Doda, Apr 08: The District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting of District Kishtwar was held today under the chairmanship of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry for Science & Technology and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting involved a comprehensive review of all the ongoing projects and public welfare measures being implemented in the district.

The Union MoS emphasized improved inter-departmental coordination, strict monitoring and timely execution to ensure effective grassroots delivery. He had a detailed discussion on various vital issues including development of airstrip facilities to boost regional connectivity and tourism and road works. He directed the officials to ensure adherence to quality parameters and project completion timelines under schemes like PMGSY.

He also reviewed construction of cremation sheds, rehabilitation of Kandani inhabitants affected by power projects and promotion of local produce such as kala zeera and saffron through better market linkages and branding.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the youth engagement through Sansad Khel initiatives so that their energy is channelized in a right direction.

He directed the Power Development Department to ensure transparent and consumer-friendly smart metering. He further called for wider awareness of government schemes and prompt grievance redress to achieve inclusive development.

The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar, nominated members of the DISHA Committee besides other district officers, who deliberated on key points related to previous Action Taken Reports (ATRs) and other developmental issues.

Dr. Jitendra Singh issued prompt directions to the senior district officers and officials from concerned departments to ensure timely resolution of all matters raised during the meeting.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, presented a detailed overview of the district’s developmental profile and social sector priorities. He highlighted the progress under various centrally sponsored and UT schemes, the status of key ongoing projects and sector-wise performance across health, education, rural development, agriculture and social welfare besides elaborating the actionable strategies to strengthen the service delivery and public outreach.

Jammu, Apr 08: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged a massive backlog in the finalisation of accounts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and autonomous bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, with large number of accounts remaining in arrears as on March 31, 2024.

The CAG urged the UT government to ensure strict adherence to timelines for preparation and submission of accounts to strengthen financial discipline, transparency and governance.

The audit panel warned that the persistent backlog undermines transparency and legislative oversight, and recommended that the government ensure companies, corporations and autonomous bodies submit their annual accounts within a stipulated timeframe.

The CAG report on Union Territory (UT) finances for the year ended March 31, 2024, said, “Accounts in respect of only four companies were audited up to 2022-23. In respect of 35 companies and corporations, audit of 139 accounts was in arrears for periods ranging from one to twelve years.”

According to the report, eight autonomous bodies have together failed to submit 40 annual accounts, with delays ranging from three to 14 years.

The CAG stressed that delays in finalisation of accounts keep the results of government investments outside legislative scrutiny, hampering timely corrective measures and weakening accountability.

The report highlighted that several key entities have accumulated significant arrears.

Jammu and Kashmir Overseas Employment Corporation Ltd tops the list with 12 pending accounts since 2010-11, followed by Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Limited and two inactive companies — Jammu and Kashmir International Trade Centre Corporation Ltd and Jammu and Kashmir Road Development Corporation Ltd — each with nine years of arrears.

Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation Ltd has eight pending accounts since 2014-15, while Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd has seven accounts pending since 2015-16, it added.

Jammu and Kashmir Police Housing Corporation Ltd has six years of arrears, and Jammu and Kashmir Asset Reconstruction Ltd also has six accounts pending since 2017-18.

Among other major defaulters, Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Ltd has five accounts pending since 2017-18, while the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) has five pending accounts with no accounts submitted since 2018-19, it said.

Several infrastructure and transport-related entities also reported delays.

Jammu and Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporations have four accounts pending each since 2019-20, while Jammu and Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Ltd, Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Ltd and Srinagar Smart City Ltd have four pending accounts each.

Jammu Smart City Ltd has three accounts pending, while Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation Ltd has three pending accounts.

The report further noted that multiple corporations, including Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Ltd and Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts (Sales and Export) Development Corporation Ltd, have four pending accounts each.

Among eight autonomous bodies, the CAG said that the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) accounts for the highest pendency with 14 accounts pending from 2009-10 to 2022-23.

Similarly, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar and Jammu have three pending accounts each for the period 2020-21 to 2022-23. Jammu and Kashmir Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has not submitted four accounts from 2015-16 to 2018-19, it added.

Other bodies with arrears include Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board (four accounts), Khadi and Village Industries Board (three), Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (four), and State Legal Services Authority (five), it added.

Similarly, accounts of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs departments in Kashmir and Jammu have remained pending for decades, with some periods dating back to the 1970s, it said.

Bhaderwah, Apr 08: Rainy and damp weather since last fortnight has transformed coniferous forest in J&K’s Bhaderwah into a treasure of rare Kundi Mushroom (Earth cup Fungus) much to the delight of locals especially womenfolk – who collect and sell them in the market at a good price.

‘Kundi’, the most cherished early spring delicacy disappeared from the Himalayan forests since last couple of years mainly due to dry weather resurfaced in abundance this season thereby providing livelihood to the hundreds of womenfolk of the rejion as the rare edible fungus is being received like hotcakes by the locals and visitors in the markets of Bhaderwah town.

Women often start their day at dawn, searching through lush, damp forests alongside deodar trees for this elusive fungus.

Rural women from villages of Bhaderwah valley located along dense cedar forest like Bhudda, Chinta, Duggi, Kansar, Ghuraka, Chinchora, Jatani, Thubba, Dhumanda, Sartingal, Katyara, Mathola, Hanga and Shankhoja are primarily responsible for gathering these rare mushrooms from the wild. They then sell this seasonal and loved delicacy in local markets at the rate ranging from Rs 400 to 700 per kg.

“We were disappointed that the most loved delicacy of the season, all of us use to collect from the forest soon after snow melts disappeared since last two three years but we are thankful to almighty that this year ‘Kundi’ resurfaced in abundance and our group is collecting them since last 20 days,” said Kalyana (67) of Village Bhudda.

“The recent rains have transformed our forests into the treasure of Kundi and traditionally women venture to collect them as one can find them scattered everywhere in the dense cedar trees making the otherwise silent woods into live and happening place,” said Ajay Kumar (29) of Village Chinta.

The sale of Kundi provides a direct livelihood for families in remote areas, with many walking long distances to sell their harvest in local markets in Bhaderwah.

These days every second vegetable vendor in Bhaderwah town is found selling Kundi while displaying it at the most visible place as the main attraction of their respective shops.

“This year I have sold maximum amount of ‘Kundi’ since I have started my business a decade ago. All the packs of Kundi you find in my shop are pre-booked and not only from locals but I also get orders from Delhi,” said a Vegetable vendor Anil Kumar of Jaie Road, Bhaderwah.

“Since last 20 days, I have sold this wild Mushroom worth Rs 5 lakhs and every women earns two to three thousand a day by collecting and selling it at our shop,” Anil added.

Kundi is often found growing in shaded, humid areas following post-winter snow melt and spring rains.

Apart from being a tasty seasonal delicacy, Kundi is known for its medicinal properties. It is often used in local dishes and is valued for its unique taste.