Author: snskashmir

Parliamentary Committee holds meeting with stakeholders on promotion of Transport, Tourism, Culture

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 21:

In a first of its kind visit after the Covid-19 outbreak, a delegation on Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture held a meeting with stakeholders to review and examine the status of Highways/State Highways, potential and promotion of Tourism sector and preservation of archaeological and heritage sites in Jammu and Kashmir here today.

The Committee led by its Chairman, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha T.G Venkatesh held threadbare discussion on the development of Road, Railway and Air Connectivity during the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman said that the all-round development of UT is a major goal of Government of India. He said the Committee is on a visit to understand the problems of residents of J&K to resolve them.

He said that the committee is here to listen to the stakeholders about constraints specifically being faced by them in these sectors like road transport and what measures are needed to be taken to ensure that the highways in J&K match international best standards and road safety measures being taken in J&K.

The Chairman also said that the Committee shall also take stock of the promotion of Tourism sector vis-à-vis tapping domestic tourism, promotion of rural and adventure tourism, hotel infrastructure and development of highways for better road transport connectivity.

During the meeting various representatives from tour, travel and hospitality sector representing KCCI, Hotelier Club, TAAK, TASK, PILTOF, HBOA, CTT, AKTO, NTTA, HSG and DTOAK raised various issues related to better connectivity and promotion of Tourism sector.

Demanding better road connectivity, the stakeholders apprised the committee about the problems faced by people due to frequent suspension of both road and air connectivity particularly closure of Srinagar- Jammu Highway during the winter months.

A number of issues and demands were raised by the stakeholders to the Committee like frequent closure of Srinagar- Jammu highway, revival and renovation of houseboats, uninterrupted power supply to hotels, financial packages for artisans, rising unemployment graph due to adversely affected tourism sector, need for cap on airfare, train connectivity, promotion of tourist destinations, round the clock functioning of Srinagar International Airport, better facilities at airport, lifting of travel advisories, cultural and adventure sports, medical tourism promotion, preservation of cultural and heritage, enhancement in central government funds, revival and restoration of lakes and other water bodies and better road connectivity across all tourist destinations.

The committee members assured that all the genuine issues shall be taken at appropriate level for resolution.

The committee also held a meeting with officials of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, ASI and UT Government on promotion and preservation of Archaeological sites and artefacts in J&K and concerned officers briefed the delegation on measures taken for promotion of archaeological sites, monuments, and artefacts through a power point presentation.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee, presently on three day visit to Kashmir is led by Chairman of the Committee T.G Venkatesh and other MPs of the delegation on visit to Srinagar include Prassana Acharya, Vinay Dinn Tendulkar, Margani Bharat, Rahul Kaswan, Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Chhedi Paswan, Kamlesh Paswan, Sunil Kumar Pintu, Tirath Singh Rawat, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas and Krupal Balaji.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union MoS Prime Minister’s Office and Dr Farooq Abdullah MP Srinagar also attended the meeting. Besides, senior officers from Ministry of Tourism Govt of India, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P. K Pole, Secretary Tourism J&K Sarmad Hafeez,, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal, Director Tourism, Director Archives & Archaeology, CGM NHAI, GM NHAI, ADG MoRTH and other senior officers were also present on the occasion. The meeting was also joined by senior officers of the UT Administration through video conferencing arranged by NIC Srinagar.

SNS KASHMIR

Zaffer Iqbal

URI, JANUARY 21:

A petrol pump was sealed in Uranbuwa area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district by the Legal Metrology department on Thursday on the charges of overcharging.

According to reports, the Legal Metrology Department Baramulla sealed a petrol pump namely Kafeel filling station after receiving the complaints of overcharging.

Assistant Controller Legal Metrology Baramulla/ Kupwara Mudasir Ahmad told GNS that they have been receiving complaints from locals that said petrol pump was overcharging the supply of fuel.

“A team of our department visited the spot today and the petrol pump sealed after finding the complaints genuine. It was sealed through a seizure memo under the Legal Metrology Act under section 32,” he said adding, “Further action is being taken.” (GNS)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, JANUARY 21 :

A security guard of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, guarding ATM at sector 13 in Nanak Nagar locality of Jammu City was killed on Thursday evening.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), locals from Nanak Nagar’s sector 13 informed that a security guard of J&K Bank was found lying dead inside the guard room at ATM at around 10 PM.

“There is blood all around inside the guard room and the area where ATM is placed. The ATM has been seized while forensic teams have been called in,” police officials said. 

They said the body of security guard is inside the ATM room and spot investigation is going on but it prima facia seem a case of murder. 

