THEDAILY
VOICE OF SRINAGAR
SRINAGAR,
WEDNESDAY, 20 SHABAN 1433 AH ; 11 JULY 2012
Email:-editorvosgr@gmail.com
NEWS
Omar pays rich tributes to Madr-e-Meherban
Describes her epitome of courage, compassionate mother of the
nation
SRINAGAR, JULY 10 – Paying rich tributes to
Madr-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan on her death anniversary, Chief Minister,
Omar Abdullah has described her epitome of courage and compassionate mother of
the nation.
“It was Madr-e-Meherban who always supported
Sher-i-Kashmir and spare headed his mission when he was in jail with
determination and commitment”, he said adding that Begum Akbar Jehan dedicated
her life to people and worked tirelessly for their welfare and development with
special focus on downtrodden, weaker sections, women and children.
The Chief Minister said that constitution of Gujjar
and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Mobile Schools and Mobile Dispensaries, energizing
Red Cross movement and establishment of Miskeen Bagh Education and Craft
Training Centre for Women were some of the historic decisions taken by the
Government on the advice of Begum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
“Proper nurturing of children particularly belonging
to weaker sections, Gujjar and Bakerwals and other economically downtrodden
categories was her highest dream to realize. She worked throughout her life in
this direction”, he said adding that holistic development of women and children
and their educational excellence was her aim in life.
“From my childhood, I remained closely attached to my Dadi and
found her always working for the welfare of people especially women and
children. Whenever I entered her room, I saw her either offering Nimaz or
reciting Quran. I saw her always praying for the betterment and welfare of the
people and prosperity of the State”, Omar said and added that the best way to
pay homage to Madr-e-Meherban is to carry forward her mission of devoting
selfless service to the people and treating all with love and affection.
Farmers to be helped
through scientific Warehousing: CS
Will provide support to
state Government: Rai
Major Horticulture
Belts a top priority
SRINAGAR,
JULY 10: Underscoring the need for creating more storage facilities to preserve
the perishable commodities of food items and fruits, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal
in a high level meeting with Chairman Warehouse Development & Regulatory
Authority (WDRA), Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution, Mr Dinesh Rai said that the state government is keen to develop
warehouse infrastructure and cold storage facilities for farmers and fruit
growers in order for them to profitably hold onto their produce and also fill
in the demand round the year for products like milk, fish, meat, fruits and
vegetables which are
quickly perishable.
The High Level meeting
which was also attended by member WDRA Mr. Karnail Singh, Commissioner
Secretary Agricultural Production Shaleen Kabra, Secretary CA&PD Mohammad
Abbas Dar, other senior officers and J&k Bank representatives discussed
various issues related to warehouse infrastructural development and creation in
Jammu and Kashmir, introduction and extension of Post Harvest Loan to farmers
and introduction of negotiable warehouse receipt system in the state.
Chairman WDRA Dinesh Rai
said that full assistance to the state will be provided so that considerable
number of accredited and registered warehouses and storage facilities are
created and dispersed in significant production belts especially related to
horticultural produce. “We want to help the farmer and the fruit grower of the
state through scientific warehousing of agricultural and horticultural
commodities. A large gap exists between the production and the storage
facilities available right now and we have to bridge that gap” he said adding
that even for food grains, pulses etc we need storage warehouses.
Giving details WDRA
Chairman said that over a period of time, negotiable warehouse receipts would
become a prime tool of trade, beneficial for all stakeholders, be it godown
owners, farmers or consumers. Tonnes of grains, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and
vegetables go waste because of improper storage facilities. Moreover, farmers and fruit growers have very little power to
profitably hold onto his produce. He has to either sell it in the market at the
prevailing rate and incur loss or store it in decrepit warehouses. He is also
left at the mercy of local and outside Mandis, he added
Mr. Rai said once the
negotiable warehouse receipt system is in place, the farmer gets an officially
recognised receipt against which he can take loan from bank for further farming
activities or alternatively selling his produce to a third person by endorsing
the receipt, without even taking physical possession. Banks will also show
interest in lending registered warehouses as they have been recognised by a
central level authority. The
introduction of negotiable warehouse receipt system in the state will help
farmers avail better credit facilities and avoid distress sale and also
safeguard financial institutions by mitigating risks inherent in credit
extension to farmers
Mr. Rai informed the
meeting that as of now 115 agricultural commodities and 26 horticultural
commodities including Apple have been notified by the WDRA. He said as the
demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir government we will also include other food
and fruit items including Pear, walnut, saffron, etc in the list of notified
commodities.
Chief Secretary Madhav Lal
informed Chairman WDRA that already several proposals regarding setting up of
controlled atmosphere and cold storage facilities by entrepreneurs have been
received and once the economic viability of these proposals is established and
with this framework in place it is expected that more young entrepreneurs will
come forward and we will be able to harmonise these projects with other
government programmes for the benefit of the farmers and fruit growers.
Stakeholder consultation for integrated
development of 10 clusters at SKICC
Household handicrafts
should develop as an organised sector: CS
SRINAGAR, JULY 10: Calling upon artisans to work together towards
developing handicrafts as an organised sector, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal said
that benefits of several government sponsored programmes and intervention
schemes remain under-utilised due to lack of an organised craft industry in the
state.
