Srinagar, Jan 28 (Reporter) Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Shobha Karandlaje on Tuesday directed the administration in Kashmir to plan for implementation of food processing units through centrally sponsored schemes to prevent apple wastage during transportation. The Union Minister emphasized that this will ensure efficient utilisation of locally produced apples and prevent any wastage during transportation over long distances, She said this would help in boosting the local economy and benefiting the farmers. Shoba Karandlaje revealed this while chairing a meeting at Baramulla in north Kashmir to review the progress on various indicators of NITI Ayog's Aspirational District Programme (ADP). The meeting was attended by Member Legislative Assembly Baramulla, Javed Hassan Beig; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa; officers from the Ministry of MSME, Labour and Employment and other officers from the concerned departments. She was apprised that the district has made remarkable progress in its Delta Ranking, issued by NITI Aayog, moving from the 108th position to 46th out of 112 districts, achieving a composite score of 59.3 as of September 2024. Shobha Karandlaje asked the officials to accelerate the execution of developmental projects, particularly those that support MSMEs, employment generation and livelihood enhancement. She reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to holistic development in Aspirational Districts through data-driven governance and targeted interventions. The Minister was further informed that the education sector in Baramulla has witnessed wholesome progress, with a substantial increase in student enrolment, especially among girls. She was informed that efforts are being made to improve the quality of education through skill upgradation for teachers, upgrading school infrastructure, and promoting digital learning with the implementation of smart classrooms. The Union Minister had a comprehensive review of Baramulla district under Agriculture and Financial Inclusion besides Skill Development and Infrastructure. She expressed her appreciation over the progress achieved by the Baramulla administration. The Union MoS directed the officers from the Health Department to conduct comprehensive research to identify the underlying causes of infant and maternal mortality in the district. She asked for implementing targeted interventions to ensure further reductions in mortality rates, thereby improving overall healthcare outcomes. During the meeting, Shobha Karandlaje distributed various essential resources including computers, smart boards and other amenities to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and schools, aimed at enhancing their overall functionality for betterment of the community. During the visit to Baramulla, Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated a hi-tech poly greenhouse with a total area spanning 500 square meters at Chakloo, which was sanctioned to the local farmer Dr. Mudasir Ali through HADP scheme at an estimated subsidy of 95 percent. Later, the Union Minister visited Government Medical College Baramulla, where she inaugurated the Endo-Urological Equipment at the Associated Hospital as part of the Aspirational District Programme. The newly introduced equipment will support advanced urological procedures, enhancing healthcare options for patients in the region. The Union Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Medical Registration Department’s (MRD) Registration Centre at GMC Baramulla, aimed at streamlining the patient registration process. The Minister also interacted with the attendants and sought feedback on the healthcare facilities being provided to the patients...////...