Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting with the visiting International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Supervision Mission, led by its Country Coordinator, Meera Mishra, to assess the progress achieved under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), a flagship initiative jointly financed by IFAD, the Government of India and Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

The IFAD Supervision Mission, presently on a two-week visit to the Union Territory from 2nd to 14th July, 2026, is undertaking an extensive field appraisal across Jammu and Kashmir to obtain a first-hand assessment of the implementation, quality and impact of interventions executed under the project.

The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Agriculture Production Department including ACS, APD; MD, HADP; Project Management Unit (JKCIP), and other stakeholders associated with the implementation of the project.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary sought a thorough update on the project’s progress, achievements, and future plans, which included a detailed presentation on physical and financial accomplishments, implementation status, digital governance initiatives, and the Annual Work Plan and Budget for the upcoming financial year. While acknowledging the progress made, the Chief Secretary stressed the importance of converting approvals into tangible assets and sustainable livelihoods, urging implementing agencies to expedite field execution to ensure timely benefits for eligible beneficiaries. The Chief Secretary also assessed the status of credit linkage, noting that although over 2,550 applications had been submitted to financial institutions, the speed of loan disbursement required improvement. He highlighted the essential role of institutional finance in fostering rural enterprises and called for enhanced collaboration with banks to eliminate procedural obstacles and ensure prompt credit access for beneficiaries. The meeting revealed that farmer registrations had risen to 58,307, with over 64,750 applications received, and more than 39,900 applications approved, resulting in the establishment of 7,406 livelihood units across the Union Territory. The presentation by the Managing Director of HADP indicated that the Climate Smart and Market-Led Production component remains the most significant aspect of project interventions, alongside notable advancements in supporting vulnerable communities and expanding the agribusiness ecosystem. The project has achieved substantial growth in various sectors, including the cultivation of high-value crops, establishment of water management infrastructure, promotion of protected cultivation, and development of agri-startups to enhance agricultural value chains and market access. Additionally, the project has focused on improving livelihoods for pastoralists and vulnerable communities through initiatives such as income-generating sheep units and milk collection centers. The Chief Secretary reviewed the Annual Work Plan and Budget, commending the strategic planning for the upcoming financial year and emphasizing the need for timely execution and efficient resource utilization to achieve developmental goals. The IFAD delegation recognized the progress made by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in implementing transparent digital systems and noted significant improvements since the last supervision mission. IFAD Country Coordinator Ms. Merra Mishra reaffirmed IFAD’s commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural transformation and inclusive rural livelihoods in the region. The Chief Secretary reiterated the government’s dedication to the successful implementation of JKCIP, urging all departments to coordinate closely with the IFAD Mission to incorporate its recommendations effectively. The meeting concluded with a focus on enhancing implementation efficiency, accelerating credit flow, and ensuring measurable socio-economic impacts throughout the Union Territory.

Srinagar: With less than a week left before the application window closes, the Jammu & Kashmir Haj Committee has appealed to eligible pilgrims to apply for Haj-2027, saying only around 2,300 applications have been received so far against the Union Territory’s quota of 8,000 seats.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the J&K Haj Committee, Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi said that the response has remained much below expectations, with only around 2,300 applications received so far.
He said the last date for submission of Haj application forms is July 20, 2026 and urged all eligible aspirants possessing valid passports to complete the application process without waiting for the deadline.
Qureshi appealed to people to spread awareness among relatives, friends and other intending pilgrims so that no eligible applicant misses the opportunity to perform Haj pilgrimage. He reiterated that a valid passport is mandatory for submitting the application and advised applicants to avoid the last-minute rush.
A total of 4,351 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir performed Haj in 2025 against a quota of 4,200 after 6,862 applications were received. In comparison, the Haj Committee has received only around 2,300 applications so far for Haj-2027 against the UT’s quota of 8,000 seats, prompting authorities to urge eligible pilgrims to apply before the July 20 deadline

Srinagar: A lightning strike killed over 60 sheep, a buffalo and a dog in Poonch district on Tuesday as the Meteorological Department forecast another spell of heavy rain and warned of flash floods and landslides later this week.
Officials said that the lightning struck a grazing area in Surankote, killing more than 60 sheep belonging to a local shepherd. A buffalo and a dog also died in the incident. No human casualties were reported.
In Anantnag district, residents of Awoora village continued to grapple with the aftermath of a cloudburst that triggered flash floods, damaging at least 18 houses besides orchards, agricultural land and village infrastructure. Several affected families have been left without shelter and sources of livelihood, officials said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said weather across Jammu and Kashmir is likely to remain generally hot and humid from July 15 to 17, with brief spells of rain or thundershowers at scattered places.
A fresh spell of wet weather is expected from July 18, with light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places on July 18 and 19. The weather office said rainfall activity is likely to intensify between July 20 and 22, with heavy rain and brief intense showers expected at isolated places in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
The MeT office warned of the possibility of flash floods, landslides and mudslides at vulnerable locations in the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal range and some hilly areas of Kashmir division during the July 20-22 period. It also advised people to avoid low-lying areas and stay away from streams and seasonal water channels during periods of heavy rainfall.
According to the IMD’s evening observations, Jammu recorded the highest maximum temperature in the Union Territory at 35.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Katra at 32 degrees and Qazigund at 31.5 degrees. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 29.7 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg registered 22 degrees Celsius.
Officials said district administrations are monitoring vulnerable areas and have asked field agencies to remain prepared in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall over the coming days

