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  • PM Modi Calls Winter Games, Snow Cricket In Kashmir “An Extension Of Khelo India Movement”

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    SRINAGAR: Prime Minister, Narinder Modi on Sunday spoke about Snow Cricket held at Syedabad, Pulwama, Kashmir in his Man Ki Baat.

    In the programme, PM Modi said that apart from Snow capped mountains and natural beauty, there is much more to know and admire about Kashmir.

    The PM said that in Syedabad, Pulwama of Kashmir the Snow Cricket was held in winter games. He said that Snow cricket is more entertaining, this makes it even more interesting that those games help to identify players who shall play for Team India in future.

    The PM said that snow cricket is an extension of the Khelo India Movement. He hoped that those players will win medals for the nation in future and will wave Tricolor high.

    He suggested to tourists, “Next time when you visit Kashmir, take your time to watch such programmes too”. That will make your trip more memorable, he said.

    Sports activities across Pulwama have touched a new milestone with the provision of sports infrastructure in all Panchayats.

    Pertinently, under the mission of play fields in each panchayat, land in Syedabad (Pastuna) Panchayat of Tral Sub Division was identified and Playfield was developed under MGNREGA in FY 2022-23, and the village witnessed a big tournament during this winter.

    The Cricket match in Chilaikalan (chilling season across Kashmir) was held in Syedabad (Pastuna) on the smooth surface of Snow for the first time during this winter.

    The sports theme of this winter game was Snow Cricket and was a local talent hunt in cricket. This is for the first time that youth were directly benefited by CSSs.

    This facility not only fulfills the aspirations of Pulwama youth but also strengthens the vision of “Youth-led development” of PM.

    The Youth has reciprocated to the sports spirit and chennalised their achievements and energy on the platform of Khelo India. Now more youth are getting attracted to sports activities across Pulwama.

    This is a positive and a vibrant change, and shall have far reaching and best results in coming times with youth getting engaged in sports which develops the competition and leadership qualities

    Earlier, Prime Minister has also lauded the efforts made by Manzoor Ahmed Elahi, an entrepreneur from Ukhoo, Pulwama who is providing pencil slates to big firms of the country.

    PM has also mentioned the efforts of two brothers namely Bashir Ahmed and Munir Ahmad who have set an example in the realm of self employment. Despite being highly educated both brothers started a vermicompost startup and supply organic manure to farmers at reasonable prices. The vermicompost startup is also a novelty in the Organic Agriculture produce.

    People of Pulwama have expressed immense gratitude to Prime Minister by mentioning Pulwama multiple times in Mann Ki Baat for inspiring the youth.

    Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary in this context has said that Honorable Lieutenant Government administration is committed for constructive engagement and empowerment of youth of Pulwama.

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    #Modi #Calls #Winter #Games #Snow #Cricket #Kashmir #Extension #Khelo #India #Movement

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • 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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    #Govt #Approves #Project #Promotion #Niche #Crops

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • MeT Predicts Snowfall In Kashmir

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    SRINAGAR: The weather was generally cloudy in J&K during the last 24 hours as the MeT office said on Sunday that widespread rain/snow is likely in Kashmir division and light rain in Jammu division.

    “Widespread rain/snow is likely in Kashmir division and light rain in Jammu division during the next 24 hours,” an official of the MeT department said.

    Srinagar recorded minus 2.4, Pahalgam minus 5.6 and Gulmarg minus 7.2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature on Sunday. (IANS)

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    #MeT #Predicts #Snowfall #Kashmir

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Masoodi Seeks Extension In Aadhaar Seeding Of Disability Pension Beneficiaries

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    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and MP (Ang) Hasnain Masoodi on Saturday asked the administration to extend the date of Aadhaar seeding of Disability pension beneficiaries.

    Expressing concern over the plight of disability pension beneficiaries, Masoodi said that in view of the ongoing harsh winter season the administration should extend the seeding date so that maximum number of beneficiaries are able to link their pension accounts with their Aadhaar numbers.

