Block Public Health Unit being developed at CHC Sumbal: Sakeena Itoo

JAMMU : Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, while replying to a question raised by Hilal Akbar Lone on criteria for upgradation of Community Health Centre (CHC) Sumbal to Sub-District Hospital level, today informed the House that CHC Sumbal is not feasible for its upgradation to Sub District Hospital as per IPHS 2022 norms.
She apprised that as per IPHS 2022 guidelines, the districts with a population of less than 5 lakh and a functional District Hospital (DH) do not qualify for a Sub District Hospital (SDH). She also informed that SDH Davar, Gurez, has been sanctioned in the district for being a snowbound area.
The Minister also informed the House that around 14 healthcare facilities are catering to the primary healthcare services. He said that CHC Sumbal is well equipped in terms of manpower, machinery, equipment, infrastructure, dialysis unit, medical and emergency equipment serving as a critical healthcare hub in Bandipora district.
She further informed that the Block Public Health Unit (BPHU) is also being developed at CHC Sumbal under PM-ABHIM which will be an important linkage for the latest healthcare facilities.
The Minister also informed that the department is focusing on consolidation of existing health institutions by way of strengthening the manpower, infrastructure and services in the existing healthcare institutions, rather than upgradation.
Health Minister announces inquiry on identifying flood prone site for construction of GMC Handwara
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today announced in the Legislative Assembly that the government would conduct a detailed inquiry into the selection of flood prone site for construction of Government Medical College (GMC), Handwara, which caused significant losses to government exchequer.
The Minister said this while replying to supplementary questions asked by legislators Sajad Gani Lone, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Kaiser Jamsheed Lone, Mir Saifullah and Sheikh Khursheed regarding establishment of GMC Handwara.
While raising the supplementary question on the matter, Legislator Sajad Gani Lone said that the then administration selected the site and did not consult the local representatives for site selection, calling for immediate inquiry on the matter.
The Minister assured the House and legislators that their concerns would be addressed promptly. He also assured them that the local representatives will be consulted for selection of new site for establishment of this prestigious public health institution.
Govt focusing on niche crop, exotic vegetable cultivation in Udhampur: Agriculture Minister
20031 beneficiaries covered under different Agri-schemes in Chenani Constituency
Minister for Agriculture Production, Javed Ahmad Dar, today informed the House that the Government is focusing to enhance area expansion under Niche Crops (Hill Garlic) and promotion of traditional and exotic vegetables across the Udhampur district under CAPEX Budget and HADP 2024-25.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister said that the Blocks of Sewna and Latti have been prioritized under the CSS scheme “National Mission on Natural Farming” during the FY 2025-26, while promotion of hill garlic, maize, medicinal aromatic plants and pulses and vegetables under project JKCIP in Chenani and Latti blocks is under due consideration for the 2025-26 fiscal.
The Minister added that area expansion by plantation of High Density Plants of Apple, Walnut, pear and Kiwi have been planned in due course of time in these areas to enhance farmers income. Besides, irrigation infrastructure such as Check Dams, Water Storage Tanks, Water Harvesting Tanks and Potable Geotags is being planned under HADP and CSS during 2025-26.
He informed that the rejuvenation of old senile orchards are being planned to be converted into high-density orchards of Elite Cultivars in due course of time.
The Minister said that about 20031 beneficiaries have been covered under different Agricultural schemes across the Chenani Constituency of Udhampur district. He said that all agriculture schemes including Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Capex and HADP projects are being implemented by the Agriculture Department across the district.
He informed that 1150 beneficiaries have been covered and benefitted under different projects of HADP in 2024-25 and 366 beneficiaries have been covered under PDMC, PKVY, SMAM, RKVY, NFSM in 2024-25 in Chenani constituency.
The Minister further informed that 18515 farmers have been covered under PMKISAN and majority of them are linked with KCC for further financial inclusivity and economic empowerment in Chenani. He said that the Horticulture department is implementing various schemes for handholding and support of farmers under UT Capex, HADP and CSSs, MIDH and PMFME schemes. He said that 57 beneficiaries have been covered under HADP and 165 under MIDH, PDMC, NMEO-TBOS and UT Capex during 2024-25.
The Minister informed the House that the Agriculture department is planning for Lavender cultivation in the foothills and wastelands of Latti Block on experimental basis and the plantation of Lavender has been undertaken in Farmer Producer Cluster (FPC) covering 08 Ha area in the panchayats of Block Latti under HADP during 2024-25 benefitting 44 farmers.
The Minister said that 05 blocks of Chenani Constituency among other blocks of Udhampur district and other districts of J&K are dependent on rainwater. However, the irrigation facility is being provided by the Command Area Development on the potential created by the Irrigation department by constructing field channels in plum concrete in the farmer’s field for conveyance of water up to the tail end. He informed that the total Irrigation potential created in these 5 blocks of Chenani Constituency is 1360.00 Ha (approx.) and Irrigation potential utilized is 714.09 Ha by Constructing Field Channels up to the farmer’s field by Command Area Development.
In order to provide irrigation facilities in these 05 blocks and other blocks of Udhampur district, the Horticulture Department has provided Deep Borewell, Dugwell, Gravity feed drip irrigation, Geo membrane tanks and Water Harvesting Tank for harvesting rainwater to various beneficiaries at subsidized rates (50% subsidy) under HADP, UT Capex, MIDH and PDMC.
The Minister added that the Government is providing subsidies on water lifting devices and micro-irrigation infrastructure (sprinkler/drip irrigation) under PDMC and HADP.
Legislators; Sham Lal Sharma, Surjit Singh Slathia, Prof Garu Ram Bhagat and R S Pathania raised supplementaries calling for undertaking measures to tackle monkey menace in their respective areas.
Govt to examine possibility of establishing General Hospital in GB Pant building, Sonawar: Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that the Government will examine the possibilities of establishing a General Hospital in the existing building of GB Pant, Sonawar.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Ahsan Pardesi in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed the House that the Pediatric Hospital, Sonawar, has been shifted to Bemina on 26.09.2022. She said that the Government Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar is currently running Pulmonary OPD in Old GB Pant Hospital, Sonawar and basic facilities like basic Bio-Chemistry Investigations, ECG and X-ray Chest are available there besides CT Scan is done there once a week.
The Minister also informed that within the said periphery, Kashmir Nursing Home, Sonawar caters to the medical requirements of the local population, which runs OPD services regularly.
Rs 16.89 cr flood protection works for Ningli Nallah under execution: Jal Shakti Minister
Rs 3.80 cr spent on maintenance, upkeep of Nallahs in Sopore Constituency
Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, today informed the House that flood protection works worth Rs. 16.89 crore, approved under NABARD for Ningli Nallah, are currently under execution.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Irshad Rasool Kar in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed that a DPR for an amount of Rs. 44.85 crore has been prepared and shall be part of the shelf of projects to be taken up under NABARD funding for modernization of Zaingeer Canal. Besides, one work has been completed under FMP Phase II and one work is under execution under UT Capex.
He said that the survey for framing of DPR for the Khursi Nallah D/s National Highway (Sopore constituency) has been completed and DPR will be framed accordingly.
He informed that WSS Zaingeer, WSS Shiva (proposed) and WSS Saidpora (proposed) are partly dependent on Zanageer canal as the source, WSSs Mazbugh, Checkpora Nowpora, Nowpora Kalan, Bohripora Sheeraz Colony, Bohripora Hamdanabad and Sidiq Colony and Model Town, Wadoora and Nathipora are dependent on Pohru Nallah as the source while WSSs Takiybal Wagub (under execution) and Sharkwara Rural are dependent on Ningli Nallah as the source.
He said that the DPRs are based on a detailed survey that included assessment of quantum and quality of the source. He said that in these schemes, provision of rapid sand filtration plants has been kept to meet the BIS 10500 quality parameters. Besides, surface water has been taken as a source that has sufficient discharge capacity thus ensuring sustainability.
While sharing details of expenditure, the Minister said that an amount of Rs. 3.80 crore has been expended for maintenance and upkeep of various Nallahs of Sopore Constituency under various schemes like FMP Phase II UT Capex, M&R and PRI grants besides NABARD.
2 WSSs worth Rs 106 cr under execution in Tosamaidan areas: Javed Rana
5 filtration plants at different stages of completion in Khansahib Constituency
Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, said that two Water Supply Schemes, taken up under Jal Jeevan Mission at an estimated cost of Rs. 1060.89 lakh, are presently under execution for providing potable water supply to Habbar, Lassipora and Tosmaidaan areas.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Saif-ud-din Bhat. The Minister said that an amount of Rs. 7.80 crore has been expended so far, which included Rs. 7.27 crore incurred on procurement of pipes for utilization in these schemes.
The Minster further informed that Khanpora village falls under the WSS Iskenderpora Lolipora, being executed under NABARD at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.78 crore against which an amount of Rs. 3.80 crore has been expended till date, including Rs. 3.44 crore incurred on procurement of pipes.
The Minister further informed that there are five filtration plants taken up under JJM in Khansahib Constituency, which are at different stages of completion. He said that the completion of all these schemes and the filtration plants will depend on the availability of funds under CSS and corresponding UT components.
Rs 143 cr Tawi River Front Project to be completed by April 2025: Javed Rana
85% of works on Tawi Barrage/Artificial lake accomplished
Minister for Jal Shkati, Javed Ahmad Rana, today informed the House that the Tawi River Front Project (Phase 1) shall be completed in April, 2025 with an allotted cost of Rs 143.00 crore.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Arvind Gupta in the Legislative Assembly.
He informed that 96 percent and 94 percent physical progress has been achieved on the left bank and right bank of the river respectively.
Regarding the Tawi Barrage works, the Minister said that the works have been taken up with an estimated cost of Rs. 64.80 crore and Rs. 36.15 crore have been expended, so far. He said that 85 percent of the works of Tawi Barrage and Artificial Lake stand completed.
The Minister said that in order to prevent the direct drain discharge into the Ranbir Canal, a detailed DPR for an amount of Rs 34.06 crore has been prepared for execution of 10 works.