Sham Lal Sharma, Member of Legislative Assembly from Jammu North, met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today to discuss matters of public interest and development in the region.

In addition, Mahant Rohit Shastri, President of Shri Kailakh Jyotish & Vedic Sansthan Trust, also called on the Lieutenant Governor to deliberate on issues related to cultural and spiritual development.

Several other delegations met with the Lieutenant Governor, including:

• Dr. Nawang Tundup, President of the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Society Paddar, who discussed initiatives for preserving and promoting the region’s Buddhist heritage.
• Gurmeet Singh Bajwa, President of the Border Welfare Committee R.S. Pura, who highlighted concerns of the border communities and sought support for welfare initiatives.
• A joint delegation from the Healthy and Drug-Free Youth Association and the All India Young Blood Organisation, which presented their proposals for youth empowerment and campaigns against drug abuse.

The meetings underscored the administration’s commitment to engaging with various stakeholders to address pressing concerns and foster inclusive development across Jammu and Kashmir.

As part of the ongoing three-day orientation program for newly elected MLAs, Member of Parliament Lok Sabha N. K. Premachandran today shared his experiences with the legislators of Jammu and Kashmir. Premachandran emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the rules governing legislative and financial business.

The program’s second day was attended by the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, along with various legislators and dignitaries. Discussions focused on the legislative process, including Private Members Bills and financial business topics such as the Demand for Grants. Premachandran provided a detailed explanation of the foundational concepts of the legislature.

Session Highlights

In the second session, Joint Secretary Santosh Kumar delivered a presentation on “Executive Accountability through Questions in Legislature.” He covered critical aspects, including:

• Question Hour in Lok Sabha
• Short Notice Questions (SNQ)
• Questions directed to Private Members
• Notice and Examination of Questions

Director of Lok Sabha, Partha Goswami, elaborated on the objectives of executive accountability through questions and other parliamentary devices. He also explained the Speaker’s role in maintaining order and facilitating the proceedings.

Director of PRIDE Lok Sabha Secretariat, P. K. Mallick, gave an insightful lecture on “Information Management in the Legislature.” He detailed the functions and responsibilities of information management, including:

• Information Resources and Knowledge Management
• Serving the Informational Needs of Parliamentarians
• Enhancing legislative efficiency through effective information systems

Interactive Sessions

The legislators actively participated in the sessions, raising queries about legislative procedures and processes. These queries sparked in-depth discussions, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge to the newly elected representatives.

The orientation program continues to serve as a comprehensive platform for equipping MLAs with essential skills and knowledge to navigate their legislative responsibilities effectively.

Dr. Farooq Runyal Leads GMC Doda to Another Milestone with Advanced Eye Surgery

Doda, January 10, 2025 – The Department of Ophthalmology at Government Medical College (GMC) Doda has successfully performed an advanced eye surgery known as Phakic Refractive Surgery for spectacle removal and correction of high Myopic Astigmatism. The groundbreaking procedure was conducted on a 23-year-old female patient with -8.50D Myopia and -4.5D Astigmatism, marking a significant achievement for the institution.

The surgery was skillfully performed by Dr. Farooq Runyal, Consultant Ophthalmology, and ably assisted by Dr. Kirandeep Kour Raina (Senior Resident), Dr. Asma Majid (Medical Officer), along with Mr. Yasir Butt and Mr. Ayub Lone.

Phakic Refractive Surgery involves the insertion of an implantable collamer lens (ICL/IPCL) inside the eye without removing the natural lens. This innovative procedure eliminates the need for spectacles and is recognized for being safe, reversible, successful, and painless. The surgery is performed under topical anesthesia, ensuring maximum comfort for the patient.

The patient expressed immense satisfaction and joy at being able to get rid of heavy spectacles, marking a transformative change in her life. With the success of this surgery, GMC Doda aims to perform similar procedures on a routine basis, further enhancing its capabilities in advanced ophthalmic care.

In a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Udhampur, Saloni Rai, the progress of works executed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) convergence plan for the financial year 2024-25 was thoroughly reviewed. The meeting also laid the groundwork for formulating the convergence plan for 2025-26.

The DC emphasized the importance of expediting pending works while ensuring adherence to quality standards. She underscored the need for inter-departmental coordination to achieve significant and measurable outcomes under MGNREGA. Stressing the importance of proper documentation and regular monitoring, she directed officers to submit progress reports in a timely manner.

“Holistic development of the district is our priority,” stated DC Saloni Rai. “A well-drafted convergence plan for 2025-26 will pave the way for sustainable development and enhanced rural employment opportunities.”

The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Rajinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner Development Dr. Ranjit Kotwal, and other senior officials from various departments. The officers deliberated on strategies to align departmental efforts under MGNREGA and ensure efficient utilization of resources.

DC Rai urged the departments to identify key areas where MGNREGA projects could be effectively integrated with other developmental schemes to maximize impact. She called for innovative approaches to address local challenges and uplift rural communities.

As part of the convergence plan for 2025-26, the DC instructed officers to draft a comprehensive framework that focuses on infrastructure development, livelihood enhancement, and ecological sustainability. She reiterated the administration’s commitment to achieving tangible outcomes through meticulous planning and execution.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on expediting ongoing projects and ensuring their completion within stipulated timelines. Officers were reminded to uphold transparency and accountability throughout the implementation process.

The district administration remains dedicated to fostering rural development and improving the quality of life for its residents through effective governance and the optimal use of resources.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized India’s long-standing tradition of women empowerment and equality during his presidential address at the valedictory session of the week-long first Women’s National Integration Camp on ‘Women Empowerment and Emancipation through NSS’ held at Padma Shri Padma Sachdev (PSPS) Government College for Women, Gandhinagar.

The camp, organized by the Regional Directorate of National Service Scheme (NSS) under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with GCW Parade and PSPS GCW Gandhinagar Jammu, brought together participants from 16 states and Union Territories.

In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted that India was founded on principles of equality, granting women the right to vote in the very first election. “This country has seen women in leadership roles before others who try to teach us lessons. We had a woman Prime Minister before many developed nations even considered it,” he said.

He further noted, “Our country has had more than one woman President, and currently, the highest office in the nation is occupied by a woman. We have also had a woman Lok Sabha Speaker in the past, which underscores the ideals of women empowerment in our democracy.”

The Chief Minister acknowledged, however, that women’s representation in public governance still lags. “True empowerment will be realized when women occupy an equal number of positions in governance and decision-making without relying on reservations,” Omar Abdullah remarked. “Women make up 50% of the population but do not constitute 50% of elected representatives,” he added.

Expressing gratitude to the participants, the Chief Minister urged them to act as ambassadors of goodwill, love, and friendship, carrying a message of unity from Jammu to their respective states.

Minister Sakina Itoo Advocates for National Integration

Addressing the gathering, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakina Itoo, lauded the diversity of participants coming together under one roof. She stressed the importance of national integration and encouraged young participants to promote peace and unity in their communities. “Women are marching ahead in every field and profession,” she added.

Camp Activities and Felicitations

Additional Chief Secretary for Higher Education, Shantmanu, provided a comprehensive overview of the camp’s activities. Director Colleges J&K and State NSS Director, Sheikh Aijaz, presented the camp address.

During the valedictory session, the Chief Minister felicitated winners and participants of various categories. Distinguished attendees included Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University of Jammu, Professor K.S. Chandrasekhar, Regional Director NSS & Principal GCW Gandhinagar, Dr. Saraswat, Principal GCW Parade Ground, Dr. Tikku, and Camp Commander, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur.

The week-long camp showcased India’s unity in diversity, fostering collaboration and understanding among participants from across the nation.