Jammu, Feb 05: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today held high-level consultative meeting with Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Paul, along with senior experts and advisors from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to deliberate on a comprehensive strategy for strengthening and augmenting food safety mechanisms across the districts of J&K.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Health & Medical Education (H&ME); Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Jammu/Kashmir; Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and other concerned senior officers.

During the discussions, Dr. V.K. Paul shared expert insights on framing a future-ready roadmap aimed at ensuring uncompromising food safety standards across Jammu and Kashmir. He, along with FSSAI experts, outlined a six-point strategic framework to be pursued in the coming months for strengthening both awareness and enforcement mechanisms under the Food Safety regime.

The roadmap emphasized the launch of a vigorous Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to create widespread public awareness about food safety practices, consumer rights, and statutory provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act. This would be complemented by simultaneous efforts to plug gaps in enforcement mechanisms, including necessary notifications and regulatory measures to empower the Food Safety Organization with stronger enforcement authority.

A key focus area discussed was capacity building of human resources, along with strengthening of food testing infrastructure. It was agreed that priority would be accorded to upgradation and strengthening of existing laboratories in the first phase, with expansion to follow in a calibrated manner.

The meeting also resolved to constitute a joint panel of experts from FSSAI and J&K, Health Department to prepare a detailed action plan within the next three months, with implementation scheduled to commence from April 2026.

Earlier, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo highlighted the specific requirements of Jammu and Kashmir for developing a comprehensive and long-term roadmap to make the food safety system among one of the best in the country.

He sought guidance from NITI Aayog on preparing a multi-year blueprint for optimal utilization of the Food Safety Act to safeguard public health. He also requested expert recommendations on strengthening laboratory infrastructure, enhancing human resources, improving training and capacity building, and addressing systemic bottlenecks to make the Food Safety Organization more effective and empowered during this period.

Providing an overview of the current scenario, Secretary, H&ME, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, presented the status of food safety enforcement in the Union Territory. He briefed the experts on existing institutional mechanisms, including the functioning of two Food Safety Appellate Tribunals and two NABL/FSSAI-accredited laboratories at Jammu and Srinagar, and underscored the need for the present consultations to further strengthen enforcement outcomes.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to reinforcing food safety governance in Jammu and Kashmir through coordinated institutional efforts, robust enforcement, and sustained awareness for the safety and welfare of its people.

Jammu, Feb 05: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the proposal on reservation has been sent by the Lieutenant Governor to the Union Home Ministry for further reference.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the CM said that the proposal cleared by the cabinet has been forwarded to the Union Home Ministry by the LG for further reference.

“Those who felt pride in protesting outside my home-let them protest outside the home of the Home Minister. Let them at least meet the Union Home Minister, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir, and submit a memorandum to him,” he said.

He said that the cabinet has sent its proposal on reservation to the Lieutenant Governor.

The CM further expressed hope that anomalies in the Transaction of Business Rules would be rectified in the next few days.

Jammu, Feb 05: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday demanded that the centre spell out a clear timeline for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.

Taking part in the motion of thanks on the Lt Governor’s address in the legislative assembly here, Karra also suggested the constitution of an all-party MLA panel to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.

He said the democratic process in J-K was restored only after the intervention of the Supreme Court; otherwise, this assembly would not have formed.

“The LG spoke of participatory governance and public trust, but I want to ask how such trust could exist when the people’s core demand — restoration of statehood — remained unresolved,” the Congress leader said, pointing out that statehood was mentioned in his previous address but omitted this time.

He said the national leadership of Congress, like party president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had raised the demand in Parliament and in a letter to the Prime Minister, seeking immediate restoration of statehood to J-K.

“Today, we ask a fundamental question to the central government through this House. They keep saying that statehood will be granted at an appropriate time. We should be told what the right time is. What is its measure? What is its standard? And how long will the people of Jammu and Kashmir have to wait?” Karra said.

In a veiled dig at the BJP, he said that while the majority of the people are demanding restoration of statehood, there are some quarters that want to make Jammu a separate state.

“History is witness that this idea is not new. In the past, too, some leaders raised such a demand, giving birth to regional mistrust. Its biggest loss was that the collective strength of Jammu and Kashmir was weakened,” he said, highlighting the need for unity and communal harmony.

The Congress leader said the LG, in his address, forgot to mention two important humanitarian issues — rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits and the issues of the refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971.

“I would like to make it clear once again through this House that the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits is not possible through mere symbolic or economic measures, but a comprehensive, permanent and dignified plan is required that ensures their security, economic stability and social rights, so that they can return to their homeland with dignity,” he said.

He suggested setting up a standing committee of elected members to formally initiate a dialogue with the Kashmiri Pandit community to draft a practical strategy at the ground level to ensure their safe and dignified return to the valley.

