Precious Kashmir

5,800 NGOs failed to renew FCRA registration on time: Govt

National

09/02/2022

5,800 NGOs failed to renew FCRA registration on time: Govt

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday told Lok Sabha that they have not denied renewal of licences to about 6,000 organisations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), rather the registration deemed to have ceased as they failed to apply within stipulated time.”

In fact, about 5,800 FCRA registered associations had not submitted their applications for renewal within stipulated time in accordance with the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010,” Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

FCRA registration of these associations was thus deemed to have ceased as per section 12 of the FCRA, 2010.

The Minister said that in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government had given certain relaxations to NGOs so that welfare programmes and Covid related relief works were not affected. “Validity of registration certificates of NGOs expiring between September 29, 2020 to December 31, 2021 has been extended till December 31, 2021. The validity has been further extended with certain conditions up to March 31, 2022. Time period to file Annual Returns for the year 2019-20 was extended by six months i.e. till June 30, 2021,” the Minister’s written reply read.

Responding to the question whether the Government has recently restored or granted FCRA registration to some charity organisations, the Minister said Section 32 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 provides for revision by the Central Government of any order passed in a proceeding against any association registered under the Act. The application for revision is considered and disposed of on merits under the
above provision of the Act.

“Since November, 2021 the FCRA certificate of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), New Delhi and Missionaries of Charity (MoC), Kolkata was renewed by way of revision,” the Minister added.

CS chairs Steering Committee meeting of CAMPA

City

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

CS chairs Steering Committee meeting of CAMPA

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Tuesday chaired the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to review achievements registered under the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs).

At the outset, Dr. Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests gave an overview of the major initiatives of the Government including Green J&K Drive, Har Gaon Haryali, creation of livelihoods from forests, eco-tourism and major achievements of department during the current year.

It was informed that during the last two years, CAMPA has increased its activities by almost three-fold. Against an average annual coverage of 5000 ha till 2019-20, the Department will be covering rehabilitation of about 14000 ha area in the current financial year and about 18000 ha in the next financial year. Besides, each work under CAMPA has been given unique ID to ensure its execution, monitoring and maintenance for effective outcome.

It was further informed that detailed site-specific plans along with their location maps for rehabilitation of degraded forests have been prepared for the next financial year using CAMPA portal. The rehabilitation plan includes protective fencing and planting of about 1.70 crore plants, highest ever in history of J&K. The plan also includes broadcast of 25.18 lakh seed balls and sowing in 40.59 lakh patches and 10.21 lakh dibbles as low cost afforestation measures.

Furthermore, various soil conservation measures like dry rubble stone masonary, crates and water harvesting structures/ponds have been proposed to give a fillip to eco-restoration efforts. For protection of forest lands from encroachment, 23,500 new boundary pillars are proposed to be erected during 2022-23.

The proposed plan lays special emphasis on eco-restoration of Kandi areas in Jammu as well as Kashmir region and augmentation of grass and fodder production. The Wildlife Protection Department will be working towards improvement of wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation works, maintenance of animal rescue centres, eco-development activities and development of wildlife related infrastructure.

During the meeting PCCF informed that 100 biggest encroachments on forest land have been removed and more than 23000 kanals of land have been recovered from the encroachers.

The Chief Secretary asked the Department to prioritize modernization through remote sensing and GIS tools for preparation of digital maps, equipment like, CCTV, Drones, Camera traps, GPS for more efficient functioning.

Dr. Mehta directed the Forest Department to take action for enhancing livelihood from forests, establish deeper connect with Panchayats, and rehabilitate degraded forests in a time bound manner, besides laying special focus on forest conservation, forest fire mitigation and plantation of 1.7 crore trees. He also emphasized on fodder production and water conservation.

On the occasion, publications on ‘Wetlands in Forest Areas of J&K’, ‘Forest Trek Routes’, ‘Calendar highlighting Forest Recreation and Other Interventions’, ‘Asian Waterbird Census in Jammu & Kashmir’, pamphlet on ‘Pine Needles to Handicraft’, and documentary on ‘Van Se Jal: Jal Se Jeevan’ were also released.

EJAC leaders call on CS, present charter of demands

City

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

Srinagar: A high level delegation of Employees Joint Action Committee Jammu Kashmir (EJAC) met Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta at Civil Secretariat Srinagar.

The delegation led by President, Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam, raised several issues confronted by the employees of the Union Territory and also presented a charter of demands concerning the employees.

