Author: snskashmir

‘Merger will facilitate in meeting deficiency to some extent’

SNS KASHMIR

Srinagar, Feb 04 ): The Government of India on Thursday cited dearth of All India Service (AIS) in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory as the reason for merging J&K cadre of IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.

According to statement of objects and reasons of “The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (amendment) Bill-2021” moved in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the merger of J&K cadre with AGMUT happened due to severe shortage of All India Service officers in the UT.

The merger will facilitate posting of officers of AGMUT cadre in J&K to overcome deficiency of AIS officers to some extent, it further states.

“There is a huge deficiency of the officers of All India Services in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The developmental schemes, centrally sponsored schemes and other allied activities suffer due to non-availability of All India Officers in the existing cadres of the Jammu and Kashmir as such there is a requirement of merging it with Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Union territories cadre so that the officers in this cadre can be posted in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to meet out any deficiency to some extent,” reads the statement of objects and reasons of the bill.

It further reads that move will provide uniformity in the governance of all the Union territories and further enhance efficiency in their administration.

The bill was brought in the Parliament to replace ordinance brought on January 7 for merger of J&K cadre of coveted services with AGMUT cadre (KNO)

Vision behind ambitious projects is to transform Jammu & Srinagar into modern, sustainable and economically vibrant cities: Lt Governor

Tawi River Front to be developed on the lines of Sabarmati River Front

LG issues directions for effective implementation of different projects & IT based smart civic services in J&K

SNS KASHMIR

Jammu, February 04 : Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today called for executing the ambitious Smart City projects in Jammu and Kashmir expeditiously.

The Lt Governor was chairing a high level meeting of Administrative Secretaries, experts on Smart City Projects and other stakeholders here at Civil Secretariat. 

Stressing on timely completion of the Smart City Projects, the Lt Governor passed specific directions to the concerned officers for completion of the projects within the set timelines without any delay.

“The vision behind the ambitious projects is to transform Jammu & Srinagar into modern, sustainable and economically vibrant cities with dedicated focus on improving infrastructure & services, increasing mobility and enhancing the administrative efficiency”, observed the Lt Governor. 

The Lt Governor called for exploring every possibility to achieve the desired results and asked the concerned officers of Smart City projects in J&K to apply the learning gained from the experience of the officers of Smart City Ahmedabad Development Ltd during the implementation phase for various smart city initiatives.

The Lt Governor stressed upon the necessity of proper inter-departmental coordination and also directed the officers to get a better exposure and understanding of different aspects of Smart City projects.

He also enquired about the measures taken while completing projects by Smart City Ahmedabad Development Ltd and issued directions to the concerned officers for effective implementation of different projects and IT based smart civic services in Jammu & Kashmir. He further emphasised upon the need of undergrounding of overhead utilities all along the proposed Complete Street development project.

Sh. Keshav Varma, Chairman, Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL); Sh. Mukesh Kumar, Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation; Sh. Nitin Sangwan, CEO, Smart City Ahmedabad Development Ltd and Sh. Jagdish Patel, General Manager, Technical, SRFDCL gave their valuable inputs for sharing of knowledge and expertise in implementing various aspects of Smart City projects.

Experts from Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Ltd explained the details and gave suggestions for development of Tawi River Front on the lines of Sabarmati River Front, besides flood control measures to be taken. They also briefed the chair about the challenges and best practices adopted during the development of Sabarmati Riverfront at Ahmedabad, and drew parallels between the Tawi River Front project.

CEO, Smart City Ahmedabad Development Ltd gave a detailed overview of projects undertaken by SCADL, while CEO, Jammu Smart City Ltd., Ms. Sushma Chauhan presented the status of similar projects executed & under execution in Jammu, including Integrated Command & Control Center; upcoming ICCC integrations; smart urban mobility & Intelligent Traffic Management System; City beautification; façade lighting & illumination; efficient green initiatives; solid waste management etc.

Sh. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor; Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Sh. Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; concerned Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners, Jammu and Kashmir; IGPs Jammu and Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners, Jammu and Srinagar; Commissioners, Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations; VCs JDA and SDA; HoDs; Chief Engineers and other senior officers attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.(SNS kASHMIR )

Stresses on quick Public Service delivery, Accountability and Transparency

Baramulla, February 04: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Mohammad Aijaz Asad today chaired an introductory meeting of officers from Line Departments and stressed on providing hassle free public services by strengthening accountability and transparency in offices. He added that effective public service delivery and robust grievance redressel mechanism is fundamental to the good governance architecture.

