Precious Kashmir

Disproportionate assets case: ACB produces chargesheet against FCS&CA official

Jammu & Kashmir

18/03/2022

Disproportionate assets case: ACB produces chargesheet against FCS&CA official

Srinagar: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday stated to have produced a chargesheet against former Incharge Tehsil Supply Officer, Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCSCA), Rajouri in disproportionate assets case.

A statement issued here said that ACB J&K produced chargesheet against Pranav Gandotra, son of Late Kewal Gandotra, Sr.Asstt, then posted Incharge Tehsil Supply Officer, Department of FCS&CA, Rajouri, his mother namely Shashi Gandotra and his wife namely Pooja Wattal @ Pooja Gandotra, of Flat No. 1203/1204, Royal Palm Apartment, Akhnoor Road, Toph Sherkhania, Jammu before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu in a case under FIR number 35/2018 under section 5(1) (e) r/w section 5(2) of J&K PC Act Svt 2006 and section 109, 120-B RPC of P/S VOJ (now ACBJ).

The instant case of Disproportionate Assets registered against the accused Pranav Gandotra is the outcome of a case FIR number 21/2018 already registered against the accused Pranav Gandotra.

“During of the said case, searches were conducted in the premises/residential houses of the said accused. In furtherance of investigation in the above cited case, incriminating documents revealed that Pranav Gandotra was found to have raised huge properties both movable as well as Immovable worth crores of rupees in his own name and in name of his family members which are disproportionate to his known source of income.”

“He also possesses Luxurious house hold items, costly electronics gadgets etc. Some of the assets raised by the suspect officer include – 1) House No. 60/3 Channi Himmat worth in lacs; 2) Flat No. 1203 Block-A and Flat No. 1204 Block-A worth Rs 83 lacs; 3) Shop at Ashrabad Sidhra, Jammu acquired in year 2017 on rent basis @ 5000/- per month; 4) G.T. Road Restaurant in Palm Island Mall at Canal road Jammu; 5) Number of costly and luxurious vehicles which include a) i10 JK02BB-6968, b) Innova Crysta JK02BT-8691, c) Toyota Fortuner JK02BS-8809, d) Toyota Fortuner JMUBQ-6700 (Temp) e) Chevrolet Cruse JK02AW-0001, f) Mahindra XUV 500 JK02BQ-8954, g) Mercedes Benz PB65AG(T)-3465 and h) Hyundai Verna JK02AJ-0002, 6)Gold/diamond ornaments weighing 4 Kg 361.49 gms and Silver articles with utensils weighing 11 Kg 389 gms and Insurance policies worth more than 41 lacs.”

Investigation further revealed accused in consequence of his indulgence in corrupt and illegal practices and having taken advantages of his lucrative posting, has acquired huge assets, both moveable/immoveable by investing proceedings of his ill gotten money in such properties and the value of the assets held by the accused in his name and in the name of family members is Rs 3,58,91,126 which is disproportionate to his known source of income, the statement said.

“The allegations of raising disproportionate assets by the accused have been fully substantiated. After completing the investigation of case, sanction for launching of prosecution of the accused was also obtained from the competent authority. Anti-Corruption Bureau produced charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Jammu.”

The statement added that the next date of hearing in the case has been fixed for 19-04-2022.

Man-animal conflict in Kashmir: Over 40 people killed, 430 injured in 5 years

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2022

By: Faizan Ahmad

Srinagar: At least 40 people have been killed and over 430 injured by wild animals for the last five years across Kashmir.

Official data reveal that there is no end to man-animal conflict in the valley.

Since 2017, at least 40 people have been killed by wild animals. Among them 11, 5 and 9 were killed in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Similarly, over 430 people have also been injured by wild animals in several incidents across the valley. Those include 120 in 2017 and 85, 87, and 57 in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

An official of the Wild Life Department said that mass urbanization, denudation of forests, encroachment of forestland, vanishing of buffer zones in the forests are some of the reasons responsible for conflicts between humans and animals.

“Animals do not feel safe in the forest so they are entering residential areas,” the official said. “Leopards stray into residential areas usually in search of food. The human presence makes them insecure, following which they resort to attacking people,” the official said.

The wildlife department has made several sightings of wild animals in lower areas. Leopards have also been found close to human habitats in the recent past.

The snowfall in the wildlife habitats has also led to food scarcity, forcing the animals to forage for food in the low-lying areas, the official said.

When animals descend into lower areas, there are chances of their interaction with human inhabitants. This, at times, creates man-animal conflict.

Perturbed over the incidents of the man-animal conflicts, the Wild Life Department has asked people residing near forests to take extraordinary precautions.

In the advisory issued several times, the Department has asked people to avoid using bush growths and forest fringe areas for nature calls in late evening or night hours.

