Srinagar, Jan 24 : Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, has been closed as a “loaded truck is deeply embedded in the mud” near Panthyal area in Ramban district, officials said.

“Highway is still blocked at Panthyal due loaded truck deeply embedded in the mud. Restoration work is going on war footing basis,” a traffic department official told GNS, adding, “People are requested not to travel on highway (Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa) without confirming the status of road from TCUs (Traffic control units).”

Authorities had Sunday announced that only stranded traffic shall be allowed on thoroughfare which was closed following mudslides and shooting stones at many places on the weekend.

Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

Also,Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said.

Kupwara, Jan 12: The Department of Youth Services & Sports Kupwara today celebrated National Youth Day at Boys Higher Secondary School Kupwara to honour one of the greatest philosopher and spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda.

The DDC Chairman Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Pandithpori attended the function as Chief Guest.

In his address, the DDC Chairman while sharing his views highlighted the role of youth in nation building.

A variety of colourful cultural programmes were presented by the students, at the occasion.

It is pertinent to mention that the Day is being celebrated across the nation to mark the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda and how the young should participate in the modern world while upholding their values.

Jammu, Jan 12: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, today directed the Revenue department to create a dashboard for continuous and effective monitoring of removal of encroachments on government land.

He asked them to devise a mechanism under which no retrieved patch of land is re-encroached advising them to prioritize the commercial chunks of land to be retrieved first followed by others. He asked them to red flag any instance of new encroachment or re-encroachment by fixing responsibility down the line showing no laxity in taking action against the responsible.

Advisor made these remarks while assessing the performance of Revenue department in a meeting held here.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Revenue; Custodian General; IG Registrations, Jammu and other officers of the department while Divisional Commissioners participated through video conferencing.

Advisor exhorted upon the officers to redress all grievances satisfactorily being fair, responsive and just. ‘The department is the primary interface of governance for the public so they have to be accessible to them every time’, he asked them. He advised them to make all their services online so that the waiting period for public is drastically reduced.

He enjoined upon the officers to work out requirements of infrastructure and tools for offering IT enabled services to general public. He assured them that most of their requirements would be fulfilled on priority.

Advisor also enquired about the process of digitization of land records, expunging of illegal entries, reconstructing the missing records afresh and progress of revenue courts. He called for a comprehensive report on all the cases pending in their courts besides the time line showing progress registered, so far.

In his presentation, Commissioner Secretary informed the Advisor that 371901.1 kanal of state, 110515.8 kanal of Kacharai and 1314.11 kanal of common land has been retrieved from encroachers till date.

The meeting was further informed that digitization of land records for Srinagar and Jammu is in final stage and slated to be completed in coming February. It was also said that the work on updation of Jamabandis in remaining districts is going to be completed in this month followed by digitization of the same immediately in a decentralized manner.

Regarding the settlement and digital survey of all 6850 revenue villages, it was said that the draft survey manual has been prepared and the project management module is also under process. They also revealed that use of CORS and Drone/DGPS technology would be used for digital survey of these villages.

The meeting also dealt in detail with the proposed roadmap for online services to get revenue extracts besides integration of mutation and registration system for real-time updation of revenue records without any extra encumbrance.

The meeting was apprised that with addition of about 127 slots a week in favour of each Sub-Registrar the process of registration of properties has become quick and easy. It was informed that around 60% increase in registration of properties through these offices has been made this year as compared to previous year. The registrations in 2021 were calculated at 65626 in contrast to only 39039 registrations made in 2020.

Moreover, it was informed that initiatives like e-office, change of land use, JKNGDRS customization have been implemented and reforms like revenue court cases information and monitoring system, land pass books, property cards, land grant rules are in process and shortly being made available to public for their general ease and advantage.

Srinagar, Jan 11: The Director General (DG) Horticulture, Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today took stock of the functioning of the Department and reviewed the progress of departmental schemes, here.

The DG took review of all the Departmental schemes like CAPEX, MIDH, PMDP and other centrally and UT sponsored schemes.

During the course of the meeting, DG emphasized upon all the Chief Horticulture Officers (CHOs) for timely completion of given targets particularly civil works. He urged them to make proper and full expenditure and said that low expenditure on the part of any Officer shall not be accepted.

