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KUPWARA, NOVEMBER 03: The Department of Fisheries Kupwara has undertaken a significant initiative by stocking Brown Trout fingerlings in the upper reaches of Mawar, Dringyari, and Kalaroose streams, which have been officially declared as trout streams under the J&K Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2018.

The genetically improved eyed ova of Brown Trout were imported from Denmark under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojana (PMMSY) 2024–25 and were reared to fingerling size at the departmental hatchery in Kulgam before being released into the natural streams.

This milestone initiative aims to replenish and enrich natural trout habitats, ensuring the sustenance of fish biodiversity and promoting sport fishing in the region. 

Pertinently, Brown Trout, a globally renowned sport fish, attracts anglers from across the world. Kashmir, known as the “Angler’s Paradise,” continues to host thousands of fishing enthusiasts every year.

In Kupwara, several anglers have already started visiting these streams to enjoy trout fishing in the pristine waters. Apart from recreation, trout angling contributes significantly to eco-tourism promotion and environmental conservation, while also encouraging responsible interaction with nature.

The Department of Fisheries has reiterated its commitment to strengthen sustainable fisheries management and promote angling-based tourism in the district.


Urges candidates to remain informed

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 03. Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has notified revised date-sheet for Class 10th Annual/ Regular, 2025 (Oct-Nov session) for the remaining subjects.

The revision of date- sheet got necessitated due to Assembly Bye- polls in Budgam and Nagrota Assembly Segments scheduled on November 11.

As per the revised date- sheet, the Vocational Subjects have now been scheduled on November 6, followed by Science on November 13.

The examination for Urdu/ Hindi subjects has been scheduled on November 17 while Computer Science will now be held on November 19.

The English subject has been re-scheduled on November 20 and Home Science on November 23.

The examination will conclude on November 27 on which Painting/ Art and Drawing subjects are scheduled. In between, subjects with very small number of candidates like Music on November 25 and Additional/ Optional subjects including Kashmiri/ Dogri/ Bhoti/ Punjabi/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Hindi/ Persian/ Sanskrit will be held on November 24 while Social Science will be conducted on November 26.

The J&K BOSE has urged students to prepare for the examination as per the revised date-sheet.

The BOSE has exhorted Chief Education Officers, Heads of Institutions and invigilation staff to strictly adhere to revised date- sheet and ensure that candidates are informed about the new dates by all means of communication.


BUDGAM, NOVEMBER 3: Under the directions of the District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, the District Administration today organised a series of voter awareness activities under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.

The initiative was spearheaded by the District Nodal Officer SVEEP (Chief Education Officer Budgam) with the aim to enhance voter turnout in polling stations identified with lower participation rates in the Ompora area.

The programme witnessed the presence of the General Observer, Bhor Singh Yadav; Police Observer, Nachiketa Jha, and Expenditure Observer Ravinder Kumar, appointed by ECI for upcoming bye-elections to 27-AC Budgam who along with Chief Education Officer Budgam, Rifat Irfan Qadri, observed the proceedings and appreciated the enthusiasm of the participants.

As part of the campaign, a range of engaging activities were conducted including Nukkad Natak (street plays), rallies, distribution of voter awareness pamphlets, and display of informative hoardings. These activities were designed to sensitize and motivate the local populace, especially first-time voters, about the importance of active participation in the democratic process.

A large number of students, teachers, and local residents took part in the awareness rally, which commenced from Ibni Sina Paramedical College, passed through various streets of Ompora, and culminated at Eid Gah Ompora. The vibrant and energetic participation of the community reflected a collective commitment towards ensuring greater electoral participation in the forthcoming bye-elections to 27–Assembly Constituency Budgam.

The district administration Budgam reiterated its commitment to continue such awareness programmes across different areas of the district to promote informed, ethical, and inclusive voting.


BANDIPORA, NOVEMBER 03: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, today chaired a meeting of the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) to review and approve cases under Mission YUVA at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora.

During the meeting, 106 cases were presented, out of which 82 were approved by the Committee after detailed scrutiny. The rest of the cases were ordered to be reconsidered and referred back to the concerned departments for detailed feasibility reports before resubmission. 

