SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the Ramban road accident.

In a handout to GNS, In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: “I am deeply shocked to learn of the unfortunate road accident in Ramban today, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. 

I have issued instructions to the District Administration and Divisional Commissioner to render all assistance, as provided in rule, to the kin of victims”. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain Monday said that police are fully prepared to ensure peaceful Lok Sabha elections whenever they are announced and the force will provide a safe and secure atmosphere to enthusiastic voters.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the police post at Rohmoo in Southern district of Pulwama, the DGP said that police force is fully prepared and geared up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in JK.

“We will ensure peaceful Lok Sabha polls in J&K. We will provide a safe and secure atmosphere to enthusiastic voters,” the DGP said, in reply to a query.

Replying to another query about links between narco-trade and militancy, the DGP said that earlier, they had a doubt whether these two are really linked. “As and when investigations progressed, concrete evidence came to fore that narco-trade and militancy are deeply not only linked but interconnected. Militant outfits like Al-Badr, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba are behind this trade,” he said.

The J&K police chief said that the value of Rs 15 lakh consignment of narcotics reaches upto Rs 1 crore while travelling from Kashmir to Delhi and other parts of the country.

“We have a robust mechanism to curb and crack this trade. It is not so easy but we are doing and the police force is cable to do it,” he said. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: As a major boost to Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in J&K, the Centre has approved new 102 Water Supply Schemes worth Rs 476.71 crore for coverage of additional 54752 rural households in the UT for which the provision for Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) had not been planned at the start of the mission.

The identification of these areas/ households was done, by the public, during various public outreach programmes like ‘Back to village’, Block Divas, JJM Fortnight, Gram Sabhas and JJM awareness camps conducted by the Department, where the public had raised the demands for inclusion of these left out areas in the Jal Jeevan Mission.

With the approval of these new 102 schemes by the Centre, it shall be ensured that no household is left without a tap connection within its premises.

The UT administration has thanked the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, for timely approval of the new schemes for coverage of additional 54752 households.

Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra, has impressed upon the engineers to expedite execution of these schemes to meet the agreed timelines for completion of the Mission. He further emphasized upon the field functionaries to maintain highest degree of transparency, accountability and accessibility to the general public for effective implementation of the mission.

It may be recalled that like other States/ UTs of the country, Jal Jeevan Mission is being implemented in J&K with the involvement of various stakeholders like Central Government’s Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Jal Shakti Department, J&K, District Administrations and the local communities for providing access to safe and adequate drinking water supply facility through tap connections within the premises of rural households. Pani Samitis representing the local communities are playing a very critical role in the implementation of the Mission by partnering with the Department in planning, implementation and monitoring of the Mission activities.

The Department has been continuously reviewing its planning and implementation for achieving the 100% coverage with FHTCs in the most economic, transparent and technically feasible manner. As on date, J&K has achieved more than 75% coverage of tap water connections, thereby entering into the 'High Achievers’ category at the National Level. The FHTCs being provided are reported on the IMIS portal of JJM with Aadhar linkage of the beneficiaries.

So far, about 3300 schemes have been planned under Jal Jeevan Mission at an estimated cost of Rs. 12975.00 crore which are at different stages of execution. The contracts of more than 98% works under these schemes have been awarded through e-tendering in a transparent manner and out of which around 87% works have been started on ground. The allotments orders issued have been placed on the websites of the respective PHE Directorates in both the provinces.

In this regard, the UT has already covered more than 1000 villages, among which are some of the remotest areas like Batlan, Taraiyan and Chanbra villages in Sub Division Tangdar of District Kupwara which are located near the LoC and received piped water for the first time. In these villages people would fetch water from springs and nearby streams by travelling long distances. Similarly, Nilfan village with about 285 households got 100% tap water connectivity for the first time and the women and children of the area got relieved of the drudgery of fetching water by travelling long distances on hill slopes.

By completing and commissioning of Water Supply schemes Rampura and Sujwan at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.67 crore, in district Samba, about 1100 households have been benefited by getting Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) within the premises. The people of these villages were mostly using the water from shallow hand pumps which were quality affected and through the newly commissioned schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission, deep tube wells have been drilled and required storages created for supplying the water of adequate quantity and prescribed quality as per BIS 10500, regularly.

In order to ensure the transparency in work done and households covered, the process of Har Ghar Jal Certification by the Gram Panachayats has been put in place where the villages reported as Har Ghar Jal by the PHE Department are subsequently certified through a Special Gram Sabha resolution. This not only creates the awareness about provision of tap water connectivity in the village but also promotes community ownership.

SRINAGAR: : The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha hosted a ‘High Tea’ for the renowned International players participating in Legends League Cricket matches, at the Raj Bhawan.

While interacting with the Cricketers, the Lt Governor said the entire Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir is proud and excited about the matches being held at MA Stadium. He said: “This is the first major international Cricket event for the UT after several decades and a beginning of new sporting era for Jammu Kashmir.

These matches featuring International Cricket stars will not only help us to achieve excellence in organising international sporting events but also popularize a robust sports culture in the masses, especially among the youth”.

