High Chicken Rates in Kashmir
Chicken is among the most used food items in Kashmir. It also with sheep or goat meat forms important part of the non vegetarian diet of Kashmir.
The fluctuations in the rates of chicken especially on the upper side is a matter of concern . The masses are concerned that the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) has failed to regulate the rate list for poultry which has led to overpricing of chicken in the market, leaving consumers high and dry.
Earlier, the government fixed Rs 125 per kg for broiler chicken in the market.Since past few days the chicken rates have gone up from Rs 120 kilogram to Rs 170 in matter of just few days .
Lack of Hatcheries in responsible for dependency of Kashmir on other parts of country for chicken and eggs .
According to the import bill of Jammu and Kashmir, the value of poultry and egg imports to the erstwhile state was estimated at 2,000 crore rupees annually.
This is a potentially huge market that could be captured by local farmers but locally reared chickens are more expensive than those imported from outside the Valley, thereby limiting local farmers to the role of merely filling the gaps in the supply.
The lack of hatcheries in Kashmir according to ground voices has forced local farmers to import chicks from north Indian states, like Haryana.
One hopes that the authorities will take all the measures to control chicken rates in Kashmir.
International Women’s 2022
International Women’s Day 2022
International Women’s Day is an important celebration. As a matter of fact, International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement that had begun in New Zealand, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century.The earliest version was purportedly a “Women’s Day” organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference to propose “a special Women’s Day” be organized annually, albeit with no set date.The theme of International Women’s Day is very burning in the year 2022.IWD 2022 campaign theme: #BreakTheBias
Imagine a gender equal world.A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.A world where difference is valued and celebrated.Together we can forge women’s equality.Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.Without a doubt, Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.We can break the bias in our communities.We hope that the entire world and humanity at large takes a pledge to make world a better place for women .
Russia’s Full Scale Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s Full Scale Invasion of Ukraine
Russia has launched full scale war against Ukraine. of people have been killed during the first hours of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to local officials.Oleksii Arestovich, an adviser to Zelenskyy, said that more than 40 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and dozens of others wounded within hours of Moscow launching its attack. He added that up to 10 civilians had also been killed.Russia said Thursday that its military had destroyed more than 70 military targets, including 11 airfields in Ukraine.”As a result of strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces, 74 Ukrainian military ground facilities were destroyed,” said Igor Konashenkov, a defence ministry spokesman.Destroyed facilities included 11 airfields, three command posts and 18 radar stations of the S-300 and Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems, he said.On his part USA President Joe Biden stated :”The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”Indian Foreign Secretary Harshvardhan Shringla in a press conference on Thursday said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dispatched Russian speaking officers to Kyiv and neighbouring countries to facilitate the evacuation of Indian students and nationals stranded in Ukraine.“Neighbouring countries have been asked to send their officers to border areas to facilitate entry of Indian nationals. We have asked some officers to go to border areas to set up makeshift facilitation centres,” the Foreign Secretary said.
Ensuring the accountability of Government Employees in Jammu and Kashmir
Ensuring the accountability of Government Employees in Jammu and Kashmir
The lack of efficiency among the Government employees in Jammu and Kashmir has been a big cause of concern for many decades. But with new setup coming into Existence since few years the things related to making the Government employees accountable in our part of the world are moving in right direction. In a latest bright development With reference to it , The government of Jammu and Kashmir few days back ordered its employees to upload their monthly achievements or performance on the Employee Performance Monitoring Portal (EPMP) by or before 7th of every month from March.In this regard, All Employees Working in various Government shall upload their monthly achievements/performance on J&K Employees Performance Monitoring Portal on https://epm.jk.gov.in by or before 7 of every month w.e.f. March 2022,” reads a government order.
“All the reviewing/ Controlling Officers shall review the self assessment of their immediate subordinates by 15th of every month .The expert pulse is that this step would go a long way in making the Government employees in our part of the world more hardworking and working towards greater good of masses . The biggest issue concerning the masses in our part of the world has been rampant corruption in the Government Department and it taking ages to see their work getting completed. Now , in a series of good steps the Jammu and Kashmir Government is trying not just to weed out the menace of corruption from the Government departments but making the Government employees more accountable towards doing genuine works of common people on fast track basis.
