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SRINAGAR: The State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) for the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) 2.0, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, gave nod to Annual Action Plan worth Rs 75.80 crore for Watershed Development under PMKSY.
The meeting was convened to review implementation of the scheme besides assessing the Annual Action Plan for the year 2025-26. Present in the meeting were Principal Secretary, Finance; Secretary, RDD; representatives from JSD, PWD, Revenue and other concerned officers. The Chief Secretary exhorted upon the concerned to make the best use of this scheme for creation of durable assets in the water stressed areas. He called for community participation in such initiatives so that these could prove to be the most beneficial for them.
He assessed the progress registered in different districts being covered under this flagship scheme and stressed on prioritizing works which are most suitable for the particular areas. He directed the senior officers in the department to conduct frequent visits to the sites to take first hand appraisal of the works being executed under this scheme.
Principal Secretary, Finance and APD Departments, Shailendra Kumar, while speaking in the meeting, stressed on including other minor irrigation works in the DPRs so that the water reaches up to the last fields in these areas. He also suggested measures to make the execution of works more transparent and beneficial for the public at large.
The meeting reviewed the progress and approved the proposals under the centrally sponsored flagship programme aimed at enhancing the water conservation, climate resilience and sustainable agriculture in the UT. While highlighting broad contours of the scheme, Secretary RD& PR Department, Aijaz Asad, informed that WDC-PMKSY is continuation of the earlier Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), which had been subsumed into PMKSY in 2015-16.
He revealed that under WDC-PMKSY 2.0, several initiatives and infrastructure projects had been implemented to boost watershed-based development. Besides, physical and financial progress has been recorded across various districts, with special emphasis on construction of water harvesting structures, ponds and irrigation channels. Additionally, the rainwater harvesting tanks and bunds for soil and moisture conservation, beautification and rejuvenation of water bodies including springs and streams also constitutes the actions being taken under this programme.
A significant highlight of the year has been the Watershed Yatra Campaign 2025, launched on 5th February in Kathua district by the Union Cabinet Minister for Agriculture and the UT Minister for Rural Development. The campaign underscored the integrated watershed governance and community participation for which J&K secured the 2nd rank nationally for strategic planning and participatory implementation of WDC-PMKSY 2.0.
In alignment with the theme of public engagement, the Janbhagidhari Watershed Cup is set to recognize 2–3 districts demonstrating exceptional community involvement in project execution, the meeting was informed. Moreover, it was divulged that as part of a new initiative under WDC-PMKSY 2.0, 300 springs have been allocated to J&K for rejuvenation as pilot projects. Further, under the national initiative to rejuvenate 50,000 springs, 3,100 more have been tentatively assigned to the UT for which the final project guidelines are awaited from DoLR.
The SLSC also reviewed and approved the Annual Action Plan (AAP) for 2025–26 with a proposed budget of Rs 75.80 crore, focusing primarily on Natural Resource Management (Rs 42.70 crore), Production Systems (Rs 15.03 crore), Consolidation & Withdrawal Phase (Rs 2.15 Cr), Work done claims from AAP 2024-25 (Rs 8.14 crore) and Administrative Expenses of Rs 4.15 crore to be utilised over the ensuing financial year.
The committee also approved the revision of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to include the newly allocated 300 springs and asked for creation of DPR in consultation with the Jal Shakti Department. The approved initiatives, as concluded in the meeting, are expected to accelerate the sustainable agricultural growth and foster inclusive rural development across the region.
KULGAM: Minister for Social Welfare, Education and Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the welfare of all sections of society is at the heart of present government led by Omar Abdullah with inclusivity and equal opportunity for all members of society.
The Minister made these remarks while addressing a large gathering of people after distributing prosthetic aids and assistive devices among specially-abled persons at DH Pora Constituency of Kulgam district. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sakeena reiterated the commitment of the Omar Abdullah-led Government towards the welfare of all sections of society.
She highlighted that the Government has already enhanced pensions under various social welfare schemes to provide greater support to the underprivileged and marginalized sections of society. While speaking on the growing threat of drug menace, Minister Sakeena said that drug addiction is a grave concern in society these days. She called upon all stakeholders that collective and coordinated efforts are the need of the day to eradicate this menace from society.
“Drug addiction is a big problem, it requires joint action from all stakeholders to safeguard our youth and future generation”, Sakeena stated. The event witnessed participation from local residents, officials, and beneficiaries who expressed gratitude for the continued support and outreach by the Government.
POONCH: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited Poonch where they met the residents affected by cross border shelling recently. They conducted door-to-door visits to several homes damaged during the shelling, assessing the situation on ground.