The meeting, which was conducted in a congenial atmosphere, lasted for more than one and a half hours.

The issues faced by the employees of JKUT were thoroughly elaborated before the chair.

Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta gave patient hearing to the issues and assured the delegation about their speedy resolution.

Reassuring complete support to the officer in all endeavours aimed at taking Jammu Kashmir to the zenith of success and development, the delegation lauded the administrative insight coupled with the pro-employee attitude of the administration.

Shabnam thanked the officer for his keenness to work on the issues faced by the employees. The meeting emanated optimism and anticipated that under the administrative leadership of A. K. Mehta, Jammu & Kashmir will scale new heights.

The delegation hoped that besides embarking on new developmental paths, the officer will initiate measures for the redressal of some long pending demands so that the employees have a sigh of relief.

Several issues confronted by the employees highlighted during the meeting include regularization of daily wagers, sanction of minimum wages Act in favour of daily wagers, grant of Rs 7450—225-11500 (pre-revised) grade to all the employees working in the grade of 6500-10500 (pre-revised) on the analogy of Section officers vide SRO 259 dated 18-07-2007 and Assistant Accounts Officers vide SRO – as already agreed in the agreement, grade at par with other Union Territories, accountability of DDOs, general transfer of employees after rendering of service for two years at a place especially in Education, Health and medical Education and Forest Departments.

The other demands include transfer policy in favour Rehbar Taleem Teachers and promotion of teachers, confirmation of officers in Education and other departments, calling of the “In-Charge” system forthwith and ensuring full-fledged Charge right at the time of promotion, filling up of the vacancies available in different departments immediately, release of pending salaries of ITI employees of District Srinagar and resolve the long pending issue of reverification of 2274 employees of Health and Medical Education Department working since 22 years now.

Chief Secretary assured the delegation that these issues would be taken up on a fast track basis.

All the leaders thanked the officer for his sympathetic attitude towards the employees. Besides the President (EJAC), others who attended the meeting include M. Altaf Handoo, Tariq Ahmad Sofi, Arsalan Habib, Bashir Ahmad Thoker, Nazir Ahmad and others.

People said quit cricket, drive auto with your father: Siraj recalls poor 2019 IPL season

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

09/02/2022

People said quit cricket, drive auto with your father: Siraj recalls poor 2019 IPL season

New Delhi: India pacer Mohammed Siraj has revealed that people asked him to “quit cricket and drive auto” with his father after a poor 2019 IPL season, making him think that his career in the cash-rich league was over.

In the 2019 IPL season, Siraj played nine matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), conceding runs at an economy of 9.55 and taking a mere seven wickets. He hit the nadir in a game against the Kolkata Knight Riders when he conceded five sixes and 36 runs in 2.2 overs of bowling before he was forced out of the attack after bowling two beamers.

The pacer had also dropped Chris Lynn early in the chase and RCB went on to lose the game despite having scored 205 batting first and he was subject to serious criticism in the aftermath of the defeat.

“When I bowled those two beamers against KKR, people said ‘quit cricket and go back and drive autos with your father’,” Siraj told The RCB Podcast.

“There were so many such comments. And people don’t see the struggle behind all this. But I remember when I first got selected how Mahi bhai [MS Dhoni] told me to not listen to everything the people have to say about me. ‘You do well today and they’ll praise you and when you don’t the same people will abuse you. So don’t ever take it seriously’.

“And yes, the same people, who trolled me incessantly back then, say ‘you’re the best bowler bhai’. So, I know. I don’t want anybody’s opinion. I’m the same Siraj I was back then,” he added.

Incidentally, it was again a game against KKR which lifted Siraj’s IPL fortunes. He ran through the Knight Riders with figures of 3 for 8 in 2020, also becoming the first bowler to bowl two maiden overs in the history of the tournament.

“2019 the performance with RCB was so bad that I thought that’s the end of my IPL career,” the pacer said.

“But then I realised that I still have age on my side. So I decided to trust myself a bit and thankfully the RCB management also backed me a lot at that time. I almost thought any franchise in their position would have let go of a bowler after that kind of performance, but they backed me and then 2020 the game against KKR was a life-changing game for me,” he added.

Siraj is one of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s retained players along with Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, going into the next IPL cycle and ahead of the mega auction.

Nitians career institute bags top 10 positions

City

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

Srinagar: Nitians’ career Institute, the leading coaching Institute of downtown Srinagar bagged top 10 positions (Science stream) in the whole Valley including state topper Arusa Parvaiz.