Senior officers of police have also rushed to the spot—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU JANUARY 21 :

Anti Corruption Bureau has registered a case under FIR No. 01/2021 u/s 5(1)(c), 5(1)(d) r/w Section 5(2) of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006 & sections 120-B, 420, 467, 468 & 471 RPC against the then officers/officials of RDD, Block Warwan namely Syed Tariq Suharwardhy S/o Sh. M.A Suharwardhy R/o Near JK Bank Doda, Tehsil & District Doda the then BDO Block Warwan, Riaz Ahmed Lone S/o Abdul Gaffar Lone R/o Near HSS School Yourda, Tehsil Marwah District Kishtwar the then BDO Block Warwan, Ashok Kumar S/o Roop Kumar R/o Village Pochhal Tehsil & District Kishtwar AEE, REW Kishtwar, Haroon Rashid S/o Abdul Rashid R/o Village Huller Kishtwar the then Technical Assistant Block Warwan, beneficiaries namely Mohd. Rajab Rather S/o Sh. Jamal Rather R/o Aftee Tehsil Warwan District Kishtwar, Ghulam Qadir Rather S/o Habib Rather R/o Aftee Tehsil Warwan District Kishtwar, Mohd. Farooq Hajam S/o Ab. Aziz Hajam R/o Inshan Tehsil Marwah District Kishtwar, Wali Mohd. Lone S/o Ab. Aziz Koka R/o Aftee Tehsil Warwan District Kishtwar, Shabnam Farooq D/o Farooq Ahmed R/o Inshan Tehsil Marwah District Kishtwar and others.

2.     The instant case was registered on the basis of a Joint Surprise Check conducted into the allegations that officers/officials of Rural Development Department Block Warwan District Kishtwar, beneficiaries and others during the year 2019 misappropriated an amount of Rs. 26,90,985/- dishonestly and fraudulently against Non- Existence and lesser executed works in Block Warwan District Kishtwar.

3.     Searches were also conducted after obtaining search warrant from the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Doda teams in the houses of accused public servants at Doda and Kishtwar.

4.     Further investigation of the case is going on.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 21 :

A 55-year-old woman died in Jammu and Kashmir due to covid-19 in the last 24 hours, officials told GNS on Thursday.

They said that woman belonged Nanak Nagar Jammu and her death took the number of people succumbing to the virus to 1924— 1207 in the Valley and 717 in Jammu region.

Srinagar district with 453 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (368), Baramulla (173), Budgam (115), Kupwara (94), Pulwama (88), Anantnag (84), Doda (64), Bandipora (61), Udhampur (57), Kulgam (54), Rajouri (55), Kathua (51), Ganderbal (46), Shopian (39), Samba (39), Poonch (24), Ramban (21), Kishtwar(22), and Reasi (15).(GNS)

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 21 :

Anti Narcotics Task Force Kashmir Spl Branch of Crime Branch Headed by DSP Anti Narcotics Kashmir on recovered a huge consignment of Afghan grade Heroine and Opium worth Six crores in international market at Qaimoh Anantnag.

In a statement issued to media reads that ANTF received a specific input regarding some drug deal being struck in Harnag area of Anantnag.

On receiving this tip-off, ANTF team swung into action and raided a specific location alongwith Anantnag Police and arrested a drug dealer named Abdul Hameed Alai son of Late Gh Rasool Alai of Harnag, Anantnag.

From his possession, huge quantity of drugs has been recovered. Total 650 gms of Heroin and approx 1430 gms of Opium Extract (Afeem) have been recovered from the possession of this notorious drug dealer of Kashmir valley.

Drug paddler has been arrested and a case under relevant sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychtropic Substances Act has been registered.

Further investigation is going on and more arrests of this drug racket are expected.

ANTF has appealed general public to share any information regarding drug dealers and help Police in fight against drugs the statement further reads.

BAGHDAD, JANUARY 21 :

At least 32 people were killed and 110 others wounded on Thursday in the twin suicide bombings in Iraq’s capital Baghdad, Iraqi Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi said.
Baghdad’s hospitals received 32 bodies, while 110 wounded people were admitted for treatment, al-Tamimi said in a statement.

“Most of the wounded received treatment and left the hospitals, and only 36 remain for further treatment,” he added.
Earlier in the morning, a suicide bomber blew up his explosive belt in a crowded outdoor clothing market in Bab al-Sharji area, before a second one detonated his a few minutes later in the same market, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the extremist Islamic State (IS) group, in most cases, is responsible for such suicide attacks targeting security forces and crowded areas including markets, cafes, and mosques across Iraq.
Suicide bombings have been rare in Baghdad for months, as the security situation has improved in Iraq since the Iraqi security forces fully defeated IS militants across the country late in 2017.

However, sporadic deadly incidents still occur in the war-ravaged country as IS remnants have since melted into urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Enditem

Source: Xinhua news

SNS KASHMIR

M S Nazki

POONCH, JANUARY 21 :

A soldier was critically injured in a sniper rifle fire by Pakistan at a forward post in Mankore area along the Line of Control in Poonch district, officials said on Thursday.

They said the soldier, Hawaldar Nirmal Singh, from 10 JAK Rifle suffered serious Injury in right side chest and was immediately removed in a chopper to command hospital in Udhampur.

