Srinagar: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir plans to encourage private educational institutions, as part of its endeavour to boost education in the state and ensure quality.

A committee constituted by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the rationalization of the management quota in respect of private technical, medical and higher education, met here recently.

Committee members deliberated upon the existing system and the mechanism to be adopted for their regulation.

Minister for Medical and Youth Services and Sports R. S. Chib, Minister for Higher Education, Abul Gani Malik and Minister for Social Welfare and ARI Trainings Sakina Ittoo discussed the issues threadbare with the Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. R.K.Jerath, Secretary, ARI and Trainings, Jeet Lal Gupta, Secretary, Technical Education and Sports, B.A.Runiyal, Secretary, Higher Education Ms. Tanveer Jehan and Secretary, Law, G.H.Tantaray.

During the meeting, it was felt that there was a dire need to encourage private sector in the field of education in the State.

It was also felt that at the same time the private institutions must adhere to the norms laid down by the affiliated universities and regulatory bodies like All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), and Dental Council of India (DCI) in respect of infrastructure, academic standards and qualified faculty.

The problems being faced by these institutions in free revision and fee fixation were also discussed in the meeting.

Minister for Medical and Youth Services and Sports Chib, on this occasion, said that the private institutions will have to reserve seats for economically weaker sections so that the students belonging to far off and backward areas would be benefited with the facilities of education in these institutions.

He said that healthy environment, high moral standards, punctuality and discipline shall have to be maintained at all costs by these institutions.

Malik stressed for quality education and sense of responsibility and good behaviour among students and staff of educational institutions in the State. He said that Government has taken up several initiatives to bring improvement in Government Colleges and the highest seats of learning to ensure better quality of education.

Sakina Itoo also suggested several measures to curb commercialization of private institutions in the State besides imbibing spirit of dedication and zeal among students in the State. She stressed for work culture to be adopted by the managements and faculty of private institutions to harness the latent talent among the student community.

Drass: Jammu and Kashmir can expect to get 20,000 megawatts of power through the solar energy medium within the next decade, said Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah recently.

Addressing a public gathering, Dr. Abdullah, a former state chief minister, said future plans included attempts to produce more power from water and wind energy to minimise the huge expenditure incurred through exploitation of conventional sources of energy.

He said the use of solar energy would help maintain balance in the environment.

Dr. Abdullah said that post-Kargil, the people of Drass had faced hardships and have exemplified the real spirit of national integrity in the years since the end of that war.

He described Drass as place recognised by the world for its scenic beauty, and added that the time was right to improve its socio-economic standards.

Urging residents of the area to keep their environment neat and clean, he asked guest house owners and hoteliers to provide better and comfortable boarding and lodging facilities to attract more domestic and foreign tourists.

Dr. Abdullah also met members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, and informed them that as many as 11 hydel power projects were under execution.

Solar lights and solar power plants are also being installed in ten villages of Kargil District, he said.

He instructed officers to judiciously exploit natural resources in such a way as to harness power potential in the area.

A time-bound execution of various schemes would benefit the people in the long-term, he added.

Chief Executive Councillor, Kargil, Kachoo Ahmed Ali Khan, Executive Councillor for Roads and Power, Ghulam Rasool Nagvi, Executive Councillor for Revenue and Agriculture, Haji Ghulam Ameer and District Officers were present on the occasion.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Government’s Department of Posts has launched new schemes for diversification of its product base to fulfill its commitments to society.

Revealing details about the new schemes recently, the Chief Post Master General, J and K Circle, Y P S Mohan, said that they included a new pension scheme (NPS), MO Videsh (Money Order Videsh) and IMO (Instant Money Order).

Mohan told reporters that these schemes have been introduced in J and K Circle recently and are receiving a tremendous response.

He said all citizens would be able to deposit a minimum of Rs 500 per month between 18 to 55 years under the new pension scheme. The Postal pension scheme also known as NPS has a two tier provision, he added.

In the first tier, one can deposit a minimum of Rs. 6,000 a year in at least four installments of Rs. 500 per month. There would be no limit to subscriptions in any tier. The minimum deposit in tier is Rs 1000/- as initial installment and Rs 250 as subsequent installment subject to minimum of Rs. 6000 per annum, he added.

Mohan said the amount deposited by the beneficiaries would be invested in different unit-linked pension funds by respective Pension Fund Managers to be selected by the subscriber.

He also informed that the end of 60 years out of corpus accumulated 60 percent share will be paid to the subscriber and 40 percent to one of the pension providing companies selected from the list by the subscriber, who will provide pension to the subscriber.

