In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
  • Seeks focused action to strengthen entrepreneurship, credit linkages

KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma today chaired a review meeting to assess the overall progress under Mission YUVA in the district, covering all major parameters and its four pillars—Culture, Credit, Capacity and Connectivity (4Cs).

The meeting focused on accelerating implementation, strengthening youth mobilisation, improving credit facilitation, enhancing entrepreneurial capacity and expanding market access for local entrepreneurs.

The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the progress achieved across various parameters and issued a string of directions to the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), banks, and staff of the Small Business Development Unit (SBDU) and Business Help Desks (BHDs) to ensure effective implementation of the Mission and timely achievement of the prescribed targets.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the DPM JKRLM, AD Employment and the Mission YUVA team to ensure that all Lakhpati Didis are covered during Udyam Jagriti Camps to enhance their awareness and participation in entrepreneurship-related initiatives. The concerned BHDs were instructed to update the list of Lakhpati Didis on a daily basis to facilitate systematic monitoring and ensure comprehensive coverage of eligible beneficiaries.

Emphasising the need for stronger grassroots mobilisation, the Deputy Commissioner directed to further activate YUVADOOTS to mobilise applications under Mission YUVA. The ACR and concerned SDMs were instructed to ensure effective mobilisation of eligible youth and strengthen the outreach of the Mission across the district. The Assistant Director Employment was also directed to coordinate with the respective Assistant Commissioners Development (ACDs) to ensure the activation of YUVADOOTS and their effective engagement in application mobilisation.

To strengthen capacity-building initiatives and improve access to entrepreneurial training, the Assistant Director Employment proposed the identification of new institutes for hybrid training at Bounjwah, Drabshalla, Palmar and Mughalmaidan. The proposed centres aim to expand the reach of training programmes and facilitate greater participation of aspiring entrepreneurs from these areas, enabling them to acquire the skills required to establish and sustain their enterprises.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the Assistant Director Employment to prescribe daily, weekly and fortnightly targets for SBDU and BHD staff and ensure regular monitoring of their performance. He stressed the importance of accountability, efficient application processing and timely achievement of targets, directing the concerned officials to adopt a focused and result-oriented approach towards the implementation of Mission YUVA.

With a view to improving application quality and strengthening market connectivity, the DC emphasised the need to reduce the number of cases being auto-forwarded and increase the onboarding of local stores and products on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The initiative is expected to enhance the digital visibility of local businesses, expand their market reach and create better opportunities for entrepreneurs to promote and sell their products.

The Deputy Commissioner further directed the ACR and all SDMs to conduct weekly review meetings with BHDs and banks to monitor the progress of Mission YUVA cases and ensure timely disposal of pending applications. The review meetings will focus on identifying bottlenecks in credit facilitation, expediting the processing of cases and reducing bank pendency to ensure timely sanction and disbursement of loans to eligible beneficiaries.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Pawan Kotwal; Assistant Commissioner Revenue Idrees Lone; SDM Dr. Mohd Ashraf; SDM Dr. Amit Kumar; SDM. Naeem Ur Rehman Mughal; Assistant Director Employment Amit Kumar; Employment Officer, Vinod Shant; Cluster Manager, J&K Bank; SBDU staff and Business Help Desk (BHD) Leads.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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