‘Promotion of local produce & taking it to global market is key focus areas of JK Govt’

Jammu:  The agriculture sector will get more share of the Jammu and Kashmir’s budget component in future. A unique Sustainable Agriculture Plan has been developed in J&K, which currently caters to all developmental needs without compromising future potential.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha made these remarks during the Horti-Expo 2021 here at Police Auditorium, Gulshan ground.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that revolutionary changes are taking place in the agriculture and horticulture sectors in J&K.

He said that the promotion of local produce and taking it to the global market is one of the key focus areas of J&K Government and the Government is making continuous efforts to increase the resources and market linkages to further strengthen the horticulture sector.

While addressing the farmers, the Lt Governor said that the UT Government would continue striving hard to provide the best and advanced technologies to farmers. Welfare of the farmer community and increasing their income manifold is the priority of the Government, he added.

“I assure farmers that Mandis are very much here to stay. In fact, they are getting strengthened and modernized. People should not spread false information and mislead the farmers”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor said that the government is also setting up Farmers Producers Organizations in all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir in the next three months to strengthen business activities related to agriculture and horticulture.

For the convenience of the farmers, free thresher is being provided in every panchayat of the UT. Road Tax on Tractors up to 3000 CC capacity has also been exempted and no tax will be paid on power tillers, he added.

Underscoring the interventions being made by the Government for progress and growth of agriculture and horticulture sectors, the Lt Governor observed that in the last few years, under the able guidance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and because of the hard work of our farmers, agricultural scientists, and the policies adopted by the Horticulture Department, J&K is getting distinct recognition in the world scenario.

Central Government and UT Administration are constantly making efforts and taking decisions so that not only Farmers’ produce sees huge growth and gets three times the price, but can also receive greater handholding and end to end solutions, the Lt Governor observed.

For making J&K pioneer and self-reliant in food-safety, the Lt Governor asked the Agriculture Department to develop new state-of-the-art scientific research programs and take these programs from lab to farm under mission mode.

The Lt Governor has also requested the NITI Aayog that instead of spreading the resources, the central government could consider specific product-based funding programs as our National Saffron Mission was successful because of its focus on one product.

He observed that experiments like Saffron Mission can also be used for other crops such as apples, walnuts, almonds, etc., which can cover the entire value chain of inputs, farms, processing, packing, and storage. This will also reduce dependence on rice and wheat and the funding coming from the government will go directly to value addition and processing units, he added.

The Lt Governor also recounted the innovative measures taken by the government to boost the horticulture produce in the UT.

He said that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has signed an MoU with NAFED, through which high-density Apple, Walnut, Mango, Strawberry, and Litchi will be cultivated in 5500 hectares in the next five years. NAFED will also create three cold storage clusters in Kathua, North and South Kashmir with an amount of Rs 500 crores.

The Lt Governor also stressed on the need to pay more attention towards allied activities such as Beekeeping and Dairy development and assured government support for the development of these sectors.

Under “Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture or MIDH” of the government, many instruments and facilities are being provided to the farmers. A lot of facilities are being made available by the government to facilitate farmers and ensuring good health of crops. Subsidized rates are being made available to the farmers on the material for the high-density plantation, due to which the production has also increased almost four times, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that the Ministry of Agriculture of the Central Government has signed MoU with more than 60 countries, which includes cooperation in research and development in agriculture, horticulture, and other allied sectors as well as providing a global market and full cooperation is also being provided by the government for all activities.

Earlier, the Lt Governor inspected stalls of Fresh, Dry Fruits, & Value Added Products installed by Horticulture officials, farmers, other stakeholders from the region, and from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states.

Srinagar: The train service between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal region resumed partially on Monday after remaining suspended for over 11 months due to COVID-19 pandemic.

A Railway official told UNI that the train service on 137-kilometre Banihal-Baramulla route, comprising of 17 stations, was partially restored on Monday with only two train runs in a day. “The first train will depart from Baramulla at 0910 hrs while the second train will leave Banihal at 1125 hrs,” he said.

He said people have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel and maintain social distancing inside the trains. “The service was partially restored on Monday after conducting a dry run on Sunday”.

Meanwhile, good number of people could be seen commuting on the first train, which left Baramulla at 0910 and has reached Banihal. “We are really happy that the train service has been restored partially between Baramulla and Banihal. It is not only economical, but also saves commuters a lot of time,” Imtiyaz Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Baramulla, told UNI.

