Srinagar, Feb 7: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said it is implementing a series of scientific and planned measures to enhance livestock productivity and move towards self-sufficiency in animal-origin foods, particularly mutton, which remains in short supply in the Union Territory.

Informing the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the government said high-yielding and improved breeds of sheep, goats, cattle and poultry are being introduced and propagated through the Department of Animal and Sheep Husbandry.

In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Javaid Riyaz, furnished on behalf of the Minister in charge Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, the department said that high mutton-producing breeds such as Texel, Dorper, Romanov, Swiss Alpine, Finn sheep and Boer goats are being integrated into government breeding farms across J&K.

The government acknowledged a significant gap between demand and local production of key animal products. While J&K produces about 28.75 lakh metric tonnes of milk annually, mutton production stands at around 380 lakh kilograms, leaving a deficit of nearly 200 lakh kilograms. This shortfall has resulted in heavy dependence on imports from other states, prompting focused efforts on genetic upgradation and productivity enhancement to achieve self-sufficiency and generate livelihood opportunities.

As part of these efforts, the department said 450 Australian Merino sheep were imported in 2020 for genetic improvement of wool and meat. Additionally, 900 Dorper and Texel sheep imported from South Africa and Holland are being maintained for scientific breeding programmes.

To boost milk production, the government said breeding infrastructure is being upgraded, including the proposed import of 40 high genetic-merit bulls through the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and 100 Jersey cows through SKUAST-Kashmir.

The department further said improved poultry varieties such as Vanaraj, Lohmann Brown, Black Australorp and Sussex have been introduced under the Integrated Poultry Development Programme, based on their suitability to local agro-climatic conditions.

Kargil/Jammu, Feb 07: The Indian Air Force on Saturday commenced air courier service for the winter season, ensuring air connectivity for the people of Kargil during the harsh cold months.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh face challenges in the winter due to the closure of roads after snowfall.

On the first day of operations, 29 passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Srinagar and 53 passengers from Srinagar to Kargil, including children, infants and patients, officials said.

The IAF crew was welcomed at Kargil Airport by Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Mohd Feroz, Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho and other senior officers.

At Srinagar Airport, the aircraft crew was received by the Chief Coordinator, Kargil Courier, Aamir Ali.

Srinagar, Feb 07: The Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday registered a case against then Tehsildar south Srinagar, for allegedly abusing his official position and demanding illegal gratification.

The case arose following a verification based on a complaint regarding illegal encroachment and alleged bribery linked to restoration and demarcation of land in 2021.

In a statement issued, ACB registered case against Maeen Azhar Kakroo, the then Tehsildar South Srinagar for abusing official position, Searches conducted at Srinagar, and Baramulla.

Anti Corruption Bureau registered FIR No. 03/2026 at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Maeen Azhar Kakroo, the then Tehsildar South Srinagar, for alleged demand and acceptance of illegal gratification.

The case owes its origin to a verification conducted by this bureau on the basis of a complaint regarding illegal encroachment issues and alleged bribery in connection with restoration and demarcation of land during the year 2021, the statement said.

It also said that the verification revealed that land measuring 4 Kanals 9 Marlas 165 Sqft, including Survey No. 998/54, is recorded in the name of few individuals including complainant.

During verification, it surfaced that the accused public servant allegedly demanded illegal gratification for facilitating restoration of 14 Marlas of land situated at Gulbahar Colony Hyderpora, Sector-14 Srinagar. It further came to light that a second-hand Mahindra Rexton 4×4 vehicle (Regd. No. MH03CP-5000) was allegedly accepted as illegal gratification, with payments reportedly made by the complainant through banking transactions from his Paytm account linked with J&K Bank Batamaloo, statement said.

Further enquiry revealed that after restoration, the said land was sold by the complainant in January 2022 to a private purchaser and is presently under her possession.

By allegedly demanding and accepting illegal gratification other than legal remuneration in connection with an official act, the accused is stated to have abused his official position.

Accordingly, offences under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) have been established against the accused public servant and Case FIR No. 03/2026 has been registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar.

Immediately after registration of FIR, searches of residential house of above said accused person was conducted after obtaining search warrants from the Hon’ble Court.  Searches were carried simultaneously at 02 separate locations viz (a) Residential house at Kanil Bagh Azad Road Baramulla, (b) Residential House at Rose Avenue Colony Gazalla Abad HMT Srinagar.

During the search incriminating evidences including revenue papers & finance/bank documents etc  were recovered and seized as evidence in the instant case.

The investigation of the case is going on, it added.

Anantnag, Feb 07: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary (Organisation) J&K, Ashok Koul on Saturday hit out at present dispensation, saying National Conference-led government has miserably failed to live upto the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a public convention at Municipal Park, Ashajpora Bypass in Anantnag, Koul highlighted the commitment of the party towards development, good governance and public welfare.

