Author: snskashmir

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU MARCH 08 :

A day after the BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit adopted a resolution to form the next government in the Union Territory, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday pooh-poohed the resolve and said “I will see how it is going to happen”.

He also criticised the BJP for allegedly dubbing him and other leaders as “Pakistani” during election time and urged the people to stay away from the “politics of religion and hatred”.

“They (BJP) are making noises that we are coming (to power). They will never come,” the former chief minister said addressing a function to mark the International Women’s Day at the NC headquarters here.

At a two-day working committee meeting at Katra in Reasi district, the BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit adopted a resolution on Sunday to form the next government in the union territory of its own whenever the Assembly elections are held.

They say we will form the (next) government. I will see how it is going to happen. Will they come from the sky? We are standing in their way and how you will remove us. The National Conference has a history of sacrifice and lives in the hearts of the people,” Abdullah said.

Without identifying anyone but apparently referring to the BJP, he said “they are creating hatred” among the people to win the elections.

“When the elections come, we are dubbed as Pakistanis despite the fact that we have spent ourselves to keep the Indian flag high and thousands of our workers and leaders have sacrificed their lives. However, when the elections are over, we become Indians…I am surprised,” he said.

Advising the party workers to keep away from the politics of hatred and religion, he said all religions are equal and no religion is bad.

“It is a man who is bad and not the religion. Had we known our religion in real sense, we would not criticise any other religion…We have to teach our children the right knowledge of the religion,” he said.

He asked the National Conference (NC) workers to identify and reach out to the women who have the urge to serve the society as “we have to think how we can build our future and make J&K a prosperous state.”

“You have to speak to the people and educate them about the false propaganda. Tomorrow they will come chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and you line up and vote for them without taking into consideration what they have been doing.

“We forewarned you about the happenings but nobody paid any heed at that time. This is just a beginning, you will see what is going to happen next…the farmers are on the roads, prices have skyrocketed, unemployment is on the rise. they have ruined everything,” he said.

Abdullah asked District Development Council (DDC) members, especially women, to work with the administration for the benefit of all.

“You have been voted by people, both men and women. You have to work for all including those who have voted against you,” he said. (PTI)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 8 :

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Monday heard and listed on Macrh 18 again a petition filed by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s against an Enforcement Directorate’s order attaching his properties in a case of alleged money laundering.

A bench of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thankur heard the plea and ordered its continuation next week after briefly hearing the parties.

Last week, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey had recused from hearing the plea and had posted it for today before a separate bench.

The ED has alleged that Abdullah misused his position as president of the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) from 2001-2011 and made appointments in the sports body so the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sponsored funds could be laundered.

The former three-time Chief minister said the list of properties, valued around almost Rs 12 crore, attached by the ED in Kashmir and in Jammu were unrelated to the alleged activity mentioned in the Final Report/FIR.

The 83-year-old parliamentarian has said his ancestral and family properties in Jammu and Kashmir have been illegally attached by ED despite the fact that it had “no jurisdiction to do the same.”

“The illegal, excessive and arbitrary attachment of properties has resulted in grave injustice to the Petitioner, and is a continuing violation of his fundamental rights under Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution,” he says in the plea as per GNS.

In 2012, he submits that certain allegations regarding the siphoning off of JKCA funds emerged.

“As per the Final Report, these discrepancies were noticed by the then Treasurer, Manzoor Ahmed Wazir who brought it to the notice of the President (Farooq) who convened an immediate meeting of the Office Bearers of JKCA and subsequently an FIR No. 27/2012 dated 10.03.2012 under Sections 409, 406, 120B RPC was registered in PS Ram Munshi Bagh naming the erstwhile General Secretary and Treasurer namely Saleem Khan and Ahsan Ahmad Mirza as accused persons.”

He said along with initiating a police investigation regarding these allegations, Farooq submits that he constituted an In-House Probe Committee comprising of independent members of the Working Committee. “This Probe Committee submitted its interim report on 13.05.2012 and confirmed the embezzlement of funds by certain office bearers of the JKCA.”

He said ED’s 18 December 2020 action, attaching his properties, was illegal and arbitrary.

