Jammu: Taking a serious note of laxity in electric supply during Iftar and Sehri times in Srinagar district, the Government today ordered attachment of AEE, Bemina and AE Zakoora in the office of Managing Director, KPDCL with immediate effect. The officers of KPDCL will be attached till the time a detailed enquiry is conducted on the issue. It may be recalled that anumber of public grievances about disruptions in power supply during Iftar and Sehri times had been received from these areas. The Managing Director, KPDCL and Chief Engineer, Distribution, Kashmir have also been directed to personally monitor the supply of electricity and ensure no disruptions.
Appear with records tomorrow: HC directs RTO Kashmir
Re-Registration of outside vehicles
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday directed RTO Kashmir to appear before it on Wednesday even as it sought government’s response to a plea regarding re-registration of the outside vehicles.
The petition was filed by one Irshad Hussain Munshi, a resident of Buchpora Srinagar, and a division bench of Justices Mohammad Magrey and Vinod Chattregi Koul asked the government to file the response by April 21.
The court has however already declined to hear the plea as a Public Interest Litigation.
“Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, shall remain present along with with the records of circular dated 23 -03-2021,” the court said and also its Registrar Judicial to allow the RTO to enter the court premises for his appearance amid covid-19 guidelines on the date.
The petitioner, Munshi, has sought directions to the concerned authorities to quash RTO Kashmir’s circular dated March 27, mandating the vehicle owners who have purchased their vehicles bearing outside registration number to apply for a new registration as per the provisions of Section 47/50 of Motor Vehicle Act 1988 within a prescribed period of 15 days, failing which action as warranted shall be initiated against them.
He also sought directions also clarify by way of a circular or order on the issue of levying of tax on the vehicles purchased outside J&K if the previous owner of the vehicle has already paid the tax on the vehicle.
He also sought directions to clarify by way of circular from which period the tax is to be levied on the vehicles.
Munshi has also sought directions to the concerned not to seize or impound or fine the vehicles bearing outside registration number in pursuance of the RTO’s circular.
He also sought direction to the authorities concerned to give the public ample period of time for submitting heir documents for re-registration and also sought directions to amend/relax the rules in order to avoid inconvenience to the general public.
Earlier this month, the court sought government’s response on a petition filed by another individual. Advocate General D C Raina, had questioned the maintainability of the petition, challenging authority of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, vis-à-vis issuance of a Circular on March 27 last.
The Advocate General further submitted that in implementation and adherence to the law and in application of Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, read with Section 50 and 54, the officials have the authority to seek registration of the vehicle which remained in the J&K for a period exceeding 12 months.
Faisal Qadri, senior counsel for the petitioner, invited attention of the Court to section 46, 47 and 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to indicate that the scheme of law provides that when a motor vehicle registered in one State has been kept in another State, for a period exceeding twelve months, the owner of the vehicle shall, within such period and in such form containing such particulars as may be prescribed by the Central Government, apply to the Registering Authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle then is, for the assignment of a new registration mark.
Therefore, he submitted that it is the Central Government which can prescribe the period and form in which the vehicle is required to be registered by the registering authority.
He also submitted that in the event the RTO Kashmir’s circular is given effect, it will frustrate the object of Section 47 which is sought to be implemented by the RTO Kashmir.
In support of his submissions, the senior counsel also referred to and relied upon the judgment of the High Court of Karnataka delivered— Jagdev Biradar v. State of Karnataka.
“Prima facie there appears to be a consensus over the fact that while adhering to the provisions of law, the Competent Authority can seek such response from the owners whose vehicle remains in the State other than the one from where the vehicle is purchased for a period exceeding 12 months, but the question is raised as to who that Competent Authority is?”
Subsequently, “feeling it appropriate”, the court had asked that to file their response so that the controversy is set at rest. (GNS)
Baramulla-Banihal railway line to be electrified: Div Com Pole
Srinagar: The 137 kilometer Baramulla-Banihal railway line in Jammu and Kashmir shall be electrified and work on the project shall be started in a week’s time, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole said on Monday.