“Provide sufficient light around your utilities outside your home so that animals do not feel safe in the vicinity. The villagers must regularly remove all bushes or shrubs from the vicinity of houses in cooperative manner,” it adds.

“Do not chase or try to go near a wild animal if sighted from a distance. Provide sufficient light around your utilities outside home so that animals do not feel safe in the vicinity. Children and women are vulnerable to leopards. Bear attacks, which can be contained if they move in groups or children are accompanied by an elderly person,” the advisory reads. (KINS)

LeT aide held in Bla: Police

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2022

Srinagar: Police on Thursday said that they along with security forces arrested a militant associate of outfit LeT/TRF in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In a statement, the police said that acting on specific information regarding movement of Anti national elements in Karhama Kunzer area of Baramulla, a joint cordon & search operation was launched by Police, 02RR and 176Bn CRPF in the said area.

During search, one militant associate of outfit LeT/TRF was arrested by the joint search party. He has been identified as Waseem Ahmed War son of Mohd Ismail War resident of Karhama Kunzer, they said.

Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 hand grenade, 02 AK-47 Magazines and 20 live rounds were recovered from his possession, they said.

Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Kunzer and investigation has been initiated, concludes the statement.

Keeping armed forces ready at all times our top priority: Rajnath Singh

National

Indo Asian News Service

18/03/2022

Keeping armed forces ready at all times our top priority: Rajnath Singh

Bengaluru: Noting economic, political, and strategic equations are changing all over the world and major world powers are in a tussle, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that India’s defence needs have also increased and constant modernisation of the armed forces is the need of the hour.

In his address after inauguration of a seven-storeyed Flight Control System (FCS) integration facility at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory here, he said: “Keeping ourselves ready is our top priority and we are constantly working to enhance our strategic capabilities.

Be it technology or products, services or facilities, their advanced and fasterdevelopment is the need for the hour.”

Lauding the DRDO for playing a crucial role in strengthening national security, he said that the FCS is a unique project not just in the country but in the entire world and is an embodiment of the new energy of new India.

“This energy is of technology, commitment, institutional collaboration among public sector, private sector and academia and above all, of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

The complex will also provide simulator training to the pilots of combat aircraft, and Rajnath Singh described this as one of the most important components of the complex.

The simulators provide an opportunity to learn by making mistakes without the possibility of any kinds of losses, he said.

Commending DRDO and L&T for developing hybrid technology, he expressed confidence that it will increase the productivity of construction process, promote optimum utilisation of resources, reduce losses due to wastage, and will be helpful in speedy completion of projects.

In hybrid construction technology, the column and beam elements of the structural frame are built with steel plates, and the columns are concrete filled steel hollow cross sections.

The slabs are partially precast and all these structural members are assembled at site. Concreting is done simultaneously to make the structure monolithically cast, thus eliminating any dry joints as in case of precast construction.

In this case of concrete-filled hollow sections, the steel provides a permanent framework to the concrete core which reduces the time and effort drastically as compared to conventional construction.

Rajnath Singh described the hybrid technology as an important milestone for the construction sector and hoped that in the coming times, India will become one of the leading countries in the field of construction technology.

He expressed hope that although the mandate of DRDO is to develop futuristic technologies, its spin-off benefits will be available to the civilian sector as well.

“Our traditional construction industry is generally considered to be labour intensive, high risk and low on productivity. But, the way DRDO has constructed the FCS complex through hybrid technology, our infrastructure projects will be completed in a low cost and time-bound manner in the times to come,” he said.

He called upon the DRDO to continue exploring new possibilities in construction technology and contribute to nation building through new innovations.

The FCS facility is a building with the plinth area of 1.3 lakh square feet. The construction has been completed in 45 days, setting a unique record of completing a permanent building of seven stories with hybrid construction technology for the first time in the history of construction industry in the country.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Defence R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy and other senior officers of DRDO and state government were also present during the inauguration.

India to host Netherlands Women’s Hockey team on April 8-9

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

18/03/2022

India to host Netherlands Women’s Hockey team on April 8-9

New Delhi: Hockey India will host the defending Champions and World no.1 Netherlands Women’s Hockey Team for the double-header FIH Pro League matches on April 8-9 to be played at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

Indian Women and the Netherlands were originally scheduled to play on February 19 -20, however the matches had to be postponed following the visiting team’s concern over negative intercontinental travel advice received from KNHB (Royal Dutch Hockey Association) Medical Committee and the NOC medical staff.

Welcoming the Netherlands Women’s Hockey Team’s decision to travel to India for the matches now scheduled on April 8-9, Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “As hosts, we are happy to welcome the Dutch National Women’s Team to participate in the FIH Pro League matches here in India in April. No doubt, there is a lot of excitement among the Indian team players as they will be playing the World No.1 squad at home for the first time.”

