Precious Kashmir

4-day visit of Parl Committee on subordinate legislation culminates

Front

20/08/2021

Srinagar: The Parliamentary committee on subordinate legislation headed by its Chairman, Sardar Pratap Singh Bajwa today completed its 4-day visit to the valley after meeting the electricity stakeholders of the country here.

Those who were present includes Joint Secretary, Power, GoI; Principal Secretary JKPDD; Secretary Central Electricity Regulatory Commission; representatives of the PSUs namely National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) limited, Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Limited and J&K Power Development Corporation.

The committee members had threadbare discussion on certain rules/regulations governing the power sector of the nation. They also enquired and sought clarifications about certain issues from the officers and management of power sector in both government and PSUs.

Defining the purpose behind the constitution of this committee the Chairman said, “This Committee has been constituted to scrutinize and report to the Rajya Sabha whether the powers to make rules, regulations, bye-laws, etc conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament, are being properly exercised by the executive authorities or not”.

The Committee took up for discussion, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Procedure, Terms and Conditions for grant of trading licence and other related matters) Regulation 2020 with the stakeholders. The Committee further sought clarifications on several points including the background or framing of the regulations, the objectives to be achieved through them, and the infrastructure set up by the Ministry to ensure due compliance of the Regulations.

The officials were encouraged to share their experiences in implementation of the regulations at ground level and what are the practical problems being faced by the stakeholders and how those are being sorted out.

The Joint Secretary, Power, GoI, elaborated that the central government is working on the one nation, one grid and one frequency. He said that a number of schemes are in vogue to ensure power supply to all the habitations in India.

The Principal Secretary, JKPDD informed the meeting that J&K is on the path providing reliable power supply to its customers at reasonable rates. He said that he represents customers and appreciates the liberal policy of power purchase.

The Principal Secretary also gave out that the UT is going to add substantial chunk of power to its kitty in the next 5 years. He said that it is going to address our power woes to a large extent.

The Secretary CERC briefed the committee that CERC was constituted under the erstwhile Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act (ERC), 1998 with primary responsibility of tariff fixation. The responsibilities of the Commission were later widened to tariff fixation, licensing, development of market, introduction of open access, specifying grid code, adjudication of disputes etc.

He further informed the committee that the rules further empowers the Commission to grant licence to undertake trading in electricity as an electricity trader. Additionally, the Commission is also entrusted with the function to fix the trading margin in the inter-State trading of electricity. He further said that currently there is Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Procedure, Terms and Conditions for grant of trading licence and other related matters) Regulation 2020 governing the trade.

The Committee consists of 15 Members representing different political parties and walks of life. The other members currently on the visit to valley includes Vandana Chavan, Dushyant Gautam, Dr Vikas Mahatme, Surendra Singh Nagar, Ram Vichar Netam, Dr Amar Patnaik, Dr Banda Prakash, GVI Narsimha Rao, Tiruchi Siva, Pradeep Tamta, and Vivek K Tankha.

Div Com chairs 9th Board of Directors Meeting of SSCL

Front

Precious Kashmir

20/08/2021

Govt approves upgradation of Batamaloo, PoloView roads, other projects

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Thursday chaired a 9^th Board of Directors meeting of Srinagar Smart City Limited in Srinagar.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and CEO-Srinagar Smart City Limited, VC-Srinagar Development Authority, Additional CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited, Dy. Director Archives, DySP Headquarters Srinagar, Senior Urban Planner and Designer, SSCL and other officers of SSCL. Naveen Kumar Agarwal – Director SBM, Nominee director from GOI also attended the meeting through VIDEO conferencing.

The Srinagar Smart City mission was appreciated for the work executed so far and the Board of Directors also impressed upon Srinagar Smart City Limited to take up new projects which would improve the overall quality of life of the citizens of Srinagar City. The Board took an update of all the ongoing and projected works of the SSCL comprehensively and issued directions to expedite the completion of works.

During the meeting, various projects which were given approval by the Board of Srinagar Smart City Limited include the River front development along river Jhelum to the tune of Rs 75 Cr, Srinagar Data network (SDNet) to the tune of 20 Cr, Development and refurbishment of Chhunthkul as a walk and cycle path at the cost of 9 Cr, Smart parking management system at multi level car parking coming up at Sheikh Bagh Srinagar and at Regal Chowk Srinagar to the tune of 2.14 Crore.

Approval was also accorded to Batamaloo Roads, PoloView Road, Amira Kadal Pedestrian bridge, Residency Road, MA Road and Jehangir Chowk upgradation projects.

Promoting Women Entrepreneurship: JKTPO, FICCI FLO sign MoU

Front

Precious Kashmir

20/08/2021

Srinagar: In yet another endeavor to upscale economic prospectus in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) under the aegis of Department of Industries and Commerce has collaborated with FICCI FLO, the women wing of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here yesterday for promotion of Women Entrepreneurship in J&K.

Pertinently, JKTPO has been incorporated to build, support and promote trade related activities and infrastructure in the Union Territory.

The MoU was signed virtually between Kr. Ritu Singh, Chairperson FICCI FLO JK&L and Ankita Kar (IRAS), Managing Director JKTPO in presence of Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, J&K who was the chief guest on the occasion.

Ranjan Prakash Thakur congratulated JKTPO and FICCI FLO JK&L for forging a new chapter in public-private collaboration in J&K. He expressed satisfaction at the increasing number of women leaders both in public and private enterprises in the region and wished that the MoU paves the way for many more such partnerships in future.

Ankita Kar thanked Ranjan Prakash Thakur for his support and guidance saying that the MoU with FICCI FLO JK&L shall materialize the plans into meaningful outcome at ground level.

The far-reaching MoU envisages collaboration across multiple areas creating awareness among women regarding different enabling policies and schemes by the government with a promise to promote women entrepreneurship and professional excellence through capacity building programs, skilling initiatives besides organizing buyer seller meets. The MoU has a well planned vision to support women entrepreneurs in the region.

Chairperson FICCI FLO JK&L set the context for the collaboration by stating, “I raise my voice not so that I can shout, but because those without a voice can be heard.” She appreciated the positive response received from the J&K government in partnering with the private sector in effecting positive societal outcomes through trade promotion and commerce especially for women and shared her vision document for the JK&L chapter.

The virtual signing ceremony was attended by Munir Ahmad Bhat, General Manager JKTPO, Mukesh Thappa, General Manager JKTPO, Obaid Riyaz, Deputy General Manager JKTPO, Aruna Anand, Senior Vice Chair FICCI FLO, Esther William, Vice Chair FICCI FLO, Ritika Trehan, Executive Secretary FICCI FLO and Ruchika Gupta, Treasurer FICCI FLO.

J&K reports 110 new Covid-19 cases

Front

Nadeem Nadu

20/08/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 110 new coronavirus cases while no person succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

They said 33 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division and 77 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall case tally to 323792.

They said no death was reported today. So far 4400—2160 in Jammu and 2240 in Kashmir—have succumbed to the virus.

Providing the district-wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 17 cases, Baramulla 6, Budgam 6, Pulwama 0, Kupwara 9, Anantnag 7, Bandipora 5, Ganderbal 7, Kulgam 20, Shopian 0, Jammu 8, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 8, Doda 8, Kathua 1, Samba 0, Kishtwar 2, Poonch 4, Ramban 2 and Reasi 0.

A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratory of CD and GMC Anantnag.

The CD cases include female 26 (NA) from Nishat Sgr, female 13 (NA) from Nishat Sgr, gemale 50 (NA) from Nishat Sgr, male 55 (NA) from Nishat Sgr, female (NA) from Kupwara, female (NA) from HMT, Male 75 (NA) from Kishtwar, female (NA) from Lalbazar sgr, female (NA) Sopore, female (NA) from Qamarwari Sgr, female 72 NA from Peerbagh Srg, male 14 (NA) from Khangund, male 60 (NA) from Hassan Abad, male 47 (NA) from Mumbai, male 25 (NA)from Tailbal, memale 21 (NA) from Kalashpora, male 18 (NA) from Kalashpora, male 50 (NA) from Kalashpora, female 48 (NA) from Kalashpora, male 16 (NA) from Kalashpora, male 41 (NA) from Kalashpora, male 17 (NA) from Kalashpora

The GMC cases include male (38) from RR Khanbal, female (16) (NA) from Shirpora, female (70) (NA) from Mohammadpora, female (23) (NA) from Shirpora, female (14) (NA) from Shirpora, male (15) (NA) from Shirpora, female (12) (NA) from Shirpora, female (14) (NA) from Shirpora, female (75) (NA) from Shirpora, male (31) (NA) from Shirpora, female (28) (NA) from Veesu, female (50) (NA) from Arampora, male (45) (NA) from Khanbal, male (35) (NA) from Laram, male (48) (NA) from Gassipora, female (18) (NA) from Bumpthan, female (12) (NA) from Wanpoh, male (48) (NA) from Sirhama, female (46) (NA) from Sirhama, male (16) (NA) from Sirhama, male (70) (NA) from Sirhama, male (29) (NA) from Mahand Bhijbehara, female (45) (NA) from Waghama, male (75) (NA) from Shalgam, male (40) (NA) from Anantnag, female (27) (NA) from Marhama, female (27) (NA) from Panchpora, female (35) (NA) from Tajiwara, male (70) (NA) from Dogripora, male (60) (NA) from Tulkhan, male (50) (NA) from Nowbugh, male (24) (NA) from Soaf Kokernag.

Moreover, the officials said that 126 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—45 from Jammu Division and 81 from the valley. So far, 318283 people have recovered, leaving active cases at 1109—454 in Jammu and 655 in Kashmir.

No fresh confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) was reported today, they said. Thus far 43 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials added. (GNS)

Dir Health visits Sgr, Budgam to review Muharram arrangements

City

Precious Kashmir

20/08/2021

Srinagar: Director Health Services Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmed Rather Thursday visited Srinagar and Budgam to take stock of the health care arrangements on the eve of Ashoora (the 10th day of Muharram).

A spokesperson of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, in Srinagar, the director visited Imam Bada Zadibal, Khumaini Chowk Bemina to oversee the arrangements and also visited a blood donation camp organized by CMO Srinagar in collaboration with Hussaini Relief Committee.

The spokesperson said the director visited many medical aid campuses’ which were established for the mourners.

CMO Srinagar who was accompanying the director during his Srinagar visit apprised him about the arrangements being made by the department in connection with Asghoora.

The director also visited various sites and medical aid campuses’ in Budgam to take stock of the arrangements for the mourners. He also visited district hospital Budgam and CMO Office.

The CMO Budgam briefed the director about the arrangements being made for Muharram processions in the district. Later DHSK visited the district hospital Budgam and PHC Ompora to oversee the medical arrangements and facilities being provided to patients.

DHSK also paid a visit to blood donation camp organized by CMO Budgam in which 190 blood pints were collected.

The director directed all CMO across Kashmir that best healthcare should be provided round the clock to mourners during the Muharram processions.

NC MPs concerned over sky-rocketing prices of essentials in Kashmir

City

Precious Kashmir

20/08/2021

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) on Thursday expressed concern over sky-rocketing price rise of essential commodities and said incumbent government has miserably failed to provide succor to the people.

In a joint statement issued here, the Members of Parliament Muhammad Akbar Lone and Hassnain Masoodi have said that the situation on ground is appalling and the future forecast does not look promising at all. “Public welfare doesn’t fall in the to-do-list of the government. People have been left to fend for themselves,” they said.

“Already reeling under the worst of economic crises, the people, especially the lower middle classes and other marginalized sections are additionally burdened by the crunch of escalating price rise of all the basic commodities and mounting LPG, power and drinking water tariffs. The contracting JK economy already has had an adverse effect on the household incomes, the escalation on basic public utilities and soaring inflation has pushed the people especially to wall. Let alone spending on clothing, medicine and education, people are not able to get two square meals for their families. It was expected that the crumbling economic activities in JK post 5, august 2019 will have a restraining effect on government’s taxation policy but the unabated rise in the electricity and water tariff has given slip to the unconcerned attitude of the government,” they said.