“A bare perusal makes it amply clear that the ED has simply adopted the case of the CBI and the resulting Final Report filed against the Petitioner (Farooq). Barring the recording of a handful of statements under Section 50 PMLA, no independent inquiry has been conducted into the present case, rendering it inherently biased,” he said, adding, “Nowhere has the ED satisfactorily offered reasons to believe the (Farooq) is in possession of proceeds of crime, or that such proceeds are likely to be concealed, transferred or dealt with in any manner which may result in frustrating any proceedings under the PMLA, as is required under Section 5 PMLA. Admittedly, the properties attached have no relation to the present case.”

He said that all properties attached by the ED are either ancestral or acquired by him prior to the date of the alleged offences. “The allegations against (Farooq) pertain to the period 2004 to 2009.The attached properties were acquired prior to the alleged commission of the offences, and hence were not involved in any alleged money-laundering or related criminal activity,” he said and sought directions to stay the proceedings pending before the Adjudicating Authority in relation to the “Original Complaint No. 1387 of 2021 during the pendency of the present petition.” (GNS)

Says Police Not Barred To ‘Expedite Verification’ While Petition Is Pending Before It

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 8 :

Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday issued notice retuable by two weeks on a petition filed by former Chief Minister and PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti, regarding issuance of passport allegedly denied to her for want for police verification.

While issuing the notice to MEA, Regional Passport Officer and Additional Director General Police among others, a bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey made it clear the pendency of plea “shall not form any impediment for the police agency to expedite the verification.”

In her plea, Mehbooba Mufti submits that the passport issued to her was valid till 31st May 2019.

Subsequently, she applied for issuance of a passport before the Regional Passport Officer on 11 December last year.

Former Advocate General and senior lawyer Jahangir Iqbal Ganai, representing her, submitted that as per circular instructions issued Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the passport of an individual is to be issued within 30 days.

However, he said, in the instant case, despite lapse of three months, passport has not been issued to Mehbooba.

The senior counsel further submitted that Mehbooba while availing the tracking facility on the Passport Officer’s website, came to know about the status of the passport as “pending for physical verification at respective Thana under SP office, District Srinagar.”

He submitted that Mehbooba approached Senior Superintendent of Police on February 13 this year with the request to forward the police report to the passport office but till date, there is no change in the status of the passport on the portal of the passport office . Therefore, he said, Mehbooba had no option but to approach the Court for the reliefs.

She has also sought directions declaring the action of officials concerned in not allowing her to travel abroad as illegal and unconstitutional violating her fundamental right to travel abroad as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution or India.

T.M. Shamsi, ASGI waived notice on behalf of MEA 1 and Passport Officer while B.A. Dar, Senior Additional Advocate General waived the notice on behalf of local government and police.

“It is made clear the pendency of writ petition shall not form any impediment for the police agency to expedite the verification,” the court said as per GNS.

Meanwhile, the high court while hearing a plea by Mehbooba’s mother, issued notice to the concerned on the plea for passport to her as well. (GNS)

Directs for speeding up pace of works undertaken to provide mitigation of public related issues

Remove all bottlenecks that impede timely completion of augmentation and restoration works of various projects: Commissioner Secretary

Directs Presidents to fix responsibility & take strict action for non-compliances

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, MARCH 08:

Commissioner Secretary, Dheeraj Gupta today chaired the third High Level review meeting with the team of presidents from Local Bodies, senior officials from Jammu and Kashmir Administration.

The Commissioner Secretary directed the concerned officers to increase the pace of works undertaken to ensure mitigation of public-related issues to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He passed strict instructions to remove all bottlenecks and hurdles that impede the timely completion of augmentation and works of various projects.

While taking a strong note of the delays in tendering and awarding of projects, the commissioner Secretary asked the concerned officers to fix responsibility and take strict action for the non-compliances.

He also directed for initiating an inquiry in the erring matters and submit the report at the earliest.

In order to speed up the works on different projects, the Commissioner Secretary directed the concerned to come up with a policy framework for procurement of spares and inventory, and directed them to conduct an auction of the scrap and discarded items.

Pertinently, Commissioner Secretary has been emphasizing on the need to mitigate the shortage of funds in kashmir during summers, and in jammu region during winters. It is in this context that regular meetings are being chaired by him to closely monitor the progress on Developmental works and reducing Transmission & Distribution losses in J&K.

