Audit reveals scheme not in line with PMDP guidelines

By: Jahangeer Ganie

Srinagar: The Chief Minister’s Business Interest Relief Scheme (CMBIRS) announced by the previous PDP-BJP government has come under scanner, with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India pointing out that the scheme was not as per the guidelines of the interest subvention scheme of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for J&K.

In its report, the CAG has revealed the scheme was not as per the guidelines of the interest subvention scheme of the PMDP. “An amount of Rs 180 crore received from the Government of India and payment made to beneficiaries under CMBIRS towards commitment of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir made during budget session of 2018-19, was not as per the guidelines of the interest subvention scheme of the PMDP,” reads the report.

The report also reveals ten out of 19 major beneficiaries were not at all affected during flood of September 2014 and they had been restructured only after the unrest of 2016 under special rehabilitation package.

“Further scrutiny of records (revealed that out of release of Rs 190.20 crore to Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited , Rs 41.32 crore was provided to only 19 borrowers .Further, out of these 19 borrowers, accounts of ten borrowers to whom benefit of interest subvention of Rs 21.02 crore had been provided (between March 2018 and March 2019), were not at all affected during flood of September 2014 and they had been restructured only after the unrest of 2016 under special rehabilitation package,” the report states.

These 19 beneficiaries, as per the CAG report, include Peak Auto Private Limited (Rs 5.73 crore), HK Cement Industries Limited( Rs 4.48 crore), Khyber Industries Pvt Limited (Rs 2.60 cr), Tramboo Industries Pvt Ltd (Rs 2.89 cr), Peak Auto Jammu Pvt Ltd (Rs 2.80 cr), Saifco Cements Pvt Ltd (Rs 2.00 cr), Jamkash Vehicleades (Rs 2.14 cr), Shuhul Automobiles (Rs 1.52 cr), Himalayan Rolling Steel Industries Pvt Ltd ( Rs 4.02 cr), Peaks Agro Warehousing Pvt Ltd (Rs 2.00 cr), J&K Cements limited (Rs 1.84 cr ), Fruit Preservers Partners ( Rs 0.89 Cr), Kashmir Premium Apples Pvt Ltd (Rs 1.32 Cr), Iqbal Motor Transport Services (Rs 1.10 Cr), Kashmir Fruit Preservers Partners (Rs 0.89 Cr), Kashmir Premium Apples Pvt Ltd (1.32 Cr), Gravity Concrete Solutions Pvt Ltd (Rs 1.01 Cr ), Shaheen Agro Fresh Pvt Ltd (Rs 1.36 Cr), Hassan Road Construction Co. Pvt. Limited (Rs 0.69 cr), Pinnacle Resorts Pvt Limited (Rs 2.09 cr) and HN Agriserve Pvt limited ( Rs 0.84 cr).

The CAG report further states that the Joint Director (Resources), Finance department stated in August 2020 that sanction was accorded (March 2018) for roll out of CMBIRS as per announcement made by the then Finance Minister in his budget speech 2018-19 and that the verification of genuine beneficiaries vested with JKBL.

“The reply confirmed that funds released by the GoI were diverted by the Government of J&K for its own commitment and not for payment under the scheme of interest subvention,” reads the report. (KNO)

New Delhi: The Tri-Service Court of Inquiry probing the December 8, 2021 chopper crash involving CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and 13 others has found that the helicopter entered into clouds due to unexpected change in weather, which led to spatial disorientation of the pilot causing the accident, the Indian Air Force said in a statement on Friday.

The inquiry panel, headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh with officers of the Indian Army and Indian Navy in the team, has submitted its preliminary findings into the Mi-17 V5 accident, added the IAF.

“The inquiry team analysed the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.

“The Court of Inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of accident,” it added.

The IAF has termed the unexpected change in weather conditions to be the main reason for disorientation of the pilot resulting in Controlled Flight into Terrain, confirming the report earlier.

IAF further said that the inquiry panel, based on the findings, has made certain recommendations (for future VVIP travel), which are being reviewed.

Earlier, the Tri-Service Court of Inquiry had given a detailed presentation to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on January 5 in presence of IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.

Gen Bipin Rawat, held as the country’s most celebrated Army officer, died near Coonoor on December 8 afternoon, together with his wife Madhulika Rawat, his senior most staff officer Brig LS Lidder and Lt Col Harjinder Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Naik Vivek Kumar, Naik B. Sai Teja, Havaldar Satpal and pilots flying the aircraft.

The chopper had taken off from the Sulur IAF station and it was flying to Wellington when it crashed. (UNI)

Every landholder to be provided passbooks online by Aug 15

Jammu: As a major initiative towards good governance and ease of convenience to the citizens, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Friday launched trilingual Land Pass Books in Hindi, Urdu and English making it an easy and simple document for reference and record.

