Srinagar : The Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar, Wednesday  organised a one-day capacity building programme for artisans and weavers under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Programme.

As many as 100 artisans participated in the workshop, which focused on branding and aesthetic packaging of Geographical Indication (GI) and One District One Product (ODOP) handcrafted products.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director (Trainings), Tahira Tabassum, said the capacity building programmes form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the craft ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. “The NIFT faculty delivered a session highlighting the advantages of creative packaging and how such interventions enhance the branding of handmade products from Kashmir,” she stated.

This workshop is the first in a series of ten programmes being organised with NIFT under RAMP. The series aims to equip artisans with practical skills and insights into the importance of aesthetic packaging and branding, enabling them to compete more effectively in both domestic and international markets.

The majority of participants belonged to Noor Ari Producer Company, a women-led collective of nearly 600 members dedicated to women’s empowerment and the creation of sustainable livelihoods.

Jammu :The Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO), under the aegis of the Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Wednesday  organized a Virtual E-Commerce Seller Onboarding Drive on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with the objective of facilitating digital market access and enabling MSMEs, artisans, startups, sellers and other business enterprises of Jammu & Kashmir to leverage digital commerce platforms for expanding their market reach.

The virtual programme witnessed the participation of more than 300 stakeholders through the virtual platform and webcast, comprising entrepreneurs, MSMEs, artisans, sellers and other stakeholders interested in expanding their businesses through digital commerce.

The programme was organized as part of JKTPO’s continued efforts towards promoting digital adoption, strengthening market linkages and facilitating greater visibility and market access for enterprises from the Union Territory.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Managing Director JKTPO Sudershan Kumar. He welcomed the participating entrepreneurs and stakeholders and highlighted the importance of embracing digital commerce in the rapidly evolving business environment. He emphasized that digital marketplaces provide enterprises with an opportunity to move beyond conventional geographical limitations and connect with a much wider customer base.

Director Handloom & Handicrafts Jammu Sheikh Nazir highlighted the immense potential of e-commerce in promoting the traditional products, handicrafts and handloom products of Jammu & Kashmir. He emphasized that digital platforms can play an important role in providing artisans and traditional product manufacturers with wider market access, enhanced visibility and opportunities to reach customers beyond the local and regional markets.

The technical and knowledge session was conducted by Nandita Sharma from ONDC, who briefed the participants about the ONDC Network and its functioning and explained how businesses can leverage the network to access digital commerce opportunities. During the session,  Sharma provided an overview of the various tools and platforms available for enterprises to establish and strengthen their digital presence. Particular emphasis was laid on digital cataloguing, with participants being introduced to various tools and mechanisms that can be utilized for creating and managing digital product catalogues. The session highlighted the importance of having accurate, attractive and comprehensive digital catalogues for effectively presenting products to online customers.

The participants were also briefed about Digi Haat and its role in facilitating seller onboarding and strengthening the digital presence of enterprises. They were further introduced to India Post as a logistics partner and apprised of its role in seamless order fulfilment, along with other associated platforms and tools within the ONDC ecosystem. The session thus provided participants with practical insights into digital cataloguing, seller onboarding, logistics and other allied services essential for establishing and operating a successful online business.

The session also provided an opportunity to participating enterprises to understand the practical benefits of joining the ONDC Network and explore avenues for taking their products to a wider customer base through digital channels. Participants were encouraged to make use of the available digital tools and complete the onboarding process to begin leveraging the opportunities offered by the emerging digital commerce ecosystem.

A virtual interactive session and live Q&A were also conducted, providing participants an opportunity to directly interact with the ONDC representative, raise queries and seek practical clarifications regarding seller onboarding, cataloguing, logistics and other aspects of digital commerce.

The programmes were designed to equip rural youth and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills in business planning, opportunity identification, financial management, marketing, and enterprise sustainability. These initiatives form part of JKEDI’s ongoing efforts, in partnership with JKNRLM, to promote self-employment and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural areas of the Union Territory.

