Started in July 2009, a project namely Sanitary Landfill Site on around 70 acres of land at Achan Srinagar is under way which will be completed in March 2010. The project cost is about 14 crore funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB). ERA is looking after the construction part and after completion will be operated by SMC. The project will be complete by March 2010
By Ajmer Alam Wani
JAMMU, OCT 31: Cleaner cities attract people and investment, Cleanliness is an indicator of good urban management. With the increasing population levels, rapid economic growth and rise in community living standard accelerates the generation rate of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Jammu and Srinagar. Improper management of MSW causes hazards to inhabitants. Poor Solid Waste Management practices affect the health and amenity of cities in several ways. (1) By transmitting drains and sewers. (2) Through contaminated leaching. (3) Through visual and smell impact.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a matter of great concern in the urban areas. The municipal authorities who are responsible for managing Municipal Solid Waste have were unable to discharge their obligations effectively because they lack the in-house capacity to handle the complexities of the process. But now from April 2010 onwards Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) will dispose municipal solid waste in scientific way.
Started in July 2009, a project namely Sanitary Landfill Site on around 70 acres of land at Achan Srinagar is under way which will be completed in March 2010. The project cost is about 14 crore funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).ERA is looking after the construction part and after completion will be operated by SMC. The project will be complete by March 2010.The problems like public resentment at the started was obvious due to lack of knowledge as people thought that it’s a factory and doing some thing unhealthy but with the passage for time things are moving smoothly. Once the project is completed this will be maintained by SMC.
RAMKY is doing this project. Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. (REEL): A waste management company that provides a comprehensive range of services, such as Solid Municipal Waste, bio-medical waste and hazardous waste management services to commercial, industrial and municipal customers including recycling, collection and disposal services. Cost-effective solutions, customized projects and comprehensive resources combined with safety and regulatory compliances make it one of the most efficient players in this sector. REEL is a pioneer and leader in this concept and has international collaborations to strengthen its technology base.
Under the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, it is clearly stated that ‘municipal authorities shall establish and maintain storage facilities in such a manner that they do not create unhygienic and insanitary conditions around it.Srinagar is situated on the banks of the river Jhelum and has a host of lakes such as the Dal, Nigeen, Anchar, Gilsar and Khushalsar. There is a heavy traffic of houseboats and shikaras giving a tour of the lakes. However, the unavoidable fact that lies beneath the beauty is that these water bodies have been serving as sewers for a large quantity of the waste being generated by Srinagar. SMC in one of its report confirmed that 44.2 per cent of the waste generated does not have collectors, vanishing into water bodies through a huge network of open drains. About 60 sewer drains pour into the lake along the Dalgate-Saida Kadal water channel, transmitting a chunk of solid waste.
The Srinagar alone generates at an average over 448 tonnes of solid waste every day. In the absence of community dustbins, open public spaces and the roads become convenient garbage dumps for people. This is swept away by about 2,180 sanitation workers in Srinagar. About 1,124 hand carts provided to them to carry the waste to a nearby garbage collection point are not enough and have to be shared. SMC in its report says that an average of about 250 tonnes of waste is collected from 512 primary collection points every day.
According to a study 73 per cent of the solid waste generated by the city is thrown on streets, pavements or into open drains and water bodies.
The sanitation workers have to do the collection on a door-to-door basis, sweep the roads and clean a huge network of open drains, which is a daunting task.
Medical or hospital waste is another matter of concern. There are 15 government and 13 private hospitals, with more than 5,000-bed capacity along with 199 clinics, dispensaries, laboratories and diagnostic centres, all within the jurisdiction of SMC.
