Tag: Govt

  • Khachaire Campaign: Govt Takes Over Commercial Building Of NC Leader In South Kashmir

    Khachaire Campaign: Govt Takes Over Commercial Building Of NC Leader In South Kashmir

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    SRINAGAR: Acting tough against encroachers, the District Administration Anantnag today took over an illegal commercial structure belonging to Ex MLA Homeshalibugh and National Conference Senior Leader, Abdul Majeed Larmi at LG Pora in Anantnag.

    The structure had been erected by encroaching on Shamilat 4 land close to NH44. The property is situated on a prime piece of land.

    As per reports, the property worth over Rs 50 lakhs including the land was being rented out to various businesses.

    A senior revenue official said that there has been a full onslaught on encroachers in Anantnag who have occupied prime pieces of State/ Shamilat lands for their own benefits. Influential encroachers who have abused their official positions to amass ill gotten gains are the priority for removal of encroachments. He said that the vacated buildings and lands can be put to public use.

    It is in place to mention that a few days ago a notice had also been issued to Abdul Majeed Larmi regarding the encroachment which was followed up with decisive action today.

    A senior revenue official said that while encroachments on the road side including fencings have been demolished, the main building has been taken over by the Revenue department.

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    #Khachaire #Campaign #Govt #Takes #Commercial #Building #Leader #South #Kashmir

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Govt Orders Minor Reshuffle In Admin; Syed Shahnawaz Is Posted As RTO Kashmir

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    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered transfers and postings of four officers.

    According to Government Order No.129-JK(GAD) of 2023,issued by the General Administration Department (GAD,Sajid Yehaya Naqash, JKAS, Regional Transport officer, Kashmir, is transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

    Syed Shahnawaz, JKAS, Assistant Commissioner, State Taxes, Enforcement (North), Baramulla, Kashmir, is transferred and posted as Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir.

    According to Government Order No. 128-JK(GAD) of 2023,Asif Hamid Khan, JKAS, Member, J&K Special Tribunal, Srinagar Bench, is transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

    Ashiq Hussain Lily, JKAS, awaiting orders of
    adjustment in the General Administration Department, is posted as Member, J&K Special Tribunal, Srinagar Bench.

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    #Govt #Orders #Minor #Reshuffle #Admin #Syed #Shahnawaz #Posted #RTO #Kashmir

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Govt Makes Employee Deputation Policy Public, Read the Document

    Govt Makes Employee Deputation Policy Public, Read the Document

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    SRINAGAR: For “effective utilization of manpower”, the Jammu and Kashmir government has made public the policy for inter-departmental deputation of employees, which will be based on their technical and professional qualifications. The guidelines were issued by GAD on basis of the Administrative Council Decision taken on January 1, 2023.

    Daily Wagers
    The Kashmir PHE Joint Employees Association Union Tuesday staged a protest here demanding release of their pending wages and and blamed the Chief Engineer of suppressing their genuine demands. KL Image by Bilal Bahadur

    The policy will cover all employees in Jammu and Kashmir except all India services, JKAS, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Jammu and Kashmir Accounts Gazetted Service and Jammu and Kashmir Forest Gazetted Service. Under the policy, departments requiring the services of particular employees on basis of their expertise will have to follow a formal process, which has been detailed in the order.

    The Policy

    Here is the policy that will govern the inter-departmental deputations:

    “This policy shall govern the deputation of employees possessing higher educational/technical qualifications outside their parent departments where their specific skill-sets/qualifications can be put to better use, consistent with the requirements of the borrowing departments.

    Objective

    Developmental Departments like the Public Works (R&B) Department, Agriculture Production Department, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Housing and Urban Development Department, Information Technology Department etc., are facing a dearth of technically and professionally qualified employees. There is a large pool of skilled employees in the Government, whose services are currently being under-utilized. Skill mapping and optimum utilization of the mapped skills are among the fundamental tools for good governance. In order to ensure efficient utilization of human resources, and with a view to match demand and supply for improving efficiency in governance, a need has been felt to utilize the services of these qualified (technical/professional) employees effectively. This shall address the skill gaps in various technical/developmental departments and provide employees with an opportunity to put their specific skill sets to the best possible use.