Dr Mehta termed the initiative a historical step towards transparency and good governance. He complimented the Revenue, IT and Law departments for making this facility a possibility in a very short time. He asked them to dedicate the facility to all the landowners of the UT by the Independence Day this year.

He maintained that this document will decipher the revenue information to land owners in a very lucid form besides acting as a valid paper to present before financial and other institutions. He felicitated the farmers who received this vital document on the occasion.

The CS handed over Land Pass Books to landowners of village Chak Lal Din of Tehsil Jammu West of district Jammu and village Bagh-e-Mehtab of Tehsil Chanpora of district Srinagar respectively.

It was revealed that the Land Pass Books issued to landholders contains entry from the Jamabandi in revenue estate, so as to enable the landholder to make its use for credit facilities and for other matters connected therewith. It was therefore called a tool for redressal of different grievances, litigations, disputes at various forums and for reference.

It was also stated that the Land Pass Book prescribed by the Revenue Department is true to the record and can be generated online by landholder without visiting a Patwari or Tehsildar or any Revenue office thereby saving his time and energy.

With scanning and digitization of land records already under implementation for the convenience of citizens and under good governance initiative the department has also framed the Jammu and Kashmir Land Passbook Rules-2022 for online issuance of Land Passbook.

As far as its legality is concerned the Pass Book is an evidently valid entity carrying same evidentiary value as if being certified copies of Record-of-Rights (Misli Haqiat) for all intents and purposes before courts and financial institutions. It is an authoritative document for grant of financial assistance by a financial institution thereby saving the farmer from visiting revenue offices for securing fards and extracts.

Moreover the farmers were encouraged to provide their Aadhar and Mobile numbers for generating this document online by 15th of August this year. It was also stated that the Pass Books are being rolled out gradually in the areas where land records stand digitized. Seeding of Aadhar and Mobile numbers of landholders in the database will enhance transparency and help  citizens in generation of Land Pass Books online, as was informed in the gathering.

Besides the DDC Chairpersons from Reasi and Kishtwar the ceremony was attended by Financial Commissioner, Revenue; Principal Secretary, GAD; Commissioner Secretary, RDD; Commissioner Secretary, Revenue; Secretary Law; Commissioner, Survey & Land Records; and many other officers and officials of the department.

Meanwhile, DC Srinagar handed over the pass books to landowners at Srinagar and all other DCs participated in the event through video conferencing.

Srinagar: Director School Education Kashmir has ordered termination of services of nine teachers for unauthorized absence.

The teachers include Aijaz Ahmad Bhat (GPS Shuloora Kupwara), Saima Gani (teacher BHSS Zadibal Srinagar), Suhail Anees (Teacher BHS Nawagabra Kupwara), Mohammad Rafiq Khan, (RReT MS Fraw GAnderbal),Sheetal Bhat (Teacher PM’s package, posted in BHSS Kupwara), Nazia Mushtaq (BHS Laderwan Kupwara), Arumeall Koul, Ranjeet Kour (Teacher HS Kralweth Baramulla) and Sunil Kumar Raina who was appointed in the department as teacher under PM package and subsequently posted in MS Moti Mohalla Nishat Srinagar but “remained unauthorizedly absent from duties from 1 November 2017.”

Apparently speaking orders have been issued against all. One of the orders for example, regarding Kour reads that she applied for 06 months extra ordinary leave w.e.f. 28/04/2014 with station permission to proceed to United States of America (outside the country).  “In-anticipation of station leave permission/sanction of leave from the competent authority, the teacher proceeded outside the country United States of America and as such remained un-authorisedly absent from her legitimate duties w.e.f. 28/04/2014,” reads the order.

“The teacher was provided opportunities by the DDO concerned to resume her duties which she failed,” the order reads, adding, “the issue was brought into the notice of this Directorate by CEO Baramulla on 19/10/2020.”

Accordingly, the order reads, the teacher was served a notice by this office on 18 May 2021 followed by a joint show cause notice on 06 July 2021, wherein she was provided opportunity to present herself before this Directorate along with statement of defense within 07 days from the date of issuance of notice. “Neither the teacher presented herself before this Directorate nor responded to these repeated notices,” the order reads, adding, “(this indicates) that she is not interested to work in this Department.” (GNS)

New Delhi: Union Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Friday said the government is committed to make India Meteorological Department a world class organisation for better delivery of weather services to cater to global needs.

“India has taken a lead in Asian continent to provide Weather and Climate services to South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle East countries,” said the ministry, while addressing a gathering of scientists and officials to mark the 147th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department here.

