Precious Kashmir

After J&K, Ladakh begins implementation of Forest Rights Act

Jammu & Kashmir

23/11/2021

Constitutes committees at district, sub-division level

By: Faizan Wani

Srinagar: The administration of Ladakh Union Territory has set the ball rolling for implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) after the President of India delegated powers under the law to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.

To begin with, the administration of UT has constituted district level and sub-district level committees for implementation of “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act- 2006”.

According to an order, the district level committee would be headed by the concerned deputy commissioner and comprise of district forest officer of concerned district, wildlife warden of concerned district, three members of district panchayats to be nominated by concerned Hill Council and district social welfare officer.

As per its terms of reference, the district level committee shall ensure that the requisite information has been provided to the Gram Sabha or forest rights committee.

It shall also examine whether all claims, especially those of primitive tribal groups, pastoralists and nomadic tribes, have been addressed keeping in mind the objectives of the Act.

The committee shall also consider and finally approve the claims and record of forest rights prepared by the sub-divisional level committee.

It will also hear petitions from persons aggrieved by the orders of the sub-divisional level committee.

The sub-divisional level committee shall be headed by concerned sub-divisional magistrate and comprise of range officer/block forest officer, three members of the block or tehsil level panchayats to be nominated by the concerned Hill Council and tehsil social welfare officer of concerned block/sub-division.

These committees shall provide information to each Gram Sabha about their duties and duties of holder of forest rights and others towards protection of wildlife, forest and biodiversity with reference to critical flora and fauna which needs to be conserved and protected.

They will also provide forest and revenue maps and electoral rolls to the Gram Sabha or the Forest Rights Committee.

These panels will also collate all the resolutions of the concerned Gram Sabhas and consolidate maps and details provided by the Gram Sabhas.

They will also examine the resolutions and the maps of the Gram Sabhas to ascertain the veracity of the claims.

Besides, they will also hear and adjudicate disputes between Gram Sabhas on the nature and extent of any forest rights.

They will also forward the claims with the draft record of proposed forest rights through the sub-divisional officer to the district level committee for final decision. (KNO)

Union Additional Secretary visits Tangmarg

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

23/11/2021

Reviews functioning of APFW

Baramulla: Union Additional Secretary, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare (APFW), P K Swain, Monday visited various areas of Tangmarg, Baramulla district to review functioning of the department there.

He visited organic farming cluster Utikoo (Dhobiwan Tangmarg) and other adjacent areas of the sub division.

A number of farmer delegations met the visiting dignitary and apprised him of their demands and grievances.

Union Additional Secretary took stock of issues raised by the delegations and assured them that the same would be addressed on priority basis.

While addressing gathering of farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs, Union Additional Secretary said that the Government of India is committed to promote agriculture sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that amid global climate change the use of limited resources in a proper way like micro irrigation should be appreciated and promoted. He said the Government is working on a model of market development so that the farmer could get maximum economic returns.

He reiterated the importance of youth and women empowerment saying that their maximum participation in agriculture sector and allied wings would lead to prosperity and development of agriculture sector in the country.

Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, gave a detailed overview of different centrally sponsored schemes and flagship programs that are being implemented by the department in Kashmir division. He also briefed regarding different agro climatic zones of the division besides highlighting the area based crop cultivation of major agriculture crops.

Later, Union Additional Secretary visited India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre, Dussoo, Pampore, and inspected the facilities being provided to the saffron growers there.

Omar presides over Srinagar district committee meeting

City

Precious Kashmir

23/11/2021

Omar presides over Srinagar district committee meeting

Srinagar: National Conference Party Vice President Omar Abdullah on Monday presided over the party’s Srinagar District Committee meeting at party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Srinagar.

Among others Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Mubarak Gul, Irfan Shah, Ali Mohammad Dar, Muhammad Syed Akhoon, Sabiya Qadri, Ahsan Pardesi, Peer Afaq, Salman Ali Sagar, JS Azad, Ghulam Nabi Wani Tailbali, Sarah Hayat Shah, Ifra Jan, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Qaiser Jalali, block presidents and party’s district unit functionaries were also present on the occasion.

