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SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha took stock of the situation in border districts of J&K UT with all the senior administrative, police and district officials including Deputy Commissioners of all the border districts, earlier this morning.
The Lieutenant Governor is closely monitoring the situation. He reiterated that the government is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.
“We will ensure the safety of every citizen,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor has also directed the Deputy Commissioners for shifting of villagers from vulnerable areas to safer locations and ensuring boarding, lodging, food, medicare and transportation
The Lieutenant Governor has posted on X:
“Took stock of the situation in border districts of J&K UT with all the senior administrative, police & district officials including DCs of all the border districts. I'm closely monitoring the situation & govt is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.
I've also directed the DCs for shifting of villagers from vulnerable areas to safer locations and ensuring boarding, lodging, food, medicare and transportation. We will ensure safety of every citizen. Jai Hind!”
JAMMU: In line with the Chief Minister’s directions regarding promotion of tourism infrastructure in Jammu province and periodical review by Atul Duloo, Chief Secretary, a joint team of officers from Tourism, Revenue, PWD and Forest Departments conducted on spot visit to assess the site’s potential for development of an adventure Hub at Aithem near Surinsar lake in Jammu district.
The team was led by Aijaz Qaiser, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu. The site has already been recommended by the experts from the Indian Institute of Mountaineering & Skiing Gulmarg for Paragliding. The visit was intended to develop Aithem as an adventure Hub for various adventure activities besides exploring the option of recreational and leisure tourism in addition to its suitability for paragliding.
In order to speed up the planning process and its subsequent execution, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, has directed the field officers to take the line departments and stakeholders on board during the planning phase of every project so that infrastructure blends with the natural surroundings, adhering to eco-friendly development norms.
The adventure Hub will come up as a major attraction site for the nature lovers, bird watchers, star gazers and adventure enthusiasts. The project will have state of the art facilities like eateries, public conveniences, Sunrise and Sunset points and Yoga platform. Pertinently, yhe department of tourism has already trained a batch of 23 paragliders in P1, P2, P3 levels in collaboration with NIMAS Training Institute, Seppa, Arunachal Pradesh.
Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu, has taken up the matter with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, for imparting advance courses in paragliding (P4 &SIB) to the same set of 23 paragliders so that they can be eligible for their certification as tandem pilots.
To assess the site from a technical perspective including wind speed, wind direction and the gradient of the take-off point, the trained paragliders took-off solo test flights for the first hand experience and assessment. Their valuable insights on the infrastructure and interventions required to enhance the site’s appeal and safety were also sought.
The team also assessed the site to include Zip-line and para motoring activities alongside projects besides setting up of a state of the art paragliding project. Accompanying the Joint Director were Savita Chauhan, Deputy Director Tourism, Jammu, AEE PWD, Jamal Din and other officials.
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the implementation status of various financial inclusion and social security schemes of the Government of India being executed through banks and financial institutions in J&K.
Besides Principal Secretary, APD and Principal Secretary, Finance Departments, the meeting was attended by MD, J&K Bank; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Secretary, Revenue; Secretary, RDD; MD, JKRLM; Convenor, UTLBC; representatives from NABARD, SIDBI and other banks operating here.
The meeting focused on the progress under major schemes including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), saturation of unbanked rural areas, priority sector lending, credit flow to MSMEs, agriculture sector initiatives including Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), and skilling interventions undertaken through Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) established in the UT.
While reviewing the current status of population coverage under these schemes, the Chief Secretary also took stock of the compliance on earlier directions issued to financial institutions. He directed the concerned agencies to ensure saturation of all identified unbanked rural centres before the stipulated deadline of June this year.
Stressing on the need for prompt and efficient claim settlements, Dulloo observed that the success of these social security schemes should be judged not merely by the number of beneficiaries enrolled, but also by the speed and effectiveness of claim settlements.
He emphasized that financial institutions must instill confidence in public by providing full assistance in processing and settling their genuine claims, and proactively reaching out to families, especially in case of the death of insured members, to ensure timely support.
To ensure the schemes reach the most deserving, the Chief Secretary directed for the inclusion of Self Help Group (SHG) members registered with JKRLM and their families under all applicable social security schemes. He also instructed for coverage of registered building and construction workers under Atal Pension Yojana, with the premium to be borne by the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board here.
