Precious Kashmir

Force launches CASO in Shopian

City

08/03/2021

Srinagar: Security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian on Sunday, official sources said.

Similar, CASO was also conducted in the Shopian district at three villages on Saturday. However, the operation was called off after no militant was found, they added.

They said following a tip off about the presence of militants, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint CASO at village Keegam and Reshipora in Shopian.

All the exit points were sealed and roads leading to these village closed for traffic and pedestrian movement.

Later, security forces launched house-to-house searches, they said adding so far no contact was established with the militants.

The operation was still going on when the reports last came in, they added.

Congress demands resignation of Anantnag MC councilors

City

Precious Kashmir

08/03/2021

Srinagar: After various councilors of MC Anantnag joined Apni Party, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Sunday said Hilal Ahmad Shah and other councilors were elected on Congress symbol and demanded their resignation on moral grounds.

JKPCC Spokesperson in a statement said Hilal Ahmad Shah MC President Anantnag along with some councilors joined Apni Party without resigning from the position they are enjoying currently in MC Anantnag. “They have been elected on Congress symbol and they should have send their resignation to party prior to their joining a few month’s old party”.

“Shah and other councilors have adopted unethical way. They should resign alongwith other councilors to ensure sanctity of the institution (Municipal Committee Anantnag),” he said.

The Congress spokesman said resorting to horse-trading and coercion is the hallmark of Apni Party, which is certainly not going to help it, neither in present nor in future. (KNS)

Second part of Parliament’s Budget session from today

National

Agencies

08/03/2021

New Delhi: The month-long second part of the Budget session of Parliament begins on Monday in the middle of a high octane campaign for assembly elections in four states and one UT.

The main focus of the government in the second part of the session is to get the various demands for grants for the year 2021-22 passed along with the Finance Bill which carries various tax proposals.

Besides these mandatory agendas, the government has listed various bills for passage in the session which concludes on April 8.

Some of the bills listed by the government include the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, Electricity (Amendment) Bill, Crypto currency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill.

The part two of the session is taking place at a time when political parties have their focus on elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.

The elections would take place in March-April.

Senior leaders of various parties, especially the regional ones, are likely to skip most of the House sittings to focus on campaigning.

The first part of the Budget session started on January 29 with the President’s address to joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. The address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties, including the Congress, in support of the demand of the protesting farmers for the repeal of the three farm laws.

The Union Budget was tabled on February 1.

Thereafter, House proceedings were washed out for four consecutive days over the opposition’s demand for separate discussion on farm issues.

To compensate the session’s lost time, the House sat till midnight for several days.

Spike In Cyber Crimes

Edit

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

A big spike in financial frauds, online gaming and cyber stalking has been seen as world battles Covid-19 pandemic. The cyber crimes have increased manifold in the last one year, and most of them can be attributed to the sudden spurt in transition of work online. A majority of cases amounted to financial frauds, including One-Time Password and OLX frauds. Crimes such as revenge porn, cyberstalking and slut shaming and hateful conduct saw increase on the social media platforms. Some, rather occasional controversies are subsumed over a period. However many problems remain and justice delivery mechanisms appear to be very complex and inaccessible to women and the marginalised when it comes to cyber crimes.

Apart from simplifying means for justice delivery, there is need to spread awareness as well as training law enforcement agencies and improve cyber forensic facilities including properly educating them on gender sensitisation. These steps would surely help to prevent such cases and expedite investigation.

There are several laws to prevent such crimes. The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) has provisions regarding cheating by personation (section 66D), violation of privacy (section 66E), publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form (section 67), publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit act, etc. in electronic form (section 67A), publishing or transmitting material depicting children in the sexually explicit act, etc. in electronic form (section 67B), etc.

Rule 3 (2) (b) of Information Technology (Intermediaries guidelines) Rules, 2011 provides for an obligation for Intermediaries (Social media platforms) to inform users of computer resources not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share any information that is grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous defamatory, obscene, pornographic, pedophilic, libelous, and invasive of another’s privacy.