During the course of meeting functionaries apprised the party vice president about ongoing political activities of the party in district Srinagar.

The functionaries also discussed various issues concerning the public in general and the party in particular. During the breadth of the meeting, issues with regards to party affairs and the prevailing political situation in the district were discussed. The Vice President wall all ears to the issues raised by the functionaries.

Exhorting the party functionaries, Omar said that the party is ready to take on all challenges facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Vowing to fight for the rights of the people of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir using all peaceful means, Omar said, “We will continue with our struggle to see our rights restored, constitutionally, legally and politically.”

Later, prominent social activist from Tral Sheikh Abdul Rashid was welcomed into the party fold by party VP Omar Abdullah. Provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, DP Pulwama Gh Mohiudin Mir, Dr. Gh Nabi Bhat were also present on the occasion.

Devotees celebrate ‘Maha Kumbh’ in Gbl

City

Precious Kashmir

23/11/2021

By: Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal: Hindus throughout India celebrated the ‘Maha Kumbh’ at Prayagraj Mandir Narayanbagh, Wayil, Kheerbawani area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

A large number of devotees migrant Kashmiri pandits and hindus celebrated maha kumbh at Sangam (confluence), which has always been sacred to the local pandit community for the immersion of the ashes of their dead.

A group of hindus who participated in the event said that the Maha Kumbh is the configuration of the 10 celestial bodies including the sun, and has great religious sanctity according to Hindu mythology.

“Maha Kumbh is an event that the devotees could not miss and that is why we have come in such large numbers to be part of this auspicious occasion,” they said.

Sheri Newass from Andhra Pardesh said at this confluence of Jhelum river and Sind stream Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years and Ardh Kumbh every six years.

He said that a 12-hour long ‘Havan’ (offerings to fire) was started on Sunday at Sangam and will end on Tuesday.

“On this day, the devotees take a bath at the holy Sangam to wash away their sins and then proceed to the little island at the confluence where a Chinar tree has been growing since long,” he said, adding that at least 50 to 60 devotees took a dip in river Sind at the said place.

“This little piece of land at the confluence is the sanctum sanctorum of the holy place. Devotees offer water to the Shivling on this island. After the Havan, the devotees will take ‘Prasad’ and distribute it among their near and dear ones back home,” said Newas.

This is the first time since the migration of local Pandits from the Valley that they have come in such large numbers to be part of the Maha Kumbh at Wayil, Shadipora Sangam. (KNO)

Tangmarg youth qualifies for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, family rejoiced

Sports

Tasaduq Hussain

23/11/2021

Tangmarg youth qualifies for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, family rejoiced

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Tangmarg: After qualifying for the Winter Olympics scheduled to be beheld in Beijing, the family, friends, and relatives of the north Kashmir skier Arif Khan have rejoiced with his success saying that he will surely make Jammu and Kashmir and India proud in the competition.

Arif Khan, a skier belonging to the Tangmarg area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has qualified for the winter sports Olympics scheduled to be held in Beijing during the event held in Dubai last week.

As per reports, the Beijing Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held between February 4 to 20 next year (2022).

Expressing their happiness the family members of Arif said that he was very passionate about sking and always wanted to compete at the highest level.

“His success has made us proud. He has worked for the past many years,” the family said.

Mehraj Ud Din Khan younger brother of Arif said that they are proud of his success and not only the family rather friends, neighbors, and relatives also rejoice with this success.

“We hope that he will continue to achieve more heights and win every competition. We are very hopeful that he will make this entire region proud and also this country by performing best in the Beijing Olympics”, Mehraj said.

Mohammad Yaseen Khan, father of Arif, while expressing his satisfaction and happiness over qualifying for the Winter Olympics said that he is a very hardworking person and always tries to overcome every obstacle.

“We are very happy so is everyone around India. I’m very hopeful that he will give good performance and make the entire nation proud. I believe that he will win the medal in the next Olympics,” Yaseen said.

