Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs in presence of Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of J&K today e-inaugurated various projects worth Rs.130.49 crores under the health, education, urban infrastructure, disaster management sectors which have been executed under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project in the Union Territory of J&K at SKICC Srinagar.

These projects have been completed by J&KERA under the 250 million USD World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project)

The projects e-inaugurated under the Health sector include supply of several advanced medical equipments to different hospitals across J&K like hi-tech 128 slice C.T Scan machines , Ultrasonic Advance frequency cutting coagulation machines Diathermy & vessel sealing machines, High Flow Oxygen devices, Hydraulic operation theatre beds, mobile X- Ray machines etc

The supply of these various high –end critical care medical equipment’s to various hospitals would strengthen the health care system in J&K and provide people with the best medical care at their nearest govt. health facility and also reduce the referrals of patients to the tertiary care hospitals.

Projects e-inaugurated under education sector included the 31 No school building’s constructed across J&K at a cumulative cost of Rs 24.76 Cr apprx. mostly in the remote areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Nowshera, Udhampur, Sunderbani, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Mandi, R.S pura, Srinagar and Jammu. These school buildings have been constructed using the BaLA (Building as a learning aid) architecture to make school buildings attractive for children and to aid students in the learning process.

The projects e-inaugurated under Urban Infrastructure sector include the construction of Rigid Concrete Pavement road from Peerbagh to Humhama Chowk at a cost of Rs 8.0 crore to make the flood prone portion of the road leading upto Srinagar Airport flood resilient and resistant to winter vagaries.

Rs 12.80 crore Nadroo Storm Water Drainage project in uptown Srinagar which has provided relief from frequent urban flooding during rainy seasons and winters to several habitations like nadru, nadirgund etc

To strengthen the capability of the PRI s to meet the emergency posed due to any natural disaster search and rescue equipments worth Rs 18.60 Cr have been provided to Panchayat Raj Institutions in different districts of U.T of J&K & Ladakh. The provision of these search & rescue equipments would equip the first responders with the much needed wherewithal to meet any eventuality at community level.

Dr.Syed Abid Rasheed Shah gave a detailed presentation about physical & financial achievements made in the implementation of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

One major achievement of the JTFR project has been enlistment of the Srinagar city in the UNESCO World Creative Cities Network . Srinagar is one of the 49 cities World wide to figure in the coveted list in the category of Arts and Crafts.

Shri Atal Duloo , Additional Chief Secretary ,Finance J&K, Shri Niteshwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor , J&k and other senior officers of U T administration were also present on the occasion.

Srinagar has made it to the coveted list of United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Arts and Crafts for the year 2021.

The Dossier for the UNESCO creative cities network list had been prepared under the Restoration & Strengthening of Livelihoods component of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project. The preparation of the Dossier was started under Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project in the year 2018 and a consultancy namely (Intach- Drona JV) was hired for the purpose after undertaking the consultation process with all the concerned stakeholders like Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Department of Industries & Commerce, Department of Handicrafts, Artisans & Craftsmen, trade bodies etc

“It’s a moment of immense satisfaction for the artisan community as the enlisting of Srinagar in UNESCO Creative Cities Network would bring Srinagar on the international platform and expand markets for our crafts” says Mehmooda an artisan associated with crewel cluster at Noorbagh,Srinagar.

“The designation of Srinagar City in UNESCO Creative cities would give a big push to marketing of Kashmir as a major tourist destination globally and it is expected that more and more tourists across would visit Kashmir in future and give a much needed flip to tourist industry in valley” said Ashiq Khurro associated with tourist industry

Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer JKERA/JTFRP said that it is a moment of immense satisfaction for all of us that only three cities at National level have made it to the UNESCO list and Srinagar is one of them” . He said that “Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K Shri Manoj Sinha has taken a personal interest in the matter and it’s because of his guidance that this unique recognition has been achieved” .CEO ERA/JTFRP added that under the World Bank funded, JTFRP efforts were being made vigorously since 2019 to bring our arts and crafts on the international platform so that our artisans and crafts get the credit and recognition .It has been collective effort of the various departments with Dept. of Industries & Commerce playing the major role along with Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

