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Omar Abdullah dairy scheme

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level review meeting on the Jammu & Kashmir Dairy Processing Infrastructure Development Scheme (JKDPIDS), a ₹1,433 crore initiative aimed at transforming the J&K’s dairy sector into a robust, organized and globally competitive industry.

During the review, the Chief Minister highlighted the vast potential of dairy in Jammu & Kashmir.

He stressed the urgent need to expand organized milk processing from the current 4% to at least 20% within the next seven years, ensuring better prices, regular payments, and market access for over 5 lakh dairy farmers.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD), Shailendra Kumar, gave a detailed presentation on the scheme, implemented by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as the nodal agency.

The plan envisages the establishment of 10 automated milk processing plants across 18 districts (excluding Srinagar and Jammu), enhancement of milk collection and chilling capacity to 10 LLPD, creation of 100 milk testing laboratories, and the formation of 10,000 farmer-owned dairy collectives.

He said that all Deputy Commissioners have been asked to immediately identify and transfer 40–50 kanals of encumbrance-free land for each proposed processing plant.

The Chief Minister called for close inter-departmental coordination to ensure timely provision of road connectivity, electricity, and water to the project sites.

He further instructed NDDB and the Animal Husbandry Department to expedite agreements on sexed semen production and fodder development to strengthen productivity at the grassroots level.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also asked NABARD to ensure prompt release of funds and strict financial monitoring, while emphasising that all departments must adhere to the set timelines for project execution, with quarterly progress reviews at the state level.

Highlighting the scheme’s projected impact, the Chief Minister said it will significantly boost cooperative turnover, create thousands of rural and skilled jobs, and ensure the supply of hygienic, export-ready milk.

He said the initiative represents far more than a sectoral upgrade—it is an economic transformation for rural Jammu & Kashmir. “Our dairy sector has the potential to be a pillar of rural prosperity and a driver of export excellence,” he remarked, urging all stakeholders to work with urgency and precision.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Agriculture Production Department Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary APD, Principal Secretary Finance, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu, Director Animal Husbandry, and representatives from NABARD, NDDB, SA&P Group and other concerned officials.

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Strict Action Against Food Safety Violations

·        Intensified inspection drives to be carried out across all districts

·        Food Testing Laboratories to be set up at every district headquarters, to strengthen the Government’s enforcement capacity

·        Food and Drugs Control Organization to be strengthened

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing food safety enforcement campaign in the wake of recent seizures of unsafe meat and meat products, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.

The Chief Minister directed exemplary punitive action against those found storing or selling unsafe food, emphasising that offenders posing risks to public health must be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety & Standards Act. He called for criminal proceedings against the most serious violators.


“The grave problem appears to have remain unchecked and unnoticed for too long. The unscrupulous elements have played with health and lives of people. This has to stop and those deliberately involved in playing with public health must face the law.” Chief Minister said.

 “I appreciate officials for launching the drive and exposing the dangerous rot in our food chain. There can be no compromise on public health and the drive will continue.

There will be an audit of the concerned departments and the mechanism to stop import, sale and use of the unhygienic meat and other food items,” CM added.


To tighten quality control, the Chief Minister ordered the establishment of entry-point check posts and testing laboratories at Lakhanpur and Qazigund to screen mutton, chicken, and other perishable items entering Jammu & Kashmir. He further directed that Food Testing Laboratories be set up at every district headquarters, instead of limiting such facilities to Jammu and Srinagar, thereby significantly enhancing the Government’s enforcement capacity. No meat should be sold and used without proper clearance. The Chief Minister also emphasised that the Food Safety and Drugs Organization would be further strengthened to ensure rigorous monitoring and swift action against violations.

The Chief Minister further instructed intensified inspection drives across all districts, with Deputy Commissioners personally leading surprise market checks to ensure strict compliance with prescribed hygiene and quality standards. All mobile food-testing vans are to be deployed immediately to support these operations.

While acknowledging the justified public and media concern, the CM urged citizens to approach the concerned authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands. He cautioned against vigilante actions and directed the Food Safety Department to follow due procedure, work with the police for surprise raids, and avoid harassment of traders who comply with safety regulations.

The CM also ordered the registration of all food distributors, traders, and vendors, bringing them under a formal licensing framework. An inter-departmental committee will be constituted to ensure coordination, efficiency, and smooth enforcement, particularly for the distribution and sale of safe, hygienic, fresh, and properly labelled perishable items such as meat and chicken.

Departments have been instructed to verify that meat supplies originate from safe sources, that the cold chain is maintained, and that cold stores are equipped with deep-freezing facilities. The CM took serious note of the use of harmful chemicals, unauthorized synthetic additives, and colouring agents, stressing their potential health hazards.