Similarly, in the case of West Pakistani refugees, the one-time package of Rs 30 lakh per family approved by the previous UPA government should be implemented immediately, out of which a small amount of Rs 5 lakh has been given to them by the present central government.

“An effective welfare board should be established to resolve their other problems, especially land and settlement-related issues, so that this long-standing humanitarian problem can be solved on a permanent basis,” he said.

Rajouri, Feb 05: An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered in the Khablan area Rajouri district on Thursday, sources said.

Official sources said that after receiving information about a suspicious object, security forces rushed to the spot and identified it as an IED. Subsequently, the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called in to neutralize the explosive device.

The area has been cordoned off as a precautionary measure, while further investigation is underway, they added. —(KNC)

Srinagar, Feb 05; Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone on Thursday unleashed a sharp attack in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, warning that current policies on jobs and representation pose an “existential threat” to Kashmiri youth and could trigger a crisis “bigger than 1987.”

In a hard-hitting speech during the discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, Lone called the government document “an unemotional, bureaucratic script” that ignores public suffering and the “historical disempowerment” of Kashmir.

“There is no mention of Article 370 abrogation, no mention of statehood, no mention of the thousands detained. Are we living in a fairy tale?” Lone asked, criticising what he called the “silencing of dissent” within the Assembly.

The PC president presented data to highlight “glaring disparities,” stating that Kashmir with nearly 60 per cent population gets only 25-30 per cent government jobs. He warned the proposed reservation tweaks would only marginally benefit Kashmiri candidates on merit.

“This isn’t just policy failure, it’s a systematic exclusion. When you jail a youth under PSA, deny him police verification and then block his employment, where do you expect him to go?” Lone said, calling the situation “volatile.”

In a direct challenge to the National Conference’s political narrative, Lone listed its past alliances with the Centre — from the 1975 accord, the 1987 elections, Omar Abdullah serving as minister in the BJP-led NDA government in 1999, to the 2008 coalition with Congress.

“You can’t claim victimhood after being in power with the Centre for decades. Who brought laws like PSA and POTA? Ninety per cent of those cases were in Kashmir,” Lone said.

He also questioned the “selective constitutional morality” of the House, pointing out that while Puducherry passed statehood resolutions multiple times, J&K hasn’t done so even once.

“The message is clear: stay silent. But if we can’t speak here, where do we speak? On the stairs outside?” he asked.

Lone warned that the reservation issue could become the biggest flashpoint in J&K’s recent history, with consequences graver than the disputed 1987 elections. He referred to cases against separatists-turned-mainstream leaders to argue that “persecution fuels alienation.”

“Thousands are in limbo — facing PSAs, uncertain trials. This is a dangerous legacy,” he cautioned.

The PC chief also hit out at what he called “dual narratives” of pro-India parties in J&K. “Ministers say no funds came for Jal Jeevan Mission for three years, but the CM says he has no issues with the PM. Who is speaking the truth to people?” he asked.

Lone further added to end “double-talk,” urging leaders to speak the same truth in Delhi and Srinagar. “This politics of convenience has cost people dearly,” he said. (KNS)

Jammu, Feb 05: J&K now has drug de-addiction infrastructure available in 20 government-run Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs). In addition, six private de-addiction facilities are operational in the UT.

The data regarding the number of people registering for treatment of substance abuse disorder and availability and status of addiction treatment facilities (ATF) was furnished by Government in reply to a question by legislator Devyani Rana. The Government has stated ATFs are now fully operational across the Union Territory. There are 11 such centers in the Kashmir Division and 9 in the Jammu Division, the Government said.

These government facilities provide outpatient (OPD) services and function in all 20 districts, the reply reveals. These centers provide counseling and initial treatment to those in need. In addition, Inpatient (IPD) services with dedicated beds for comprehensive rehabilitation are available in the nine Government Medical Colleges. Some district hospitals also have admission facilities.

In addition to the 20 government ATFs, some private and NGO-run centres have also started to operate in J&K. These offer rehabilitation and mental health care services.

Since 2022 Kashmir Division has recorded 16,759 patients for treatment of addiction. This is slightly higher than 15,758 patients registered in Jammu division. The total number of people registering for de-addiction across J&K is approximately 32,500. In Kashmir, Srinagar which runs the major de-addiction facilities, has the largest share with over 6,100 registrations. This is followed by districts Anantnag, Kulgam, and Baramulla. In Jammu, the Government Medical College in Jammu city has handled the highest number nearly 9,800 cases. Kathua, Rajouri, and surrounding areas also have a significant numbe rof registrations.

The facilities for de-addiction are being set up as part of the broader Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan.