BREAKING :J&K High Court terminated the CAA& Interim CEO of Cricket Association

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR MARCH 23 :

J&K High Court DB– Mr Ali Mohammad Magrey, Mr Puneet Gupta–today terminated the CAA & interim CEO of J&K Cricket Association and ordered complete administration/management of JKCA to be run by BCCI till it holds the elections. It ends a prolonged litigation.

DCs of Srinagar & Jammu directed to coordinate with JKCA & BCCI in making inventory of all assets/liabilities of JKCA and their handing over to BCCI. BCCI will now draft Articles of Association & Rules & Regulations strictly as per Lodha Committee recommendations approved by SC.(KFP)

Talks between Indus Commissioners of India, Pakistan underway

SNS KASHMIR

NEW DELHI MARCH 23 :

A host of issues under the Indus Waters Treaty, including Pakistan’s objections to the design of Indian hydropower projects on Chenab river, are likely to be discussed between the Indus Commissioners of the two countries as part of their annual meeting underway here Tuesday.
The talks as part of the annual Permanent Indus Commission meeting are being held after a gap of over two years.
The Indian delegation is being led by PK Saxena who will be joined by his advisors from the Central Water Commission, the Central Electricity Authority and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.
The Pakistan delegation is led by its Indus Commissioner Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah. The delegation arrived here on Monday evening.
During the two-day talks that began on Tuesday, Pakistan is likely to raise objections on the design of the Indian hydropower projects on Chenab river whose water is largely assigned to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty.
This year’s meeting will be the first between the two commissioners after the August 2019 nullification of the operative provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The erstwhile state was also carved into two union territories — Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
India has since cleared several hydropower projects for the region.
Of these, Durbuk Shyok (19 MW), Shankoo (18.5 MW), Nimu Chilling (24 MW), Rongdo (12 MW), Ratan Nag (10.5 MW) are in Leh; while Mangdum Sangra (19 MW), Kargil Hunderman (25 MW) and Tamasha (12 MW) have been cleared for Kargil.
India had informed Pakistan about the projects. The issue is expected to come up for discussion during the meeting.
Ahead of the meeting, Saxena said, “India is committed towards full utilisation of its rights under the Treaty and believes in an amicable solution of issues through discussion.”
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) warrants the two commissioners to meet at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan.
However, last year’s meeting scheduled to be held New Delhi in March was cancelled, a first since the Treaty came into being, in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
In July 2020, India had proposed to Pakistan that the meeting for discussing pending issues pertaining to Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) be held virtually in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but Pakistan insisted on holding talks at the Attari check post.
However, in response, India said it is not conducive to hold the meeting at the Attari Joint Check Post due to the pandemic. With the improvement in situation, this mandatory meeting is being held with all COVID-19 related protocols.
The meeting will take place after a gap of nearly two and half years. The last meeting took place in Lahore in August 2018.
Under the provisions of Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the water of the eastern rivers – Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi amounting to around 33 million acre feet (MAF) annually — is allocated to India for unrestricted use. The waters of western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — amounting to around 135 MAF annually has been assigned largely to Pakistan.
According to the Treaty, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run of the river projects on the western rivers subject to specific criteria for design and operation. The Treaty also gives right to Pakistan to raise objections on design of Indian hydroelectric projects on western rivers. (Press Trust of India)

After Mahua Moitra  & Assad ud Din Owaisi  it can be C V Vigneswaran .

Home turfs  vying for re- Calibrated  leadership

A A Latief u zaman Deva

The Moitra & Owaisi duo, championing the Constitutionalism, has captivated people in Greater Kashmir and large swaths  of public across the country.The combination  of eloquence, statistics & rapport with ground realities  in Parliamentary debates makes the two  cynosure of constitutionists, secular & liberal Segments of pan India society  and Indian diaspora transcending the borders. The mounting  pressure  on the other parliamentarians and legislators in States & Union territories  to  perform or perish is manifested by the popular disdain these representatives attract. The way  the untruths  have gained acceptance or acquiescence   with  the political, social, legal  &  economic  narratives being peddled by the Hindutva brigade  and  scant evidence available about attempts  being made by the  centralists for correcting the visible aberrations    etc  makes out a strong case for appraisal  of  the public representatives.

Majority  rule an  euphemism for Hindu rule

While  the mantras of ‘’Appeasement’’ & ‘’Pakistan bogey’’ have been  the two  prong  strategy of BJP even in its ealier avatar  of Bhartia Jan Sangh but after 2014 a highly mischievous contour of  ‘’ Hindu rule after 1200 years’’  seem to have embraced the Hindu imagination in general and particularly in Hindu Hindi heartland. Pandit  Nehru had no qualms in admitting  on couple of occasions the raison d’etre  for  accepting the inevitability of partition  in order to  avert  the prospect of constant  unsettling manoeuvring by leadership  of Muslim League which exposes the penchant of Congress Party, even  on the  eve of Independence, for  majoritarian rule albeit  practically   not  through  the  organised  peril of minorities. Given the size of minorities and other  marginalised sections of Indian society and their aspirations the system of government would have been federal in spirit as well as in character  which  didn’t conform with the  one envisaged by Hindu nationalists led by Pandit Nehru  who, having deep knowledge of Indian history and  cultural ethoses,  had successfully  convinced  the  top leadership of the Congress  about pitfalls of  fragile central tier of political set-up  in a true federal system as India was riven in fragments geographically in her chequered history except when  reigned  through a strong central authority like Asoka’s reign followed  by Chander Gupt  Mayra,  Khaeljies and Mughals. The United India by now would have been  either a truly federal state  or in constant  internal strife like that of Lebanon or Iraq.  In a   federal  set- up   the vulnerability of federal Government was a reality in face of competing  ideals of Nehru- Patel duo  with centrifugal forces represented by Muslim League , Dalits & tribals and to  obviate  India plunging into perpetual disorder with possibilities of secession in Dravida and north eastern India on the plank of  ethnic & linguistic disharmony  the Nehru & Patel pair, dishonouring the sensibilities of Ghandi J,   pushed for partition for everlasting peace and  majoritarian rule Which saw Muslims fragmented into three land mass parcels and India retaining disproportionate geographic area by being a secular & successor state to  British India   for which muslim  leaders  devoid  of foresight to  visualise the future  are also  partly  responsible .The statement of Pandit Nehru, after acceptance of Cabinet Mission Plan by Indian National  Congress & the Muslim  League, about retention of  the  sovereign authority  by  the Parliament to review it was not an  off   the   cuff remark but culmination  of  nationalistic ethos of a highly patriot having beholden the future map of India and the  scheme  about  division of  powers rendering central Govtt akin, in our times,  to the position of Gorbachev who silently & helplessly watched & presided over the  disintegration of USSR. Hence revival of Hindu rule dates back to 15th August 1947 with a difference  inasmuch as  it was under facade of a non- discriminatory  constitutional framework  till 2014  and thereafter under misconstrued concepts of  Hindutva &  nationalism  sanctified by  compliant,  aligned  & politicised   institutions but legal framework retained hoodwinking the  international opinions.

Pandit Nehru had fancied sooner or later  the disintegration of Pakistan taking  place on the basis of feudal domination in socio- political  structures  of the Polity disregarding diversity both linguistic and ethnic  under the subterfuge of religion  which  his daughter accomplished by  truncating the  adversarial country and  in a way exploding the myth of two Nation Theory followed by  annexation of Siachin  during his grandson’s reign contrary to Shimla Agreement committing both the parties to maintenance of status quo  on LOC & beyond . The insurgency/ secession movement  in East Pakistan saw unfortunate deaths of seventy thousand people  and  comparing  it with the similar position in Kashmir & Punjab  coupled with seldom  & occasional   acts of violence in North eastern States  it is  by virtue of the strength  and  superiority of  Indian  defence & technology the designs of  Indian adversaries  failed mainly due to nation building by Nehru- Ghandi trinity which  in comparison   places the   outcome of recent  subsisting  stand off with China  in   a  category of national shame & yet the  support from crony capitalists and  Godi media    who  instead demonise  the greatest  Indian  patriotic post Independence leadership  little realizing the standing India had in comity of Nations in  conformity with the perceptions for role envisaged for the country then & now which is actually comparison between statesmanship and brinkmanship respectively. The theocratic states  & authoritarian regimes are what  they are de-facto and de-jure without  pretensions  but admittedly with  a   parallel  system  aiming at empowering minorities politically,  economically and  in social stratas as against a system built on deception  with scope for perpetually marginalising  the marginalised. The biggest omission of  centralists and secular cum liberal lobby   has been   its inability to return in kind without any arrears  to Hindutva brigade on the strength of  operational outcomes of Nehruien doctrines  producing what the Indian Polity actually has been  irrespective of  the party ruling the country.

