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SNS KASHMIR

BUDGAM, MARCH 06 :

The Department of Tourism in collaboration with District Administration Budgam today organized a mega Tourism festival at famous tourist resort Doodhpathri.

The aim and object of this event was to project and promote Doodhpathri as an attractive tourist destination, and the event was organized well in advance of the beginning of annual tourism season, to provide ample opportunities and ambience to local as well as outside visitors to have an adventurous visit to the tourist venue.

The event witnessed a huge gathering of visitors, locals, tourists who thronged the place with great enthusiasm.

During the event many activities were performed including various cultural programmes presented and performed by prominent artists from cultural academy, besides Bande pather and many skits demonstrating and depicting beauty and attraction of this place.

On the occasion, various departments of district administration had installed their stalls to showcase their skills and exhibit produces and the activities they are scheduled to take in hand in ensuing period for the socio economic upliftment of privileged section of the society.

This festival was first of its kind to be organized at this place taking advantage of scenery of snow clad pastures.

The audience and the locals in general hailed the initiatives and efforts jointly undertook by District Administration and Tourism Department and observed that this step will emerge as a strong boost for heavy tourist footfall.

Speaking on the occasion, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza reiterated his commitment that Tourism department will always find district administration on fore front when an initiative relating to boosting tourist footfall is concerned.

He appreciated the efforts of Tourism department vis a vis ensuring the successful conduct of this event. He said that he was thrilled to see the overwhelming response from locals and the people from adjacent areas as well as tourists who despite cold conditions attended the event enthusiastically.

The DDC urged upon Director Tourism to organize events on this pattern at other tourist resorts falling in district Budgam.

During the daylong event activities like snow walking, snow shoe, adventure camping, mountain biking, cultural and musical programme, horse ride, ATV ride, ice skating etc were displayed and played by sports person affiliated to these activities.

Director Tourism Kashmir accompanied by DDC and other concerned officers one by one kick started these events amidst huge round of applause from the gathering.
These sports activities were interestedly watched by sports lovers on the occasion.

Director Tourism, Dr. GN Itoo while thanking all participants, stakeholders, sponsors, departments and other collaborators in making this event a mega success said that the success of this event on this scale has inspired us to conduct such events at other health resorts being more eventful and attractive.

On the conclusion all participants were felicitated with mementos and certificates on behalf of their performances in the activities displayed by them in their respective fields.

The daylong event was also attended by Joint Director Information, Haris Ahmad Handoo, Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr. Nasir Ahmad, Joint Director TDC, Tabasum Kamli, ACP Budgam, CMO, CEO, ACD and other concerned

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR MARCH 06 :

Famous Bollywood actor, Vicky Kaushal who took the lead role in “Uri’ The Surgical Strike’ movie, is arriving in Kashmir tomorrow along with the actress Sonal Chauhan.

Sources said that the both the stars will reach Srinagar early morning where they will visit the Uri to attend the program orgnised by the Army.

“The UMEED KI SEHER” Uri Festival’ is being organized by the Army at Uri Baramulla. The show will also feature Bollywood actress Sonal Chauhan with Vicky Kaushal and the local artists,” one of the top officials in Barmamulla administration said.

He said that there is a lot of enthusiasm among the people of the valley about the program.

“Such programs are organised from time to time. The aim of which is to give the youth of the valley a chance to show their skills, and they can make their dreams come true,” the official maintained.

Vicky Kaushal and Bollywood actress Sonal Chauhan have also released the video and expressed their pleasure in joining the program.

Vicky said “I am very happy that I am a part of this program. I am very eager to meet my people of Kashmir. I thank the Indian Army for this program”.

Uri: The Surgical Strike was a 2019 Indian Hindi-language military action film. It was directed and written by debutant Aditya Dhar, Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, the film stars Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Yami Gautam, Mohit Raina and Kirti Kulhari.

The film was released on 11 January 2019 and grossed ₹342.06 crore worldwide.
It had received generally positive reviews from critics and ranks among the highest-grossing Indian films.

