Ban on creation of new posts; Slots that have vacant for period of 2 years not to be revived

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir government has unveiled a slew of austerity measures in public sector undertakings (PSUs) to rationalize expenditure.

In a move aimed at curtailing expenditure, the Finance department has imposed a ban on creation of new posts in PSUs in Jammu & Kashmir. “There will be a ban on creation of posts,” reads an order, a copy of which is lying with The Precious Kashmir.

The department has also ordered that posts which have remained vacant in PSUs for more than two years shall not be revived except under very rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance of the Finance department.

The Finance department has also directed the departments that release of grant-in-aid to PSUs shall be strictly as per provisions contained in General Financial Rules (GFRs)and Government instructions. “Departments shall not transfer funds under any scheme in relaxation of conditions attached to such transfers,” the order states.

The PSUs have also been directed that “rush of expenditure should be avoided during the last quarter of the fiscal year and in particular the last month of the year so as to ensure that all procedures and complied with and there is no infructuous or wasteful expenditure”.

“No fresh financial commitments should be made on items which are not provided in the budget approved by the Parliament,” the order states.

The PSUs have also been asked that utmost economy shall be observed in organizing seminars/ workshops/ conferences.

“Only such conferences, workshops, seminars etc. which are absolutely essential, shall be held,” it further states.

It has also imposed a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at five-star hotels.

The government has asked the administrative departments to advise and direct PSUs working under their administrative control to follow these guidelines in letter and spirit.

95 projects to be completed by end of 2021-22; 80 projects in next fiscal

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: In a major push for infrastructural development in Jammu and Kashmir’s capital cities, as many as 95 projects are likely to be completed under the Government of India’s ambitious “smart cities” programme by the end of ongoing financial year, official documents reveal.

Documents in possession of The Precious Kashmir reveal that 95 projects are likely to be completed by the end of the current financial year. “ 80 more projects to be completed in 2022-23 improving the quality of life of the people by way of providing Wifi facilities, smart health centres, installation of river vending machines, smart class rooms, TV charging stations, development of cycle tracks & hawkers zone, development of parking and space under flyovers, etc,” reads the documents.

The Smart City Mission—aimed at improving basic urban infrastructure in cities—was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015. Under the program, each city will get Rs 1,000 crore central funding for its comprehensive development and effective delivery of public services.

Initially, the Government of India had announced only one smart city for J&K but the state government recommended both Srinagar and Jammu cities under the scheme to avoid any controversy over the issue.

In June 2017 when PDP-BJP was ruling Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India announced that both the cities would be developed as smart cities.

Locals question inaction by MCA officials

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: The busiest markets in South Kashmir’s Anantnag town, continues to witness traffic mess, causing inconvenience to both the travellers as well the pedestrians.

The occupation of roads and sidewalks by the shopkeepers is pushing the pedestrians as well as the commuters to the wall as they continue to occupy the roadsides illegally while no action is being taken against them to ensure smooth passage to the vehicular movement.

In Mattan chowk, one of the old and busy market places, shopkeepers occupy at least three to four feet road on both sides by placing either the signboards or huge cardboard boxes in front of their shops.

This illegal occupation of the road by these shopkeepers leaves little space for the vehicles to pass by from either side, thus causing messy traffic jams.

Since the road leads to two major hospitals—Government Medical College and Maternity hospital Anantnag, the patients travelling in their own vehicles face agonies as they get stuck in long and messy jams in the market.

These shopkeepers even do not allow anyone to park his or her vehicle or two-wheeler in front of their shops as they clearly refuse to remove the signboards or boxes.

Verbal brawls can be witnessed between private car owners and these shopkeepers after the later seek to park their cars even for few minutes.

“A couple of days ago, I had a consultation with the doctor for my child. As I reached the market place, I straightway went to the nearby Ranibagh car parking, which was fully occupied leaving me with no option but to return along with my car. As I reached back the market where doctors’ clinic is located, I tried to park my car on the extreme left or right to avoid traffic jam but on the both sides, shopkeepers had occupied the road in such a manner as if it is their property. For half an hour, I did not get a space for parking my car,” said Ahmadullah, a resident of Srigufwara.

After half an hour, Ahmadullah got off his car and tried to remove the huge boxes placed by shopkeepers to park his vehicle but the two shopkeepers repulsed and did not allow him to park his vehicle.

“I begged them to remove those barriers telling them that it will take him not more than half an hour to get his child examined by the doctor but they surprisingly told me to go to get his car parked at Janglat Mandi, two kms away from the locality. Then I forcibly removed the sign boards and parked my car, however on my return they had deflated the tyre of my car,” he said.

Many other people who spoke to Precious Kashmir complained of encroachment by the shopkeepers not only in Mattan Chowk but in other market places as well.

“The irony is that if someone parks his car on the roadside, the traffic authorities come and lift the same with the help of crane and later impose huge fine on the commuter but these shopkeepers are not being dealt as per the law by the authorities,” said Mubashir Khan.

He questioned the selective drive against the occupation of roads and footpaths by MCA.

“If poor vendors occupy footpaths, MCA officials come and pounce on them and even seize their stalls but I have never seen them acting against these rich shopkeepers whose greed lands the people including patients in trouble every day,” Khan said.

Chairman, MCA, Anantnag, Hilal Ahmad Shah did not respond to repeated calls from Precious Kashmir.