Confirming it, a police officer told GNS that the condition of the soldier is stated to be critical. (GNS)

KCCI chief demands accountability, punishment for agencies who fail to meet deadlines, Houseboat owners seek end to skyrocketing air fares, seek better roads, transport system; United Tourism Forum seeks financial package for revival of tourism

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 21:

Various stakeholders of Kashmir’s tourism sector Thursday urged the visiting Parliamentary delegation to put a word across at New Delhi to ensure highway uncertainty ends in the Valley once for all and that the air-travel is made more convenient with genuine fares so that tourism picks up in the region.

The stakeholders also demanded better roads and road connectivity if Government of India wants to give Kashmir tourism a boost stating that frequent closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway is the main reason for “mess” in Valley at a time when tourism needs a push.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), after meeting the delegation, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, Industries (KKCI) President Sheikh Ashiq Hussain said: “We put across our view point before the committee and we are hopeful that they will take our pleas forward. We demanded end to the Srinagar-Jammu highway closure once for all. The highway closure triggers mess across the Valley.  As soon as the highway gets closed, the Air fares goes high. We urged the MPs to ensure that air travel is made convenient so that it will become easier for everyone to travel. See despite repeated promises by the previous regimes and officials on improving the highway condition, we see closure of this only road link again and again. We demand there should be an accountability and punishment to the agencies and officials who fail to meet the deadlines.”

Among the visiting parliamentary delegation, MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and NC chief and sitting MP Dr Farooq were also present.

Speaking to KNO after meeting the delegation, president Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association Hameed Wangnoo said: “We explained the series of issues confronting the houseboat owners. We also presented a memorandum. Every year such delegations come, but so far nothing except assurance is what we get. Let’s hope this time, our demands are met. We demanded a direct rail link between Srinagar and Jammu and raised the air-fare. We told them that Srinagar-Delhi airfare is so high that a tourist would think twice about visiting Kashmir. When highway gets closed, air-fares go sky-rocket, which is injustice.”

All J&K Shikara Union President Ghulam Ahmed Kolu said that they explain the ill plight of Shikara owners to the MPs stating that all the promises made to them turned out to be hollow. “We have now demanded soft loans to revive our business so that tourists enjoy Shikara rides in Dal and Nigeen lakes,” he said.

Chairman United Tourism Forum Manzoor Ahmed Pakhtoon, who also met visiting delegation, told KNO said that they briefed the MPs about the issues confronting tourism, culture and transport. “We told the MPs that tourism has suffered since past 30 years. We have been frequently telling the GoI about the series of problems tourism sector is facing.

We told the delegation that people associated with tourism are on the verge of starvation and grant-in aid or a financial package was what we demanded strongly for tourism revival in Kashmir,” he said. “We also raised the houseboat extinction issue as from 2500 houseboats, the present number is just 950.”—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

ANANTNAG, JANUARY 21:

Five Kashmiri drivers on the way to Mumbai through Gujrat have gone missing along with their fruit-laden trucks since Wednesday evening causing panic among the families of the youth.

Families of the missing men have been distressed since they went missing. Trying to search them and seek help, they spoke to The Kashmriyat over the phone and said that the families have lost contact with the five since yesterday evening. “Their phones have been switched off since.”

One of the family members told The Kashmiriyat that the five were travelling in two trucks bearing the registration number JK03G 4958 and JK13 F- 2249 and were on the way to Mumbai through Gujrat when they made a panic call to home saying, “Some bolero has been following us since we entered into Gujrat, a few minutes after the call, the five have been untraceable.”

He identified the five Ganderbal residents as Irshad Ahmed Tantray so of Mohammed Yusuf Tantray resident of Manigam, Ganderbal, Sheikh Mueen resident of Yaarmuqam Ganderbal, Raja Rameez resident of Wayil, Rayees Ahmed Arhama Ganderbal, Irfan Chopan, Yarmuaqm Ganderbal all aged in their mid-20’s.

One of them was live from his Facebook page, the family member said, which also proves that he was in Gujrat and since then, the family has been trying to reach them.

“They must have entered some 130 Kilometres into Gujrat and were travelling on the Expressway to Mumbai when their phones got off,” another driver told The Kashmiriyat, adding that both the trucks were carrying apples to Mumbai. “Their phone has been switched off since.”

The Kashmiriyat contacted the local Police station in Ganderbal where the SHO said that the family must approach the Police station and they can lodge a missing report and then initiate further action into the incident.

The Kashmiriyat also tried to dial the numbers of the missing drivers, but the numbers are still on witched off mode, Meanwhile, the family has reached the office of the SSP Ganderbal.

The Kashmiriyat also spoke to a top Police official in Gujrat who denied having any reports of anyone going missing in the state. “Nobody has come to us yet, not the family, neither has the local Police of Kashmir reached us, we will certainly look into the matter once it comes to us.”

Pertinently in November, Two siblings from Kulgam went missing and after the efforts of the Local Police, the two were found in a Police station in Delhi, They were traced after a span of more than five days, one more Kashmiri youth is missing from Doha in Qatar, a resident of Anantnag, the family is still looking for his whereabouts.

The Kashmiriyat