The Div Com said this while chairing a meeting of concerned to discuss execution of the project.
Emphasising on speedy work execution, the Div Com said that the work on the project shall be carried throughout the day and night for its early completion.
He said that in the first phase electrification work shall be started from Budgam Railway station towards Baramulla while Srinagar and South Kashmir districts up to Banihal Railway Station shall be covered in next phases.
In order to ensure smooth execution of the project, the Div Com directed the concerned DCs and SSPs to provide all logistic support and provide adequate security facilities to concerned executing agency in their respective areas.
He said that two wagons shall be operated during day and night with work force on board to complete pole erection and wire laying works during the execution.
He instructed concerned to start work in a week’s time and ensure timely completion of electrification of the railway line.
Mayor discusses measures to tackle new Covid strain
Srinagar: The Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu chaired a meeting to take stock of the measures/steps and restrictive recommendations in wake of surge in Covid-19 cases due to new strain.
Besides Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Athar Amir Khan, the meeting was attended by H.O.D Community Medicine, SKIMS Soura,H.O.D Community Medicine Govt. Medical College Srinagar,H.O.D Chest Medicine, Chest Disease Hospital,Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar Medical Officer I/c Testing, Srinagar Airport, Joint Commissioner (Adm.), Health Officer, SMC Joint Commissioner (Works), SMC Chief Sanitation Officer, SMC Nodal Officer Covid-19 Vaccination / Sanitization, SMC.
Mayor passed on directions to all the enforcement agencies to manage the situation on day to day basis with reasonable restrictions in synergy with guidelines of SDMA.
He also stressed on the need for constituting a General Committee to reach out to the people.
Moreover, it was also discussed that sustainable restrictions be made in public places, business establishments and other religious places.
Only 50% capacity of the passengers shall be allowed in public transport in coordination with traffic Police reiterated Mattu.
He further stressed that Rapid Testing shall be made mandatory for the travellers and tourists coming from outside state.
The forum also recommended roasters for the government offices especially for the teaching / non-teaching staff of schools.
Mattu emphasized that the law enforcement agencies shall go for strict compliance of SOPs to the new strain of Covid-19. (KNS)
Div Com for immediate removal of illegal barbeque stalls alongside Dal Lake
Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Monday chaired a meeting of officers to review the preservation of Dal Lake.
During the meeting, the Div Com stressed for a sustained drive to remove all illegal encroachments including all illegal barbeque stalls from Boulevard and Foreshore road alongside the Dal.
The Div Com directed a joint team of concerned departments is constituted to carry out a sustained drive against these illegal stalls causing traffic jams and other nuisance alongside Dal banks.
He also directed the concerned to speed up beautification work inside Dal and catchment areas and submit a detailed action taken report on preservation, beautification and other related works executed and plans of works to be executed during current year.
The Div Com directed concerned to ensure no unauthorized work is carried out and CCTV cameras are installed at all designated locations to keep check on illegal construction.
At the outset, the Div Com also reviewed the beautification works enforcement, traffic management, STPs, drainage and drainage related works.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC, VC LAWDA, CE PWD, UEED, Director Floriculture, SSP Srinagar, SSP Traffic, JD G&M and DD Tourism.
DC Srinagar orders setting up of 50 more Covid vaccination centres
All eligible Govt employees to be vaccinated to protect their families
Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Mohammed Aijaz Asad Monday called for intensifying vaccination process in the district to safeguard people and fight fresh wave of Covid-19.
The Deputy Commissioner said this while chairing a meeting with officers of all Government departments and health care warriors including BMO, ZMOs review the achievements made with regard to ongoing vaccination process in Srinagar, besides the mitigation measures undertaken to control the second wave of Covid-19.
The meeting also discussed the impact of the process and precautions of the measures that need to be taken to address the looming threat of spread of the 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
On the occasion, the DC directed the officers not to lower the guard and continue to maintain the highest level of alertness to ensure implementation of SOPs to counter the spread of virus..
The meeting was informed that the Health functionaries and other frontline workers are working in day in and day out to get the vaccination process done well in time to save the precious lives of the people by motivating them to come forward and get vaccinated forthwith.