Continuing to remain under the heels of airdropped bureaucrats, the MPs said with vain exception of few virtual meeting, staged shows, PR gimmicks and window-dressing nothing substantial has been done to provide succor to the people to tide over the 2019 clampdown, 2014 deluge, and Covid-19 induced economic losses.

“Administration has turned volte face to the economic distress of people fueled by job losses, crumbling economy, strained agriculture and horticulture sectors, widespread unemployment, development deficit, administrative inertia, and soaring unemployment. The policies of the incumbent government are a bad copy paste and not in sync with local issues and developmental demands. All the tailor-made and one sided measures of the incumbent administration have failed to uplift the local economy. Absence of a democratic government has further compounded the issues. Welfarism besides other things has been the first casualty of the top down policy of New Delhi in JK,” the MPs said.

“Growth and progress of the entire region has been stunted post 2014 floods. Let alone redressing the genuine political aspirations of the people of JK, the incumbent administration has failed to address the day to day issues of the people. Despite our opposition, the prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG have reached all time high. It goes without saying that if the trend continues, it will dent already stressed sectors of Kashmir economy beyond repair,” the duo added.

Covid vaccination drive held for Bakarwals of Machhal

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

20/08/2021

Srinagar: Army in coordination with the Health Department, Kupwara carried out a vaccination drive for Bakarwals located at the remote belt of Machhal Tehsil.

The Bakarwals were requesting for Covid-19 Vaccination & veterinary assistance for their animals for some time. Indian Army in its outreach efforts, reached out to the local health authorities, to address this concern.

As a result of which, a total of 50 Bakkarwals including ladies were vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines.

Bakarwals are goat herders and shepherds at large and seasonally migrate from one place to another with their herds. As a nomadic tribe, they are spread over a large part of UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

This year, 328 Dheras have migrated to the areas ahead of Shamshabhari Ranges at Machhal Tehsil, and have been grazing their flocks at these remote locations. They take abodes in areas which are quite far from the nearest road heads, thereby making it difficult to provide the necessary assistance. Indian Army took the initiative to reach out to these areas and get them vaccinated alongwith local health department.

Dr Javed Ahmed, Nodal Officer for Covid-19 vaccination in Kupwara district was also present for the drive. Army authorities undertook patrols to reach out to the remote areas to inform the Bakarwals of this vaccination drive and brought them to the nearest roadhead. People were very happy and grateful to both the Army and Health Department for reaching out to them and providing them the much needed vaccination assistance at the time of the pandemic.

Jammu CB arrests revenue official, others in fraud case

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

20/08/2021

Jammu: The sleuths of Crime Branch on Thursday arrested one revenue official in hatching a criminal conspiracy and fraud case.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Jammu, Rajeshwar Singh here said that one revenue official (Patwari), who was the co-accused in hatching a criminal conspiracy and forging Revenue record, identified as Mohammad Rafique of Peer Baba Satwari Cantonment, Jammu with other accused persons including the prime accused (beneficiary) Mohammad Shafi of Teli Mohalla, Bari Brahmna, (Prop. Chowdhary Trading Company) with the purpose to identify some wrong property and land under his ownership and possession.

“On the basis of forged Revenue documents a registered sale, mortgage deed was produced by the beneficiary before the officials and valuator of Canara Bank, Bari Brahmna, Samba to secure a Cash Credit limit of Rs 30 lakhs and thereafter, turned NPA, thereby, causing wrongful gains to himself and corresponding loss to the Canara Bank,” said tha SSP.

He said that the accused were not cooperating in the investigation of the case and were evading arrest since the registration of the case.

However, after generation of intelligence input, team of Crime Branch, Jammu laid trap at different places with careful planning and arrested the accused from Bari Brahmana area, he said.

“The accused is presently on Police remand for further investigation of the case,” he said.

