Day: August 30, 2025

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JAMMU AUGUST 30:-Tribal Affairs Minister, Javed Ahmed Rana, today conducted a comprehensive review of the Gujjar-Bakerwal PG Boys Hostel in Jammu, interacting with students and assessing the current facilities and identifying key areas for improvement.

The visit was aimed at enhancing the overall living conditions and educational opportunities for the hostel residents, with a strong focus on skill development, academic support, and infrastructural upgrades.

During the visit, accompanied by Mohd Mumtaz Ali, Director Tribal Affairs, J&K, the Minister announced several key initiatives designed to empower the students and provide them with the tools they need for both personal and professional growth.

A key highlight was the introduction of a Skill Upgradation Competition, which will be held regularly, with an inter-hostel competition scheduled every three months. The initiative aims to help students develop practical skills that will better equip them for future career prospects, fostering a competitive spirit and a drive for self-improvement.

In recognition of the importance of academic preparation, the Minister also directed the identification and selection of coaching institutes that would provide specialized training for postgraduate students in Administrative Services and other competitive exams. This initiative will offer the students a strong academic foundation, enabling them to pursue higher-level government services with the necessary guidance and support.

Further, Rana pledged to improve the hostel’s facilities by ensuring the provision of sports kits to all residents, promoting physical fitness and recreational activities. He also instructed the preparation of an inventory of damaged items in the library and Gym, so that necessary repairs can be funded through the SDRM (State Disaster Response and Management) funds.

To further support the students’ academic progress, the Minister announced that Tablets would be provided to all PG students residing in the hostel. The Director of Tribal Affairs has been tasked with submitting a proposal for this initiative, ensuring that the students have access to the latest technology to facilitate their studies and enhance their learning experience.

In terms of infrastructural development, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for repairs and renovation of the hostel, particularly the drainage system, which was severely damaged by recent floods. He instructed the Director of Tribal Affairs to engage with the relevant authorities to expedite the necessary repairs and restore the hostel’s full functionality.

Later, the Minister also reviewed the condition of the Aquaf land near the Army Camp at Sunjawan, with plans to assess whether the land is suitable for the construction of additional hostel accommodation. This step is expected to address the growing demand for more residential spaces for students, ensuring that future generations of hostel residents have access to quality living accommodations.

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JAMMU AUGUST 30:-Jal Shakti MMinister Javed Rana chaired a High-level Review meeting with legislators, DDC Chairperson and senior officials to assess the restoration of essential services in flood-affected areas of Jammu.

Rana focus was on the swift restoration of disrupted water supply, with legislators highlighting constituency-specific challenges.

The Minister directed immediate regulation and deployment of water tankers to ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water in affected areas.

Rana stressed the importance of a coordinated, proactive approach by all agencies for effective relief and restoration efforts.

Minister also assured that the concerns raised are a top priority for the Omar Abdullah-led Government, and several measures are already underway for timely resolution.

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Swift Efforts Underway to Restore Flood-Hit Water Supply Infrastructure

JAMMU AUGUST 30:-In a proactive effort to restore essential services in flood-affected areas of Jammu, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, chaired a high-level review meeting with key officials, legislators, and district heads.

The primary focus of the meeting was to assess and expedite the restoration of disrupted water supply services in the wake of the recent floods.

The meeting saw the participation of prominent figures including DDC Chairperson Bharat Bhushan, legislators Ch. Vikram Randhawa, Arvind Gupta, Sham Lal Sharma, Dr. Narinder Singh, along with DDC Member Taranjit Singh Tony and senior officers including Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Chief Engineers of I&FC, Jal Shakti, and UEED Jammu, as well as Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers.

During the session, the Minister was briefed on the ongoing restoration efforts, the progress made so far, challenges faced, and the measures being implemented to speed up relief operations and restore normal water supply.

Rana emphasized the urgency of restoring the water supply infrastructure, particularly in flood-impacted areas, ensuring that residents have access to clean drinking water.

The Minister directed the immediate deployment of water tankers to areas where the water supply had been severely disrupted. He also recommended utilizing private water tankers on an interim basis to augment the existing fleet of tankers and ensure an uninterrupted water supply.