Sheikh said that the service should be completely restored so that more people can benefit from it. Similar views were expressed by other commuters, who boarded the first train from Baramulla and other stations.

The Chief Area Manager of the Northern Railway for Kashmir had last week asked the authorities concerned in Srinagar and Budgam to inform him whether they have any objection in restarting passenger train  on Baramulla-Banihal route.

The railway authorities had ordered suspension of train services between Banihal and Baramulla in the Kashmir division with immediate effect in March last year in view of outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the Union Territory. The service was initially suspended till March 31. But, the duration of suspension was extended several times due to no let up in COVID-19 cases.

Since March 2020, only a special train run of Kashmir’s first Luxury Glass-roofed AC train was held in September last year between Baramulla and Banihal for a documentary that was filmed on the 137-km-long rail link, which before the restrictions used to ferry over 30,000 commuters every day.

In order to make train journey in Kashmir valley comfortable and exciting, the Northern Railways in 2018 introduced the first Air-Conditioned train fitted with a glass-rooftop and bigger windowpanes for sightseeing.

However, the full-fledged operation of the special coach was not possible, first due to the lockdown then due to unrest post abrogation of special status of J&K on August 5 last year and later due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The train service has become very popular as it is being considered safe, fast and cheap against other mode of transport. However, Railways in Kashmir has incurred huge losses due to suspension of services due to COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and security reasons in 2019 following unrest post abrogation of special status of J&K and before that.

Srinagar: There was slight dip in the maximum temperature due to overcast conditions though it remained above normal in the summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley, where rain and snow is predicted from Monday during the next 3 days under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance (WD).

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that light snow and rain could occur at many places in Kashmir valley on Monday under the influence of a WD, which has hit the region. “Another WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region in coming days,” he said.

He said under the influence of these two WD, scattered to widespread rain and snow would occur in J&K during from Monday night to ending February. “This system is most likely to affect North Kashmir, extreme western Ladakh during the next 2days,” he said, adding central, south Kashmir, Pirpanjal and Jammu region will be affected from February 25onwards.

He said heavy rain and snow would occur at some places during February 25 and February 26. “Due to the weather, flights may be disrupted at Srinagar international airport on February 26,” he added.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir on Monday recorded 58 new positive cases of Coronavirus.

Of the new cases, 11 were recorded from Jammu division and 47 from Kashmir division. With the fresh cases, total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 125925.

Moreover, 44 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including one from Jammu Division and 43 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 125925 positive cases, 725 are Active Positive, 123236 have recovered and 1954 have died; 725 in Jammu division and 1229 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 5038661test results available, 4912736 samples have been tested as negative till February 22.

Till date 1268616 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 34056 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 735 in isolation and 108884 in home surveillance.

Besides, 1122987 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Srinagar: The government on Monday rescheduled date for reopening of schools for elementary classes in Jammu and Kashmir.

The government said that the schools will only reopen on March-01 for the students’ of 9th to 12th standard and the students of elementary classes will reopen for physical academic activities from March-08.

In this regard, an order was issued by the administrative secretary to the government, B K Singh.

“In continuation of government order, it is hereby ordered that all government educational institutions including recognized private schools shall physically open in a staggered manner for academic activities wherein schools of Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu division for Class 9th to 12h will function from March-01-2021,” reads the order.

It further reads that in case of elementary classes’ upto class 8th, teachers shall attend the schools from March-01-2021 for preparation and students shall physically attend classes’ w e f from March-08-2021.

“Notified Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) guidelines shall remain unaltered and shall be followed in letter and spirit,” the government said.

Ganderbal: Police on Monday said that a doctor and five of his “associates” were arrested for illegal termination of pregnancy of a minor girl.

“In a prompt action, on a report from victim Liaisoning  Officer, deputed with a minor rape victim in a previous case FIR No.14/2021 U/S 376 IPC that the girl (name with held) has been subjected to compulsive delivery of baby by some unknown doctor and that the infant may have been killed during such illegal procedure, Ganderbal Police filed a fresh case FIR No.24 of 2021  U/S 326, 312 IPC at Police Station Ganderbal and initiated investigation into the case,” a police official said in a statement.

“SSP Ganderbal Khalil Ahmad Poswal constituted a team under the supervision of DySP Head Quarters Ganderbal Dr Abdul Majid including SHO Ganderbal Khurshid Ahmad Awan to nab the accused,” the official said, adding, “the  victim girl revealed  that her family members took her to accused Doctor’s clinic in Sopore where she was subjected to illegal termination of pregnancy.”