“It is very heartening for the entire World Bank team that Srinagar has been able to bag a position in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network list under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project” said Mr Deepak Singh ,Deputy Team Leader World Bank for JTFRP

Iftikhar Hakim, Director, Planning & Coordination JTFRP said that its is a moment of rejoice for the all the citizens of Srinagar City and stakeholders particularly Artisans and distinction has been achieved due to the tireless efforts of all the stakeholders who continued their hardwork despite not being able to get to the list in our first attempt in 2019. “We reworked on the Dossier this year and redrafted Dossier had been submitted by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Hardwork and perseverance of all the stakeholders has been paid in the end with the Srinagar finally making it to the coveted list” Iftikhar Hakim said.

Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Director Handicrafts & Handlooms, said “Main aim of the initiative is to glorify all the Artisans and as part of the promotion of our arts and crafts we are adopting a multipronged brand strategy which includes an ideal market mix of Handmade with Heart, Authenticity, Testing and G.I tagging of various crafts.

Salim Beigh, Convener, INTACH private limited a consultancy which has prepared a Dossier said “ Every City has its uniqueness in creative domain and UNESCO cities Network is an initiative to bring unique creative aspects on a global platform” He also said that under the Dossier we have made various commitments which are to be fulfilled and continuous assessment of these need to be followed up

Rs 31.89 crores are being spent on the strengthening of the inter-district road connectivity between Baramulla and Bandipore Districts in North Kashmir under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

The integrated road project being executed under the component -Reconstruction of Roads & Bridges of JTFRP involves the upgradation of 12.68 km Hamrey- Sultanpora-Nowgam , 6 km Shadipora-Khanpeth Sumbal road (District Baramulla/Bandipore) and 7.186 km Hajin-Ajas via Saidnura (District Bandipore).

The work on the road upgradation project is being executed by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency and as part of the routine monitoring of the works, Er, Shakti Sagar, Director, Kashmir, JKERA today inspected work on the road upgradation project.

Er. Syed Zahoor Hussain , Project Manager, Transport, J&KERA, Kashmir while giving details of the project informed that work on the integrated road upgradation project includes upgradation of road from single lane to the intermediate lane configuration in (Shadipora-Khanpeth-Sumbal ) & (Hajin –Ajas) and strengthening of existing Hamray –Sultanpora –Nowgam road with the laying of GSB (granular sub-base), WBM (wet bituminous macadam) , BM (bituminous macadam) and construction of drainage structures and protection works wherever required.

Project Manager, Transport further informed that J&KERA has already completed black topping on the 7.186 km Hajin-Ajas and 6 km Shadipora-Khanpeth roads under the project and work on the protection works is underway.

He added that work on the Hamrey-Sultanpora-Nowgam road section had been impacted due to the issue over supply of the construction materials which has now been sorted out and work on the strengthening of the road surface and protection work is underway in full swing and blacktopping of the road will be taken up during the forthcoming working season.

Director, ERA asked Project Manager, Transport, JKERA to further expedite the pace of work on the project and ensure full compliance to all the quality control parameters. He also directed Project Manager to immediately start the construction of one of the dilapidated culverts on Hajin-Ajas road after seeking no objection certificate from the Irrigation and Flood control department.

The integrated road upgradation project will benefit around 1.5 lac souls living in the more than 30 villages along both the sides of the road and will provide them with all-weather road connectivity with improved riding surface and improved access to market for their agricultural produce and better access to health, education etc. The villages to be benifitted include Koshum Bagh, Rakhi Hajin, Sadurkote, Sadunara, Gund Prang, Ajas, Hamray, Trambgund, Rakhi Hygam, Wussan, Gundi Jehangir, Sadatpora, Sumbal, Tangapora, Bulagam, Shadipora , Rakhi Shilvat, Najin, Tirgam, Gund Khalil, Parihaspora, Turgam, Khanpeth etc

Er. (Mrs) Tanvir Mir who was recently transferred from J&KERA and posted as the Chief Engineer, PMGSY, Kashmir was today given a warm send off by J&KERA.

Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA/JTFRP while appreciating the contribution of Mrs. Tanvir Mir as Director, Kashmir, JKERA said that the officer owing to her dedication, hard work and diligence has carved a niche for herself in the male dominated engineering profession. She holds the distinction of being the first female Chief Engineer in PWD (R&B) Dept he said

Dr Syed Abid Rasheed also said that the Er. Tanvir Mir during her tenure in JKERA played a key role in further accelerating the progress of various works being executed by J&KERA under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project in Kashmir Division.

Chief Executive Officer, JKERA congratulated Er. Tanvir Mir on her appointment as Chief Engineer, PMGSY, Kashmir and wished her all the best in her new place of posting and said that she would further contribute to the objective of PMJSY of providing the reliable road connectivity to the unconnected rural communities.

CEO, ERA also welcomed Er. Shakti Sagar the new Director, Kashmir,JKERA and expressed the hope that he will take forward what has been accomplished by the outgoing Director.

Er Basharat Kawoos, Director Technical, JTFRP termed Er. (Mrs) Tanvir Mir as a very competent officer who is true to her beliefs and leads from front as a team leader.

Dr.Meenakshi Thakur, Director, Central, JKERA speaking on the occasion said that she was deeply impressed by the style of working of Er (Mrs) Tanvir Mir and hailed her for the accomplishments she has been able to achieve in her service career so far .

Mr Tasawuf Amin, Director, Finance, JKERA in his vote of thanks said that working with Er. (Mrs) Tanvir Mir was a pleasant experience and wished the outgoing Officer all the best in her future assignments

Er. (Mrs) Tanvir Mir , the outgoing Director Kashmir in her concluding remarks said that working in JKERA was altogether a very different but challenging experience and thanked CEO,ERA and all Directors of J&KERA/JTFRP and all the staff of JKERA for extending their full cooperation and support during her tenure in ERA.

The farewell meeting was also attended by Er, Syed, Zahoor, Hussain, Project Manager, Transport/Hydraulic, JKERA, Additional Secretary, Legal, J&KERA Deputy Project Managers and all the staff of JKERA and JTFRP

World Bank Mission, Washington D.C has applauded the Govt of J&K and JTFRP for its efforts in the implementation of the USD 250 million Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project. The World Bank team hailed the efforts of the last two years made in the project implementation of JTFRP, which has shown remarkable progress across the various project parameters..

These comments were made during the 5-Day Virtual Mission of World Bank, Washington D.C . The task team leader of the World Bank Mission Hemang Karelia and other members took a detailed and comprehensive review of the entire project during the 5-day virtual mission. The team had discussions with PMU (Project Management Unit), JKERA and the PIUs (Project implementation units) SMC, PWD (R&B), I&CD, J&KERA, and JKMSCL which are implementing the (06) components of the project.

Chief Executive Officer,JKERA/JTFRP ,Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, during the kick off meeting said that Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project which is being executed as part of Prime Ministers Development Package (PMDP) during the last 2 years has shown a remarkable progress with more than 90% of procurement undertaken during the said period . He said that 82 sub-projects out of the total of 213 stand completed under the project as on date.

Dr.Syed Abid said that progress under the CERC (Contingency Emergency Response component) which had been activated under the project in view of the medical emergency necessitated due to the COVID-19 pandemic has shown a remarkable progress with 44 sub-projects out of the total of 69 sub-projects involving the procurement of several critical care equipment’s for various hospitals across the J&K having been already procured and installed in the hospitals. He further said that work on 30 Oxygen Generation Plants being constructed under the project in the (30) hospitals situated in remotest parts of U.T is going on war footing and will be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Work on the (04) mega storm water drainage projects in Srinagar city and various road upgradation sub-projects which were taken up for execution by J&KERA post COVID-19 lock down in 2021 have also shown remarkable progress he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that during the last two years (2020-2021) 90% of disbursements have been made under the project as against the 10% of disbursements made under the project during the initial (04) four years (2016-2019).

DEA (Department of Economic Affairs) Ministry of Finance, Govt of India during the past (03) TPRM ( Tripartite Portfolio Review Missions) held during last two years has also expressed satisfaction over the implementation of JTFRP since last two years and post-merger of JTFRP in JKERA.

