Launches G2C Services, 24×7 Dedicated Helpline, IEC-Videos of Revenue Deptt

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday launched G2C Services, 24×7 dedicated helpline, and IEC-Videos of Revenue Department at the Raj Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said that the institutional arrangements and processes to support the effective land administration and revenue related service delivery to the citizens will bring in greater transparency into the functioning of the department.

He further observed that 1662 Patwar Halqas institutionalized with the establishment of offices of Patwaris will ensure availability of the first interface of revenue hierarchy to the citizens in their areas of jurisdiction and prompt delivery of services.

It was informed that the department has notified that all Patwaris will remain physically present in their respective Patwar Halqas from 10 am to 12 noon, every Monday to Friday, for the convenience of people.

The Lt Governor also launched dedicated revenue helpline and IEC videos of Revenue Department for effective implementation of government programmes/schemes.

The Revenue helpline for ensuring prompt disposal of grievances, complaints pertaining to the Revenue Department are 0191-2456100(landline) and 9419372000(Whatsapp).

We have introduced e-governance to make the government citizen-friendly and further ease the interface between government and people, the Lt Governor said.

“Easing of Land Governance through digitization of land records has brought transformation in the life of ordinary citizens. With one-click access to land records & linking of Aadhaar and Mobile numbers will streamline service delivery, besides completely eradicating scope of record tampering and encroachments”, he added.

The G2C Revenue Services launched today include Encumbrance, Demarcation, Mutation, Online Fard Extracts among others. Further, Information Education and Communication (IEC)-Videos on the use of initiatives of ‘Aaapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani’, Land pass Books, and ‘Soochit Rahe-Sachet Rahe’ for operationalisation of Real-Time Land Information System (RTLIS), Seeding of Mobile Numbers and Aadhar in the land records were also launched.

The Lt Governor called upon the Deputy Commissioners to make use of Whatsapp groups and Video-on-Wheels facility to take the IEC videos to maximum number of citizens for an effective information campaign.

The Lt Governor observed that with greater transparency and a renewed sense of accountability, the revenue department has witnessed transformational citizen-centric changes in the last 1.5 years.

The Lt Governor underscored that project of ‘Har Patwar- Ek Patwar Khana’, Revenue Helpline and the drive to issue land passbooks in three languages are unique interventions of J&K UT.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K has emerged as a leading UT in the entire country for making land records information easily accessible to all, the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor also complimented the Revenue Department and the District Administrations for completing the project of Har Patwar Ek Patwar Khana in record time.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor handed over Land passbooks to citizens, while similar Land Passbooks were provided to the people in Kashmir division at their doorsteps by the concerned Tehsildars.

Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, while speaking on the occasion said that changes in the revenue department have brought a new era of transparency and accountability.

Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Commissioner Secretary, Revenue briefed the chair on the features and process of using different services launched.

R K Goyal Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; Shaleen Kabra, Financial Commissioner, Revenue; Administrative secretaries; Divisional Commissioners; Deputy Commissioners and revenue officers were present on the occasion in person and through virtual mode.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commended the contributions of all the retiring Members of the Rajya Sabha, and wished them well for the future.

Noting the value of the experience of the retiring members, he said that with their departure, responsibility of the remaining members increases as they have to take forward the legacy of the outgoing members.

Describing that the House reflects the sentiments, spirit, pain and ecstasy of all the parts of the country, he further said that it is true that as a member we contribute a lot to the House but it is also true that the House also gives a lot to us.

“Sometimes academic knowledge has many limitations, it is useful in seminars, but what is gained from experience has simple solutions to solve problems. Mistakes are minimized as it mixes experience with newness. And in this sense experience has a great significance of its own,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi also said that some members are retiring from the House but they will take their rich experience to all the corners of the country.

He also suggested that the members should pen down their memories as a useful reference for the future generations. The members shape and impact the direction of the country, their memories can be used for the development of the country in an institutionalized manner, he noted.

Modi also requested the retiring members to inspire the people in the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It has been 75 years of Independence. Our great men have given a lot for the country, now it is our responsibility to give them back. We will take that sentiment from here.