Meanwhile, soon after Arif qualified for the Winter Olympics congratulatory messages poured in from every corner including from the top-ranked administrative officials of Jammu and Kashmir.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha also congratulated Arif.

“Congratulations to skier Arif Khan for qualifying for Beijing Winter Olympics2022. It is a proud moment for the whole country. @JKSportsCouncil to ensure Arif is provided with world-class training facilities by best-in-class coaches&support staff. I wish him all the best for games (sic),” Sinha tweeted.

Notably, the Tangmarg area falls in the proximity of world-famous skiing destination Gulmarg which hosts several such events. Besides a national level khelo India games have also been conducted there. (KNO)

Remembering traffic victims

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Precious Kashmir

23/11/2021

On November 21, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed every year.

The day, as per United Nations, has become an important tool in global efforts to reduce road casualties. It offers an opportunity for drawing attention to the scale of emotional and economic devastation caused by road accidents and for giving recognition to the suffering of road mishap victims and the work of support and rescue services.

The objectives is to remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads; acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services; draw attention to the generally trivial legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries advocate for better support for road traffic victims and victim families and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries.

Many precious lives continue to be lost while many people suffer disability, some for lifetime, across the globe including J&K . The consequences of a tragedy often endure long after the mishap is over. Road accidents occur due to multiple causes such as over-speeding, use of Mobile phone, drunken driving including consumption of alcohol, drug or overloaded vehicle, vehicular condition, poor light condition, jumping red light, overtaking, neglect of civic bodies, weather condition, fault of driver, fault of pedestrian, driving on wrong side, defect in road condition, defect in condition of motor vehicle, automobile design, etc.

According to a study by the World Bank on road accidents, every death in India caused by a road accident leads to the depletion of nearly seven months’ income in the households of poor families and pushes the victims’ kin into a vicious cycle of poverty and debt. The low-income rural households, predictably, are hit the hardest.

There is a need to lay down engineering standards and complaints procedures that will help citizens hold the concerned to account. There is also a need for education, civil society cooperation and professional policing besides muscular enforcement of law through tougher penalties for seat belts, drunken driving, smartphone use and other violations.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2021 puts the spotlight on the reduction of traffic speeds – Low speeds, which have the potential to prevent many deaths and serious injuries, in particular those of pedestrians and all other vulnerable road users – children, elderly and the disabled.

“Awaam Ki Awaaz”: Efforts on to create more livelihood opportunities for J&K youth: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

22/11/2021

“Awaam Ki Awaaz”: Efforts on to create more livelihood opportunities for J&K youth: LG

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday said that the government’s policies should be the voice of weakest section of the society and that his administration has been working to create more livelihood opportunities for the youth.

Sinha, in this month’s episode of “Awaam ki Awaaz” radio programme, voiced valuable insights and suggestions received from the general public.

During the program which aired today on all local & primary channels of All India Radio (AIR) in the UT and broadcast on the Channel DD Kashir, the Lt Governor connected with the people and dedicated this month’s episode to all those citizens who are working for the betterment of the society, and emerged as role models for others.

The Lt Governor made a special mention of Engineer Jehangir Bhat of Bandipora and appreciated his endeavor for encouraging innovation amongst youth. With 20 patented innovations to his credit, I congratulate engineer Jehangir Bhat who aspires to make every student an innovator, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also congratulated national topper of NEET-UG Tanmay Gupta and cricketer Umran Malik and termed them as the new role models for the younger generation of J&K.

Our great nation will be celebrating 72 years of the adoption of the Constitution of the world’s largest democracy on November 26. Today, when the world’s oldest civilization and rich cultural heritage is moving towards becoming an economic superpower, it is absolutely necessary that the evils and the class differences plaguing it must be completely removed, observed the Lt Governor.

Whatever we are creating, we must lay a solid foundation for a society full of self-dignity, self-respect, and prosperity. Working in this direction, the UT Government, in the last 16 months, has tried to establish a new transparent, accountable, people-centric governance system. Efforts have been made through active programs towards the empowerment of the general public, said the Lt Governor.