The DC reiterated that apart from executing proactive measures, mobilization of all resources and manpower shall be put on ready gear to enable the Administration to tackle any emergencies arising from the 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Deputy Commissioner directed for setting up additional 50 vaccination centers and immunization teams to expand coverage. Presently 96 Vaccination centres are in place. He also stressed on maintaining and updating database of the vaccination being done on daily basis to ensure data is submitted well in time to concerned quarters.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the officers of different Government departments to undertake the vaccination of their subordinate employees to safeguard their families.
The DC urged upon the general public to cooperate with the District Administration in making the Covid drive successful in the district. He further said that the vaccination is most necessary for fighting against the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Nodal Officer Covid-19, Tehsildars and other concerned attended the meeting.
Change in colour of army vehicles, RoP soldiers
New steps a message about army reaching out to people: Def spokesman
Srinagar: Army Monday said that the colours of flags on its vehicles, flags carried by soldiers, who are part of Road Opening Parties (RoPs), have been changed from red to blue and white, while as the new look to the road barriers at the security checks are the steps taken to address the “feeling of alienation among citizens.”
Recently, pictures of army vehicles displaying pictures of Kashmirs’ beauty displaying a message—“Kashmiri Ko Salam” went viral on the social media while it was also learnt that the army has changed the flag colours to blue and white which otherwise used to be red. It was also learnt that soldiers who would carry lathis while on the move during convoy movement will use whistles only.
Defence spokesman in Srinagar Lieutenant Colonel Emron Musavi said nowadays, the army vehicles in Kashmir are moving with white and blue flags.
“Earlier, the army vehicles used to have red flags and even the soldiers in Road Opening Parties carried red flags while clearing way for convoys. The road barriers in sensitive zones have also been given a new look,” he said.
He said that these steps have been taken to address the “feeling of alienation in the citizens at the security checks and drills.”
“There is a need for understanding the fact that the security checks are necessitated due to the existing threat of attacks by militants on the Security Forces and common man. “More the threat, more have to be the preventive checks and drills. These checks will be necessary till the time the militant threat can be brought down. This effort at countering militancy has to be a joint citizen-soldier effort,” Lt Col Musavi.
He said these visual steps are a message that the Security Forces are reaching out to the citizens for better mutual understanding, and there is a desire to minimise the discomfort to the citizens due to the security drills.
“The intent is to improve the citizen-soldier connect so that both work jointly to address the challenge of militancy in J&K,” he said—(KNO)
Sanitisation not potent, useless against Covid virus: JMC
By: Tasaduq Hussain
Jammu: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Monday said that there are no guidelines from the Government of India (GoI) for sanitisation as the process has no scientific validity whether it helps to contain the Covid-19 spread or not.
JMC said rather the sanitisation mounts the chances of getting allergies and respiratory problems.
Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Anvy Lavasa said with the rising COVID-19 cases people must adhere to the precautionary measures in spirit and maintain social distance, wear masks, and regularly wash hands to contain the further spread of infection.
She said that the situation as compared to last year has evolved a lot and with new medical research and findings it’s known that sanitization doesn’t reduce the chances of getting the COVID-19 infection.
“We must reduce the crowd in public places maintain social distancing and wear a mask while the sanitization leads to counter-productive reactions including allergies and respiratory problems since there is a use of multiple chemicals,” Lavasa said.
She said that it has been decided that the sanitization will be done in Micro-Containment zones only since there is a regulation and controlled activities.
Health officer Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Sanjogita Sudan on the occasion said that there is no concrete evidence to prove sanitization will benefit in COVID-19 virus .
She said that a lot of complications have been found across the country and the Government of India has not mentioned it in any of its furnished guidelines.
“Sanitization isn’t helpful at all against the COVID-19 infection rather people must follow the basic precautionary measures,” she said—(KNO)
Khan convenes meeting with SWD, ICDS officers; reviews vital projects
Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan Monday convened a meeting with the officers of Social Welfare and ICDS Departments to review the functioning of these vital entities of the UT government.