“How can you inspire the coming generations by going to a big platform with a very open mind and making this precious festival of freedom the medium, if your contribution will be there, I think the country will get a lot of strength, a lot. You will get a big benefit,” he added. (IANS)

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Members spoke at length on Thursday, recalling their parliamentary experiences, as the House bade farewell to 72 MPs retiring between March and July this year.

Following observations made by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began farewell messages to the retiring MPs in the House. He asked the Members to use their vast experience earned in the House in service of the nation.

“Experience has more strength than academic knowledge. Academic knowledge has many limitations. It works in seminars. But experience gives you means to solve problems,” he said. The Prime Minister gave examples of different ways to say good bye to somebody in Bengali and Gujarati.

“While bidding good bye to somebody, we say ‘come again’. In the same way we would want you to come again,” the PM said. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that retiring Members left their indelible impression on his mind.

“A politician never gets retired. He doesn’t come here to become only and MLA or MP. He lives for an ideology and continues to carry forward the same ideology,” Kharge said.

The Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman said that it is not proper to use the term ‘retire’ or ‘farewell’ for the MPs. “I wish they make a comeback to the House,” he said.

He suggested that the benefit of specialisation of retiring MPs should be used and they should be invited to the orientation programmes in Parliament. “They should write their experiences to strengthen our institutional memory,” he said.

Harivansh expressed his gratitude towards retiring co-deputy chairmen Surendra Singh Nagar and Sasmit Patra for “contributing immensely towards smooth conduct of business in the House.” Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma expressed satisfaction that he was never in the Well, while protesting on issues in the House.

“I am proud that not a single word in the House by me has been expunged,” he said. DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said Rajya Sabha is the real symbol of integrity.

“We all confluence here, forgetting the states, languages, ideologies. Apart from that, only our friendship flourishes,” he said. Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav said it is for the first time that so many experienced members are retiring together.

In a lighter tone, he asked the retiring members to visit the Parliament House post retirement and enjoy a cup of tea with colleagues. “The replacement of the MPs should be such that the richness of the House remains intact,” Yadav urged all political parties.

He urged the political parties not to have a provision to retire members, once they reach 75 years of age. Looking at BJP President JP Nadda, he said, “If the health permits, experienced members should be brought to the House.”

Recalling his Parliamentary experience of 18 years, BSP leader Satish Mishra expressed regret that the country has not been able make a society free from caste differences.

Out of the 72 retiring MPs, 30 belong to BJP and 13 from Congress. BJD, DMK, AIADMK and Akali Dal have three MPs each. CPM, TRS, BSP and SP have two MPs each. LJD, YSR Congress, NCP and Shiva Sena have one MP each. The retiring members have a total parliamentary experience of 181 terms, including 143 in Rajya Sabha and 38 in Lok Sabha earlier.

Among those retiring, 65 members represented 19 states, while seven were nominated Members. Four Ministers- Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Ram Chandra Prasad are completing their tenures during this period.

Chairmen of five of the eight Department Related Standing Committees of Rajya Sabha and Floor Leaders of four parties are also among the retiring. Thursday was marked for farewell speeches for the retiring Rajya Sabha members.

Chairman Naidu will also give a farewell dinner to the retiring MPs later in the evening. Mementos will also be presented to the retiring MPs and a cultural programme will also be organised, in which some members will showcase their talents. (UNI)

Jammu: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a significant hike of 25.38 per cent in tax revenue collection during 2021-22 (ending March, 2022) against the collections made during the last fiscal.

As per an official spokesperson, the total collections of indirect taxes like GST, excise duty, stamps and tax on motor spirits have been made to the tune of Rs. 15,179.42 crore against Rs. 12,105.95 crore collected during the previous financial year 2020-21. Besides, the collection on account of Goods & Services Tax was Rs. 11,163.95 crore against Rs. 9,020.00 crore collected during the previous financial year thereby recording a robust growth of 23.77 per cent.

The tax collected on sale of motor spirits during 2021-22 was to the tune of Rs. 1,829.73 crore against Rs. 1,459.92 crore collected during the previous financial year thereby registering a growth of 25.33 per cent. The buoyant growth in collections in this sector has been achieved despite of recent reduction of tax rate by the government in respect of petrol, diesel and ATF.