The Deputy Commissioner directed that DLIC meetings shall be held every Monday to ensure regular monitoring and timely disposal of cases. The meeting also reviewed the overall progress of Mission YUVA in the district, including cases forwarded to banks, sanctioned, disbursed, and rejected, to evaluate the implementation status.

On the occasion, the DC emphasized the need for an in-depth analysis to identify areas with fewer or no applications and areas with maximum participation. She directed the Cluster Head J&K Bank to submit branch-wise data and the Employment Officer was directed to furnish village-wise details to ensure uniform growth and coverage across all blocks and branches. 

Nodal Officer JKEDI was instructed to explore sectors and sub-sectors showing higher participation so that targeted interventions can be made to achieve block and branch saturation.

During the meeting, the DC further directed officers to verify every case in detail, ensuring transparency and accountability. She underscored that Mission YUVA should not be limited to trading activities and stressed the need to sensitize and guide youth toward diverse entrepreneurial fields. 

The Pollution Control Officer was directed to monitor cases where environmental violations are likely, ensuring compliance with statutory norms. She further reiterated the directions of the Chief Secretary, stating that rehabilitated youth and terror victims should be actively engaged under Mission YUVA to provide them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Among others, the meeting was attended by General Manager DIC Bandipora; District Social Welfare Officer; District Nodal Officer JKEDI; Lead Bank Manager; Cluster Head J&K Bank Bandipora; District Officer PCB and other concerned officers.



Srinagar November 02, 2025: ( ) -- The 22nd Senior National Soft Tennis Championship 2025 was inaugurated here on Sunday with an impressive opening ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex.

The championship, organized by the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, features participation from players and coaches representing more than 25 states and union territories.

Advocate Saif-ud-Din Bhat, MLA Khansahib, attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while Raju Parmar, former Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI), was the guest of honour.

The event commenced with a March Past by the participating teams and a performance by the J&K Police Band, followed by a cultural programme showcasing the rich heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.

In his address, Bhat commended the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association for hosting the prestigious national event in a professional manner and urged the players to uphold the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Guest of Honour Raju Parmar expressed gratitude to the association and the J&K Sports Council for their commitment to promoting soft tennis.

Other dignitaries present included Shakuntala J. Khodadhra, Secretary General, ASTFI; Raja Ghulam Nabi Wani, Chairman, J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association; and Shakir Ashraf, General Secretary of the association.

During the ceremony, mementoes were presented to the medal winners and participants of the recent 9th Asian Soft Tennis Championship for their outstanding performances.

Narinder Pal Singh, Joint Secretary, ASTFI, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the efforts of all officials and volunteers. 


SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 30: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) Department to assess the progress of key flagship schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), and the placement-linked skill training programme Himayat (DDU-GKY).

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Rural Development Department, Aijaz Asad; Director General, Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra; and Managing Director, Himayat, Rajneesh Gupta, among other senior officers of the department.

At the outset, the Chief Secretary directed the department to adopt a mission-mode approach to ensure timely completion of all pending PMAY-G houses and to expedite the sanctioning and rollout of new placement plans under Himayat. He emphasized continuous monitoring, data-based progress tracking, and adherence to set timelines to maximize the impact of rural development interventions.

The Secretary, RDD, Aijaz Asad informed the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 95% completion under PMAY-G. Out of a total sanctioned target of 3,34,718 houses, 3,18,542 have been completed, while 16,176 are under various stages of construction.

Of these pending houses, 6,933 are currently in progress, 1,240 at plinth level and 5,693 at lintel/roof cast level and are targeted for completion by December 31, 2025. An expenditure of Rs35.08 Cr has been earmarked for their completion.

Under the upcoming PMAY-G 2.0 phase, it was added that 5,02,101 household surveys have been conducted to identify new beneficiaries. Additionally, the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has approved 5,061 houses under a special project for families affected by natural calamities. Registration for this special project is scheduled to conclude by October 31, 2025.

The Chief Secretary commended the department’s significant progress in rural sanitation under Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, noting that the Union Territory is on track to achieve 100% ODF+ Model status across all villages.

