Says ‘Centre to fund 90% of PMGSY IV projects in J&K’
JK News Today
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 04: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that the government will expedite the forest clearance for speedy execution of road projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the cases shall be taken up with the concerned agencies for hassle-free work execution on the road network projects.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the cost-sharing pattern for PMGSY IV construction in J&K is 90 percent funded by the Centre and 10 percent by the Union Territory.
This information was given by the Deputy Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a question raised by Legislator Payare Lal Sharma.
Regarding land compensation on account of road construction under PMGSY IV, he informed that the UT government is responsible for providing hindrance-free and encumbrance-free land for PMGSY-IV projects, including compensation for land acquisition.
The supplementary questions were raised by Legislators Nazir Ahmad Khan and Balwant Singh Mankotia on the subject.
Regular market inspections, rice sampling being conducted across J&K to check adulteration: Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo today informed the House that regular market inspections and sampling of rice is being conducted by the Health department across Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, to check sale of adulterated rice.
This was stated by the Minister while replying to a question raised by Legislator Shamim Firdous regarding ‘Adultered Rice’ in the House.
The Minister said that during the financial year 2025-26, 121 rice samples had been lifted and sent to NABL accredited food testing laboratories for analysis. Of which, 110 test reports have been received, so far. She informed that seven samples were reported as ‘Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)’ and cases have been filed in the competent courts in terms of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Minister said that the department is conducting regular market inspections and sampling of rice under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 in the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar. She also informed the House that out of 7 NSQ samples, 3 have been found with Folic Acid content less than prescribed standards under FSSA, while 4 have been found with Chalky kernels exceeding the prescribed limits under FSSA.
No enquiry ordered in 4th Tawi Bridge construction: Deputy Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that as per the reports of the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Chief Engineer Public (R&B) Department Zone, Jammu and Managing Director, JKPCC Limited, no enquiry has been ordered against the Executing Agency responsible for construction of 4th Tawi Bridge.
This information was given by the Deputy Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a question raised by Sham Lal Sharma.
He stated that the recent floods in Jammu damaged the bridge’s approaches but the bridge itself remained intact.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that as per the inputs furnished by the Managing Director, JKPCC, the 4th Tawi Bridge project was awarded to JKPCC in 2010, with an estimated cost of ₹93.12 crore. The project was approved and JKPCC floated an e-tender, which got matured.
The Deputy CM added that consequent upon the decision of the Contract Committee and subsequent approval of Chairman JKPCC Limited, the allotment was made to the lowest bidder, M/S S.P Shingla Construction Private Limited, for an amount of Rs 67.088 crore on turnkey basis. He further informed that the said contractor took up the work and completed the bridge in time, which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister in the year 2013 and thrown open for public traffic.
The Deputy CM added that after commissioning of the said bridge and during the heavy floods which occurred in 2014, the bridge components remained intact and no part of the bridge was damaged.
Govt takes slew of measures to curb air pollution: Javed Rana
‘Imposes moratorium on new polluting units in Khrew–Khonmoh’
The government has taken a slew of measures to control air pollution in Khrew and Khonmoh areas of Pulwama, reiterating its commitment towards safeguarding public health and ensuring environmentally sustainable industrial development through strict monitoring and enforcement.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, Minister for Forest, Ecology, Environment Javed Ahmed Rana today informed the Legislative Assembly that Cement industries operating in the Union Territory have been directed by the J&K Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC) to install Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) for regular monitoring of air quality. Two CAAQMS have been installed in Khrew and Khonmoh, respectively, for continuous monitoring, he added.
He informed that Cement Industries with production capacity of 200 Tonnes Per day (TPD) have installed Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) and real time data generated is being uploaded on Central Pollution Control Board.
He added that the Cement plants have been advised to install advanced emission control devices, including Automatic Pulse Jet Bag Filters, Reverse Air Bag Filters and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) to minimize the air pollution. To scientifically assess the air quality scenario, the J&KPCC has assigned a study on air quality in Khrew and Khonmoh areas to the University of Kashmir, he added.
Regarding the grant of mining lease, the Minister said that the government has granted 9 mining leases in the Khrew–Wuyan area of Pulwama district, of which, four are operational and functioning strictly in accordance with the approved Mining Plans, Environmental Clearances (EC), Consents to Operate (CTO) and other statutory provisions. The remaining five (05) mining leases are non-operational due to want of EC and CTO, he added.
The Minister said that all leases had been granted under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Rules and are made operational only after obtaining necessary No-Objection Certificates from the concerned stakeholders.
In order to further curb pollution, Javed Rana informed the House that J&K PCC imposed a moratorium on establishment of new air-polluting industries in Khrew and Khonmoh areas.
The moratorium shall remain in force for cement plants, stone crushers, hot mix plants, brick kilns and mining activities until the annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) falls below 100 or the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) falls below 60, he apprised the House.
The Forest Minister said that the J&K PCC has advised the concerned departments and stakeholders to ensure proper macadamization and maintenance of roads, transportation of cement in sealed conditions, covered transportation of raw materials and crushed material without overloading besides regular sprinkling of water on roads.
