Jammu: In a significant move, the Administrative Council (AC), which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the waiver/exemption of fifty percent (50%) of Passenger Tax chargeable on various vehicles from 1st April, 2020 to 31st March, 2021.

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.

The decision will address the genuine demand of the operators of commercial transport who have suffered losses on account of COVID-19 induced nation-wide lockdown and restrictions leading to non-operationalization of the public transport.

For owners of commercial vehicles, who have already deposited the passenger tax for aforesaid period in full, the excess amount paid thereof by them shall be adjusted against the liability accrued or accruable in the next financial year i.e for the time period of 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

Jammu: The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the strengthening of Corporations under the administrative control of the Power Development Department by creating various posts in view of the unbundling of the Department.

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.

AC sanctioned the creation of 64 posts at various levels in the J&K Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (9), J&K Power Corporation Ltd. (16), Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (18), and Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (21). These newly created posts include Managing Directors, Executive Directors, Law Officers, Administrative Officers, Secretaries, Account Officers, Public Relations Officers, etc.

Further, the Power Development Department was directed to notify respective Recruitment Rules at the earliest to speed up recruitment against the new posts.

Additionally, the Administrative Council also approved the creation of 09 posts under different categories in the J&K Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO), Department of Industries and Commerce. These posts include Managing Director, Financial Advisor/CAO, General Manager (GM) Operations and Administration, Manager (Branding & Marketing/ Exports), Company Secretary, Assistant Manager (Branding & Marketing), Assistant Manager (Exports), Accountant, and Personal Assistant.

The Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization is the nodal agency for investment promotion in the Union territory by engaging with various national and international stakeholders and serves as the reference point of the J&K administration. The newly created posts will serve the manpower need of the organization to efficiently address investment-related issues towards boosting industry-led employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar: A Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant was killed in a gunfight at Shopian, a day after he shot at and wounded a police officer, officials said.

Umar Ishfaq Malik alias Musa of Bongam Shopian, who was allegedly involved in an attack on an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police on Tuesday, was killed in a gun battle in Nadigam village in Shopian district when joint teams of security forces were carrying out a cordon and a search operation.

“As the joint search party proceeded towards a suspected spot, the hidden militant fired indiscriminately, leading to an encounter,” a police spokesman said. The fighting left the militant dead.

He said Umar Malik was linked to the Hizb.

“The killed militant was a categorized militant and was active since 2020. He was involved in several cases including recent attack on ASI Shabir Ahmad at Amishijipora Shopian while he was returning back from a mosque after offering prayers,” the spokesman said.

Police said the slain militant was also instrumental in motivating youth to join the militant ranks. “Besides, he provided logistic and other support to the militants in the area,” he added.

Police said incriminating materials and arms were recovered from the site of encounter.

This year, the security forces have stepped up anti-militant operations across Kashmir. Last month, 21 militants including some top commanders were killed in gunfights in Kashmir. (UNI)

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Wednesday informed the parliament that in 541 militant incidents a total of 439 militants were killed while 98 civilians and 109 security forces personnel lost their lives between August 05, 2019 to January 2022.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was responding to the queries raised in the ongoing session of parliament.

The queries raised include the number of militant incidents in J&K since the abrogation of article 370 and the number of civilians and security forces personnel who have lost their lives.

Responding to the queries, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Nityananad Rai responded to the queries saying that during militant incidents no significant public property has been damaged.

In a written reply to the parliament, the MoS said that after the repeal of Article 370 till January 26, 2022, in a total of 541 militant incidents 439 militants were killed.

The Union Minister told the House that a total of 98 civilians and 109 security forces personnel have lost their lives during the same period.

He also stated that during these incidents no significant public property has been damaged. “However, damages to private property of rupees 5.3 crores (Approx) have been asserted,” the MoS said in the written reply. (KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said it has arrested the main accused allegedly involved in throwing acid on a girl in the old city. The co -accused in the case and a motor mechanic were also been arrested in the case.

The arrests were made on Tuesday, police said.

The main accused Sajid Altaf Rather, a resident of Buchwara Dalgate had been stalking the girl, police said.

on Tuesday evening, acid was thrown at a-24 -year-old girl in Hawal area of Srinagar injuring her. The girl was taken to hospital for treatment. The incident evoked strong reaction with people seeking immediate arrest of the accused.

A case was registered in Police Station Nowhatta.

A Special Investigation Team with SP North Raja Zuhaib- as Chairman and Sub Divisional Police Officer Khanyar, Station House Officer Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women Police Station as members was immediately constituted by the Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar to probe the heinous crime. .

“During the initial field investigations and technical analysis, the name of one suspect came up which led to the apprehension of the main accused namely Sajid Altaf Rather . SIT arrested this main accused as his role came into prominence,” a police statement said.

“During the initial questioning, it came out that this accused was having interest in the girl and since she had rejected his engagement proposal, he had been stalking her. The arrested accused had taken note of the timings of the girl long before this attack,” he said.

The accused, police said, used to work in a medical shop and on Tuesday evening, he took a break from work and went on a Scooty towards the place where the girl used to work alongwith a co-accused Momin Nazir Sheikh of Mehjoornagar.

“On Victim’s way back home in the late evening, she was followed and acid was thrown on her and afterwards the accused ran away and went back to his shop. This second accused was also arrested when more evidence in case came up,” police said.

The scooty used in the commissioning of this heinous crime was also seized by Police.

“The accused had purchased the acid  from one of his knowns Mohammad Saleem of Padshai Bagh, a motor mechanic who works at international motors near Durga nath near Dal Gate area. This third accused person has also been arrested for his further examination,” he said.

Legal Process was also initiated for sealing this workshop as one of its employees had sold acidic material in violation of Supreme Court guidelines.

This shop was sealed following due procedure by the Executive Magistrate.