There is also a scheme namely Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC), funded under Nirbhaya Fund, under which an online Cyber Crime reporting portal, (www.cybercrime.gov.in) has been launched, to enable public to report complaints pertaining to rape/ gang rape imageries or sexually explicit content, Child Pornography/ Child Sexual Abuse Material.

This portal facilitates the public to lodge all types of cybercrimes with special focus on crimes against women and children.

The government is primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of crimes through law enforcement machinery. There is a need to take prompt action as per provisions of law against the criminals misusing the social media and regularly post horribly misogynistic comments including rape threats to women on social media.

Class IV or JKPSC Exam

Edit

Precious Kashmir

06/03/2021

By: Shahid Majeed Mir

Recently JKSSB conducted a competitive exam meant for selection to the Class iv posts of various departments. As per reports almost five lakh students from various fields participated to test their luck for formal entry into the state public service. The exam was conducted in three phases due to mammoth applications called by the Commission. Although the exam was conducted smoothly barring some minor issues and misappropriate means by candidates. The statement from JKSSB called it a successful conduct of exam and prospective completion of recruitment process in one month in tune with fast recruitment spirit of the Government in charge. On one side jkssb narrative proved it a successful conduct while on the other side students claim that exam has been largely a difficult one compared to its level and mostly out of syllabus prescribed for the purpose. Are the claims true ? Is jkssb really habitual of such mistakes ? Are candidates really genuine in their demands ? These are the questions which use to be a part of the discussion after conduct of exam especially here in j and k keeping the JKPSC conundrum in mind.

It is noteworthy to state that every exam is conducted within the range prescribed in the syllabus which is almost elaborate to satisfy both the commission which sets paper and the students who are supposed to opt for the same. The friction occurs when there occurs a mismatch between what syllabus says and what paper demands in reality. This mismatch may occur due to various factors and as per various parameters which indeed put onus on the commission to take care off. On the ist instance syllabus demarcates only topics which include a syllabus in itself likewise the same syllabus demarcates the chapters of a subject which demands completion of basics ipso facto. In this scenario if syllabus includes the National Parks as a topic the commission puts simply a park and demands the student to know its feature barring its status as national or state while on the other side if syllabus includes some economy portion the question paper includes definition of some known economist in basics, this contrasting feature is indeed a thing unacceptable when there’s a fixed range in the syllabus. Either the syllabus shall be too elaborate to clarify everything or the examiner itself shall maintain the spirit of not going beyond whatsoever. This parameter shall never be violated as the candidates deem syllabus as a guiding factor running all through there scheme of things. Moreover the eligibility isn’t specific like lecturers and doctors but general which must be kept in mind while setting a paper. The notion of candidates to treat syllabus at face value is there liability being from varying backgrounds.

On the other parameter examiners shall be strictly guided by the competitive spirit and the level which might be determined by the commission initially for each exam comparing to its status. The recently concluded exam was meant to select class fourth employees which would have been kept in mind while framing such papers for candidates. Although commission may claim the competitive spirit for high profile scheme in the examination but that’s not an excuse for an exam. Examination is meant to test the competitive spirit within the syllabus itself. Any exam which seeks the selection on the basis of toughness and high profile choice of papers is indeed a grave injustice with the spirit of exam itself. Examination means to examine the capability of candidate to handle a situation whose particulars are familiar to him. The exam must be a test to examine the ability not a hide and seek meant to drop the candidates. Coming down to the criteria of limited slots for huge applications this dictum is a false claim to absolve the commission from all the contrasting views which emerge after exam. What if the no of seats are increased to actual no of the applications? Does exam stand firm in a situation where the candidates are less than the actual needed for the seats?

