JAMMU, Nov 17: Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday issues final notices for cancellation of land allotment to 586 entities which failed to set up units under the much-touted ‘new industrial development scheme. Notices have been issued as these units failed to deposit the land premium and execute lease deed, according to a top official. The step has been taken to provide opportunity to others in the long queue.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration in January 2021 announced a new industrial development scheme (IDS) with a total outlay of Rs 28,400 crore to encourage new investment and take industrial development to the block level.
Approved by the Government of India, the new IDS for was not only meant for ushering in an era of socio-economic development of the region, but also take development to the block level and far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The final notice was issued by Jammu & Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) Managing Director Smita Sethi on Thursday. These allotted units include 462 in Kashmir valley and 124 in Jammu region.These units were granted 500 to 600 acres of land in dozens of industrial estates set up by J&K government.
Of these 423 units were given allotment of lands by J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (SICOP) and 163 by SIDCO.
”As per record 586 allottees (of Industrial units) have not given any response and are liable for cancellation in terms of Jammu & Kashmir Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30 despite repeated notices”, Sethi said in final and show-cause notice for cancellation of the allotment order.
The notice further said that as per the directions of administrative department of Industries and Commerce on November 4, 2022, a final notice of 15 days is being served to all the (389) allottees from the date of issuance of this notice, who did not respond to earlier notices, to deposit the payment and complete formalities.
”Failing which it shall be presumed that they have nothing to say in their defence and the allotment order shall be deemed to have been cancelled or withdrawn ab-initio, if no convincing response is received during this period”, Sethi said.
She further said that in accordance procedural guideline to the Jammu & Kashmir industrial land allotment policy, 30 days notice was served upon the unit holders, who failed to deposit the payment and complete the requisite formalities.
”Additionally a show cause notice of seven days and final notice of five days was also served through email. They again failed to deposit the due amount and complete the necessary formalities”, MD said.
”There are 4500 applications in queue for grant of allotment in setting up units in J&K. If they don’t respond, there are others in the queue”, Sethi said.
These units are bringing an investment of over Rs 3,000 crores and generating a job market of 7,000.
As per the notice SIDCO and SICOP issued land allotments or letter of intent (LOIs) in terms of Industrial Policy 2021-30 in compliance to the approval accorded by high level land allotment committee in its first meeting held on July 1, 2021 & December 30, 2021.
As per terms and conditions of allotment orders, the allottees were required to deposit the land premium, execute lease deed and complete other formalities within 60 days time frame from the date of issuance of said allotment order. However some unit holders have failed to deposit the due amount & complete the necessary formalities within the stipulated time period, Sethi said.
Jammu & Kashmir Land Allotment Policy, 2021-30 provides land allotment process and envisages that in case of non-execution of lease deed, including non-payment of payable premium, even after the expiry of notice period, the land allotment shall be cancelled by the concerned industrial development corporation immediately, she said.
As per the procedural guidelines, allotment policy provide that in case of failure on the part of allottees to make total payment towards premium within stipulated time from the date of allotment letter, violation of any condition of the lease deed, failure to come into production within stipulated time, among others, the concerned estates officer shall immediately take necessary action for determination of the lease deed and eviction of the allottees under the said act and rules made there under.
Jammu and Kashmir has received investment proposals worth Rs 31,000 crore and has notified a new central sector scheme worth Rs 28,400 crore which is likely to provide employment to over 4.5 lakh people, the Rajya Sabha was informed in December last year.
MoS Home Nityanand Rai said that the government has received investment proposals worth approximately Rs 31,000 crore. (Agencies)

New Delhi, Nov 17: Having deployed its troops near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to prevent any misadventure from China, the Indian Army is making a large number of ponds to get fresh drinking water for the troops even in freezing winters.
India has deployed more than 50,000 troops along with a large number of new equipment to tackle possible Chinese aggression since April-May 2020 in Eastern Ladakh. A number of steps have been taken to address the logistical requirements of troops based there.
“We are making a big number of ponds to cater to the water requirements of the forces deployed there. In forward locations like the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the troops used fresh water from ponds even in freezing winters this year,” Indian Army’s Engineer in Chief Lt Gen Harpal Singh said.
“The water at the surface level gets frozen in extreme winters but underneath, it remains in liquid form. Our troops used the water from these ponds to meet their requirements,” he said.
DBO is one of the coldest and most forward locations in Ladakh and witnesses extreme cold conditions in the cold desert area.
The temperatures in these areas go below minus 40 degrees also on some occasions and providing fresh water and food to troops becomes a challenge.
The Corps of Engineers has done extensive work for helping the troops to stay put in forward locations near China border and making living conditions better there.
The Army has so far built 22,000 additional habitats for the troops in eastern Ladakh and they have been built in a way that the buildings can be lifted from one place to the other and relocated as per requirement in specific sectors, Lt Gen Harpal said.
The sappers have also built a large number of habitats for the tanks, artillery guns and infantry combat vehicles to enable the armoured corps to operate them even in very cold conditions. (Agencies)

SRINAGAR: Srinagar police on Thursday urged media houses not to discuss the names of the journalists during their debate regarding the online anonymous threats to them.

“It has been noticed by our social media cell that many news portals are irresponsibly discussing names of media persons in their debates regarding the online anonymous threat to them,” Srinagar police said in a statement. A case under relevant sections has been already registered in Shergari police station about this threat, the police said.

“Media houses are requested not to fall for sensationalism in discussing names of victims in reporting and also to behave responsibly and not endanger the safety and security of their fellow journalists,” the police added.

Poonch, Nov 17: The authorities on Thursday reopened historic Mughal road connecting twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri with Shopian in South Kashmir for traffic.

Quoting officials, news agency GNS reported that the vehicles were permitted to move after snow clearance work was completed on the thoroughfare.

The road had been shut for the past nearly four days after snowfall around Pir Ki Gali on Monday.

DySP Traffic Rajouri-Poonch Range, Aftab Bukhari confirmed the opening of the road for traffic.

JAMMU, Nov 17: The India Meteorological Department on Thursday forecast dry weather with mainly clear to partly cloudy sky in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is likely to remain dry in J&K with mainly clear to partly cloudy sky in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded 1.2 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam minus 3.4 and Gulmarg minus 3.6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature this morning.
Drass town in Ladakh region had minus 12.2 and Leh minus 9, while Jammu registered 10.7 degrees, Katra 10.6, Batote 4, Banihal 4.8 and Bhaderwah 1.6 degrees. (Agencies)

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: With the onset of winter, migratory birds have started arriving in the Kashmir valley and at this time these birds are seen dancing at the wetlands of the valley.
Keeping their centuries-old relationship with Kashmir, these birds visit Kashmir every year and enjoy the temperate climate here.
According to experts, from the month of October, these birds migrate from Siberia, China, Philippines, Eastern Europe and Japan to the valley and stay here for about five months.
These birds include Tufted Duck, Gudwal, Brahminy Duck, Gargantuan, Greyleg Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal and Eurasian Wagtail.
The experts say that these migratory birds “help a lot in maintaining the ecosystem.” They maintain the balance of the earth. It is noteworthy that the discipline of these water birds entering Kashmir is a sight to behold. When they fly, they walk in a long line and their movement creates a black line on the horizon.
According to a report by Eurasia Rewarblers, these birds are generally more attracted to northern regions, but sometimes they change their decision as needed.
According to the report, these birds use a natural skill called “aviation” in modern aviation to make long journeys comfortable. This skill is a type of their sixth sense in which birds have been found to be more intelligent and intelligent than humans.
The presence of these different types and colourful migratory birds in the water bodies of Kashmir Valley, their chirping and sweet dialects create a distinct sweetness in the air. With the arrival of these birds, wildlife enthusiasts traditionally visit the famous wetlands of Kashmir including Hokarsar, Wolar Lake, Hegam, Shala Bug and other water bodies to witness them.
The growing trend of illegal hunting of these birds has been a cause of concern for the concerned department for the past years, but according to the authorities, it has been controlled to a great extent.
“Hunting of these migratory birds that enter Kashmir during winter has been stopped to a large extent. The department is gearing up to protect these birds,” officials said.
He further said that in order to provide a peaceful environment to these visitors, the department has taken several steps to maintain the proper water levels in all water shelters of Kashmir. (Agencies)