Catching the Bull by horns

Ordinarily the Pulwama type loss of security forces in other countries would either bind the ruling party to tactical defensive  hard posturing  or force the incumbent Govtt to tender resignation but the multi strategist Hindutva brigade  turned it  successfully into an opportunity to  don the mantle of patriotic and nationalistic   flavours  to the decimation of rival parties moreso in Hindu Hindi Heartland. Whether the post Godra  macaberry  in Gujarat was due to inexperience of the Chief Minister or fulmination of  heartlings  for  revenge in   unfortunate and highly condemnable  Godra tragedy  the fact remains about  recreation  & rise   of a cult in Gujarat and its replication later on across the  country.  The State ,having been witness  to   savagery, was not entitled to take out  celebratory  & self glorifying processions under the   garb  of  ‘Gurab  Gujarat ‘’  a  surrogacy by common parlance  for  State guided & protected war against hapless minorities   suppressed  under  diversionary slogans   like  self centered  posers/  questions about allegations of  rape and burning of properties  evoking  thunderous ‘’ No” from the   frenzied crowds, outside relief  camps ‘’ two in & five out / five in twenty five  out,”  addressing  co-religionist  opponents as ‘’Begum Sahiba &  Shahzada”  and  same chicanery followed later on  by trivialising the tragedy when after fourteen years Puppy coming under the vehicle saddening the persons travelling  in was the answer without pointed & specific regret for the horrendous consequences  of Godra let alone condemnation. The pattern repeated by harping on the    non- existent  facility  of ‘’ electricity  for graveyards to be extended   to ‘’cremation grounds’’  also,  incendiary  divisive and polarising  one line cryptic  utterances  by senior leaders  changing the poll scenario  like  ‘’ Ulfa tera kam ham nay keya’,’   Bangladesh ke  demuck  ke jagah Bengal khadi’’,  AMU / Jamia  kay  gadaroh   ko  goli maro  saloo  ko”, ‘’  press  Lotus  to pass current for Shaheen  Bagh protestors’’,  ‘’  surgical  strike in old city of Hyderabad, Indian one”, shifting focus from  deficit governance to majoritarian vision  of the  Party & quite recently in Bengal  the House  supposedly   inhabited by  Bankim   Chandra  Chatterjee  not preserved  by successive Govts as a monument  dubbed as  an act of  appeasement  without any debate on crime incidents,  lack of  Covid 19 combat strategy  initially &  later on  an apartheid era  like campaign  against minorities, social disharmony, fragile economy,    allegations  about  India   turned into a corporate  State,  dissent construed  as treason, escalation of tensions with neighbouring countries particularly China, shrinking space  in relations with foreign countries, debacles in  diplomacy, allegations of controlled democracy, use of institutions for political purposes,  falling  ranks of India in international reports & indexes & host of domestic and international issues. The   charge  often  levelled   about appeasement got debunked  more than one decade back in the report of Sachar   Committee when it laid bare  that 50 percent of Villages  with 40 percent muslim population lack medical facilities , educational institutions,  face absence  of communicational  networks &  public health related avenues,  access  to  schemes for BPL families  farcical, 4.9 %  muslim employees in 88 lakh central & State Government employees with about 96 % therefrom in inferior services and  the per centage dwindling  drastically   in case data related to erstwhile State of  J&K  is excluded,   3.3 % in central  Public sector, 2.2 % in RBI & SBI ,4.6 % in security forces and  01 % in Army as disclosed by  Mulayam Singh Defence Minister, as he  then was, in the Parliament – Army in the  report is said to have claimed non- maintenance of data on  communal grounds. Ghettoisation is a norm to prevent the dispersal of muslims and in a few cases it has legal coverage on fictional grounds and  in cottage & other traditional  industries the fortunes are  fast receding primarily due to State policies lacking rehabilitation plans like in leather & brassware industries.  In the  constitutional  & statutory  commissions / Boards/Organisations  the  presence of  Muslims is almost missing  except  one each  in Apex Court  & Minority Commission. Against entitlement of  76 seats in Lok- Sabah by dint of l4% population there are 27 members  only essentially  due to apathy  in fielding   candidates from the community by the  political parties  even as people vote for leaders and  not the parties in  general  and therefore the argument of  winnability   of candidates  is far from  reality. The position in State Assemblies is no better in any way  which the table in the Write up shall authenticate. These findings suggest disempowerment  of  the largest minority  economically,  socially and politically  and  yet raga of appeasement rather  than  extreme exploitation  by  one & all.  The  bogey of appeasement being a hoax raises  moral & ethical  concerns   on   its continued repetition  in poll strategies  by the  BJP  election  after  election  thus  threatening the  national political order. The predecessors of  BJP Govtt are largely responsible for abysmal position of majority of stakeholders from out of  minority community  and  the grudge  against the existing rulers is for not humanly addressing the faultlines  who instead harp on appeasement  which  is  stoking  communalism without any basis but enables them to reap rich harvests but how long  and at what  cost? The  political debate is at its lowest in the country and  entry of  PM  ought to raise levels  but what has happened in the past & currently under way does not   befit the stature  envisaged  of World ‘s largest  democracy.  At domestic level  the  advisable  course for  the BJP would be to  implement the recommendations of Committee  constituted  during  Mr Atal  Bihari  Vajpaiye  regime  under Chairmanship of   Justice M.N.Venkatachaliah  for suggesting  ways & means for political   empowerment of Muslims  within the framework of the constitution and  in face of PM’s  motif of ‘’Sabka  saath,  sabka  vikas &  sabka  vishwas ‘’ customise the schemes  for  imparting quality education  to younger generations of the  Muslim community  to  enhance their     literacy  rate & employability    and to enable them to  participate in Nation building  through level playing opportunities  and  monitored process  introduced  under relevant schemes  for  doing away with the ghettoisation  aiming at better living standards in  friendly  environments    and  motivational  services for  partaking   the benefits   from the available opportunities in industrial sectors  otherwise at the hustings  in the  end or more precisely  before the historians in future  the  slogans will be   concluded as  classic  theatrical   demagoguery. It is here the  depressed people  yearn for Mohua Moitra  &  Owaisi like representatives.