An exam based on the spirit of testing capability satisfies the instinct of student in itself. Why always jkssb or JKPSC at fault why not UPSC or SSC? Doesn’t they conduct exams for whole union along length and breadth of country. It reflects a mismanagement and the track of the applications which are called for by the commission on their part. A commission supposed to decide the future of candidates in fair and transparent manner shall also be humane and introspective before conducting any such exam. There might be some errors but a grave injustice in the aspect of syllabus prescribed by the commission itself shall be abstained and arrested immediately else we may fail to persuade and enhance competitive spirit rather we would be driving towards a state where Candidates would merely deem it a formality to allow the favouritism. Commission is for candidates and candidates are fruits of commission they must be in tandem with laws and rules in force amid complete justice for the students within the norma set by law to gain legitimacy in the student fraternity which will be known by the cry of Merit always rule.

Writer is an Author of the Book “Untold stories of Kashmir” hails from Kupwara and can be reached at [email protected]

On pattern of Assembly House panels, DDCs to have standing committees in JK

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

06/03/2021

On pattern of Assembly House panels, DDCs to have standing committees in JK

Srinagar: The District Development Councils in Jammu and Kashmir will have standing committees on the lines of House committees of Assemblies of the States & Union Territories.

The law governing constitution and functioning of DDCs in the Union Territory mandate constitution of five standing committees in each Council to deal with different development matters.

Each DDC will have standing committees for Finance, Development, Public works, Health and Welfare to deal with different subject matters.

As already reported by Precious Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir has constituted DDCs after elections were held in all 20 districts of the UT to elect their chairpersons and vice-chairpersons. These standing committees would be set-up soon in every DDC.

Under the law, the committee for finance shall deal with the subjects like finance, accounts, audit, budget, general administration and subjects not allowed to other standing committees.

The committee for Development is empowered to deal with the subjects like development planning, socio-economic planning, agriculture, soil conservation, animal husbandry, minor irrigation, fisheries, small scale industry, etc. and the panel for Public Works has been authorized to deal with the subjects like public works, housing, spatial planning and environment.

According to the law, the standing committee for Health and Education shall deal with subjects’ like public health and education and the panel for Welfare shall deal with subjects like social welfare, development of women and children and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

These panels have also been empowered to perform such other powers and functions of the Council as may be entrusted to it by the Council in addition to the powers and duties conferred on them by the law and rules.

As per the procedure governing their membership, each standing committee shall consist of such number of members, including its chairperson as decided by the District Development Council, so that all other elected members except the chairperson and vice-chairperson shall be elected as a member in any of the standing committee.

The law states that every resolution passed by the standing committee shall be placed before the Council in its next meeting and the Council shall have power to modify such resolution if considered necessary.

GMC Anantnag shuts SNCU, OPD labs at space starved MCH

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

06/03/2021

GMC Anantnag shuts SNCU, OPD labs at space starved MCH

Anantnag: The decision of the Government Medical Ccllege (GMC) Anantnag to close down two laboratories at the space starved maternity and child (MCH) hospital in this southern district has left both the doctors and patients surprised with both maintaining that the move will add to the already messy healthcare in the hospital.

Declared unsafe few years ago by the fire and emergency services department in its safe audit report, the hospital faces a severe space crunch agonizing not only the patients but staff as well.

The most overcrowded hospital after Lal Ded, the facility two years ago was brought under the control of GMC Anantnag raising hopes among the people about improvement in healthcare.

However, the mismanagement by the GMC authorities has only furthered the mess.

The hospital has two old dilapidated buildings with no ventilation. One building houses both maternity and pediatric OPD and laboratory for OPD patients on ground floor and SNCU and laboratory for admitted babies while as the other building houses the ward block , operation theatre and laboratory for the pregnant women admitted in labor or post operative wards.

However, to centralise the laboratory, the GMC authorities a couple of days ago shut down both the OPD and SNCU labs and shifted the same to the one in cramped ward block, leaving both doctors and patients stunned.

“Laboratory in ward block is functioning in a small room outside the operation theatre but the authorities have declared it as the central laboratory and have closed down other two laboratories. The small waiting room outside OT is always overcrowded with attendants and setting up the central laboratory there will severely mess up the things further. One wonders how this decision is going to give relief to the patients,” said a doctor posted in the hospital.

Though both the doctors and para-medics opposed the centralization of the laboratory in space starved hospital but GMC top authorities did not give heed to the suggestions of doctors posted at the facility.