Bio-medical waste of such hazardous nature is also disposed indiscriminately on the road sides, and it gets mixed and dumped with the municipal solid waste. The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, state that biomedical waste shall be disposed of in accordance with the Bio-medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. As per the rules an institution generating bio-medical waste needs to install an appropriate facility to ensure requisite treatment of waste. The waste collected everyday is carried by the transport fleet of dump trucks for final disposal to the Achen dumping site. The site is approximately six km from the city centre and is spread over an area of 30.63 hectares.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY
The country’s comprehensive environmental legislation dates back to the introduction of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in 1974. Subsequently, several other laws came into existence for the protection and conservation of the environmental resources of the country. Together, these regulations impose certain restrictions to minimize the environmental impact of new development, including infrastructure development. Certain national laws, such as the Forest Act and the Forest Conservation Act, are not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, but the state has its own Forest Act and Forest Conservation Act, both of which must be complied with when undertaking works that encroach on forest areas. The following environmental regulations may apply to the subprojects under JKUSDP. Central Government notified in exercise of the Powers conferred by Section 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with the objective of regulating the management and handling of the Municipal Solid Wastes.
Apply to all municipal authorities responsible for collection, segregation, storage, transportation processing and disposal of municipal solid wastes. Every municipal authority shall, within the territorial area of the municipality, be responsible for the implementation of the provisions of these rules, and for any infrastructure development for collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of municipal solid wastes.
This colony would be developed on 161 kanals of state land and the dwellers would be provided all the basic facilities.
Jammu and Kashmir government has approved an ambitious project worth Rs. 8.08 crore for the rehabilitation of Dwellers of Chuntikhul being rehabilitated under JNNURM programme at Samerbugh under basic service to urban poor covered under JNNURM.
This colony would be developed on 161 kanals of state land and the dwellers would be provided all the basic facilities.
Rs. 7.08 crores would be spent on the construction of 246 dwelling units at a rate of Rs. 2.88 lakh per unit. Rs. 16. 35 lakh would be spent on development of roads, Rs. 8.40 lakh on surface drains, Rs. 24.45 lakh on construction of community hall, besides Rs. 15.09 lakh for soakage, Rs. 25 lakh for providing water supply to the dwellers and Rs. 10.41 lakh would be spent for the construction of one lavatory block. This project would be started soon as all the modalities in this regard are finalized.
KashmirUniversity is seriously thinking of having reservations for meritorious students associated with National Service Scheme Programmes of University of Kashmir and its affiliated collages. This was disclosed by, Vice Chancellor Prof. Riyaz Punjabi while speaking at the valedictory function of the training programme for NSS programme officers organized by the National Service Scheme (NSS) wing of the University of Kashmir in collaboration with Training Orientation & Research Centre (TORC) and Institute for Development & Communication (IDC) Chandigarh
Vice chancellor was all praise for the NSS wing of the KU and its coordinator Dr. Iqbal A. Hakim and said that he is happy to know that NSS wing of our varsity is now moving beyond Srinagar city. Turning nostalgic VC remembered his time as a volunteer in Bosnia Herzegovina, Palestine, and Africa saying it is a unique kind of joy you get while serving as a volunteer for a social cause aimed at serving humanity. VC said service of humanity. Speaking about the varied role of role of NSS, VC also expressed his desire that various departments of the University need to collaborate such noble efforts of NSS wing to make their educational inputs more meaningful to society.
Prof. S. Fayaz Ahmad Registrar KU said that NSS provides right kind of platform in educational institutions for social service and links relevance of education system with the society. Registrar said that final contentment in life does not come through material gains it comes just while serving the humanity and taking up a social cause for betterment of the humanity.
Prof. G. R. Malik, the guest of honour highlighted the role & responsibility of academicians and student volunteers in shaping the personality and guide the youth in community services on sound moral principles. Prof malik quoted from various Hadith of prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) and said that self development is linked with selfless and voluntary service .
Dr. Satvir Singh Malik –training coordinator represented TORC/IDC thanked & congratulated the University of Kashmir in particular the NSS, wing of Kashmir University for such collaborative endeavours
Earlier Dr. Iqbal Ahmad Hakim, NSS Programme Coordinator, KashmirUniversity and the Training Incharge of the training programme while welcoming the guests and the participants of the programme expressed his satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the training programme and achieving the intended objectives of the programme. He informed that more than 40 NSS programme Officers (teachers) from various colleges and secondary schools participated in the training programme. He said that these NSS Programme Officers guide and organise the social service activities of the NSS student volunteers at their institutions. Dr Iqbal emphasized that to succeed and to maximize in social efforts; we need to have structures, systems and strategies from the grassroots level to the top which is best provided to the educated youth by the platform like NSS. Presenting the report of the programme, Dr Iqbal said that during the ten day training programme, the detailed overview of NSS programme, its scope, coverage and activities were discussed. Besides this, he said , various specialized technical sessions were also conducted in which experts from the University and outside covered the areas like; disaster preparedness and mitigation; voluntary service and personality development; HIV/AIDS, swine flue (H1N1) and community health; entrepreneurship skill and scope at grass root level; duties and responsibilities as human beings for social service towards community in the light of one’s religion; Environment issues and biodiversity etc.