Single Window great feat for Jammu and Kashmir Industry
Single window great feat for Jammu and Kashmir Industry
The Jammu and Kashmir Industry has received historic boost . Recently , in a historic achievement, Jammu & Kashmir became the first Union Territory to be onboarded the National Single Window System (NSWS). This marks a major leap in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the Union Territory.
Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha launched the J&K Single Window Clearance System integrated with NSWS few days back I n the presence of Shri Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, Govt of J&K, Ms. Sumita Dawra, Additional Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Ranjan Thakur, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce, Govt of J&K.
NSWS is linked with India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) which hosts 45 industrial parks of J&K. This will help Investors to discover available land parcels in J&K. The NSWS, a 2020 budgetary announcement of the Government of India, is a digital platform that serves as a guide for investors to identify and to apply for approvals as per their business requirements. The platform was soft launched in September 2021 by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Textiles and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal.
NSWS will eliminate the need for investors to visit multiple platforms/offices to gather information and obtain clearances from different stakeholders. Twenty Ministries / Departments have been integrated on NSWS including Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare amongst others. Currently 142 central approvals can be applied through the NSWS portal.
14 States/UTs onboarded on NSWS include Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Undoubtedly, this system is great boost to Jammu and Kashmir economy .
Budget 2022 -23 Highlights
Budget is always an important financial event very much important for economic growth .In a big country like India Budget is much important.
The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday 1 Feburary 2022 approved the Budget 2022-23, . Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget in Lok Sabha .The Budget has many highlights. One station, One product to be popularised.Railways will develop new products for small farmers.
Modern infrastructure to be cornerstone of the plan. FM Sitharaman outlinedPM Gati Shakti masterplan.
400 New Generation Vande Bharat trains to be introduced 100 new Rail Cargo Terminals to be developed Agriculture university to be opened in several states.
A rationalised scheme to increase domestic oilseed production will be brought in to cut down imports. National Highways will be extended by 25,000 km during 2022-23.Also, For farmers to adopt to natural farming, comprehensive package for participation of State governments & MSMEs to be introduced.
Hospitality services by the small & medium sector are yet to bounce back, therefore, the government has decided to extend the ECGL service for this sector by March 2023 with an increased cover of Rs 50,000.
The other highlights of Budget include : Schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development such as Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 revamped to provide benefits
Epassport would be rolled out in 2022-23, Paperless end-to-end e systems will be used for all procurements.
Roll out of 5 G teleservices would be done with 2023. 2 lakh Anganwadis to be upgraded for improving child health.
India at 73
India at 73
Another year, another Republic Day parade under the shadow of the Covid pandemic. Much like last year, the country’s otherwise grand Republic Day (January 26) celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi will be scaled down amid a sharp surge in Covid-19 across states and Union territories. We are facing third wave of pandemic .Every year Republic Day is celebrated in India on 26th January with grandeur. Magnificent parades at Janpath, New Delhi, comprising the Indian National Army and national flag hoisting in various parts of the country are common practices followed on this day. In year 2022, it will mark India’s 73rd Republic Day.The Indian Defence Ministry is responsible for the Republic Day parade and the celebrations and every year around September, it invites all the States, the Union Territories, Central Government departments to participate in the parade with their tableaux.
The invitees have to submit their proposals by September 27 and the shortlisting of the proposals starts in October. The proposal should highlight elements relevant to their state/UT/ department.
This year’s theme is to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. The theme is: India@75 – Freedom struggle, Ideas @ 75, Achievements @ 75, Actions @ 75 and Resolve @ 75.We have certainly made long progress in different fields as a country and stood as an example of diversity for entire world .This year, officials have informed that tableaux of Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be shown at the parade.
Good news on Covid Front
Good news on Covid Front
The global pandemic of Coronavirus has caused much havoc in the world since past few years with millions dying and crores getting infected .Despite vaccination Covid is still a threat and there seems to be light at end of dark tunel now .
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is “almost unstoppable” and everyone will eventually be infected with it, a top government expert told recently NDTV. Booster vaccine doses won’t stop the rapid spread of the virus, he added. ”It makes no difference. The infection will occur. It has occurred all over the world regardless of this,” he said about the booster doses.Stressing that Covid is “not a frightening disease anymore” as the new strain is milder and is leading to much less hospitalisation, he said that it’s a disease we can deal with. ”… we are dealing with quite a different virus. It’s much milder than Delta, as you all know, not only that, it is practically unstoppable,” Dr. Jaiprakash Muliyil, epidemiologist and chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Institute of Epidemiology at the Indian Council of Medical Research, said, adding that Omicron presents itself just like the cold.