In a remarkable accomplishment, the growth of revenue in the stamp duty collection has shown a steep hike of 56.12 per cent as the total collection made have reached Rs. 425.00 crore against Rs. 272.22 crore recorded during the last fiscal. Likewise, collections made in the excise duty have been to the tune of Rs. 1,760.74 crore against Rs. 1,353.81 crore collected during the financial year 2020-21 thereby recording a substantial growth of 30 per cent.

The impressive tax revenue generated during 2021-22 indicates revival and recovery of business and trade activities in the Union Territory. “Proper planning, monitoring and effective implementation of Tax statutes in the Union Territory coupled with government’s initiatives of bringing transparency and accountability in the system have tremendously contributed towards scaling up the momentum of collection of Tax Revenue.

‘LG expresses grief over loss of lives

By: M S Nazki

Poonch: At least nine persons died and four others sustained injuries after a vehicle they were travelling in fell into a 300-ft gorge at Tararawali Bufliaz area of Surankote Poonch on Thursday.

A police official said that the driver of the vehicle—Sumo  (JK12 2725)— coming from Murrah  village toward Surankote, lost control and the vehicle fell into 300-ft gorge at Taranwali Morah near  Bufliaz.

The accident occurred late in the afternoon when the people were returning home after attending a wedding at Morah, he said.

The official said that six persons died on the spot while three other succumbed to injuries on way to hospital. The injured were shifted to hospital by rescuers including local volunteers, police and army personnel, he said.

The deceased persons have been identified as Ghulam Rabani (55), Mohammad Fazal (60), Mohammad Mushtaq (63), all residents of Salyan, Fazal Ahmed (62), Gulab Din (36), both from Gurasi, Mohammad Jahangir (36), Mohammad Akbar (62) Abid Kohli (28), and Showkat Hussain (45), all residents of Dingla.

The injured including driver of the vehicle— Zaheer Abass of Gurasi besides Anaya Shoket of Dingla, Haroon of Gursai and Mohammad Zabir of Gursai  were referred from SDH Surankote to GMC Rajouri, BMO Surankote Dr Zulfikar Choudhary said.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident at Poonch.

“Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a tragic road accident in Poonch. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for speedy recovery of injured,” he said in a tweet, adding, “Directed district administration to ensure best possible treatment to the injured.” (GNS)

New Delhi: There has been lesser snowfall and greater rainfall in the Himalayas in the last few years, however, over four glacierised basins (Chandra, Bhaga, Miyar and Parvati) of western Himalayas there has been an overall decreasing trend of precipitation during 1979-2018, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

“Studies from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) show that over four glacierised basins (Chandra, Bhaga, Miyar and Parvati) of western Himalaya show an overall decreasing trend of precipitation during 1979-2018. However, this trend is not monotonic, with a higher (23.9 per cent) reduction in precipitation during the accumulation (winter) season than the ablation (summer) season (15.4 per cent),” Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said.

Further, studies indicated that while the snowfall is decreasing, the liquid precipitation (rainfall) has been increasing over these glacierised basins particularly during the accumulation months, Singh said in a written reply to a question in the House.

The increased rainfall in place of snowfall during spring would lead to early exposure of glaciers and the enhanced glacier melt rate as well could accelerate the frequency and magnitude of avalanches and flash floods, the minister said, adding, “Avalanches, landslides are natural phenomena that cannot be prevented. However, early warning and forecasts for rainfall and snowfall are being issued by various institutions under MoES and the Ministry of Defence.” (IANS)

Srinagar: At least twenty-five houses were gutted and three persons were injured in a massive fire in Gata Colony in Noorbagh area of Srinagar district overnight, officials said on Thursday.

They said the fire broke out due to a short-circuit in one of the houses and spread quickly to others, damaging 25 houses and a tin shed. They said that fire brought control and three persons—Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, Tahir Ahmad Sheikh and Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh—and a firefighter received injuries in the incident and were hospitalized.

In all 33 families were putting up in these houses and have been rendered shelter less in the devastating blaze, they said.  Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire erupted due to short-circuit but a detailed inquiry was underway to conclude the reasons behind the fire, the officials added.