It was also resolved that all the NSS affiliated institutions would observe plantation week in the month of March 2010 and would plant more than 50,000 plants/saplings donated by Rahim Motors besides other trees in their institutions and its surroundings. At the end, certificates were distributed among the participants of the training programme by the Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University Prof Riyaz Punjabi. The function ended with the vote of thanks presented by Er. Qaiser Rashid.
Kashmir University Vice Chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi Friday felicitated the chief Editor of the popular English daily Greater Kashmir Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo for his contribution to "educational development, society and economic growth of the state of J&K".The varsity Vice Chancellor also felicitated Faruk Masudi noted Hollywood film maker from Kashmir for his contribution to the world of film especially for his recent film Qur’an: The Contemporary Connections. The felicitation ceremony took place on the sidelines of film screening event of Director Faruk Masudi’s Hollywood film Qur’an Contemporary Connections, on the Major Themes of the Qur’an on Friday. Galaxy of Islamic scholars, KU students and university teachers were present at the felicitation ceremony at International Resource Cell, Allama Iqbal Library. Vice Chancellor presented a Kashmiri shawl and a memento to Chief Editor, Greater Kashmir and film maker Farukh Masudi. Vice chancellor said that KashmirUniversity feels pride to felicitate those men time and again whose contributions help shape our society for better.
Farooq Gani puts all Muslim J&K Journalists under scanner, embarrassment
JAMMU, OCT 30: A newspaper scribe of Jammu and Kashmir State Farooq Ganai who at present is in Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) for having links with Pakistan’s ISI and militants organizations has placed the Muslim Journalists of Jammu and Kashmir state under scanner and now they have are being tagged as ISI agents and anti nationals. Let me start with the embracement which I faced today while in office. A newsman namely Major Kulbeer, ( was earlier in Army) working in a Jammu based newspaper office I am working as Managing Editor (ME) today evening said, “I have managed to put Farooq Gani in JIC and now it is your turn.” We have doubts on all the Muslims living in India.” The words he uttered this evening clearly send a clear message to the entire Muslim journalists particularly those working in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that they are being seen with a different eye having doubts about their working and credentials. If such things are going on and are being manipulated behind the curtains than it is clear that the credibility of Muslim journalist in Jammu and Kashmir is not good inside and they are being seen as enemy agents or so. The motive of this brief massage is to give a wakeup call to all those journalists in the state who are in deep slumber and working hard in a professional way. Today I hear this and tomorrow they may have to face such embarrassments. One question to the open world……….IS EVERY MUSLIM A TERRORIST and ANTI-NATIONAL? (For more contact 9906103001/9419181770.
Director Faruk Masudi’s Hollywood film Qur’an Contemporary Connections, on the Major Themes of the Qur’an was screened Friday at KashmirUniversity Ibn-i- Kaldune Auditorium. Galaxy of Islamic scholars, KU students and university teachers were present at the screening event organized by GK Foundation in association with International Resource Cell Allama Iqbal Library.
The KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Riyaz Punjabi presided over the event and the panelists in the discussion after screening included Islamic scholar Prof Hamid Nnaseem Rafiabadi, Columnist Z G Mohanmmad , faculty MERC and columnist Mrs Syeda Afshana , anchor and Media studentDanish Abdullah, and Dr Mohammad Fazlullah..
The KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Riyaz Punjabi in his speech said that as numerous interest groups are busy in portraying a distorted version of Islam and Qur’an around the world , a humble but significant attempt has been made by Kashmiri film maker to dispel such myths about the fastest growing religion of the world.
