65% of J&K’s landslide areas classified as low risk, 12% high risk: Survey

Srinagar: Around 65% of Jammu and Kashmir’s landslide-prone areas are classified as low risk, 23% fall under moderate risk, and 12% are identified as high-risk zones, according to the latest landslide susceptibility mapping by the Geological Survey of India.

The Government of India, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), has made significant progress in mapping landslide-prone areas across the country, including Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), as part of its efforts to manage natural disasters more effectively.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI), the nodal agency for landslide studies, has completed comprehensive landslide susceptibility mapping for the entire landslide-prone hilly and mountainous regions, including Jammu & Kashmir.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the landslide susceptibility maps classify areas into low, moderate, and high-risk zones based on the likelihood of landslide initiation. In Jammu & Kashmir, about 65% of the landslide-prone area falls under the low-risk category, 23% under moderate risk, and 12% under high-risk zones.

This detailed mapping, created on a 1:50,000 scale, covers about 4.3 lakh square kilometers across 19 states and union territories.

The GSI continuously updates its landslide database, which includes over 33,900 field-validated landslides, supported by remote sensing and field data.

The maps and inventory are publicly accessible through the National Geoscience Data Repository and Bhukosh portals, helping authorities and stakeholders in disaster preparedness and land-use planning.

For more detailed local assessments, the GSI is also working on meso-scale mapping at scales of 1:10,000 and 1:5,000. In Jammu & Kashmir, this will enable more precise risk evaluations and guide safer infrastructure development. By 2028, 200 critical sectors across the country, including those in J&K, are targeted for completion of this high-resolution mapping.

The government is actively enhancing landslide forecasting capabilities to respond to the increasing frequency of natural calamities. The Regional Landslide Forecasting System (RLFS), developed by GSI in collaboration with the Indian Meteorological Department and other agencies, provides early warnings based on rainfall and weather models.

This system supports disaster management authorities to take timely preventive actions in vulnerable regions.

Jammu & Kashmir, with its mountainous terrain and susceptibility to natural hazards, benefits from such forecasting efforts. While specific operational forecasts for J&K districts are currently under development, the government is committed to expanding these services across all high-risk zones.

In addition to mapping and forecasting, the Government of India provides special assistance to states with high-risk landslide areas through financial aid and capacity-building programs.

The National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme and the Aapda Mitra scheme, implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), offer funding and train community volunteers in disaster response, ensuring local preparedness and resilience—(KNO)

Premier educational institutions set up in J&K in past 10 years: LG Sinha

Inaugurates administrative block at Central University in Ganderbal

Ganderbal: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that in the past 10 years some premier educational institutions have been established in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing during the inauguration of administrative block at the Central University of Kashmir, LG Sinha, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the human capital that is being prepared in the universities will surely help in nation building.

“It is a fact that from past 8-10 years, we have been able to establish some premier educational institutions under the leadership of PM Modi. Be it IIT, NIFT, Central University and AIIMS, J&K has benefited from these institutions,” he said.

He said that the way reforms are being brought into the syllabus will be beneficial for students and the nation as a whole.

He added he sees a bright future of the CUK and also wished to see this varsity among the top universities by 2047. “I want the committe members of the Central University to take the varsity at global level,”

“The students need to study beyond the syllabus and I am sure that with this, the students of CUK will focus on it and will contribute to the national development,” he said—(KNO)

6200 food samples fail safety tests in J&K over 5 years

15% of items found adulterated; over 6,900 penalties imposed

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir has reported alarming levels of food adulteration in the past five years, with more than 6,200 food samples failing safety standards out of 41,717 tested, according to data presented in Parliament.

The figures show that nearly 15 per cent of food items analyzed between 2020 and 2025 were found unfit for consumption.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in 2020-21, 4,094 samples were tested, of which 871 were declared non-conforming, leading to 573 penalties.

In 2021-22, testing expanded to 8,109 samples, with 1,735 failing standards. That year also saw the highest enforcement, with 1,931 penalties imposed.

In 2022-23, authorities tested 13,502 samples—the highest in the period—but 1,195 failed to meet safety norms. A total of 1,592 penalties were issued. The following year (2023-24), 9,057 samples were tested, 750 were adulterated, and 1,612 penalties were imposed, including some pending cases from previous years.

In the current year (2024-25), 6,955 samples were tested, with 651 found unsafe, leading to 1,239 penalties.

Overall, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 6,202 non-conforming samples and more than 6,900 penalties between 2020 and 2025.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been urging states and Union Territories, including J&K, to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and fill vacant posts of food safety officers.

The Health Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that whenever samples are found non-conforming to provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, legal action and penalties are initiated against defaulters—(KNO)

CM Omar calls for increasing coverage under social inclusion schemes

Stresses on immediate tendering and execution of works

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of financial inclusion schemes, social security coverage, district capex and progress of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) works programme. The Chief Minister also reviewed the GST collection – tax and non-tax revenue for the current financial year.

The meeting was attended by the Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, all Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners of all districts, and other concerned, both in person and through virtual mode.

Principal Secretary Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya, gave a detailed presentation on the financial and social inclusion schemes, revenue generation trends and district-wise progress under capex and CDF works.

The Chief Minister noted tardy pace in uploading & tendering of works and issued directions to all departments and districts to focus on revenue realization & social inclusion schemes and monitor progress on a monthly basis rather than leaving corrective measures to the last quarter of the financial year.

“Departments must not wait for February and March to chase revenue targets. Each department will receive specific communication from the Finance Department flagging their areas of concern and giving a six-month revenue target breakdown. They should start working on improving revenue realization today, with a clear monthly plan,” the Chief Minister stressed.

He further directed that Deputy Commissioners will be given district-specific instructions from the Finance Department, particularly regarding the coverage of social welfare schemes such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Integrated Social Security Scheme, widow, old-age and disability pensions. He called DCs to find out reasons for drop in enrollment of account holders under PMJDY and other schemes. “We will conduct another review of social welfare schemes after three months, and I expect to see a significant improvement in coverage at the district level,” Omar Abdullah said.

CM called for expediting finalization of works plans under the CDF and to upload the works on BEAMS portal. He gave instructions that MLAs be informed about the works included in the UT & District Capex plans which were prioritized by the MLAs during pre-budget meetings and to intimate them about works which were found unviable.

The Chief Minister cautioned that delays in revenue mobilization could force the government into difficult decisions such as imposing cuts in departmental expenditure. “If departments do not want to find themselves in a position where expenditure is curtailed, they must focus as far as possible on improving revenue realization. The responsibility lies with each department to ensure timely progress,” he emphasized.

During the meeting, it was noted that while social security schemes have shown impressive growth in recent years—with PMJDY account holders crossing 23 lakh, PMSBY enrollments touching 23.8 lakh account holders, and PMJJBY covering nearly 9.83 lakh individuals.

Similarly, in respect of welfare schemes administered by Building & Other Construction Workers Board, the meeting was informed that ₹166.90 crore was disbursed to 2.5 lakh beneficiaries in 2024-25, yet active worker registration remains low, requiring expansion efforts.

The Chief Minister underlined the need to strengthen monitoring of both expenditure and revenue flows, ensure 100% uploading of works on BEAMS, and expedite the accord of administrative approvals, tendering and execution of district capex works. He also called for intensified awareness campaigns to improve access to social security schemes and faster settlement of claims.

The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to social security, inclusive growth and fiscal discipline, while urging all departments and Deputy Commissioners to work in close coordination with the Finance Department to achieve the set targets—(KNO)

Govt Orders Transfers, New Postings in J&K Departments

Srinagar, Aug 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday ordered a series of transfers and postings of officials across multiple departments with immediate effect.

In an official Order issed by GAD-JK as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, Ramesh Kumar, Private Secretary, has been shifted from the Department of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks and posted in the Civil Aviation Department, while Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Private Secretary, has been moved from the Civil Aviation Department to the Science & Technology Department.

Similarly, Umer Dar, Senior Stenographer, was transferred from the Directorate of Motor Garages, J&K, to the Transport Department. Ms. Ruhi Talgotra, Junior Stenographer, presently awaiting adjustment in the GAD, has now been posted in the Transport Department.

Further, Sunil Singh, Junior Stenographer, has been shifted from the Transport Department to the Civil Aviation Department, and Anees Hassan, Junior Stenographer, was transferred from the J&K Services Selection Board to the Civil Aviation Department.

The order issued by the General Administration Department states that all these officers and officials shall be deemed relieved with immediate effect. (KNC)

J&K Government Dismisses Employee for Drug-Related Crime

Srinagar, Aug 14: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has dismissed an employee of the Irrigation Division in Tral from service after he was found involved in a narcotic-related case.

According to Government Order as per news agency Kashmir News Corner— KNC, The employee, identified as Farooq Ahmad Najar, an Orderly cum Chowkidar, was dismissed under Article 311(2) of the Constitution of India.

Najar was involved in FIR No. 0043/2024 under sections 8, 21, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Kakapora. He was arrested following the recovery of 6.5 grams of Brown Sugar from his possession.

The order states that Najar was placed under suspension on November 26, 2024, and an inquiry was initiated.

The inquiry officer’s report concluded that Najar had not only failed to uphold the integrity expected of a public servant but had also “actively engaged in activities detrimental to public welfare.” The report noted that his involvement in an “illicit drug network” posed a significant threat to public safety and contributed to crime and social instability.

Following a detailed review of the evidence, the competent authority decided to dismiss Najar from service with immediate effect, disqualifying him from any future government employment.

The government stated that his continued employment would pose a “grave risk to public welfare and erode trust in government institutions.” (KNC)