    Manoj Sinha
    Manoj Sinha

    Exceptions

    The following services shall not be covered under this policy:

    1. All India Services.
    2. Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service.
    3. Jammu and Kashmir Police Service.
    4. Jammu and Kashmir Accounts Gazetted Service.
    5. Jammu and Kashmir Forest Gazetted Service.

    Procedure for utilization of services in other departments

    1. The initiation for the process of utilization of services of qualified (technical/professional) employee(s) shall be at the level of the department that intends to utilize the services of an employee with such qualifications as may be suitable for the better functioning of the department, or at the level of the employee (technically/professionally qualified) who is desirous of providing his/her services in such a department where his/her higher qualification/skill-sets may be better utilized.
    2. An employee desirous of offering his/her technical/professional services to another department may visit a designated window, which shall be made available on the e-HRMS portal, through his/her CPIS ID and submit a form prescribed for the purpose, along with copies of the relevant certificates/degrees/diplomas. The employee shall also provide reasonable justification as to how his/her services shall be better utilized in the department where he/she intends to provide his/her services.
    3. Alternately, the department that intends to utilize the services of a (technically/professionally qualified) employee may submit an application in the format prescribed for the purpose, along with the details of such employee(s) whose services they intend to utilize, to the Screening Committee headed by the Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department.
    4. General Administration Department shall seek the comments of the parent department of the employee in all cases.
    5. The above application(s)/cases shall be accompanied with the following documents:-

    (i)      Requisition by the borrowing department as per the prescribed format (Annexure-B).

    (ii)     Application form to be submitted by the candidate on the e-HRMS portal.

    (iii)    Copy of the first two pages of the service book of the employee.

    (iv)    Copy of the relevant recruitment rules/guidelines.

    (v)     Comments of the Administrative Secretary of the employee where he/she is presently employed or where his services are to be utilized.

    (vi)    Statement showing length of service rendered earlier by the employee.

    (vii)   Status of employment (substantive/on probation/temporary)

    (viii)  Latest vigilance clearance/work and conduct of employee.

    (ix)    Affidavit from the employee to the effect that he/she shall not claim extension in the tenure of deputation beyond the sanctioned term, and that the employee shall not claim any preferential right in matters of promotion, perks, salary/emoluments etc. in the borrowing department.

    Screening Committee

    For the purpose of this policy, a Screening Committee comprising the following shall be constituted, which shall scrutinize all the applications for the utilization of services of qualified (technical/professional) employees received from the different departments:

    1. Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department (Chairman).
    2. Representative of Planning, Development and Monitoring Department (Not below the rank of Additional Secretary) (Member).
    3. Representative of Finance Department (Not below the rank of Additional Secretary) (Member).
    4. Representative of the Parent/Lending Department (Not below the rank of Additional Secretary) (Member).
    5. Representative of the Department where the services of the employee is to be utilized (Not below the rank of Additional Secretary) (Member).

    The above committee shall be serviced by General Administration Department.

    The above Screening Committee shall examine each case and submit its recommendations to the General Administration Department, which shall place the same before the Competent Authority for consideration/approval.

    Period for utilization of services

    1. The services of an employee will be initially utilized on deputation for a period of one year from the date the incumbent employee is relieved from the parent department. The period of utilization of services may be extended, provided both the parent department and the borrowing department mutually agree upon the extension. The decision of the Screening Committee shall be final and binding in the matter relating to extension in the deputation. Such extension shall be for a maximum period of one year at a time, but the maximum term of deputation shall not, under any circumstances, exceed four years.
    2. If the department expresses intent to retain an official beyond the prescribed tenure, it shall initiate a proposal for seeking concurrence of the parent department three months before the date of expiry of the tenure. In no case shall the borrowing department retain an official beyond the sanctioned term, unless prior approval of the Competent Authority to grant further extension has been obtained on the recommendation of the Screening Committee after concurrence of the Finance Department.

    Incentives for opting for deputation

    Employees who qualify for and provide their services on deputation shall be granted incentives in the form of age relaxation and additional weightage in recruitment against higher posts by the Government recruiting agencies. Proposals for consequential changes in the recruitment rules shall be forwarded by all Administrative Departments to the Standing Committee constituted vide Government Order No. 1223-3K(GAD) of 2021 dated 17/11/2021.

