Srinagar, Feb, 09: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that 195 villages in Anantnag district, including Anantnag town, have been identified as flood-prone, underlining the district’s continued vulnerability to floods despite mitigation efforts.

The information was provided by Minister for Jal Shakti, Flood Control and Irrigation Javed Ahmad Rana in a written reply to a question raised by Congress legislator Peerzada Saeed.

According to the official reply, flood-prone areas in Anantnag district include -Anantnag Town, Naibasti, Khanabal, Laizbal, Achidoora, Chee, Nanil, Okura, Batgund, Gurrey, Gundi, Katrireng, Waragund, Veer, Khallen, Janglatmandi, Mominabad, Dabrun, Kadpora, Kanganhall, Magraypora, Brakpora, Danter, Pushwara, Muniward, Bahramshah, Harnag, Bijbehara, Wuranhall, Gadhanji¬pora, Zirpora, Pazilpora, Tulkhan, Madhama, Simthan, Sangam, Sarigam, Batkoot, Naina, Movera, Batpora, Yanner, Ganeshpora, Jaibal, Amadzoo, Amad, Amadwagad, Karshangam, Dalseer, Bagwani Sallar, Dachigam, Pethnoo, Watalfohar, Mallapora- Fohar, Sakras, Trail, Banderbal Seer, Pethnumbal, Kharshouthool Hutmurah, Overa, Kathsoo, Loiseer, Hugam, Pushkreeri, Kanelwan, Seer Hamdan, Badigam, Akad, Badran, Hangalpawa, Gogaldar, Khayar, Shumhaal, Chandrigam, Rakhi Chandipora, Ambirpora Numbal, Bumzoo, Shamsipora, Anzullah, Aung Matipora, Scepan, Arder, Krad, Uttersoo, Shergund, Shangus, Wangam, Brakpora, Isosoo, Tailwani, Tumbirpora, Magraypora, Kadpora, Donipowa, Nunwani, Thajiwara, Oudsoo, Brisnoo, Dardpora, Brimmer, Deva Colony Anantnag Town, Ashajipora, Papyabal, Zadipora Batpora, Ganjwara, Danter, Hanji Danter, Rohu, Utersoo Neijgund, Harnag, Batengoo, Uranhaal, Scmthan, Marhama, Hamzapora, Gaudhjipora, Donipora, Gadiseer, Halmullah, Matihundoo, Guridraman, Tangwani, Naubugh, Larnoo, Khreti, Nagdarman, Daksum, Bidhard, Dandipora, Gadole, Vailoo, Soaf, Panzgam, Watnard, PeerTakiya -Sagam, Arhama, Badasgam, Hakura, Malikpora, Damhaal, Palpora, Dialgam, Brenty, Irkumoo, Adigam, Nagum, Kandiwara, Khartar, Hiller, Dehruna, Zaldoora, Naidpora, Larkipora, GundFatehpora, Schichan, Sadoora, Kamad, Kamad, Shankerpora, Wanpora, Shupora, Vessu, Sangdan, Nipora, Bumthan, Lilipora, Cherhama, Muniward, Hengipora, Ringmandoo, Yakerboo, Kapran, Gawas, Doudwagan, Qammer, Halsidar, Heeward, Rein, Chowgund, Gorinard, Panzoo, Zamalqam, Chinigund, Polia, Mehmoodabad, Kulamchinar, Umoh, Verinag, Wanpora, Bout Tachloo, Hasanpora Tawella, Arwani, Laktipora, Naubatbatpora, Naina, Rahpora, Turka Tachloo, Shamsipora, Hasanporabagh, Tulkhan and Naina Batpora,

The flood-prone areas include villages located along the Lidder, Brengi, Vaishaw, Aaripat, Veth, Veth Vethastu and Sandran streams, which are vulnerable to flash floods, as well as low-lying areas — including Anantnag town and its adjoining villages — that are inundated even after moderate rainfall.

The minister said the government has adopted a two-pronged strategy involving short-term preparedness and long-term flood mitigation works to address the recurring flood threat in the district.

“Under short-term measures, weak spots identified during safety audits of river embankments are being restored through temporary protection works, including the placement of earth-filled EC bags on vulnerable bunds,” he said.

The minister said that ahead of the flood season, filled EC bags are pre-positioned at critical locations, and men and machinery are kept on standby under stage contracts to respond to any emergency.

“These measures are being implemented in close coordination with the district administration, the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department, and other line departments,” the reply said.

On long-term mitigation, the government said permanent flood protection works have been undertaken under PMDP Phase-II. Bank protection works have been executed at critical locations adjoining vulnerable areas at a cost of Rs. 10.07 crore, covering a total length of 873 meters.

“Further, embankments in vulnerable stretches have been raised at a cost of Rs. 18.97 crore, covering a length of 9,168 meters, taking total expenditure on flood mitigation works in Anantnag district to over Rs. 29 crore,” the reply said.

Anantnag was among the worst-affected districts during the floods triggered by incessant rains in September last year, along with parts of neighbouring Kulgam district.

The floods caused extensive damage to paddy fields, vegetable farms, horticulture orchards, and public infrastructure.

Srinagar, Feb 09: The district administration Srinagar has initiated plans for three major infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving connectivity and upgrading road infrastructure at key locations across the city, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo said on Monday.

Talking to reporters during an inspection of different areas of Srinagar, the Deputy Commissioner said the proposed projects will come up near Nowgam Railway Station, the Children’s Hospital area and Mominabad, all of which witness heavy traffic movement on a daily basis.

He said the projects will be funded by the Government of India through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and executed by the Roads and Buildings Department Jammu and Kashmir.