Health experts, including the Director of SKIMS and the Principal of GMC Srinagar, briefed the meeting on the ill-effects of food adulteration and the health risks posed by unsafe food, urging changes in food habits to reduce the rising incidence of chronic illnesses.

The meeting was attended by Health & Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmed Dar, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Agriculture Shailender Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjeet Singh, Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Saurabh Bhagat, Secretary Health & Medical Education Dr Abid Rashid Shah, Director SKIMS Dr M. Ashraf Ganai, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Iffat Hassan, Commissioner Food Safety Smita Sethi, and other senior officials.

Dr Abid Rashid Shah presented details of recent enforcement activities, seizures of unsafe meat and poultry, penalties prescribed under law, and the roles of various departments, including Food Safety, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, Home, Housing & Urban Development, and District Administration. He also outlined an immediate 30-day action plan involving:

·        Mapping all food businesses and vendors,

·        Intensified inspection drives,

·        Public reporting campaigns via “Dial 104”,

·        Community engagement initiatives, and

·        Establishing entry check posts at Lakhanpur and Qazigund.

Concluding the meeting, the CM reiterated the government’s commitment to take concerted and coordinated action to curb violations in the sale, storage, and distribution of perishable food items—particularly meat, meat-based products, and dairy—ensuring the highest standards of consumer safety and public health.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed people to remain vigilant and not to buy any processed meat from unauthorized vendors.

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Addresses FICCI’s ‘Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Revival Dialogue at SKICC

SRINAGAR, JUNE 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that it is the collective duty of the government and tourism stakeholders to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s position as the country’s pre-eminent tourist destination and ensure it remains so.

The Chief Minister was addressing the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Revival Dialogue’ organized jointly by FICCI and the Department of Tourism, J&K at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.

“It is binding on us that we do everything in our power to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir goes back to its position as the pre-eminent tourist destination in the country and then stays there,” the Chief Minister said in his address, highlighting that the government is working on new initiatives focused primarily on improving the overall tourist experience.


Reflecting on the recent challenges, the Chief Minister recounted the sharp contrast between the optimism of April 21 and the downturn of April 22, referring to a sudden drop in tourist footfall following the unfortunate incident. “From flying over Dal Lake and seeing hundreds of shikaras to seeing none just days later—it was a brutal reminder that the past can intrude into our present and, God forbid, our future,” he said.

He acknowledged the volatility that tourism in J&K has witnessed over the decades and emphasized the importance of resilience. “Unlike most other places where tourism planning can be done for years ahead, here we plan week to week. But still—we plan, and we persist,” he said.


He expressed gratitude to FICCI and the larger tourism fraternity for standing by Jammu & Kashmir in both good and challenging times.

The event was attended by Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Farooq Ahmad Shah, Salman Sagar, Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, Tanvir Sadiq, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal, FICCI past president Jyotsna Suri, Head of FICCI J&K Chapter Mushtaq Burza, and a host of film producers, MICE organizers, wedding planners, golfers, and stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sector.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah outlined efforts to broaden the tourism footprint in the region. “We are working on a project called SPREAD, aimed at developing nine new tourist destinations in both Kashmir and Jammu, with expected support from multilateral funding agencies,” he said.


The Chief Minister also emphasized the diversity of tourism opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. “We can’t confine ourselves to three or four destinations. Jammu offers pilgrimage and border tourism. Kashmir offers scenic, cultural and adventure tourism. Together, we can build a more holistic tourism ecosystem.”

Discussing connectivity, the CM noted the transformative impact of railway infrastructure: “Traveling by train through tunnels and world’s highest rail bridge into the valley is a breathtaking experience. We may not yet have a direct Delhi-Srinagar line, but that day isn’t far.”

He also underscored the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and niche tourism sectors. “We are close to completing a world-class conference facility in Gulmarg to supplement venues like SKICC. Areas like MICE tourism, golf, film and destination weddings are vital components of our future strategy.”

The Chief Minister urged the tourism fraternity to be active partners. “We value your support, suggestions, and most importantly—your criticism when needed. Together, we can build a resilient and vibrant tourism sector that not only brings visitors but makes them want to return.”

On the occasion, Chief Minister launched a book ‘Golfing in Paradise’ authored by Atul Dir, celebrating Jammu & Kashmir’s growing appeal as a premier golf tourism destination.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani also spoke on the occasion and said J&K had emerged as a tourism hub much before other states in India and now we need to develop whole range of niche tourism activities in J&K such as adventure tourism, leisure tourism MICE tourism alongwith promoting Kashmir as an affordable and wonderful wedding destination.

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