Referring to the suggestion received from Faisal Yousuf regarding creating an environment of self-employment and inviting the young and promising entrepreneurs to schools for guest lectures, the Lt Governor said that such interactions with the students will ignite and propel the spirit of entrepreneurship in the young minds.

Responding to the suggestion of Yasir Ahmad Laway regarding the strict implementation of biometric attendance in the field offices, the Lt Governor observed that the insight received bodes well with the administration’s commitment to usher in an era of transparent and accountable governance culture in the region.

The Lt Governor, while mentioning Mohd Iqbal Badana and Shafeeq Ahmed, both of whom shared a roadmap for strengthening the Panchayat Raj Institutions, said that their suggestions complement the endeavor of the administration to enhance the capacity of the democratic institutions at the grassroots level.

The Lt Governor also welcomed the suggestions received from Arnav Mahajan, Niteshwar Kotwal, Sajad Ahmad Sofi, Irshad Ahmad Wani, Suheel Ahmad Najar, Rajesh Jaswal, Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, pertaining to decentralization of sports facilities, simplification of the process of JK SEHAT Scheme registration, creating an enabling ecosystem in educational institutions for the specially-abled, reformation in the management of SSA schools, progressive changes in promoting Panchayati Raj Institutions, decentralization of management of garbage by conducting Swachh Survekshan, Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities and a campaign of ‘Compost Banao, Compost Apnao’ and strengthening ‘PM UjjwalaYojana’ scheme.

Several landmark decisions of the Government are steering people’s empowerment, taking J&K towards new heights of development and prosperity, the Lt Governor said. For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, 7000 recruitments have been done on merit basis, in a transparent manner, which is a living example of how corruption-free, transparent and just system contributes to the progress of the marginalized class, observed the Lt Governor.

Another major decision taken by the Government is the one-time age relaxation in the recruitment exam for the post of Sub- Inspector, JKP, and the increase in the number of seats which has the potential to usher a wave of development and prosperity in the society. I wish the very best to the aspirants, the Lt Governor said.

Recently, J&K government has launched a public outreach campaign including ‘One Person One Golden Card’ campaign targeting the distribution of 58 Lakh Golden cards under the AB-PMJAY & AB-PMJAY-SEHAT health insurance schemes, aimed at ensuring greater coverage with easy access to affordable healthcare facilities to poor families from rural background.

Similarly, ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ Campaign has been launched to cover all unvaccinated cases, besides ensuring sensitization regarding importance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), he added.

Following the ideals of the Prime Minister, we have introduced digital initiatives to bring more transparency and reduce the gap between the system and the service, for the convenience of the common citizen. Such interventions will go a long way to ensure that benefits of the public welfare schemes are being made available to the people so that every citizen can live a dignified and prosperous life in a harmonious and progressive environment, said the Lt Governor.

J&K administration is trying its best to strengthen the democratic system at the grassroots level; encouraging public participation in the development process; implementing principles of Good Governance; providing inclusive, qualitative education to all; creating more livelihood opportunities for the youth; taking industries to the block level, besides making all the public services easily accessible to the people of J&K, the Lt Governor observed.

The Lt Governor also made a special mention of the suggestions received from Sachin Padha and Aditya Sharma, regarding strengthening of the complaint management system to improve governance, and ways and means to promote Hindustani Classical music, respectively.

During the program, the Lt Governor appealed to the people to take a pledge to work collectively and strengthen their resolve to build a new, prosperous and self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lt Governor also requested those who have not been vaccinated yet to get vaccinated at the earliest and contribute to the Government’s efforts in defeating Covid pandemic.

Now, Govt employees with law degree can join Prosecution Deptt

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

22/11/2021

Now, Govt employees with law degree can join Prosecution Deptt

Process commences to bring employees from other deptts

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Prosecution department has initiated the process to bring employees with law degrees on deputation from other departments to tide over the manpower crisis, which is affecting handling of criminal cases in the courts of the Union Territory.