Regarding the use of Pet Coke, the government clarified that its usage is being regulated under the Jammu and Kashmir Pet Coke and Furnace Oil Policy. He added that the Industries using Pet Coke are required to obtain authorization under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and install Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems with sulphur removal efficiency of more than 90 percent.
Rs 71.183 lakh released for upgradation of sports infra in Chanpora constituency: Satish Sharma
For development and maintenance of playfields and sports infrastructure, Rs 71.183 lakh have been released for Chanapora Constituency during the year 2025-26.
This information was given by Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma in the House while replying to a question raised by Legislator Mushtaq Guroo.
The Minister further informed the House that volleyball court with fencing/drain has been taken up at Nowgam with allotted cost of Rs. 20 lakh, of which, Rs. 11.459 lakh stand utilized. He added that for Chainlink Fencing of the existing Synthetic Volleyball Court and ZPEO office along with main gate at Nowgam Playfield, Rs 13.64 lakh have been alloted, of which, Rs. 12.36 lakh have been utilized.
“The remaining allocation of the funds is for construction of ZPEO office at Nowgam Srinagar” the Minister said.
While replying to a supplementary, the Minister said that the DPRs for other projects aiming upgraded sports infra in the constituency have been prepared and would be taken up with the concerned authorities soon.
Permanent restoration of Larnoo Bridge being done at Rs 2 cr: Deputy Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today said that the works worth Rs. 2 crore are being carried out by the R&B department for permanent restoration of Larnoo Bridge in Kokernag constituency of Anantnag district.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Zafar Ali Khatana in the House.
He added that the Larnoo Bridge, located on the T03 Dessu Lehenwan Marg, was previously built by the R&B department.
He said that the Bridge Abutment wing and approach walls got partially damaged during the floods in the months of August and September 2025 and permanent restoration is being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs. 200.00 Lakh.
He further informed that the road from Bidhard to Khirty is a single lane BT road, in good condition, with a carriage width of 3.65 meter.
Govt prioritizes resource utilisation, enrolment boost aiming for academic excellence:Sakina Itoo
Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo today said that the government is presently prioritizing enhancement of overall enrolment, strengthening of academic offerings and improving utilization of existing institutional resources for the benefit of students in Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister said this while replying to a question of Legislator Nizam-ud-Din Bhat regarding H.K Government Degree College (GDC) Bandipora in the House.
The Education Minister informed the House that at present Science-cum-Administrative Block equipped with laboratories, 12 Room Lecture Hall Block and three Pre-fabricated Huts are being utilised for academic activities at H K GDC Bandipora. She added that various projects like Girls Hostel, Medication and Yoga Centre, Skill Centre and three Pre-fabricated Huts are under execution, while tendering process for playground is also underway.
The Minister also informed the house that the government is prioritizing enhancement of overall enrolment in colleges across Jammu and Kashmir. As such, establishment of a separate Degree College for Women in district Bandipora may not be viable at this stage, as the same shall further fragment the enrolment in the existing college, she added.
Govt initiates numerous steps to strengthen economic resilience of Industrial Units in JK: Deputy CM
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary today said that the government has undertaken numerous initiatives to improve cash flow, address financial stress and strengthen economic resilience of industrial units, MSMEs, artisans, weavers and farmers of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Waheed ur Rehman Parra in the House.
He added that the government has launched the JKMSME Health Clinic as an institutional mechanism to identify early signs of industrial stress using analytics and facilitating systematic assessment and customized remedial measures for revival.
He said that access to finance has been further strengthened under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme through enhanced linkage with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the J&K Industrial Policy 2021–30 continues to provide multiple incentives, including turnover and SGST incentives, green initiatives, 100% subsidy on diesel generator sets, exemptions from stamp duty and court fee besides subsidies for quality certification, automation and pollution control.
He said that the revival and rehabilitation of sick MSMEs are being guided by the RBI’s Framework for Revival and Rehabilitation of MSMEs, enabling restructuring of liabilities and need-based financial assistance.
Regarding the welfare of artisans and weavers, the Deputy Chief Minister said that several targeted schemes are being implemented on this account. These included the Credit Card Scheme for Artisans and Weavers, offering credit up to Rs.2 lakh with 7% interest subvention; financial support to cooperatives and SHGs; Karkhandar Scheme for skill upgradation; Weavers MUDRA Scheme and the Education Scheme for Children of Artisans and Weavers.
He said that GI-certified unit holders are also being provided rent-free stalls and full support for participation in exhibitions. Additionally, master craftsmen facing indigent circumstances receive monthly assistance under the Direct Benefit Scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Agriculture Production Department is extending robust financial relief to the farmers through interest subvention on crop loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, credit restructuring in case of natural calamities and comprehensive crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Further, he said that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) are promoting long-term investment in agriculture and livestock infrastructure through interest subvention and credit guarantees.
