Srinagar, Feb 03: The demand for setting up the National Law University in Jammu echoed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, with BJP MLAs staging protests over the issue.

As soon as Question Hour began, BJP MLAs stood up and protested, demanding a Law University for Jammu.

“The students are on the streets in Jammu seeking a National Law University; there is anguish among the people. We are not against setting up the Law University, but you should also establish one in Jammu,” said Slathia.

Slathia was supported by other BJP MLAs, who carried placards in support of the demand.

Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat questioned the BJP for carrying placards in the House, saying it violated the decorum of the Assembly.

Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone scoffed at the BJP MLAs, pointing out that the NLU is a state university and not a central university.

“It has a mere budget of Rs 50 crore,” Lone remarked.

Separately, the issue of harassment of Kashmiris was also raised in the House by NC MLA Mubarak Gul and PDP’s Waheed Parra—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 03: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir has booked two individuals for allegedly securing MBBS admission at SKIMS Soura through forged “Person with Disability” and “Economically Weaker Section” certificates, officials said on Tuesday.

In a statement, a spokesperson said, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has registered a formal case against two individuals for their alleged involvement in securing admission to the MBBS Course–2023 at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, on the basis of fake and forged certificates.

He said, the case is based on information received from a credible source, wherein it was alleged that a resident of Ajas, Bandipora, managed admission to the MBBS programme by producing forged “Person with Disability” (PWD) and “Economically Weaker Section” (EWS) certificates, despite not being physically or mentally disabled.

“Acting upon the information, the Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar, initiated a Preliminary Verification into the matter.”

“During the course of verification, it surfaced that the accused beneficiary, in connivance with another individual resident of Asham, Sumbal, Bandipora, procured a fake and forged PWD certificate. On the strength of the said forged document, the beneficiary allegedly secured selection for admission to the MBBS course at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar,” the statement reads.

It further reads, the acts committed by the accused persons prima facie disclose the commission of cognizable offences punishable under Sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. Accordingly, cognizance of the matter has been taken and a formal case has been registered at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar (Crime Branch). Further investigation into the matter is underway. —(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 2: As Jammu and Kashmir heads into the crucial budget session, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) has moved to the centre of policy debate, with industry bodies and stakeholders advocating a challenge-mode implementation, backed by a multi-tier monitoring mechanism, including an Advisory Council chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to translate its ambitious design into tangible economic outcomes.

The renewed push comes as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to present his second budget in the Legislative Assembly on February 5, a fiscal exercise being closely watched for signals on policy continuity, reform priorities and flagship programme funding.

Envisioned as a structural reform of Jammu and Kashmirís agrarian economy, HADP is among the most comprehensive agriculture-led development initiatives launched in recent years.

With a total outlay of Rs 5013 crore, the programme integrates 29 interlinked projects spanning agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries and allied sectors.

It was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 7, 2024.

At its core, HADP seeks to shift farming in Jammu and Kashmir from subsistence-level activity to a modern, market-oriented and enterprise-driven system.

The programme addresses long-standing challenges such as low productivity, fragmented landholdings, weak market access, limited value addition and heavy dependence on imports of food and agri-products.

The 29 projects under HADP include development of the seed and seed multiplication chain in PPP mode; promotion of niche crops; vegetables and exotic vegetables under open and protected cultivation; and strengthening of the agricultural marketing system.

Other components focus on medicinal and aromatic plants, apiculture, sericulture, nutri-cereals or millets, farm mechanisation and automation, mushroom cultivation and oilseeds.

Institutional strengthening is a key pillar of the programme, with provision for the formation of 300 Farmer Producer Organisations and the adoption of Integrated Farming Systems and Integrated Livelihood Systems to diversify farm incomes.

Projects covering commercial floriculture, development of rainfed areas and alternate agriculture systems, including organic farming, aim to improve sustainability and climate resilience.

Technology-driven interventions include sensor-based smart agriculture, minimisation of pesticide use, creation of a Jammu and Kashmir Soil and Land Resource Information System and innovative approaches in agriculture extension and advisory services.

The programme also provides for the production of designer plants for high-density plantation and orchard rejuvenation, alongside a J&K-level food processing programme for cluster development to boost value addition.

Livestock and allied sectors are addressed through dairy development, reorienting priorities for self-sufficiency in mutton production, a roadmap for poultry development, technological interventions for fish seed and trout production, promotion of wool and pelt processing and marketing, and development of fodder resources.

The final component focuses on support to human resource development for technological backstopping and capacity building across sectors.

Official projections indicate that HADP has the potential to generate over 2.8 lakh jobs and facilitate nearly 19,000 agri-enterprises, significantly enhancing rural incomes.

Digital platforms have been rolled out for transparency and monitoring, with more than 3.7 lakh farmers registered and close to four lakh cases processed so far.

Outreach initiatives such as the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan have covered over 90 percent of panchayats, while skilling is being supported through the Daksh Kisan portal.

As budget discussions gather momentum, the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has strongly advocated taking HADP forward in a real Mission rather Challenge Mode, with regular monitoring at the highest level through the establishment of an Advisory Council under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, and other committees under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production.

The FCIK has raised the issue during pre-budget consultations with the Chief Minister and incorporated it in its submissions for the renewed industrial policy.

The FCIK has described HADP as a visionary intervention but cautioned that its success hinges on robust mission-driven leadership, predictable and ring-fenced budgetary support, timely fund releases and strong inter-departmental convergence.  From an industry perspective, it stressed that HADP is not merely an agriculture support scheme but a strategic economic transformation programme capable of turning farmers into agripreneurs.

Highlighting Jammu and Kashmirís continued dependence on imports of poultry, milk, livestock products, vegetables, seeds and processed agri-goods, industry representatives argued that effective implementation of HADP can progressively substitute imports, strengthen local supply chains and improve the regionís balance of trade.

They said that the programme lays the foundation for expanding agro-based manufacturing, food processing, cold storage, logistics, packaging and branding, creating strong linkages with MSMEs and export-oriented units.

With the February 5 budget now in focus, stakeholders see it as a decisive opportunity to reinforce HADP as a flagship initiative.  A mission-mode approach, backed by assured funding, structured oversight and high-level monitoring, is increasingly being viewed as critical to converting HADPís expansive vision into durable gains, positioning agriculture as a catalyst for rural industrialisation, enterprise creation and inclusive growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Feb 2: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ganderbal has initiated a publicity drive to spread awareness about the nationwide initiative “Mediation For The Nation 2.0” pursuant to the directions from the J&K Legal Services Authority.

The campaign undertaken under the Chairmanship of Abdul Nasir, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Pr. District and Sessions Judge), Ganderbal and guided by Sheikh Babar Hussain, Secretary District Legal Services Authority, Ganderbal aims to sensitize the public, particularly litigants, about the benefits and advantages of mediation as an effective Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, as per an official press release.

As part of campaign, Para Legal Volunteers (Adhikar Mitras) were deputed to various locations for the purpose of disseminating information regarding the “Mediation For The Nation 2.0 Campaign” and affix banners and posters at prominent locations across the district, including markets, educational institutions, bus stops, court complexes and other areas of public interaction, so as to ensure wide publicity and outreach.