The Deputy Commissioner said the focus of the projects is to address long-standing traffic bottlenecks, ensure smoother vehicular movement and strengthen connectivity in high-density zones of the city. He said infrastructure upgradation is essential to meet the growing traffic load and urban expansion of Srinagar.

He further said that apart from these three projects, another infrastructure project has been proposed at Parimpora, adding that its initiation will depend on procedural clearances and final approvals.

The Deputy Commissioner said the projects are being planned with an emphasis on time-bound execution to minimize inconvenience to commuters and ensure durable solutions to traffic congestion. [KNT]

Jammu, Feb 09: In a fiery retort aimed at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Baramulla legislator Javid Hassan Baigh on Monday launched a scathing attack on his old party, questioning the credibility and outcomes of the PDP-BJP coalition era.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s budget session, Baigh dismissed the PDP’s attempts to target him using his old speeches as a sign of desperation.

“I am not helpless. I am a representative of the people,” Baigh asserted, hitting back at critics within the PDP who have been circulating his past addresses to counter his current stance.

Baigh said, “When I was in the PDP, I did my job. I criticised the National Conference. But I also criticised the PDP-BJP government in 2016 on issues of budget, economy, and daily wages. My record is consistent.”

Baigh directly challenged the PDP leadership over its political U-turn. “Before 2014, they said they would never go with the BJP. What happened? They formed an alliance. They must answer for that compromise,” he demanded.

The MLA intensified his questioning regarding the performance of the previous coalition government. “Where is the signed ‘Agenda of the Alliance’? What did they actually achieve in those four years on Article 370, special status, or employment? They couldn’t even get a simple tattoo ground vacated from the Army for three-and-a-half years. This shows their effectiveness,” Baigh stated pointedly.

Baigh said, “I am asking questions as an MLA and a citizen. They should answer those questions instead of digging up old videos.”

Baigh added, “They are angry now. But if they do anything reckless, they will see what follows.” (KNS)

Srinagar, Feb 09: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Union Territory’s overall unemployment rate currently stands at 6.7 per cent, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.5 per cent.

The information was shared in a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Mubarak Gul, the government stated that as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the unemployment rate among persons aged 15 years and above in J&K has shown fluctuations over the past few years, remaining consistently above the national average.

The House was further informed that a baseline survey was conducted across the Union Territory by the Employment Department in collaboration with the Union Territory Administration under Mission YUVA.

The survey identified 4.73 lakh individuals in the age group of 18–60 years, out of which around 46.8 per cent reported that they were “not working but willing to work”, highlighting the magnitude of employment challenges, particularly among the youth.

Replying to questions regarding steps taken to address unemployment, the government said that employment generation, especially among youth, remains a top priority. It clarified that the focus is not only on short-term job provisioning but on creating sustainable livelihoods by encouraging youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.

In this context, Mission YUVA was highlighted as a transformational initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship across Jammu and Kashmir. Since its launch, the mission has witnessed a strong response, with around 70,000 applications received on the YUVA platform, reflecting growing interest among youth in enterprise-led employment.

Out of these, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for nearly 52,875 applicants have been prepared through Small Business Development Units (SBDUs). Following scrutiny by banks, about 47,816 applications were examined, of which 16,141 cases have already been sanctioned. The government said around 9,500 applications have been rejected, largely due to eligibility and credit-related issues, while the remaining cases are at various stages of completion.

The government further informed that sanctioned beneficiaries have been provided handholding support, training and mentoring. So far, more than 7,300 entrepreneurs have completed training, while several others are currently undergoing capacity-building programmes.

Employment Schemes and Roadmap

The Labour and Employment Department also shared year-wise details of beneficiaries covered under various self-employment and entrepreneurship schemes, including Mission YUVA, Mumkin, Tejaswini, Spurring Entrepreneurship Scheme and Women Entrepreneurship Programme, during the last two financial years.

The government reiterated that a comprehensive employment policy and roadmap titled “Mission YUVA: From Aspiration to Enterprise – Transforming Jammu & Kashmir’s Employment Landscape” has been formulated to reduce unemployment and strengthen youth engagement in productive economic activities.

The reply was tabled in the House by the Minister In-charge, Labour and Employment Department, who said the mission-based approach aims to ensure inclusive growth and long-term employment generation across the Union Territory. (KNC)

Srinagar, Feb 09: The Jammu & Kashmir government on Monday informed the Assembly that Gurez is witnessing a steady rise in tourist arrivals over the past few years, and that several measures have been put in place to strengthen sanitation and waste management in the ecologically sensitive region.

The Minister Incharge, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, shared the details in response to a question raised by MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan.

According to the government, tourist footfall in Gurez has increased consistently, with 40,105 visitors in 2022, 48,797 in 2023, and 1,11,613 in 2024. In 2025 so far, the destination has already recorded 54,675 arrivals.

Addressing concerns over sanitation, the government said it has undertaken “considerable and sustained efforts” to improve waste management infrastructure. These include construction of community compost pits, soakage pits and waste segregation sheds, alongside regular door-to-door solid waste collection.

A Plastic Waste Management Unit is under construction, the reply stated, while twin-pit dustbins have been installed at key locations – including along the banks of the River Kishenganga – to ensure scientific disposal and discourage littering.

The government reiterated that dumping of garbage into the Kishenganga is strictly prohibited, and no such practice is allowed by residents, hotels or commercial establishments.

The department said it remains committed to safeguarding the fragile ecology of Gurez through strengthened waste collection and segregation systems, expanded sanitation interventions in and around Dawar town, installation of dustbins at high-footfall points, and creation of durable community assets.

Regular awareness and sensitization programmes are also being conducted for residents, shopkeepers and tourists to promote responsible waste disposal and maintain environmental cleanliness in the region. —(KNO)