Dulloo also called for formulation of a focused strategy to enhance credit flow under the priority and MSME sectors, ensuring that all banks meet the targets assigned to them. He also enquired about the progress in rolling out the ‘Gramin Credit Score’ system for agricultural lending on the lines of the CIBIL score used for individual borrowers.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed IT-enabled financial interventions such as the distribution of RuPay Debit Cards under PMJDY and Smart Cards for KCC beneficiaries. He assessed progress made in designing loan products to promote High-Density Plantation, rural homestays, and properties identified under the Svamitva Yojana.
Further, he sought an update on the Credit Grievance Redressal Portal, being developed for the convenience of all bank customers in the UT. He was informed that the portal is ready for launch and will soon be made operational to facilitate efficient resolution of customer grievances.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary, Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya, highlighted the noteworthy performance of J&K Bank, stating that it had achieved an 11% year-on-year growth in its business, significantly reduced its Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) to 3.37%, and brought down its cost-to-income ratio to 58% from the earlier 71%. He appreciated the bank administration for these achievements and termed the performance as satisfactory and commendable.
Managing Director, J&K Bank, Amitava Chatterjee, also shared important statistics on the implementation of social security schemes across the UT. As the lead bank and Convenor of UTLBC, he detailed the bank’s efforts to popularize financial inclusion schemes and expand credit outreachto the priority sectors.
He pointed out that the latest statistics clearly reflect significant improvement over the figures presented in the previous review meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. He pointed out that the UT has recorded significant strides in financial inclusion and social welfare coverage as per the performance data for various centrally sponsored schemes thereby highlighting the growing participation of citizens and strong involvement by banking institutions here.
In its presentation the Convenor UTLBC, Rayees Maqbool revealed that J&K currently hosts2,197 brick-and-mortar bank branches in addition to 5,135 Banking Correspondents (BCs) and a network of 2,661 ATMs operated by 37 banks and financial institutions ensuring that one banking touch point is available per 1,227 of population.
The meeting was apprised that efforts are underway to fully cover the remaining 21 URCs identified by RBI here under tier 5 areas (population under 5,000) with banking touch points. It was given out that 150 additional Gram Panchayats are scheduled to be covered by May 15, 2025, by J&K Bank.
Regarding the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), an accident insurance scheme for citizens aged 18–70 years saw 6.04 lakh enrollments during FY 2024–25; reaching the cumulative coverage of 23.57 lakh beneficiaries in the UT.
About the performance J&K Bank had registered 2.29 lakh accounts, SBI (1.27 lakh), and HDFC Bank (39,096) with 285 claims settled with Rs. 5.69 Cr disbursed during the year.
With respect to Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)offering life insurance for citizens aged 18–50years an impressive number of 2.47 lakh new enrolments were done during the previous financial year with cumulative coverage reached 9.67 lakh and settlement of 668 claims with Rs. 13.34 Cr disbursed during the previous financial year.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)targeting unorganized workers also registered an significant progress with 24,230 new account openings, cumulatively reaching 2.48 lakh accounts since inception.
As far as the priority sector lending is concerned under the Annual Credit Plan 2024–25, J&K's banks collectively achieved 92% of the credit disbursement target, totaling Rs. 36,575 Cr. J&K Bank emerged as the top contributor, surpassing targets at 139% for physical targets and 134% in credit volume. The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector absorbed Rs. 22,688 Cr, accounting for 62% of priority sector lending. A total of 2.96 lakh accounts were supported with J&K Bank leading the table with Rs. 5,537 Cr disbursements in this sector.
The meeting was informed that the agriculture sector too received focused attention with Rs. 6,430 Cr disbursement out of a target of Rs. 11,056 Cr, achieving nearly 58% of the set goal.
Under PM Mudra and PM Vishwakarma Yojana aiming at empowering the entrepreneurs as on March 31, 2025substantial disbursements were made under Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun categories providing support to small entrepreneurs, women, and youth-led micro businesses
It was added that under PM Vishwakarma Yojana, growing traction was observed across various trades. The RSETI performance in skilling of rural masses (since 2009) depicted training of 1,07,672 trainees, and starting of 78,059 ventures (72.5%), and nearly 50% beneficiaries availing bank credit to start their respective enterprises.
SRINAGAR: In order to assess ongoing Tuberculosis control efforts and to acknowledge the significant strides made towards TB elimination at the grassroots level, a comprehensive review meeting on National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) cum felicitation ceremony recognizing the achievements under the TB Free Panchayat initiative for the year 2024, was held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat at the Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex, here.
