Srinagar 17 March:The deadlock over the fixation of the mutton prices in Kashmir ended after the mutton dealers agreedà on the government suggested rates.
The deadlock over Mutton crisis was resolved after almost four months stalmate between Govt and mutton dealers. The rates were finalised in a meeting between Divisional commissioner kashmir, Director Food Supplies and Consumer affairs, Kashmir economic alliance and mutton dealers at Divisional commissioner’s office today.
The rate of mutton has been finalised at Rs 535 per kilogram without offal and Rs 490 with it, official told news agency-Kashmir News Service.
General Secretary Mutton Dealers Association Kashmir, Mehraj-ud-Din Ganie, said that though the rates are not so much feaseable for them but government assured them full support.
“Mutton deadlock marked heavy losses as the controversy over Mutton rate between Government and us remained for over four months which lead heavy losses especially the most affected ones were the minor mutton sellers which were hitted badly by financial crises”,he added.
Ganie further said that, Keeping in view the “financial constraints” of minor meat seller who are wholly and Solly depend on it and got hitted hard by financial crises during mutton deadlock period and keeping in view the upcoming holy month of Ramadan,”we decided to surrender on these rates as We have been assured full support by Adminstration”.
Earlier, on 3 November 2020, the Divisional Administration Kashmir had fixed Rs 480 per kilogram for the mutton which was a hike of Rs 40 to the last government notified rates in 2016.The dealers had rejected the revised rates which lead to the deadlock.
The authorities on Tuesday sealed a butcher shop in Elahibagh area of Srinagar for selling imported dressed meat, taking undue advantage of shortage of mutton supply in the Valley.
An official said that it had come to the knowledge of the authorities that some unscrupulous elementstaking undue advantage of shortage of mutton supply, import dressed meat clandestinely to the Valley in contravention of the rules and regulations of Food safety and standards Act.
“Taking serious note of same a butcher shop at Elahibagh Buchpora has been sealed and drive to curb this illegal practice shall continue in coming days,” he said.
He said that the commissioner Food and Drugs Administration, Shakeel ur Rehman has warned these persons to desist from importing such food articles without following rules and regulations or stern action shall be initiated against them which shall include seizure of whole imported stock.
Lieutenant General BS Raju today handed over the command of the strategic Kashmir-based 15 Corps to Lt Gen DP Pandey on Wednesday.
In a statement to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the General commanded the Corps in critical phase in 2020 where Kashmir was confronted with the twin challenges of militancy and COVID-19.
“Lt Gen Raju’s tenure over the last one year is defined by an improved security environment prevailing both on the Line of Control and in Kashmir. With the civil administration and security forces synergising their efforts to bring normalcy back to Kashmir, militancy is on decline with assessed residual militant numbers being the lowest in a decade,” the statement said.
On the Line of Control, his approach combined a forward heavy deployment enabled by a dense electronic and surveillance grid. Pakistani cease fire violations were dealt punitive responses resulting in operational ascendancy by the Indian Army, the statement said.
To complement relentless and successful counter- militant operations, Lt Gen Raju ensured an improved Soldier-Citizen connect. This effort included many successful events all over the Kashmir Valley, co-opting the Awaam in various sports, culture, arts, education, skilling and health initiatives. The Army effectively used its deployment grid, especially in far-flung areas to be the first respondent in case of need. Grassroot interactions such as intra-dialogue within the youth and ‘Day with Company Commander’ received overwhelming response, the statement said.
Gen Raju strongly propagated for a second chance to the misguided youth, as he believes this to be critical to achieving lasting peace in J&K. The Army has taken proactive steps to connect with the youth including those who have picked up the weapons against the state. There has been a collaborative effort alongwith society members, families and other stake holders to encourage and facilitate return of the misguided youth from the path of terrorism. The effort has got an encouraging response, success in terms of surrenders and support from all sections of the society, and will get additional impetus in the coming months.
