SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 24: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo today informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that the issue of maintaining the Pupil-Teacher Ratio is being addressed by providing additional staff to understaffed schools through rationalisation across J&K, including those in Uri constituency
Replying to a question raised by MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi during Question Hour of the ongoing Autumn Session of the Legislative Assembly, the Minister said the staffing requirements of schools with relatively higher PTR are being addressed through the ongoing rationalisation process.
She said that only 10 out of 375 government schools in Uri constituency have a Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) of more than 40, while steps are underway to address staffing requirements in these schools through rationalisation and judicious deployment of available teaching resources
Sakeena Itoo said applications from eligible teachers have already been invited under the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD)-2026, and these applications will be considered with due regard to the staffing requirements of schools having relatively higher pupil-teacher loads, wherever warranted.
The Minister further informed the House that 22 Laboratory Assistants have recently been promoted as Teachers, of whom eight have been adjusted in Uri constituency. In addition, five Masters have been transferred to Uri constituency to supplement the existing teaching arrangements, particularly in schools where the pupil-teacher load is relatively higher.
Sakeena Itoo added that the rationalisation exercise for the current academic year has already been initiated and the staffing requirements of individual schools will be duly considered as part of the exercise to ensure a more balanced distribution of teaching personnel.
12.89 lakh farmers covered under PMFBY; 3.72 lakh claims amounting to ₹221.71 crore registered
J&K’s horticulture sector supports livelihoods of nearly 35 lakh people, contributes around 10% to UT’s GDP: Javid Dar
Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today informed the Legislative Assembly that the horticulture sector remains one of the key pillars of Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, supporting the livelihoods and employment of a large section of the population.
The Minister was responding to a clubbed question raised by MLAs Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir and Irfan Hafiz Lone, along with the supplementary raised by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay.
Javid Dar said that approximately 35 lakh people, comprising nearly 7.5 lakh families, are directly or indirectly associated with the horticulture sector. The sector contributes approximately 10 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Union Territory and generates an estimated annual income of around ₹12,000 crore.
He further stated that horticulture has considerable employment potential, with one hectare of orchard area generating approximately 400 man-days of employment annually, thereby making a significant contribution to rural livelihoods and the broader economy of J&K.
On crop insurance, the Minister said that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is presently being implemented across all 20 districts of Jammu & Kashmir.
He informed the House that the scheme is demand-driven and there is no cap on the number of farmers who can avail its benefits, subject to prescribed guidelines and eligibility criteria. He said that approximately 13.985 lakh Farmer Families (FoFs) in the UT are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme.
As per the available data, 6,86,741.37 hectares of area has been covered, benefiting 12,89,917 farmers, while 3,72,134 claims have been registered involving an amount of approximately Rs 221.71 crore.
The Minister acknowledged that farmers and orchardists in various areas have suffered losses due to natural calamities, including hailstorms, floods and heavy rains.
He said that the Department undertakes assessment of crop losses through its field functionaries and extends assistance and relief, wherever admissible, under the provisions of applicable schemes and guidelines.
Javid Dar stated that PMFBY provides insurance coverage against notified natural risks, including hailstorms, for notified crops. The basic cover provides area-based insurance against yield losses in standing crops from sowing to harvesting arising from non-preventable risks such as drought, dry spells, floods, inundation, widespread pest and disease attacks, landslides, natural fire due to lightning, storms, hailstorms and cyclones, subject to notified crops, areas and applicable guidelines.
Addressing the issue of pending claims, the Minister said that the major reasons for pendency of genuine claims include Aadhaar non-verification, closure of bank accounts, non-seeding of Aadhaar with the NPCI mapper by banks, and bank accounts being blocked or frozen.
He said that the Government has launched a special campaign to resolve failed payment transactions and facilitate settlement of eligible pending claims.
“Approximately 60 per cent of the affected farmers have already been contacted, and the requisite documents are being collected from them on a daily basis for verification and further necessary action,” the Minister said.
He assured the House that concerted efforts are being made to address the genuine difficulties being faced by farmers and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits due to them under the scheme.
On the transportation of horticultural produce during the peak fruit season, Javid Dar said that the Government has strengthened traffic and logistics management through coordinated measures to ensure smooth, timely and uninterrupted movement of fruit and other horticultural produce.
He informed that a dedicated Control Room has been established at Qazigund for real-time traffic monitoring, coordination with concerned agencies and dissemination of timely advisories to growers, traders and transporters.
The Minister said that the Mughal Road is also being utilized as an alternative route, wherever feasible, to ease congestion and reduce pressure on NH-44.
He further stated that railway parcel, goods and freight services from Anantnag and Budgam to Delhi have been facilitated and promoted for transportation of horticultural produce.
“These coordinated measures are aimed at diversifying the transportation network, reducing dependence on NH-44 and minimizing the possibility of prolonged stranding of fruit-laden vehicles during the peak harvest season,” Javid Dar said.