    Borrowing departments shall also provide opportunities to such employees for further refinement of their existing skill sets in their areas of expertise/specialization in the form of capacity building through the organization of workshops, learning opportunities, training, etc.

    Pay and conditions of service in the borrowing department

    1. The employee whose services are utilized in another department shall retain his/her lien and promotion prospects in his/her parent department.
    2. All matters governing the employee’s service shall be dealt with by the parent department(s) in terms of the rules as are presently applicable to him/her.
    3. Disciplinary matters shall be dealt with by the parent department in consultation with the employee’s borrowing department, in case the disciplinary offence relates to his/her stint in the borrowing department.
    4. The employee shall continue to draw salary from his/her parent department after obtaining the attendance from the department where his/her services are being utilized.
    5. During the period of utilization of services, the employee shall continue to be governed by the same pay scale which would have been applicable to him/her had he/she continued to work in the parent department.
    6. The employees who qualify for and are deputed under this policy shall not claim for any preferential treatment in the borrowing department in matters of salary, allowances, perks etc.
    7. The employees who qualify for and are deputed under this policy shall not claim for absorption in the borrowing department.
    8. A person in a higher scale of pay/level in pay matrix shall not be appointed on deputation to a post in lower scale of pay/level in the pay matrix.
    9. The designation and post of the employee shall remain unchanged in the new department.
    10. The deputation of any employee shall not affect the sanctioned strength of the posts within the borrowing department and the deputed employee shall work only as supplementary/additional human resource for the borrowing department.
    11. The APRs/work and conduct of the employee shall be initiated, reviewed and accepted by the department where his services are being utilized and same shall be forwarded annually to the parent department of the employee(s).
    12. All conditions of service, as provided in the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, 1956, Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 with such adaptations, modifications and additions as have been rendered necessary by amendments issued from time to time, and other rules as exist or shall come into existence in the future shall apply mutatis mutandis to the employees deputed under this policy.”

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    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Govt Suspend Two Doctors Among Five Employees For Unauthorised Absence In Kupwara

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    SRINAGAR: Authorities in Kupwara on Monday placed under suspension two doctors and three paramedics for allegedly remaining absent without any authorisation at one of the New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs) in the north Kashmir district.

    Quoting officials news agency GNS reported that on the directions of District Development Commissioner Kupwara, BMO Kupwara suspended the two doctor and three paramedical staffers after they were found absent without any authorisation at NTPHC Gushi during a surprise visit by DC Kupwara at 2:45 p.m.

    Confirming it, BMO Kupwara said that an inquiry has been initiated in this regard.

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    #Govt #Suspend #Doctors #Among #Employees #Unauthorised #Absence #Kupwara

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • SC judge recuses from hearing Punjab govt plea against bail to Majithia

    SC judge recuses from hearing Punjab govt plea against bail to Majithia

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    New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant on Monday recused himself from hearing a Punjab government plea challenging the high court order, which granted bail to Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug case.

    The matter was listed for Monday before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and J.K. Maheshwari.

    As soon as the matter came up for hearing, Justice Surya Kant said he was part of the high court bench which passed directions to set up a special task force to investigate the matter.

    Majithia, the brother-in-law of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal and brother of former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, had been lodged in the Patiala jail onFebruary 24 last year.

    The Punjab government, represented by senior advocate Shyam Divan, moved the apex court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated August 10, 2022.

    The bench ordered: “Let the matter be listed before a bench in which one of us (Justice Kant) is not a member.”

    Granting bail to Majithia, the high court had observed that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that he is not guilty. Majithia was released after spending more than five months in the Patiala jail in the drug case.

    However, the high court had clarified that the trial court should proceed independently of the observations made by it. Majithia was booked on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug special task force (STF) into a drug racket in the state.

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    #judge #recuses #hearing #Punjab #govt #plea #bail #Majithia

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Breaking: Govt Suspended 5 Employees For Unauthorized Absence- Check Here – Kashmir News

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    5 employees of RDD suspended for unauthorized absence

    KULGAM, Jan 30: On the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, a team of officers headed by ACD Kulgam, Mohammad Imran inspected several offices of Rural Development Department in Kulgam.

