GIVING VOICE TO PEOPLE
The government last week launched the “Awaam ki Awaaz” programme, which went On-Air today on all channels of All India Radio (AIR) J&K. The telecast of the programme was also broadcast on DD Kashmir. The programme is aimed at seeking feedback from the public and giving them a platform to share their suggestions and views, thus making the process of governance more participatory. The first episode of the Awaam ki Awaaz programme received a huge response from across the UT with people in big numbers tuned to their radio and television sets to witness the paradigm shift in the overall governance process of which “Jan Bhagidari” is the central theme. Since the launch of the web portal, suggestions have kept pouring in from people from all walks of life. Out of these, some of the suggestions received special mention by the Lt Governor during the “Awaam ki Awaaz” programme broadcast last week.
OXYGEN AGAINST COVID-19
The Jammu and Kashmir government last week approved the establishment of 36 oxygen generation plants across the union territory to make J&K self-sufficient in catering to the rising demand of oxygen. DCs were asked to ensure the early establishment and functioning of these plants under their respective jurisdictions. The meeting in this regard was chaired by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam who asked the respective district administrations to ramp up testing in the identified target clusters and prioritize vaccination in the eligible population groups to address the worsening scenario. It was given out that 20-30 per cent of the positive cases being reported are travellers who are being tested at the entry point itself and prevented from mingling with the general population. It was informed that in the initial phases of COVID-19 vaccination, 75% of health workers, 78% of front line workers, and 38% of citizens above 45 years of age totalling 15,25,604 people have been vaccinated in Jammu and Kashmir with no reported case of any adversity. Districts Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, in Kashmir Division and Jammu, Kathua, Ramban, Samba, Udhampur in Jammu Division are the districts having over 40% of vaccination coverage amongst citizens above 45 years of age. The next phase of the vaccination for the 18-45 age group will cover approximately 65 lakh people. Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Health & Medical Education, Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, besides Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir and Jammu, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), and Deputy Commissioners of all districts participated in the meeting.
SKILLING UNEMPLOYMENT OUT
The Jammu and Kashmir government last week said that under a joint venture between the administration of Jammu and Kashmir and Tata Technologies (PPP mode) an investment of Rs 361 crore has been made in JKUT to train the students in robotics, electric vehicle manufacture, industry professionals and promoting entrepreneurship. It said that Centres for Invention, Innovation, Incubation, and Training (CIIIT) have been established at Government Polytechnic, Bikram Chowk, at a cost of Rs 181.56 crore and at Government Polytechnic College, Baramulla at the cost of Rs 181.57 crore. It was also informed that multiple placement drives and job fairs were conducted last year and near about 5000 polytechnic and ITI pass-outs were provided job offer letters in private sectors. Besides, placement and career counselling centres guide such students for further assistance and monitor placements in the private sector. Under PMKVY-3, the department has also provided crash course training to 3000 candidates in different trades from Jan 2020 to March 2021. Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon chaired the meeting The meeting was attended by the Director of Skill Development Department, Sajad Hussain Ganai and other officials of the department while as Principals and Superintendent of Polytechnics and ITIs participated through video conferencing. The meeting had a detailed review of physical and financial achievements under various projects being undertaken at identified Government Polytechnics and ITIs under CAPEX budget 2020-21. It was informed that Rs. 41 crore have been allocated for various works during 2020-21, out of which, 50 per cent of funds are being authorized immediately for expenditure with priority to complete the ongoing projects.
INNOVATING IN J&K
To Promote Invention, Innovation, and Incubation under the mentorship of industry pioneers and strengthen the ecosystem of entrepreneurship and skill development through Industry-Academia partnerships, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha last week inaugurated the Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation, and Training (CIIIT) at Government Polytechnic, Bikram Chowk established at a cost of Rs 181.56 crore. The government said that during 2019-20, an investment of Rs 28,36,661 crore was done in the Manufacturing sector and under campaigns of Make In India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, it is estimated that in the coming four years a total of 100 million new jobs would be created in the manufacturing sector alone which would amount to 25 % of the GDP share. Speaking on the occasion Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the new Industrial Scheme of Rs 28,400 crore approved by Prime Minister for J&K UT has been formulated with utmost attention to attract as many Industries as possible. The Lt Governor observed that it is for the first time that any industrial incentive scheme of the Government of India is striving for balanced industrial development across the UT. Encouraging new investment, the new scheme will also strengthen the existing industries in Jammu and Kashmir and increase their capacity. The CIIIT Jammu would offer 18 certified courses through its nine competency centres in Innovation Design & Incubation; Product verification and Analysis; Product Lifecycle; Value Engineering and Benchmarking, Autonomous Connected Electrifies; Mechatronics & IOT; Digital Manufacturing, Manufacturing execution System; and Advance Manufacturing Engineering which are vital areas to produce design engineers, product engineers. It will help to create a large talent pool that will not only get jobs in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, manufacturing industry, electronics, and oil & gas industry but could also start their own start-ups. Advisor to Lieutenant Governor R.R Bhatnagar, Dr Manoj Singh Gaur, Director IIT Jammu; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner; Sh Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Anoo Malhotra, Director, Industries & Commerce, Jammu; besides senior officials of Tata Technologies; officers of J&K UT administration and a large number of students were present during the inauguration.