The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting the interests of farmers and orchardists, strengthening crop insurance mechanisms, expediting settlement of genuine claims and improving transportation, logistics and market connectivity for horticultural produce across Jammu & Kashmir. He further stated that various schemes under HADP the farmers get benefits and avail more than 60 percent subsidies in the projects.
Revised car policy under consideration: Satish Sharma
Minister for Transport, Satish Sharma today informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that the Revised Car Policy is presently under consideration of the Government, wherein it has been proposed to introduce the principle of “One Vehicle-One Officer”.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Ranbir Singh Pathania.
“The proposed policy shall also provide for such specific exceptions as may be considered necessary by the Government, keeping in view security requirements, field duties, additional assignments/charges, operational exigencies and the functional requirements of Particular Departments/ organizations’ After approval of the Revised Car Policy by the Government, the provisions thereof shall be implemented across the concerned Departments/ PSUs/ Boards/ Autonomous Bodies as Per the approved policy. The proposed “One vehicle-one officer” principle is thus intended to ensure rationalization of Government vehicles, optimum utilization of available resources and economy in Government expenditure” he informed.
He said that the State Motor Garages Department conducts necessary audit/Physical verification of the vehicle fleet timely.
110 Irrigation Schemes in the Sonawari Constituency: Javed Rana
Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Rana today informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that 110 Irrigation Schemes in the Sonawari Constituency comes under the purview of Department.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Hilal Akbar lone.
The Minister further informed that the Department has prepared 7 DPRs to repair/restore/upgrade the old/non-functional Irrigation Schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 116.00 cr in total. These shall form the part of shelf of projects for the FY 2027-28, he added.
Govt strengthening trauma, critical care services in remote and hilly areas: Sakina Itoo
17 Critical Care Blocks are being established across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, today informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government is taking a series of measures to strengthen healthcare delivery, emergency response, trauma care and critical-care services in remote, hilly and difficult-to-access areas of Jammu Division, including the Padder-Nagseni Assembly Constituency.
The Minister was responding to a question raised by Sunil Kumar Sharma regarding the availability of doctors, specialists, nurses and paramedical staff, besides infrastructure, diagnostic facilities and emergency healthcare services in remote areas.
The Minister said that the Government is progressively augmenting Emergency, Trauma and Critical Care Services in remote and difficult areas through strengthening of critical-care infrastructure, emergency and trauma services, ambulance and medical evacuation facilities, human resources and telemedicine support.
She said the focus is on ensuring timely stabilization and management of critically ill and trauma patients at the nearest available health facility, followed by referral to higher centres wherever specialized treatment is required.
Highlighting the initiatives being undertaken under PM-ABHIM, the Minister informed that 17 Critical Care Blocks are being established across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, comprising 15 blocks of 50 beds each and two blocks of 100 beds each.
These facilities, she said, are aimed at substantially augmenting critical-care capacity and decentralizing specialized services, thereby reducing the need for patients from remote and far-flung areas to undertake long journeys for critical medical care.
The Minister further informed that emergency response and patient transportation facilities have also been strengthened with the addition of 44 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, including 22 each for Jammu and Kashmir divisions, taking the total fleet under 102/108 ambulance services to 530.
She said that another 100 ambulances are being added to the fleet, comprising 75 critical-care ambulances and 25 4×4 All-Terrain Ambulances, which will further enhance emergency transportation and evacuation capabilities, particularly in mountainous, remote and difficult-to-access areas.
“An effective ambulance network plays a crucial role in ensuring timely emergency response, initial stabilization and safe transportation of patients, particularly from remote, hilly and geographically challenging areas,” the Minister said.
She added that the Department is undertaking need-based augmentation of manpower and emergency-care infrastructure in health institutions, keeping in view patient load, geographical accessibility, institutional requirements and identified service gaps.
Emphasizing the role of technology in bridging geographical barriers, Sakina Itoo said that telemedicine and specialist outreach services are also being utilized wherever feasible to facilitate specialist consultations and provide clinical support to patients and healthcare institutions in remote areas.
The Minister informed that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between the Principals of GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC Udhampur and GMC Rajouri and the Medical Superintendents of District Hospitals Reasi, Samba, Ramban and Poonch respectively for conducting specialist outreach camps and providing tele-consultation services.
She further informed that the draft MoU between GMC Doda and District Hospital Kishtwar has already been prepared and will be finalized shortly, which will further strengthen specialist support and referral linkages for patients in the region.
Regarding healthcare services in Padder-Nagseni, the Minister said that the First Referral Unit (FRU) at SDH Atholi, Paddar, provides referral services to District Hospital Kishtwar or higher health institutions, depending upon the clinical requirements of patients.
She said that timely referral and evacuation of critically ill and injured patients is facilitated through 108/102 ambulance services available at SDH Atholi and in the Padder-Nagseni area.
“In cases requiring specialized treatment, patients from the remotest and inaccessible areas are also evacuated or airlifted to higher health institutions, wherever required and feasible,” the Minister stated.
