Precious Kashmir | Daily Newspaper

Crime Branch J&K registers case against JKPCC

City

05/02/2020

SRINAGAR : Crime Branch Kashmir registered a case against the officers and officials of JKPCC unit 10 and others who have caused a loss of about Rs 3 crores while executing works namely Panzgam-Manzgam Bridge, sub district Hospital Sogam and Bohipora Bridge in District Kupwara.

An enquiry by Crime Branch Kashmir subse

quent to a fact-finding committee report has revealed the commission of cognizable offences under sections 467, 468, 120-B IPC and 5(2) PC Act.Patently, the government of J&K had constituted a fact-finding committee to look into the irregularities in award of contracts in violation of prescribed SOP and procedures after the issuance of government order No. 308 of P/W dated 21-11-2015.

The Government order had made it necessary to invite competition through tendering process however during enquiry it surfaced that

33 works have been executed by JKPCC unit 10 on nomination basis after splitting them into 1400 component works. The nomination has been through favorite Piece Workers. Investigation has been taken up.

Garbage piles up at Super Specialty Hospital premises, raises stench

City

Precious Kashmir

05/02/2020

Garbage piles up at Super Specialty Hospital premises, raises stench

Srinagar : Unattended garbage in the premises of Super Specialty Hospital (SSH) here in summer capital Srinagar is causing immense problems to the visitors.

As per sources, the garbage lying inside the hospital premises has not been removed from here for a long time. The problem has been compounded by presence of a large number of dogs around this garbage pile—putting the lives of visitors at risk.

Some visitors even went on to complain that they fear to roam around freely, especially during late evenings due to the presence of these dogs around the hospital.

The SSH located at Shireen Bagh, opposite to Shri Mahraja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital runs under the administrative control of Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar is catering to hundreds of patients on a daily basis.

Unattended garbage which includes medical waste generated in this government hospital is piling up in a corner of the premises and is proving to be a health hazard.

The waste pile largely comprised food waste, polythene covers, slippers, blood-soaked bandages, syringes and empty medicine bottles. “We have been experiencing severe breathing problems since the last couple of days due to the stench from this,” said a few attendants.

The hospital is visited by hundreds of patients on daily basis; therefore, large biomedical waste gets generated. “Though it has separate bins to segregate wet and solid waste from biomedical waste,” an official at the hospital blamed visitors for not following instructions.

“All biomedical waste is collected by workers and sent outside; only the general waste is collected here. But if syringes and bottles were found in this pile we shall immediately look into it. Only visitors could have thrown it there,” the official inside the hospital added.Patients also complained that often crows and dogs flock around the garbage pile. “Crows and dogs pick up waste from the pile and drop it everywhere,” said an attendant Yawar Majeed of Pulwama. He accused the hospital authorities that they do not turn up regularly to clear the pile.Another attendant Bilal Ahmad said that stench coming out from the garbage, often spread around by birds, irks visitors to the hospital.

Short term course on Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence concludes at GCET Jammu

National

PK Web Desk

05/02/2020

JAMMU : Short term course on “Engineering Applications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence” organized by GCET Jammu in collaboration with NITTTR Chandigarh concluded today.

The course was conducted by various eminent speakers drawn from the various technological arenas like IIT Jammu, SSIET Dera Bassi (Punjab), Jammu University, Pink Tech Design, New Delhi, Enovate Skill, Start-up NITTTR Chandigarh. Director NITTTR Chandigarh.Principal GCET Dr. Sameru Sharma facilitated this opportunity to the participants to update their knowledge. The course was focused on various current and upcoming applications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.The course was coordinated by Dr. Balwinder Singh from NITTTR Chandigarh and Er. Sumeer Khajuria from GCET Jammu. Around 30 faculty from E&C, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department participated in the programme.

Administrative approval for works: Govt directs deptts to adhere to rules laid down in GFR

National

Precious Kashmir

05/02/2020

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday directed departments to adhere to rules while according administrative approval for development works.

the General Administration Department today came up with detailed instructions to be followed by executing agencies for according administrative approval to development initiatives.”

Attention of the all the administrative departments is invited to the detailed instructions laid down in the provisions of General Financial Rules, 2017, regarding procedures to be followed for according administrative approval,” reads the circular issued Financial Commissioner Revenue, Finance department, Arun Kumar Mehta.

According to the directive, no work shall be commenced and liability incurred in connection with it until administrative approval is obtained from administrative approval in each case in terms of Rule 136(1) of General Financial Rules, 2017.

As per sources the circular states that executing agencies shall take different aspects like whether work to be initiated is necessary, whether necessary funds are available in budget estimates.

The department have also been asked that unnecessary items of expenditure and scope of subsequent changes in the proposal shall be avoided. The other necessary guidelines for executing agencies is that per unit cost of construction is calculated taking into account rates adopted for similar earlier works as well as normative cost of construction and factor in maintenance and upkeep of the project.

The department have been directed to look into whether expected date of commencement and completion of works are clearly mentioned. They have also been directed that comprehensive proposal is considered for approval instead of a part, so that intended outcome is fully on completion of activities proposed.

