Jammu, Feb 04: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present in view of the improved law and order situation in the valley.

He said that the Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants is aimed at facilitating their voluntary, safe and dignified return to the valley while ensuring socio-economic security through housing, employment and other support measures.

Replying to a written question by National Conference member Mubarak Gul in the Assembly, Abdullah said, “Fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present. The issue was examined in a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on July 12, 2023, where it was observed that the improved law and order situation in the valley does not justify fresh registration at this stage.”

Abdullah said the proposal for enhancement of the existing migrant relief assistance, considering inflation and the rising cost of living, has been examined at the Union Territory level and taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the competent authority to take a final decision on the matter.

The chief minister said the comprehensive Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants was announced in 2009 with a financial outlay of Rs 1,618.40 crore. He said the scheme provides a holistic framework to restore livelihood, housing, education and financial security of the migrant community.

Detailing the components of the scheme, Abdullah said it includes provision of residential support for migrant families, construction of transit accommodation for employees appointed under the package, continuation of monthly cash relief to registered migrant families, student scholarships, employment opportunities, assistance to agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on loans.

The chief minister said that to facilitate the return and rehabilitation, the Centre sanctioned 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) in 2009, followed by another 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in 2015, taking the total number of posts earmarked for migrant youth to 6,000.

“Against the sanctioned 6,000 posts, appointment orders have been issued to 5,896 candidates so far, achieving about 98.26 per cent coverage. The remaining 104 posts are at various stages of recruitment and selection,” he said, adding that the employment component has significantly contributed towards livelihood security and confidence-building among the migrant youth.

On transit accommodation, Abdullah said that the Centre sanctioned the construction of 6,000 transit accommodation units across various districts of the valley in December 2015 for migrant government employees appointed under the PM package.

He said that out of the total 6,000 flats, 4,096 were completed till December 2025, while 1,904 units are under construction and are expected to be completed during the 2026-27 financial year.

“Out of the completed stock, 3,250 flats have already been allotted to eligible PM package employees,” he said, adding that these accommodations are being developed as planned residential complexes with essential civic amenities and security arrangements to ensure a stable and secure living environment.

The chief minister said that there is no proposal under consideration to establish any additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir valley, as the existing 6,000 units being constructed at 20 locations are intended to meet the residential requirements of migrant employees.

Jammu, Feb 04: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said sodium silicate adhesive used in apple packaging boxes does not ordinarily pose “direct acute toxicity risks” to consumers as it does not come into direct contact with the produce.

In a written reply to a question by legislator Irshad Rasool Kar in the assembly, the Minister Incharge for Agriculture Production and allied departments detailed the regulatory stance and steps taken to monitor packaging materials.

The government said sodium silicate, used as an adhesive in corrugated cardboard boxes, binds within paper fibres after drying.

“It does not come into direct contact with the produce; therefore, it does not ordinarily pose direct acute toxicity risks to consumers,” the reply stated.

It cited Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations that permit the use of silicates as anti-caking agents in various food items within specified limits, describing them as “Generally Recognized as Safe” at recommended levels.

On environmental concerns, the government said the substance is biodegradable with “a very short half-life” and poses lesser threats.

However, it pointed out that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification IS: 2771 for Corrugated Fibreboard boxes does not permit the use of “sodium silicate or other highly alkaline adhesives.”

The reply outlined steps taken to control and regulate such packaging, including instructions to Area Marketing Officers and Mandi Officers to monitor fruit markets and packing areas for “silicate-treated and sub-standard” boxes.

Growers, traders and packaging units are being sensitised about the risks of non-standard packaging, it said.

The government is promoting alternate packaging materials like 5-ply Corrugated Fibreboard boxes with food-grade linings, wooden crates with safe linings, and biodegradable cushioning materials.

Under the UT CAPEX ‘Support for Grading and Packaging Scheme’, growers can avail a subsidy of up to 50 per cent on the purchase of approved 5-ply corrugated boxes, the reply added. (KNS)

Jammu, Feb 04: Security forces are preparing for a final assault on two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists holed up inside a natural cave in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, with no exchange of fire reported during the night, officials said on Wednesday.

The terrorists were located inside the cave by joint search teams of the Army, police and the CRPF in the Jaffer forest area of Ramnagar around 4 pm on Tuesday, triggering an intense gunfight that lasted for more than an hour, the officials said.

According to them, one of the terrorists was hit during the encounter but managed to retreat into the natural cave along with his accomplice.

A fresh exchange of fire and deafening explosions rocked the area around 7.30 pm when the terrorists attempted to flee under the cover of darkness, the officials said, adding Army reinforcements, including paratroopers and dog squads, were rushed in to further tighten the cordon.

The night passed without any firing, and the security forces maintained a tight vigil over the area, particularly around the cave, using drones for surveillance, the officials said.

They said the preparations are underway to launch a final assault on the cave to flush out the hiding terrorists who refused to come out and surrender.

Bhaderwah, Feb 3: Authorities have intensified snow-clearance operations on the strategic Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road following fresh snowfall, deploying multiple high-tech machines to restore traffic movement across high-altitude stretches in Doda district, officials said on Tuesday.

The Hi-tech machines are clearing the snow from the highway which passes through high altitude passes including Padri Gali located at a height of 10,700 ft above sea level.

Assistant Executive Engineer Mechanical Division Doda, Manjeet Kotwal said that department has deployed half a dozen hi-tech snow-clearing machines to carry snow-clearing operation on a war footing.

“The interstate road is of strategic importance and keeping in view the utility of this road link, multiple hi-tech machines are on the job round the clock to clear the snow,” said Manjeet Kotwal AEE Mechanical Division Doda.

“As of now the road stretch has been made motorable upto Thanhala village which is the last habitation of Jammu and Kashmir and hopefully we will clear the snow upto Khanni Top Army camp by this evening,” Kotwal added.

Beside housing famous tourist destinations Khanni Top, Padri Galli, Khundi Maral and Bhaderwahi Ghoth, Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate Road is the only road link after Lakhanpur that connects Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the country.