The Prosecution department, which is functioning as an independent department after re-organisation of Jammu & Kashmir by the Parliament in 2019, has set the ball rolling for bringing employees with law degrees on deputation for effectively supervising prosecution of criminal cases in courts of J&K as well as to render legal advice to police and other government agencies in such cases.

To begin with, the Prosecution department has invited applications from the J&K’s permanent government employees holding bachelor’s degree in law for deputation to the department.

Documents in possession of The Precious Kashmir reveal that the applicants shall be considered for deputation to the Prosecution department on the basis of an interview to be conducted by a four-member selection committee headed by Director General, Prosecution.

The deputation shall be governed by the relevant provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations-1956, the documents further state.

It is worthwhile to mention that the J&K’s Home department had last month unveiled a policy for augmentation of manpower of the Prosecution department, which was under control of police before October 31, 2019.

It started functioning as a full-fledged separate department under section 25A of the Code of the Criminal Procedure- 1973(CrPC), which became applicable to J&K UT from October 31. 2019.

The Prosecution department is mandated to provide prosecutors in the trial courts including the designated anti-corruption courts and the specially-established fast-track courts.

Patients shiver in absence of heating system at GMC Anantnag

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

22/11/2021

Patients shiver in absence of heating system at GMC Anantnag

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: With severe cold conditions prevailing across the Valley and the top health authorities asking the administrators of all the major hospitals to start heating system in their respective hospitals, the authorities at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag are yet to start the central heating system, thus leaving the poor patients as well as their attendants to lurch at large.

Hospitals in the Valley are supposed to switch on the central heating by November 15 only. However, as the temperatures started plummeting earlier, the authorities last week had asked the hospitals to gear up to provide heating facilities to the patients.

However, at GMC Anantnag, the lone tertiary care facility in south Kashmir with huge patient influx, the central heating system continues to remain off, which not only make the patients and their attendants suffer but also the doctors as well.

“You can imagine the plight of patients admitted in the wards in these bone chilling nights. Though hospital authorities have fixed wall heaters and even gas heaters in wards as an alternative but that is no substitute to central heating in the big spacious wards,” sources in the GMC said.

They said that following the cold weather conditions that prevailed much earlier this year, the hospital authorities should have started preparations to make the heating system operational by November 15 but nothing like that happened.

“It was only after the authorities issued directions with regard to making heating systems functional, GMC authorities started setting right the heating system, which needed some major repairs,” said another source.

He said that the officials supposed to run the central heating system have almost carried out all the necessary repairs in last few several but till today the heating system continues to remain off due to the non-availability of fuel.

A doctor who spoke to Precious Kashmir said that they are also finding it difficult to work in these cold conditions without heating facility particularly during night hours.

“In OPD, the patients shiver while waiting for their turn as there are neither any wall heaters nor gas heaters installed,” the doctor said.

Though the Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr Tariq Qureshi had told Precious Kashmir on Saturday that the CHS will be made functional by Sunday morning as the same had developed some fault during trial. However, sources said that no such trial was done.

“Yes, we have carried out necessary repairs of the heating system but could not make it functional due to the non-availability of fuel needed to run it,” said the source.

Srinagar among top 50 cleanest cities: LG Sinha praises SMC

Front

Precious Kashmir

22/11/2021

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated Srinagar residents “Safia Mitras” and Srinagar Municipal Corporation for their efforts in making the Srinagar city to the top 50 cleanest cities in India under Swachh Survekashan 2021.

“This is a stupendous achievement and result of your perseverance”, the LG said.

Taking on the micro blogger twitter the LG appreciating the work of citizens of Srinagar and SMC

“#Congratulations to Srinagar residents, Safai Mitras & @SMC_Srinagar team for making Srinagar city to the top 50 cleanest cities in India under Swachh Survekshan 2021 Awards & also for getting 12th rank in the SafaiMitra Suraksha Challenge#.”

“#This is a stupendous achievement & result of your perseverance. Keep it up !#, LG wrote in another tweet.

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