JAMMU: Union Joint Secretary and Mission Director SBM-G, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Jitendra Srivastava, today conducted an extensive visit to Udhampur and Reasi districts to review and enhance ongoing sanitation initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G).
During the visit, the Joint Secretary interacted with the locals and discussed about the initiatives being taken up by the department under SBM-G. He emphasised the need for further strengthening the process of waste collection from household and commercial establishments.
In Udhampur district, Srivastava inspected the community compost pit in Upper Kud panchayat to evaluate its operational functionality. He then visited the segregation shed at Sudh Mahadev panchayat to assess its working.
While interacting with the officials of collection agency, Shri Srivastava gained a thorough understanding of the waste collection processes from the panchayat and its subsequent disposal. He emphasized that there is a need to replicate such business models in other panchayats to ensure widespread sustainable waste management.
Furthermore, Srivastava proposed construction of two to three large Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs) using available funds to service multiple blocks efficiently.
The visit concluded with holding a community meeting in Sudh Mahadev panchayat, where he engaged with locals and officials to discuss plans for improving sanitation infrastructure.
In Reasi district, at Agar jito, Katra, Shri Srivastava directed the officials to work in convergence with SBM Urban to implement ban on single-use plastics, aiming to make Katra a plastic waste-free zone. He emphasized on developing initiatives that promote waste to wealth and enhance economic generation opportunities.
Srivastava also interacted with President Hotel and Restaurant Association Katra Rakesh Wazir, Chairman Sham Lal Kesar, Executive Member Bharat Bhushan, Chamber of Commerce, Katra President and Senior Vice President HRAK, Virender Kesar and ADC Reasi to promote Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) initiative to enhance a competitive spirit in terms of sanitation among hospitality sector.
Director General Rural Sanitation J&K, Anoo Malhotra, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation Jammu, Sanna Khan and other senior officers actively participated in the discussions and site visits.
ANANTNAG: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, today threw open the ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Uma Bhagwati for the devotees at Brariangan in Shangus Tehsil, Anantnag. The temple has been reopened after a gap of nearly 34 years.
The Union Minister was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag, Dr G V Sundeep Chakravarthy, officers from the district administration and office bearers of Uma Bhagwati Asthapan Trust. During the re-opening ceremony, the idol of goddess Uma, brought from Rajasthan was placed in the sanctum sanctorum.
The Union Minister, while addressing the gathering of devotees, expressed confidence that a large number of devotees shall visit the temple on its re-opening. He said that the government’s commitment towards a developed J&K and the UTs own syncretic culture shall go a long way to develop J&K into a prosperous and peaceful region.
Notably, Uma Bhagwati temple at Brariangan is an ancient shrine where devotees used to come in large numbers from different parts of the J&K to pay obeisance to the Goddess. The temple is situated amidst five springs including “Brahma Kund, Vishnu Kund, Rudhra Kund and Shiv Shakti Kund”.
KUPWARA: Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Judge High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Administrative Judge for district Kupwara, has concluded a two-day visit to Kupwara and Handwara, charting a new trajectory for the district’s judiciary. His visit included extensive inspections, interactions, and key decisions aimed at improving access to justice and enhancing judicial infrastructure.
Earlier, Justice Nargal was received with a guard of honor at the Kupwara Court Complex, where he symbolically planted a tree and distributed aids to beneficiaries, including wheelchairs, old-age sticks, and cheques.
Additionally, sanitary napkin machines were provided to local schools, underlining his commitment to community welfare. Addressing the Bar, Justice Nargal emphasized the crucial role of collaboration among the judiciary, administration, and police in upholding the rule of law and ensuring impartial justice for all.
He highlighted the ongoing progress of the e-Courts initiative, which aims to enhance judicial efficiency through technology. Justice Nargal stressed the importance of e-Court services, announcing that lawyers in Kupwara, Handwara, and Tangdhar will soon be able to argue cases before the High Court and Supreme Court through videoconferencing.
He assured that all necessary IT facilities will be put in place in consultation with the Chief Justice and Chairman of the e-Committee, thereby facilitating greater access to higher judicial forums. In a meeting with judicial officers, Justice Nargal focused on the necessity of providing speedy justice to poor litigants, ensuring that their cases are resolved efficiently.
