Govt intensifies efforts to protect Cooperative assets: Javid Dar

JAMMU : Minister for Cooperatives, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Tuesday informed the House that the Cooperative department has stepped up efforts to safeguard the cooperative assets across Jammu and Kashmir besides undertaking broader reforms to strengthen this vital sector.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Narinder Singh Raina, the Minister said that as per the latest assessment, the cooperative institutions own 728 kanal of land, of which, 694 kanal is in possession while 36 kanal and 12 marla (around 5%) is under illegal encroachment.
The Minister informed that in the Kashmir Division, about 12 kanal and 16 marla of cooperative land is affected, with cases reported from Baramulla, Bandipora and Srinagar, involving litigation, legacy occupation and local disputes.
Similarly, in the Jammu Division, around 23 kanal and 8.5 marla of cooperative land is under encroachment across Jammu, Kathua and Kishtwar districts, mainly due to demarcation issues, documentation gaps and ongoing court cases, he said.
Javid Dar added that the department is actively pursuing legal remedies and coordinating with the district authorities for recovery of the encroached land, though ongoing litigation has slowed down eviction and retrieval in several cases.
Highlighting structural reforms, Javid Ahmad Dar said the Government has initiated a comprehensive reform process to address issues in the cooperative legal framework. He added that the proposed reforms aim to make a robust legislation with stronger audit provisions, improved accountability and uniform governance standards, which will significantly strengthen the functioning of cooperative institutions and safeguard the cooperative assets.
Minister assured the House that the Government will take all necessary measures to safeguard the Cooperative Society land and ensure that illegal encroachments are addressed strictly in accordance with the law.
Govt implementing set of initiatives to promote, strengthen dairy sector in Shangus–Anantnag East constituency: 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 Government is implementing a comprehensive set of initiatives to promote and strengthen the dairy sector in the Shangus–Anantnag East constituency, with a special focus on entrepreneurship generation, self-employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural youth and farmers.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Reyaz Ahmad Khan during the ongoing Budget Session in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed that the department has undertaken multiple interventions to modernize and expand dairy farming in the constituency like provision of artificial insemination services for genetic upgradation of livestock under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, including use of improved germplasm such as sexed semen to enhance productivity and breed quality.
He added that vaccination and disease control measures are being implemented under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, aimed at safeguarding the livestock health and preventing the spread of major animal diseases. He added that the Department is also organizing awareness campaigns and farmer-oriented training programmes under Krishonnati Yojana (SAME-ATMA component) to enhance the technical capacity of dairy farmers and improve farm management practices.
To promote dairy-based entrepreneurship and self-employment among rural youth, he informed that the Department is facilitating access to financial and technical support under schemes like Integrated Dairy Development Scheme and targeted interventions under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, including Project-23 (Dairy Development). He added that these initiatives aim to support establishment of dairy units, encourage start-ups in milk value addition and enhance income-generation opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.
The Minister further informed the House that the Government is taking concrete steps to expand dairy activities and strengthen the dairy value chain in the Shangus–Anantnag East constituency. Efforts are underway to augment the milk collection and processing infrastructure by facilitating the establishment of Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs), small chilling units and Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs), he added.
The Minister also said that support is being provided for setting up need-based processing facilities for production of value-added dairy products such as dahi, paneer, ghee, butter, ice cream and khoya, thereby enabling farmers to increase profitability through value addition. He informed that during the last two financial years, a significant number of beneficiaries from the Shangus–Anantnag East constituency have been covered under various dairy development schemes.
Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, he said that 434 beneficiaries have been supported for activities such as fodder development, milk value-addition start-ups and satellite heifer units, while 6 beneficiaries have been supported specifically under satellite heifer units and 27 beneficiaries have been covered under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme.
Additionally, 394 beneficiaries in the constituency have availed financial assistance under the Kisan Credit Card, facilitating easier access to institutional credit for dairy and allied activities, he said.
The Minister emphasized that these interventions have significantly contributed to promoting self-employment, entrepreneurship and livelihood security among rural youth and farmers in the constituency. He reiterated that the Department will continue to expand coverage under existing schemes, undertake capacity-building and awareness programmes and introduce need-based interventions to further strengthen the dairy sector and enhance income opportunities for farmers across the region.
Significant allocations, robust utilisation mark RDD schemes: Javid Dar
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Javid Ahmad Dar, today informed the Legislative Assembly that substantial progress has been achieved in terms of approval, release and utilisation of funds across various RDD schemes during the period 2024–26, reflecting the administration’s commitment towards timely execution of developmental works.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Ajaz Ahmad Jan during Question Hour.
The Minister informed the House that under centrally sponsored schemes, including MGNREGA, PMAY-G, SBM-G and IWMP, UT CAPEX significant allocations have been approved and released, with a considerable portion already utilised on the ground.
Providing details, he stated that under MGNREGA, funds to the tune of Rs. 113364.93 lakh and Rs. 91338.48 lakh respectively have been utilised across both Kashmir and Jammu regions during 2024-26.
Similarly, under PMAY-G, allocations have been made for both regions, with Rs. 65,876.55 lakh being utilised, contributing towards strengthening rural housing infrastructure.
Under SBM-G, the Government informed that more than Rs. 7161 lakh have been effectively utilised in Jammu and Kashmir regions, with continued expenditure being incurred during the current financial year to sustain sanitation initiatives.
With regard to IWMP, the House was apprised that a significant portion of the allocated funds has been released and utilised, indicating steady progress in watershed management activities. The minister informed that 5332.91 lakhs have been spent across Jammu and Kashmir under IWMP.
The Government further informed that under UT Capex, considerable expenditure has been recorded during 2024–25, with continued allocation and utilisation during 2025–26 aimed at strengthening infrastructure and developmental works across constituencies. It stated that 5149.91 lakhs have been spent across Jammu and Kashmir during 2024-26 under UT CAPEX community development.
The Minister emphasized that the Government is ensuring optimal utilisation of funds through close monitoring and timely execution of projects, thereby accelerating developmental activities at the grassroots level.
The Government reiterated its commitment to equitable and efficient allocation of resources to ensure balanced development across all constituencies.
The Minister also informed that border/far fling areas are receiving funds as per the approved allocation and guidelines of the scheme concerned based on the requirements assesses at the District as well as block levels.
Regarding the completion of pending works, the minister stated that the timeline for completion of delayed/incomplete works is supposed to be completed by the end of the financial year.