TABLE:

Sr noStatePercentage of Muslim populationDue shareActual
1Assam344230
2Bengal278059
3Bihar174020
4Up208028
5Delhi130905
6Maharashtra11.543110
7Telangana131508
8Karnataka132907
9Kerala263423

 ☆ out of  991 total legislators  of BJP in legislative Assemblies only 03  muslims & none from out of 303 members  of Lok-Sabha. The Council of Ministers at national level with strength of 58 includes  01  Muslim  only against  minimum  share of 7+.

“Leadership  Confused” & Generational loss

The display of  ‘’arms”  in the uprising akin scenario of 1990   resulted in   three  months the  arrival of  entire  Indian political spectrum,  led by  Devi Lal the then Dy Prime Minister,  in Srinagar with reconciliation for a  set up in the State short of Independence  but obduracy of people who mattered at that point of time has confronted us with sinister driven 5th August 2019  augury burying simultaneously the mainstream also Who are  left  with nothing to stand for in the  sub- nationalism wedded  territory of JK  unless  they  redefine their  vision for the future relationship  with GOI & pledge  themselves for  its realisation  through  democratic movements.   This  was not the first set back for centrifugal forces  who  were aware of   treacherous  events of 1953, 1964, &  1984  undertaken   by their  fellow  travellers   turned   accomplices of    integrationists    yielding nothing to the State constitutionally   including the  fruitless  development of 1975   in centre State relations and yet did not muster the courage for coming forward  to  reap the benefits  the favourable situation would have unleashed in 1990 itself . The  addressal of the  internal dimensions with the political cum constitutional package  by carrying along the Dogras and Buddhists  would have obviated  the horrendous  loss of human resources , immovable properties  & unhealthy consequences suffered/ being suffered  excepting the subsistence of external dimensions involving Pakistan & China  with whom on the basis of territorial adjustments,  including  settlement on Siachin  on the basis  of framework agreed upon  by  the  two  countries during  Rajiv Ghandi reign, some type of de’tente might have fructified   pending   final settlement in  accordance with Shimla Agreement as the domestic economy  in early nineties was in tatters and defence highly vulnerable due to disintegration of USSR  wherefrom the spares for armaments were not available nor the bulwark of  defence in  diplomacy and military might the hallmark of mutual support  the two Nations had exhibited during indo-Pak war of 1971. The collapse of communist  regimes beginning with Poland  and disgraceful retreat of USSR  from Afghanistan  propelled the sentiments wherever existing for freedom  which had its impact upon the young generations without realising  that the  defeat of USSR was not solely the fallout of unprecedented sacrifices offered by Afghans but partly  due to sophisticated arms supplied by USA & NATO  together with petro dollars from Arab countries under active involvement of  bordering neighbourhood. If this was the perception of principal characters involved from JK the 2nd party to the festering wound   underestimated  the resolve of Indian Govtt , Indian political Parties  and people to retain JK whatever the costs  Unlike  the  disinclination  of  Russian  people to hold  central Asian nations.  The  opportunity offered in propitious circumstances in the backdrop of Indian weaknesses  was  lost   partly also due to limited understanding of critical aspects of the region  by  the champions of permanent settlement in  JK and   meanwhile India overcame the tedious period and by now people in the country have turned ultra nationalists mindless of constitutional propriety manifested in their  support for unconstitutional  deoperationalisation  of Article 370  &  fast  strategic changes in World order narrowing down to non unilateral  modifications  in borders/World Map except in case of South Sudan and East Timor for the reasons of convergence of religious affinities of  real power yielders  against emerging two  Muslim countries. Great Nations in conformity with  existing realities plan future  by reference to the  past serving as it does  in the  form of lessons only as to where gone astray  while steering the country towards the destination but alas no truths unearthed  so for in the sub- continent about watershed  developments of the past moreso  relating to JK.

In Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace  Sumantra Bose   fixes the number of casualties suffered in JK at 40000 on the basis of Indian estimates & 80000 by Huriyat  claims ending 2002 while in the legislative Assembly during Question Hours in July 2009 the deaths/ Killings have been reported at around 47000 which includes 7000 personnel from Police, Para-military forces and Army apart from 3400 disappearances but the crime statistics in India as put out by National Crime Records Bureau & reiterated by the PM on a couple of occasions during 2019 places  it around 40000 with break up of 25000 militants, 5000 police and other security personnel and 10000 civilian. The   latter result of  collateral  damages  and  acts of  trigger happy lot. Most of  the slain victims were in  bachelorhood and should they not have become  cannon  fodder  for  war machines the population  through them  would have grown by atleast 80000 to 120000 and as such by now based on official figures about casualties the actual number of people lost in the population is 1.20 lakhs to 1.60 Lakhs  with recurring  impacts on demography in the long run. Apart from deaths in encounters & other operations there are allegations about  killings resulting in  from fake engagements, custody, torture, disproportionate use of force & targeted attacks by counter insurgents  which have continued to remain shrouded in mystery in general. The humen tragedy witnessed  got accentuated by ambiguous politics practiced by almost all political parties and politicians  by imparting    currency   to  contradictory political narratives   or by  practising deceit eloquently leading to  harbouring of false beliefs   instead of balancing the words spoken  with deeds while  holding  authority.  The  common  refrain mastered during  last three decades that “”This is our programme but in case the other side has  better  of it at the end of day we shall be delighted”  did  not create congenial  setting  for mainstream politics to grow  into an ideology for countering the   most dominant  narrative & in the process we have a Polity built on ad-hockism whose consequence  is incompatible governance   due to denial of   or self serving  inertia for  legitimate interventions  for discharging the duties expected from civilian Govtts. On appraisal of the performances one is not countenanced with  even  some what  satisfying  scores in enforcement of human rights and accountability  as cases are replete where writ of the State accompanied with action  would have foreclosed for all times to come the scope for repetition of gory incidents and fudging the framework of governance. A dream merchant may succeed in enticing the public  who have  been in   search of  alternatives for long   but such occasional dispensations prove to be short lived as is established by the introduction/ emergence  of hydra headed like political characters and their  faster shrinking fiefdoms though  momentarily  affecting the extent of political manuerability by local leadership. In contrast the unbelievable happening  in Sri-Lanka  through the institution of Chief Minister  when  office is functional and in its absence the leadership of the political party  headed by the person who is C V Vigneswaran, a Tamil former Judge of the Supreme court of the Country & later on Chief Minister of Northern Tamil heartland  after decimation of  Tamil separatist insurgency in a     brutal  attack by        Sinhala  majoritarian State.  Outclassing  the  other States of the  country in effective governance and Performance which the hostile central Govtt has been admitting  but simultaneously unambiguous charter being chased regardless of Sinhalese sensibilities but without  surpassing the  rubicon. The interventions with central Govtt Ministries  &  other  main  pillars of the State  are classic examples for  ensuring  good  deliverable  governance  and  punitive measures wherever warranted in circumstances of cases covered in his  agenda.  A Clear enunciation of party positions on Human rights, role of  UNHRC, International criminal  Court  on alleged  war crimes , desirability for referendum in North & Eastern Tamil  occupied provinces  to the exclusion of  majority community  inhabited  in  rest  of the country, fight against Islamophobia, polarisation  and reaching out to Muslims of Eastern Province with option for  separate territorial Units, rehabilitation of victims of civil war ( not terrorism), Self dependence & economic development in autonomous Tamil provinces,  relationship with Tamil Nadu, dual citizenship for Tamil refugees in India , pro active services by Tamil diaspora  and  Interventionistic facilitating role for India. He is  not superficial  in policy formulations but  is armed with all its  tits and  bits without  any  change in  pronouncements  be the  occasion in Colombo, Jaffna or   Chennai  . The  beauty of the script is in its support from GOI who have been engaging Sri Lankan Govtt about its implementation under nomenclature of devolution unmindful of Sinhalese  outbursts  of one Nation one system  coupled with the  lack of   locus standi   for  interference  by neighbouring & foreign  countries  in the internal matters of the country  and    C V Vigneswaran & his party Illankar Tamil  Arasu Kachclu  have not  found any one in the country meriting the honour of being declared as man of millennium or Person  in  twentieth century   comparable  with  Prophets  or  eulogising   some  one as the singular person capable of settling  Tamil problem  and   yet  due to perseverance,  actionable  commitments, unambiguity in Party philosophy & programmes ,  absence  of flattery  but measured statements consistent with  political cum religious ideology & highest standards of Probity & morality  he is a respectable  Tamil  Lankan  in the country. Our celebrated leadership can pick up lessons from C V and his political organisation lest  substitutes’  of  Akashi Bhat D/o Sanjay Bhat IPS  crop up in the  forlorn land who in that eventually would be well advised  in advance not to  foray beyond India in their pursuit of ideals dear to million. However in the event of the relevant levers in the political parties and other non- partisan Groups turning blind eye to the case against usurpation the  alternative for utilising the good offices of friendly countries could be one of the  last options  though not favoured but onus  for  that not to happen  on   countrymen   by  abjuring the  indifference exhibited sofar.