It is to mention here that Kashmir has been receiving good response from the Bollywood filmmakers since the opening of the tourism here in addition to the regional entertainment houses for shooting song sequences and commercial ads.

Celebrities who recently visited Gulmarg, a beautiful valley of Kashmir include singers Jubin Nautiyal, Guru Randhawa, musician Salim Merchant, business tycoon Anil Ambani.

The Film and Television Producers Guild of India Ltd. Had praised the pristine beauty of Gulmarg and expressed a keen desire to shoot for their upcoming film projects at various locations in Kashmir.

Kashmir has been traditionally a favourite spot for the Bollywood who have shot scores of movies like ‘Raazi’, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Haider’ and also old classics like (1961) Junglee, (1964) Kashmir Ki Kali, (1965) Mere Sanam, (1965) Jab Jab Phool Khile, and more at Dal Lake, Srinagar’s Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Large amount of loan amount diverted, state land encroached and sold illegally: Searches conducted

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR MARCH 06 :

A Preliminary Enquiry (PE) was registered on the basis of a complaint received from the GAD J&K, Jammu to look into the allegations of J&K Cooperative Housing Corporation (JKCHC) which was registered in the year 1982 by the then Registrar of J&K Cooperative Societies to provide housing facilities to the public had defaulted in repayment of loan amount amounting to Rs. 40.63 crore raised from HUDCO. J&K Govt. was the Guarantor and 70 % of the capital was owned by the Govt.

2. The complaint further revealed as on 26.07.2017, an amount of Rs. 90 crores including interest was outstanding against the Corporation. HUDCO had further blacklisted the Govt. till liquidation of the outstanding loan and no further loan facilities were granted by HUDCO for execution of various projects in J&K. The enquiry further revealed that JKCHC availed around 27 loan facilities from HUDCO w.e.f 1991 to 2001 for acquisition and development of lands for constructing housing colonies in J&K. The prominent colonies are Kud Housing Colony, Davik Housing, Kalu Chak , Swarn Vihar, Tawi Vihar Housing Colony, Swarn Vihar, Peer Bagh Housing Colony etc. JKCHCL defaulted in payment in the loan and as on 31.11.2020 an amount of Rs. 10,06,06,80,678/-(Rs 1006 crore approximately) is outstanding for repayment to HUDCO.
3. The enquiry has also revealed that the Chairman, Managing Directors and other officials who were at the helm affairs in JKCHCL had diverted and misappropriated the loan amounts to the tune of Rs. 23.12 crores for various other purposes. It indicated that the Management of JKCHCL in conspiracy with each other and other unknown officials had deliberately defaulted in the repayment of the loans due to which the accounts became NPA and the outstanding amount created. The enquiry has revealed that there has been illegal modification in the norms and bye laws of JKCHCL and encroachment upon Govt. land and community land for development of housing schemes which were later sold off for a profit. Even the OTS amount arrived at with the intervention of the Govt. was not repaid by the JKCHCL. Subsequently an FIR was registered on the basis of the omissions and commissions disclosed during enquiry on the part of the then Chairman, MD Brij Bhushan Sharma and other officials of the Management of the JKCHCL and unknown officials of the Govt. u/s 5(1)(c), 5(1)(d) read with sections 5(2) of JK PC Act Svt 2006 and Ss. 409, 120-B RPC.
4. Searches were conducted after obtaining warrants from the Hon’ble Court at the residential premises of the then MD Brij Bhushan Sharma of JKCHCL, Office Premises of JKCHCL and Office premises of JK Housing & Tourism Society/ Corporation being operated by Brij Bhushan Sharma. Incriminating documents and articles have been recovered in the searches conducted.
5. Further investigation of the case is going on.

SNS KASHMIR

PULWAMA, MARCH 06 :

 An eight-year-old boy was on Saturday mauled to death by street dogs in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the street dogs attacked Azhar Manzoor, son of Manzoor Ahmad of Pingelan village near the family’s Agricultural field.

“The locals tried to save the boy, but couldn’t rescue him on time as he received severe injuries,” they said.