DG, Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, apprised that out of 6,216 villages, 6,115 have already been declared as ODF+ Model — achieving 98.38% saturation. The remaining 69 villages are expected to attain ODF+ Model status by mid-November 2025.

Verification is also advancing steadily, with 5,409 villages having successfully completed the first round of verification. Verification of all ODF+ Model villages is planned to be completed by December 2025.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the formulation of key policies, including the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) and the Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Policy, which will regulate and license private desludging operators across rural areas.

Under the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2025–26, the department reported the completion of 738 Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) and 1,905 Community Soak Pits, strengthening the rural sanitation infrastructure.

Reviewing progress under the Himayat programme, Managing Director, Himayat, Rajneesh Gupta, informed that 35,682 candidates have been trained so far, with 14,734 placed in various sectors against a sanctioned target of 81,797 trainees. The cumulative expenditure under the scheme stands at Rs318.80 Cr.

Under the revamped DDU-GKY 2.0, the scheme has an approved outlay of Rs37.64 Cr. The Himayat Mission Management Unit (HMMU) has received 68 project proposals from prospective Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) and will conduct a Pre-PAC meeting in the first week of November 2025 to finalize project sanctions.

Highlighting the department’s outreach initiatives, the Chief Secretary was informed that during the Seva Parv placement drive, over 125 offer letters were issued to trained candidates. A Counselling-cum-Call Centre has also been established in collaboration with IIT Jammu to enhance post-placement support and guidance.

Concluding the review, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo directed all departmental heads to maintain strict timelines, ensure real-time monitoring, and adopt accountability-driven implementation mechanisms to accelerate progress across all flagship programmes.

He underscored that the primary goal of these initiatives is to deliver tangible benefits to rural citizens and strengthen grassroots governance through efficient, transparent, and people-centric development interventions.


Felicitates 11 Artisans during third edition of ‘Know Your Artisan’ campaign launch

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 30: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today launched the third edition of the ‘Know Your Artisan’ series under the acclaimed ‘Soulful Kashmir’ branding campaign at the historic Polo View Market.

Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjit Singh, was also present in the event as Guest of Honour besides Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir Mussarat Islam along with senior officials of the concerned department and artisans also attended the program.

 The event, organized by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, transformed the colonial-era landmark—renowned for its polo heritage and scenic backdrop—into a dynamic celebration of the Valley’s artisanal prowess.

At the outset, the Deputy Chief Minister visited the stalls showcasing a spectrum of Kashmir’s handcrafted marvels—from opulent pashmina shawls and kani brocades to intricate papier-mâché artifacts and eco-friendly namda rugs.

While speaking on the occasion, the DyCM underscored the initiative’s broader significance and said that these events show the government’s unwavering commitment to showcase brand J&K at the global level, preserving our rich artisanal heritage while boosting economic empowerment for our skilled craftsmen.

"By bringing these timeless traditions to the forefront, we not only honor our past but also weave a vibrant future for sustainable livelihoods," he added.

Praising the campaign, the DyCM acknowledged that the initiative addresses modern challenges like machine-made imitations, ensuring fair opportunities especially for women-led cooperatives and forging direct market linkages to empower maximum number of artisans across the region.

He also appreciated the department for launching the event as a flagship program under the ‘Soulful Kashmir’ campaign to revive and commercialize Kashmir’s world-renowned handicrafts and handlooms.

Choudhary urged all the stakeholders to get united in their support for preserving and promoting Kashmir’s intangible cultural treasures.

Echoing this vision, Commissioner Secretary emphasized on intergenerational continuity and called for a future where innovation meets heritage, ensuring our youth inherit and innovate upon this legacy of excellence.

Director H&H Kashmir, highlighted the importance of ‘Know Your Artisan’ campaign, saying the series not only combats counterfeit threats and promotes GI-tagged authenticity but also fosters co-existence and harmony through our composite cultural heritage, captivating audiences while driving ‘Vocal for Local’ growth.

The Director asserted that the event would provide direct sales at fair prices not only bridged the artisan-consumer divide but also promoted ethical consumption, with proceeds directly benefiting creators.

Later, the Dy CM felicitated 11 Master Artisans, whose works embody Kashmir’s living legacy and are custodian of age-old techniques.


BARAMULLA, OCTOBER 30: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmed Dar inaugurated the Mission YUVA, Model Small Business Development Unit (SBDU) here today, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, self-employment, and youth empowerment across the district.

MLA Baramulla, Javid Hassan Beigh; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Director Employment cum Mission Director Mission YUVA, besides officers, entrepreneurs, and a large gathering of locals were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Javid Dar said that the establishment of the Mission YUVA SBDU at Baramulla marks a major step towards empowering youth with access to guidance, training, and financial linkages for starting their own ventures. He said that the government is committed to nurture entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities through innovative schemes and institutional support.

The Minister further said that the SBDU will serve as a one-stop support hub for entrepreneurship, offering services like business advisory, DPR preparation, credit facilitation, and capacity-building programs. He urged the youth to make full use of the Mission YUVA platform to convert their ideas into successful business enterprises and contribute to the region’s economic growth.

MLA Baramulla, in his address, commended the government’s efforts towards youth empowerment and lauded the district administration for implementing initiatives that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. He emphasized that the Employment department should organize more awareness programmes under Mission YUVA to reach out to unemployed youth and motivate them to avail the benefits of such schemes.

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, in his remarks, said that the district administration is fully committed to support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing timely assistance, mentoring, and convergence of departmental schemes to ensure better outcomes.

Director Employment cum Mission Director Mission YUVA highlighted that the program aims to create a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship by offering end-to-end support from idea generation and project planning to financing and capacity building, enabling youth to build sustainable livelihoods.

Earlier, the Minister inspected various stalls installed by young entrepreneurs under Mission YUVA, showcasing their innovative products, business ideas, and services. He interacted with the beneficiaries, appreciated their entrepreneurial spirit, and assured full government support to strengthen local enterprise development.

The Minister also distributed cheques worth 23 lakh among selected entrepreneurs under Mission YUVA and handed over sanction letters to ten beneficiaries for establishing new enterprises. Certificates were also distributed among entrepreneurs who successfully completed the Hybrid Capacity Building Training Course under the Mission.


KULGAM, OCTOBER 30: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, today flagged off a group of 47 progressive farmer-entrepreneurs on a six-day exposure-cum-training programme under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) 2025–26.

During the tour, the farmers will visit Palampur Agriculture University (HP) to upgrade their skills and technical know-how regarding the commercial promotion of medicinal plants like lavender, as well as cluster-based floriculture entrepreneurship aimed at generating employment opportunities for unemployed youth.

While interacting with the farmers, the DC said that the objective of the tour is to make them aware of the latest technical advancements and progressive farming practices being adopted in the medicinal plants and floriculture sectors.

On the occasion, the Chief Agriculture Officer advised the participants to share and disseminate the knowledge gained during the tour among fellow farmers back home, enabling them to adopt modern agricultural techniques to improve their yields and income in these sectors.

The District Agriculture Officer, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, SMS (SDL), Agriculture Extension Officers, and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.

SHOPIAN, OCTOBER 30: A day-long training programme on Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance programme (IDSP) was organized by the Department of Health at Shopian today, aiming to strengthen disease surveillance and reporting mechanism across the district.

During the training, health officials and field functionaries were sensitised about the effective use of the IHIP portal for timely reporting, data management and analysis of communicable diseases.

Chief Medical Officer, Shopian, Dr. Arshid Hussain Tak emphasized the need for regular updation of surveillance data and coordination between field staff and health Institutions for prompt disease control measures.

State Surveillance Officer, Dr. Hashmat Sultan, while appreciating the health functionaries of district Shopian for its best performance, stated that the IHIP initiative is a major step towards strengthening the district's public health surveillance system, enabling early detection of disease outbreaks, prompt response and evidence-based decision-making.

 Resource persons highlighted the importance of early detection, rapid response and accurate data entry in preventing outbreaks and ensuring better public health outcomes, with modules on data entry, validation, dashboard use, outbreak alerts and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms.

The programme is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the health information system and ensure efficient data reporting at all levels. The trainers stressed on timely and accurate reporting of health events through IHIP which will play a crucial role in disease prevention and control.

Officials from the District Surveillance Team, Block-level Surveillance Teams and other concerned attended the training.