In another meeting with district officers, including Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Ayushi Sudan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Handwara Aziz Ahmed Rathar, and SSP Kupwara Shobit Saxena, he addressed issues related to court infrastructure, including the timely completion of the under-construction court building and other necessary amenities.
The function was attended by Principal District and Sessions Judge Kupwara Shazia Tabasum, Additional District and Sessions Judge Kupwara Khem Raj Sharma, Additional District and Sessions Judge Handwara Umi Kulsoom, Chief Judicial Magistrate Handwara, Sub Judge Kupwara Manzoor Ahmad Khan, Joint Registrar Protocol Abdul Bari, Munsiff Tangdhar, Munsiff Kralpora, and Munsiff Kupwara.
Similarly, in Handwara, Justice Nargal was warmly received by the Judicial & other officers. On the occasion, he inspected the functioning of the court and the progress on the new court building. He inaugurated a new lawyers' library, dispensary, and bar room, further enhancing the facilities available to legal practitioners.
Aiding the community, he distributed wheelchairs and sanitary napkins to beneficiaries. Engaging with the Bar, he addressed lawyers' demands and emphasized the importance of infrastructure development. He particularly stressed the need for young lawyers to remain abreast of new laws and developments in the legal field, encouraging them to contribute positively to the justice system.
At Tanghdar, Justice Nargal interacted with the Bar and assured them of resolving issues related to court renovations and fulfilling their demands. His commitment to improving court facilities and addressing the concerns of legal practitioners was evident throughout his visit. The function was attended by SSP Handwara Dawood Ayub and ADC Handwara Aziz Ahmed Rather.
BANDIPORA: In a proactive effort to oversee the arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2024, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Shakeel ul Rehman on Saturday conducted a comprehensive late-night visit to Shadipora Transit Camp. This visit was aimed to take first hand appraisal of facilities and services provided to pilgrims during their transit through Bandipora district.
Accompanied by SDM Sumbal Aamir Choudhary and other concerned officers, the Deputy Commissioner meticulously reviewed the infrastructure, accommodation facilities, medical aid stations, and other essential amenities provided at the transit camp. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and safety to ensure a comfortable experience for all yatris.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with yatris and took feedback regarding the services and facilities provided to them. The yatris expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided, including accommodation, medical facilities, and other essential services. DC emphasized providing exemplary services and ensuring the safety and comfort of every yatri visiting the sacred Amarnath cave.
KISHTWAR: The revered Annual Yatra of Shri Ashtadash Bhuja Mata Sarthal Devi Ji commenced today in Kishtwar, marking the beginning of a joyous and spiritually significant event. The yatra commenced with a grand Hawan ceremony held at Gori Shankar Mandir Sarkoot, where devotees offered “Aahuti & Puran Aahuti."
Accompanied by an impressive Shoba yatra, the Chari Mubarak (holy procession) proceeded through Chowgan ground, Sheedhi Chowk, and the Bus stand, starting from Gori Shankar Mandir. Thousands of devotees, including men, women, and children, enthusiastically chanted religious slogans and bhajans while traditional drum beats resonated along the procession route.
The local communities from various neighborhoods extended a warm welcome to the Holy Chari. At the Bus Stand, devotees boarded buses and other vehicles to make their way to the historic Sarthal Devi Temple in Kishtwar. Tomorrow morning on 15 July a MahaYajna (grand religious ritual) will be performed at Sarthal Devi Mandir.
The district administration and police have made meticulous arrangements for security, drinking water, power supply, transportation, and other essential facilities at Sarthal and Kishtwar to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for the devotees. Sarthal Devi Ji is revered as the “Kul Devi” (patron goddess) of the region. The historic yatra has been organized every year since the Dogra Regime, and each devotee holds a deep and unique faith in this sacred pilgrimage.
The yatra is annually organized by the Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust, under the patronage of Dr. Karan Singh, the sole trustee, and Vikramaditya Singh, Chairman Trustee of the Trust.
Accompanying the yatra were esteemed dignitaries, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar Abdul Qayoom;ASP Kishtwar Pawan Kumar, Former Minister, Sunil Sharma and prominent civil society members, Religious personalities including Surinder Sen, President of Sanatan Dharma Sabha; and Sanjeev Parihar, Vice Chairman of Shri Sarthal Devi Ji Trust, among others also accompanied the holy Yatra.
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