Kulgam: A private coaching centre at Pahloo area of Devsar in South Kashmir’s Kulgam was sealed by authorities on Friday after corporal punishment picture of students went viral on social media.

Chief Education officer (CEO) Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Rather told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the coaching centre has been sealed.

“Investigation is going on. We are checking the reason behind the incident, as why students were asked to stand barefoot on frozen snow,” he said.

On Thursday a coaching centre “A1 Tution” in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district forced students to take off their shoes and made them stand bare feet on the frozen snow.

Parents said that for not paying fees, students were asked to stand barefoot on snow in this bone chilling winter who also demanded action against teachers.

However, teachers said that they asked students to stand on snow just for creating indiscipline.

The teachers alleged that few parents even beat them.

Srinagar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday launched its revamped Web portal (https://cbi.gov.in) during Annual Review Conference.

Ina  statement a CBI spokesman said that an attempt has been made to make the website more visitor friendly, building in new features. Director CBI appreciated the efforts of the team which put in hard work in coming up with the new portal.

This newly launched web portal is a dynamic and responsive public interface tool having user-friendly content management and administration features. The portal is Bi-lingual (English & Hindi) with role based access.

Revamped CBI Web portal is an effort to utilise digital media for providing authenticated information about CBI to all stakeholders.

New Delhi: Asserting that this decade is very important for the bright future of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday indicated that the coming Union Budget will be seen as part of last year’s mini budgets which were announced in the form of packages.

Speaking to media at Parliament House, Mr Modi said that in 2020, for the first time in the country’s history, the Finance Minister had to present 4-5 mini budgets as packages. “This year’s budget will also be seen as part of the series of mini budgets,’ he indicated. The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on February 1.

“This decade should be fully utilised. Keeping this in mind, there should be discussions in this session focussing on the decade and this is expected by the nation. I believe that we will not lage behind in making our contribution for the fulfulment of people’s aspirations,’ PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the budget session is the first session of the new decade. “A golden opportunity has come before the nation to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters,’ he said.

Jammu:  Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Nitishwar Kumar Friday chaired a weekly meeting to review the status of three works each for all government departments, progress of digital services, besides other developmental works taken up for 2020-21 fiscal.

The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretaries, various Heads of Departments and other senior officers from their respective departments. All Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory attended the meeting via video conferencing.

The Principal Secretary reviewed department-wise progress on implementation of the directions of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha with regard to achievements in public services delivery through the digital platform, besides best practices in Public Administration and execution of three works in each department.

At the outset, Commissioner Secretary Forest, Environment and Ecology Department briefed the Principal Secretary about the achievements with respect to the targets and progress on digital services in her respective department.

Similarly, Secretary Jal Shakti Department informed the chair that all the three projects taken up by the department for this fiscal are going on smoothly and would be completed on set target accordingly.

While reviewing the physical achievements of Youth Services & Sports Department, the Principal Secretary was informed that two indoor halls are nearing completion, one each at Tral and Bijbehara areas of south Kashmir and would be dedicated to the people of the area very soon.

The Principal Secretary also reviewed the progress of works in the Tourism sector wherein he was informed that three projects were taken for this fiscal and the projects would be readied on time.

It was also given out that under PMDP, a Yoga Center is being constructed at Mantalai and the project would be finished on time.

The Principal Secretary also enquired about the pace of works under PRASAD project at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar wherein, he was informed that most of the components under the project are nearing completion, with around 80 percent of work having been completed.

The Principal Secretary while reviewing the targets set for the year 2020-21 fiscal under Pradhan MantriAwaasYojna (PMAY), impressed upon all Deputy Commissioners to expedite the process of identifying, tracing beneficiaries and accordingly sanctioning process for them.

While reviewing the status of SEHAT Scheme, he was informed that the registration process and issuance of Golden Cards are picking up across J&K.

Besides, the Principal Secretary also reviewed Land Acquisition process with regard to different projects of various departments like establishing of Gujjar-Bakarwal Hostel at Kalakote, GB Girls Hostel facility at Baramulla, Ambi-theatre at Tulip Garden Srinagar, musical fountain at Bagh-e-Bahu and Hari Parbat etc.