He said the nomination facility is also available under NPS and the general public can avail the service through all nine head post offices in the J and K Circle.

India Post, he said, is in collaboration with Euro Giro, for the launching of new schemes of money transfer from abroad and vice versa (MO Videsh) for studies aborad, medical treatment, family maintenance and travel abroad.

The minimum value of amount for outward transmission is 100 dollars and maximum 500 dollars per transaction under medical treatment, 100,000 dollars for education abroad and 10,000 dollars per annum for travel abroad, he added.

Regarding Instant Money Order, Mohan said it is an instant web-based money transfer service through post offices in India between two resident individuals in Indian territory.

A person can transfer money form INR 1,000 to INR 50,000 from designated IMO Post offices. Under this scheme the sending and receiving money will be a simple process, he added.

Srinagar: Transforming the healthcare industry in the state is becoming a priority for the Jammu and Kashmir Government, given that it has earmarked over rupees 1,317 crores for various hospital projects.

Recently State Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma informed health department officers that work on different projects of hospitals across the State should progress along expected lines.

Sharma was informed that an amount of Rs 489.73 crore had been incurred on these works by March end, 2010.

Sharma asked the executing agencies to expeditiously execute work on various infrastructure related health projects, as any delay in execution causes unnecessary cost escalation.

Calling for coordinated efforts to ensure judicious use of funds, the minister also stressed to adopt high rise multi-storied concept to make optimum use of land.

Sharma asked for keeping a provision for further expansion to cater to the future needs and stressed for adopting a universal model and design for different health buildings.

He informed that for maintenance of health buildings, the State government was contemplating to create an independent agency. “There is a huge infrastructure of health institutions across the State, which requires constant upkeep and maintenance by an independent authority.”

Others present at the meeting included Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education R K Jerath, Director for Family Welfare, J&K, Kulbushan Pandotra, Director for Health Services Kashmir M A Wani, Chief Engineer R&B Jammu, D L Sharma, Managing Director JKPCC T Mustafa, Managing Director J&K Housing Board Daleep Thussu, and Managing Director J&K Police Housing Corporation M A Shah.

Srinagar: As part of its endeavor to bring quality improvement in the education sector, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir appears keen to establish an information technology (IT) park at Ompara in the state’s Budgam District.

It is hoped that the setting up of this park will further enhance delivery of modern information technology facilities to persons interested in this medium.

Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Information Technology (IT) Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi recently chaired a meet of officers to review the functioning of the IT department, and it was decided that appropriate steps should be taken to promote the use of IT in all spheres.

The IT Park would be developed on 200 kanals of land at the Ompara Industrial Complex.

Commissioner Secretary (Information Technology) Atul Duloo, Commissioner Secretary (Industries and Commerce) Umang Narula, Managing Director, SIDCO and other senior officers attended the meeting.

The Information Technology Department of Jammu and Kashmir was created in 2002, and is at present in the process of creating an independent Directorate of Information Technology with a team of technically skilled persons.

This is being done keeping in mind the several projects (State and Central) which are in the pipeline.

Community Information Centres

Among its major projects is the setting up of Community Information Centers (CICs) with the help of the Central Government.

Plans include setting up state-of-the-art computer communications infrastructure in each block of the state, which is a combination of PC-based Citizen Kiosk with content enabling citizen centric services, e-governance, e learning and e-commerce.

It enables access to database containing wide range of information regarding agriculture marketing, disaster management, employment opportunities, public health etc.

Srinagar: As part of its endeavour to boost employment opportunities in the state, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has set up an Overseas Employment Corporation on the pattern of what exists in Tamil Nadu.

The Chairperson of Tamil Nadu Overseas Manpower Corporation, Dr. Qudsia Gandhi, recently gave a presentation to officers of Department of Employment on various issues of creating employment avenues in the state.

Dr. Gandhi said that in setting up the corporation, unemployed youth could get employment opportunities in foreign countries and hence be a help in reducing the problem in the state.

Minister for Labour and Employment, Abdul Gani Malik, the chief guest, said a historic employment package has been implemented in the State from April this year to tackle the problem of unemployment.

He said that steps are being taken to establish overseas manpower corporation in the State also.

The Secretary to the Government (Employment), Farooq Ahmad Peer, Director Employment, Shafat Lone, Managing Director, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion.

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government hopes to make Jammu into an attractive tourist destination through a number of projects.

State Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora recently said the creation of tourism infrastructure of a high standard could help Jammu emerge as an independent tourism destination quickly.

