Precious Kashmir

Deve Gowda urges Centre to act ‘humane’ on Afghan crisis

National

18/08/2021

Bengaluru: Describing the ongoing chaos in Afghanistan as a “difficult moment for India”, Janata Dal (S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Tuesday appealed to the Central government to respond in a “humane manner”.

Taking to Twitter, Gowda, who served as Prime Minister from June 1, 1996, to April 21, 1997, said India should develop an independent policy towards Afghanistan, which has now come under the Taliban.

“Reports from Afghanistan show how fear and uncertainty have gripped the country. It is a difficult moment for India and the entire region,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

“We have to respond in a human manner besides developing an independent policy of fostering friendship and peace in our neighbourhood,” the JD-S supremo added.

Meanwhile, expressing concern over the Afghanistan crisis, Karnataka’s Energy and Kannada and Culture Minister, V. Sunil Kumar in his tweet stated that the inhuman Taliban has taken over the Afghanistan capital, leading to the suspension of women’s rights and the taking over of a radio station that now broadcasts Quran instead of music.

“Such fanaticism is exceeding the extreme limits. I pray for the defeat of fanaticism and the return of democracy,” Kumar said, slamming the Talibani regime in his tweet.

J&K admin unveils scheme for development of craft sector

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/08/2021

By: Faizan Wani

Srinagar: In a significant move, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir has unveiled a new scheme for development of the craft sector in the Union Territory.

The scheme- Karkhandar scheme for development of craft sector- has been notified by the department of Industries & Commerce after its approval by the administrative council headed by LG Manoj Sinha.

The scheme will be implemented in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir through respective directorates of Handicrafts and Handloom.

The scheme intends to revive the languishing crafts and upscale the learning techniques of trainees.

It also focuses to improve the wage earnings of the craftsmen and create linkages with producer organizations to inculcate entrepreneurship skill and aptitude to the trainees.

The main thrust of the scheme is to identify and impart skill upgradation training in such crafts which are facing human resource crunch like walnut wood carving, silver filigree, carpet, Kani shawl weaving, Khatamband and Papier Machie crafts.

As per guidelines unveiled by the government, trainees/ex-trainees of the departmental training centres have to register themselves under the scheme.

Under the scheme, Karkhanas/Karkhandars who are willing to enrol ex-trainees/ pass-out trainees in his/her Karkhana will be identified by the Handicrafts and Handloom department.

“All necessary logistics in the shape of tools, equipments, looms, raw-material, space etc. shall be provided by the identified Karkhandar. The Karkhandar shall be provided a lump- sum of Rs.25,000/- per batch as expenditure on account of all the logistics needed for running the training programme successfully,” read the scheme guidelines.

The trainee/trainer (Karkhandar) will get monthly stipend under the scheme. (KNO)

Principal Secy reviews preparations for PSC’s J&K visit

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/08/2021

Srinagar: Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Tuesday reviewed preparations being put in place for visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee to the Union territory on 23rd of August.

The committee will review progress under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (“SANKALP”) schemes being implemented by Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Mission.

Principal Secretary asked the Director SDD to ensure that the students, faculty and equipments of Srinagar based Technical Institutes like KG Polytechnic, Gogji Bagh and ITI Bagh-I-Dilawar, Srinagar are kept ready and prepared for the visiting Parliamentary Standing Committee during their visit.

He also asked the Mission Directorate to prepare a Power Point Presentation highlighting all the major aspects being covered under PMKVY and SANKALP in J&K for review by the visiting Committee.

Principal Secretary issued instructions to the concerned for ensuring that all preventive COVID protocols are in place during this high profile visit of the Committee.

We need to be good at removing tail: England head coach

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

18/08/2021

London: England head coach Chris Silverwood has admitted his team missed a trick against India’s tail-end batsmen allowing them to put on valuable runs that eventually cost the host match and allowed visitors take 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

India’s No. 8 Mohammed Shami and No. 9 Jasprit Bumrah added unbeaten 89 for the ninth wicket to set England a 271-run target in 60 overs. England succumbed under the pressure and lost the second Test, at Lord’s, by 151 runs.

“One thing we have to become good at is removing the tail or the lower-order batsmen,” said Silverwood to the English media.

The former England paceman added that aggression against Indian tail was fine. “I don’t mind the aggressive approach.”

He, however, said they needed to get back to plan A sooner. Plan A was apparently bowling regular lines and lengths and not intimidating lengths which England did as part of payback to Bumrah who had bowled short stuff at James Anderson in England’s first innings.

The intimidating lengths eventually allowed the Indian tail to score freely.

Root had admitted after the match that they could have bowled better.