Police raids medical shop, recovers scheduled ‘H’ drugs

National

PK Web Desk

05/02/2020

Budgam : Police raided a medical shop in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district and recovered syrups and capsules in large number, usually used by drug addicts. Police sources told Kashmir News Trust that police station Budgam was receiving complaints that a medical shop owner is supplying syrups and capsules to drug addicts without any prescription.

A police party raided the shop and recovered around 250 bottles and 600 capsules of scheduled ‘H’ drug from the medical shop. Police said that the owner of the shop identified as Javaid Ahmed Rather so Abdul Majeed, a resident of Nasrullahpora Budgam was arrested and a case under relevant section registered against him.

Mehbooba offers prayers, reads books by Turkish-british author to beat boredom

City

PK Web Desk

05/02/2020

Don’t know whether my mother will fight for restoration of J&K’s special status: Iltija

Srinagar : The holy Quran and some known books like ‘Lost palace’ and ‘No god but god’ is what former chief minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti reads during her incarceration to beat the boredom, the family revealed.According to the sources , Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti said that her mother was busy in reading books including the holy Quran, offering prayers five times to beat the boredom at make-shift jail at Maulana Azad road here.

She along with dozens of other mainstream leaders including two other former chief ministers—Dr. Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah were put under incarceration on August 5, when the centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (Article 370) and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh.

Mehbooba during her ongoing incarceration read many books including holy Quran, Lost palace by Catherine Bowness, No god but god by Reza Aslan and books of Elif Shafaq, a Turkish-british novelist, Iltija said, who met her mother ten days ago.She said only a few family members including mother, daughters and siblings are being allowed meet Mehbooba at present. “Although adequate facilities are being provided to my mother (Mehbooba Mufti) in jail, but after spending six months there without any trial, anyone who is under detention would certainly miss her home and family,” she said, adding that in view of presence of forces in Kashmir, there is as good as curfew here and during these circumstances it should not deter the government to release the incarcerated people.About her conversation during the meeting with Mehbooba Mufti, she said anyone who is under detention from last six months wonder what is happening outside. “The situation in Kashmir is well known to everyone. The internet is still not working properly.

Full Eco Potential Of JK Not Realised Due To Art 370: Govt

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/02/2020

Full Eco Potential Of JK Not Realised Due To Art 370: Govt

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday said the full economic potential of Jammu and Kashmir has not been realised due to Article 370 and the full rights of the people of the region enshrined in the Constitution were denied because of Article 35A.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in Lok Sabha that based on the Parliament’s recommendation, a declaration was issued by the President on August 6, 2019 under Article 370 and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh, addressing all such issues.

“Full economic potential of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh territories could not be realised for the last 70 years as the people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered from militant violence and separatism supported from across the border for the past many decades,” he said, replying to a written question.

Reddy said on account of Article 35A and certain other constitutional ambiguities, the people of this region were denied full rights enshrined in the Constitution and other benefits of various central laws that were being enjoyed by other citizens of the country.

“Due to these recent decisions, certain precautionary measures were taken initially which have been subsequently relaxed,” he said.

The minister said as reported by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, the agriculture operations are going on smoothly in the valley.

During 2019-20 (upto January, 2020), 18.34 lakh MTs of fresh fruit (apples) have been dispatched.

In the horticulture sector, under the Market Intervention Schemes (MIS) launched by the Government of India in September 2019, for the first time, 15769.38 MTs of apples valued at Rs.70.45 crores have been procured up to January 28, 2020, directly from the growers in Kashmir valley through National Agriculture Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).

This scheme has been extended up to March 31, 2020.

The sericulture sector recorded a production of 813 MTs of silk cocoon in 2019.

Reddy said during the first three quarters of 2019-20, handicrafts worth Rs 688.26 crore were exported.

Various tourism promotional campaigns have also been launched, he said.

The minister said the government of Jammu and Kashmir has informed that as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey, last conducted for 2017-18 by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation of Government of India, the worker-population ratio for persons in the age group of 15 years and above for Jammu and Kashmir is 51 per cent.

Night Temp Remains Below Normal, Snow Likely On Tuesday: MeT

Front

Precious Kashmir

05/02/2020

Srinagar: There was some improvement in the night temperature due to overcast conditions though it remained below normal across Kashmir valley, where there is prediction of fresh snowfall at some places during the next 24 hours.

The mercury during the day also remained chilly due to overcast conditions coupled with ice-cold winds in the valley.

All water-bodies remained frozen due to extreme chilly weather conditions in Ladakh region, where people are dependent on hot water springs during winter months. Border town of Drass was the coldest place in the region at minus 24 followed by Leh, where the mercury settled at minus 22.4 degree Celsius.

A Meteorological department spokesperson said that rain or snow would occur at some places in the valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. ”The WD has phased off and will have very less impact in the valley,” he said, adding on Wednesday, snow could occur at isolated places.

He said the weather will again turn dry from Thursday onwards, which would result in dip in the night temperature though mercury during the day is expected to improve.