The Commissioner Secretary asked the Presidents to complete the digitization work in the Local Bodies sector on priority for its smooth functioning.

The Commissioner Secretary was also informed that several site visits were carried out by the officers to get first-hand review of the projects taken up to revamp Local Bodies sector in the region.

The meeting discussed the creation of new jobs through outsourcing particularly for sweepers and drivers, Centrally Sponsored Schemes like IHHL, PMAY-U and other schemes undertaken in Local Bodies sector.

The meeting was led by Sh.Iqbal Ahanger, President Mc Dooru-Verinag and other Presidents including Sh Omar Kakroo President Mc Baramulla, Sh.AltafAhmad, President Mc Ganderbal; Sh. Masroor Banday, President Mc Handwara; Sh.Ab karim ,President Mc Kunzer ,Sh Zahid jan President Chahre sharief , Sh Jehangir President Sumbal , Sh Yaqoob Ahmad President Mc Pampore, Sh. Gulzar Ahmad President Mc Watergam and other Presidents of Urban Local Bodies kashmir.

Violation of Covid-19 pendemic SOPs during “Umeed Ki Sehar” event organized by Army in Uri 

SNS Kashmir

Baramulla Mar 8: A day after Bollywood celebrities, top Army officials and huge crowd of people were seen bluntly violating the COVID-19 protocols and social distancing norms during “Umeed Ki Sehar” event organized by Army in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Sub-district Magistrate Uri has expressed his anguish over a gathering  witnessed on arrival of Bollywood actors – Vicky Kaushal and Sonali Chauhan – to this frontier town amid prevailing COVID pandemic crisis. 

The officer has made seeking of NOCs and permissions necessary for the conduct of any event or programme henceforth. 

In a circular made to civil administration officials, a copy also forwarded to Brigade Commander 12 Infantry (in care of 56 APO Uri), the officer has maintained that his office has received reports about “officers of line departments engaging in organising of events and programmes, initiating huge gatherings without any intimation to the office.” 
“As such it is impressed upon all the officers to desist from such practices for future and seek necessary NOCs and permission from this office with prior intimation regarding the nature of such programmes”, reads the circular, a copy of which lies with SNS Kashmir.
Pertinently, SNS Kashmir reported about the gross violation of Covid-19 pendemic protocol in the event organised by Army.
The circular also remarks that “NOCs are furnished to NGOs/establishments etc. without any intimation to this office, flouting laws in vogue in this account, which shall be dispensed forthwith.”
The SDM has asked SDPO ‘to coordinate in the matter’ even as all the officers working in sub-division Uri having been asked to comply with the directions passed in this regard.
Pertinent to mention here that a sizeable number of locals, mostly youth, had assembled during an army event held under ‘Umeed Ki Sehar’ banner here in this frontier town yesterday, on arrival of few Bollywood actors. 

Parents and VECs denounce the decision, says students and schools left to the mercy of official apathy  

Inayat Qayoom

Baramulla: While Primary and Middle schools of Kashmir division reopened after a gap two years, Department of Education deployed more than hundred government teachers for Covid-19 vaccination leaving already understaffed government Middle and primary schools  and students at the mercy of  ‘official apathy’.

An order for deployment of teachers for Covid-19 Vaccination has been issued by Chief Education Officer Baramulla vide No: CEO-Bla/Plg/5249 dated 06-03-2021 with reference to DMB/NO/COVID-19/2021/296 dated 05-03-2021 deployed more than one hundred government teachers of Covid-19 vaccination as ‘verifiers’ .

“As desired Deputy Commissioner Baramulla following teachers have been deployed as verifiers for Covi-19 vaccination and list is enclosed with the deployment order,” an official said.

The order draws strong criticism from parents and village education committees VECs which termed the decision of deployment as anti- student and anti-education.

“ It is very unfortunate that schools got opened after gap of two years but the teachers has been deployed for non-teaching assignments from the government schools which indicates who administration is serious about future of the students,” said a parent Abdul Rashid who has recently admitted his ward in government school during much hyped enrolment drive.

“When I asked about my Science subject teacher on the first day in my school, my headmaster told me that he has been deployed for Covid-19 vaccination so who which teach us Science subject,” said a student Shaheena for class 8th of government school.