The accused doctor was subsequently arrested and identified as one Dr. Ghulam Nabi Bhat son of Muhammad Sultan Bhat of New Colony Sopore, the official said.

“Further leads into  this gruesome crime also led to the arrest of  five other persons assisting the doctor namely Altaf Khan Son of Mehboob Khan, Mst Ulfat Wife of Altaf Khan, Mst Haseena Begum Wife of Abdul Gani Khan Resident of Dedrambagh, Ganderbal, Bashir Ahmad Kumar S/O Ali Mohd Kumar R/O Baghi Mehtab and Mst Afrooza Wife of Ghaznafar Ali Hajam Resident of Alamgari Bazar for providing logistic and technical assistance in carrying out illegal procedure nearly at term stage,” the official said, adding, “Investigation in the case is going on and more arrests are expected.”

Srinagar: A group of parliamentarians from Delhi are visiting Jammu and Kashmir next month to honour persons who have outstanding performance in different fields.

Highly placed sources said during the mega award event titled “Real Hero Awards” the Members of Parliament (MPs) will present awards to youth icons, media persons, social activists, medicos, para medicals, sports persons and others.

Sources said that some officials from civil and police administration having outstanding performance will also be honoured during the event.

“The event will be held at SKICC Srinagar on 15 March, this year. The list of recipients of awards is also being finalized by panel of experts,” said sources.

They informed that the event is being organized under the banner of South Asia Peace Movement. (KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all the Administrative Secretaries to initiate review of progress of expenditure in their respective departments on a regular basis, saying that action will be initiated against concerned DDOs for delaying the reports.

A circular issued by Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department, reads that “the Institution of BEAMS has enabled review of expenditure, releases etc on real-time basis. The actual progress can be reviewed on daily basis. The Administrative Secretaries of all Departments, besides Director (Finance) and Director (Planning) have been provided due access for review of expenditure so that corrective measures can be taken in timely manner.”

“It is enjoined upon all Administrative Secretaries to initiate review of progress of expenditure in their Departments on regular basis, besides delay reports of DDOs and wherever there is exceptional delays, action may be initiated against concerned DDOs,” the circular reads.

“The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor shall be reviewing status of revenue and capital expenditure once in two months. In view of above, it is enjoined upon all the Administrative Secretaries, Director Finance(s) / Director Planning(s) / Financial Advisor(s) & CAOs to institutionalize the review in their departments,” the circular added—(KNO)

Srinagar: Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was on Monday re-elected the president of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the next three years.

Mehbooba’s election for the seventh consecutive term was unanimous, a party leader said.

The meeting was attended by senior leaders of PDP in Srinagar for the election of the party president.

Mehbooba’s name was proposed by senior leaders G N L Hanjura and seconded by Khurshid Alam.

“Mehbooba Mufti unanimously re-elected as @jkpdp president for a period of three years. Her name was proposed by senior leaders Mr G N L Hanjura and seconded by Khurshid Alam. Senior leader A R Veeri was the chairman of the party election board,” PDP said in a tweet.

Mehbooba has been the PDP president since 2016, after succeeding her father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who passed away in January 2016.

It will be her 7^th tenure as PDP president.

Mehbooba is a law graduate. She took plunge into mainstream politics of the state in 1996 by joining the Congress, along with her father, at a time when militancy was at its peak in the state.

She emerged from the shadow of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who founded the PDP in 1999, to head Jammu and Kashmir as the first woman chief minister of the state last year.

Her term as PDP president had ended on December 2.

Anantnag: A case of H5N8 (Avian influenza) popularly known as bird flu has been reported from Arbal area of Dooru in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district following which a rapid response team was constituted.

Officials said that ten days ago few crows were found dead in Arbal after which their sample was taken, which has now been found positive.

They said that soon after the confirmation of the case, a rapid response team was deployed in the area.

The officials said that SOPs are being adopted fully by the rapid response team, besides that demarcation of the infected zone and surveillance zone along with disinfection of the area is also being done.

They added that officials have been directed to survey and collect samples of the poultry including backyard and commercial poultry farms.

It is pertinent to mention that cases of avian influenza were found at various places in J&K among migratory birds and crows, however, cases of avian influenza among domestic birds were found so far in Udhampur only.