DC made these remarks while chairing an interactive cum introductory meeting with the officers at dak bungalow Baramulla where several aspects pertaining to overall socio-economic development were comprehensively discussed.

The concerned officers, after welcoming him for assuming the office as Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, introduced themselves one on one. They also presented the status of various developmental works undertaken in various sectors viz health, education, rural development, PDD etc by the concerned agencies.

While taking a sector wise review of various developmental works, the DC emphasized for adopting a coordinated approach for achieving the desired results. He stressed to ramp up the pace of work so that all the undertaken projects are completed well within the stipulated time period. Moreover, he urged upon the concerned officers to identify the bottlenecks, if any and bring them into his notice so that they are sorted out as early as possible.

Meanwhile, DC sought cooperation from the concerned officers for developing the district from different perspectives pertaining to developmental concerns. He added that his focus shall remain on providing efficient and prompt public services besides establishing a vigor and effective grievance redressel mechanism. DC also emphasized for working with zeal and dedication while discharging official duties.

SSP Baramulla Mr Abdul Qayoom, ADDC Baramulla Aijaz Abdullah Saraaf, ADC Mohammad Ahsan Mir, SP Sopore Javaid Iqbal, ACR, SDMs, heads of various departments, district and sectoral officers among other concerned functionaries were present in the meeting.

Committee constituted to enquire the matter has not submitted its report yet: AD Food

SNS Kashmir

Baramulla, February 04: Assistant Director Food Baramulla has strongly rebutted the news report by carried by a local news agency and termed it “baseless and far from reality” besides is ‘malicious and misleading’.

In a statement issued, AD Food Baramulla said that news report- “ Fraud: No action taken despite inquiry indicts Fair Price Shop Dealer in North Kashmir”- is biased and without version of the District Officer concern with is against the ethics of journalism.

In the rebuttal statement, AD Food Baramulla further said that following the allegations that Abdul Hameed Mia, who is running a  Fair Price Shop Dealer at Baba Gund Mamoosa ,at Baba Gund Mamoosa area, has fraudulently issued the free ration of PHH ration cards to the non-deserving NPHH, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla issued orders for re-verification of NPHH, PHH, AAY ration card holders.

“Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, who is the chairman of NFSA District Level Committee for identification of beneficiaries under various ration categories(NPHH/AAY/PHH) has already issued an order regarding Re-verfication and Rectification of ration lists of the whole district vide order no.DCB/PS/2968-79 dated 03-07-202O and because Sub-division Patten is yet to submit the re-verified ration list ,in this backdrop SDM Pattan has ordered to expedite re-verification and rectification of ration cards (NPHH, PHH, AAY) vide  order no. SDM/PS/2021/3752-61 dated 02-02-2021 which is under process,” the statement reads.

It further informed that Tehsildar concerned is the chairman of tehsil level NFSA committee for identification of beneficiaries for various ration categories at Tehsil level, which is submitted for approval to District Level Committee-NFSA.

Regarding the complaint, a committee was constituted for in-depth enquiry allegations leveled against the fair price shop dealer and the committee is yet to submit its report, the rebuttal statement issued here said.

Taking a serious note of the allegation that has been leveled against the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department Baramulla wherein it was alleged that the department has not taken any action against a Fair Price Shop dealer who has been found involved in several fraudulent activities, Assistant Director FCS&CA Baramulla Shiekh Tariq has refuted all the allegations and said that the claim is totally baseless and far from reality.

The clarification was given as rebuttal to a news item carried out by a news agency ‘Kashmir News Trust’ and circulated it on different social media platforms.

Accordingly, the news agency has issued a press release wherein they alleged that a fair price shop dealer of Baba Gund Mamoosa Pattan namely Abdul Hameed Mir has been held responsible for carrying out several fraudulent activities by a departmental enquiry committee constituted by FCS&CA Baramulla vide order no ADFCS&CA/Bla /2021/4840-41 dated 14-01-2021.  However, the Assistant Director has clarified that the committee which has been constituted to carry out the in depth enquiry, has not submitted its report till date and the news report carried is malicious and misleading.

Moreover, the news agency has further alleged that the said FPS dealer has also been found in involved in misappropriation of food grains by including non-deserving consumers in AAY and PHH ration card holders on which Assistant Director has informed that the things will be crystal clear after the enquiry committee submits its report adding that strict legal action shall follow if the accused is found involved in such activities.

