Chairs meeting of all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir   

Srinagar: In order to receive a first-hand appraisal of the Administration’s response towards addressing the issues of public, besides ensuring transparency & accountability in the governance system, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today chaired a meeting of all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division here at Raj Bhavan.

The meeting was also attended by Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir, and Rahul Pandey, Director Information & PR.

The Lt Governor observed that officers are the face of administration and exhorted them to discharge their duties with utmost sensitivity and responsibility, and put in best efforts to mitigate the problems of the people.

He directed them to hold grievance redressal interaction with people at least three days a week in their respective offices to redress genuine grievances at the earliest.

In view of the upcoming holy month of Ramzan and Navratri festival, the Lt Governor directed the DCs to ensure all basic facilities to the people in their respective districts.

He asked the officers to make sure that uninterrupted power and water supply is made available particularly during Sehri and Iftaar so that people do not face any difficulty during the holy month of Ramzan.

While underscoring the importance of Block Diwas, the Lt Governor said that it is an important administrative intervention and called upon the officers to use this platform optimally for public service delivery and redressing grievances of the people.

He also instructed the visiting officers to chalk out rational plans for Block Diwas programs in their respective districts, and audit the grievances received and settled.

With regard to management and containment efforts to control COVID-19 in J&K, the Lt Governor directed the officers to ensure that COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is adopted by the people in their respective jurisdictions. He also instructed the officers to make serious efforts to scale up the vaccination in all districts.

In wake of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Lt Governor directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure fully functional toilet facility at designated places in the districts through which the Yatra passes, within the set time frame. He called for synergizing the inter-departmental efforts to provide the adequate facilities to the visiting Yatris.

The Lt Governor, while reviewing the activities under “Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’, asked the DCs to identify people from their districts who have played an important role in the Indian freedom struggle & in safeguarding the territorial integrity of J&K, and felicitate them in the ongoing celebrations. He also directed the officers to ensure the hoisting of the National flag on all government buildings and establishments under their jurisdiction following proper protocols and laid down procedures.

Underlining the significance of e-Governance, the Lt Governor directed for updating websites of all government departments dynamically with all important information including beneficiary lists and details of welfare schemes for people in the most user-friendly way. The Lt Governor also instructed the district officers to make tangible efforts towards implementation of e-Office system at the district level.

The Lt Governor directed the officers to put the list of works identified under the Back to Village program, and those which have been completed, at vital public places across all the Panchayats for the information of people.

The Lt Governor further directed for laying specific thrust on the development of playfields in Panchayats, implementation of Forest Rights Act, developmental needs of border villages, implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, and removing illegal encroachments from the state land. He also directed for discouraging the practice of poppy and bhang cultivations by replacing such practices with cash crop cultivation.

He further laid stress on working out the best district plans and incorporate all important developmental proposals well in advance.

The Lt Governor passed specific directions for tapping the tourism potential of uncovered areas for the socio-economic upliftment of the local population.

Earlier, all the DCs put forth their suggestions before the Lt Governor for making public delivery system and redressal system more efficient.

Interacts with 150 member delegation of Gujjar-Bakerwal community

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today held an interactive session at Raj Bhavan here with a 150 member delegation of Gujjar-Bakerwal Community comprising BDC Chairpersons, BDC members, and Sarpanches from different districts.

While expressing their views, the community members projected their issues and grievances and sought Lt Governor’s intervention for the redressal of the same.

Recalling his interaction with the Gujjar- Bakerwal community members in Jammu, the Lt Governor reiterated the significance of education in the progress of every community and advised the community members to promote education among their youth.

Assuring government’s full support in educational upliftment of the community, the Lt Governor said that concrete measures are being taken to shape up the future of the students living in remote and far-flung areas.

A Comprehensive Assessment Programme is being prepared by Education department for the students living in far off reaches who are unable to attend the school due to unfavourable weather & topological conditions for assessing their learning outcome and providing bridge courses to fill the gap, observed the Lt Governor.

To pave a strong foundation for the future generation and to fill the educational gap of seasonal migration, the Lt Governor announced that UT administration would provide Tablet Computers with pre-loaded educational content to the students living in higher altitudes without any discrimination. Besides, Mobile Solar System for lighting and charging purposes will also be provided to such students.

With new guidelines, Best Education, Good meals, Safety, and Recreational facilities would be made in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas. Nine Residential schools will also be set up in different parts of J&K. It will be also ensured that Warden, Assistant Warden and Teacher, and other supporting staff are available in Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostels, the Lt Governor maintained.

While responding to the issues and demands projected by the community leaders with regard to Mobile Schools, the Lt Governor observed that Government has initiated the process to increase remuneration of the teachers working in Mobile Schools to Rs 10,000 per month for better functioning of these schools. All possibilities would be explored for improving the infrastructure of Mobile schools across J&K, he added.

Government is committed towards safeguarding the rights, besides ensuring basic amenities and socio-economic upliftment of every community of the UT without any condition or discrimination, the Lt Governor observed.

Various schemes are being launched in the UT for the welfare and development of tribal Community, besides other initiatives for the development of infrastructure including roads, power, water, healthcare, and educational facilities, in remote and far-flung areas which are hitherto left uncovered, said the Lt Governor.

He also lauded the tribal community for their valuable contribution towards nation building.

Earlier, the members of the community led by Sh. Rafiq Balot expressed their gratitude towards the Lt Governor led J&K Administration for working for the welfare and interest of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, besides implementing Forest Rights Act and Political reservation for the benefit of the tribal community.

Srinagar: Several delegations including public representatives, individuals, and sportsperson from different parts of Kashmir called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha here at Raj Bhavan today.
Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Member, District Development Council Tulail, Bandipora, and a public delegation led by President Pahari Youth Association Uri, Sh. Naveed Bukhtiyar separately called on the Lt Governor and projected various developmental issues of Pahari and Tribal communities in their respective areas.
Another deputation from Pakharpora, Budgam led by Advocate Rayees Ahmad submitted a memorandum regarding their concerning issues.
Meanwhile, renowned Water Sports athlete and coach, Bilquis Mir also met the Lt Governor and projected various issues pertaining to the development of water sports infrastructure and water sports activities.
The Lieutenant Governor gave patient hearing to all the deputations and assured that all their genuine issues would be looked into on priority.

Several welfare measures have been taken for the development and welfare of people belonging to every community across J&K.

On development of water sports in the UT, the Lt Governor observed that J&K is rich in water resources and Government is committed to developing world-class Water Sports infrastructure to provide best platforms to the budding local talents in this sports discipline.
He also urged the members of the delegations to continue extending cooperation to administration in providing better services to the public.

Srinagar: Weatherman on Sunday forecast light to moderate rains in plains and snow over upper reaches from April 14 night.

“There’s no forecast of any severe weather till 14th.  Expect another spell of light to moderate rain/thunderstorm and snowfall over higher reaches during April 14th night to April 15th,” Director Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus said.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures settled below normal across Kashmir.

A MeT official told GNS that the minimum temperature settled at 6.4°C against 6.8°C on the previous night in Srinagar. The temperature in the summer capital was minus 1.2°C below normal for this time of the season, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 4.0°C against 4.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 0.9°C against 0.7°C on the earlier night.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 4.8°C, same as previous night, the official said.

Kupwara recorded a low of 5.1°C against 3.7°C on the previous night, the official said.

Gulmarg record a low of 0.0°C, same as previous night and it was minus 0.5°C below normal for this time of the year in the world famous skiing resort in the north Kashmir, the official added. (GNS)

Jammu: At least five anti-personnel mines were found in the Border village of Dera in Rajpura block of Samba district, officials here said on Sunday.

Last week too, three anti-mines were recovered in the district.

Police sources that the rusted mines were recovered while digging at the house of one Darshan Lal at Dera, Samba.

One April 6, three rusted mines were found at the same place while digging, they added.

Police took the mines in its custody while a Bomb Disposal Squad Samba was pressed into service for neutralizing the bombs.