POONCH: In a step towards strengthening digital financial inclusion in rural areas, Chief Agriculture Officer Poonch, Jograj Singh Slathia distributed Micro ATM cards among Krishi Udyamis operating Common Service Centres (CSCs) under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) project “Innovative Approaches under Agriculture Extension”. The initiative aims to enhance the delivery of digital financial and governance services in far-flung areas of the district by empowering Krishi Udyamis to function as grassroots-level digital service providers.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Agriculture Officer emphasised the need for Krishi Udyamis to diversify and expand their service portfolio by integrating agriculture and allied sector services with digital platforms. He stated that the provision of Micro ATMs would enable Krishi Udyamis to offer doorstep Aadhaar-enabled payment services, cash withdrawals and deposits and fund transfers, thereby ensuring ease, transparency and financial inclusion for rural households. An on-the-spot grievance redressal session was held during the event, wherein issues related to the functioning of Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) raised by Krishi Udyamis were addressed by the concerned officials.

The Chief Agriculture Officer apprised the participants of various government initiatives aimed at handholding Krishi Udyamis and improving farmer welfare. He informed them about the availability of multiple online departmental services, including PM-KISAN, DigiPay CSC cash withdrawal and deposit services for all banks, self-registration for input licenses and registration on the HADP portal, which covers 29 projects across agriculture and allied sectors.

He elaborated that major HADP interventions include Farm Mechanisation, Alternate Agriculture Systems and Promotion of Vegetables and Exotic Vegetables, with components such as Hi-Tech Poly Greenhouses, Low-Cost Polyhouses and area expansion under open vegetable cultivation.

The Chief Agriculture Officer further informed that the onboarding of all appointed Krishi Udyamis on the Common Service Centre (CSC) platform has been successfully completed. This integration will ensure the viability of Kisan Khidmat Ghars as sustainable business units while empowering Krishi Udyamis as digital service providers for rural communities. He also stated that Krishi Udyamis must ensure daily reporting, which will enable the department to monitor progress and clear any grievances.

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

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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