Locals suspect murder, demand probe into his death

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 04 :

A youth from Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam died of a cardiac arrest at Canal Road in Jammu on Wednesday late evening.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the deceased was doing coaching for SSB exams in Jammu and he suddenly fell unconscious near Irrigation Department at Canal Road.

He said that he was declared dead on arrival by the doctors at GMC Jammu.

The official identified the deceased as Umar Sidiq Son of Mohammad Sidiq, a resident of Buchroo area of Chadoora.

Locals, however, suspect a “preplanned murder” as the deceased’s face had bruised marks on his face.

The locals demanded a probe into his death.

Meanwhile, a pale of gloom descended Buchroo area after the news of Umar’s death spread in the area.

An official said that the post mortem report will reveal the cause of his death.

“The body has been shifted to the mortuary room of GMC Jammu and his autopsy has been conducted,” he added—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU FEBRUARY 04 :

      Acting tough and taking stringent measures against the notorious criminals, Crime Branch Jammu continues its streak of tightening noose around the absconders U/S 512 CrPC as well as those evading cooperation in the investigation of the criminal cases.  Upholding faith and integrity on criminal justice system, Crime Branch Jammu got initiated proceedings U/S 82 & 83 Cr.PC against accused absconder – Rakesh Kumar Gupta son of Tara Chand Gupta resident of H. No. 201 City Chowk, Jammu and gets his property attached through the Hon’ble Court of 2^nd Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu in case FIR No. 261/2000 U/S 420, 467, 468, 406, 201, 120-B/ RPC P/S Pucca Danga Jammu (Investigated by Crime Branch Jammu).

    The accused along with other co-accused persons is involved in commission of crime of defrauding and duping people of their hard earned money to the tune of Rs 65 lacs by way of inducement on the pretext of providing higher rates of interest on their deposits in the name of Private Finance Companies viz R.K Finance and A.K Traders in Jammu City. The investigation of the case was closed as proved by Crime Branch Jammu and the charge-sheet of the case was produced in the Court of law on 19-02-2002.

   The accused did not turn up before the Hon’ble Court during the trial of the case, as such proceedings U/S 512 Cr.PC were initiated and arrest warrant was issued by the Hon’ble Court for his arrest. However, the accused kept absconding for a very long period of time, as such proceedings of declaring him as proclaimed offender were initiated by Crime Branch Jammu. The accused again failed to appear before the Hon’ble Court within a stipulated time frame following his declaration as proclaimed offender by the Hon’ble Court of Law. Thus acting tough, Crime Branch Jammu resorted to the legal proceedings of attachment of his property through the Hon’ble Court of 2^nd Additional Session Judge Jammu. The Hon’ble Court issued orders attaching the property of the absconder dated 30-01-2021.

 During the period July 2019 till date Crime Branch has executed 14 arrest warrants U/S 512 Cr.PC in respect of 14 absconders. Moreover, as regards arrests effected in the Investigation of cases, Crime Branch Jammu arrested more than 40 accused persons in the last two years during investigation of different cases.

Rates all-time high at Rs 90 petrol litre, Diesel reaches Rs 80 per litre

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 04 :

The fuel prices on Thursday hit a new record in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir as the rates cross the mark of Rs 90 for the first time while the prices of Diesel also soared to Rs 80 per litre.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), petrol prices as per notification from oil marketing companies were hiked by 11 paise per litre on Thursday and diesel by 13 paise per litre.

This took the petrol price in Srinagar to Rs 90.02 per litre while Diesel rate climbed to Rs 80.37 a litre, the data revealed.

The rates have been increased after a gap of more than one week.

Fuel prices, which vary from State to State depending on local sales tax or VAT, are now at a record high in the country, prompting cries for a cut in excise duty to ease the burden on consumers.

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last week blamed Saudi oil output cut for the surge in oil prices but remained non-committal on tax cuts—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 4,:

The Kashmir Press Club condemned the registration of an FIR against two Kashmir based news portals for running a story on a school in Shopian in South Kashmir.

In a statement, the KPC management committee and executive members expressed concern over harassment of journalists and news organizations by filing cases against them.

The Club wants to make it clear that a free and vibrant media is key to the survival of democratic set-up. Instead of going ahead with the complaint or the registration of the case, the concerned authorities through a standard procedure should have sought clarification from the news websites in question if at all there was any factual inaccuracy in their stories. But no such procedure was followed and instead a case was filed. This authoritative approach apparently shows a deliberate attempt to pressurize journalists.