Having served as Uri Brigade Commander, GOC of Victor Force and now as GOC Chinar Corps, Gen Raju reinforced and institutionalised high professional standards and ethical conduct in combat operations. He moves to assume higher responsibilities as Director General of Military Operations of the Indian Army.
On the occasion of Republic Day, Lieutenant General BS Raju was awarded the prestigious Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), in recognition of this contribution in taking Kashmir on a positive trajectory on the path of lasting peace.
In his farewell message, Gen Raju complimented all ranks of Chinar Corps for their dedication and hard work, he also thanked JKP, CAPFs, Civil administration and the Awaam for their relentless support in the joint efforts towards peace and prosperity in J&K. He conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the Awaam of Kashmir and the entire Chinar Corps fraternity—(KNO)
Developmental activities halted; People suffering immensely because of black-marketing, acute shortage of construction material
‘Livelihood of Lakhs of families at peril’
SNS KASHMIR
SRINAGAR, MARCH 17 :
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the lackadaisical attitude of the government that has led to a grinding halt in developmental activities, black-marketing and an unprecedented escalation in prices of construction material across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here at Party office in Lal Chowk, Bukhari regretted the acute shortage of construction material that has led to illegal extraction and hoarding of construction material like sand, aggregate, gravel and stones causing immense sufferings to the general public.
The press conference was attended by Party’s senior vice president Ghulam Hassan Mir, Party’s general secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir and Party’s provincial president Kashmir province Mohammad Ashraf Mir.
“It is highly unfortunate that the natives of J&K who have been associated with minor mineralogy business since decades have been sidelined and the contractors from outside J&K who are yet to produce environmental clearances have been given a free hand to control the market,” Bukhari observed while appealing for personal intervention of the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha into the matter.
Apni Party president said that the e-auction for extraction of raw material was held clandestinely without giving any wide publicity to the tendering process which has drastically resulted into exclusion of the local contractors.
“Now what has added to this fishy allotment process is that the successful non-resident J&K contractors are yet to fulfill the requisite terms and conditions especially getting environmental clearances. Despite these noticeable shortcomings, these contractors are indulging in illegal extraction of raw material through their sub contractors in connivance with the concerned departments,” he added.
Bukhari said the common people are suffering because of this mafia that is taking advantage of the government’s sheer silence and apathetic attitude. “It is highly unfortunate that the J & K government seems to be a mute spectator to this whole situation and on different pretexts the locals associated with this business since decades are being deprived of their inherent rights on J&K’s natural resources,” he added.
He said that the government must frame a comprehensive policy taking in view the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand models wherein the rights of the locals on their natural resources have been safeguarded and insulated against the impact of e-auctioning process. He demanded that the government must regulate the prices of the raw material needed for construction purposes and ensure its hassle free availability in the markets.
“The shortage of raw materials like sand, bricks, stones, aggregate and gravel have not only caused immense sufferings to the general public but have stalled work on many prestigious developmental projects worth thousands of crores across Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Bukhari said the government must go for fresh auction of minor-mineral blocks and sand sections/patches while ensuring adequate participation of local contractors, if at all it is serious in protection of the rights of natives on the natural resources in J&K.
He said that till a concrete policy is chalked out, the government must allow extraction and lifting of raw material including stones, sand and aggregate by local contractors who are already associated with this business. Bukhari said the government needs to enforce easementary rights thereby safeguarding the residents of J&K from being deprived of their inherent rights on their natural resources.
“Since there is a ban on stone quarrying and sand digging activities in both divisions of J&K, the government must address the demands of the stakeholders so that the closed crusher units are made functional. This way the livelihood of lakhs of people including transporters, labourers, construction workers who solely depend on this business can be safeguarded,” he remarked.