District Nodal Officer, Rayees Manzoor attended the programs and interacted with the participants. Addressing the gatherings, he encouraged the trainees to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career option and urged them to take their businesses to the next level. Course trainers Iftakhar Bashir Lone and Mohd Yasir conducted interactive and hands-on sessions to help participants convert ideas into viable and sustainable enterprises.

Through such collaborative capacity-building programmes, JKEDI continues to sow and nurture the seeds of entrepreneurship across rural Jammu and Kashmir, enabling youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.

Srinagar : In a move aimed at addressing the constituency-specific issues and strengthening coordination among the key departments, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Tuesday  convened a meeting to take up issues related to water supply, irrigation, environment, forests and tribal affairs in Khanyar and Hazratbal Assembly constituencies.

Besides MLA  Khanyar, Ali Muhammad Sagar, MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar, the meeting was attended by Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir; Director Tribal Affairs, J&K; Chief Engineers of Jal Shakti/Irrigation & Flood Control, Kashmir; Superintendent Engineer, Hydraulic, Srinagar, Wildlife Warden, Central Srinagar; Divisional Forest Officer, SMC/Social Forestry, Srinagar; Executive Engineers, Ground Water/Master Plan/Jal Shakti, Srinagar/Ganderbal and Executive Engineers, Irrigation & Flood Control, Srinagar/Ganderbal.

The meeting took stock of water supply, irrigation, source augmentation, distribution networks and groundwater management, with focus on resolving bottlenecks affecting the ongoing and proposed projects in the two constituencies.

During the meeting, the Minister announced an allocation of Rs 1 crore for upgrading the existing water supply infrastructure through construction of an additional water reservoir at Sulaiman Teng, Dalgate, aimed at augmenting the water supply network and meeting the requirements of the adjoining areas.

Emphasising the need to strengthen water infrastructure in densely populated areas, Rana directed the Jal Shakti Department to work out the necessary modalities and take up the project on priority.

Reviewing the Tulpathri Water Supply Scheme, the Minister called for early resolution of pending issues with the Forest Department to facilitate further progress. He also took up matters concerning the Sindh Extension (SE) and Mawas Canals, directing necessary measures for its restoration and improvement to ensure uninterrupted water and irrigation supply.

Rana stressed the need for comprehensive dredging and desilting of canals facing heavy siltation and reduced carrying capacity, to improve water flow and irrigation potential. He called for timely availability of irrigation water for paddy fields in Hazratbal, with vulnerable areas to be identified in advance to pre-empt shortages during the cultivation season.

The meeting also took up Master Plan-related bottlenecks, CAPEX planning, and expansion of the water distribution network in underserved areas besides formulation of new water supply, drainage and irrigation projects for deficient pockets, particularly Phaak.

The Minister sought a review of water allocation from the Alusteng and Ringal 5 MGD Water Treatment Plants, seeking clarity on existing allocation and scope for enhancing the share for Hazratbal.

Other issues discussed included a dedicated water supply line along 90 Feet Road, water and irrigation supply at SyedporaHamchi, the proposed Tailbal OHT and distribution line, and interventions by the Ground Water Wing.

The Minister also reviewed the proposal for augmenting the Rapid Sand Filtration Plant (RSFP) Hadoora source through two new production wells besides taking up irrigation-related proposals and identifying priority areas for upcoming plans.

Underlining the importance of close coordination between the public representatives and the administration, Rana said that the welfare of the people can be best ensured through collective responsibility and concerted action. “Public representatives play a vital role in bringing ground-level concerns to the for and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these concerns are addressed effectively. When public representatives and departments work in close coordination, the response becomes more focused, responsive and time-bound, ultimately delivering better results for the people,” Javed Rana said.

The residents from the twin constituencies also raised various developmental issues and demands before the Minister and sought his intervention for their early resolution.

The Minister assured that all the identified projects would be taken up in a phased manner with due focus on addressing the pressing developmental needs of the local population.

The meeting also discussed allocation of funds for tribal development in proportion to the tribal population, with emphasis on ensuring equitable distribution of resources and adequate funding for development interventions in tribal areas.