Addressing a consultation meeting of stakeholders for the
‘Integrated Development of 10 Handicraft Clusters in Srinagar and Ganderbal’, organised
by J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute at SKICC here, Chief
Secretary re-iterated that the purpose of cluster development Initiative is to
develop the age old and famous household craft industry of Kashmir from
unorganised towards a self sustaining organised industry.
“A multi pronged strategy is being followed wherein along with the
infrastructural development and beautification of the cluster areas, artisans
belonging to these clusters are also provided a platform to interact and bring
to light the problems they are facing in their trade and craft related
activities” Madhav Lal said, adding that government is consulting all
stakeholders especially artisans to listen to their opinions in order to
finalise a comprehensive intervention and development plan and consultation
workshop today has provided one such platform for all stakeholders in this
direction.
While taking part in the deliberation, artisans raised several key
issues for consideration including limited access and unavailability of quality
raw materials, certification tags to check fake handicrafts sale and purchase,
artisan insurance and old age support cover, financial support and linkage
facilities and marketing of finished products. Several chamber representatives,
trader’s, handicrafts societies, members of civil society and government
departmental experts also took part in the discussions.
Winding up the day long deliberations, Chief Secretary said that a
positive and optimistic attitude towards the initiative and cooperation by all
stakeholders will deliver success in the implementation and intended outcome,
calling upon participants to provide further inputs and valuable suggestions in
this regard.
Earlier, Director J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute
Dr. M.I Parray welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance and
importance of handicrafts in the state and presented a brief account of the
progress achieved under the cluster development initiative.
A detailed power point presentation on Diagnostic study and
business plan for 10 handicrafts clusters in Srinagar and Ganderbal was also
made by the Cluster Development Agency (CDA), IL&FS appointed by J&K
EDI to assist them in the holistic development of the identified 10 clusters.
Sakina inaugurates
Exhibition-cum-Sale at
Nunwan Base Camp
Omar led Govt committed to
empower women community
SRINAGAR, JULY 10:- Minister for Social Welfare, Ms. Sakina
Itoo, who is also the Chairperson of Women Development Corporation (WDC), on
Monday, inaugurated the 20th Exhibition-cum-Sale
at Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam.
The Minister went round the exhibition and interacted with the
participants who have installed their 31 stalls in the exhibition, hailing from
different districts including far flung areas of Padder, Kishtwar, Rajouri,
Udhampur, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara and Srinagar.
Ms. Sakina was informed that the beneficiaries who have
installed stalls have been provided loans under various schemes like NMDFC,
NBCFDC,NHFDC ,Backward classes, Handicapped and Self Help Group. She was
further informed that by availing loan facilities, they were able to install
their income generating units and earn their livelihood with honour and dignity.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government
has initiated various measures to empower the women so that they play their
role not only making them self confident and self reliant but also shaping the
whole society. She said the Corporation has launched various schemes for
empowerment of women by providing them soft loans.
Highlighting the role of
WDC for organizing exhibition cum sale at Pahalgam, Ms. Sakina said the basic
aim of conducting such exhibition was to give a chance to the beneficiaries to
sell their product directly to the consumers without any middlemen, besides
expose the hidden talent of the artisans and encourage them by providing
financial assistant to get stand on their own and earn their livelihood with respect
and honour. The Corporation was entrusted with responsibilities of taking
initiative for socio-economic development of the women, besides arranging
financial assistance in the shape of loans and thereafter bringing them under
micro credit net, She added.
The Minister said the present government under the dynamic
leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to empower the women
fraternity, adding that a number of welfare schemes have been launched for the
upliftment of women especially, those belonging to the weaker sections, needy,
destitute, poor, and widow. She said that last time such exhibitions were also
organized outside the state including Jaipur, Punjab and Delhi, adding that a
great demand was witnessed of state’s handicraft products there. She said by
participating in these exhibitions, the beneficiaries are getting exposure and
get a chance to interact with other colleagues and get feedback of their work
culture and share their experiences with each other.
Ms. Sakina said that Madr-e-Maharban , the great pious lady was
very much optimistic to see the women community in a leading role and had
launched various projects for social, economic and educational empowerment of
women folk of the State.
The Minister said that NABARD has also come forward to help the
women community by facilitating them in availing loan facilities from banks for
setting up their own employment generating units. She said in this connection,
ICDS sector is being involved so that the Anganwari workers may help women to
set up their SHG and get benefited from the loans. She also said the women in
far flung areas are also now getting benefitted under MGNERGA and are able to
earn their own bread and butter.
Earlier in her address, Managing Director , Dr. Naheed Soz
while welcoming the Chief Guest ,Ms Sakina Itoo, highlighted the importance of
exhibitions in providing marketing support to Below Poverty Line loanee
beneficiaries of the of WDC and called these events as an opportunity for
mutual interaction among participants /beneficiaries for great understanding of
the developmental schemes being run by the Government.
Interacting with the pilgrims at base camp, the Minister
enquired about the facilities made available for them by the Shri Amarnathji
Shrine Board and District Administration. They expressed satisfaction over the
arrangements.
Ms. Sakina also visited Jawahar Institute Mountaineering &
Winter Sports, Nunwan and took stock of the functioning of the Institute.
Among others, ADC, Anantnag, Mr. Nissar Ahmad and other senior
officers ofline departments accompanied the Minister.
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