“The local quarry owners at Athwajan, Panthachowk, Zewan, Khanmouh, in Srinagar and Kathua, Samba and Akhnoor in Jammu should be allowed to go for extraction and lifting of raw material. Similarly in rural areas, the government must implement its orders by virtue of which Panchayats were formally authorized to permit lifting and extraction of raw material in their respective areas,” Bukhari demanded.
Apni Party President demanded that all the left out mineral blocks in J&K should be immediately demarcated and notified within the radius of around eight kilometers for stone crusher units and at least 50 per cent of these demarcated blocks should be reserved for the local stakeholders.(GNS)
In a major political development, the founding member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Muzzaffar Hussain Baig is likely to join Peoples Conference (PC) tomorrow.
Reliable sources informed to News Agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that Baig is all set to join Sajad Gani Lone led Peoples Conference tomorrow here at Kashmir Capital Srinagar.
“All the arrangements have been finalized and Baig will be joining PC tomorrow for which stage has been set. A Joint press conference may also be held after joining,” top sources added.
Pertinently, Baig had parted his ways from PDP last year in November after a mandate to contest DDC elections on PAGD ticket was denied to his wife Safeena Baig .
However, Safeena Baig contested the election as an independent candidate from Sangrama DDC constituency of Baramulla district and emerged victorious. Later, She was also elected as chairperson of DDC Baramulla.
Moreover, Baig had previously served as deputy chief minister of the erstwhile state and also as a member of parliament (MP) from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. Analysts are seeing the development as a major boost to Peoples Conference (PC). (KDC)
Mohmad Ajaz new DC Srinagar,Anshul Garg is new DC Jammu
SNS KASHMIR
SRINAGAR, MARCH 16 :
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday ordered a major reshuffle in administration, transferring and posting at least 34 officers with immediate effect.
As per separate orders, copies of which lie with GNS, Dr. Piyush Singla (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.
Mohammad Aijaz (IAS ), Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.
Ms. Avny Lavasa (IAS) ), Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, has been asked to hold the charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Jammu City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, in addition to her own duties, till further orders.
Anshul Garg (IAS) , Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.
Rahul Yadav (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kathua. Doifode Sagar Dattatray (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Doda, has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, relieving Choudhary Mohammad Yasin (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K of the additional charge of the post. Ms. Krittika Jyotsna (IAS), Chief Executive Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency, holding additional charge of Secretary, J&K Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.
Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary (IAS), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama.
Athar Aamir Ul Shafi (IAS), Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, shall hold the charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Srinagar City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
Basharat Qayoom (IAS), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited.
Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat (IAS), SubDivisional Magistrate, Karnah-Tangdhar, holding additional charge of Sub-Registrar, KarnahTangdhar, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam. Rohit Khajuria (KAS) Deputy Commissioner, Samba, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.
Showkat Aijaz Bhat (KAS), Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department. Ms. Anuradha Gupta (KAS), Director, School Education, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Samba. Ajay Kumar (KAS), Director, Development Expenditure, Division-I, Finance Department, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Reasi.
Inderjeet, KAS, Director, Agriculture, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Poonch. Vikas Sharma(KAS), Director, Geology and Mining, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Doda. Ms. Indu Kanwal Chib (KAS) Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur.
Shafqat Iqbal (KAS), Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department. O.P. Bhagat (KAS), Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department. As per a separate order, Bipul Pathak (IAS), Principal Secretary to the Government, Science & Technology Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Social Welfare Department, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
Alok Kumar (IRS), Principal Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, has been asked to hold the charge of Principal Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department and Chief Executive Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
Ms. Sarita Chauhan (IAS ), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, holding additional charge of Chairman, J&K Special Tribunal, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department. “She shall continue to hold the charge of Chairman, J&K Special Tribunal, in addition to her own duties, till further orders.”
Mr. Sanjeev Verma (IAS), Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.
Saurabh Bhagat (IAS), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department, has been transferred and posted as Director General, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development.