Addressing representatives of the Jammu Chamber of Trade and Commerce and the Hotelier, Transport, Tour and Travel Operator Associations, Jora said the work on the ambitious cable car project that will connect the twin heritage sites -- Royal Complex Mubarak Mandi and Bahu Fort -- would be started soon.

He said tenders for the works have already been floated and the process of allotment of works is likely to start by July-end next year.

The minister described the upcoming cable car and the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex as major tourist attractions of Jammu city. He said the Rs. 50 crore received under the 13th Finance Commission for the conservation of the palace and its development as Dogra Heritage site has enabled to set-in the pace of work.

About the upcoming Golf Course at Sidhra, Jora said both phases would be complete in all respects within next ten months.

Referring to measures being taken for promoting tourism in other parts of the region, Jora said the government was looking forward to the introduction of water sports at Akhnoor, Baglihar and Pul Doda.

The minister also informed about major upgradation of existing and new facilities at Sanasar, Suransar and Mansar, besides renovation of roads leading to these tourist spots.

The minister also informed that potential places like Bahderwah, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and the places along Mughal Road are being showcased at every forum.

He stated that special care was being taken to ensure development of up to the mark tourism infrastructure at these places.

Jammu: The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) has given the green signal for the Rs. 140 crore magnesite extraction project at Panthal to faciliatet commercial exploitation of raw magnesite in the area.

A joint venture of NMDC and J and K Minerals Limited, the project is seeing the light of day after 20 years following efforts by the State and Central governments, an official statement stated recently.

It is hoped that the implementation of this project will generate employment for local youth besides ensuring revival of functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Minerals.

The objective of this project was to extract magnesite of 100 TPD capacity for manufacture of Dead Burnt Magnesite (DBN).

This was informed by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, S S Slathia, while reviewing the project's progress with NMDC Managing Director Rana Som, and other concerned officers.

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government considers availability of basic amenities in remote and inaccessible areas of the State as its priority and is making a coordinated effort to equip such areas with the latest infrastructural requirements.

State Minister for Health, Floriculture and Horticulture Sham Lal Sharma, while addressing a public meet here, informed that areas which remained neglected over the years have been accorded priority in development works.

Sharma stated that besides ensuring provision of basic facilities, the government has taken several concrete measures for the socio-economic upliftment of people residing there.

Complete transparency is being maintained while executing development projects and inhabitants have also been asked to monitor the works, he said.

Sharma, while speaking on the water supply issue, informed that eight new lift irrigation schemes have been sanctioned for Tehsil Akhnoor while PHE department has sanctioned sufficient funds for Sub-Division Akhnoor.

The minister also informed that to streamline education sector, many schools have been constructed and upgraded in Tehsil Akhnoor.

Besides, a number of works would be taken in hand under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) and state and centrally sponsored schemes for further development, the minister informed.

He asked the people to prepare the list of urgent works which would be focussed on NREGA. He directed the executing agencies to use economic packages properly so that the benefits percolate to the masses.

Srinagar: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir plans to establish a compressive project for fodder production and development of migratory routes for nomadic grazers.

Minister for Forest and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmed said: “A compressive project for fodder production and development of migratory routes for nomadic grazers has been formulated which will be sent to the Central Government for funding.”

Altaf was speaking after reviewing the working of Agrostology wing of the Forest Department at a meeting held here recently.

He underlined the need for enhancing fodder resources in the state, so that livestock, considered backbone of the state’s rural economy, could be provided with quality fodder.

He said that existing units under the funding of 13th Finance Commission also be maintained and that new units be established in such a manner that the impact is seen on the ground.

Mian Altaf urged that fodder production units at Sangrama in Pulwama district and Gurari in Mendhar tehsil projects be also taken up in a phased manner under the normal plan.

In absence of adequate pasture land and ever increased number of livestock population in the valley, the minister said that the high forests of the valley have been affected badly on account of unrestricted, uncontrolled and over gazing.

Since these grazing lands are carrying more than the optimum number of livestock, depletion of palatable grass and legumes has taken place to the large extent.

The minister stressed that considering the magnitude of damage due to continued misuse and over grazing of pasture areas, it is required to update the fodder resources to conserve and protect the grazing areas within the demarcated forests from further damage.

Varmul: The Jammu and Kashmir Government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has submitted to the Union Ministry of Rural Development, a Rs. 31crore plan proposal for fiscal 2010-11.
 
The plan is intended to generate 1.8 million man-days and would also help commence a number of development works here.
 