VC called for a rationale approach to deal with situations that come our way in the changing scenario of the world and he expressed hope that we become more willing to listen to others point of view.
Islamic scholar Prof Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi said that we are in deadlock and not dialogue neither our ourselves nor with the rest of the world. Prof Naseem called for opening up all communication channels with an attempt to clear these misconceptions about Islam by going directly to the fountainhead of Islam-The Qur’an.
Dr Syeda Afshana faculty MERC KU termed Mr Masudi the film maker as a soft revolutionary and praised the film for its balanced approach. Librarian Riyaz rafuai in his welcome address described the film maker as an acclaimed scholar and director of the Indian subcontinent . Rufai said that with thirty years of experience in mass media Mr masoodi has two thousand episodes of TV serials to his credit as writer.
Replying to queries from panelists and Faruq Masudi said that the film has tried to reshapes and reframe the distorted perspectives of Islam and Qur’an. "It de-constructs the Islamophobia raging across the United States and Europe," The film, according to Masudi is an attempt to clear these misconceptions. He said that the narrative in the film runs "Allah is not a Muslim-specific God but he belongs to all creation.
Greater Kashmir Editir Fayaz Ahmad kaloo and the film maker were felicitated by KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Riyaz Punjabi on the occasion on behalf of Kashmir university. .
It is important to mention here that The film was produced in Hollywood with seasoned all-America cast and crew comprising Syed Nasr Hossein, Bruce Lawrence, Maria Bakake and Jonathan Brown. The movie has also made it to the 34th Golden Crest International Film and TV Festival in Prague wherein reputed directors of international fame from the US, Italy, China, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Greece, Russia, Hungary, Prague and Switzerland competed for the coveted prizes in one of the oldest and the most reputed film festivals of Europe. It broke on the International Film Festival circuit in Canada where it was the official opening film for Muslim Fest 2009.
Jammu and Kashmir Government has released Rs. 239 crore under NABARD for completion of all the pending projects besides taking up new developmental projects in Kashmir.
Under PMGSY 224 schemes have been completed out of 849 schemes so far in the KashmirValley.
Rs. 2.27 crore have been disbursed as land compensation among the land owners in Uri tehsil out of Rs 3.13 crore earmarked for the purpose. 91 habitations, out of 100, have been connected in district Pulwama, 40 out of 54 in Anantnag, 45 out of 90 in Baramulla, 42 out of 46 in Kulgam, 17 out of 45 in Srinagar and 11 out of 36 habitations in Bandipora-Ganderbal district.
Participate in decision making, policy formulation
Asserting that youth are agents of change, the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah Friday asked young generation to be participant in decision making and policy formulation. “You are the future of the Nation”, he said and urged them to be zealous and committed towards achieving goals and making new strides on the path of development and progress.
Addressing the convocation of Jamia Millia Islamia here, he said that youth have to shoulder greater responsibilities to take the country to new highs.
Mr. Omar said that youth have various challenges to face and they should get inspiration from the founders of the Jamia Millia Islamia who founded the institution and worked hard for its growth and development. “You should follow the path of visionaries and work hard to secure a better future”, he said adding that younger generation is not only judged by its capacity but by many more things.
“There are challenges you have to face in the field of public life which are complicated and divers. As the future generation you have to do two things, one to sit back and analyse the faults in the system and secondly work to set the faults right and participate in Nation building”, Mr. Omar said adding that the new generation will be judges for the present generation as such they need to be more pro-active and positive in approach.
Pointing towards the dignitaries, Marshall of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Justice V. N. Khare, Lt. General (Retd) M. A. Zaki and Prof. Mohammad Amin (Historian) who were sitting on the dais, Chief Minister said “these were the ones who never excepted the things as they were but they made their own mark by new initiatives and accomplished the goals in a missionary spirit, as such the new generation has to get inspiration from them and other elite visionaries of the country”.
The Chief Minister said that as a politician he has seen and faced lot of ups and downs and asked the younger generation not to except the faulty system and try to change it for the better of the people and the country.