Additionally, he proposed the use of fire tenders for areas where tankers or pipelines could not reach, ensuring a continuous supply of water to the affected communities.

A key element of the meeting was the discussion around the need for a coordinated and proactive approach among all concerned agencies.

To streamline the restoration efforts, Minister Rana directed the nomination of a dedicated nodal officer to coordinate between departments and ensure the timely completion of restoration work.

Furthermore, he instructed the Chief Engineer to oversee the distribution of restoration tasks and rationalize manpower to speed up the restoration process.

The legislators who attended the meeting voiced their constituency-specific challenges, urging a faster pace of restoration. They highlighted areas where water supply had been severely hampered and called for immediate action.

In response, the Minister assured the legislators that their concerns were a priority for the government. He also reassured them that a range of measures were already underway to address the issues and expedite the restoration process.

Rana was informed that restoration work on the Water Supply Scheme in Shitlee is currently progressing in double shifts, with a target completion date set for five days.

Additionally, the Power Development Department (PDD) has been instructed to immediately restore the dedicated feeder lines identified by the Jal Shakti Department, which is crucial for the restoration of water supply in the affected regions.

The Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), in collaboration with the Flood Control Department, has been tasked with working alongside the concerned MLA to develop a comprehensive master plan for the construction of nallas (drains) and restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure.

This plan will ensure that the water supply infrastructure is fortified and restored in the long term to prevent future disruptions.

Earlier, the Minister visited Bathindi Heights in Jammu to listen to the public’s grievances. Accompanied by DDC Member T.S. Tony and senior officials from the Jal Shakti Department, Rana reassured residents that the government was fully committed to ensuring uninterrupted access to drinking water.

Rana stressed that providing safe drinking water to the citizens, especially in the aftermath of the floods, is the government’s primary responsibility.

He assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to restore the flood-hit water supply infrastructure at the earliest.

Rana’s decisive steps in the meeting and subsequent field visit highlight the Omar Abdullah government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue of water supply disruptions caused by the recent floods.

His proactive approach, combined with clear directives to local authorities and departments, is aimed at ensuring that citizens in flood-affected areas have access to safe drinking water without interruption.

The government is focused on speedy restoration, and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, it aims to bring normalcy back to the affected regions as swiftly as possible.
J&K National Conference

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JAMMU AUGUST 30:-The Jammu & Kashmir Tribal Affairs Department (TAD) has disbursed ₹2.53 crore in scholarships to ST-2 students under its scholarship scheme, marking a significant step in supporting the educational pursuits of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in J&K.

In line with ensuring timely disbursement, Minister for Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, has instructed that all outstanding scholarship payments be processed and cleared by September 5th. He has also directed the Director of Tribal Affairs to submit a non-pendency certificate by the specified date, confirming full compliance with the directives.

Rana had earlier emphasized the importance of the timely disbursement of both Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships to ST students, particularly those categorized under ST-2. These scholarships are part of the Government’s initiative to aid the educational advancement of ST students across J&K.

Rana reiterated that the disbursement of these scholarships falls squarely within the Tribal Affairs Department’s mandate, and delays should only occur as part of the essential verification and de-duplication process required by government guidelines. He stressed that no eligible student should be deprived of their rightful scholarship due to procedural delays.

A spokesperson from the Directorate of Tribal Affairs confirmed that a mandatory de-duplication exercise was carried out to ensure no duplicate payments are made. Following this process, ₹2.53 crore has been disbursed to eligible students.

This step also aligns with the Government’s recent directives to streamline the scholarship disbursement process.

Scholarships that were previously managed through the Social Welfare Department will now be administered exclusively by the Tribal Affairs Department.

Minister Javed Ahmed Rana reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of ST students, particularly those facing financial barriers.

He stated, “This initiative is part of our continuous efforts to ensure that every eligible ST student receives the financial support they need to continue their education and secure a brighter future.”

Rana also called on officials to ensure that no deserving student is left behind in the scholarship process. He emphasized that all guidelines must be followed meticulously to guarantee a smooth, transparent disbursement.