The meeting was attended by Members of Estimates Committee including Balwant Singh Mankotia, Ali Mohammad Dar, Javid Hassan Baig, Mushtaq Guroo,  Irshad Rasool Kar, Sajad Shaheen and Pyare Lal Sharma.

After reviewing the department’s replies, Chairman said “For us, forests are not just trees. They are the lungs of J&K, the livelihood of our people, and the legacy we leave for our children. We cannot afford to treat this as routine file work.

The Chairman directed the department to expedite the re-plantation drive on land diverted for National Highways, PMGSY, PWD and NHAI projects. He stressed that a massive plantation drive must also be launched in all deforested areas across J&K. Taking serious note of tree felling leading to soil erosion and landslides during rains, he asked the department to undertake scientific afforestation on vulnerable slopes to safeguard lives and property.

Expressing serious concern over the menace of Russian Poplar Gurezi said it is damaging local biodiversity and causing health issues for people. He directed that Russian Poplar be phased out in a time-bound manner and replaced with indigenous species like Chinar, Deodar and Kail.

Reiterating community rights, the Chairman stated that “J&K’s timber and forest wealth belongs to the people of J&K. He directed the department to ensure sustainable utilization of forest resources, stop illegal smuggling of poplar, deodar and pine, and ensure that benefits reach local communities and tribal families under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

The Committee also reviewed the condition of deteriorated trees in major tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Yusmarg and directed the department for immediate re-plantation. It further asked for strengthened measures to contain poaching and man-animal conflict.

Highlighting the importance of public participation, the Chairman issued directions for holding of Gram Sabhas in all constituencies across J&K. He asked the Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment to finalize comprehensive guidelines for conducting Gram Sabhas at the Panchayat level to ensure people’s direct involvement in forest conservation, protection and sustainable utilization of resources.

Commissioner Secretary Forest Ecology & Environment, Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary Tribal Affairs, G. Prasanna Ramaswamy, PCCF HoFF Forest Department, Chairman JK PCC, PCCF Wild life Department, MD JKFDCL, VC LCMA,  Chief Engineer R&B South Kashmir, Chief Engineer PHE Jammu, Chief Engineer I&FC Kashmir, CCF Kashmir,  SEs of R&B and senior officers from R&B, PMGSY, PWD and PHE Departments besides Secretary JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandita and officers of the Assembly Secretariat were also present in the meeting.

Srinagar :  n a significant initiative aimed at promoting tribal tourism and inclusive development in the border areas, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Tuesday  chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review establishment of a Tribal Tourism Village at Bhera in Mendhar subdivision of Poonch district.

The meeting focused on various aspects of the proposed project, including infrastructure development, tourism facilities, promotion of tribal culture and creation of livelihood opportunities for local communities.

The meeting was attended by Engineer in Chief, Public Works (R&B) Department, Director Tribal Affairs, Deputy Director, Tribal Research Institute, Deputy Director, Planning, Tourism Department and Executive Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Division, Mendhar.

Rana directed the concerned department to engage a consultant for preparation of a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering all aspects of the project. He stressed that the DPR should provide a holistic roadmap for development of the Tribal Tourism Village, incorporating the requisite infrastructure, tourism facilities, cultural components and other necessary interventions.

The Minister emphasised that the proposed Tribal Tourism Village should serve as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage, traditions, crafts, cuisine and lifestyle of the tribal communities. It should provide the visitors with an authentic cultural experience besides creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local residents.

He said the project should be planned in a manner that encourages community participation and local economic activity, including opportunities for homestays, handicrafts, cultural activities, eco-tourism and other sustainable tourism ventures.

Rana called for close coordination among the concerned departments and directed the officers to identify all requisite interventions and incorporate them comprehensively in the DPR so that the project can be taken forward in a planned and timely manner.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the tourism infrastructure in the area while preserving and promoting the unique cultural identity of tribal communities and contributing to the economic development of the region.

The Minister stressed that development of tribal and border areas remains priority of the government. He called for ensuring that such initiatives translate into tangible livelihood and development opportunities for the local communities.