“I agree with Joe, we could probably go back to plan A sooner than we did. It’s one of those things we have to learn from without a shadow of a doubt. And if we got our time again, as Joe said, we’d probably consider doing things slightly differently,” added Silverwood.

‘Govt completes 2177 dev projects in 2020-21 under B2V’

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/08/2021

By: Sajidah Yousuf

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has completed at least 2177 development projects during 2020-21 under the Back to Village (B2V) programme.

As per the details, at a cost of Rs 36.95 crores, of 2177 projects, works that have been completed include 1263 projects in Kashmir and 914 in Jammu division respectively.

A senior official affiliated with the B2V programme, said, “The B2V was first of its kind initiative where 4189 officers covered 4,621 Panchayats in three phases to reach out to people at the grass-root level.”

The details reveal that in Anantnag 46 projects were completed, 141 in Kupwara 123 in Bandipora, 83 in Kulgam and 33 projects were completed in Baramulla.

At also states that in Jammu division at least 97 projects were completed followed by 24 in Ramban, 97 in Samba, 89 in Reasi, 77 in Rajouri, 93 in Poonch, 146 in Udhampur, 80 in Kishtwar, 121 in Kathua and 90 projects were completed in Doda district respectively.

“A manual of activities for visiting officers was prepared to structure discussions with Gram Sabhas for improving the formulation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and the interactions were held with various stakeholders, including frontline government functionaries on key issues such as general cleanliness, solid waste management, organic farming, vermi-composting, rainwater harvesting, drinking water, water conservation and self-employment, entrepreneurship development”, the official said. (KNO)

Day 21: 19 persons remain untraced in Kishtwar

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

18/08/2021

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 21 days ago. 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, a senior police officer said that besides NDRF, SRDF and 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)

ACB produces charge sheet against former CEO, others

City

Precious Kashmir

18/08/2021

Srinagar: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Tuesday produced a charge sheet against scores of in-service government teachers and retired officials for allegedly misusing their official positions.

According to a statement, ACB said that it has produced a charge sheet in a case under FIR number 29/2017 PS VOJ (now ACB Jammu) under section 5 (1) (d) r/w 5 (2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and 120-B RPC against Ram Rakha then ZEO Chowki Choura, Jammu, Sheru Ram then Headmaster Govt. High School Mallah (now retired) Tarsem Lal then Chief Education Officer (now retired) and Priti Rani ReT Teacher.

“The instant case was registered on the outcome of a verification conducted into the allegations on receipt of a complaint lodged by one Kasturi Lal S/o Kaka Ram R/o Malla, Tehsil Karah Balli, District Jammu against Sheru Ram then Headmaster Govt. High School Mallah, and others that these public servants have misused their official positions for extraneous consideration to give undue benefit to one Priti Rani D/o Bachan Dass R/o Mallah, Tehsil Karah Balli District Jammu for appointing her as ReT Teacher in Govt. High School Mallah against the vacancy which was meant for ALC candidate. However, the accused beneficiary Priti Rani at the time of advertisement of post as well as at the time of joining was not possessing valid ALC certificate,” the statement said.

It added that the investigation conducted has revealed that in order to confer undue benefit upon Preeti Rani, the then Chief Education Officer, Jammu, namely Tarsem Lal, by abuse and misuse of his official position as public servant vide endorsement number CEOJ/7931 dated 28.05.2014 forwarded the said order to Zonal Education Officer, Chowki Choura.

“The Zonal Education Officer Chowki Choura who was well aware of the facts that neither Preeti Rani had submitted valid ALC Certificate at the time of submission of application form nor thereafter but nevertheless in order to confer undue benefit upon Preeti Rani by abuse and misuse of his official position as public servant issued engagement order vide No. ZEO/CC/SSA/14-15/1468-71 dated 29.05.2014 of Priti Rani as RET Teacher against the post of ALC at Govt. High School, Mallah,” the statement added.

The investigation further revealed that pursuant to said order Priti Rani joined at Govt. High School Mallah on 29.05.2014 but at the time of joining also she failed to produce the requisite valid ALC Certificate before the Headmaster Govt. High School, Mallah namely Sheru Ram, the statement said.

“In furtherance to the criminal conspiracy hatched, then Headmaster Govt. High School, Mallah accepted her joining report and allowed her to perform her duties. The offence of conspiracy got established when after joining, Preeti Rani was immediately transferred from said school to the Office of Chief Education Officer, Jammu by accused Tarsem Lal, then CEO, Jammu,” the ACB said.

After completion of the investigation the charge sheet of the instant case for commission of offences under section 5 (1) (d) r/w 5 (2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and 120-B RPC against all the above named accused persons was presented today before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu for judicial determination, it said, adding that the next date of hearing in the instant case has been fixed for 04-09-2021 for further proceedings.