The Netherlands have thus far played four matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-2022. They beat Belgium 2-0 and 3-1 in October and November last year followed by back-to-back 1-0 and 2-2 (3-2 SO) wins against Spain in February this year.

Hosts India, on the other hand, have played six matches. They beat China 7-1 and 2-1 in Muscat followed by a 2-1 win and a 3-4 loss against Spain in February 2022. They recently beat Germany 1-1 (3-0 SO) after the visitors gained an extra point having won the shootout 1-1 (2-1 SO) in the first match.

India had previously taken on the Netherlands at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in their group stage match where they lost 1-5. Netherlands went on to win the Olympic Gold medal.

Shelter Home For Her

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

18/03/2022

Domestic violence is a very real phenomenon. It is widespread, deeply ingrained and has serious impacts on women’s health and well-being, experts have been saying it all the way. It is a very specific crime with multiple aspects, including emotional and mental torture, withholding of finances, etc. For many women, leaving home is the only recourse to escape from an insufferable existence. At the same time, they do not always have other family members willing to take them in. For a woman in such a situation, the availability of shelter homes can only help as she has nowhere to go.

Some believe that one of the main reasons why women put up with daily abuse and violence is that there is no other place for them to go where they can take shelter. The parents of the victim often force them to live with the perpetrator regardless of the kind and level of abuse that a victim is going through.

In other words, the women victims of domestic violence choose to suffer and bear the agony, violence and harassment rather than reporting it.

In absence of shelter homes, the victims of violence are made to live with their abuser. This not only affects the physical, mental and emotional well-being of a woman, but leaves an equal impact on the psyche and sensibilities of the children living in an abusive environment.

Some say the discrimination against women in the housing sphere is the result of the predominance of customary laws and practices which discriminate against women, lack of access to remedies, information or decision-making processes and lack of awareness of rights.

The World Health Organization reports that the proportion of women who had ever experienced physical or sexual violence or both by an intimate partner ranged from 15% to 71%, with the majority between 29% and 62%. In an unconventional society like Kashmir, if a woman tries live in a rented accommodation as there are no shelter homes, they are often subjected to intense character assassination, and are often refused to be accepted back in the household.

The government, which is constitutionally bound to protect her, must step up to fulfil its duty. There is already a legislation— The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The establishment of shelter homes, as mandated by the Act would play a prominent role in the efficacious implementation of the social welfare legislation.

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme: J&K submits DPRs to GoI for approval, action plan cleared by AC

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

17/03/2022

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme: J&K submits DPRs to GoI for approval, action plan cleared by AC

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: In a significant move, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has submitted the detailed project reports (DPRs) under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to the Centre for approval.

Details available with The Precious Kashmir reveal that DPRs have been submitted to the Ministry of Power, Government of India (GoI) for approval.

“The DPRs and action plan for the scheme have been cleared by the UT distribution reforms committee headed by Chief Secretary and the action plan for implementation of the scheme has been approved by UT administrative council headed by Lieutenant Governor,” reads the report.

The CS-headed Union Territory Distribution Reforms Committee comprise of administrative secretaries of Finance Department, Power Development Department, Forest and Revenue Departments as its members.

As per its terms of reference, the panel will review the progress of the scheme at the UT level and recommend the action plan to the administrative Council for approval.

The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has been approved by the Government of India to help DISCOMS (Power Distribution Companies) improve their operational efficiencies and financial sustainability by providing result-linked financial assistance to DISCOMS to strengthen supply infrastructure based on meeting pre-qualifying criteria and achieving basic minimum benchmarks.

The scheme has an outlay of Rs 3,03, 758 Cr over five years i.e., FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26. The outlay includes an estimated government budgetary support (GBS) of Rs 97, 631 crore.

This scheme aims at reduction of aggregate technical & commercial (AT&C) losses, 100% pre-paid metering, reduction of average cost of supply and the average revenue realized (ACS-ARR) gap, developing modern distribution companies (DISCOMs) and leveraging artificial intelligence besides focus on operational efficiency.

3-years after up-gradation HSS Mantpora awaits teachers

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

17/03/2022

3-years after up-gradation HSS Mantpora awaits teachers

All 11 lecturers post, 8 vacancies of masters vacant

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: Painting a grim picture of the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, the lack of staff including lecturers and masters at Higher Secondary School Mantpora in Dooru area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district has left the students to lurch at large.

Upgraded as Higher Secondary School in 2019, the educational institute does not have any permanent lecturer to teach higher secondary classes with an enrollment of around 85 students.

A teacher posted at the HSS said that all the eleven sanctioned posts of lecturers for the HSS are lying vacant since its upgradation, thus forcing the students to suffer.