They further added that he was rushed to District Hospital Pulwama where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

A doctor from the hospital said that his neck and head was critically injured and they tried level best to save him, however, due to heavy loss of blood, they couldn’t save him—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

ANANTNAG, MARCH 06:

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Judge and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey today inaugurated Mega Legal Services Camp and Awareness Programme at Anantnag.

Justice Magrey who was also the Chief Guest on the occasion was accompanied by Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Judge, High Court of J&K. The program was organized by District Legal Services Authority Anantnag in collaboration with District Administration Anantnag.

Speaking at the event, Justice Magrey emphasized that access to justice is essential for rule of law and for this to happen, this new model of holding legal services camp is required which would not only make people aware about their entitlements and procedural aspects relating to the same but also connect them to the welfare schemes meant for them.

He further stressed that earlier we were focusing on creating awareness and now there is a need to effect paradigm shift from awareness to empowerment.

Justice Koul in his address complemented the DLSA for organizing such a mega event and expressed hope that legal services institutions will reach the far flung areas to provide legal aid to the weak and needy.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Anshul Garg, in his address highlighted various Govt. Schemes launched by the Govt. and apprised the Chief Guest about the achievements made so far.

Naseer Ahmad Dar, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Anantnag who is also Chairman of DLSA Anantnag delivered the welcome address, whereas, Rafia Hassan, Secretary DLSA Anantnag proposed the vote of thanks.

During the camp, District Administration Anantnag presented a vivid and enlightening display of various works. The Chief Guest visited each stall and took firsthand experience of activities of each department.

Hundreds of people were present in the event and were informed about various central and state welfare schemes along with prospects of legal aspect.

Later, the Chief Guest distributed certificates and assistance under various schemes to the beneficiaries present there. About One Thousand (1000) people were provided with benefits under various schemes on spot.

24 stalls by different departments like Legal Services, Agriculture, Floriculture, Horticulture, Municipality, Revenue, Labor Department, Social Welfare, Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Handicrafts and Handlooms, Rural Development, ICDS, ICPS, Motor Vehicles and Health etc. were installed.

The programme was also attended by M. K Sharma, Member Secretary J&K Legal Services Authority, Atul Kumar Goel, DIG SKR, Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Addl. District & Sessions Judge Anantnag, Judicial Officers and Officers from Civil and Police Department.

Before inaugurating the camp, Justice Magrey visited the proposed site for District Court Complex Anantnag at village Sarnal, thereafter, he visited the District Court Complex where he had a meeting with regard to judicial infrastructure in the district.

He also inspected the courts and had interaction with members of Bar. He directed the Judicial Officers to ensure maximum disposal especially the old cases.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 06:
In pursuance to the directions of J&K Legal Services Authority, A Special Lok Adalat was today organised at Srinagar, Baramulla, Shopian, Bandipora and Kulgam to settle cases related to Bank recovery cases, MACT cases, Traffic Challan, Electricity cases, Water bills, family disputes, N.I.Act cases and revenue cases.

On the occasion, various benches were constituted at the respective Court Complexes of the districts to take up the cases for settlement.

At Srinagar: The District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar today organized a Special Lok Adalat under the Chairmanship of Principal District & Sessions Judge Srinagar, Abdul Rashid Malik who inaugurated the Special Lok Adalat at District Court Complex, Moominabad, here.

DLSA Srinagar on the occasion constituted Nine Benches.

While speaking on the Occasion, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Abdul Rashid Malik said that the aim of special Lok Adalat is to provide an opportunity to litigants who could not participate in previous Lok Adalats due to Covid-19 pandemic. He said it is the opportunity for the litigants to settle their cases through mutual consent.

A total number of 599 Cases were taken up for their amicable settlement out of which 373 Cases were settled and an amount of Rs. 895,550 realized as settlement amount.

At Baramulla: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Baramulla in collaboration with Tehsil Legal Services Committees today organised Lok Adalats across the district.

At Baramulla, the Lok Adalat was organised at District Court Complex Baramulla whereas lok adalats were organised by the concerned subordinate courts at tehsil levels.