The author is former Chairman JKPSC and can be reached on aaluzdeva_221256 @ymail.com

DISHA meeting for review and monitoring of Centrally sponsored schemes held in Srinagar

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 22:

The District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee(DDCMC), Srinagar held a meeting to review the status and implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes today, here in Srinagar.

The committee met under  the chairmanship of Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Dr Farooq Abdullah who is the chairperson of the DISHA committee. DC Srinagar Mr Mohammad Aijaz apprised the chairperson DISHA about centrally sponsored schemes under implementation in Srinagar District. Chief Engineer Transmission Hashmat Qazi and Chief Engineer Project Javed Yousuf Dar were also present in the meeting apart from District officers.

The Committee has been entrusted for the monitoring of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes implemented by Rural Development, Rural water Supply,  Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Power Development,  Revenue, Education, Health,  CA&PD, Social Welfare & ICDS,  Agriculture, Horticulture, Industries & Commerce,  National Informatics Centre Geology & Mining Bharat Broad and other departments.

The Committee reviewed the status of Mahatma various Schemes including MGNREGS,  Deen Dayal Antordaya Yojna – NRLM, Deen Dayal Upadhyay – Gramin Kaushalya Yojna,  PMGSY, National Social Assistance Programme, PMAY-G, Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin, National Rural Drinking Water Programme, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna, Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, National Heath Mission, SAMAGRA, ICDS Mid-Day Meal Scheme,  Pradhan Mantri UJJWALA Yojana LPG Connection to BPL families, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna Digital India – Public Internet Access Programme – providing Common Service Centre in each Gram Panchayat, NLRMP, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission and other such Schemes implemented in the district.