They interacted with the victims of the shelling and expressed solidarity with them. They visited Gurdawara Singh Sabha, Jamia Zia Ul Uloom, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Christ High School besides meeting with the affected families in their homes. The two leaders met varied sections of the society and inspected the extent of damage to homes and other infrastructural establishments.
Poonch, among other border areas has borne the brunt of the shelling, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives and significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, Rana said that the locals have suffered immense pain and loss and we need to join hands and make a real difference in their lives.
“Our government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to reach all those households that have suffered losses. We are duty bound to provide relief to them to help them rebuild their lives,” he said. The government had announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹10 lakh for the families of those killed in the Pakistan shelling. The two leaders also assessed the extent of damage caused by the shelling and assured the people of prioritising restoration work. They emphasized the need for immediate action to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the shelling.
Javed Rana had, earlier, conducted an extensive tour of the border areas wherein he had instructed the officers to engage closely with the victim families and extend all possible support to them. He had directed that compensation to the affected people should be processed expeditiously, ensuring that they receive the necessary assistance to rebuild their lives.
BUDGAM: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, today said that special focus will be laid on developing the scenic tourist destination Yousmarg as the next Gulmarg. He made these remarks while inaugurating a newly constructed Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Nagbal, in Charar-i-Sharief Constituency, built at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.88 crore.
Highlighting the government’s vision, the Speaker stated that Yousmarg will be equipped with all modern tourist facilities including a gondola, all-weather connectivity, skiing and other recreational and basic amenities. He emphasised that this development of Yousmarg will significantly uplift the socio-economic conditions of the local population living in kandi area.
Speaking on the importance of the health sector, the Speaker noted that the newly inaugurated PHC will provide essential medical services to the residents of Nagbal and adjoining Kandi areas. He said that the building, completed at a cost of Rs. 1.53 crore, will require an additional Rs. 35 lakh for construction of a boundary wall, landscaping and development of the approach road.
The Speaker said that the PHC is equipped to offer ECG, dental care, gynecology services, separate male and female wards and minor operation theatre facilities. He inspected various sections of the facility, including the general wards, minor OT, dental unit, immunization area and took stock of availability of medicine at pharmacy section.
He remarked that the establishment of this health centre will minimize the need for residents to travel long distances to avail medical services in Srinagar or Charar-i-Sharief. The Speaker also highlighted sanctioning of other PHC buildings across the constituency, including, Kanir, Tilsara, Nowpora, Hushroo, Nilnag, Bonen, Watkalu, as well as the Sub-District Hospitals at Charar-i-Sharief, Pakherpora and Nagam, all of which are functional and catering to local healthcare needs.
“Work on PHC Challein Chhotnar and other health and educational projects will also be expedited and dedicated to the general public soon,” he said. The Speaker reiterated that, alongside overall infrastructure development, particular attention will be given to improving the health and education sectors in Charar-i-Sharief.
“Under the Aspirational Plan for Surasyar and Pakherpora, additional funds shall be utilized on improvement of health and education sectors,” Speaker said. He further assured that all pending development projects including macadamization of all main and inner roads in Charar-i-Sharief will be completed on priority and dedicated to the public at the earliest.
During the visit, several public delegations met the Speaker and presented their demands and grievances. He gave them a patient hearing and assured that all genuine concerns will be taken up with the concerned authorities for prompt redressal. Among others, ADC Budgam Mehraj-ud-Din Shah, CEO Yousmarg Development Authority Bilal Khurshid, SDM Chadoora Primrose Bashir, CMO Budgam, Dr. Gulzar, Assistant Director Health, Dr Sabha and other senior officers and officials were also present on the occasion.
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JK BOPEE) today conducted the Common Entrance Test (CET) for B-PHARMACY and D-PHARMACY courses-2025 for the academic session 2025-26 today at Jammu and Srinagar Centres. The test was conducted at S P College, Srinagar & Kashmir University in Kashmir Division and Gandhi Nagar College for Women and MAM College, in Jammu Division, where in 2022 candidates appeared in this examination.
To ensure smooth conduct of the Entrance Test, arrangements had been established in collaboration with the respective university/college administrations and law enforcement agencies under the guidance of Professor Minu Mahajan, Chairperson, J&K BOPEE. The process was conducted under the diligent supervision of competent JKBOPEE staff members and the staff from the respective colleges.
The members, Secretary, Controller of Examinations and other officials of BOPEE, actively monitored the conduct of the said Common Entrance Test at Srinagar and Jammu. They thanked the district administration, IGP Jammu/Kashmir, for deploying police personnel, members of the monitoring squad, the Principal and staff members of the respective University/Colleges for their support during smooth conduct of the said Entrance Test.
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