Following the reports that militants were getting mobile SIM cards on fake identities thus posing threat to the security and intelligence establishments, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in Jammu and Kashmir after November 1, 2009.
Union Home Ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision. This move comes after reports that militants were getting mobile SIM cards on fake documents, setting off alarm bells in the security and intelligence establishments of the insurgency-hit state.
The step comes in the wake of the reports that proper verification is not being done while providing such prepaid mobile connections by the service providers and vendors. In some cases, a single person had been issued with multiple numbers of connections.
The fake documents and identity cards are also being used by the vendors particularly, in the case of prepaid connections. This situation has given rise to serious security concerns. Intelligence agencies have been maintaining that private service providers were overlooking security parameters to push their sales.
KashmirUniversity festival, Sonzal 2009, 3rd in succession in the last 3 years organized by cultural wing of Department of Students welfare kicked off at KashmirUniversity today.
Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof. Riyaz Punjabi who inaugurated the seminar today in presence of galaxy of artists academicians, scholars and students termed Sonzal as the festival of creative minds of our university departments and affiliated collages. He said there was a mistaken notion about the fields associated with the creative works so far but today these streams have become alternative fields of career avenues and boys and girls associated with them are excelling in this domain. Sonazal said VC to students gives recreation for mind and can prepare you for the new challenges of future. VC asked the students present to open up new vistas of creative activities to face the challenges of the modern day world. Prof Punjabi said that these events also encourage our young students to contribute in creative fields. VC said that Sonzal has established its reputation and credentials and this event has evoked applaud and appreciation from different quarters at the national level and our talented students have been widely acclaimed for their creative potential and expertise.
In her welcome address Dean Students Welfare University of Kashmir Prof Mrs Nilofar Khan said the festival will provide best opportunities for young students of the University and its affiliated colleges to manifest their hidden talent and potentialities. She said that Elocution, Debate and Poetry recitation and in fine arts, On the Spot Panting ,collage, Poster Making, Clay Modeling, Cartooning and Rangoli will be part of the exemplary University festival –Sonzal (Rainbow) . She requested the vice Cahcellor Kashmir University Prof Riyaz Punjabi to for more financial sport for the expansion of the department .
RegistrarKashmirUniversity Prof. Syed Fayaz praised department of Students welfare for being vibrant in the past and showing great efforts in present as well to help students of Kashmir university and affiliated collages to sharpen their talent. He said concept of knowledge has changed in the modern day world and today curricular and extra curricular activities have become have integral part of education which help develop creative personality of a student. He said KU is on the path of development and growth and the quality of education and development of educational programme have taken new dimensions at KashmirUniversity now . Prof Fayaz said that role of University is to create a stimulating atmosphere so that hidden talent of the students finds a path. He said University is already this path of academic excellence under the leadership of present VC Prof Riyaz Punjabi. Director Doordarshan Dr Rafeeq Masoodi who was the guest of honour on the occasion while wising the event a great success said it is laudable that KashmirUniversity has been able to assure maximum participation from collages and university departments in Sonzal 2009. Dr Masoodi said that creating platforms to give went to the hidden and pent up talent of youth is the need of hour and he volunteered the role of his Kendra in this direction. “ you will always find us on the fore -front when it is to harness the talent of our youth, he assured the Vice Chancellor on this occasion. He expressed his happiness that Institute of Fine Arts is now being taken over by KashmirUniversity which he said will ‘open up new vistas of opportunities for our young talented and forward looking artists’. In this speech Director Information J&K Govt Khawaja Farooq Renzu made a references a Hadith of Prophet of Islam (SAW) “ seek knowledge even if you have to go to chaina for this “ He said at this time also intellectuals schors were looking at Kashmir for knowledge and guidance as this palce was considered fountainhead of knowledge. Renzu looked forward that all important section in Kashmir work to make Kashmir a hub of knowledge and learning again. Renzu lamented that there are lack of opportunities for our young talent who he only want their future secure . Renzu looked forward and hoped that we are aboble to create a secure economic future for the whole new generation of boys and girls who he said are aware of their talent but lack launching pads to kick off . Cultural officer Shahid Ali Khan conducted the proceedings and literary officer Shaheena Kanth presented vote of thanks at the inaugural event. Quiz 2009 Sonazl was held in the afternoon of the event in which some 30 groups from university departments and affiliated collages participated .