During the review, it was informed  that  one lac person-days have been allocated to Srinagar District and department has recorded 100% achievement.

Also, The man-days for Srinagar District have alsobeen revised and at present RDD has been able to achieve  1.02 lac person-days.

It was given that 57054 applications have been verified under  Minority Scholarship Scheme during 2020 – 2021.

Itvwas given that to achieve 100% defection free panchayats SBM-G is providing financial assistance for construction of individual household latrines and community based latrine blocks with Rs. 12,000/- and Rs. 1,80,000/- respectively. However, with regard to community toilets has been revised with a financial assistance of Rs. 3.60 lacs and is presently under consideration for implementation with the government.

Under UJJWALA Agency total no. of connections given  in Srinagar are  397686 and total number of connections provided to BPL Families are 74362.

The Committee also discussed the physical and financial status of power sector schemes like IPDS, PMDP, GIS sub stations, etc.
The chairman urged upon the officers to work diligently in the public interest and resolve public issues in bare minimum.

Cafeteria of  Eco Park Khadinyar Baramulla gutted

Reyaz Rashid

Baramulla: A wooden cafeteria of tourist department at famous Eco Park Khadinyar gutted under mysterious circumstances on Monday evening in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Locals said fire broke out at tourist department cafeteria at Eco-Park in which the cafeteria was completely destroyed, locals joined by Army and fire service people rushed to the spot douse the flames but the wooden cafeteria was reduced to ashes.

The cause of the fire couldn’t be ascertained, however, police has taken cognizance of the fire incident.

Police officers turns emotional at farewell meet in Handwara.

SYEED IMTIYAZ

HANDWARA, MARCH 22:

The officer and Cops of Jammu and Kashmir Police turned emotional after they gave tearful adieu to one their officer on his transfer in north Kashmir’s Handwara.

According to reports the police officer Reyaz Ahmad Mir who was posted at Handwara has been transferred few days back to Kupwara.

The tribute paid at the occasion by the police made the cops, known for his sterner looks, shed tears.

The cops in video can be seen crying while biding the adieu.

A cop (name with held) told, he was very humble and great officer and he will be missed for all the time.

Another cop said he is serving the department from last 15 years and have never seen such a tearful adieu to any officer.

HC Allows J&K Bank To Go Ahead With Selection Of 1850 PO, BA Posts

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 22 :

The J&K High Court on Monday dismissed petitions challenging Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s fresh notification for filling up of 350 probationary officers and 1500 banking associates’ vacancies.

The petitions were filed by at least 288 aspiring candidates who had participated in the selection process pursuant to a notification on 6 October 2018 and had challenged the bank’s 15th April 2020 announcement cancelling the whole selection process.

Subsequently, the bank had issued an advertisement notice (no. JKB/HR-Rectt-2020-27 & 28) on 1 January 2020, inviting applications from the desirous candidates for the posts of Probationary Officers and Banking Associates.

“It needs no reiteration that since the selection process had not been completed, the petitioners have no right to dispute the decision of the respondents to go for a denovo exercise,” a bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said.

“It is beaten law of the land that a job aspirant does not have any right to seek appointment even if his name figures in the select list. In the present case, however, the selection process had not even culminated; therefore, the challenge laid to the impugned action of the respondents (J&K Bank) is impermissible,” the court said as per GNS, adding, “The impugned cancellation, therefore, is held to have had the reasonableness attached with it and it was not arbitrary.”

Subsequently, the court dismissed the petitions being “without any merit.”

Interim direction, if any, shall stand vacated. The respondents shall proceed ahead with the fresh selection process initiated in terms of the impugned advertisement notice,” the court added.

The petitioners in their plea had said that no reasons were disclosed by the Bank while issuing the 15th April 2020 notification, cancelling the selection process conducted for the posts of Probationary Officers and Banking Associates. They had submitted that the failure of bank to give reasons in support of its decision amounts to denial of justice.

“The agency which conducted the online examination in question has a reputed track record; therefore, the cancellation of the process does not appear to be bonafide and it being so the impugned decision of cancelling the selection process is arbitrary and illegal, therefore, deserves to be declared as ultra-vires of the Constitution,” they had prayed.

