*Assesses functioning of S&T Deptt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 18: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to thoroughly assess the multi-departmental efforts and progress under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) across the districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the urgency of tackling the drug menace, the Chief Secretary issued a slew of instructions including constitution of a dedicated Task Force under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Home, with Administrative Heads from the Information, Social Welfare, and Skill Development Departments as members. This force will focus on formulating comprehensive, age-group-wise rehabilitation proposals for treated individuals.
Chief Secretary underscored the vital need for training counsellors for every Panchayat, Health Center, High/Higher Secondary School, and College across J&K. He asked for training of Master Trainers at IMHANS Srinagar/Jammu, who will then be utilized to conduct decentralized training sessions in their respective districts. Videography of these training sessions was suggested for clarity and wider dissemination across tehsils and blocks.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez, presented a detailed overview of the achievements under the Abhiyan, showcasing widespread outreach and collective departmental efforts:
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary reviewed the functioning of the Science & Technology Department and called for accelerated efforts to advance J&K’s transition to green energy, expand renewable infrastructure, and strengthen science education and research among students.
The meeting was attended by Secretary S&T, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, CEO JAKEDA P.N. Dhar, and senior departmental officers.
The Chief Secretary assessed the progress on small and mini hydropower projects and reviewed key renewable initiatives including the solarization of government buildings and the implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme along with dozens of other initiatives taken by the department to promote clean energy and innovation across the UT.
The Secretary S&T, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary informed that JAKEDA is working toward solarizing more than 8,000 Government buildings with a cumulative capacity of 245 MW. It includes 70 MW under CAPEX across 30 departments and 175 MW under the RESCO model. He added that work orders for 1,300 buildings have been issued, while completed installations include the 10 kW system at TRC Kupwara and the 3 MW plant at the University of Kashmir.
The Chief Secretary urged the department to adhere to timelines, and ensure measurable outcomes to accelerate J&K’s renewable energy growth and strengthen the scientific landscape across the length and breadth of the UT.
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