The Lt Governor said over the next three days, Jammu Kashmir will celebrate and honour sporting excellence, dedication and commitment of the cricketers in the playing field and players will get an opportunity to enjoy UT's hospitality, and incredible culture of J&K during their stay.

The Lt Governor said: “This tournament is also an occasion to uphold the values of Cricket game, which seeks to promote peace, excellence, respect, friendship and unity. In every respect, Jammu Kashmir echoes and reinforces these ideals and developing a thriving sporting culture.

The power of sports to bring peace and unity is extraordinary and I am sure your presence will influence and inspire the young generation to discover their true calling to shape a new future”.

The Lt Governor congratulated the players including Chris Gayle, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Praveen Kumar, Thisara Perera, Stuart Binny and extended his best wishes to the teams for the remaining matches.

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in a bus accident in Assar, Doda.

He has also approved an amount of Rs1 lakh for those injured and assured all possible assistance to the affected families.

At least 36 passengers were killed and 19 others injured when a bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down into 300-feet deep gorge in Jammu Kashmir’s Doda district on Wednesday.

“An ex-gratia of Rs5 Lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the unfortunate bus accident in Assar, Doda. Rs 1 Lakh would be given to those injured. J&K UT Administration will provide every possible assistance to the affected families”, Lt Governor tweeted on X. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Navami Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha performed Puja at under-construction temple of Goddess Bhaderkali at Devi Angan Thalwal, Jammu.

The Lt Governor extended Maha Navami greetings and assured all necessary support from the J&K Administration to Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust (MBAT) for the early completion of the ongoing construction work of temple, which will be the replica of the ancient temple situated in Handwara.

He also appreciated the efforts of Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust in building requisite facilities for pilgrims including socio-cultural centre and Shaheed Sthal to honour the martyrs of Kashmiri Pandit Community, Army, Police and Central Armed Police Forces.

In his remarks, the Lt Governor highlighted the cultural renaissance in the country under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and restoration of important ancient and religious sites with the broader objective of the welfare of the society. He said the J&K Administration is working with complete dedication to create a favorable scenario for the permanent settlement of Kashmiri Pandit community in the valley.

Recalling his earlier discussion with Kashmiri Pandit delegation, the Lt Governor said the government will make necessary arrangements to provide land at low price to government employees in Srinagar to build their own houses.

The Lt Governor said, a nodal officer has been appointed in LG Secretariat to address all the issues and concerns of Kashmiri Pandit Community. He said, the members of community can also take up issues with Divisional Commissioner, ADGP, IGP and concerned Deputy Commissioner and their matter will be taken up on priority.

The Lt Governor directed KK Sidha, Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation for regular allotment of completed houses in Kashmir valley and submit a report on the requirements and gaps in terms of infrastructure and other facilities. The Lt Governor also highlighted various initiatives taken by the administration for the welfare of the community.

Despite desperate attempts to disrupt peace by the neighboring country and terror outfits, our Police and Security forces are working round the clock to ensure a safe and secure environment for the people, he said.

Sh Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sh Anand Jain, IGP Jammu; Sh Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Sh Ajay Bharti, former legislator;  senior officers of Civil and Police Administration; members of Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust and prominent citizens were present. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is scheduled to inaugurate Kashmir's first Vistadome coach service today, which will operate from Budgam to Banihal.

An official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll, all the necessary arrangements for the launch have been completed. The Vistadome coach is a modern and advanced coach manufactured by the Indian Railways. The official said that It is specifically designed to offer passengers both comfort during travel and an enhanced viewing experience of the beautiful surroundings. The coaches, known as 'Vistadome,' will be deployed on the scenic route connecting Budgam and Banihal stations.

The officer said that passengers will have the opportunity to embark on a breathtaking journey through the picturesque landscapes of Kashmir while enjoying the comfortable and visually immersive facilities provided by the Vistadome coach. (KS)

SRINAGAR: The number of foreign tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir has gone up by 350% in comparison to last year.

This was stated by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today while interacting with the members of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) -Greater India Chapter at Srinagar and discussed the business opportunities in the UT of Jammu Kashmir.

In his address, the Lt Governor highlighted the extraordinary transformation of J&K under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the fastest expansion of its economy within a few years.

“We have transformed decades of damage and destruction into prosperity; created an environment for people to live life on their own terms, provided the right condition for businesses and start-ups to flourish and right opportunities for entrepreneurs to convert their ideas into profitable businesses,” the Lt Governor was quoted as having said by the official spokesman.

Jammu Kashmir is also a byword for socio-economic miracle today. The UT is providing a plethora of investment opportunities in different sectors and offering best incentives to investors, the LG said.
During the interaction, the Lt Governor responded to the queries and shared the unprecedented progress registered in diverse sectors.

“J&K is now on the global tourism map. Till September this year 1.67 Cr tourists visited the UT and the number of foreign tourists has gone up by 350% in comparison to last year,” he said.

He appreciated the young industry leaders for their contribution in the country's growth and unwavering commitment to give back to the society and invited them to become the partners in development journey of Jammu Kashmir.

Members of YPO and young Industry stalwarts, present on the occasion, also shared the experience of their visit to the Union Territory. (UNI)