Precious Kashmir

Bank strike hits services in Kashmir

Front

16/03/2021

Srinagar: Banking services were several hit even as customers are facing inconveniences in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley on Monday, the first day of two nationwide strike called by employees unions against the privatization of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and retrograde banking reforms.

Meanwhile, customers alleged that some ATMs have already dried up as the cash was not refilled with banks remaining closed on Saturday and Sunday as well.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine bank unions, decided to go on a two-day national wide strike to protest against the proposed privatization of two state-owned lenders.

However, branches of private sector lenders like J&K Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank are open as they are not part of the strike.

Branches of all the centralized banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), were closed since early morning, causing inconvenience to the customers, who were caught unaware of the strike. Despite banks, including SBI, claiming that the customers were informed about the strike, people in the valley alleged that no prior information about the strike was communicated to them.

“It is really ironic that we had no idea about the strike. We should have been informed about it so that we could have made prior arrangements. I have to send money to my son who is studying in an engineering college in Meerut. But due to the strike, I can only send him the money on Wednesday,” Yousuf Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, told UNI.

Similar, views were expressed by other customers in the valley. But, the customers can use internet banking services to make transactions.

Highest Rail Bridge in Chenab completed: Railway Minister

Front

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Srinagar: In s significant development, Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal, said that the arch bottom of the Chenab rail bridge has been completed.
According to news agency KINS, Goyal said, “In a historic moment, the arch bottom of the Chenab Bridge has been completed today. Next, the arch upper of the engineering marvel in making will be completed,”
He also said that it is all set to be the world’s highest Railway Bridge.
The Ministry of Railways also posted a video on its official Twitter handle showing the ongoing work on the ‘marvel in making’.
The arch bridge is a part of an ambitious railway project connecting Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of India.
Work on putting the main arch began in November 2017.
The ₹1,250-crore bridge will be 359 metres above the Chenab river bed
The overall length of the bridge is 1,315 metres.
Construction of the first three phases of the project has been completed and the line is in operational use for running of trains between Baramulla-Banihal in Kashmir valley and Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in Jammu region.
The 1,315m-long bridge is being built at a height of 359m. Once completed, it will be the tallest rail bridge in the world.
The Rs5.12bn ($92m) bridge is a part of Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (JUSBRL) project being undertaken by the Ministry of Indian Railways. The bridge will include a 14m-wide dual carriageway and a 1.2m-wide central verge.
The officials said that the project is expected to be finished by December 2021 and will have a lifespan of 120 years. It will contribute to the economic development of the state and help in providing better transportation accessibility within the state and the country.
“Travelling in and around the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir has been a great difficulty for locals. An urgent need to provide better transportation facilities was recognised by the Government of India. Construction of a national railway project that will connect J&K with the rest of India was therefore proposed,” a top official in the Railways told news agency KINS.
He said that the JUSBRL project was launched in 2003 as part of this proposal. “The 345km-long railway line between the Jammu and Baramulla regions will enhance mobility within the state and across India. The railway line will traverse along Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund-Baramulla. Construction of the Jammu to Udhampur section was completed and opened in April 2005. Work is progressing on the Udhampur to Baramulla section,” he said.
“The project includes construction of several bridges and tunnels along the route, of which Chenab Bridge is one. It will span across the deep Chenab river and provide access to the Kashmir valley from Udhampur.
The project was suspended in 2008 due to construction challenges. The alignment of the entire JUSBRL project was reviewed to propose solutions for the challenges faced. The review work was submitted to the Railway Board and approved in 2009. The design of the bridge, however, was approved in July 2012,” he maintained.(KINS)

LG visits Ranbir Canal, Road widening sites on Jammu-Akhnoor road

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Directs for completion of cleaning & desilting work of Ranbir Canal before Baisakhi

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today made a visit to Jammu-Akhnoor road and enquired about the status of the desilting process of Ranbir canal, besides reviewing the status of Jammu-Akhnoor road widening project.

While enquiring about the mechanism laid down for cleaning of the canal, the Lt Governor directed the concerned officers to take all requisite measures for completion of cleaning and desilting work of the Ranbir Canal before Baisakhi. He further directed for immediate desilting of all the distributaries and daily monitoring of the work so that farmers could benefit from the timely availability of water.

Take proactive measures to complete the work; visible results should be seen in a week’s time, the Lt Governor instructed the officers.

