Question Hour in LA Restoration works on Pahalgam-Aru road to be completed by end of December 2025: Deputy CM

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 29: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today said that the restoration work on Pahalgam–Aru road, at an estimated cost of Rs. 25.40 lakhs is in progress and will be completed by end of December 2025.
The Deputy CM said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator, Altaf Ahmad Wani in Legislative Assembly today.
He informed the house that the culvert on Pahalgam -Aru road was damaged due to flash floods on 26th August 2025 and the connectivity was promptly restored within two days by constructing a temporary diversion.
The Deputy CM further informed the house that around 60 different kinds of works have been undertaken by the department for restoration of infrastructure damaged due to recent floods and landslides across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He also informed the house that around 200 works under PMGSY have been undertaken for permanent restoration in Jammu division.
Criteria for relaxing criteria for establishing Anganwadi centres to be taken with Union Government: Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo today said that the Government will take up the matter of relaxing criteria for establishing Anganwadi centres in far-flung areas with Union Government so that the necessary benefits also reach the vulnerable populations.
The Minister said this while replying to question raised by Legislator, Reyaz Ahmad Khan in Legislative Assembly today.
The Minister informed the house that the criteria for establishing new Anganwadi Centre is regulated by Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare and for 400-800 souls-1 AWC, 800-1600 = 2 AWCs, 1600-2400 = 3 AWCs and thereafter a multiple of 800 is adopted
She also informed the house that currently there is no such proposal for establishment/opening of additional Anganwadi Centres in far flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir. She added that the matter with regard to opening of Anganwari centers in left out and far flung areas, that fulfill the criteria, shall be taken up with the GOI, Ministry of Women and Child Welfare.
Further, the Minister informed that all necessary steps/measures are being taken to ensure that the benefits of the schemes offered under Poshan 2.0 are reached to the target beneficiaries in all the areas including rural and inaccessible areas. She added that field functionaries have been asked to identify the vulnerable sections of the society so as to ensure inclusion of the left out targeted population.
81 Gardens and Parks functional in Bahu Constituency: Government
Around Rs. 265 lakhs allotted in last two years for their maintenance
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 29: Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma today informed the house that 81 Gardens & Parks are functional in Bahu Constituency of Jammu.
The Minister said this while replying on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, to a question raised by Legislator, Ch. Vikram Randhawa on parks and gardens.
The Minister informed that out of 81 Gardens & Parks, functional in Bahu Constituency, 49 were transferred to Urban Local Bodies in line with the mandate of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.
He further said that presently, 11 Gardens & Parks, falling under Bahu Constituency are being maintained by the Floriculture Department, for which an amount of Rs. 264.98 lakhs was allotted in last two years for their maintenance.
Legislators, Satish Kumar Sharma and Narinder Singh raised supplementary questions on the subject.
Department to modernize existing Irrigation-cum-De-watering Schemes: Jal Shakti Minister
Says network of 112 canals, benefiting nearly 20,625 households in Sonawari Constituency
Minister for Jal Shakti Department, Javed Ahmad Rana today said that the government intends to augment and modernize the existing Irrigation-cum-De-watering Schemes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by legislator, Hilal Akbar Lone in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister said that the Department under augmenting and modernizing the existing Irrigation-cum-De-watering Schemes, four (04) schemes have already been completed under AIBP and District Capex in Sonawari Constituency.
Rana said that there is a network of 112 canals, comprising of approximately 245 km of main canals and 90 km of distributaries with a command area of about 21,416 acres, benefiting nearly 20,625 households in the Sonawari Constituency.
He further said that twenty-one works also have been executed during the last five years under PRI, DDC, and Capex grants for strengthening the existing irrigation infrastructure in the IFC Division Sumbal.
In addition to this, eight DPRs under NABARD and Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) Schemes have been prepared and are presently under examination for the modernization and augmentation of various Lift Irrigation and De-watering Schemes in the Sonawari Constituency.
He said that these projects aim to promote Agricultural Development and ensure the smooth provision of irrigation facilities to the beneficiaries.
However, the project “Construction of LIS Odina” – has been proposed for funding under RIDF–XXI (NABARD). The scheme is proposed to be executed in two stages, wherein water will be lifted from River Jhelum and discharged into Nallah Amir Khan. “This Nallah, which traverses several villages and supports multiple irrigation schemes, will ensure wider benefits to the farming community” the Minister added.
18 projects approved to augment water scenario in Srinagar city: Sakeena Itoo
Says proactive steps being taken to improve the pipeline network across Srinagar
Government today said that 18 projects under AMRUT 2.0, including four in Shalteng constituency have been approved to augment the water scenario in Srinagar city.
It was informed by the Minister for Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in reply to a question raised by legislator Tariq Hameed Kara in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister said that various measures are being taken to improve water supply scenario in Srinagar which include construction of overhead tanks at multiple spots and augmentation by way of laying of new network of pipelines and extension of existing pipeline system.
He said in addition to this various steps are also being taken to improve efficiency of water treatment plants.
The Minister said that the old and damaged pipelines are regularly being replaced as and when required and the Department is taking proactive steps to improve the pipeline network across city.
Supplementary was raised by the Legislator Mubarak Gul.
Over 15.5 lac fruit plants imported to JK in the last 2 years
Horticulture, SKUAST- K conduct field surveillance, pest monitoring, management to control leaf minor other diseases spread in orchards: Javid Dar
The Minister for Agriculture Production Department Javid Ahmad Dar today said that a total of 15,51,863 fruit plants were imported by the empanelled agencies to Jammu and Kashmir during last two years.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Shabir Ahmad Kullay in the Legislative Assembly today.
He said that the majority of imports comprise apple varieties such as gala, red delicious, and their improved strains, besides apple plants, limited quantities of walnut plants, and cherry apple root-stock have also been imported.
The Minister said that the Leaf Minor pest has shown a surge in past two to three years due to recent climatic changes, besides there has been a notable resurgence and increased severity of aphid infestation in various parts of Kashmir valley.
He informed that the Department of Horticulture, in collaboration with SKUAST, Kashmir, undertakes regular field surveillance, pest monitoring, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) intervention to effectively control and contain such incidences.
Javid Dar said that, besides, regular awareness and capacity-building programmes are also being conducted to sustain such community-based interventions.
He said that pests like leaf minor have a potential for a rapid horizontal spread and warrants integrated pest management approach with strategic incorporation of insecticide and bio control agents, including cultural practices with community participation.
Minister said that the community based IPM approach in the hot spots strategy is in place, including blanket cover in contiguous areas. Advisories in this regard are being provided by the Department of Horticulture in collaboration with SKUAST-K.
The Minister said that the incidence of pest outbreaks, such as leaf minor, necessitates coordinated interventions but large scale blanket spraying of insecticides through drones is not recommended by the research institutions due to environmental concerns and issues like fragmented land holdings, harm to non-target organisms, non-availability of ultra-low-volume formulation for the said pests. Horticulture Departments intend to follow advisories issued by SKUAS-K CITH and ICAR in the matter
Javid Dar said that the Department of Horticulture is taking concerted steps to strengthen the local nursery sector and promote the production of quality indigenous planting material under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP—Project 21) and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP). The financial/subsidy support is being provided for the establishment of Mother Orchards, Rootstock Banks, and Plant Propagation Units across the districts to boost local plant nursery growers
He further informed that the Department of Horticulture has fixed district-wise targets for the promotion and supply of high-density planting material under various schemes, including the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Revised Modified High-Density Plantation Scheme (RMHDPS), and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP). An area of 5500 Ha has been proposed to cover under High Density plantation in JKUT in 10 years, subject to availability of resources.