Despite an improvement of about a degree in the night temperature, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley at minus 10.1 degree. ”Despite chilly weather conditions due to overcast conditions on Tuesday in Gulmarg, which is famous for its ski slopes and quality of snow, tourists, including foreigners, are out on ski slopes enjoying different activities,” a hotelier said.

The night temperature at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, improved about 6 degree from Monday and settled at minus 6.6 degree.

After witnessing improvement of about 2 degree in the night temperature, people woke up to a cloudy and chilly Tuesday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. Chill further intensified as the day progressed due to overcast conditions, coupled with ice cold winds in the city.

The night temperature in the city improved and settled at minus 3 degree, against minus 5 degree recorded on Monday.

During this 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, which ended on Wednesday, Srinagar received heavy snowfall, breaking about 30 year old record.

The night temperature at Qazigund, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag improved and settled at minus 6.3 degree, minus 3.9 degree and minus 4.8 degree, respectively.

One-way Traffic To Ply From Srinagar To Jammu On Highway

Front

PK Web Desk

05/02/2020

One-way Traffic To Ply From Srinagar To Jammu On Highway

Srinagar: Vehicles on Tuesday were plying from Srinagar to Jammu on the 270-km-long National Highway, which connects Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, as only one-way traffic will continue on the road till further orders.

However, despite considerable improvement in the weather after the end of 40-day-long Chilai-Kalan on January 30, coldest period of winter, there is no change in the situation on 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway and historic Mughal road which remained closed for the past about two months due to accumulation of about 6 feet to 12 feet of snow.

”One-way traffic was on Tuesday allowed from Srinagar to Jammu,” a traffic official told UNI.

He said despite improvement in the weather, only one-way traffic will continue on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway till further orders following bad road conditions to avoid traffic jam.

However, he said Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) will have to cross Jawahir tunnel till 1300 hrs. ”No vehicle was allowed from opposite direction,” he said, adding the road is very narrow at several places, particularly between Ramban and Ramsu, where only one vehicle could pass easily.

During this winter, about 300 per cent more snow was experienced in Kashmir valley against last year, badly hitting surface and air traffic. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was frequently closed due to snowfall and landslides, resulting in shortage of essentials, particularly fresh vegetables, fruits and meat since valley is entirely dependent upon imports.

There was also acute shortage of petrol, diesel and LPG gas cylinders in the valley for some time. Majority gas agencies have stopped home delivery due to short supply. Truckers alleged that it took them about a month for a trip to Kashmir valley and back to Jammu.

Meanwhile, there was no chance of early reopening of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway despite improvement in the weather. There are over 10 feet to 12 feet of snow accumulated on the highway. The road is likely to reopen in March or April, official sources said. A number of far-flung and remote areas also remained cut off with district headquarters Kargil.

The 86-km-long historic Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region also remained closed for the past two months due to accumulation of 6 to 12 feet of snow. The road is seen as alternative to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Bukhari DemandsBunkers In All JK Forward Areas

Front

PK Web Desk

05/02/2020

Srinagar: Expressing deep shock and grief over the death of a civilian in mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir’s Kupwara district, former Finance Minster Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday appealed the Centre to sanction funds for immediate construction of underground bunkers in forward areas where bunkers have not been constructed.

In a statement issued, Bukhari while echoing the concerns of former Legislators Raja Manzoor Khan and Javed Ahmad Mirchal, expressed solidarity with the bereaved family of Saleem Ahmed, a 60-year-old civilian, who was killed in the Tadd village of the Karnah sector in Kupwara district on Monday evening.

The former Legislators, while expressing sympathies to the family of another civilian who sustained injury in the incident, prayed for his early recovery. “It is unfortunate that there is no let up in shelling even during the winters, causing more worries to the civilian population living in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir,” they remarked.

Referring to a Defence Ministry report indicating an increase in the incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019, Bukhari said that in view of the heightened cross-border shelling, the Centre must sanction and order speedy construction of concrete, underground bunkers for all the left out border areas in the Union Territory, especially in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts.

He said that the bunkers have been found to be an effective response to cross-LoC shelling, providing the residents a safe place to save themselves during the shelling incidents.

“The residents of border/LoC areas of Jammu and Kashmir have been the worst victims of hostilities on the India-Pakistan border and along LoC. So all of them should be treated equitably without any feel of discrimination vis-a-vis measures taken for their safety and security,” said the former finance minister.

He added that amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, it is incumbent upon the Government of India to provide safe shelters to its citizens, especially living in the border areas.

“People living near the LoC in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts and their fellow citizens living in border areas of Jammu province live in constant fear and agony. They have no option, but to run for safe shelter. People have suffered injuries and loss of property amid intense firing and mortar shelling. The Ministry of Home Affairs in Government of India must ensure availability of sufficient funds to district administration for construction of additional bunkers in the left out areas,” Bukhari demanded.

He urged the Union Home Minister to sanction the requisite funds for the construction of underground bunkers for the left out areas in Teetwal, Tanghdar, Keran in the Kupwara district, Gurez area of Bandipora district and various places in Baramulla districts.

1...4,0344,0354,036 Page 4,035 of 4,036