Weaponizing Social Media
Speaking at the Passing out parade of 669 cadets of Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services at Udhampur, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said the examination and selection process for these posts commenced in 2013, but it was held up unnecessarily. The batch started in 2020 and its passing out parade has shown the commitment of the present government towards speedy disposal of the recruitment process.
The Police Academy, he said has a long history of producing brave police personnel who are doing a commendable job in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the people.
“New generation warfare i.e. social media is being used as a potent weapon by some elements not only at national but international level to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said, adding that there is a need to keep a strict vigil on this. “We will fight terrorism with full force and even those who encourage it will also face stern action.”
Fresh Capital Infusion
In a bid to boost its capital adequacy, JK Bank received Rs 500 crore from Jammu and Kashmir government as capital to acquire over 16.76 crore shares. With the infusion of Rs 500 Cr, the government’s equity share in the Bank will rise to over 74 per cent.
Meanwhile, the bank’s Employees Stock Purchase Scheme (ESPS – 2021), to raise capital of Rs 150 crore, received an overwhelming response from the bank staff and got over-subscribed within days after the issue. The Bank got an over-subscription amount of more than Rs 200 crore instead of the board-approved figure and will now allot the number of shares to staff in proportion to its laid-down eligibility criteria.
1.65 Lakh MT CA Storage Facility
In his interactions in the Lt Governor’s conference on the agricultural sector, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir more than 2000 truckloads of vegetables were marketed across the country.
Apart from the GI tagging of Saffron, he said the administration made new strides in organic certification of products like Basmati Rice and transportation of perishable products through air cargo to various domestic markets. Enhanced focus is being laid to stabilize the fruit market of Horticulture produce and ensure round the year sale of the fruits like an apple on good prices, besides establishment of storage within Jammu and Kashmir. During the last year, 40,000 MTs of storage has been established thereby making available a total of 1.65 LMT of CA storage facilities. Right now, 35,000 MTs of storage capacity is under construction.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor sought Rs 800 crore support from the Union Government for Modified High-Density Plantation in Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the need for special provisions under existing schemes for the establishment of CA stores, more fruit and vegetable Mandis and electronic platforms for the market of Agriculture and Horticulture produce.
Forest Rights Act Implementation
Finally, the Jammu and Kashmir government has started providing community rights certificates under the Forest Right Act to Gujjar-Bakerwal, and Gaddi-Sippi communities. Lt Governor termed it as a historic day as Jammu and Kashmir had to wait for more than 14 years. The administration, he said has been vigorously pursuing the ideals of establishing an equitable and just social order and has been working sincerely to empower the tribal community, which remained neglected and discriminated against for decades together.
Besides implementing the constitutional rights of the tribal community, he said the administration is working to connect the tribal population and their new generation with the mainstream of development. He said the tribal community needs to be sensitive towards their responsibility to nurture our forests and other natural resources. Rich biodiversity means a stable ecosystem, which plays a vital role in our cultural diversity and economic growth, he said.
Lt Governor said Rs 10 crore are being immediately released for infrastructure development as the highest ever allocation of Rs 73 crore stands allocated for Cluster Tribal Model Village in the current fiscal. Other projects include developing transit accommodations at eight places at an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore, building Tribal Bhavans in Jammu, Srinagar and Rajouri, Rs 15 crore Tribal Health Plan and creation of health sub-centre for the static population, mobile medical care units for the migratory population and establishing a cluster of 15 tribal SHGs to empower the youth and women of the community. Besides, 16 milk villages would be built at an investment of Rs 16 crore that would give jobs to around 2000 youth.
Young Leadership Awards
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha felicitated young achievers with the ‘Kashmir Young Leadership Award’ last week. “Young leaders facilitate the creation of a prosperous society that did not exist before. The young leaders, young minds can alone solve the entire world’s great problems and generate more ideas and resources to confront the future challenges”, he noted, insisting youth continue to be the focus of his government.
During the course of his regular interactions with the youth in the last 13 months, he said he noted the youth have five important priorities – jobs according to their qualifications; ample opportunities and handholding to become entrepreneurs; access to modern education in consonance with market requirements and dynamically changing skillsets; implementation of good governance practices and elimination of corruption completely from the system and to have the opportunity to lead a healthy, peaceful, and secure life.
As many as 46 young achievers for various fields including health, education, sports, adventure sports, social work, journalism, environment conservation, Art, Music, Women empowerment, were awarded on the occasion.