“The central laboratory serves the purpose and gives relief to the patients when you have huge spacious building housing all the facilities like ward block, OPD and SNCU in different floors. How come a baby who is admitted in SNCU one building can to taken to the cramped ward block for evaluation. This authoritarian decision is only going to agonise both the babies, mothers and pregnant women,” said a para-medic posted on the hospital.

He said the ward block remains inaccessible for everyone till doctors finish the round of all wards.

“The doctors finish examining the admitted patients in post operative wards by 1 pm and till then the hospital security does not allow anyone to get in. Even the attendants of the women in wards are made to wait outside. So one wonders how come the pregnant women and the babies advised to go for evaluation by doctors in OPD wait for hours to get the tests done,” the para-medic said.

When contacted, HOD of pediatrics, Dr Shiekh Mushtaq said this was done by the Principal and Medical Superintendent and not by him.

“Setting up the central lab was good so that it could function round the clock. But that needs a lot of space but this hospital is starving for space,” Mushtaq said.

GMC Principal did not respond to repeated calls from this reporter.

India wants normal ties with Pak: MEA

Front

Agencies

06/03/2021

New Delhi: A little more than a week after New Delhi and Islamabad recommitted themselves to the 2003 truce on the Line of Control (LoC), India on Friday said it wants normal relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan, though its position on key issues remains unchanged.

The Indian and Pakistani armies have said they began strictly adhering to a ceasefire on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir from the midnight of February 24 – the apparent outcome of behind-the-scenes contacts between the two countries.

In response to a question on whether the recommitment to the ceasefire would lead to more confidence-building measures or whether there had been any change in India’s stated position of linking talks to Pakistan cracking down on militancy, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava only said all issues between the two sides should be tackled peacefully.

“India desires normal relations with all its neighbours, including Pakistan. We have consistently maintained that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully,” he said.

“Our position on key issues remains unchanged,” he added, without going into details.

Shortly after the armies of the two countries issued a rare joint statement regarding the ceasefire on February 25, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s key advisor on security affairs, Moeed Yusuf, had said in an audio statement issued in Islamabad that the agreement was the outcome of “behind the scenes” contacts and “more roads will open” in future.

There has also been a noticeable dialling down of the rhetoric from leaders of the two countries and the agreement on the ceasefire has been welcomed by key players such as the US and the European Union (EU).

At a US state department news briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Ned Price called on all parties to reduce tensions along the LoC by “returning to the 2003 ceasefire commitments”. He said the US also condemns “terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the LoC”.

The US continues to “support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other areas of concern,” he added.

Bad condition of Roads: Govt seeks report on macadamisation of roads in last 3 years

Front

Ishtiyaq Ahmed

06/03/2021

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has directed the officials of Roads and Buildings Department to prepare a report on the macadamization of roads done in the past three years.

Official sources said the government has taken state note of the condition of roads in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Chief Engineers have been directed to prepare the report on macadamization of roads done in the past three years under all sectors along with road length achieved and road wise status and action was taken by XENs on DLP damaged roads,” sources maintained.

Whereas, all the Chief Engineers of Jammu / Kashmir, Public Works (R&B) Department will categorize the road length as Inter-District Roads, Major Roads, District Roads, Rural Roads, Local Roads etc along with their name, length, width, year & month of construction, life span, last renewal coat is done and exact geographical location.

Sources said that the Government has observed a regular audit of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which include all works of routine maintenance/ repair, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavements, drainage, potholes repair and also maintenance of emergency nature.

Sources said that the government has also issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for maintenance of roads across the Union Territory.

As per the official data, presently Public Works (R&B) Department maintains a road length of more than forty thousand kilometres, created under the various developmental programmes across the UT, out of which road length of 23654 kilometres is blacktopped.

In this regard, an order has been issued by Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Govt. Public Works (R&B) Department.

“It has been strongly felt to have a regular audit of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which include all works of routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavement repair, drainage repair, potholes and also emergency maintenance”, the order reads.