Director, Social Welfare Department, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Executive Director Rehabilitation Centre, Ishfaq Ahmad, OSD to Advisor, Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Deputy Director ICDS, Bilquis, District Program Officer, Srinagar and all the District Social Welfare Officers attended the meeting while Director ICDS Shabnum Kamili, Director Planning Umera Shafat and Director Finance, Anil participated virtually.
While reviewing implementation and execution of various schemes by the Social Welfare Department, Advisor directed the officers that Old Age Pension applicants should not be asked to collect the requisite certificates on their own rather the district offices should adopt a proper procedure for the same. He asked the officers to ensure time bound disposal of all cases to avoid unnecessary piling of files besides clearance of all new cases within a month’s time.
Khan while reviewing status of Scholarship and Marriage Assistance Schemes by SWD, was informed that the Minority Scholarship has been enhanced by more than three hundred percent and the amount is being transferred to the beneficiary on time.
He was informed that the cases regarding Marriage Assistance are being disposed of on time besides elaborating on the issue of sanctioning in the supplementary list due to variation in surveys.
The Advisor also took stock of orphanages being established by SWD besides assessing enrollment of boys and girls in these institutions. He was informed that the department has established a Girls Orphanage at Anantnag where all the modern facilities are being provided to inmates.
Khan appreciated the infrastructure and facilities available at Girls Orphanage Centre Anantnag and stressed on officers to raise same centres in their respective districts.
He also reviewed the infrastructure and other facilities being provided to handicapped people by SWD. He gave directions for keeping provision of various facilities to visually impaired and Mentally unsound people. He said each category of specially abled people need different infrastructure setup with segregation of male and female groups.
Advisor had a detailed review of functioning of ICDS department with a deep assessment about the schemes being executed for welfare of children and women.
Advisor was informed that 61 ICDS projects are currently operational at the Anganwadi Centers in Kashmir division besides a total of 14256 AWCs are functional in which 386471 children of age group 06 months to 6 years are enrolled. Besides, 95013 pregnant women and lactating mothers have been enrolled and a total of 388761 beneficiaries of 06 months to 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers are being provided nutrition by AWCs.
Khan exhorted upon the concerned officers to keep a check on school dropout girls and get them enrolled back in the schools. He said it is one of the main functions of the ICDS department that girls continue their education besides providing them skill development training in collaboration with other departments.
Machil, Gurez still disconnected
Srinagar: Barring border towns of Gurez and Machil, roads to dozens of far flung and remote areas, including those near the Line of Control (LoC), were reopened on Monday after remaining closed for two days due to fresh snowfall in north Kashmir.
“Traffic has been restored on Kupwara-Karnah road after clearing of snow and improvement in weather conditions,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara, said over the phone.
He said traffic was through on Kupwara-Keran road though the vehicles are currently plying only till Munden, which is a few km from the main town. “Snow clearance operation is going on to restore traffic to main Keran town”.
He said a snow clearance operation was going on war footing to restore traffic to Machil, which remained cutoff from district headquarter in Kupwara since Saturday due to accumulation of about a foot on the road.
However, he said the operation could be effected following the prediction of another spell of rain and snow from Tuesday.
An official of Police Control Room (PCR) from Bandipora told UNI that traffic remained suspended since Saturday to the border town of Gurez and adjoining areas due to accumulation of snow.
“Razdan pass and adjoining areas on Bandipora-Gurez road recovered about 7 to 8 inches of fresh snowfall on Saturday,” he said.
He said snow clearance operations will be started on the road only after improvement in the weather conditions as the areas in avalanche prone.
Gurez was on April 10 reconnected with district headquarters Bandipora in north Kashmir after remaining cutoff for over four months due to the accumulation of snow, avalanches and slippery conditions.
The authorities provide helicopter services to ferry patients and other stranded people, including students, from Gurez during these winter months. As many as 150 aspirants appearing in Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) examination were airlifted to Bandipora from Gurez by District Administration Bandipora last month. Similarly, many patients were airlifted from Gurez to Bandipora for medical treatment.