Srinagar: Bringing an end to the 15-day deadlock that had stalled road blacktopping works across Kashmir, the Hot Mix Plant Owners Association (HMPO) on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of its strike following a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying macadamisation works would resume soon.
Speaking after the meeting, HMPO President Bashir Ahmad Khan said that the Chief Minister gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured them that all major issues raised by the association would be examined and resolved within the next two to three days.
“We are thankful to the Chief Minister for listening to our problems. He also called the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Roads and Buildings portfolio, and both patiently heard our concerns. We have been assured that our genuine demands will be considered and a final decision will be taken within two to three days,” Khan said.
He said the association had raised issues related to royalty, liabilities, contractor classification and other matters affecting the functioning of Hot Mix Plant owners.
“The government acknowledged that these are genuine issues. On the assurance given by the Chief Minister, we have decided to call off our strike and resume work immediately,” he said.
Khan expressed hope that the government’s assurance would pave the way for an early resolution of all pending issues and thanked the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister’s Advisory, Nasir Aalam Wani and other leaders and senior officials for facilitating the dialogue.
“We have decided to restart work in the larger public interest. Macadamisation works will begin soon across Kashmir,” he added.
The strike by Hot Mix Plant owners had disrupted the Valley’s road blacktopping programme, delaying implementation of the government’s over Rs 223-crore macadamisation plan covering nearly 559 kilometres of roads during the current financial year.
With the strike now withdrawn, road macadamisation works across Kashmir are expected to resume in the coming days, providing relief to commuters and helping the Roads and Buildings Department make up for lost time during the Valley’s limited construction season

Srinagar: In a significant move, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has unveiled parking rules, which will be applicable to all municipal bodies in the Union Territory.
The Housing & Urban Development Department has introduced the Jammu & Kashmir Parking Rules, 2026, which mandate that Municipal Corporations, Councils, and Committees shall be responsible for managing parking within their respective jurisdictions.
As per the Rules municipal bodies must prepare and implement local, area-specific, integrated Parking Management Plans (PMAPs) in line with the Master Plan and the overall parking policy. These plans must be prepared within six months, in coordination with agencies that own land parcels where public parking takes place, such as universities, hospitals, malls, cinema halls, and airports.
The Rules further provide that Municipal Corporations may, in the public interest, allow private companies to manage parking areas under the PMAP. Authorities may also construct parking lots (surface or multi-level) through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models by inviting open bids.
As per Rules, parking contractors are empowered to penalize violators by immobilizing, towing, or imposing fines under the Municipal Acts.
The Rules state that penalties for not parking in designated spaces shall be determined by the Parking Committee constituted under the Municipal Corporation and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from time to time.
As per the notification, violations such as parking on footpaths or cycle tracks, occupying more than one slot, or parking against the lane direction will attract penalties.
The Rules mandate digital payment of parking fees via apps or websites, with payments linked directly to vehicle registration numbers, enabling authorities to verify compliance. All collections of fees or violation charges must be through cashless transactions.
The Rules also require the development of a website and smartphone application to provide real-time information on occupancy at all on-street and off-street paid locations, as well as fee levels.
The enforcement of these Rules shall be carried out by the concerned Municipal Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in their respective jurisdictions

The members of the delegation projected various welfare issues of Pahari Tribal/ST-2 employees working in different departments including extension of benefits of reservation in promotion.

The inauguration marks a significant step towards upgrading the infrastructure and improving the facilities available to Members of the Legislative Assembly. The renovation works have been undertaken with the objective of enhancing convenience, accessibility and overall comfort for the occupants.

Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining and modernizing public infrastructure to ensure efficient service delivery and better amenities. He stated that the MLA Hostel serves as an important facility for the legislators and, therefore, its upkeep and modernization must receive due attention.

The Speaker expressed satisfaction over the completion of the works and said that the installation of modern lifts and execution of renovation works would greatly benefit the legislators and other stakeholders by providing a safer, more comfortable and user-friendly environment.

He underscored the need for regular maintenance of government infrastructure and directed the concerned authorities to ensure that all facilities at the MLA Hostel are maintained in a proper and efficient manner. He also stressed the importance of timely execution of developmental and renovation works so that public assets continue to serve their intended purpose effectively.

The Speaker reiterated the commitment to improve the infrastructure and public facilities and said that such initiatives contribute significantly towards enhancing the working environment and convenience of public representatives.

Secretary JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit, Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Central Kashmir, Chief Engineer M&HE Srinagar besides Executive Engineers and other officials were present on the occasion.