2333 people fined for violating Covid norms: Police

City

Precious Kashmir

18/08/2021

Srinagar: As many as 2333 people were fined Rs 2.41 lakh for violating COVID-19 guidelines during the last 24 hours in Kashmir valley.

A police spokesperson said that continuing its efforts to curb the outbreak of second wave of Coronavirus, police have realized fine to the tune of Rs 2,41,890 from 2333 people in the valley for violating the various guidelines regarding COVID-19.

“The special drive against the violators of COVID-19 guidelines continued in all the districts of Kashmir to ensure that people adhere to guidelines envisaged by the government to curb the pandemic,” he said.

He said community members are once again requested to cooperate with the Police in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs/ guidelines/protocols for their own safety and for the safety of others. “The special drive shall continue in the valley to strengthen the safety measures,” he added.

Reopening Schools

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

17/08/2021

Almost three weeks after Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, called for working out a plan to open educational institutions in a “staggered manner,” the State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary for the first time in recent past announced to take a “considered view” on the re-opening of the higher educational institutions for on-site learning. The announcement has got a rider attached to it. All heads of higher educational institutions (i-e institutions with students above age of 18) have been asked to assess dose-wise vaccination status of the students and staff of their respective institutions in a fortnight. It also comes amid continued hovering of the covid-19 cases around 130-mark. Compared to May this year, when the numbers even breached 5000-mark a day, the scenario in contemporary times looks for more opening up especially the educational institutions. The schools have remained closed in Jammu and Kashmir, more than in any part of India or globe. While the pandemic forced the closure of educational institutions in mid-March last year when the virus was declared a pandemic around the world, the schools, colleges and universities had reopened after seven-month closure in the wake of the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Even when reopened, attendance at educational institutions remained voluntary as the guidelines by the government of India specify that parents can decide what their wards should do. Most parents gave consent and school resumption seemed uninterrupted until covid-19 reared its head again. Beyond doubt, the long period of learning loss is a major setback in itself, affecting the physical and mental health of many students and depriving them of a year of vital skill development. Also importantly, many States and Union Territories have opted to reopen campuses, mostly for secondary and higher secondary students. Perhaps, the government should also keep an eye on indicators available from countries experimenting with back-to-school decisions, and red flags, in the wake of the Delta variant’s wildfire spread.

The genome sequencing of samples taken from Covid patients revealed that about 80% of infections in Jammu and Kashmir are primarily due to the delta variant of the virus which is highly contagious and can lead to development of severe symptoms in patients. While the government has asked staff of the education department to attend offices for administrative work, there is a need to emulate Maharashtra which has called for setting up committees headed by Collectors and civic officials to decide on reopening, with optional student attendance. It may enable closures only in areas with high incidence of covid-19.

Govt working with agenda of holistic development of all regions: LG

Front

Precious Kashmir

17/08/2021

Govt working with agenda of holistic development of all regions: LG

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the government was working with the agenda of holistic development of all the regions of the Union Territory, besides putting in concerted efforts to meet the developmental aspirations of the people.

Several delegations including the District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson from Baramulla met the Lieutenant Governor today.

Safina Baig, DDC Chairperson, Baramulla called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhavan. She apprised the Lt Governor about various developmental demands of her constituency, besides other issues of public importance.

Similarly, Dr. Shamshad Shan, DDC Chairperson, Ramban met the Lt Governor and submitted a memorandum of issues and demands pertaining to construction of mini Hydro Power Projects at various locations of Ramban; sanction of new bank branches; strengthening of health infrastructure and creation of new Education zones in Ramban.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the DDC Chairpersons observed that the Government is sensitive towards the issues of the people and is taking comprehensive measures for the redressal of the same at the earliest.

We are working with the agenda of holistic development of all the regions of the UT, besides putting in concerted efforts to meet the developmental aspirations of the people, the Lt Governor added.

The Lt Governor also urged the visiting DDC Chairpersons to continue their sustained endeavours for promoting the welfare of people on all fronts.

Later, Mir Junaid, President Jammu & Kashmir Workers Party (JKWP) also called on the Lt Governor and highlighted various issues of public importance pertaining to execution of developmental projects in Handwara area; interior road connectivity in Srinagar; development of sports etc.

He also appreciated the Lt Governor-led UT government for the efforts to reach out to the public at grassroot level.

The Lt Governor assured Junaid that all the issues projected by him would be looked into meticulously for their early redressal.

Meanwhile, Shrikant M Vaidya, Chairman Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan.

The Chairman discussed with the Lt Governor about various issues pertaining to smooth operation of the supply chain of the Corporation.

The Lt Governor, while interacting with the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd assured that the issues projected by him would be looked into on merit.

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