“The Club urges the authorities to withdraw the FIR against the media organizations and the journalists concerned,” the statement reads. (KNT)

presented a memorandum comprising of 16 points related to the departments of school education, health and medical education, NRHM , SRTC etc. The other members who were part of delegation were Mohd Afzal Bhat , Mrignainie ji, Saleem sagar , showkat Ahmad wani, Tahir Ahmad Sofi, Tariq Ahmad Lone, Gh Nabi Sofi, Javaid Ahmad Khan, syed Sajad, Ab Qyoom Mir and Mohd Abdullah.

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU FEBRUARY 03 :

A high level delegation of JK Employees Joint Action Committee(EJAC) headed by its president and chairman JKTF Mr Mohd Rafique Rather met with Hon’ble Advisor Mr Rajeeve Rai Bhatnager and presented a memorandum comprising of 16 points related to the departments of school education, health and medical education, NRHM , SRTC etc. The other members who were part of delegation were Mohd Afzal Bhat , Mrignainie ji, Saleem sagar , showkat Ahmad wani, Tahir Ahmad Sofi, Tariq Ahmad Lone, Gh Nabi Sofi, Javaid Ahmad Khan, syed Sajad, Ab Qyoom Mir and Mohd Abdullah.
The delegation apprised Hon’ble Advisor of some chronic issues confronting employees fraternity for long and urged for early redressal . The delegation was listened with patience and with utmost care and was assured a sympathetic consideration of all issues highlighted in the memorandum. The delegation started its delebration with the issue of regularization of left out ReTs and RReTs and non payment of their salaries which hasn’t been paid for more than a year. As a result of which the teachers are suffering a lot and have virtually been left to starvation. It was also highlighted that the ReTs who have already been issued clearence certificate from Police and allied agencies are being asked to get NOC afresh which is complete injustice with the aggrieved teachers . Hon’ble Advisor assured the delegation that he will direct concerned authorities to sort out the salary issue and subsequently their transition on priority.
Mr Rafique Rather raised the issue of I/C lecturers , Headmasters , zeos , principals , CEOs, joint directors and requested the authorities to regularize the services of such I/C officers. On the occasion the delegation was told that the process of regularization shall be expedited. The delegation requested for removal of pay anomalies of teachers, masters, lecturers and bringing them at par with central grades/ scales.
Hon’ble Advisor agreed that there are pay anomalies and assured that the issue will be taken up with concerned agencies for redressal. The delegation also raised forcefully the issue of +2 lecturers and requested for ACP / time bound promotions in their favor.
Hon’ble Advisor told the delegation the issue is already under consideration and the service stagnation of lecturers will be removed as soon as possible.
The issue of placement of headteachers on vacant posts was also brought into the kind notice of the hon’ble Advisor. He on the spot directed his subordinate staff to look into the issue immediately.
The issue of regularization of CPWs was also raised in addition to inclusion of 16 years of rendered services of erstwhile Migrant substitute teachers, transfer policy in favour of ReTs and inclusion of 5 years service records , charge allowance in favour of recently promoted officers of Education department, filling up of all vacant posts of headmasters , lecturers, principals, zeos, CEOs etc to which the delegation was told that all technicalities involved in the process of resolving all these issues will be looked into.
The issue of empaneled ReTs was raised and it was said that they are not being issued appointment orders inspite of directions from hon’ble High court. To this the delegation was informed that law department is looking up the issue seriously.
The delegation pleaded regularization of all employees working under NRHM , and subsequently enhancement in their salaries and regularization of HDF employees to which delegation was assured the issue will be handed over to concerned department for sympathetic consideration.
Issues related to salaries of SRTC issue and demolishing of SRTC building at Sopore was raised and a positive and favorable response was shown by the Hon’ble Advisor.
The delegation thanked the hon’ble Advisor for the patient hearing of all issues and was assured that EJAC which represents all employees of JK including PSUs strives for promoting work culture and irradiation of corruption at all levels.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 03 :

An army soldier was killed in ceasefire violation along the line of control in Sundarbani sector of Rajouri district on Wednesday evening, army said here.

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along LoC in Sundarbani Sector, which was retailed strongly by the Indian Army.

He, however, said that in the incident an army soldier identified as Sep Laxman was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries.

“Sep Laxman was a brave, highly motivated and a sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty,” he said—(KNO)