    Pending the Aadhaar seeding, Masoodi asked the administration to continue disbursement of monthly disability pension to beneficiaries.

    “It is not possible for the physically crippled and challenged people to get their pension accounts Adhaar seeded in such a short span of time. Most of the upper reaches and outlying hamlets continue to remain disconnected from their nearby towns and district headquarters. Hastening the process, it goes without saying, will result in the financial exclusion of thousands of beneficiaries. Therefore it is imperative for the administration to fine tune the Aadhaar seeding with local climatic conditions,” he said.

    He also impressed upon the government to increase the disability pension in view of the rising inflation and price rise. “The financial assistance given to the beneficiaries is too little to cover their nutritional needs, let alone meet their healthcare expenses. Therefore in the true spirit of being a welfare state, the government should increase the monthly assistance of the disabled up to Rs 5000 per month,” he said.

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    #Masoodi #Seeks #Extension #Aadhaar #Seeding #Disability #Pension #Beneficiaries

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • 406 Kanals Of State, Kahcharie Land Retrieved At Shopian, 40 Shops Sealed

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    SRINAGAR: Acting tough against land grabbers, the District Administration Shopian today retrieved around 406 kanals of state and kahcharie land during anti-encroachment drives carried out across the district.

    In tehsil Shopian, 40 shops built on State land were also sealed today by Executive Magistrate (Tehsildar) Shopian.

    A team of revenue officials under the supervision of Tehsildar also freed 90 kanals of kahcharie and 12 kanals of state land in Ramnagri village during the anti-encroachment drive.

    In tehsil Keegam, a team of revenue officials under the Supervision of Tehsildar Keegam at village Pirpora retrieved 15 kanals of state land and 35 kanals of kahcharie which were encroached by Former Finance minister and his family members.

    In Tehsil Chitragam, Tehsildar Chitragam along with NT Chitragam freed 3 Kanals of encroached land in Village Chitragam. The land was retrieved from the brother of Ex. MLC.

    Similarly, in Tehsil Barbugh, 149 kanals and 10 marlas of kahcharie land was reclaimed at Hardoo Handew, in tehsil Keller, 16 kanals of state land was retrieved in Batmuran Wanpora, in Tehsil Herman 31 kanals and 11 marlas of kahcharie and 13 kanals and 9 marlas of state land was retrieved in Nagisheran and in tehsil Zainapora, 40 kanals and 12 marlas of kahcharie land was freed from the land grabbers.

    The retrieved land shall be earmarked for various developmental projects, playgrounds, village centric amenities and various other development and public welfare purposes in consultation with PRIs and local people.

    Anti-encroachment drives are underway across the district and thousands of kanals of land have been reclaimed by the revenue department in the past few days.

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    #Kanals #State #Kahcharie #Land #Retrieved #Shopian #Shops #Sealed

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Court Orders Attachment Of Hurriyat Office In Srinagar

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    SRINAGAR: A Delhi Court has ordered the seizing of All Parties Hurriyat Conference’s (APHC) office in Srinagar’s Rajbagh area in a UAPA case probed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Hurriyat leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan.

    Khan, who has been in judicial custody since August 14, 2017, has been accused of “creating unrest” in the Kashmir valley by the National Investigation Agency of India, LiveLaw reported.He was denied bail in December last year.

    Additional Sessions Judge Shailender Malik of Patiala House Courts passed the order on NIA’s plea under section 33(1) of UAPA to attach the office.

    “In view of the above reasons, the immovable property i.e. building office of All Parties Hurriyat Conference situated at Raj Bagh, Srinagar which was carlier used as a office of APHC is ordered to be attached. Necessary legal process be carried out in this regard,” the court said.

    NIA told court that the property is partly owned by Khan along with his associates.

    The office situated at Rajbagh was used to strategize different protests, funding activities of stone pelting on security forces, recruiting of unemployed youths to carry out “unlawful activities as well as terrorist activities” to create an unrest Jammu and Kashmir to wage war against Government of India, according to the NIA.