He further instructed them to speed up the implementation of the Modified High Density Plantation Scheme, for which a target of 5500 Ha. has been fixed for a period of 6 years.

DG further directed the CHOs to prepare and submit action plans pertaining to the establishment of Anti Hail Nets and Sprinkle Irrigation Systems, targets for which are already allotted. He also urged the officers to make frequent visits to the field and conduct awareness camps on a routine basis and provide the growers with the latest technical knowhow.

Besides Chief Horticulture Officers, Deputy Director Horticulture, Ex. Engineer P&M and other officers of the department participated in the meeting.

ADDC flags-off trainees from DC office

Ganderbal, JAN 11:  The District Sheep Husbandry Department Ganderbal in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ganderbal has organised a three days capacity-building training program for the sheep/goat breeders of District Ganderbal in a phased manner commencing from today.

The group of trainees was flagged-off from the Mini Secretariat, Ganderbal by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Ganderbal, Muzafar Ahmad Pir in presence of District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Ganderbal.

In the first phase, out of the four phases, forty breeders from different areas of the district were flagged-off who shall be provided training for three days at KVK Ganderbal on the topic, Scientific Sheep and Goat Rearing and its role in a subsidiary occupational generation.

Urges people to adhere to Covid-19 SOPs

Kulgam, Jan 11: As Covid-19 positive cases are showing an upward trend, the District Administration Kulgam has intensified mass awareness campaigns, vaccination and testing across the district.

Vehicles mounted with audio systems and banners throughout the day were seen sensitizing people in markets, hospital, villages and towns for adherence to COVID-19 SOPs and to adopt Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat today inspected several locations and markets in Kulgam Town and took stock of implementation of various COVID-19 related advisories and guidelines which also includes use of face masks, social distancing, etc.

Dr Bilal visited the main market Kulgam, Qazigund Adda market, hospital area and other market places in town.

He impressed upon service providers to follow all the guidelines and precautions in view of the pandemic.

The DC was accompanied by ACD, Tehsildar, DY-SP headquarter and other officers.

Bandipora, Jan11: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the Covid-19 scenario and various mitigation measures in the district.

The meeting discussed threadbare the covid containment measures and stress was laid on the strict implementation of covid protocol, extensive sampling and mass vaccination.

It was given out that the district is fully prepared to deal with any kind of surge in the covid cases and people were appealed not to panic. Officers informed that as on date there are 59 active positive cases in the district out of which only one is in hospital isolation.

Meeting was informed that all given SOPs are followed regarding covid positive cases, contact tracing and isolation of the patient.  They said every patient is attended thrice a week from the control room and vitals are recorded.

The DC also reviewed the vaccination drive for children of 15-17 years age-group. It was given out that 26639 children of the given age group are to be vaccinated of which 15 percent of the target stands achieved in one week.

Dr Owais urged the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Education Officer to coordinate and devise a joint plan to ensure the target is achieved within the set timeframe.

He also stressed on extensive testing and urged the officers to ensure all SOPs are followed in letter and spirit with regard to covid mitigation efforts including Home Isolation protocols, Covid Appropriate Behavior, Contact tracing and other related issues.

The DC also directed concerned officers to enhance the existing daily sampling numbers and set a revised target of 3100 tests per day including 700 RTPCR and 2400 RAT.

Dr Owais said the pandemic is not over yet and hence the need is to remain cautious till the pandemic is over.

He asked all the concerned to remain alert and vigilant in order to tackle the new Covid-19 variant ‘Omicron’ and asked people to follow all Covid-19 SoPs as public health is the priority of the administration.

He directed the officers for strengthening surveillance, enhanced testing, monitoring of hot spots, and prompt dispatch of samples for genome sequencing and other actions.

The meeting was attended by SDM Sumbal, SDM Gurez, Tehsildar Bandipora, Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Chief Education Officer Bandipora, Nodal Officer Mehraj Wani, Nodal Officer Bilal Hassan, Medical Superintendent District Hospital Bandipora, DIO Bandipora and other senior officers of the district.