The project is expected to place the region’s cultural heritage on the tourism map while creating sustainable income opportunities for the local residents.

With its unique focus on tribal culture, traditions and local heritage, the Tribal Tourism Village is expected to emerge as a prominent attraction in the PirPanjal region, drawing visitors from across the country and offering them an authentic cultural and tourism experience. The initiative will further expand the tourism footprint of Jammu and Kashmir while creating new opportunities for local communities and contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.

The visit forms part of the UT administration’s focused strategy to accelerate the development of critical transport infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.

Accompanying the Secretary during the field visit were MD SRTC, Abdul Rashid War, ARTO Pulwama Mohammad Shafait, General Manager RTC, Habibullah Reshi, alongside representatives from Rosemerta, the executing agency tasked with the project.

Project officials briefed the Secretary on key structural components, including the Administrative, Testing, and Security blocks. They reported that civil construction is entering its final phase and will be completed within 15 days, paving the way for the immediate erection of Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) structures.

Furthermore, all essential mechanical testing equipment has already been procured and will be installed as soon as the PEB setup is complete.

During the on-site inspection, the Secretary critically evaluated construction standards, inter-agency coordination, and operational readiness. Expressing strong concern over lingering project delays, she directed the executing agency to eliminate all bottlenecks and strictly mandated that the automated facility be fully operational by the first week of November 2026.

Later, the Secretary Transport inspected the ARTO Office in Pulwama, reviewing workflows across the Driving License, Permit, Registration, Accounts, and Establishment sections. Interacting with local staff, public delegations, and transport operators, she emphasized that hassle-free, transparent, and time-bound public service delivery must remain the primary mission of the department.

Evaluating digital service delivery on the Sarathi and Vahan portals, the Secretary  directed officials to expedite the verification and approval of online applications, stressing that the goal should be to achieve zero physical footfall at government offices.

Addressing the media on road safety, she urged citizens to strictly observe traffic norms including wearing helmets, maintaining lane discipline, and avoiding mobile phone use while driving and issued a stern appeal to parents against allowing minors to drive, warning of strict legal penalties for violations.

The Sammelan was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner/DPC, VB-GRAM-G, Kishtwar Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma on 7th August 2026.

The inaugural session marked the beginning of a comprehensive sensitisation programme aimed at creating awareness among grassroots stakeholders regarding the vision, objectives, mandate and implementation framework of VB-GRAM-G.

Later, block-wise sensitisation sessions were conducted for all 13 Blocks of the district from 8th to 10th August 2026, covering Kishtwar, Trigam, Palmar, Thakrie, Warwan, Bunjwah, Drabshalla, Dachhan, Padder, Inderwal, Mughalmaidan, Nagseni and Marwah.

The programme witnessed active participation from Ex-PRIs, BDCs, DDCs, RDD Staff, Youth Clubs, Mates, frontline workers and other field functionaries from across the district.

The three-day Sammelan witnessed a series of informative and interactive sessions delivered by designated key speakers and resource persons on the important components of VB-GRAM-G.

The proceedings of the Sammelan were conducted by BDO TrigamRoopesh Kumar Sharma, who served as the Stage Secretary, ensuring smooth coordination and conduct of the sessions throughout the programme.

The entire programme was conducted under the overall supervision of Assistant Commissioner Development /ADPC, VB-G-RAM-G Neeraj Sharma. He expressed sincere gratitude to all the participants, resource persons and field functionaries for their active involvement. He particularly appreciated the participation of the Ex-PRIs, whose experience and grassroots connection remain invaluable in taking the message of the Scheme to rural communities.

Doda : Transport Commissioner J&K Vishesh Paul Mahajan Monday reviewed road safety measures in District Doda here at a meeting held in the Conference Hall, DC Office Complex.

The meeting was convened under the aegis of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) and was attended by officers from Police, ARTOs of Doda, Udhampur and Ramban, representatives from PWD (R&B), PMGSY, NHIDCL, BRO, Health, Education, Revenue, Forest, SDRF, Municipal Committees and other concerned departments.