The case was taken up after a written complaint lodged by Sandeep Gupta, Senior Manager, Canara Bank, Bari Brahmna, Samba in Crime Branch wherein the complainant has alleged that Mohammad Shafi, (Prop Chowdhary Trading Company) approached the bank for grant of Cash Credit Limit of Rs 30 lakhs with sub-limit of Rs 5 lakhs repayable alongwith interest @ 13.95 percent with security of hypothecation of stocks, book debts and collateral security in the shape of land situated at Smailpur, Bari Brahmna opposite KFC having two shops constructed over it, which were got identified by Mohammad Shafi to the Bank officials and the Valuator appointed by the Bank and accordingly, the CC Limit was sanctioned in February, 2015 and necessary mortgage deed was executed and registered before Sub-Registrar, Samba.

During the investigation of the case conducted so far, it transpires that the accused Mohammad Shafi in connivance with (Patwari) Mohd Rafique and Mohd Rafique of Bari Brahamna, Jammu intentionally, deliberately and by misrepresenting the facts got identified some wrong property, showing it to be under his ownership and possession by way of a registered sale deed before the Bank officials and secured a CC limit and thereafter turned NPA causing wrongful gain to himself and corresponding loss to the Bank, Singh said. (UNI)

52-ft-tall clock tower build in Shopian

City

Jahangeer Ganaie

20/08/2021

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: A 52 feet tall tower being constructed in the heart of Shopian town at cost of Rs 43 lakh is expected to be ready till end of this month.

Unlike other tower clocks, this tower clock will tell us many important things which will be beneficial for the general public.

An official said that it is being constructed at Gole Chowk Shopian as it is the main business hub of the district.

Senior citizens of the area said that this chowk also has political significance as senior politicians have addressed gatherings there.

“Charan Singh, Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and dozens of other politicians have addressed the public here,” said Gul Mohammed Shah, a senior citizen of the town.

Executive Officer Municipal Committee Shopian Jahid Azad said that this tower will have unique characteristics and will keep people updated about different things.

He said that other than time, information about weather and temperature will be displayed on a large monitor of the tower instantly.

“This tower will also tell us about particulate matter as machinery is being installed by the pollution control board there which will raise alarm once the particulate matter will rise,” Azad said.

Azad said that all important messages, schemes and announcements will be displayed on the clock tower.

“The messages will be displayed in Urdu, English and some in Kashmiri language,” he said. “Its structure will be compact as compared to others and turfing will also be done.” (KNO)

23 days on, missing persons remain untraced in Kishtwar

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

20/08/2021

By: M S Nazki

Jammu: There was still no trace of 19 persons who went missing following a cloudburst at Honzar Dachan in Kishtwar district after more than three weeks. Eight women among 19 persons went missing following the cloudburst and subsequent flash floods in the remote village on intervening night of July 27 and 28.

Director General of Police Dilbag Singh earlier this month had an aerial survey of the village. He also chaired a high-level meeting during which, among others, he stressed the need for intensifying the rescue operation to trace the missing persons.

Authorities had pressed several teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with “sophisticated equipment” along with other rescuers from police, Army and local volunteers, the officials said. However, as per senior police officer, NDRF, SRDF and other teams except police have withdrawn.

Success has been eluding the search teams after seven bodies were recovered and seventeen persons rescued in injured condition after the calamity on Wednesday last.

The missing persons include Saja Begum (60) wife of Ghulam Mohidin, Khursheed Ahmed (31) son of Mohammad Iqbal, Fida Hussain (26) son of Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Sharif (40) son of Ghulam Rasool, Almina Tasbassum (22) daughter of Mohammad Iqbal, Mata Begum (45) wife of Lala Tantry, Ghulam Mohammad (70) son of Ghulam Rasool, Fazal Hussain (18) son of Rustom Ali Chopan, Tariq Hussain (50) son of Nazir Ahmed, Zarina Begum (40) wife of Tariq Hussain, Mata Begum (45) wife of Ghulam Rasool, Fatima Begum (56) wife of Ghulam Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed (45) son of Rustum Ali, Begum (45) wife of Abdul Rehman, Sharifa Begum (38) wife of Ghulam Mohammad, Shakir Hussain (22) son of Ghulam Ahmed, Ghulam Ahmed (65) son of Abdul Aziz, Zubaida Banoo (25) daughter of Ghulam Ahmed and Khalid son of Haji Gami.

Sources said that rescue operation was closed this evening by police and would be resumed tomorrow. (GNS)

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