While reviewing the achievements registered and expenditure incurred on rural development works in Varmul district during last fiscal under NREGA, it was revealed that 6.88 man-days were generated and 365 developmental works completed at a cost of Rs. 1102.41 lakh in Varmul.
 
It was stated at a meeting convened by District Development Commissioner, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, recently that under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), 2394 new dwellings were constructed at Rs. 10.15 crore while as 1163 such units were upgraded in the district.
 
Under Integrated Watershed Development Programme, 115 hectares of land and other 38 habitations were covered while under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP), 238 schools were provided sanitation facility.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rathar has issued directions to ensure that the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza be functional by August-end.

During a recent visit to Kathua District, Rathar was apprised about the toll plaza at Lakhanpur. It is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 32 crores out of which Rs. 19 crore have already been spent on the project.

Issuing directions to the concerned officials to remove all bottlenecks for timely completion of the project, during a high-level meeting with the officers, Rathar asked the executive agencies to complete toll plaza’s work along with all other related works by August 31.

The minister directed the revenue authorities to finalize the documentation work related to land issue with Railways within a week.

Railway authorities have already agreed to provide 109 kanals of land out of which 86 kanals is for Lakhanpur toll plaza and rest is for widening of Highway, an official statement stated.

At Nagri, the minister inspected the construction work of Nagri Toll Plaza and directed the concerned authorities to complete administrative block and residential quarters within two months.

Srinagar: With Jammu and Kashmir offering a favourable climate for the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, the state government hopes to rope in investment to the tune of Rupees 1500 crore for the pharmaceutical sector.

Addressing in a conference on ‘Bio-Pharma Hub: Advantage Jammu and Kashmir’, State Minister for Commerce and Industry, Surjit Singh Salathia said that in the recent years a large number of big and small pharma companies have shown an interest in the state and investment for the pharma sector is in the pipeline.

“We are trying to rope in investment worth Rs. 1500 crores in the pharma sector, which in turn would generate about 3000 jobs,” he said.

The minister informed the audience that the government is providing attractive incentives to entrepreneurs under a liberal industrial policy that includes 100 percent subsidy on installation of testing and quality control equipment to the tune of Rupees 25 lakhs.

“It also provides 25 percent of the total capital investment, 30 percent subsidy on the pollution control equipments to the level of 20 lakhs and 100 percent subsidy on pre-investment studies and preparation of feasibility reports to the level of 20 lakhs,”Salathia added.

He said the variety of flora and fauna available in the state offers a great platform to the pharmaceutical industry for research and development also.

The minister also informed that over the past few years, a very large number of small-scale companies had set up their base in J and K.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in collaboration with J and K SIDCO had organized the conference recently.

Srinagar: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is trying to create conditions for attracting external investment to the industrial sector.

Speaking at a conference on ‘Bio-Pharma Hub: Advantage Jammu and Kashmir’ recently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: “To make J and K an industrialized state, it is important to focus on its core strengths.”

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in collaboration with J and SIDCO organized the conference, in which Abdullah unveiled an ASSOCHAM study titled ‘Realizing Growth Potential of J and K.

Suggesting that the bio-pharma industry suits J and K, Abdullah said: “We do have certain inherent advantages and core strengths that we need to capitalize on and one of them is bio-pharma wealth that J and K is blessed with.”

Abdullah said this wealth was not confined to any one region in the state, but was spread across regions of Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.

He said the bio-pharma industry was not too dependent upon electricity unlike other industries in the state. Besides, he emphasized the need for creating a pool of skilled work force in the state which should be able to meet the demands of industries coming up.

Abdullah said there was already a huge talent pool of young educated boys and girls available in the state, but added that they needed to be attuned to the requirements of the bio-pharma industry. He assured that this could be taken care of through the holding of several skill development programs.

“This is because we realize that it really doesn’t serve our purpose if we encourage the investment and yet the skilled manpower is not available,” he added.

Stating that sectors like tourism, handicrafts, handlooms and agriculture etc. could generate huge employment in the state, the chief minister said: “And, bio-pharma must rank in top three possible industrial activities that could be tried in J and K,” he said.

He underlined that bio-pharma and information technology were the two industries having maximum potential.

“IT requires nothing except the skilled man-power and digital connectivity. And for bio-pharma, raw-material is abundantly available in J and K,” he said. “That is why this ASSOCHAM initiative to focus on J&K as bio-pharma hub has come up as very timely. And in the first instant, I really would hope that some local entrepreneurship is developed out of today’s efforts,” he added.