“While to streamline the procedure for the maintenance of the roads, the standard mechanisms have been put forth in the shape of SOPS”, it added.

“Data collected from the surveys shall be scrutinized, analyzed and estimates should be prepared and forwarded to Chief Engineer through the proper procedure for immediate necessary action. The result of the entire road stretch survey under the Jurisdiction of each Sub Division should be provided to the Executive Engineer by every 25th instant otherwise disciplinary action is initiated”, the order reads.

Further, the concerned Sub Divisions will make a survey regarding cleaning and desilting roadside drain, gutter constructed by PWD causing a hazard to traffic movement and will do the job immediately after locating the problem. This exercise shall be done at least thrice a year in the month of February, May & June, August & September and as and when required.

“Maintenance of Road Register containing an inventory of road with surface status on completion of construction, up-gradation of road proposal for renewal coat be submitted to Chief Engineer for appropriate action. Review of routine inspection for identification of defects/damages and performance evaluation by in charge Engineer bi-monthly”, the SOP reads.

“The road workers will immediately report the road breach/blockade to concerned AEE / XEN for immediate attention. The report will include the Name of road, Location/type of breach/blockade, it’s surface area, Date and time of occurrence, Assessment of assistance in the form of men and material required, immediate the procedure should be followed for smooth flow of traffic to prevent any jamming/accidents”, it added.

“The Superintending Engineer shall hold a review meeting with its divisional/sub-divisional officers before the 25th instant of every month and send his report to Chief Engineer PWD by 30th of the same month”, it added.

It added that road workers, Works supervisors and Junior Engineers will immediately report to higher authorities regarding violation of RD Act if any notice. The field staff will immediately inform the authority about the road accident with the exact location and brief reasons and time. The circular instructions are issued for strict compliance by all concerned.

“Immediate removal of site dumping material after the construction is over to keep the road free from all impediments without which no bill to be prepared and payments to be made. A certificate from the contractor and site engineer be appended with Measurement Book. Removal of encroachment should be carried out around the year”, the SOP reads. (KINS)

World’s highest rail bridge on Chenab bridge nears completion

Front

Jahangeer Ganaie

06/03/2021

Srinagar: The world’s highest railway bridge on Chenab river in the Jammu division is all set to be ready this year.

Officials said that the Chenab bridge is being built in the deep gorge and the main arch of the bridge has a length of 476 metres which is the largest arch in India.

They said that once this arch will be complete, work will be started on track laying beside the viaduct.

The bridge is built at a height of 359 metres above the river bed and is said to be around 30 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. The length of the bridge is one kilometre and 315 metres.

Sources said that due to inclement weather and challenging terrains bridge has missed several deadlines so far.

They said that the bridge will have stations at both ends and it has been built in seismic zone IV besides that it has been designed to be a blast proof.

They added that this bridge will have a design speed of around 100 kilometres per hours with a lifespan of 120 years.

The bridge will include a 14m-wide dual carriageway and a 1.2m wide central verge.

The bridge will include 17 spans with a 469 m main arch across the Chenab river and viaducts on either side and according to officials Steel was chosen to construct the bridge as it will be more economical and able to resist temperatures of – 20°C and wind speeds of above 200 Km/h.

Besides Chenab bridge, the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable stayed bridge is also constructed on the same railway project.

Officials said that in view of site conditions, the bridge has been divided into three parts which include a 120 m long approach viaduct on Reasi side, the main bridge of 473 m cable-stayed portion and a central embankment of 94 m.

They said that this bridge stands at a height of 331 m above the river bed.

Officials said that the Chenab bridge will be completed in ongoing year while as cable-stayed rail bridge is expected to get complete next year.

People from Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for the completion of this project so that it can provide all weather connectivity to Kashmir and parts of Jammu division to rest of the World.

The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line project was undertaken by the government of India in the year 2003. Jammu to Udhampur section was completed and opened in 2005.

“The Udhampur-Baramulla rail project will be completed by December 2022 besides that all northern state capitals except Shillong to be connected by March 2023,” Union Railway Ministry had said recently—(KNO)

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