To overcome the traffic problems in twin capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir, state government is constructing two flyovers one at Srinagar from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora and the other at Jammu from Sarwal to Shukuntala crossing.
The proposed elevated express corridor from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora will involve an expenditure of Rs. 256 crores and is targeted to be completed within 35 months. The 4-lane divided carriage way elevated road from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora Chowk will integrate with existing flyover with proposed express way at Jehangir Chowk for left turn from Dalgate to Rambagh. At Bakshi Stadium Chowk a left turn upward ramp from Jawahar Nagar to Rambagh and down ward ramp for traffic coming from Rambagh will be part of the express corridor.
At Jehangir Chowk a right turn elevated loop from Rambagh to Dalgate to join the existing elevated road is also proposed. Another upward ramp for traffic from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh and a downward ramp for traffic from Rambagh to Jehangir Chowk is also proposed in the mega project aimed at decongesting and providing better road facility in the heart of the city.
The total length of main carriage way, loops and ramps will be 4.3 kilometers. The construction work will be pre-cast, pre-stressed, T-girder with pre-stressed deck slab with 2.5 meter dia circular pier and 1.0 meter dia pile foundation.
The Rs. 76.41 crores flyover project at Jammu involves widening of road from Shunkuntala crossing to flyover start-point to 6 lane of 32.2 meters width and 280 meters length. The total length of the road project will be 1.40 kilometers with 460 meters and 1.14 kilometers right limb. The width of side roads will be 5.5 meters with 1.5 meters footpath. There will be two rotaries of 20 meters each at Rehari and Ambhalla and 4 bus bays with proper facilities. A subway at Rehari Chowk and traffic island toward New Plot is also envisaged in the project.
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has taken various innovative initiatives to utilize State’s water treasure trove for generation of power by execution of various mega and mini hydroelectric projects in the State.
The government at present purchases 700 MWs of power daily from Northern Grid (NG) for Kashmir Division to meet out the requirement of the consumers from.
Due to dry spell, the water level in the rivers decreases day by day and power production of existing projects comes down to 120 MWs instead of total power generation of 750 MWs in Kashmir Division. Valley’s daily power consumption is 1,250 MWs but due to overloading the Government is purchasing 700 MWs of power from Northern Grid. Because of misuse of power by the consumers the power cuts became necessary to safeguard the power infrastructure and financial losses of the department.
JAMMU: For computerization of revenue records at Naibat level, theJammu and Kashmir Government will be spending Rs 15 Cr for all 257 Naibats of state. An amount of Rs 6 lakh would be spent for each Naibat. State Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah had already asked the Revenue Department to complete computerization of revenue records in a fixed timeframe. He said the Central and State assistance available for the same should be optimally utilized for achieving the target.Emphasizing use of modern technology to streamline the Revenue Department,CM wants to simplify process of obtaining revenue papers by using information technology. In a meeting held earlier, Omar had expressed, “I would like an agriculturist or landowner to get documents about his land from a computer kiosk in niabats in five minutes through Net-connected computer window.”CM has also directed the concerned authorities and department to send teams to various States especially Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana to study models they have introduced for computerization of land records so that those could be replicated in the State. According to CM possibilities should be explored to utilize latest technology of Smart Card System in providing Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to the residents of the State. For which he sought a comprehensive project formulated for the purpose for experts to study, which will give their viewpoints to the Government. The Assurance Committee (AC) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has also called for expeditious computerization of revenue records and land settlement operation to facilitate issuance of Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) to the farmers with focus on rural areas.
Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today directed formulation of a pilot project for providing adequate irrigation facilities to Saffron fields at Pampore. In this regard, he sought a project report within a week’s time for its subsequent execution.
Chairing a meeting of officers to redress the problem of inadequate irrigation facility to the saffron fields here this morning, the Minister asked the concerned agencies to undertake an inspection of the area for an on the spot assessment of the problem and identify the possible sites of irrigation schemes. He also directed taking up immediately a pilot project for the purpose.