Speaking on the occasion, DC acknowledged the commendable efforts of the Health Department and other stakeholders, appreciating the dedication shown by the teams at various levels. Dr Bilal also sought a renewed commitment from all participants to sustain and accelerate the momentum towards TB elimination, ensuring continued collaboration and support at all levels of governance and healthcare delivery in Srinagar District.
DC further underscored that the achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of the District administration, Health, Panchayat level staff and community health workers in combating Tuberculosis at the grassroots level.
On the occasion, a detailed and insightful presentation outlining the district’s achievements and ongoing initiatives under NTEP was given by the District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), Dr. Abdul Rouf. He informed the chair that all 21 Panchayats within Srinagar District have successfully attained the status of TB Free Panchayat under the Silver category for two consecutive years, marking a significant public health milestone.
Furthermore, the chair was apprised of the current diagnostic infrastructure and emphasized the critical need to strengthen it further. The demand was specifically requested to consider the provision of additional NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) machines to the district to enhance the rate of upfront NAAT testing, enabling faster and more accurate TB diagnosis, which in turn would facilitate the initiation of timely treatment and contribute to the broader goal of TB elimination.
Later during the meeting, DC felicitated the senior Health functionaries, Block Development Officers, Zonal Medical Officers and other health workers for achieving TB-free Panchayats status under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
The event was attended by Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar; State TB Officer Kashmir, Dr. Adhfar Yasien; Assistant Director, TB DHS Kashmir, Dr. Saba Wani; Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tahir Sajad; District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr Abdul Rouf; ZMOs of Batamaloo and Zadibal, Block Development Officers of Khonmoh, Harwan, Srinagar and Qamarwari blocks, Member IAPSM, Medical Officers of DTC, representative from BMO Hazratbal along with other health staff from NTEP Srinagar.
SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, today chaired a meeting to review the performance of Jammu & Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board (J&KKVIB) and Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) at Civil Secretariat Srinagar. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Industry & Commerce Vikramjit Singh, CEO J&K KVIB Jagdish Chander, senior officers from the Board and district officers.
In the review meeting of KVIB, the concerned official gave a PowerPoint Presentation to apprise the meeting of the functioning besides the physical and financial achievements of the Board. It was apprised that there are three main schemes being implemented by the KVIB including PMEGP, JKREGP and SFURTI. It was further informed that the main objective of all the schemes is to generate employment opportunities, to foster a strong rural economy, enhance socio-economic status of rural artisans and promote environment friendly and sustainable development in Khadi or Micro Industrial Sector.
Highlighting achievements of the boards, the official informed that 19444 males and 13689 female have been provided benefits under PMEGP whereas 4010 males and 937 females were provided benefits under JKREGP to promote entrepreneurship in J&K in last six years. Besides, 8 cluster projects have been approved under SFURTI scheme.
It was also informed that under JKREGP, 1637 cases have been sponsored, out of which, 1148 have been sanctioned. It was further informed that 115 bee keeping training camps have been organised by KVIB in Kashmir division.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, Surinder Choudhary, who is also the Chairman of KVIB, emphasized on the need of active engagement of all stakeholders to amplify employment opportunities across the Jammu & Kashmir. He reiterated the importance of making these employment generation programmes inclusive, ensuring equal opportunities for all segments of society, particularly marginalized communities, women and individuals with disabilities.
The Dy CM emphasised upon the officers to simplify the process of establishment of income generating units under such programmes for all. He maintained that the applicants should be provided training for better management of the units in order to maximise their gains.
Commending the Board’s efforts in employment creation across J&K, he urged the officers to adopt a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to guarantee target-oriented implementation of schemes. He stressed the importance of aligning all activities with the overarching goals and objectives. Surinder Choudhary also highlighted the need for synchronized efforts by the implementing agencies and banks to ensure that the benefits of employment generation programmes such as PMEGP and JKREGP reach the target population effectively.
The Dy CM asked the Board to ensure convergence with other departments and establish forward and backward linkages with the skill training so as to provide end-to-end assistance and required handholding to the job seekers and young entrepreneurs. Later, the Deputy Chief Minister convened a meeting with senior officials of Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to review its functioning and issues being faced by the Corporation.
MD JK PCC, Bashir Ahmad Dar, apprised the Dy CM of several matters including filling up of vacant posts, deployment of manpower, finalisation of accounts of the Corporation and its court cases, liability on account of works executed on nomination basis, reconciliation of material on work sited, deployment of JKPCC machinery etc. The Dy CM assured that the issues apprised by JKPCC will be resolved in a phased manner.
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