    During the inspection, 5 employees were found unauthorisedly absent from their duties at DK Marg block and were placed under suspension with immediate effect.

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    Moreover, ACD stressed on 100 percent attendance at all offices of Rural Development Department Kulgam and directed all employees to attend their duties regularly in letter and spirit.

    He warned that strict action as warranted under rules shall be taken against employees for their unauthorized absence from duties.

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    #Breaking #Govt #Suspended #Employees #Unauthorized #Absence #Check #Kashmir #News

    ( With inputs from : kashmirnews.in )

  • DU teachers take on Delhi govt over ‘ghost employees’ being made permanent

    DU teachers take on Delhi govt over ‘ghost employees’ being made permanent

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    New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government has written to the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University to accommodate the teachers and employees whom it had not very long ago called “ghost employees”, the varsity teachers claimed.

    Disappointed with the Delhi government for not receiving their salaries for the last several months, the teachers submitted that “the government should first arrange for their pending salaries and then talk about accommodating the new staff”.

    Most of the teachers believe the move is a part of the Kejriwal government’s strategy to seek votes of the ad-hoc teachers for the Delhi University’s Executive and Academic Council elections.

    The teachers said that the ad-hoc teachers in the colleges funded by the Delhi government were yet to receive the arrears of the 7th Pay Commission while claiming that for the last three years, the ad-hoc teachers did not receive payment for medical bills, LTC, apart from the child education allowance.

    Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia in a letter to Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh has expressed concern over the displacement of nearly 70 per cent ad-hoc and temporary teachers during interviews for the post of Assistant Professors in colleges, calling for permanent recruitment of ad-hoc teachers.

    Reacting to Sisodia’s letter, Delhi University teachers’ organisation ‘Forum of Academics for Social Justice’ said: “Delhi government earlier used to call these teachers and staff ‘ghost employees’ but now it has written letter to the V-C to accommodate them.”

    The teachers, meanwhile, have urged the V-C to write to the Delhi government to clear their salaries, payment of arrears, leave travel concessions (LTC) and medical bills.

    A total of 28 colleges affiliated to Delhi University are funded by the Delhi government. Of these, 12 colleges that are 100 per cent funded by the Delhi government have been facing financial crisis.

    The teachers claimed that there have been instances of shortfalls and delays in receiving grants in the last three years, which eventually led to non-payment of their salaries for the last four months.

    The professors of Maharaja Agrasen College — also affiliated to Delhi University, on Friday expressed their ire against the Delhi government for not receiving salaries by polishing shoes on the footpath.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Hansraj Suman of Delhi University has expressed disappointment over Sisodia’s letter, saying: “The Minister should first accommodate thousands of guest teachers engaged in the Delhi government schools and then think about these 28 colleges.”

    More than 7,000 guest and ad-hoc teachers have been working in Delhi government schools for the last decade.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Jammu & Kashmir Govt Approves Rs 146 Cr Project for Promotion of Niche Crops – Kashmir News

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    Govt approves Rs 146 Cr project for promotion of niche crops in J&K

    SRINAGAR, JANUARY 29 (KN) : Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a prestigious project worth Rs 146 crore to promote the niche crops as unique heritage of the UT, which will be implemented in the next five years.

    “The project aims at diversifying and expanding the area of niche crops over an area of 11,100 hectare thus ensuring livelihood security for 111,000 targetted beneficiaries with a revenue realization of Rs. 2,238 Crore” , Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo said.

    The initiative will focus on increasing production, improving livelihoods and enhancing market accessibility. This will be achieved through establishment of nurseries and seed villages, infrastructure development, and collaboration with various partners and stakeholders, he added.

    Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir is home to a diverse range of niche crops including Saffron, Kalazeera, Kashmiri Lal Mirch, Peanut, Anardhana, Bhaderwah Rajmash, hill garlic, Mushkbudhji (aromatic rice), Red Rice and Shallot (Pran). These crops are grown on an area of 32,000 hectare, with a total production of 24,000 metric tons making a substantial contribution of Rs. 945 crore to the UT GDP.