The Lol Adalat was held under the Chairmanship of Sanjay Parihaar, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Principal District and Sessions Judge) Baramulla and under the Supervision of Faizan ul Haq Iqbal who is also Secretary District Legal Services Authority.

The Lok Adalat comprised of 09 benches constituted in the entire district in which 426 different cases/ matters were taken up, out of which 213 cases/ matters were settled amicably on spot. An amount of Rs. 2,511,300 was also recovered as the settlement amount.

At Shopian: A Special Lok Adalat was held today within the premises of District Court Complex (DCC) Shopian under the supervision of Chairman District Legal services Authority Shopian.

In the said Lok Adalat, 45 cases of different nature were taken up, out of which 23 cases have been settled by Mediation and reconciliation. An amount of Rs 13, 01,539 has been recovered as fine and the same has been remitted to Government Treasury.
At Bandipora: The Lok Adalat was held at District Court Complex, Bandipora during which 90 cases of different nature were taken up for settlement, of which, 60 cases were settled amicably. A settlement amount of Rs 280500 was awarded as compensation on the spot.

At Kulgam: a Special Lok Adalat was held in District Court Complex Kulgam, under the guidance of Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Malik.

Five Benches were constituted on the occasion including Three at Head quarter and One each at D.H.pora and Qazigund.

In Special Lok Adalat 109 cases related to Bank recovery cases, MACT cases, Traffic Challan, Electricity cases, Water bills, family disputes, N.I.Act cases and revenue cases were taken up.

Out of these 109 cases, 65 cases were amicably settled. An amount of Rs 73,600 was realized in different cases related to bank cases etc. taken up in Special Lok Adalat and an amount of Rs 13,600 was imposed as fine in criminal R.P.C Challan and traffic challan.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, MARCH 6 :

Sensitizing about the dangerous use of drugs, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today said that the situation in Kashmir is as bad as in Punjab as the use of drugs by youth has reached a dangerous level here.

The Div Com said this, while chairing an awareness programme on drug abuse organized jointly by Muslim Waqf Board and Excise Department at Old Zero Bridge, here.

The programme, among others was attended by CEO Waqf Board, Secretary Waqf Board, DC Excise department, Imams and Khateebs of Dargah Hazratbal, Naqashband Sahab, Jamia Masjid Munawarbad, Syed Yaqoob Sahab Sonwar, Masjid Zero Bridge, Sheikh Noor ud din Noorani Char-I- Sharief Shrine, scholars, preachers from various districts and officers and officials from Excise department and Muslim Waqf Board.

On the occasion, the Div Com sought support and cooperation from scholars on sensitizing people in general and farmers in particular on growing poppy and cannabis and use of drugs by the youth as a dangerous trend in the Valley.

He appealed to scholars to spread the message through Friday sermons that the practice of growing such plantations is not only anti-religious but also has lasting effects on society.

He said that using drugs both in powder and tablet form as addiction is posing a bigger threat to our future generation as the number of drug addicts is increasing in Kashmir.

The Div Com said that there were some incidents where it has been found that some vested interests across the border are also involved in spreading the drug abuse in Kashmir with supplying cocaine and heroin and other drug like substances through various illegal means.

He said all forms of drug addiction are harmful and can become cause of destruction to the entire family of a drug addict.

He said though the efforts by the government are afoot to control the drug abuse, however, both scholars and parents have to play their role to cooperate and support the administration in curbing the menace.

The Div Com urged people to volunteer in joining the administration in destroying the cannabis growing usually on barren land particularly on both sides of the river Jhelum from North Kashmir to South Kashmir.

On the occasion, scholars warned of the worst consequences of drug addiction in the youth and extended their support to ensure curbing of the abuse in Kashmir.

The Div Com reiterated that scholars need to support the administration as positively as they did during the Covid pandemic to get the fruitful results in war against drug abuse. Besides, urged them to extend cooperation in conducting similar awareness programmes at district and tehsil level too across Kashmir.

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU, MARCH 06:

The progress on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 was reviewed today by Commissioner Secretary to Government, Department of Forests, Ecology & Environment, Sarita Chauhan here in presence of Dr. Mohit Gera, PCCF (HoFF) and other senior officers.