Student of Kashmir Harward Aroosa Parvaiz from Elahi Bagh Srinagar, secured 1st position with 99.8% in the Medical stream

All 10 positions have been bagged by girls from downtown Srinagar. Management NITIANS’ career Institute congratulates all the state toppers for their outstanding performance, as well as faculty for hard work and dedication. (KNT)

War against drugs: UFHI announces best award for DySP hqrs Pulwama

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

Srinagar: Deputy Superintendent, headquarters for Pulwama has been selected by the youth for human rights international for the best award for his war against drug abuse.

The youth for human rights international has selected four important personalities of the country for the best Award of the Year 2021 for their social, moral and national services.

In this regard, the said Human rights international has selected Sheikh Muhammad Shafi, DSP Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir Police, for his outstanding role in fight against drugs.

While Pulwama police have seized drugs worth millions in drive against drugs in the last few months, the police have also exposed this nefarious smuggling by putting dozens of smugglers behind bars.

Official sources said that it was the result of the efforts of DSP Headquarters that at present the drug abuse in Pulwama has been brought under control by more or less 70%.

Talking to reports, the locals said that the many youth in Pulwama district in general and the town and its adjoining areas in particular consider the drug trade as their legal business.

“But it is Dy SP headquarter Pulwama who waged a war against such drug peddlers and traders. He is committed to fight the menace till end,” locals said.

Police facilitates PCPG meeting in Gbl

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

Srinagar: As a part of Public outreach programme, a Police Community Partnership Group (PCPG) meeting was facilitated by Ganderbal Police at Police Station Kangan. The meeting was held while following social distancing norms and other protocols.

A police spokesman said that the meeting was conducted on the directions of SSP Ganderbal Nikhil Borkar and was chaired by SHO Police Station Kangan.

The meeting was attended by members of trade union Baapar Mandal, Shopkeepers of Kangan and general people of the area.

During the meeting, the participants raised various issues including drug menace and other issues. The chairing officer assured them that their genuine grievances pertaining to Police will be resolved on priority while as the issues pertaining to civil administration will be taken up with concerned authorities for their early redressal.

While addressing the participants, the chairing officer requested them to co-operate with Police and administration in maintaining law & order in the area and in identifying anti-national & anti-social elements. The shopkeepers of the area were also briefed to install the CCTV cameras in the premises of their shops.

The participants in the meeting assured their full co-operation to Police in tackling social evils and also appreciated the efforts of Police in facilitating community interaction meets where participants express their opinions freely.

DIPR condoles demise of Ashok’s mother

City

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

Srinagar: Director Information and Public Relations, Rahul Pandey and staff of the department Tuesday condoled the demise of mother of Ashok Sharma, Assistant Information Officer and former Assistant Director Information B. D Sharma.

Director conveyed deep sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the soul and courage for the family members to bear this irreparable loss.

The DIPR staff also offered their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Pen-Paper Exam

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

09/02/2022

The insistence of some students of universities and colleges regarding online examinations against proper pen-paper test amid significant decline in COVID-19 is needless. There is growing concern worldwide that the coronavirus infection must not impact teaching or examinations now.

The scenario is different from the first wave. Doing away with examination and choosing a formula that uses best past performance of students or assignment based evaluation was worked out as the situation demanded it. Then, the most educational institutions, if not all, showed commendable alacrity in devising the alternatives to evaluate students in the circumstances which were exceptional. Incalculable risks were involved including threat to life and as such the alternative mode had to be devised to evaluate the students to ensure their career progression.

Since then the situation has changed for the better. 3^rd wave is only declining. Instead of protesting for online examinations, the students should concentrate on examinations. Hardline approach on their part does not cohere with the contemporary pandemic situation. There is no doubt that online mode of education is no way substitute to in-person teaching and students have not been able to prepare as they would in pre-covid era.

The world suffered heavy loss on many fronts during the pandemics and the loss on the academic front is undoubtedly the one that cannot be compensated. The institutions not only lost the number of working days but had to shift to an online mode of teaching and examination. This shift to online mode indeed offered some advantages but the institutions faced some serious issues in such shifts.

The Kashmir University is right that online examinations will not be in the academic interest of students.

The students must understand the genuine concerns of the University and prepare themselves for offline examination as most of the universities in the country have either started offline examinations or are preparing for the same.