M. Raju (IAS), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Estates Department, has been asked to also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Civil Aviation Department and Civil Aviation Commissioner, in addition to his own duties, till further orders, relieving Ms. Rukhsana Gani (KAS), Administrative Secretary, Hospitality and Protocol Department of the additional charge of the post.
Talat Parvez Rohella (KAS), Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Hospitality and Protocol Department. Rukhsana Gani (KAS), Administrative Secretary, Hospitality and Protocol Department, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Registration, J&K.
Zubair Ahmad (KAS), Director General, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, relieving Simrandeep Singh (IAS), Secretary to the Government, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the additional charge of the post.
Sheetal Nanda (IAS), Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department.
Yasha Mudgul (IAS ), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Secretary to the Government, Cooperatives Department, relieving Mr. Navin Kumar Choudhary, IAS (JK:1994), Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare of the additional charge of the post. 12. Ms. Sushma Chauhan, IAS (JK:2009), Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, holding additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Jammu City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, is transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department. She shall also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, in addition to her own duties, till further orders. 13. Mr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, IAS (JK:2009), Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, holding additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Special Purpose Vehicle for Srinagar City for implementation of the Smart City Project, under the Smart City Mission, is transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Mission Youth. He shall also hold the additional charge of Mission Director, Skill Development Mission, relieving Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS) of the additional charge of the post. Dr. Raghav Langer (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, has been transferred Divisional Commissioner, Jammu.
Also, Dr. Pawan Kotwal (IAS), Inspector General of Registration, J&K, has been transferred and his services placed at the disposal of the Union territory of Ladakh for further posting. (GNS)
Under Civic Action Programme, today on 16.03.2021, Baramulla police distributed Sewing machines alongwith accessories among the economically deprived sections of Society. 50 such Sewing Machines alongwith other accessories including Scissors, L-scale, Bend Scale and Marker Boxes were distributed among 50 ladies of District Baramulla.
DIG NKR Baramulla Sh. Sulaiman Choudhary, IPS, distributed the Sewing Machines alongwith accessories at DPL Baramulla in presence of other officers of District Police Baramulla viz. SSP Baramulla, Addl. SP Baramulla, DYSP(DAR) Baramulla and the families of the ladies.
While giving a brief introduction, SSP Baramulla gave overlook of Civic Action Programme and the steps taken in this regard from time to time in the society in terms of various means and methods, providing of covid-19 kits, Sports items, computers etc. DIG Baramulla Sh. Sulaiman Choudhary, IPS also highlighted various aspects of Civic Action Programme involving community as a whole and youth in particular by providing different platforms as per their skills.
The families in general and the needy ladies in particular highly appreciated the role of J&K Police for arranging such programmes for betterment of destitutes, needy people besides providing platform to the talented youth by way of organizing various programmes under Civic Action Programme.
Top officials of UT administration rush to New Delhi, marginal increase expected
SNS KASHMIR
SRINAGAR, MARCH 16 :
Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory’s second budget is set to be presented in the Parliament in the next few days.
Sources disclosed to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that J&K UT’s budget for next fiscal will be unveiled in the Lok Sabha likely this week. “Ahead of the budget, top officials of Finance department have rushed to New Delhi to remain present there when the budget will be unveiled in the Parliament,” they said, adding that Finance Commissioner, Finance department Arun Kumar Mehta, Director General, Budget, Muhammad Yaqoob Itoo, Deputy Director, Budget,
Shafat Yehya and Deputy Director, Budget, Javeed Maqbool Khanday are in New Delhi.
According to sources, there is likely to be marginal increase in the budget for 2021-2022.
“There is unlikely to be massive jump in the budget because there was no increase of central grant for the UT in the Union Budget,” they said, adding that Rs 30757 crore were allocated to J&K in the budget.
This will be second time when budget of J&K UT will be unveiled the Parliament. The ongoing fiscal’s budget was also presented in both Houses of the Parliament by the Central government last year.