    The main components of the project included establishment of 5,226 nurseries/seed villages, which will generate 7750 job opportunities for unemployed youth working in the niche sector. Additionally, the project will take up creation of one Mini Spice Park, two Modern Rice Mills and eleven grading and processing units in target clusters, which will be linked with available NABL laboratories and e-trading centers of UT. This will facilitate quality promotion and value addition, leading to profitable accessibility to the market.

    To promote these niche crops at the export level, the project shall also undertake tagging of identified niche crops, for which descriptors will be developed for their uniqueness. Likewise, the project will ensure human resource development for capacity building and employment generation. The project is being jointly undertaken by SKUAST Jammu and Kashmir besides the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department, Jammu and Kashmir.

    Promotion of Niche Crops is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in the UT of J&K. The prestigious committee is headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR with other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics and Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA and FW, Dr. H S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), apart from the Vice Chancellors of twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

    There is a long history of cultivating these niche crops in J&K, particularly in heritage sites such as Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Bandipora, Sagam, Tangdar, Ramban and Poonch”, Mr Dulloo said, adding that these crops, including spices, aromatic crops and underutilized horticultural crops, have a significant commercial value and potential to be awarded a GI tag, similar to the tag achieved for Kashmir Saffron.

    Currently, spice niche crops are cultivated on 5525 hectare with a total production of 10163 metric tons. Similarly, aromatic crops are cultivated on 250 hectares, with a total production of 750 metric tons. However, heritage underutilized horticultural crops are scattered, with a very low area of 547 hectares, and a production of 81 metric tons. The existing production scenario suggests a great scope for enhancing production to bridge the prevailing market deficit.

    Diversification of niche crops in potential areas has been proposed on 11100 hectare of land in various districts of the state. Specifically, saffron will be grown on 290 ha in Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur, Kalazeera on 300 ha in Bandipora, Kishtwar and Pulwama, Kashmiri Lal Mirch on 1000 ha’s in Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara, Peanut on 410 ha in Doda, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar, Bhaderwah Rajmash on 6000 ha in Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda, Hill Garlic on 2000 ha in Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur, Mushkbudji on 600 ha’s in Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara besides Red Rice on 500 ha in District Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Budgam districts.

    To meet the emerging market demand for niche crops as functional food, there is an immediate need to extend the area of cultivation in similar agro-ecological conditions in J&K, either as a sole crop or as an intercrop. The introduction of niche value chains in prevailing cropping systems will not only increase production but will also meet the goal of raising farmers income substantially, ensuring livelihood security and stability. The expanded area of cultivation will include Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Samba, Kathua and Kishtwar.

    One of the key challenges in expanding the area of cultivation is lack of availability of quality planting material. The project aims to address this challenge through establishment of 5182 registered nurseries on 408 ha and 44 seed villages over an area of 212 ha particularly in heritage sites such as Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, Baderwah, Bandipora, Sagam, Tangdar, Ramban and Poonch. The cumulative output from the nurseries/seed villages shall include 2159 MT of quality planting material, 40000 plants and 10 crore seedlings. The outcome of the project will serve as a pilot module for area expansion for production enhancement of high value crops as a long-term strategy in UT of J&K.(KN)

    ALSO READ: J&K: Important Traffic Advisory For 30th January 2023 in View of Bharat Jodo Yatra

    ALSO READ: J&K Government Orders Detachment Of Employees/Officials – Check Here

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    ( With inputs from : kashmirnews.in )

  • Govt Approves Rs 146 Cr Project For Promotion Of Niche Crops In J&K

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    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a prestigious project worth Rs 146 crore to promote the niche crops as unique heritage of the UT, which will be implemented in the next five years.

    “The project aims at diversifying and expanding the area of niche crops over an area of 11,100 hectare thus ensuring livelihood security for 111,000 targetted beneficiaries with a revenue realization of Rs. 2,238 Crore” , Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo said.

    The initiative will focus on increasing production, improving livelihoods and enhancing market accessibility. This will be achieved through establishment of nurseries and seed villages, infrastructure development, and collaboration with various partners and stakeholders, he added.

    Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir is home to a diverse range of niche crops including Saffron, Kalazeera, Kashmiri Lal Mirch, Peanut, Anardhana, Bhaderwah Rajmash, hill garlic, Mushkbudhji (aromatic rice), Red Rice and Shallot (Pran). These crops are grown on an area of 32,000 hectare, with a total production of 24,000 metric tons making a substantial contribution of Rs. 945 crore to the UT GDP.