Meanwhile, on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Srinagar, Dr Syed Hanief Balkhi visited Sheikh Colony Noor Bagh area of the district to take first hand appraisal and on the spot assessment of the damages caused due to devastating fire incident during the intervening night of Wednesday-Thursday.

The ADC who was accompanied by the Tehsildar Eidgah, Ishfaq Ahmad and other concerned Officers met the fire victims whose residential houses were completely damaged in a massive fire incident.

While interacting with the fire sufferers, the ADC expressed sympathies with them on behalf of the District Administration Srinagar.  He also assured that every kind of possible support shall be provided from the District Administration for their immediate rehabilitation.

The ADC was informed that 25 residential houses comprising 37 families were gutted in the devastating fire incident.

On the occasion, essential assistance in the form of 185 blankets, 111 mattresses, 111 bed sheets and 37 kitchen sets, besides Rs 185000 to 37 families was provided out of Red Cross as an interim relief to the fire victims.

Similarly, the District Administration Srinagar also provided the immediate assistance of Rs 15000, besides 15 blankets, 9 mattresses, 9 bed sheets and 3 kitchen sets to the fire victims of Rajouri Kadal area in Shaher e Khaas of the district in which one house was gutted in a fire incident on Wednesday rendering 3 families homeless.

Meanwhile, the DC has also sanctioned structure wise financial assistance of Rs 25,47,500 in favour of 25 house owners of Noorbagh and Rs 1,01,900 in favour  of Rajouri Kadal house owners under SDRF.

Further, the district administration has appealed to the General public to follow all precautionary measures while handling electric/electronic gadgets, LPG cylinders and other appliances being used for heating and cooking purposes to avoid such fire incidents. (With inputs from GNS)

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ordered premature retirement of five officers under a provision brought in October 2020, officials said.

The order comes a day after two policemen and a teacher besides a computer operator and a Nursing Orderly were sacked from services under Article 311 of the Constitution of India.

In October, 2020 the J&K government amended Article 226 (2) of the J&K Civil Service Regulations to enable it to retire an employee upon completion of 22 years of service or attaining 48 years of age in the public interest.

Under the law, the government has prematurely retired Mohammad Ashraf, Executive Officer, presently under suspension;  Ghulam Mohammad Lone, I/c Executive Officer (presently posted as l/c Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Frisal Kulgam); Imityaz Ahmad Dar, l/c Executive Officer (Presently posted as l/c Executive Officer in Municipal Committee, Yaripora Kulgam); Farzana Naqshbandi, the then Divisional Town Planner, (now l/c Senior Town Planner, presently under suspension and attached with Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority), and Hamid Ahmad Wani, l/c Senior Town Planner Town Planning Organization, J&K (presently under suspension).

Referring to clause (i) of Article 226 (2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, 1956, the government said it provides for constitution of an Internal Committee in each Administrative Department which will ensure that the service records of the Government servant being reviewed, alongwith a summary, bringing out all relevant information, is placed before the Review Committee.

“Pursuant to the provisions, the internal Committee of Housing & Urban Development Department……. scrutinized the service records of Mohammad Ashraf, Executive Officer, presently under suspension,” the order as regards Mohammad Ashraf reads, adding, “the Internal Committee observed that since Mohammad Ashraf falls under the broad conditions laid down in Article 226(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, 1956 as amended vide S.O. 324 dated 22.10.2020 and recommended the case of the officer for further placement before the Review Committee for consideration under the provisions of Article 226 (2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, 1956.”

The Review Committee, constituted on 21 December 2020, it said, observed that Mohammad Ashraf while holding a post in the Department, has not performed the duties efficiently and his “conduct and integrity remained doubtful/unsatisfactory and his case falls under broad criteria as laid down in Article 226(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, 1956 as amended vide S.O. 324 dated 22.10.2020.”

“The Committee has concluded that no purpose would be served by allowing the officer to continue in service in the larger interest of the public,” the order said, and subsequently ordered his premature retirement. Detailed orders have been issued as regards four other officers. (GNS)