Koul launched a scathing attack on the National Conference-led government, stating that while the Modi-led Central government continues to stand firmly with the people of Jammu & Kashmir, the NC regime has failed to deliver on its promises.

“The Modi Government has provided Rs 1430 crore as disaster relief assistance for Jammu & Kashmir to support distressed families affected by natural calamities. This reflects the sensitivity and commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the people of this region,” Koul said.

Koul further said that the recently presented Union Budget is a strong, public-friendly, and Viksit Bharat–oriented budget, aimed at empowering youth, farmers, women, and the poor, while strengthening infrastructure and economic growth. In sharp contrast, the budget presented by the NC government in J&K is completely hollow, directionless, and devoid of any concrete roadmap for development or employment, he asserted.

The convention was also addressed by J&K BJP General Secretary Anwar Khan, District President Anantnag Rakesh Koul, Programme Incharge Abaid Hussain Nengroo, senior BJP leader Sofi Yousuf.

Later, at the BJP District Office Anantnag, Koul addressed an organizational meeting of all district office bearers and constituency presidents, reviewing ongoing party programmes and future strategies.

Koul called upon party workers to remain disciplined, united, and dedicated to public service. He said that the BJP’s strength lies in its cadre-based organization. He said that every BJP activist must work tirelessly at the grassroots level to address public issues and strengthen people’s trust in the party.

Speaking on the occasion, Anwar Khan said that BJP workers are the real ambassadors of the party’s ideology and governance model. Our focus is to ensure that the benefits of central government schemes reach every eligible person without discrimination, he said.

Srinagar, Feb 07: In the backdrop of the interim agreement under the US–India trade deal, wherein fresh fruits imported from the United States are expected to face reduced tariffs, Kashmir’s apple growers have sent an SOS to Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, warning that cheaper imports could seriously undermine the domestic horticulture sector.

In a detailed letter addressed to the Prime Minister at South Block, New Delhi, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, urged the Centre to impose an import duty of “over and above 100 per cent” on apples imported from the United States and European countries.

Quoting the letter verbatim, Basheer wrote:

“With great respects and humble submission your goodself are informed that the Apple Growers of the Valley had been seeking hike over and above 100% in American/European Apple import duty enabling the Fruit Growers of Valley, Himachal and Uttarakhand to compete in Indian Markets.”

Referring to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) framework, the letter states:

“Though under Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between two Countries i.e. New Zealand and this Country reduced the import duty from 50% to 25% does not prove any fruitful results.”

Highlighting the economic importance of horticulture, the Chairman wrote:

“In fact the livelihood, children education, medical facilities and other domestic necessities of a Grower wholly and solely depend upon on Apple Industry and more than 7 Lakh families are directly or indirectly dependent on Horticulture Industry which Industry is treated as ‘Backbone’ and main contributor of JK UT’s Economy.”

Emphasising Kashmir’s traditional role in fruit production, the letter further reads:

“Proudly Kashmir Valley has been rightly described as ‘Land of Fruits’ as well as ‘Fruit Bowel’ of Northern India. The reduction of import duty from 50% to 25% under FTA does not, therefore, meet the essentials requirements of Fruit Growers.”

Flagging recurring challenges faced by growers, the letter notes:

“In fact every year new challenges emerge for Apple Industry of Valley, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Sometimes Apples are imported from Iran and sometimes from United States and other Countries as well. These steps constantly could pressure on our local Apple Industry.”

The impact on small and marginal growers was also underlined:

“The cumulative impact of such imports have been damaging local Apple Growers, particularly small and marginal Growers who are already struggling with input costs, erratic weather, pest attacks and transport issues.”

Warning against cheaper imports, Basheer wrote:

“It is reiterated that the reduction in custom duty on American/European Apple will make imported Apples cheaper and a trader naturally prefer them over Kashmiri Apple. This directly affects the pricing of Apples of Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand.”

Concluding with a strong caution, the letter states:

“Under the circumstances explained above your goodself are requested kindly consider imposition of import duty on American/European Apple to the extent of over and above 100% failing which the horticulture Industry of JK (T) will turn the shape of ‘Sick Industry’.”

Srinagar, Feb 7: A structure belonging to the Department of Fisheries was completely gutted in a fire incident at Nehru Park, Gagribal area of Srinagar on Saturday, officials said.

According to officials, fire broke out in the departmental structure, triggering panic in the busy park area. Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and initiated firefighting operations. However, despite a timely response, the structure was fully engulfed and could not be saved.

No loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident, officials said, adding that the fire was brought under control to prevent it from spreading to nearby establishments.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known and is under investigation. [KNT]