At the outset, Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal gave a detailed overview of the road safety scenario in the district. He apprised the Transport Commissioner about accident-prone and vulnerable road stretches, identified black spots, road safety interventions undertaken by the stakeholder departments and measures being taken to strengthen road safety infrastructure. He also informed about the crash barriers installed   along sensitive road stretches and other measures being taken to prevent road accidents.

The Transport Commissioner stressed the need for close coordination among the concerned departments for effective and timely implementation of road safety measures. “Road safety is a shared responsibility involving engineering agencies, Traffic Police, Transport Department, local bodies, health institutions, educational institutions and the general public,” he noted.

He directed the concerned agencies to identify black spots and undertake necessary corrective measures on priority. He also called for regular safety audits of roads and bridges, proper road markings, marking of warnings and regulatory signage, protective parapets and installation of crash barriers, particularly along vulnerable stretches in the hilly terrain of the district.

The Transport Commissioner directed the ARTOs to coordinate with BRO and other concerned agencies in the process of improving road safety at identified accident-prone stretches.

The NHIDCL and PMGSY authorities were directed to create adequate road safety infrastructure along roads under their respective jurisdictions, with special emphasis on installation and maintenance of crash barriers, signage and other essential safety equipment.

The PWD (R&B) was directed to ensure proper maintenance of roads across the district with immediate corrective measures, particularly in view of the ongoing rainy season. The concerned agencies were also asked to keep adequate machinery and equipment available at sensitive locations for immediate response to road blockade, landslides and other emergencies.

The issue of encroachments and improper parking along roads was also discussed. The Transport Commissioner directed the Police, Traffic Police and Transport Department to work in close coordination to address these issues. He stressed that vehicles parked improperly on roads and at locations causing obstruction to traffic should be removed promptly.

Regarding emergency response and accident management, the Transport Commissioner directed NHIDCL to ensure adequate availability of ambulance services at suitable locations along the highway for quick response during emergencies. He also stressed the need for strengthening coordination among emergency response agencies and ensuring timely medical assistance to accident victi

He further called for strict enforcement of traffic safety norms, regular checking of overloaded and improperly parked vehicles, use of helmets and seat belts and increased awareness among road users, particularly students and young drivers.

The Transport Commissioner emphasized that all road safety measures should be implemented in a time-bound manner and reviewed regularly to reduce accidents and save precious lives.

The meeting concluded with directions to all concerned departments to work in close coordination and adopt a proactive approach towards improving road safety and ensuring safer roads for the people of Doda.

Srinagar : In order to assess Tehsil-wise progress on key revenue matters, delivery of revenue-related services and the implementation of AgriStack and Farmer IDs under Digital Crop Survey across the district, a meeting of senior Revenue Officers was held Monday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Aadil Fareed, Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, SDM West, Irfan Bahadur, SDM East, Zubair Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Umar Gulzar, all Tehsildars, Chief Agriculture Officer, District Manager, CSC, and other concerned.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner conducted a detailed Tehsil wise and village-wise review of the implementation of the AgriStack project and generation of Farmer IDs, besides taking a Tehsil-wise assessment of various revenue-related initiatives, with particular focus on the status of digitisation of revenue records.

The DC took detailed feedback from the concerned Officers regarding the status of targets achieved and the areas requiring further intervention. He stressed the need for time-bound completion of all set targets and directed the Officers to intensify efforts to ensure that the ongoing initiatives are implemented efficiently and within the prescribed timelines.

Emphasising the importance of accurate and timely digitisation of land and agricultural records, the DC called for close monitoring of the AgriStack and Farmer ID-related work at the Village and Tehsil levels.  He laid stressed on time-bound achievement of set targets across the district.

The DC also stressed the importance of efficient, transparent and citizen-centric delivery of revenue services, directing the officers to ensure that revenue-related services are provided to the public in a timely and hassle-free manner under the PSGA fixed timelines. He further called for enhanced coordination among the Revenue Department, Agriculture Department and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the initiatives and achievement of all set targets within the stipulated timelines.