The petitioners had said that a “limited right of fair consideration is available to a candidate who participates in the selection process which cannot be taken away by arbitrary means and unreasonably.”(GNS)

Flash floods in Hank Naar nallha enters residential houses in Sheeri near Dar-ul-uloom

Several houses, apple orchards damaged, people demand construction of drain  

Reyaz Rashid

Baramulla: Incessant rains and heavy downpour has triggered flash floods in Sheeri village of Narvaw area in Baramulla district where speedy waters of flash floods in Hank Naar- nallha entered in residential area of Dar-ul-uloom Colony Sheeri damaging residential houses and apple orchards.

Disastrous cloud bursts and rains triggered flash floods that washed away roads, lanes and apple orchards in Sheeri Narwave besides the water entered into residential area inundating streets and lanes as outlet of drain of Hank Naar  is damaged near Dar-ul-uloom Sheeri where it gets connected with river Jehulm on highway.

“The drain is damaged besides garbage and silt has chocked the outlet drain of Hank Naar near Darululoom Sheeri where it gets connected with river Jehlum beanth a culvert on highway. Despite several appeals to concern departments including Flood and IrrgationDepartment and Rural Development and   the drain was not cleared or repaired. The flash flood water has entered into our homes and damaged them,” said a resident Ghulam Hussan of Sheeri .

“The flood water ahs damaged apple orchards also as the outlet drain for this flood and irrigation water remain damaged for years besides garbage and silt has accumulated in the drain,” he added.

People have appealed Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Executive Engineer Baramulla and BDO Narvaw for their personal intervention so that people won’t face inconveniences and residential house are safeguarded from the flash floods.    

Teacher found dead under mysterious circumstances in Sopore

SNS KASHMIR

SOPORE, MARCH 22 :

A 35-year old man, teacher by profession was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the locals of Tarzoo area spotted a body near auto stand and accordingly informed the concerned police post.

He said that after getting the information a team went to the spot and recovered the body under mysterious conditions.

He said that the apparently the cause of death seems to be a heart attack.

The official identified the deceased as Ghulam Mohammad Wani son of Ghulam Hassan Wani, a resident of Daragam area of Pattan—(KNO)

9 year old girl with acute appendicitis termed Covid-19 positive at GMC Hospital, On same day patient tested negative in Srinagar private hospital, undergoes appendectomy  

Family demands action against erring lab and doctors, demands probe   

Reyaz Rashid

Baramulla: A 9-years old girl withering in appendix pain was declared Covid-19 positive in Associate Hospital Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla on 16 March, however, on the same day the girl patient was later declared Covid-19 negative at Srinagar private hospital where she has to undergone appendectomy.

Father of the patient Naseer Ahmad Dar of Sherwani Colony Khawajabagh Baramulla alleged that her daughter 9 years old Saniya developed acute lower abdomen pain on 16 March afternoon and she was rushed to Associate Hospital Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla where doctors advised some tests and prescribed medicines.

“Doctor on duty also advised Covid-19 test. As per test report issued vide Lab-1D GMC/BLA/MICRO/H-22700 (RAT) conducted on 16 March was declared ‘Positive’. The doctors refused to treat my daughter saying she was Covid Positive patient but she was crying in pain,” said father of the patient.  

“Given the attitude of doctors at GMC Baramulla, we shifted our patient to Sheikh-ul-Alam hospital Srinagar- Private Hospital where doctors diagnosed her for acute appendicitis. Covid-19 test was also done there which came ‘Negative’ suspiring us all including doctors. The doctors performed emergency surgery on the same day and saved life of my daughter,” Dar said.

The family inmates alleged that Covid-19 test was shown Positive just to avoid treatment to our critically ill daughter who needed emergency surgery.

“We want investigation into the matter and stern action against the erring lab staff and doctors. Had my daughter not reached on time to Srinagar hospital she would have died in GMC and doctors would have termed her Covid-19 death,” another family member Nazir Ahmad said.

The family on Monday approached to Principal GMC Baramulla and Medical Superintendent Associate Hospital Government Medical College (GMC) but concern official failed to give any satisfactory reply to the family of the patient.

“We have decided to file an FIR in police besides will register in court so that those responsible for playing with life of our beloved daughter punished under law,” he added.

When contacted Principal GMC Baramulla Dr Ruby Reshi, she said that she received written complaint from the family and inquiry into the matter has been ordered.

“We will see the facts and all angles will be examined. I assure the family that facts will prevail and justice will be done. If anybody is found involved action will be taken against the concerned ,” she added.