It was informed that tenders for the desilting work have been allotted and it would be completed well in time.

Taking strong note of discharging of Municipal waste into the canal, the Lt Governor emphasized the need for maintaining synergy among concerned departments and executing agencies for laying down a comprehensive mechanism for the solid waste management and effective implementation of the cleaning work of the canal.

Meanwhile, the Lt Governor also took firsthand appraisal of the progress on Jammu-Akhnoor road widening project, and directed for expediting the work.

He directed the executing agency to use latest technological interventions in construction works for time-bound completion of the flyover on Jammu-Akhnoor road.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; M Raju, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department and Engineers of the concerned departments accompanied the Lt Governor during the visit.

Khan chairs Annual General Meeting of JKAIDCL

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Jammu: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan chaired Annual General meeting of JK Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited (AIDCL) at Civil Secretariat here Monday .

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Navin Kumar Choudhary, V.N.Kale Additional Commissioner (M&T) Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare (GOI), MD JK Agro Bhawani Rakwal, Director General Planning Bilal Ahmad, Additional Secretary Agriculture Pankaj Mangotra, Director Agriculture Jammu Inderjeet, Director Horticulture Ram Sevak, Additional Secretary Finance Rajneesh, Director Finance JK Agro Rakesh Khajuria beside others.

Speaking during the meeting, Khan appreciated the Corporation for its achievements and complimented them for earning profit for last three years.

He directed the officers of JKAIDCL to maintain asset inventory of the Corporation besides independent directors with required technical knowledge in the field of Finance, Agro Technology and Legal matters should be appointed so that the Administration of the Corporation is made more efficient.

The Advisor further directed the officials of the Corporation to prepare a three year business plan for the Corporation so as to make it more viable and profit making establishment.

He also directed the officers to tie-up with leading brands of Agri equipments so that the JK Agro gets dealership of the famous brands of Agriculture products in the country.

Mehbooba nominates office bearers

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Srinagar: Revamping the organizational structure after being unanimously re-elected president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last month, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday nominated office bearers.

A PDP spokesman said Monday afternoon that Mehbooba has nominated senior party leader A R Veeri as the party Vice President, G N Lone Hanjura, Surinder Choudhary, Amreek Singh Reen and Arshid Malik as the party General Secretaries.

The PDP President has also nominated Abdul Hameed Kosheen, Rajinder Manhas and Ashok Jogi as the party state secretaries, the spokesman said.

Dud shell found in Lolab

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Srinagar: A dud shell was found lying adjacent to a human habitation in Dever, Lolab area in north-Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday afternoon.

Reports said that locals immediately informed nearest police after getting alerted by the sighting of the suspicious object on the peripheral part of village Dilbagh in Lolab area.

A police team was shortly deputed to the area, who on assessment concluded the object to be a ‘dud shell’.

When contacted, Station House Officer Lalpora Nazir Ahmad, told GNS that a team was sent to the area after local residents of Dilbagh area reported of sighting some suspicious object. “After assessments made by the team, it came out to be a dud shell”, the official said.

“A Bomb Disposal Squad from 28 Rashtriya Rifles has been sought to destroy the ammo as per the procedure”, the official added. (GNS)

Kashmir Press Club organizes workshop

City

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Srinagar: The Kashmir Press Club on Monday organized a day long workshop on newspaper and television reporting in which over 70 working and aspiring journalists participated.
Senior journalist and BBC Urdu correspondent Riyaz Masroor shared his experience with the participants on “Newspaper Reporting & Scripting”, while also emphasizing the importance of editing and the utility of clean and precise news copies.
Masroor also highlighted the need for authenticity and fact checking for being a credible journalist while also highlighting other aspects of newspaper journalism.
Shuja-ul-Haq, KPC President and Associate Editor India Today delivered a talk on “TV Reporting & Mobile Journalism”. He also highlighted the editing tools and the list of hardware needed for becoming a MOJO or mobile journalist in this digital age. Shuja also talked about the TV scripting and also introduced the participants to the TV news format.
The workshop was held in two separate sessions considering the number of participants who wanted to attend.
In his opening remarks while highlighting the need for capacity building and enhancing the skill sets of the young working journalists, KPC General Secretary Ishfaq Tantry noted that the participation of the young journalists and journalism students from three universities of Kashmir was encouraging.
The workshop was coordinated by Auqib Javed and Danish bin Nabi. (KINS)

ACB traps, arrests PCB official

City

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Srinagar: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Monday trapped and arrested Field Inspector Pollution Control Board, Ganderbal Aabid Ahmad for accepting bribe.