    It was submitted by Khan’s counsel that the office was only partly owned by him whereas other co-owners were not given any notice before attachment.

    Noting that the property was being used as an office of APHC, the court said that there are many other accused persons besides Khan who were affiliated to the office, who are also facing prosecution in the matter.

    The court also noted that the evidence collected during investigation was duly examined at the stage of framing of charge by a predecessor court which concluded to frame charges against Khan and other accused persons.

    “In that process it is needless to observe that in case any other person who claims to be co-owner and consider that such process of attachment is not proper, can avail legal right in accordance with law,” the court said.

    The court said that attachment of a property in itself does not amount to any bearing upon trial and that the cannot be in any manner be considered as “pre-trial conclusion” or findings of punishment or offence against the accused.
    “It simply means the property of the accused which may like to be forfeited to the State in case of him being convicted of offence of terrorist activities,” the court said.

    It also said that section 33 of UAPA does not hinder the powers of court to attach any such property which may be partly owned by accused.

    “In such situation taking into consideration the serious nature of the allegations as against A-5 itself (Khan), the fact that he is part owner of the property in question, cannot be a reason for not attaching the property when it is not even made clear as to who others were co-owners of that property,” LiveLaw.in quoted the court as having said.

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    #Court #Orders #Attachment #Hurriyat #Office #Srinagar

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Congress’ Silence Over Article 370 Exposes Its Inherent Contradictions: Rana

    Congress’ Silence Over Article 370 Exposes Its Inherent Contradictions: Rana

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    JAMMU: Lashing out at the Congress for ducking response over abrogation of Article 370 as usual due to its inherent contradictions and taking escape route from the chronic political issues it created in Kashmir over the decades, Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today said the statement of Jairam Ramesh is on expected lines keeping in view the flip-flop policies of his party on issues concerning upholding of Nation’s sovereignty and integrity.

    Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of releasing of book ‘Trikaalsandhya and Vaishnav Vratodyaapan Pradeep on Karm-kand’ by Dr Varchaskam Sharma here this afternoon, Rana said the Congress is caught between the deep sea and devil over the historic repeal of Article 370 binding Jammu and Kashmir emotionally and psychologically with rest of the country besides ending the era of deprivation of women and marginalized segments like Valmikis, PoK refugees, Gorkhas, Gujjar Bakerwals west Pak refugees and the other weaker sections.

    “Talking about the political issues would certainly expose the Congress, which is solely responsible for all the ills afflicting the body psyche of the nation in general and the Valley in particular because of greed, lust and lack of vision of its so-called towering leaders,” Rana said, adding that such an eventuality is bound to entail the wrath of the party’s new found allies in the communal, divisive, anti-national and pro-Pakistan PAGD who Congress is trying to please and appease.

    Rana recalled his earlier statement of the Congress creating alibis to avoid hoisting of the tricolor at the historic Lal Chowk in view of the PAGD’s strong hate for the national flag.

    He said Rahul Gandhi has conveniently obliged the hate mongers and anti-national political actors, who had warned of not getting flag bearers for the tricolor in the Valley if Article 370 was tinkered with. Bypassing Lal Chowk thus amounts to compromising national honour and dignity. It is different that the Tiranga is being unfurled for youth of Kashmir day in and day out with pride, he said and referred to the response they got as recently as on the Republic Day when shops in the famous market-place remained open, ending over three-decade culture of hartals and bandhs.

    He said this has unnerved the Congress and its masters in the PAGD, who are in the unholy wedlock for their lust for power.

    Rana reminded the Congress of its blunders in Kashmir, saying that but for the course correction being made by the BJP, the paradise on the earth was at the brink of disaster.

    He said none of the dynasts ever appreciated the genuine aspirations of the Paharis, Gujjars, Refugees, Valmikis and the other categories of marginalized sections, who are witnessing their empowerment for the first time ever since independence of India.