“Though the HSS offers admissions in all the streams including medical, non-medical and arts but not a single lecturer sanctioned for the institution is available to teach,” the teacher said.

Besides, eight sanctioned posts of masters for the higher secondary school are also lying vacant.

“At present, nine teacher grade staffers are working at the HSS out of whom only four are post graduates and rest either graduates or 10+2. It is these four teachers who have to teach the students of both secondary and higher secondary classes,” another teacher said.

The HSS also is headless since it was upgraded and the DDO powers of the institution lie with principals of other institutions from time to time.

“A teacher who is supposed to teach 9th and 10th classes has been asked to look after the school,” the official said.

Ironically, the Higher Secondary School also faces acute shortage of space not only making the students suffer but the teachers as well.

The HSS after being upgraded continues to function from the same old building with eight rooms.

“Out of eight rooms available, one is used as establishment section, another as computer laboratory cum clerical room, and two others as laboratory and principal office. Interestingly another room, the only spacious room which had been designated for Covid management during the second Covid wave continues to remain locked,” the official posted at the HSS said.

The staff posted at the school is left with three rooms only for over 150 students from four classes.

“We are now using principal office as class room for 11th and 12^th class students. It is a mockery in the name of education to have three classrooms in a higher secondary with all the three streams,” the official said.

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Anantnag did not respond to repeated calls from this newspaper.

However, an official in the education department while admitting the shortage of staff and space at the institution said that some subject specific teachers have been deputed to the said HSS who will be joining there in a day or two.

3 TRF militants killed in Sgr gunfight: Police

Front

Indo Asian News Service

17/03/2022

3 TRF militants killed in Sgr gunfight: Police

Srinagar: Three militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (TRF) were on Wednesday killed in an encounter by police and security forces in Srinagar, officials said on Wednesday.

As per the officials, the three were involved in the recent killing of Khanmoh Sarpanch Sameer Ahmad Bhat.

The police said that based on a specific input regarding the presence of militants in the Nowgam area of Srinagar, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the police and the army.

During the search operation, as the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately, which was retaliated effectively, leading to an encounter. Later on, the CRPF also joined the operation.

“In the ensuing encounter, three categorized militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter,” the police said.

The slain militants have been identified as Adil Nabi Teli from Galchibal Chandhara, Pampore; Shakir Ahmad Tantray from Ronipora Shopian; and Yasir Ahmad Wagay from Kujer Frisal, Kulgam.

“As per police records, the slain militants were affiliated to Lashkar-e-Taiba (TRF) and were active since last year. They were part of groups involved in several cases, including attack on police/security forces and civilian atrocities,” the police said.

Earlier, J&K Police quoting IGP Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar, tweeted: “Terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF involved in the recent killing of Khanmoh’s sarpanch Sameer Bhat trapped in Nowgam encounter.”

“Pertinently militant Adil Teli along with his associates was also involved in the killing of Inspector Pervaiz Ahmad Dar at Menganwari Nowgam on 22/06/2021, and the killing of Javaid Ahmed Malik at Lurgam Tral. Besides, he was also involved in a grenade attack on a joint party of police and CRPF at Barbarshah Srinagar in which one civilian was killed and three civilians were injured,” the police said.

“Similarly, militants Shakir Ahmad & Yasir Ahmad were involved in several cases including killing of ASI Mohammad Ashraf near PS Bijbehara, Anantnag, on 22/12/2021,” they added.

Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, three AK Magazines, 14 AK rounds, two pistols, four pistol magazines, and six pistol rounds, were recovered from the site of the encounter. (IANS)

AC restructures State Marriage Assistance Scheme

Front

Precious Kashmir

17/03/2022

Broadens scope to include all AAY, PHH beneficiaries

Jammu: The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Wednesday restructured the State Marriage Assistance Scheme to provide the benefits to all AAY and PHH families.

Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

As per the restructured scheme, any girl of legally marriageable age belonging to the families of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or Priority Household (PHH) ration card holders, will be eligible for one-time financial assistance of Rs. 50,000. The assistance will be given before her marriage, for which she will be required to apply at least one month in advance to the concerned District Social Welfare Officer.

The scheme requires the concerned District Social Welfare Officer to verify the details of the beneficiary regarding marital status, age and non-availing of benefits under other schemes like Ladli Beti, besides ensuring disbursement of the financial assistance before the date of marriage through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

To further promote girl child education in the targeted population, the additional eligibility of completing elementary education by the beneficiary before her marriage has been included. However, to provide smooth transition in this regard, a grace period of three years, i.e., upto 31.03.2025 is being provided.

Earlier, the benefits under the scheme were limited only to the girls of marriageable age who figured in the poor girls survey, especially conducted for this purpose by the Social Welfare Department.

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