Mir asked all the related agencies to prepare a project report for the purpose and submit the same to him within a week’s time. He said on the receipt of the project report he would like the execution of the same so that farmers get relief at the earliest.
The Minister asked the officers and engineers to take all irrigation options like dug wells, bore wells, lift irrigation etc. into consideration while making the project report.
Minister of State for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar, Director, Agriculture, B.A Dar, Director, Enforcement, Manzoor Shah, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & FC and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Prime Minister (PM), Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured Jammu and Kashmir Government that Central Government shall provide full support to accelerate the economic reconstruction and revival process in the State. He fully agreed that J&K requires a priority position in the process of development and said that his office will ensure the monitoring of all priority development sectors mentioned by the Chief Minister during his presentation and ensure that all Union Ministries are coordinated to clear all pending projects and issue expeditious approval and sanctions wherever required without any delay.
Admitting the need of power particularly during winter months, PM announced additional power allocation up to 500 MW for the State. He further said that State will get approximately 1000 MW of power more from all such units which are at various stages of construction located in the State.
PM said this while chairing the high level meeting of economic reconstruction and revival of J&KState, here at Sher-i-Kshmir International Convention Centre ( SKICC), Srinagar.
The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of State in PM’s Office, Mr. Prithvi Raj Chouhan, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Mr. T.K.A.Niar were present besides the Chief Minister along with his cabinet colleagues, Advisors, Chief Secretary and other top level civil officers were present in the meeting.
The Prime Minister while appreciating the importance of Mughal Road and conservation of world famous DalLake, announced approval of Mughal Roads revised cost of about Rs 640 crore and Rs.350 crore for rehabilitation of Dal and Nagin lakes. He said that Rs.125 crore have been earmarked specially this year for upgrading urban infrastructure in important towns of the State.
The Prime Minister while appreciating presentation made by the Chief Minister on PMGSY announced that Rs.227 crore additional funds will be provided to cover land acquisition costs under the scheme. He also approved Rs.235 crore as counterpart funding for ADB-II projects for J&KState.
While appreciating the points raised by the Chief Minister for addressing un-employment problem in the State, the Prime Minister said that the State government has rightly emphasized the question of increasing employment and employability among the youth. The Prime Minister said that the Government of India will readily support any initiative in this sector and shall work shoulder to shoulder and involve large number of youth in constructive nation building activities. He said that as part of the All India Initiatives, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs will enroll, deploy and manage around 8000 young persons from J&K as volunteers every year with honorarium of Rs. 2500/-per month.
On the point raised by the Chief Minister with regard to the Tourism, the Prime Minister said that the Ministry of Tourism will train up to 300 young persons every year from the State under the scheme “Hunar say Rozgar Tak” and similarly another 200 youth will be trained and deployed as tourist escorts. He further said that Union Ministry of Labour will arrange to host up to 8000 youth each year in the ITIs to take advantage of modular skill development programmes in sector with high employment potential.
The Chief Minister in his presentation, highlighting the importance of Handicrafts in the State, said that Carpet industry is required to be upgraded in the State, the Prime Minister agreed to favorably consider the request of the State government for providing finical assistance for replacement of 40,000 carpet looms in the State over a span of 5 years. He also announced new institute of fashion technology for the State.
The Prime Minister appreciated Union Ministry for New & Renewable Energy for preparing renewable energy Plan to minimize use of kerosene oil, diesel, and firewood in Ladakh region.
The prime Minister said that State Government is performing well and expected that State will strive further to accelerate the pace of development activities and ensure that common people actually get the full benefits of the schemes and projects. He expressed thanks to Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah and his colleagues for insightful presentation and meaningful intervention.