“The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a written complaint from the complainant alleging therein that he is running a joinery mill at Saloora Ganderbal,” a spokesman of ACB said .

He said Aabid had applied online for NOC from Pollution Control Board in November 2019.

“Subsequently, a field Inspector Aabid Ahmad visited his unit for spot inspection. Later on, the District Officer, Pollution Control Board, Ganderbal prepared a report wherein he mentioned that the complainant has not applied for NOC with the result his unit was closed,” the ACB said.

He said District Officer Pollution Control Board Ganderbal, namely, Mohammad Ashraf Khanday alongwith Field Inspector, namely, Aabid Ahmad were demanding an amount of Rs.20,000/- as bribe in instalments within a period of one month for withdrawal of closure order which was issued by them on their report.

“The complainant arranged an amount of Rs. 3000/- as first instalments to be paid to them. On the complaint of the complainant, a case FIR No.02/2021, PS ACB, U/S 7 P.C Act 1988, of PS ACB was registered and investigation was taken up,” the ACB spokesman said.

He said during the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted which laid a successful trap. “Aabid presently Field Inspector Pollution Control Board, Ganderbal, was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs. 3000/- from the complainant”.

“Further investigation of the case is in progress,” he added.

B’pora family protests outside SMHS hospital Sgr

City

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Alleges murder of daughter by in-laws

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar, March 15: A family from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday staged a protest outside Srinagar’s SMHS hospital against the alleged murder of their daughter by her in-laws over dowry issue.

The family and relatives of the lady from Panzigam, Pahalwanpora area of Bandipora assembled outside the hospital here. Amid tears, sobs, they demanded immediate action against the in-laws of their daughter for allegedly murdering her by giving some poisonous substance.

Bashir Ahmad Khan, father of the deceased lady, alleged that she was given poisonous substance by her in-laws over dowry issues. “From time to time, we have been fulfilling their demands of dowry”.

He said two years back when his daughter delivered a baby boy, some issues occurred within the two families over dowry, adding that the husband of his daughter was demanding a car and other things from them.

“My son-in-law, who hails from Rampora area of Bandipora was very innocent, but he was misguided by his parents, thus started demanding dowry from us. We although decided to give him a house as gift, but only 18 days after my daughter went to her in-laws house after two and a half year long problem, she has been killed there as she was given some poisonous substance,” he said, adding that such is the height that her in-laws left the hospital after she died instead of taking her to the house for last rites.

He said that he has even sold his land to fulfill the demands of his daughter’s in-laws.

Meanwhile, the family demanded strict action against the in-laws of their deceased daughter and said the concerned authorities should act swiftly so that the culprits are brought to book immediately—(KNO)

3-day workshop on disaster risk reduction begins at KU

City

Precious Kashmir

16/03/2021

Experts, academics call for greater awareness to create a disaster-conscious society

Srinagar: Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad Monday said that creating a disaster-conscious student community can go a long way in promoting disaster prevention consciousness at the grassroots.

He was addressing as chief guest the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on disaster risk reduction, organised by the Department of Geography and Disaster Management (DGDM), for college teachers.

Prof Talat said that academic institutions have to take a lead in spreading the message of disaster management in the society.

“I think students can be the best communicators of this message. J&K UT, which falls in the Himalayan region, is very vulnerable to disasters and everyone has to understand this fact. At the official level, our planning and our development have to be carried out in a manner where it doesn’t disturb nature in any manner,” he said urging the DGDM to hold such capacity-building programmes at the college-level too.

In his keynote address, Dean of Research Prof Shakil A Romshoo said J&K needs to go back to the culture of disaster preparedness that it once propagated and adhered to.

He said nearly 90% buildings in Srinagar, including some public buildings, are unsafe as per the vulnerability assessment.

Cautioning that people can’t outsource their safety to the government agencies alone, Romshoo said “as individuals we will have to be more responsible to ensure safety of our families by adopting old construction practices and abandoning all types of constructions in and along the flood basins.”

KU Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir, who was a guest of honour, reiterated the university’s commitment to organise such capacity-building programmes at the college and university levels regularly.

“We want our educational institutions to become main centres of development of disaster mitigation strategies as well as main hubs for raising societal awareness about disasters,” he said.

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