Baramulla, Oct 18: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar on Saturday said strict action to be initiated against those involved in using artificial coloring and substandard pesticides in fruit crops, terming the practices harmful to both the industry and the consumers.

Speaking to reporters in Baramulla, Minister Dar said the government is finalizing the process of creating a dedicated Enforcement Wing to regulate fertilizers and pesticides.

“Many fertilizers and pesticides are of poor quality. We are strengthening enforcement to identify and act against violators”, he said.

The Minister said complaints have surfaced from buyers in Delhi, Jammu and Kolkata about Kashmir’s apples being artificially colored before ripening. “Such coloring damages the fruit’s quality and reputation. It shortens shelf life and can cause illness. We have directed that colored apples should not be allowed into fruit markets,” he said.

Dar warned that penalties will be imposed on traders and growers, who bring colored fruit to markets ahead of the season. “If a September apple arrives in August and shows coloring, it indicates malpractice. This must stop,” he said.

On pest control, Dar said illegal import of rootstocks without quarantine checks has worsened the “leaf miner” pest problem. “Some people bring rootstocks through black marketing. We have identified them and strict action will follow”, he said.

He added that the government will not ban licenses arbitrarily but will ensure compliance with safety standards. “We are a progressive state. We cannot stop trade, but we will not allow misuse of licenses”, he said.

The Minister also said the government is preparing a plan to decongest and expand the Sopore Fruit Mandi. “Departments of Housing, R&B, Planning and Power will jointly develop a comprehensive plan to improve transport flow and expand the market,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Doabgah government juice plant is operational and was outsourced to a private operator three years ago. “It continues to function under private management,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 18: In a major breakthrough, Srinagar Police arrested six absconders who had been evading arrest for several years—some for over two decades, police officials said on Saturday.

In a statement, the officials said that Srinagar Police, acting on specific intelligence inputs, formed a special team that carried out a targeted operation, leading to the successful apprehension of the absconders. After completing all legal formalities, the accused were produced before the Hon’ble Court in Srinagar.

Police identified the arrested individuals as:

• Mehraj-ud-Din Marazi, S/o Mohd Abdullah Marazi, R/o Sonwar, Srinagar — absconding for 11 years in Case FIR No. 21/2015 under Sections 8/21, 22, 29 NDPS Act, PS Lalbazar.
• Arshid Ahmad Shoora, S/o Ab Rashid Shoora, R/o Bota Kadal, Lalbazar (presently at Hamchi Saidpora, Hazratbal, Srinagar) — evading arrest for 8 years in a case registered under the NI Act, PS Lalbazar.
• Habibulla Bhat, S/o Ab Samad, R/o Kralpora Kupwara, A/P Lalbazar — evading arrest for 27 years in Case FIR No. 39/1998 U/S 294 RPC, PS Shergarhi.
• Gowhar Ahmad Wani, S/o Wali Mohammad Wani, R/o Arigam, Budgam — evading arrest for 4 years in Case FIR No. 52/2021 U/S 379, 511 IPC, PS Shergarhi.
• Mashooq Ahmad Sheikh, S/o Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, R/o Ramnagri Shopian, A/P Gulshan Nagar, Nowgam, Srinagar — evading arrest for 4 years in Case FIR No. 119/2009 U/S 379 RPC, PS Shergarhi.
• Uneeb Mukhtiyar Nathkhan, S/o Mukhtiyar Nathkhan, R/o 90 Feet Road, Soura — absconding for 16 years in Case FIR No. 119/2009 U/S 379 RPC, PS Shergarhi.

Srinagar Police reiterated its unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no individual evading justice remains beyond its reach.

Srinagar, Oct 18: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Saturday said that extensive efforts are underway to strengthen the tourism sector across the Valley, with a special emphasis on reviving winter tourism and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Srinagar city through ongoing developmental initiatives.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organized by SKUAST Kashmir, Garg said that the administration is focused on giving a new push to the tourism economy through infrastructure development, beautification drives, and promotion of local attractions.

He noted that the upcoming winter season will witness renewed tourism activities across Kashmir, including the launch of winter-specific events and facilities to attract visitors. “We are working on kick-starting winter tourism on a large scale so that tourists can experience the Valley throughout the year,” Garg said.

The Divisional Commissioner added that Srinagar city is witnessing a major facelift under the Srinagar Smart City Project Limited and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. “The transformation of Srinagar is visible everywhere. Roads are being macadamized, public spaces are being redesigned, and several beautification projects are nearing completion. The city truly looks smart now,” he remarked.

Garg also revealed that more flower gardens are being developed across Srinagar and other districts to add to the Valley’s visual charm and create new tourist attractions. “The idea is to ensure that every season in Kashmir has something unique to offer, from gardens in bloom to snow-clad winter destinations,” he said.

The Divisional Commissioner praised the coordinated efforts of various departments, particularly SKUAST Kashmir, for promoting eco-tourism and sustainable practices that complement the Valley’s natural beauty. [KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 18: Qayoom Wani, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), has strongly supported the public demand to immediately halt the unauthorised extension of the Gulmarg Master Plan to Tangmarg.

In a statement issued today, Wani said that any development or planning exercise carried out without public consultation, notice, or consent of the local population amounts to a violation of democratic norms, planning ethics, and legal procedure. He emphasized that the people’s right to participate in shaping the future of their region is a cornerstone of good governance and natural justice.

Wani further pointed out that the use of an outdated 2019 ordinance, which stands superseded by the Rural Development and Land Use Rules, 2022, renders the current exercise legally untenable. “An ordinance cannot override or remain valid once a comprehensive set of rules has been notified,” he said, stressing that the rule of law must prevail over bureaucratic shortcuts.

Reiterating the Forum’s stand, Wani stated, “The original Gulmarg Master Plan — devised decades ago by domain experts — must be implemented in its true spirit. That plan had a clear environmental vision: no concrete structures or rampant construction at the main destination of Gulmarg. Violating that original framework means violating the very essence of the master plan.”

He demanded that the original expert-devised Master Plan be made public so that citizens understand what it envisages and how far current actions have drifted from it. Transparency, he said, is essential to restore public trust and protect ecological integrity.

The JKCSF called upon the administration to: Immediately stay the unauthorised extension of the Master Plan to Tangmarg; Initiate a fresh and transparent process under the valid Rural Development and Land Use Rules, 2022; invite public objections and suggestions through proper notifications and participatory hearings; and preserve Tangmarg’s agrarian character and safeguard the proprietary rights of its villagers in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.

Abdul Qayoom Wani concluded by urging all stakeholders — government agencies, civil society, and the people — to act collectively and responsibly to uphold and protect the ecological integrity, environment of the area, legal, and cultural sanctity of the Gulmarg–Tangmarg region.