/Srinagar along with Directors, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu/ Kashmir participated in the meeting.

Srinagar: The founding member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Muzzaffar Hussain Beigh is likely to join Peoples Conference (PC) on Wednesday.

Reliable sources informed to Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that Baig is all set to join Sajad Gani Lone led Peoples Conference here.

“All the arrangements have been finalized and  Beigh will be joining PC for which stage has been set. A joint press conference may also be held after joining,” top sources added.

Pertinently, Beigh had parted his ways from PDP last year in November after a mandate to contest DDC elections on PAGD ticket was denied to his wife Safeena Beigh.

However, Safeena Baig contested the election as an independent candidate from Sangrama DDC constituency of Baramulla district and emerged victorious. Later, She was also elected as chairperson of DDC Baramulla.

Moreover, Beigh had previously served as deputy chief minister of the erstwhile state and also as a member of parliament (MP) from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. Analysts are seeing the development as a major boost to Peoples Conference (PC).