The Conservators and the DFOs from Jammu region as well as Kashmir region joined through Video Conferencing and reported the number of claims received by the Forest Rights Committee (FRC) at Gram Sabha, Block and Range Level and status on verification by the Forest Rights Committee.

The Commissioner Forests directed the DFOs to prepare a detailed action plan with the requisite records and maps. He asked them to coordinate with Deputy Commissioners and Sub Divisional level Committees for verification by the Forest Rights Committee immediately, so that verification is carried out and Gram Sabha considers the same for its decisions. The Gram Sabha will submit decisions on all the claims in the form of resolution to Sub Division Level Committee and after their statutory duties will be forwarded to District Level Committee. The Commissioner/Secretary Forests further directed that the DFOs shall take initiative to reach out to Deputy Commissioners and officials of Revenue Department for expediting the process and ensure that claims are processed and disposed of immediately.

A mock drill was also presented on receiving and processing of claims at every level, wherein each and every stage was presented in detail like receiving of claims, consolidation by Forest Rights Committee, verification process to be carried out with Forest and Revenue officials, preparation of verification report, resolution by Gram Sabha and submission of processed claims to Sub Divisional Level Committee. The mock drill was enacted by staff of Jammu Forest Division under the supervision of Alok Maurya, DFO Jammu Forest Division.

Have Directed for Suspension of All Kinds of Activities in Institute Till Further Orders: DC Kupwara

SRINAGAR, MARCH 6:

A 32-year-old school teacher in north-Kashmir’s Kupwara district has tested positive for COVID, forcing the authorities to suspend all sorts of activities at the institute till further orders.

Reliable sources told LNS that on the directions of DSEK to conduct RT-PCR tests in schools, a medical team carried out the tests at Government High School Kanthpora. During the process, they said, one of the teacher’s was found positive for the infection.
The infected teacher was immediately isolated from his colleagues while students relieved from the school, sources said.

When contacted, BMO Sogam confirmed the development to GNS that the 32-year-old teacher tested positive for the viral infection. “The teacher was immediately taken into isolation”, the official said.

Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Imam-ud-Din told LNS that he has directed immediate suspension of all kinds of activities in the educational institute till further orders.
All kinds of activities will remain suspended till further orders”, the top-district officer said.

JAMMU, MARCH 06:

Drugs Control Organisation has suspended operations of 36 Retail Sale Establishments across Jammu Province for violation of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

As per DCO, surprise inspections of Retail Sale Outlets particularly, situated in far flung/remote areas were carried out by the concerned Drugs Control Officers under the supervision of respective Assistant Drugs Controller in Jammu Province under the overall the authority of State Drugs Controller, Lotika Khajuria to ensure availability of quality drugs to the end users.

The operation of 6 units were disallowed in Jammu, 6 in Samba, 2 in Kathua, 6 in Kishtwar, 4 in Udhampur and 12 in Ramban district.

The reasons for suspension ranged from Non maintenance of Sales records, Impersonation, Unhygienic/Insanitary Conditions, Improper storage conditions etc. The Licenses were warned of severe action in case the deficiencies are not removed within stipulated period of time.

Statutory Drug samples of more than 450 drug formulations viz Antibiotics, PPI, Steroid, NSAIDs etc were also lifted from private firms particularly situated in far flung areas and government institutions for determination of strength and purity.

These samples were referred to Drug Testing Laboratories located within the State for framing legal opinion to ascertain their quality parameters.

During the said drive, 2 unlicensed establishments were found in operations in Marheen Tehsil of Kathua district, action against the defaulters was initiated on spot. Action under relevant provisions of the Act has been initiated against the culprits.

Stocks of Drugs worth Rs 9191 that were found to be contravening the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act have also been confiscated from the supply chain by the Regulatory Officers of the organization under the relevant provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act.

The State Drug Controller has said that the Department shall initiate severe punitive actions against such pharmacies who indulge in any unfair/unethical trade practices.