Earlier, the Chief Minister while highlighting the priority sectors in the State, including roads, energy, water supply, health, education and core sectors like tourism, agriculture and handicrafts informed the Prime Minister that in road sector the work on Mughal road is in full swing. The Narbal-Tangmarg Road at an estimated cost of Rs.116 crore and Khanabal-Phalgam Road at an estimate cost of Rs.110 Crore is under completion by March 2010, while as Domail- Katra Road at an estimated cost of Rs.34.46 crore is under completion by March 2010. He informed the Prime Minister that Nimo–Padam–Darchan Road at a cost of Rs.302.04 crore, Srinagar -Leh Road at a cost of Rs.190 crore, Srinagar-Uri Road at cost of Rs.357 crore, Batote-Kishtwar Road at a cost of Rs.655 crore are in progress.
Mr. Omar informed the Prime Minister that 885 schemes, sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs.2222 crore for construction 4772 Km of road length under PMGSY shall cover over 2738 habitations. He also informed the Prime Minister that 226 PMGSY schemes have been completed. He said Lakhanpur to Nagrota by pass in Jammu and by pass Pantha Chowk to Primapura is in progress. He also informed the Prime Minister that under current State Plan Rs.210 crore have been provided for macadamization of roads and Rs. 75 crore for expediting bridge construction. He said 20 bridges are being completed during current year.
Mr. Omar informed the Prime Minister that while Baghligar Phase-I has been completed, DPR for Phase –II shall be ready by November end. He also informed him that Kiru project with 600MW, Kawar with 520 MW, Pakuldul with 1000 MW and Raple with 690 MW capacities are being taken up by State Government under the joint venture model.
He also informed the Prime Minister that under APDRP as many as 95 receiving stations, 4141 Sub-stations have been renovated and modernized while 66 receiving stations have been constructed. He requested for transfer of Dul Hasti power project to the State as recommended by Dr. Rangarajan committee and said that financial support for booking 1000 MW capacity in thermal projects, equity contribution of Rs. 1000 crore for Baghlhaar phase-II need consideration. He also said that Srinagar -Leh transmission line at an estimated cost of Rs.640 crore needs to be implemented.
While giving presentation of PHE sector, the Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that under ARWSP Rs.1432 crore have been utilized till date, while as Rs.50.20 crore have been utilized under Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme. He said that for augmenting water supply to Srinagar and Jammu under ADB Rs.221 crore projects have been taken up.
The Prime Minister was informed that under NRHM the schemes worth Rs.278 crore are being implemented while as Rs.120 crore under PMRP for upgradation of MedicalCollege, Jammu including creation of 15 Super specialties. Similarly, Rs.120 crore for upgradation of SrinagarMedicalCollege with 9 super specialisties under PMRP are in progress. He said that 85 CHCS, 375 PHCs, 238 ADS and 1097 SubCenters have been strengthened.
The Chief Minister and the Cabinet Ministers thanked the Prime Minister for sanctioning two Central Universities for the State and 18 Polytechnics proposed to be set up in the State. The Chief Minister said that with the cost of Rs.1312 crore SSA has been major success in J&K. He also said that all the 24 degree colleges at an estimated cost of Rs. 98 crore have been made functional.
He said that 12 Tourist Development Authorities have been established at a cost of Rs.240 crore and Lakhanpur—Simthan-Anantnag tourist circuit at a cost of Rs.21.79 crore has been established. Similarly 50 tourist villages at a cost of Rs.30.50 crore have been established.
On this occasion all the Cabinet Ministers including Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Tara Chand, Finance Minister, Mr. A.R. Rather, Education Minister Mr. Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Forest & Environment & Ecogoly, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. S.S. Salathia, Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Social Welfare Ms Sakina Itoo, Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports Mr. R.S, Chib, CAPD Minister, Minister for Revenue, Mr. Raman Bhalla, Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon also deliberated in the interaction programme. All the concerned Ministers pointed out a various achievements of their departments and projected different issues concerning their departments. The Prime Minister appreciated all the interventions and assured them that his office will take up all these issues with concerned Union Ministries.
The Chief Secretary, Mr. S.S. Kapur while expressing thanks to the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and other senior level officers of the Central government for their keen interest in the economic reconstruction and revival of Jammu and Kashmir State, said that the vision of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers of State and the Chief Minister to make J&K a Modal State shall be translated in later and sprit and the entire administration will remain dedicated for this mission.