Claiming that natural immunity through infection could be lifelong and that’s why India has not been as badly affected as many other countries, he said that 85% of the country was already infected before the vaccines were introduced in the country and hence, the first dose was essentially a booster dose. ”Well, there is a philosophy world over that natural infection doesn’t impart any lasting immunity. Now, that is a philosophy which I think is wrong,” he said.
Pointing out that no medical bodies suggested booster doses, Dr Muliyil said they won’t stop the natural progression of the epidemic. Arguing the same against the testing of asymptomatic close contacts of Covid patients, he said the virus doubles infection in just two days, so even before the test detects its presence, the infected person has already spread it to a large number of people. “So even when you test, you are far far behind. It is not something that will make any difference in the evolution of the epidemic,” he said.
“We have not suggested booster dose so far from any of the bodies of the government. To my knowledge, the precautionary dose was just suggested, because there are reports that certain people, mostly in the age group above 60, did not respond to two doses,” he said.
“A majority of us will not know we have been infected, probably more than 80% will not even know when we have it,” he said.One hopes that Omicron marks end of covid .
Transparency in Development Projects in Jammu and Kashmir
Transparency in Development Projects in Jammu and Kashmir
Ensuring Transparency has been a serious issue in the execution of developmental projects. But now the winds of positive change. As matter of fact , The Government recently maintained that it has taken path-breaking initiatives to promote transparency in execution of developmental projects across Jammu and Kashmir. These initiatives are unique in the country which provide latest updates on the projects with geo-tagged photographs and other project-related information. A statement issued here said that J&K Government launched web portal ‘EMPOWERMENT (Enabling Monitoring and Public Overview of Works Being Executed and Resources for Meaningful Transparency)’ or ‘Janbaghidari’ which enables citizens to overview works/projects being implemented in their areas and become a partner in the process of development with the features of providing timely feedbacks and suggestions for improving expenditure outcomes. The portal contains details of all UT and District Capex projects implemented in Jammu and Kashmir from 2020-21. The said website can be viewed on www.janbhagidari.gov.in.In addition to this ,This web portal also contains links to MGNREGA, PMAY and SBM with real-time information on their implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, progress of PMGSY is available on the website of J&K PWD through the given link on the Ministry’s website. Moreover, the details for the projects executed during the past two years are available on various public platforms including the official website of the Finance Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and can be publicly accessed on the url https://jakfinance.nic.in.One hopes that this transparency in projects in Jammu and Kashmir would continue.
Jammu and Kashmir leading performance in improving healthcare
Jammu and Kashmir leading performance in improving healthcare
As the Pandemic Coronavirus has been wrecking havoc across globe since more than two years now the humankind has learnt the hard lesson that healthcare is first priority.Jammu and Kashmir as a region has faced many bottlenecks in healthcare system and development.In a bright development now it is learnt that Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as the leading performer in terms of incremental performance as per data released by NITI Aayog in the fourth Health Index report.
In this regard it is known that among Union Territories, Delhi followed by Jammu & Kashmir, has shown the best incremental performance. In incremental performance, J&K is ranked at number second position with a score of 9.55. In J&K, most of the indicators are in the improved/most improved/fully achieved category so far as the Incremental Performance from the Base Year (2018-19) to Reference Year (2019-20) is concerned.
The Health & Medical Education Department while giving information about the development said that a robust and acceptable mechanism is used for measuring performance by NITI Aayog. Data is collected online through a portal maintained by NITI on agreed indicators. The data is then validated through an independent validation agency selected through a transparent bidding process. The importance of this annual tool is reemphasized by MoHFW’s decision to link the index to incentives under National Health Mission. This has been instrumental in shifting the focus from budget spending and inputs to outputs and outcomes.
According to the report, the health index comprises three domains –health outcomes, governance and information, and key inputs and processes. In terms of overall health performance, the UT of J&K has moved one position up and is categorized as an aspirant and has substantial scope for improvement, the statement added.One hopes that entire region of Jammu and Kashmir continues to make all the required progress in the field of healthcare development.