When contacted Chief Education Officer Baramulla Ghulam Mohmmad about the deployment of more than hundred teachers for Covid-19 vaccination, he failed give any satisfactory reply, however, ironically  he said, “The deployment of the teachers won’t affect academics in the schools and the deployment has been done on the directions of DC Baramulla.”

Highlights strenuous efforts of teachers for the achievement.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 08:

President JK Employees Joint Action Committee(EJAC) and Chairman JK Teachers Forum Mohd Rafique Rather has congratulated students teachers and all stakeholders whose efforts have ensured a stupendous class 12th results. Rafique Rather said that although Secondary School Examination results were not on expected lines but was followed by a more satisfying and encouraging class 12th results despite adverse working conditions and the volatile situation we are going through for last two years. He said that the strenuous efforts put in by teachers have finally yielded desired results which we need to continue in future aswell.

In a press statement Rafique Rather hailed the efforts of Director School Education Kashmir – Mohammad Younis Malik,, all the teachers, Lecturers and students who have worked extremely hard to achieve this remarkable success.

Rafique Rather said that even when all the odds were stacked against the teachers and a wrong perception is being propagated by some vested interests to demonize teaching community they found a way to succeed by reaching to students through social media plateforms and all other available means and the resilience, grit, determination and conviction shown by the teachers in extremely tough times is praiseworthy and for everyone to see and acknowledge and added that lack of high speed internet and a serious infrastructural deficit in goverenment Schools besides covid-19 pandemic, did not deter our people in achieving their goals and leaving inspirational foot prints for new generation to learn to live in all conditions without compromising on education. He said those who could not pass it this time, need not loose heart instead should work hard to face the challenge with determination.

SRINAGAR, MARCH 8 :

Girls dominated top positions in all four streams as 82 percent students passed 12th class examinations, the results of which were declared by the J&K Board of School Education on Monday.

In all 46987 out of 58397 students who appeared in the examination have been declared successful, a top BOSE official told GNS.

The top ten positions in all fours streams—Science, Commerce, Arts and Home Science—have been bagged by the girls. (GNS)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 7 :

The newly posted Director Information Rahul Pandey said that media is the fourth pillar of democracy and development agenda of Government can be pushed through it. 

While talking to news agency-kashmir news service (KNS), He said he will ensure that  things which are happening through DIPR are done in a better way”.

” I will work together with media fraternity.I will stay in touch with all journalists.”

He further added that Department of information is a very important department and all the employees will ensure that the good work done by the government is propogated properly.
” I expect all of them to co-operate,.” he told KNS.

The 2014 IAS officer  has been given inter cadre deputation from Uttar Pradesh cadre to UT of J&K for a period of two years. Before his deputation he was holding important post of Vice-Chairman Varanasi Development Authority.

Rahul Pandey after assuming the charge  convened a meeting of officers in which he highlighted the need for further strengthening the activities and core competence of the Department. 

Pandey underscored the need for involving modern and new media platforms to spread awareness about Government activities and its welfare programmes.

The Director Information also inspected different units of the Department and interacted with the officers and employees.

The employees of the Department on the occasion pledged their support to the Director Information in running affairs of the Department.KNS

SNS KASHMIR

NEW DELHI MARCH 7:

The month-long second part of the Budget session of Parliament begins on Monday in the middle of a high octane campaign for assembly elections in four states and one UT.

The main focus of the government in the second part of the session is to get the various demands for grants for the year 2021-22 passed along with the Finance Bill which carries various tax proposals.

Besides these mandatory agendas, the government has listed various bills for passage in the session which concludes on April 8.

Some of the bills listed by the government include the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, Electricity (Amendment) Bill, Crypto currency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill.

The part two of the session is taking place at a time when political parties have their focus on elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.

The elections would take place in March-April.
Senior leaders of various parties, especially the regional ones, are likely to skip most of the House sittings to focus on campaigning.

The first part of the Budget session started on January 29 with the President’s address to joint sitting of both houses of Parliament.

The address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, in support of the demand of the protesting farmers for the repeal of the three farm laws.

The Union Budget was tabled on February 1.

Thereafter, House proceedings were washed out for four consecutive days over the opposition’s demand for separate discussion on farm issues.

To compensate the session’s lost time, the House sat till midnight for several days.(PTI)