Singh said that severe weather forecasting being provided to many countries since 2016 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come a long way and proved handy to countries like Nepal and Bangladesh in fighting the severe climatic disasters.

Referring to ISRO’s SAARC Satellite, the Minister said that in the coming days, IMD will re-orient its weather and climate services in most modern ways to cater to global needs.

“The severe weather forecasting being provided to many countries since 2016 under Prime Minister Modi has come a long way and proved handy to countries like Nepal and Bangladesh in fighting severe climatic disasters,” the Minster said.

Referring to about 20-40 improvement in accuracy of severe weather warning by IMD in recent five years as compared to previous five years, Singh said the forecast of high temperature and heat wave condition well in advance resulted in significant reduction in the number of deaths due to heat wave in subsequent years.

He also called upon all the agencies for zero heat related mortality in coming years.

Singh said the scientific temper and outlook of the Prime Minister has proved a boon for upgrading the country’s weather forecasting and climate services, along with providing latest computing capabilities and infrastructure.

The Minister also virtually inaugurated a doppler radar each at Leh in Ladakh, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

M Mohapatra, DG, IMD, said the flash floods and urban floods in the recent years have posed new threats to the society and IMD has initiated adequate measures like installing Doppler Weather Radars in hilly areas of Western Himalayas and major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

“IMD plans to put up such radars in other cities and NE states during the next five years. It has urban flood warning system for Chennai and Mumbai and flash flood guidance for 30,000 water sheds in the country,” he added.

Srinagar: Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, shall remain open for only one-way traffic on Saturday, officials said here.

“Tomorrow, subject to fair weather and better road condition, LMVS passengers/private cars shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar (strictly one way) on Jammu-Srinagar highway and shall be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) at 0900 hours to 1300 hours and from Jakheni Udhampur at 1000 hours to 1400 hours,” a traffic department official said here in a statement.

“Subject to change depending on the road position then) TCU Jammu liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic. No Vehicle shall be allowed before and after the cut off timings.”

The thoroughfare remained shut on Thursday and on Wednesday it was closed shortly after traffic was restored for movement of stranded passenger light-medium vehicles (LMVs) this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

Also, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said.

Srinagar: Srinagar police on Friday filed a case against a Kupwara resident for allegedly involved in spreading false propaganda, disinformation campaign and hate speech through these social media spaces.

A police spokesman said that it was reliably learnt that Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, son of Late Ghulam Hassan Untoo of Diver Lolab Kupwara A/P Kursoo Rajbagh, a proactive secessionist is an active participant and speaker at Twitter spaces titled “Radio Resistance Kashmir” led by two known secessionists namely Muzammil Ayyub Thakur and Dr. Asif Dar.

“These known secessionists, who are accused in several cases along with Ahsan Untoo are actively spreading hatred against the Union of India on the social media platform,” police said.

“By spreading false propaganda, disinformation campaign and hate speech through these social media spaces, Untoo is not only threatening to disturb the prevailing peaceful atmosphere of UT of J&K but spreads disaffection, ill-will and disharmony against the Union of India. He is also actively spreading the terrorist secessionist agenda and is thus inciting youth to resort to violence and indulge in unlawful activities.”

As the aforementioned activities by Untoo amounts to commission of cognizable offence by him, accordingly Srinagar Police while taking the cognizance matter registered a case against him under relevant sections of the law, police said.

The investigation into the matter has been initiated and accused has been arrested who is on Police remand. Further action under law shall follow, police said.

Srinagar: Director SKIMS, Prof. Parvaiz A. Koul Friday took urgent virtual meeting with the members of the Advisory and Core Committee to review the status of COVID-19 cases.

The Advisory Committee decided that there will be full compliance to government order with regard to closure of OPD’s and Elective Surgeries.

However, SKIMS will continue with Tele-Consultations and emergency surgeries which will be prioritized by concerned consultants and other required services. Those patients that are in need of OPD Consultation after Tele-Consultation will be provided the services and managed accordingly. However, there would be strict adherence to the COVID guidelines.

Director SKIMS instructed that the critical areas like testing, oxygen supply, masks and other required facilities should be continuously monitored by the concerned officers and all processes with regard to purchase of any supplies like testing kits, masks etc should be expedited and purchased on war-footing basis.

He further instructed Medical Superintendent SKIMS to closely monitor the critical service areas and ensure uninterrupted services to the patients and directed all HOD’s to make rational use of human resources to limit the exposure of healthcare workers.

It was also decided considering the transmissibility of the new “Omicron variant” there is an immediate need of a Triage Center in the emergency area to segregate the patients and contain the further spread of the infection. Medical Superintendent, SKIMS with HOD, Emergency Medicine, SKIMS will coordinate and have it operational immediately.