    He said the BJP has infused a sense of belonging among the people and heralded a new era of peace and stability. Even the worst adversaries are confessing privately how the malady of stone-pelting and hartal culture has ended in Kashmir with people enthusiastically participating in the odyssey of progress and development.

    He added that fillip in Kashmir economy due to record influx of tourism showcases the sincere efforts of the BJP in bringing normalcy and exposes the trio pseudo secularists for their machinations of keeping the Valley in boil, he said, adding that J&K is at the threshold of progress, prosperity and above all the political empowerment in real sense of term.

    The books of Dr Varchaskam Sharma, an Assistant Professor in Sanskrit in GMC, Kathua will be distributed free of cost. Dr Sharma has earlier also authored three books on Karm-kand.

    Prominent among others those present on the occasion included Pt. Tilak Raj Shastri, Principal, Ranjeet Singh.

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    #Congress #Silence #Article #Exposes #Inherent #Contradictions #Rana

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Atal Dulloo Calls For Adequate Supply, Availability Of Petroleum Derived Spray Oils For Agriculture Use

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    JAMMU: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting here at Civil Secretariat to discuss the availability and supply of petroleum-derived spray oils for use in agriculture and allied sectors in the Union Territory.

    The meeting delved into various issues related to freight and supply capacity of the empanelled oil and petroleum companies.

    During the meeting, Atal Dulloo asked about the spray schedule and instructed the respective officers to notify the public about the same. The officers informed him that the first week of February and onwards has been assigned for the activity.

    The ACS emphasised on ensuring adequate availability of quality horticulture mineral oil and other petroleum-derived spray oils for the use of the farmers at the most affordable prices.

    He also directed the officers to emulate the facilities in neighbouring states and ensure that the stock availability and license status of the empanelled companies were up to date.

    The ACS stressed the importance of ensuring the availability of such resources and instructed the officers to take necessary steps to make sure the farmers get the best quality products at the most affordable prices.

    The meeting was attended by Secretary in Agriculture Production Department, Shabnam Kamili, Director, Agriculture Jammu/Kashmir, Director Horticulture Jammu/Kashmir, besides other officers from Jammu and Kashmir besides representatives from SKUAST and others.

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    #Atal #Dulloo #Calls #Adequate #Supply #Availability #Petroleum #Derived #Spray #Oils #Agriculture

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Unidentified Body Recovered From Jhelum 

    Unidentified Body Recovered From Jhelum 

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    SRINAGAR: Unidentified body of a man was recovered from river Jhelum in Sumbal area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday.

    Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that the body was spotted by some locals, following which they informed the police.

    He said soon after getting the information a police team rushed to the spot and recovered the body.

    The official said the identity of the man was being asserted.

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    #Unidentified #Body #Recovered #Jhelum

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Restoration Of Democratic Process, Statehood Utmost Priority In J&K: Jairam Ramesh

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    SRINAGAR: Member of Parliament and General Secretary Incharge Communication, AICC, Jairam Ramesh Saturday said that the restoration of democratic process and Statehood are the utmost priority in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The Bharat Jodo Yatra is not about the alliance between the political parties. It has nothing to do with the elections and other related process. The yatra is meant to make a platform for 2024,” he said while addressing a news conference today at PCC headquarters in Srinagar.

    He said that the security arrangements unlike yesterday were adequate. He further added that the restoration of democratic process and restoration of Statehood is the utmost priority at present.

    Ramesh further said that of total 136 days, Rahul Gandhi led yatra marched 4080 kilometers in 116 days in which the people from different walks of the life participated and extended their support.

    In J&K also, the yatra was held in five districts each in Jammu and Kashmir while a main and culmination function will be held on January 30 and flag hoisting ceremony will be done at PCC headquarters in Srinagar.

    He further said that the main function will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium here in Srinagar. (KNO)

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    #Restoration #Democratic #Process #Statehood #Utmost #Priority #Jairam #Ramesh

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )