New Delhi: Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today inaugurated a 30-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital at Ompora, Budgam, strengthening healthcare access and social security infrastructure for workers and their families in Jammu & Kashmir. The newly inaugurated hospital is the first ESIC hospital in Kashmir, marking a historic milestone in the expansion of worker welfare services in the region.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya said, “A country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress.” It is the workforce whose tireless effort that takes the nation forward, and the welfare of workers must therefore remain at the centre of governance, he added. “The Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is committed to ensuring dignity, security and healthcare for every worker in the country,” he emphasised.

Dr. Mandaviya further said, “India’s commitment to worker welfare has received global recognition. In 2025, the International Social Security Association honoured our country with the ‘Excellence in Social Security’ Award. Our social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, as per data published by the International Labour Organisation.”

Highlighting the transformative impact of the four Labour Codes that were brought into effect last year, the Union Minister said these reforms have modernised India’s labour ecosystem and made it more worker-centric, transparent and future-ready. He said, “The new Labour Codes guarantee several long-awaited protections for workers, including annual health check-ups, mandatory appointment letters, and minimum wages. The provision for annual health checks through ESIC hospitals will allow early detection of diseases, ensure preventive healthcare for workers, and secure their future.”

The Minister noted that ESIC has evolved into one of the strongest pillars of worker welfare in the country since its inception in 1952. Today, the scheme provides healthcare and social security benefits to 3.84 crore insured persons and nearly 15 crore beneficiaries across India. He also noted that the convergence of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has further expanded access to cashless treatment for beneficiaries across empanelled hospitals.

As part of the event, Dr. Manuskh Mandaviya felicitated workers who had contributed towards building the hospital in Ompora, and also gave various social security benefits to Insured Persons from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Built at a cost of ₹165 crore, the hospital has been established with provision for expansion up to 100 beds and is expected to directly benefit more than 50,000 workers and their family members. The ESI Scheme was introduced in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 16th October 1989, covering about 7,000 workers in Jammu, Kathua, and Srinagar. At present, the ESI Scheme is implemented across all districts of J&K UT serving approximately 1,83,119 insured persons and about 7,00,000 beneficiaries and is administered through the ESIC Regional Office at Jammu and the Jammu-Kashmir Employees’ State Insurance Society (JKESIS).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, ESIC, local administration and public representatives.

Kulgam: In a significant expansion of the people-led ecological movement ‘One Million Trees for Pir Panjal,’ the School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE), in collaboration with the Forest Department Kulgam Division and the Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA), today organized a mega plantation drive at Gurwatan, Aharbal in Kulgam district.

Around 150 volunteers participated in the drive, representing a wide spectrum of institutions and community groups, including SRDE, NCA Youth Wing, Pir Panjal Adventure Club, Forest Rights Coalition J&K, J&K RTI Movement, Forest Division Kulgam, KIA Motors, and students from Government High School Tangmarg, Kulgam. Together, they planted deodar saplings, symbolic of ecological resilience and long-term environmental security.

The programme began with a welcome address by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kulgam, Mr. Mohd Ashraf Kutto, who highlighted the ecological significance of such initiatives. He emphasized that community-driven plantation efforts are essential for restoring degraded forest areas, strengthening biodiversity, and ensuring slope stability in the mountainous terrain. He reiterated that forests must be seen as critical ecological assets, not expendable resources.

Mr. Mushtaq Wani, COO of KIA Motors, appreciated the leadership of SRDE and NCA in driving this campaign. He acknowledged the importance of corporate participation in environmental initiatives and expressed his organization’s commitment to supporting the ongoing movement for ecological restoration in the Pir Panjal region.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder of the Nature Conservancy Alliance, articulated a compelling vision linking forest health with Kashmir’s future. He stressed that agriculture, horticulture, and water systems are pillars of the region’s economy, and are directly dependent on the integrity of forests and mountain ecosystems.
“Healthy forests are our strongest defense against climate instability,” he said. “They regulate water cycles, protect soil, and sustain livelihoods. If we neglect them, we endanger our economy, our environment, and our future.”

He further emphasized that climate change is already impacting the Himalayan region through erratic weather, declining water sources, and ecological degradation. He called for a shift towards ecological responsibility, urging communities and institutions to treat forest conservation as a collective duty.

Mr. Zahid Parwaz Choudhary, Tribal Leader and Convenor of the Forest Rights Coalition J&K, highlighted the critical role of pastoral communities in sustaining ecological balance. He noted that pastoral economies contribute nearly 12% to the region’s GDP and remain a key source of organic livestock products.
“Pastoral communities are naturally climate-resilient,” he said. “Protecting forests must go hand in hand with conserving rangelands and pastoral culture. Sustainable mountains depend on both ecological and cultural continuity.”

Shameem Ahmed Shah, Vice President of SRDE, thanked the NCA Youth Wing for their active role and appreciated the Forest Department Kulgam & Mr M Ashraf for its support and excellent coordination. He also acknowledged the encouragement of the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Kashmir, Mr. Irfan Rasool, in strengthening such grassroots environmental efforts.

Ms. Tanub from NCA reinforced the call for youth engagement, urging young people across Jammu & Kashmir to actively join the “One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” campaign. She described the initiative as a movement for water security and a healthier future, driven by youth leadership and community participation.

Mr. Junaid Andrabi, Convenor of the J&K RTI Movement, called upon the people, especially youth, to become active stakeholders in protecting forests and mountains. He stressed that the region’s agriculture and horticulture sectors, which form the backbone of its economy, are directly linked to ecological health. Our forests are not separate from our economy, they sustain it and protecting them is essential for safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring long-term prosperity.

Media Serves as Voice of Voiceless; Integrity and Verification Key in Digital Era

Jammu, Apr 24: Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court, Justice Arun Palli, on Thursday underscored that journalism must be guided by truth, verification and integrity rather than speed alone, asserting that the profession holds a vital and noble place in public life.

Addressing a gathering after presenting the RK Chhibber Memorial Best Journalists of the Year Award, organised by the Chhibber Memorial Trust in collaboration with the Press Club of Jammu, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, Chief Justice said journalism plays a crucial role in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, highlighting public issues and ensuring accountability.

He observed that journalists often act as the voice of the unheard and a mirror to society, adding that the profession is rooted in truth and service. He termed journalism as one of the strongest pillars of democratic systems.

Highlighting challenges in the digital age, Justice Palli said while technology has accelerated communication, it has also increased the responsibility of maintaining accuracy and public trust. He stressed that credibility, balance and integrity must remain central to journalistic practices.

He further said that values like honesty, discipline and commitment to truth continue to define real journalism, advising young journalists to uphold fairness despite changing tools and platforms.

Paying tribute to Prof. R.K. Chhibber, the Chief Justice said the awards in his memory recognise journalists who contribute meaningfully to society and democratic discourse.

He congratulated the awardees for their contribution to responsible journalism and appreciated the organisers for continuing the initiative, expressing hope that such efforts will promote fearless, fair and credible journalism in the future.

“₹25 crore revenue generated from willow as restoration gains pace”

Tauseef Ahmad