KISHTWAR: Chairperson District Development Council (DDC) Kishtwar, Pooja Thakur today presided over the Quarterly General Council Meeting here in the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex,. At the outset, the CEO, General Council (ADDC), Vinod Kumar Behnal, extended a warm welcome to all council members and outlined the objectives of the meeting.

During the session, the council was briefed on the Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding grievances raised in the previous General Council Meeting. Officers from line departments provided updates on the progress made in addressing these concerns. It was informed that the majority of grievances have been resolved, while efforts were underway to address the remaining issues within a stipulated time frame.

The Chairperson conducted a comprehensive review of the sector-wise physical and financial progress of projects under the District Capex Plan, Area Development Plan, MGNREGA, PMAY-G, Awaas Plus 2.0 Survey and RGSA for FY 2025–26. Additionally, block-specific issues and concerns related to various departments were highlighted by DDC members, who called for immediate resolution of the same.

These matters were duly noted by the CEO-General Council for forwarding to the concerned departments for necessary intervention. The Chairperson instructed the concerned officers to take prompt action to resolve the highlighted issues. She also urged executing agencies to accelerate the implementation of ongoing developmental projects and ensure their timely completion within the FY 2025–26.

Furthermore, she directed the implementing agencies to deploy resources and manpower efficiently to achieve the set targets. The DDC Chairperson also raised several issues, including the Ikhala Block Boundary to Marwah Road issue, Forest Clearance of Shirshi to Chicha Road, Completion of work on Sazar Bridge, Community Sanitary Complex at Lopara, slab work of Balashram Road drainage, exclusion of beneficiaries from ration cards, pending compensation of landowners and the rationalisation of teachers.

She directed all departments to conduct awareness programmes at the grassroots level to promote the schemes of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Labour and other government departments.

The Chairperson further called for expedited construction of Suid Bridge and Sirchi Bridge. Directions were issued to the concerned Executive Engineer to furnish the map and DPR of the Ikhala Block Boundary to Marwah Road. She stressed the importance of interdepartmental coordination to eliminate bottlenecks hindering developmental works and to ensure seamless project execution.

The meeting was attended by DDC Member Warwan, Zaffarullah Sheikh, DDC Member Marwah, DDC Member Palmar, Tahir Masood, DDC Member Drabshalla, Ashok Parihar, PO ICDS , Dr. Rishi Kumar Sharma, SDM Marwah, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf, ACD , Manoj Kumar, ACP , Neeraj Sharma, DSWO , Tariq Parvez Qazi, DIO , Abhimanyu Singh, ALC , Mamta Sudershan, CEO , CAO , CMO , Executive Engineer JPDCL , Executive Engineer Jal Shakti , Executive Engineer PMGSY Marwah and other district and sectoral officers.

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

       LOOK_HERE.jpg Esteemed readers, for your convenience, we have categorized our news publishing into following 👇

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here