On March 17, 2020, Union Finance Minister unveiled Rs.1.01 lakh crore Budget for the UT for 2020-21 fiscal, making it the highest ever budget for the region.
Of Rs. 1,01,428 crore, Rs 38,764 crore were earmarked for capital expenditure and Rs 62,664 crore for revenue expenditure.
The budget is being presented in the Parliament as UT is currently without its Assembly and the Parliament exercises its law-making powers.
Under the J&K Reorganisation Act, powers of J&K Assembly will be exercised by the Parliament in absence of an elected government in the UT—(KNO)
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that at least 31 civilians and 39 security personnel lost their lives in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and International Border post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The MHA was replying to queries raised in the Lok Sabha about ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir and losses suffered post abrogation of Article 370 including the treatment and compensation to civilians and shelters prepared for the protection of civilians.
In a written reply, Minister of State (MoS), Home Affairs, GK Reddy as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the incidents of ceasefire violations/cross border firing by Pakistan along the LoC/ IB in Jammu and Kashmir have been reported since decades.
“Immediate and effective retaliation is undertaken by the security forces in such cases,” GK Reddy said, adding that 31 civilians were killed and 39 security forces were martyred in such incidents from August 05, 2019 to February 28, 2021.
He said that the affected persons with minor injuries were treated in the hospitals located in the close vicinity and those seriously injured were referred to the tertiary care hospitals.
“Ex-gratia cash relief of Rs 5 lakh was given to next of kin (NoK) in case of death or the victim with more than 50 per cent disability,” the reply reads.
It reads that the compensation for damage to houses/losses, loss of the crop, loss of livestock, stay at relief camps and displacement, etc, to those affected by cross border firings was also reimbursed by the Government of India as per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines.
Reddy in his reply said that compensation of Rs 50,000 per loss of a domestic animal was also given. “Besides, the government of Jammu and Kashmir also provides relief to such injured persons as per their extant rules.”
He also informed that the government has sanctioned the construction of 14,460 bunkers including 1,431 community bunkers and 13,029 individual bunkers to provide protection to the people living in the areas close to the IB/LoC and to safeguard human lives in the event of cross border firing.
“Out of these, 7856 bunkers have already been constructed in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir,” the reply reads—(KNO)
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that at least 31 civilians and 39 security personnel lost their lives in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and International Border post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The MHA was replying to queries raised in the Lok Sabha about ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir and losses suffered post abrogation of Article 370 including the treatment and compensation to civilians and shelters prepared for the protection of civilians.
In a written reply, Minister of State (MoS), Home Affairs, GK Reddy as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the incidents of ceasefire violations/cross border firing by Pakistan along the LoC/ IB in Jammu and Kashmir have been reported since decades.
“Immediate and effective retaliation is undertaken by the security forces in such cases,” GK Reddy said, adding that 31 civilians were killed and 39 security forces were martyred in such incidents from August 05, 2019 to February 28, 2021.
He said that the affected persons with minor injuries were treated in the hospitals located in the close vicinity and those seriously injured were referred to the tertiary care hospitals.
“Ex-gratia cash relief of Rs 5 lakh was given to next of kin (NoK) in case of death or the victim with more than 50 per cent disability,” the reply reads.
It reads that the compensation for damage to houses/losses, loss of the crop, loss of livestock, stay at relief camps and displacement, etc, to those affected by cross border firings was also reimbursed by the Government of India as per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines.
Reddy in his reply said that compensation of Rs 50,000 per loss of a domestic animal was also given. “Besides, the government of Jammu and Kashmir also provides relief to such injured persons as per their extant rules.”
He also informed that the government has sanctioned the construction of 14,460 bunkers including 1,431 community bunkers and 13,029 individual bunkers to provide protection to the people living in the areas close to the IB/LoC and to safeguard human lives in the event of cross border firing.
“Out of these, 7856 bunkers have already been constructed in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir,” the reply reads—(KNO)
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