During the 5 day virtual mission the World Bank team had a detailed discussion on the progress achieved on each (6) components of the project which include Reconstruction and Strengthening of the Critical Infrastructure, Reconstruction of the Roads and Bridges, Restoration of the Urban Flood Management System, Restoration and Strengthening of the Livelihoods, Strengthening of the Disaster Risk Management System, and Contingency Emergency Response for Covid -19 with the each PIU (Project Implementing Unit) wherein progress undertaken under each component was discussed and World Bank team gave its valuable inputs for the smooth and timely execution of the project.

Over a period of last 2 years many significant sub-projects like Composite Market Centre for Silk at Rajbagh, Composite Market Centre for Wool at Bemina,20 BaLa (Building as a Learning Aid ) designed Govt. primary school buildings for promotion of innovative and creative teaching methods for children studying in Govt schools ,studies like the one on Designing of new building codes , have also been completed which will have significant positive impact on the livelihoods of lacs of families and promotion of safe building practices, Procurement of various rescue & relief equipment, Quick response vehicles , to UTDRF & Fire & Emergency Dept, for strengthening their capacities to effectively manage the natural calamities and accidents, Procurement of the high capacity pumps along with the accessories for Srinagar Municipal Corporation for better urban flood management.

Virtual mission was also attended by Shri Vikas Kundal, Managing Director ,JKPCC, Basharat Kawoosa, Director, Technical, JTFRP, Iftkhar, Hakim, Director, Planning & Coordination, JTFRP, Dr. Yashpal, Managing Director, JKMSCL, Ravinder, Mansotra , Director, Jammu, JKERA, Tanvir,Mir, Director, JKERA, Kashmir, Meenakshi Thakur, Director Central, J&KERA ,Tasawuf Amin, Director, Finance, JKERA and other officers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, PWD (R&B) , Industries &Commerce Dept ,JKPCC and J&KMedical Supplies Corporation Limited

Besides Team Leader, Hemang Karelia World Bank team was represented by Deepak Singh, Deputy Team Leader, Dr, Chandershekhar, renowned Hospital Architect, Neha Vyas, Environment Officer, Harjot Kaur, Social Safeguard Officer.

Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah reviewed the progress of various ongoing roads and bridges projects being executed by J&K ERA in Jammu Division under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

Ravinder Kumar Mansotra, Director, JKERA Jammu informed that the work is apace on seven road projects in Jammu Division which include the upgradation of 18.29 km Sidhra -Surinsar road, upgradation of 11 km Tutan Di Khuie to Khada- Madana road, upgradation of 10 km Malaini-Chakarbati road, Upgradation of 10.15 km Chirala Link road, upgradation of 27 km Gulati to Shahdra Sharief road via Gambir Gali, upgradation of 5 km Devi Mai to Ohli Mandir road and upgradation of 4.5 km Anji-Panasa road. He said more than 90 kms of road length is being upgraded under these projects most of which are vital to strengthening the vital road links in several remotest parts of Jammu Division. While reviewing the progress of the Sidhra -Surinsar road, CEO was apprised that the 18.29 kms long tourism and pilgrimage circuit that connects Sidhra-Surinsar-Mansar and Utterbehni and Purmandal will be completed by October 2021 benefitting more than 5 lakh souls.

CEO was also apprised that the work on upgradation of Devi Mai to Ohli Mandir road and Anji-Panasa road will be completed by October 2021. After restoration of Anji Panasa road, the affected areas will be benefitted by the restored access to markets thereby increasing the economic growth in the area and timely access to health and education services for more than 50 thousand souls. From connectivity and pilgrim point of view, Devi Mai to Oli Mandir road has high importance. This road will benefit approximately one lakh souls. During the meeting CEO,JKERA/JTFRP was further informed that the work is also underway on construction of (03) vital bridge projects in the remotest parts of the Jammu Division which include construction of motorable steel bridge from Katheel Ganjoo to Barsoa over Ghordi Nallah and motorable bridge from Barsoa to Patri over Barmeeen Nallah in Udhampur District, construction of steel decked foot bridge over Anji Nallah at Sukhal Ghati in Reasi District and construction of steel truss bridge over Betar nallah in Poonch District.

CEO was apprised that the work on 43mtr Span Steel Decked Foot Bridge Over Anji Nallah At Sukhal Ghati in Reasi District will be executed by November 2021. The bridge is a vital link between vast areas of Tote, Ladda-A, Ladda-B, Sahri, Sukhal Gati villages having approximate population of 10000. The bridge will also indirectly serve thousands of souls of other adjoining areas as it will provide useful link between these areas and district head quarter at Reasi. The area being rich in horticulture products will get enormous economic and social upliftment due to this connectivity. While reviewing the progress of work Dr. Abid Rasheed directed all the engineers to regularly visit the sites and submit the progress report on daily basis and penalise the non performing contractors by imposition of the liquidity damages.

Shri Manoj Sinha , Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, of Jammu and Kashmir today inaugurated the Composite Market Centre for Silk constructed under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project here today.

With an aim to upgrade and modernise the Rajbagh Silk Factory and to give a big push to the revival of the Silk Industry in J&K , regenerate employment opportunities for the youth in the traditional silk industry which once used to be the mainstay occupation of large number of people which include the farmers (cocoon rearers) as well as the artisans and other businesses associated with the silk industry the ambitious sub-project was included under the component of Strengthening & Restoration of the Livelhoods of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).

The Govt. Silk Factory, Rajbagh had suffered the immense damage during the 2014 floods and both infrastructure and the equipment’s installed at the factory had been severely hit thus badly impacting the production of silk at the factory. With this in view a comprehensive rehabilitation of the infrastructure and modernisation of the factory was conceived under the World Bank project to provide the state of art facilities for all the stakeholders associated with the silk under one roof in the shape of the “Composite Market Centre for Silk”

Completed at a cost of Rs 14.50 crores the building has been constructed using the traditional architectural elements of Dajji Diwari pattern, use of lime mortar in construction , Dewri stone, Khatamband ceilings , papier machie wall panels etc. to retain the heritage value of the building.

A state of art composite market centre has market place for the cocoon rearers in the ground floor along with the elegantly designed conference hall , administrative hall which have all been embellished with the traditional papier machie panels on walls and exquisite khatamband on the roof.

As part of the comprehensive mechanisation plan of the factory the latest hi-tech textile weaving equipment’s which include latest (2 for 1 twisters) and other machinery worth Rs 7.5 Crore have been procured and installed in the factory. With the installation of latest machinery in the Silk factory the production of the silk fabric is expected to increase from existing 40,000 -50,000 meters per annum to 1.5 lac meters per annum. Consultancy was also hired at a cost of Rs 1.50 crores for purpose of designing and architecture inputs .The latest Hi-tech twisters are based on the programmed logic control technology that can be programmed to produce the fabric of the finest quality. The infrastructural upgradation and mechanisation plan of the Rajbagh Silk Factory under the PMDP (Prime Ministers Development Package ) is expected to give a major boost to the silk industry in J&K and help in creation of the additional employment opportunities for the local youth in the silk sector .

Later Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor J&K also interacted with the representatives of the (4) Artisan clusters of Willow wicker (Ganderbal) ,Papier machie (Zadibal) ,Crewel (Noorbagh) and Wool (Bandipore) which had set up stalls during the function. The artisan clusters have been established under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project for the skill enhancement of the artisans and training them in the management of the artisan owned clusters and developing market linkages for their products.

Presentation was also made by the experts of the consultancy engaged by JTFRP for the adaptive reuse of the Rajbagh Silk Factory and briefed the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor about the steps proposed for the purpose like retrofitting of the old factory , using the old campus for dying, yarn certification and other beautification measures and linking the campus with the tourist circuit.

Shri, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS) Chief Secretary, Shri Ranjan P Thakur , Principal Secretary to Govt. Industries & Commerce Dept, , Shri Pandurang Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir ,Shri Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP , Shri Mohammad Ajaz Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar and others senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Hina Shafi Bhat, V.C ,KVIB and other senior officers of the concerned departments were also present on the occasion.

The work on the Rs 4.35 crores Integrated project Sub-project comprising of the construction of Showroom/Interpretation Centre at a cost of Rs 1.60 crores and undertaking of the designing Interiors of the Showroom at a cost of Rs 2.75 Crores. The sub-project was undertaken as part of the Restoration & Strengthening of Livelihood component of the project (JTFRP).The project is executed as part of the massive revamping of the GovtWollen Mill Bemina which was badly impacted during the floods of 2014 and had caused extensive damage to the building and equipment’s installed in the mill owing to which the production at the mill was badly hit thus casting a shadow of uncertainty over the livelihoods opportunities of people working in the mill besides shrinking the market opportunities for the thousands wool producing farmers in J&K.

With an objective to reinvigorate the functioning of the Govt. Woollen Mill Bemina, a comprehensive revamping project was undertaken under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project which included the rehabilitation of the mill which was badly damaged during the floods of 2014, aswell as the providing of the latest textile weaving equipments to enhance the production of wool manufactured at the factory. The project would provide the apt platform for the marketing of the various finished wool products manufactured in the mill and will benefit around 50,000 people directly associated with the Wool Industry in J&K.

Shri, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Shri Arjun Thakur , Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce (IAS), Shri Pandurang Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shri Abid Rasheed Shah, (IAS) Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP, Shri Muhammad Ajaz Asad (IAS) , District Development Commissioner, Srinagarand other senior officers of U.T administration ,I&C Dept, JKERA/JTFRP were also present on the occasion.

In a game changing step that will save the precious lives during this pandemic and defeat COVID-19 , Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency is setting up (30) Manifold Oxygen plants across the various hospitals in J&K

The plants are being setup under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project and will equip the Health Dept across the various remote areas with much needed Manifold Oxygen plants to effectively deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic.These plants are being imported from United States and Europe and will be completely functional within coming 2-3 months. The project will provide medical grade oxygen to about 1200 hospital beds in (30) hospitals in various remote areas and thus play a crucial role in saving the precious lives during the pandemic.

Dr.Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, JKERA chaired the high level meeting in this regard and stressed upon the executing agencies to ensure the completion of the Supply, Installation & Commissioning of (30) Manifold Oxygen Plants being undertaken by J&KERA in various hospitals (Community Health Centres and sub-district hospitals) in various remote areas across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir within the set timelines.

Dr. Syed Abid stated this today while chairing a meeting to review the progress of work on the Supply, Installation and Commissioning of (30) Manifold Oxygen plants which have been undertaken by J&KERA under the CERC (Contingency Emergency Response Component) of the World Bank funded , Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project with an objective to provide people living in various remote areas of Union Territory with the much needed facility of Manifold Oxygen plants and equip the U.Ts Health Dept. with the infrastructure to effectively deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic like situation.
>br>CEO, JKERA was informed that work on all the (30) sites has been started on war-footing and is being executed in mission mode and in close coordination with the concerned District authorities which are rendering all kinds of support in resolving various issues like site clearance, shifting of utilities etc

The sub-project involves the procurement and installation of the PSA(Pressure Swing Absorption) based “Manifold Oxygen Plants” which have been recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) for the treatment of the COVID-19 patients suffering from acute respiratory stress and critical to the recovery of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. The availability of this critical care equipment’s at the sub-district and community level hospitals will be significant in scaling down the deaths caused due to the COVID-19.

The Manifold Oxygen Plants having the capacity of 500- 250 LPMs (Litres per minute) depending on the bed capacity of the hospital is an integrated critical health care facility which includes the construction of the building for housing of the plant as per the prescribed specifications, mechanical components of main oxygen concentrator, air compressor, air receiver tanks, filtration system, air dryers, oxygen receiver tanks, bulk cylinders, oxygen regulating manual tanks, oxygen flowmeters, digital gas alarm, compressed air, Nitrous gas system which will be backed up with the 24X7 power supply with 125 KVA transformers, 150 KVA servo-stabilizers and all other necessary wherewithal to make the plants fully operational round the clock.

The Manifold Oxygen plants are being installed in the (30) hospitals (Community Health Centres and Sub-District hospitals) spread across the Union Territory in the several remote areas of the Union Territory and these include Community Health Centres at , Mendhar, Sunderbani, Surankote, Banihal, Gandoh, Batote, Banihal, Chenani, Katra, Hajin, Tangmarg,Yaripora, Zakura, Qazigund, Zainapora, Yaripora, Akhnoor, Chowki Chaura, Bani, Basholi, Hirannagar, Gaghwal, Ramgarh, Beerwah, Chari-Sharief and SDH Gurez, SDH Tangdar, SDH Tral, SDH Kellar, SDH Kangan, SDH Uri, SDH Kreeri.

The meeting was attended by Shri Basharat Kawoosa, Director Technical JTFRP,Rajeev Mansotra, Director, Jammu, J&KERA, Mrs. Tanvir Mir, Director, Kashmir J&KERA and other senior officers of J&KERA /JTFRP and representatives of various executing agencies.

In a significant step towards the self –reliance of the artisans clusters developed under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project , Crewel/ Chain Stitch Artisan Cluster at Noorbagh, which was one of the first artisan clusters developed under the project has been registered as the “Producers Owned Company “by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India. The artisan cluster has been issued the certificate of incorporation by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the name “NOORAARI CRAFTS PRODUCER COMPANY LIMITED”.

With the Artisan Craft Cluster obtaining the coveted registration from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GOI, the artisans associated with the cluster now see a renewed hope in being associated with the traditional crafts of crewel/chainstitch.

“Divorced with 2 kids I was totally dependent on my relatives financially, but after having received the skill enhancement training at the Noorbagh artisan cluster, I am now able to earn 800-1000 per day which is enough for me to sustain a family of 3 without being dependent on any of my relatives “ Says Shaheena , one of the artisans at the cluster.

About 600 artisans associated with the Crewel/ Chain stitch Cluster at Noorbagh developed under Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project see it as an achievement of one of the major milestone towards the development of the first artisan owned producer company in the valley.

Conceived and Developed under the component of the Restoration and Strengthening of the Livelihoods of the JTFRP with an objective of reviving the traditional crafts and providing the gainful employment opportunities to youth.

The Artisan Cluster which is now in its 3 year of existence after initial skill assessment of the artisans associated with the crafts of crewel and chain stitch has been focussing on imparting the artisans with the much needed skill enhancement in the areas of the product development- Developing the new prototypes, use of latest colour schemes, utilisation of newly developed good quality raw materials, new techniques besides honing the managerial skills of artisans and providing the marketing linkages for their products.

“For the holistic development of the artisans, craft clusters under JTFRP are designed in a such a manner so as to bring a group of scattered artisans under one umbrella and to impart them with as much skillsets related to their craft as possible and also to develop their managerial capabilities as would enable them to function as sustainable & profitable artisan owned business enterprise” said Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP. It is indeed a moment of immense satisfaction to see the Noorbagh Artisan cluster registered as a “producers owned company” CEO, JKERA/JTFRP added.

Dr. Syed Abid further said “Under JTFRP we have also taken up the development of more clusters for different traditional crafts like Papier Machie (Zadibal) , Willow wicker (Ganderbal) , Wool and Pashmina (Bandipore) to provide the artisans with skill enhancement, product development trainings and develop market linkages for their products with an objective of promoting the sustainable livelihoods under the traditional cottage industry sector

JTFRP has engaged the services of the consultancy for the development of the crewel/ chain stitch cluster at Noorbagh which has been tasked with the responsibility of developing the capacities of the artisans in all the aspects of skill development, developing managerial skills and developing market linkage’s for their products and also undertake necessary formalities for the registration of cluster as “ Producer Owned Company”

“ I had given up the craft owing to its diminishing economic returns and exploitation of the middle men but after having received training in the product development which made artisans aware about the latest design trends in market and also with the assured market support for our products I see lot of hope in the craft “ said Maimoona another artisan associated with the cluster

One of the significant aspects of the cluster has been the developing of market linkages to the craft cluster for marketing of its products and for that the consultancy has been set a target of providing the cluster with the business of at least Rs 1 Crore and to this end over the last one year the Noorbagh cluster has produced and sold products worth around Rs. 30 lacs approx. and are presently working on the consignment of products for FAB India and are also negotiating with another marketing giant IKEA group for marketing of its products.

Besides being instrumental in the revival of crewel and chain stitch crafts , the craft cluster at Noorbagh which comprises women in majority has also become an agent of social change. The women associated with the craft cluster now see themselves as the self –reliant and contributing members of the society.