Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services (JKPSC)

• 10 Feb 2025

CRPF Chief Reviews J&K Security

Why in News? 

The Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) reviewed the security situation and assessed the force's operational preparedness during a two-day visit to the forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.

Key Points 

• Meeting with Lieutenant Governor: 
  • The Director General met Lieutenant Governor and briefed him on the force's preparedness for counter-terrorism operations and law-and-order management. 
• Interaction with Personnel: 
  • He visited the newly established Kopra Counter Insurgency camp under the CRPF's 237 Battalion in Kopratop, an area that has experienced significant terror activity over the past four years. 
  • He also interacted with officers and jawans, listening to their operational experiences and addressing their concerns. 
    • He emphasized the need for personnel to maintain a strong commitment to duty while also ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

Water Supply Schemes Inaugurated in J&K

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Minister for Science & Technology inaugurated seven water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points 

• Water Supply Schemes: 
  • The seven newly inaugurated water supply schemes, costing Rs 25.31 crore, will benefit 15,881 people across 2,584 households in 10 villages, including Jasrota, Rakh Hoshyari, Padyari, Saktha Chak, Bhadoli Charpad, and Mangtian. 
  • A total of 303 water supply schemes, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,369.57 crore, are being implemented in the Kathua district. 
• Key Infrastructure Projects: 
  • The importance of major projects like the Chattergala tunnel and the Delhi to Katra Expressway corridor, were highlighted. 
    • The importance of the Chattergala tunnel in providing all-weather connectivity between Doda and Lakhanpur. 
    • He also announced the construction of nine additional underpasses along the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, responding to public demand. 
• Promoting Tourism and Economic Growth: 
  • The role of tourism in creating employment opportunities and boosting livelihoods, with plans to promote tourism in Basohli and Mantalia. 
  • The Mansar area in Udhampur district is being developed as a tourist destination under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. 
• District Kathua's Economic Potential: 
  • The district has North India’s first Bio-tech Park, a Seed Processing Plant, and the region's only Homeopathic College. 
  • He encouraged the youth to take advantage of government subsidies for promoting Khadi to earn their livelihoods.

Jal Jeevan Mission

• About: 
  • Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. 
  • JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. 
  • It comes under Jal Shakti Ministry. 
• Aims: 
  • The mission ensures functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture. 
  • It also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking water supply system, grey water treatment and its reuse.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme 

• It was launched in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits — Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Northeast Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Wildlife Circuit and Tribal Circuit. 
• It is 100% centrally funded and efforts are made to achieve convergence with other schemes of Central and State Governments and also to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and Corporate Sector. 
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0:  
  • It is not an incremental change but a generational shift to evolve the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as a holistic mission to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations. 
  • It will help develop sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist and destination centric approach.

Pir Panjal Winter Festival

Why in News? 

The Indian Army inaugurated the Pir Panjal Winter Festival in Poonch, marking the beginning of a two-month-long celebration featuring a diverse range of sports and cultural events.

Key Points

• Commitment to Youth and Social Reform: 
  • It was highlighted that the festival reflects the Army’s strong commitment to youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and social reform, with a particular focus on raising awareness against drug abuse. 
• Diverse Sports and Cultural Events: 
  • Sports: Under-25 boys cricket tournament, Under-25 boys and Under-21 girls volleyball tournament, and an open Kho-Kho tournament for girls. 
  • Cultural Performances: Gujari and Pahari folk dance performances, music and dance talent hunts, solo and group singing competitions. 
  • Academic and Creative Competitions: Science and arts exhibitions, painting contests, essay writing, and elocution competitions. 
• Impact on Youth and Marginalized Communities: 
  • The initiative aims to foster sportsmanship, cultural revival, and holistic development, particularly among youth from remote and marginalized communities in Poonch.

Indian Army

• The Indian army originated from the forces of the East India Company, which later became the 'British Indian Army', and eventually, after Independence, the Indian Army. 
• The Indian Army was founded almost 126 years ago by the British on 1st April, 1895.

Pir Panjal 

• About: 
  • The Pir Panjal Range is a mountain range in the northern Indian subcontinent. 
  • It begins in Ramban and extends westward, lying south of Jammu and Kashmir’s Vale of Kashmir, reaching Muzaffarabad District. 
  • The range rises sharply to an average elevation of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). 
  • It separates the Jammu Hills in the south from the Vale of Kashmir, beyond which lie the Great Himalayas. 
  • The range separates from the Himalayas near the banks of the Sutlej River. 
  • It forms a natural divide between the Beas and Ravi rivers on one side and the Chenab River on the other. 
• Major Passes: 
  • The range has six historical passes, Hajipir Pass, Gulabgarh Pass, Ratanpir Pass, Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal Pass, Bairam Gala Pass. 
• Important Peaks: 
  • Deo Tibba (6,001 m) and Indrasan (6,221 m) are two significant peaks at the eastern end of the range.