On the issue of electricity, Abdullah said the government was working towards improving the quality and quantity of power.

The Baglihar Phase II, he said, shall start after final nod came from the Central Electricity Authority. He informed that negotiations were on for 1200 MW Sawlakote Hydroelectric Project within the state government.

About having a better road and railway connectivity with other parts of India, Abdullah said: “By next year, the second road connectivity between the Valley and the rest of the country shall be available via Mughal Road.”

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir's State Minister for Agriculture, Gh. Hassan Mir, has said that the administration will crackdown on persons involved in saffron adulteration.

Addressing officials involved with saffron production and industry, Mir said that stringent law has been introduced this year that can be used against adulterers.

Mir assured saffron growers that there would no compromise in this regard.

He also revealed that the government has already initiated a massive irrigation programme to help saffron growers.

The Department of Irrigation has been asked to formulate a separate project report to boost saffron cultivation.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to maintain a blanket ban on diversifying saffron land.

Historically, the cultivation of saffron started around three or four centuries ago in Arabia and Spain. After that its cultivation spread as far as Iran, Sweden and India.

Now, saffron growing is a great commercial activity. In Indian agriculture, this activity is also known as "Golden Zest".

Saffron cultivation is a traditional art.

In India, 5,707 hectares of land comes under its cultivation. Its annual production is around 16,000 kilograms.

Jammu and Kashmir tops the list of the saffron growing States in India. It can be understood from the fact that out of the total 5,707 hectares of land under its cultivation 4,496 hectares lie exclusively in this State.

Kashmir’s Pampore town in Pulwama district, is famous the world over for its high grade saffron. Saffron is also grown in Kishtwar of Jammu though in a limited scale. Pampore and its neighboring areas produce an average of 2,128 kilograms of saffron annually.

Sir Water Lawrence, in his book "The Valley of Kashmir" writes people from different parts of Kashmir used to throng Pampore for the cultivation of Saffron.

Now, this is the exclusive preserve of the local population. Increasingly, saffron then used to be sold at a price of one rupee a tola. He adds that till 1923, the maximum production of saffron was recorded in the Naga area of Pampore.

Now the average earning from its cultivation is from 30 to 40 crore rupees. Hence, after the production of fruits, the cultivation of saffron is the second largest activity in the state.

Srinagar: As part of its endeabour to boost employment opportunities for the local youths in various fields in the State, the Jammu and Kashmir Government plans to offer 100,000 jobs in the private sector under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode by next year.

Speaking during a ‘Green Solutions J&K’ conference, Jaleel Ahmad Khan, Economic Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Government, said: “The government is planning to give one lakh jobs in private sector to the youth in the Valley under the Sheri Kashmir Employment and Welfare Scheme for Youth.”

“It will happen in the PPP mode by the next year. This way we should also be able to create fast eco revival in the state,” he added.

Saying that Jammu and Kashmir was a late starter in terms of development of industries, he said that such discussions and interactions were very important for facilitating the process of economic reconstruction.

“We started industries after 1972 when Sheikh Abdullah invited investors from outside to establish industries here. It was aimed to build the infrastructure here, and also to create interest in youth of the state for industries,” he said.

The ‘Green Solutions J&K’ conference held recently here aimed to address the problems concerning the environment in J&K and to come up with solutions for ensuring sustainable development in the region.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Surjit Singh Salathia inaugurated the conference.

Oragnised by the Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir in association with the Indian Youth Climate Network, it was considered the first of its kind in the country.

The conference was an attempt to overcome the challenges and problems that are confronted by industrialists.

Shakeel Qalandar, the president of the Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), on this occasion said the conference was an effort to get viewpoint from various people from local communities, industry, academicians, representatives on issues like solid waste management, biodiversity, sustainable economy of Jammu and Kashmir, ecotourism, renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture etc.

“We have ensured the government viewpoint should also come to the front for which we have invited the people at helm so that they can record the proceedings and formulate their policies accordingly,” Qalandar said.

Qalandar informed that the main reason behind organizing the event was to generate public awareness about environmental concerns and industries.

Speaking on the occasion, Lal Chand Sharma, Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Board, said that it was a good initiative from FCIK to address the vital issue regarding the environment and industries.

“If we talk of industrial development, our state is very backward if compared to other states of the country. Also, we have a very fragile ecology in the entire Himalayas. I think these discussions are beneficial not only for industrial development and ecological protection, but will also help the government to formulate its policies in an enhanced way,” said Sharma.