    The main components of the project included establishment of 5,226 nurseries/seed villages, which will generate 7750 job opportunities for unemployed youth working in the niche sector. Additionally, the project will take up creation of one Mini Spice Park, two Modern Rice Mills and eleven grading and processing units in target clusters, which will be linked with available NABL laboratories and e-trading centers of UT. This will facilitate quality promotion and value addition, leading to profitable accessibility to the market.

    To promote these niche crops at the export level, the project shall also undertake tagging of identified niche crops, for which descriptors will be developed for their uniqueness. Likewise, the project will ensure human resource development for capacity building and employment generation. The project is being jointly undertaken by SKUAST Jammu and Kashmir besides the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department, Jammu and Kashmir.

    Promotion of Niche Crops is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in the UT of J&K. The prestigious committee is headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR with other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics and Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA and FW, Dr. H S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), apart from the Vice Chancellors of twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

    There is a long history of cultivating these niche crops in J&K, particularly in heritage sites such as Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Bandipora, Sagam, Tangdar, Ramban and Poonch”, Mr Dulloo said, adding that these crops, including spices, aromatic crops and underutilized horticultural crops, have a significant commercial value and potential to be awarded a GI tag, similar to the tag achieved for Kashmir Saffron.

    Currently, spice niche crops are cultivated on 5525 hectare with a total production of 10163 metric tons. Similarly, aromatic crops are cultivated on 250 hectares, with a total production of 750 metric tons. However, heritage underutilized horticultural crops are scattered, with a very low area of 547 hectares, and a production of 81 metric tons. The existing production scenario suggests a great scope for enhancing production to bridge the prevailing market deficit.

    Diversification of niche crops in potential areas has been proposed on 11100 hectare of land in various districts of the state. Specifically, saffron will be grown on 290 ha in Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur, Kalazeera on 300 ha in Bandipora, Kishtwar and Pulwama, Kashmiri Lal Mirch on 1000 ha’s in Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara, Peanut on 410 ha in Doda, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar, Bhaderwah Rajmash on 6000 ha in Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda, Hill Garlic on 2000 ha in Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur, Mushkbudji on 600 ha’s in Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara besides Red Rice on 500 ha in District Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Budgam districts.

    To meet the emerging market demand for niche crops as functional food, there is an immediate need to extend the area of cultivation in similar agro-ecological conditions in J&K, either as a sole crop or as an intercrop. The introduction of niche value chains in prevailing cropping systems will not only increase production but will also meet the goal of raising farmers income substantially, ensuring livelihood security and stability. The expanded area of cultivation will include Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Samba, Kathua and Kishtwar.

    One of the key challenges in expanding the area of cultivation is lack of availability of quality planting material. The project aims to address this challenge through establishment of 5182 registered nurseries on 408 ha and 44 seed villages over an area of 212 ha particularly in heritage sites such as Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, Baderwah, Bandipora, Sagam, Tangdar, Ramban and Poonch. The cumulative output from the nurseries/seed villages shall include 2159 MT of quality planting material, 40000 plants and 10 crore seedlings. The outcome of the project will serve as a pilot module for area expansion for production enhancement of high value crops as a long-term strategy in UT of J&K.

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    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Govt Reconstitutes Board Of Directors Of J&K Cements Limited

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    Srinagar, Jan 28 (GNS): The government on Saturday reconstituted Board of Directors of Jammu & Kashmir Cements Limited.

    “In supersession of all previous orders on the subject and in terms of Article 77(c) of the Articles of Association (AoA) of the Corporation, sanction is hereby accorded to the re-constitution of the Board of Directors of Jammu & Kashmir Cements Limited….,” reads a government order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

    Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, has been named as Chairman while Prashant Goyal, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Industries & Commerce Department, H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department, Dr. Neelu Gera, IFS, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Dr.Raghav Langer, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, O. P. Bhagat, JKAS, Director, Geology & Mining Department, S.L Pandita, Director General, Codes, Finance Department, Javed Yousuf Dar, Chief Engineer Electric (Distribution) KPDCL and Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director, J&K Cements Limited as Directors. (GNS)

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    ( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )