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UDHAMPUR, APRIL 30: The District Information Centre Udhampur today organized a warm and impressive farewell ceremony in honor of Rakesh Kumar, Senior Assistant at the Information Department, TIC Ramnagar, who retired from government service today after an illustrious and dedicated career.

The farewell programme was attended by District Information Officer Rajinder Digra along with other officials and staff of the department.

The DIO and other officials lauded the invaluable contribution of Rakesh Kumar to the department. They appreciated his commitment, sincerity and the professionalism he exhibited during his years of service.

While extending best wishes for his retired life, the DIO expressed hope that his vast experience and work ethics would continue to inspire others in the department.

The programme concluded on an emotional note, with colleagues and peers sharing fond memories and extending heartfelt wishes for his future endeavors.

Later, as a mark of respect and affection, a memento was presented to the retiring employee during the farewell function.

 
UDHAMPUR, APRIL 25: In a profound display of compassion and commitment to public service Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Narayana super speciality Hospital, in collaboration with Shri Bhupinder Singh Pathania Charitable Trust (J&K) organized a Free Medical Camp at Block Jaganoo.

 The initiative aimed to provide essential healthcare services to underserved communities, particularly in rural areas where access to medical facilities remains limited.

The camp was inaugurated by MLA Ramnagar Dr. Sunil Bhardwaj in presence of Vice Chairperson DDC Udhampur Juhi Pathania, Chairman of the Trust Arjun Singh Pathania and trustees.

Over 400 patients were registered during the camp, availing a total of 1,300 consultations, as many patients received evaluations from multiple specialists.  The camp placed special focus on female health and hygiene, aiming to address critical healthcare gaps in rural areas and promote well-being across communities.

Dr. Sunil Bhardwaj, lauded the efforts of the Trust and Narayana Hospital for organizing such a meaningful healthcare initiative in memory of a towering personality like Lt. Bhupinder Singh Pathania. He emphasized the importance of extending advanced medical services to remote and underserved areas and appreciated the commitment shown by the organizers in making specialized healthcare accessible to the people of Jaganoo and surrounding regions. Dr. Bhardwaj called for more such collaborative efforts to bridge the rural-urban healthcare divide and ensure that no one is left behind due to lack of medical facilities.

Juhi Manhas Pathania extended her heartfelt thanks to the District Administration, particularly the Department of Health and Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for deputing a distinguished team of super-specialist doctors for the camp. She highlighted that while Jaganoo has only a Primary Health Centre catering to basic healthcare needs, it was through the collective support of the administration and the hospital that specialized consultations were made accessible to the local population—many of whom had never before interacted with such advanced medical expertise.

In a poignant tribute, Vijay Gupta, General Secretary of the Trust, recalled the extraordinary selflessness of Lt. Bhupinder Singh Pathania, who turned down prestigious opportunities—including gazetted posts such as Dy. SP, DFO and Tehsildar, as well as admissions to top institutions like BITS Pilani and Patna to dedicate his life to the service of the people. His absence in the Legislative Assembly was deeply felt, as noted by Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who once said, “The Assembly has suffered his non-presence. We needed a man of such caliber and character.”

 Prominent among those present were Brij Mohan Sharma, former councillor, Romesh Gupta, former Sarpanch, Kuldip Singh (trustees), Ashish Sharma, Arti Sharma, Madan Lal, Sobe Chand, Joginder Sharma, CMO Anil Manhas, CEO Kishore Kumar Badyal, Principal HSS Jaganoo Pawan Kumar, Dr. Neeraj Koul (Professor General Surgery), Dr. Geetu Mahajan (Assistant Professor Obs & Gynaecology), Dr. Archana Shah (Associate Professor ENT), Dr. Gurkim Kaur (Assistant Professor Dermatology), Dr. Ankita Sharma (Assistant Professor General Medicine) Dr. Tamishi Sharma (Assistant Professor Respiratory Medicine), Dr. Akash Narangyal  (Sr. Resident, Orthopedics).

 


UDHAMPUR, APRIL 14: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited the Press Club Udhampur and had an exclusive interactive session with the media persons.

The Minister, while talking to the media members, emphasised the crucial role of journalism in highlighting the genuine developmental and social issues affecting the people. He urged the media fraternity to uphold the ethics and principles of journalism, ensuring that the voices of the marginalised and underprivileged are heard.  He appreciated media's efforts in bringing attention to critical issues and encouraged them to continue their watchdog role in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.


Rana stressed the significance of adhering to journalistic ethics while reporting on sensitive issues. He encouraged the media persons to focus on developmental and social issues that impact the lives of ordinary citizens. He reaffirmed the government's commitment towards addressing the public grievances promptly and efficiently.


Sumit Sharma, President and Ashish Dutt, General Secretary, along with other members, thanked the Minister for accepting their invitation. They appreciated his insights and commitment towards transparency in governance.

The interaction served as a platform for meaningful dialogue between the Minister and the media fraternity, highlighting the importance of collaboration in promoting the welfare of the people.


 UDHAMPUR, APRIL 12:  District Administration Udhampur, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai, today organized an awareness programme at Devika Ghat as part of the Information, Education & Communication campaign under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

The programme was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner Prem Singh.

 Addressing the participants, the ADC highlighted the pivotal role of parents in identifying early signs of drug abuse. He emphasised the importance of vigilant monitoring and timely intervention in preventing youth from falling prey to substance abuse.

He added that the District Administration is conducting a series of IEC campaigns at the panchayat level, in municipalities and across educational institutions, particularly targeting vulnerable age groups. These efforts aim to raise awareness at the grassroots level and ensure the effective rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction.

The ADC encouraged students to actively participate in awareness initiatives and serve as ambassadors in spreading the anti-drug message among their peers, families, and communities.

Resource persons from various departments threw light  on the social, economic and medical impacts of drug addiction.

 

DDC Chairperson welcomes initiative

UDHAMPUR, APRIL 10: District Development Council Chairperson Udhampur  Lal Chand today  attended the inaugural ceremony of  the State Bank of India  branch at Neeli Nallah that was officially inaugurated by Krishan Sharma, Chief General Manager, SBI Chandigarh Circle, in the presence of  Vimal Kishore, General Manager, SBI Chandigarh Circle, accompanied by Ravindra Kumar Gupta, Deputy General Manager, SBI Administrative Office Jammu; and Rajeev Kumar Chhabra, Regional Manager, SBI Regional Business Office - 5 Jammu.

During the event, the bank authorities encouraged attendees to open saving accounts with the branch and explore various deposit accounts, such as fixed deposits, savings accounts, and government deposit schemes. The bank officials also promoted loan products, including Kisan Credit Card, home loans, car loans, and personal loans. Government-Driven Social Security Schemes: The focus was on government-driven social security schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana.

 The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the region's banking landscape, providing residents with convenient access to banking services and promoting financial inclusion. With this new branch, SBI aims to enhance its presence in the area and cater to the growing banking needs of the community.

At the conclusion of the event, the chairman of DDC Udhampur,  Lal Chand, congratulated the local inhabitants of the area for the development and urged them to maintain their accounts in the nearby branch, which will provide a boost to the economy of the area. The chairman directed the staff of the bank to make the rural public aware of all the government and banking schemes from time to time.


 UDHAMPUR, APRIL 08: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today inaugurated the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre and flagged off the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project titled ICE-Crunch at Village Mandlote, Chenani in Udhampur district.

The Indo-Swiss project, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, Switzerland, focuses on study of ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the north-western Himalayas.

The  event was attended by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Science and Technology,  Satish Sharma,  DDC Chairperson Udhampur, Lal Chand, Member Legislative Assembly Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Secretary, Ministry for Earth Sciences GoI, Dr. M. Ravichandran,  Vice Chancellor of Central University Jammu, Professor Sanjeev Jain, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, Centre Incharge, Dr. Shweta Yadav,  Registrar of Central University Jammu, Professor Yashwant Singh and other senior officers besides PRI members and locals.


While addressing a massive gathering, the Union Minister congratulated the people and expressed pride in establishment of the climate research centre in Chenani. He stated that the centre would focus on advanced research related to climate patterns including rainfall and cloudburst predictions, which are crucial for the Himalayan region.

Highlighting India’s scientific advancements, Dr. Singh said that prior to 2014, India was seen as a fragile economy, but today under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged among the top five global economies. To realize the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, he emphasized the importance of value addition from previously unexplored areas, particularly hilly regions like Jammu & Kashmir.

He added that India is leading global initiatives on climate concerns and has made remarkable improvements in weather forecasting, attributing this progress to the reforms brought under the Modi Government. Dr. Singh highlighted that in the early days of Modi 3.0, the government has already taken over 100 crucial decisions across diverse sectors, including preventive healthcare, space research and medical advancements.


Referring to Udhampur’s development, the Union Minister said that the district has emerged as a model in the country. In the past five years, Udhampur has consistently ranked among the top three in PMGSY road construction. He also mentioned key achievements like the Devika Rejuvenation Project, extension of the Purple Revolution to Latti and adjoining areas, GI tagging of Udhampur Kalari, establishment of an industrial estate and stoppage of the Vande Bharat Express at Udhampur.

Dr. Singh reiterated the government’s commitment towards improving the citizens' quality of life through better service delivery and infrastructure. He emphasized that effective governance must focus on minimizing the public inconvenience.

Speaking on the occasion, Satish Sharma thanked the Union Minister for gifting such a landmark project to the region. He lauded the Central University and its team for their collaboration in the Indo-Swiss initiative, stating that this project would not only benefit India but also serve the global scientific communities. He recalled the devastating impacts of landslides and cloudbursts in the past and described the research centre as a significant step towards mitigating such disasters through scientific preparedness.

MLA Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia, also extended his gratitude to the Modi Government and Dr. Jitendra Singh for sanctioning multiple vital projects in the region. He raised several public issues and urged for their early redressal.

 


UDHAMPUR, APRIL 04: Vice Chairperson District Development Council Juhi Manhas Pathania today hailed highly transformative impact of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme in ameliorating the socio-economic condition of poor, saying Katcha Houses will soon become a relic of past.

While touring the length and breadth of District Udhampur, Juhi emphasized that the Union Government is working on a mission mode to ensure that no one lives in a kutcha house.

Juhi called upon Rural Development staff and ground-level workers to maximize geotagging of houses in their respective areas. She also urged officials to ensure a hassle-free geotagging process for beneficiaries. She reaffirmed that PMAY remains a top priority of the Centre, highlighting its role in transforming rural housing.

Additionally, she raised awareness about the PM Surya Ghar Bijli Yojana, a revolutionary scheme aimed at providing clean, renewable, and affordable electricity to households. “Under this initiative, households will be equipped with solar rooftop panels, enabling them to generate their own electricity and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources,” she said and informed “The government is offering subsidized rates and financial assistance to encourage the adoption of solar energy. This scheme will not only help in reducing electricity bills but also contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting the use of green energy.”

Juhi urged citizens to take advantage of this opportunity and adopt solar power for a brighter and cleaner future.

Various deputations met her during the visit, highlighting requirement of staff at Government Higher Secondary School Thial, Government Higher Secondary School Mansar, Hanging School at Garh Samna Bhanj, GHSS Barta, GHSS Baryalta and GHSS Nakki.

Juhi assured the deputation led by local PRIs from Chor Panjian and Mottu that High School Mottu has been enlisted under a PM SHRI Scheme, marking a significant achievement for the region.   Interacting with another delegation from Latti, she stressed the need for macadamization of roads and the commencement of work on the Kirchi to Seoj Dhar road—a flagship central project.

 


UDHAMPUR, APRIL 04: Chairman District Development Council Udhampur Lal  Chand today kick-started the black-topping work on the 6 km National Highway to Mahamaya Mandir road being constructed at a cost of Rs 7.38 cr. The foundation stone of the road was laid in March 2024.  MLA Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania, DDC Udhampur-I  Puran Chand and DDC Tikri Ashu Sharma, along with the officials from the PWD department, including AEE and JE were also present at the launch of the work.

This is the first road project among 13 projects on which the black topping work is being initiated. The project was prioritised by the District Development Council under NABARD in the FY 2023-24. Another project under the same sanction- the Bridge over Dhandyal Nallah at the Krimachi Debrah road has already been completed and opened for the commuters.

The blacktopping of the road from the National Highway to Mahamaya Mandir represents a significant infrastructure development. This project is prioritised by the District Development Council (DDC) as it holds cultural and tourism value by enhancing connectivity to religious sites like the Mahamaya Mandir. The completion of the Dhandyal Nallah Bridge on the Krimachi Debrah road, another project under the same sanction, demonstrates progress in addressing critical infrastructure needs.

The projects contribute to the overall development of the region by improving connectivity, facilitating economic activity, and enhancing access to essential services. The improved road infrastructure will significantly benefit pilgrims visiting the Mahamaya Mandir, enhancing their travel experience.  

The Chairman congratulated the locals of the area for the developmental initiatives and urged the officials concerned to maintain the quality of the work.  The locals also thanked the chairman for conceding  their long-pending demand.

 

Public Outreach Udhampur

UDHAMPUR, MARCH 19: Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai, conducted an extensive tour of the far-flung area of Block Latti-Marothi and presided over a public outreach camp at Panchayat Pattangarh. The camp provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns and grievances directly to the district administration.

The event witnessed the participation of ADDC Rajinder Singh, DDC member Pinky Devi, SDM Dudu Dr. Manmeet Kumar, ACD Dr. Ranjeet Singh Kotwal, former Sarpanches, Panches and a large number of residents from various adjoining panchayats of Block Latti-Marothi.

During the outreach camp, the locals projected several pressing demands, including  construction of Latti to Pattangarh road via Sillar,  allotment of 5 marlas land under PM Awas Yojana,  establishment of ration depot at Pattangarh, dispensary for healthcare services,  upgradation of Government High School Pattangarh to Higher Secondary School, staff shortages in local educational institutions,  forest clearance issues, coverage of left-out beneficiaries under the Jal Jeevan Mission, repair of street lights at Pattangarh Bus Stand, construction of a foot-over bridge,  Development of playground,  recruitment of Village Defence Committee members etc.

While interacting with the public, the DC emphasized that the primary objective of the Block Diwas initiative was to obtain a first-hand appraisal of grassroots issues and ensure prompt administrative action. She reiterated that such platforms help the district administration to understand and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the public.

Several grievances were redressed on the spot through immediate interventions and directives to the concerned departments. The DC directed officers to work with commitment and dedication to ensure the timely resolution of public issues. She urged officers to raise awareness among the people regarding various government schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, JK Samadhan Portal and other beneficiary-oriented and income-generating initiatives.

The DC issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned authorities for earliest possible redressal of grievances.

 


UDHAMPUR, MARCH 18:  In a routine inspection, the Assistant Controller Drugs, Udhampur Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, along with Drug Control Officers, conducted a surprise inspection of the Mand area in Udhampur.

During the inspection at various medical shops, gross violations were observed at M/s Mahadev Medicos, Mand, concerning the conditions of drug licenses and the maintenance of records for Schedule H1 drugs.

Assistant Controller Drugs immediately directed the concerned DCO to halt the sale of drugs at the establishment under Section 22(d) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the rules framed thereunder.

 Further investigations will be carried out and strict regulatory action will be taken against the violators, if any violations related to the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan are found.

Assistant Controller Drugs, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta emphasized that under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, and the directives of the State Drug Controller, no individual involved in the misuse of psychotropic drugs will be spared.


UDHAMPUR:  Abhishek a resident of Village Barta in Udhampur district, has made Jammu and Kashmir proud by winning a bronze medal in the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand. Abhishek excelled in the discipline of netball, bringing home the coveted medal.

The young achiever was felicitated by the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur, who congratulated him on his outstanding achievement. Abhishek credited his success to his coach, Mr. Akash Batra, and expressed gratitude to the DC and the Netball Association of Jammu and Kashmir for their unwavering support."

 


UDHAMPUR, FEBRUARY 24: Cultural Unit of Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) today organized Cultural cum Awareness Programme on Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign at Sant Eshwar Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School Nainsoo, Udhampur.

On the occasion, students of the school educated the audience with their speeches and poems. An informative cultural programme was presented by the artists of the Cultural Unit.

Speaking on the occasion, principal of the school Renu Sharma shared her views on the topic. She appreciated the Cultural Unit of the Department of Information and Public Relations for organizing such a meaningful event to inform the future of the nation.

  Among other staff members, officials of the Information Department and a large number of audience members witnessed the programme. 

The programme was conducted under the direction of Joint Director Information Jammu Atul Gupta and under the supervision of Culture Officer Mukesh Kumar Sharma.

 


UDHAMPUR, FEBRUARY 21: The overall implementation of agricultural credit schemes, including beneficiary registration, sanctioning and disbursement of cases under the HADP was reviewed by Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai at a meeting with functionaries of Agriculture and allied departments, besides representatives of banks.

The DC emphasized the importance of improving farmers' access to institutional credit and strengthening the agriculture and allied sectors. She urged officers and bankers to actively support the government's initiatives by encouraging greater participation from stakeholders.

The DC directed all concerned departments and banks to ensure maximum outreach, covering every farmer and farming family in the district under these schemes. She instructed officers to prepare an area-wise list of beneficiaries to facilitate targeted implementation. She directed the departments to raise awareness among the public, identify interested beneficiaries, motivate them to avail the benefits and submit the  list within a day.

The Bankers were advised to expedite the issuance of smart cards and update the latest data to streamline the credit process. The DC also underscored the need for block-level credit outreach camps to educate farmers about beneficiary-oriented schemes.

The DC highlighted the necessity of strong coordination between banks and government departments to ensure the seamless implementation of schemes that directly benefit the farming community.


 UDHAMPUR, FEBRUARY 21: The Udhampur Campus of the University of Jammu, in collaboration with the J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council Udhampur Department of Science & Technology Government of J&K, on Friday organised a one-day Awareness Programme on “Nature-Based Solutions for a Sustainable Livelihood and Future.”

Head, Entomology Division, SKUAST- Jammu Prof. R.K Gupta, Member, J&K Kissan Advisory Board Tejinder Singh Wazir  and a prominent agri-entrepreneur of Jammu were the resource persons of the awareness program which was attended by the students and teaching staff of the Government Degree College, Boys, Government Degree College for Women, GDC, Reasi, Bhaskar Degree College, Bhartiya College,  Govt. High School  Garnai, research scholars of the Department of Botany, University of Jammu, women entrepreneurs of Udhampur  and members of the civil society of Garnai-Lotta, Udhampur.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, the Campus Rector emphasized the significance of adopting nature-based solutions to tackle environmental and livelihood challenges. ‘NEP 2020 also emphasizes on the innovations, skill development and entrepreneurship ventures and such awareness events add to the skill-based knowledge and its applicability, said Prof Sharma. He underlined the need of including sustainable practices into daily life and urged faculty and students to explore innovative approaches for environmental protection.  

Prof. Sharma also conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Shruti Khanna, District Coordinator, J&K STIC, Udhampur, J&K, for her exceptional collaboration and coordination with the Udhampur Campus to seamlessly organize the event.  

In the morning session, an insightful talk on the topic “Where the Beauty (flowers) Meets Business” was delivered by Mr. Wazir.

 Citing initiatives under the Atal Innovation Mission that supports sustainable agricultural startups, he spoke on the basics of the agri-business and rural hubs as a means to empower rural entrepreneurs. He emphasized that the micro-climatic conditions of Udhampur and Reasi are highly favourable for cultivating diverse crops, especially high-value horticulture and organic farming. Furthermore, he underscored the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in engaging rural communities, particularly women, in income-generating agricultural activities, thereby ensuring economic stability and self-reliance. Wazir advised the inquisitive students to enter this profitable flori-business gradually in order to earn a living and a safe future.

Dr. R.K. Gupta, Professor and Head, Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Jammu delivered on the world of Insects, human well-being, and ecosystem services. He highlighted the critical role insects play in maintaining the balance of nature, such as pollination, pest control, and decomposition, which directly impact human health, food security, and biodiversity. Dr. Gupta emphasized that a dynamic planet faces growing environmental risks, and it is crucial to anticipate global challenges to ensure long-term sustainability. Dr. Gupta also introduced an insightful discussion on insects as a source of technological innovation. He explained that researchers are studying insect behaviour and biomechanics to develop advanced robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and environmental monitoring systems. Furthermore, he discussed the development of insect-inspired robotic systems, such as micro-drones mimicking the flight patterns of dragonflies for efficient surveillance, mapping, and disaster management.

Earlier, Dr. Ritika Sambyal extended a warm welcome to the resource persons, guests, and students and thanked Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Rector, Udhampur Campus, for his visionary leadership in promoting educational initiatives. A formal vote of thanks was proposed by Nikhil Khajuria, Faculty, Department of Commerce, Udhampur Campus.

 

Meets public delegations at Dak Bungalow, emphasizes coordination among stakeholders

UDHAMPUR, FEBRUARY 20 : To assess the progress on various developmental projects and flagship schemes being implemented across different sectors in Udhampur, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, chaired a high level review meeting here today.

 Among others the meeting was attended by DDC Chairperson Udhampur, Lal Chand; MLA Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia; MLA Ramnagar, Sunil Bhardwaj; MLA Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania; Vice Chairperson DDC, Juhi Manhas Pathania; Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai; SSP Udhampur, Amod Ashok Nagpure along with divisional and district heads of various departments.

The Minister, while reviewing all the sectors, directed  the officers to ensure 100 percent coverage of eligible beneficiaries under all the government schemes. He emphasized the need for intensifying public awareness initiatives so that people can fully avail the benefits of these schemes. He directed the officers to increase public awareness about the flagship schemes  and programmes in the district. He directed the concerned officers for mobilisation of resources and manpower for effective implementation of all the welfare and development schemes.

The Minister asked the Chief Education Officer to identify the school dropouts and provide a list at the earliest. He instructed the Health Department to streamline patient referral cases for better healthcare delivery. While  Chief Agriculture Officer was directed to conduct awareness camps on HADP and other farmer centric schemes.

Regarding PMAY, the Minister asked the concerned officials to simplify the process of survey and don't ask for ration card as mandatory document so that maximum people in actual need can get benefit of the scheme.

The Minister directed the PMGSY, PWD and RDD authorities to expedite road construction projects and achieve set targets within the stipulated timelines. He exhorted upon the  officers to work in close coordination to ensure effective grievance redress and enhanced public service delivery. He also emphasised on promoting rural sports and developing sports infrastructure at the grassroots level.

The Minister highlighted the importance of organic farming and encouraged its adoption in the district for enhanced yield.

During the meeting, the local MLAs highlighted several concerns and demands seeking a speedy resolution of the same. Their issues inter alia included expansion of Chenani bus stand, construction of multi-storey parking at Patnitop, shortage and rationalisation of teaching staff in educational institutions, land transfer for KV School, Forest clearance for various projects, operationalisation of JKRTC Bus Yard in Udhampur, promotion of sports infrastructure and rural sports activities, installation of hand pumps and early completion of JJM works, mitigation of traffic congestion, staff shortage in health institutions, acute shortage of drinking water, establishment of an ITI in Ramnagar, development of Seoz Dhar as a tourist destination, conversion of Basantgarh Hospital into a CHC, resolution of issues related to ‘Hanging Schools and  dismantling of Pavilion at Sports Stadium Udhampur,

Earlier, DC Udhampur gave a sector-wise detailed PowerPoint Presentation on various ongoing projects and schemes, highlighting the progress of major initiatives. These included Chenani-Sudhmahadev road NH-244, Government Medical College & Associated Hospital, Udhampur, Devika project, integrated development of tourist facilitation centre at Mantalai.

The DC briefed the chair about the key sectors such as PHE, PWD, PDD, Health, PMGSY, FCS&CA, Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Social Welfare, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture, RDD, ICDS, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Jal Jeevan Mission, MGNREGA, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PMAY-G, HADP and financial updates on the District Capex Budget 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Earlier, the Minister visited the Sports stadium Udhampur to inspect the ongoing pavilion construction work and interacted with players at the Indoor sports hall.

Later,  scores of public delegations and individuals met the Minister and put forth their issues and demands. These included installation of weighing machine at Ramnagar food store, forest clearance issues in Sharda Mata road construction, construction of playfield in Ghantwal and Badminton Indoor Hall in Chenani, provision of RTC bus service from Pattangarh and Sudhmahadev to Jammu, overcharging by matadors operating in Udhampur town, establishment of PHC  in Block Narsoo and other issues.

The Minister assured the public that their demands would be reviewed and appropriate measures would be taken to address them.

 


UDHAMPUR, FEBRUARY 18: A meeting of the District Level Coordination-cum-Implementation Committee for the revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of architectural and heritage sites was today held here under the chairpersonship of Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai.

The meeting focused on identifying heritage projects for execution under Phase-III and reviewing the progress of previously approved heritage sites in the district. 

The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner, Rajinder Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Prem Singh, DFO Udhampur, Assistant Commissioner Development, Dr Ranjeet Singh Kotwal and other senior officers.

During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on various aspects of heritage site development, including the provision of essential amenities such as toilets, drinking water and lighting facilities.

The committee also reviewed plans for the restoration, preservation and renovation of existing structures, as well as the cleaning and rejuvenation of water bodies and other related works.

DC directed the concerned officers to expedite the process and ensure timely completion of the projects. She instructed them to conduct site visits and prepare the DPRs within a week's time. She emphasized the need to accelerate the ongoing civil works at these heritage sites to enhance their historical and cultural significance.

 


UDHAMPUR, JANUARY 30: The Handicrafts Department on Thursday organised a Bamboo workshop here under National bamboo Mission and Handicrafts & Handloom Exhibition, showcasing the rich craftsmanship of local artisans.

The event was inaugurated by MLA Udhampur West Constituency Pawan Kumar Gupta as the Chief Guest, alongside Director, Handicrafts & Handloom Suraj Parkash Rukwal,  the Guest of Honour.

The exhibition featured stalls by artisans specialising in bamboo craft, sozni embroidery and other traditional handicrafts, reflecting the cultural heritage and artistic excellence of the region.

Speaking on occasion, MLA Udhampur West assured full support to the artisans of Udhampur, reaffirming his commitment to promote local crafts and ensure their sustainable growth. He lauded the Handicraft & Handloom Department for promoting bamboo-based crafts and generating employment opportunities. He encouraged artisans to leverage government schemes and modern techniques to enhance production and marketability.

Addressing the gathering, Director H&H Suraj Parkash Rukwal motivated and encouraged artisans to put in their best efforts in preserving and enhancing traditional crafts. He emphasized the department's commitment to supporting artisans through various skill development and financial assistance schemes.

The event served as a platform for artisans to showcase their talent, interact with officials and explore new opportunities for growth and development in the handicrafts sector.     

Assistant Director Ujwal Sambyal provided a comprehensive overview of the department's functioning in the district, elaborating on various government schemes available to artisans.