At the same time, the authorities should reduce the syllabus but core concepts should be retained. In doing so, the authorities should keep in mind that the reduction in the syllabus should be seen as easing the exam-related anxiety among students. It would also prevent learning gaps created by the pandemic situation. The pandemic has caused a devastating sense of emotional damage, anxiety, and uncertainty among students. There is a need to address various issues systematically.

LG launches Single Window Clearance System

Front

Precious Kashmir

08/02/2022

LG launches Single Window Clearance System

J&K at new stage in its development trajectory
130 industrial services made online; more than 160 services to be integrated this year
J&K – first UT to be integrated with the National Single Window System
Now global investors can apply for all their business approvals

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday launched J&K Single Window Clearance System – www.singlewindow.jk.gov.in and its integration with the National Single Window system here at Raj Bhawan.

As many as 130 industrial services have been made online on a single window system & more than 160 services would be integrated this year.

The Lt Governor reiterated Government’s commitment to strengthen the industrial ecosystem in a manner that the benefits percolate to all sections of our society in Jammu & Kashmir.

J&K Single Window Clearance System is a historic move by the UT Government to facilitate investments in J&K. We are ensuring ‘Ease of Doing Business’ & ‘Ease of Living’ through minimum regulatory compliance burden, the Lt Governor said.

J&K is the first UT to be integrated with the National Single Window System. Now global investors can apply for all their business approvals in J&K through the National Single Window system, he added.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister and Home Minister for bringing industrial reforms in J&K, the Lt Governor said that in the last one year, since the launch of the new Industrial development scheme, our policies have evolved to make Jammu & Kashmir more competitive and lucrative for industries and service enterprises.

“These reforms have helped us receive investment proposals worth Rs.70,000 Crore in different sectors within a year,” he added.

After years of poor performance in industrialization, Jammu & Kashmir is at a new stage in its development trajectory. Focused attention is being given to the growth of dynamic sectors including real estate, horticulture and tourism so as to create increased employment opportunities, said the Lt Governor

The Lt Governor observed that the J&K Government is taking reformative measures for linking Jammu & Kashmir into a web of partnership with the domestic and foreign companies and ensuring global best practices in our regulatory institutions and systems.

We are strengthening J&K’s power & road infrastructure, improving connectivity and law & order situation. We have launched a massive program costing about Rs. One Lakh Crore to upgrade our infrastructure,” the Lt Governor said.

There is an air of optimism and I am fully convinced of positive outcomes, he added.

Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary said that the administration is making constant efforts to be among top performers in Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living, and bring fundamental change in the socio-economic ecosystem.

He emphasized on monthly progress review meetings with all stakeholder departments involved, ensuring successful implementation of G2B & G2C services on ground. Further, he added that all services shall be covered under the ambit of J&K Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011.

Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to J&K Government, Industries & Commerce Department briefed the chair about the key features of the J&K Single Window system.

J&K Single Window System has emerged as a “One Stop Solution” for investors/applicants ensuring hassle free services, he added.

It was informed that the Integrated Single Window System will facilitate new investments locally & globally either through National Single Window System or through J&K Single Window System (www.singlewindow.jk.gov.in) with user friendly interfaces and timely approvals.

Department of Industries & Commerce being the nodal department shall coordinate with all departments of Government of J&K for successful compliance of Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 2022 and Regulatory Compliance Burden (RCB) 2022.

J&K Government envisages 100% on ground implementation of Ease of Doing Business & Ease of Living initiatives through UT/Division/District Level feedback improvement campaigns. It also focuses on creating a healthy competition among departments and districts to have the best MIS dashboard (approval timelines) with zero pendency and timely redressal of grievances.

It was informed that 130+ services are hosted online through Single Window Portal and more than 2600 burdensome regulatory compliances have been identified and uploaded on RCB portal, GoI before the deadline (31st January 2022).

Short films on “New Jammu & Kashmir vision & development”, “J&K Single Window (JK-SW) System” & “Integrated National Single Window System (NSWS)” were showcased on the occasion.

Sumita Dawra, Additional Secretary, DPIIT, GoI Additional Secretary DPIIT, GoI said that the integration of J&K Single Window system with the National Single Window system will enable the investors to know the preliminary clearances (Know Your Approvals) on a single click and can apply services either through NSWS and JKSWS.

Prerna Puri, Secretary to Government, IT Department; Anoo Malhotra, Director, I&C, Jammu; Smita Sethi, Managing Director, SIDCO; Shrawan Pathak, Team Leader EoDB; Kanav Kapahi, Senior Consultant; SICOP IT Team members and other concerned officials were present on the occasion, in person and through virtual mode.

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