The Principal Secretary also reviewed functioning and achievements and set targets for the financial year 2020-2021 for Animal/Sheep Husbandry Department, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Floriculture, Tourism, Culture, Cooperative Department, Horticulture, Youth Services and Sports, Labour& Employment, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, and other departments.

Kupwara: State Election Commission is still undecided over the fate of those candidates who were in the fray for DDC elections in Dragmulla Block of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

DDC election results were declared on 22 December last month in Jammu and Kashmir. On that day, the result for Dragmulla Constituency was withheld abruptly after objection was raised over a woman candidate who hails from Pakistan Administered Kashmir.

Somaya Sadaf from PaK, who was married to a former militant, was in the fray for the District Development Council (DDC) elections in Dragmulla.

A resident of Muzaffarabad, Somiya Sadaf is contesting the election from Dragmulla Kupwara district of North Kashmir.

There were 12 candidates contesting this seat. The main contender for the seat was PAGD candidate Shabnam Lone. “I don’t understand why at all the nomination papers of PaK resident was accepted. She was allowed to campaign and contest and later objections were raised and results were withheld. I blame State Election Commission and District Administration for the mess,” Lone told Kashmir News Trust.

She said despite repeated requests to district administration and election commission, the result is not being declared given the fact PaK contender was polled only over a dozen votes.

When contacted, an official from District Administration Kupwara said that votes will be counted again and result will be declared after ‘discussion’ over the issue. (KNT)

Srinagar: In a move that has raised eyebrows, the Jammu & Kashmir government has granted one-year extension to members of Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees.

The Social Welfare Department, which is administrative department of JJBs and CWCs, has issued an order to grant one-year extension to members of JJBs and CWCs, raising questions from different quarters.

“During the process of selection of fresh Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Welfare Act, 2015 and Juvenile Justice( Child and Welfare) Model Rules, 2016, the existing Juvenile Justice Boards and Welfare Committees shall be allowed to continue their functioning for period of one year or till such fresh selections are made as per the prescribed procedure, whichever is earlier,” reads an order issued by Social Welfare department.

The order has raised questions whether the government can give one-year extension to CWC and JJB members.

“The Juvenile Justice law unambiguously states that JJB and CWC members will have three-year tenure. This is brazen violation of section 27(6)   of JJ Act 2015, which clearly states that they shall not be appointed for a period of more than 3 years. The word ‘shall’ has been used in the law, which means it is mandatory and nobody can overrule it,” a delegation said.

They also questioned government’s lax approach for fresh recruitments when there is a clear-cut statutory provision that these appointments are only for three years.

“We appeal Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to look into the matter. Majority of the members of JJBs and CWCs are retired government employees who are already drawing pension. They are also getting additional remuneration as members of JJBs and CWCs ,” they said.

Every JJB has two members and a principal magistrate while CWC has four members and a chairman.

The selections for these posts were made three years ago by selection-cum-oversight committee headed by a retired High Court judge—(KNO)

Jammu: Customary Beating Retreat ceremony marked the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations, at the Maulana Azad Stadium here this evening.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha was the Chief Guest for the ceremony.

Marching Bands of Armed Forces and the enchanting tunes of Brass bands and Pipe drum bands of the Army, BSF, and J&K Police included Maroon Silver and Gold, Scipio, Veer-Sepoy, Vijay Bharat, Jai Ho, India Gate, Deshon Ka Sartaj Bharat, Naurange, The Hundred Pipers, Loudon’s Bonnie Woods and Breas, The Pipers of Drummond and Lahure Ko Ralimai on the slow and quick strathespy, besides Abide with Me- Brass Band and Reel March received a huge round of applause from the audience.

For their outstanding display at the grand event, contingents of Pipe drum and Brass bands were felicitated by the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also awarded several officers from Defence Forces, J&K Police & Civil Administration, besides Cadets from NCC (Boys & Girls), Marching contingents of schools (Boys and Girls), Ex-Servicemen, Bharat Scouts & Guides (Boys & Girls), and cultural performers.

Beating Retreat ceremony was concluded with ever-popular ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’ with simultaneous display of spectacular fireworks followed by the National Anthem.

Advisors to the Lt Governor; Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation; Chief Secretary; Advocate General; DGP; Divisional Commissioner; IGP; elected representatives of ULBs and PRIs; former Legislators; Administrative Secretaries; senior Civil, Police, and Army officers; political and social activists; prominent citizens from all walks of life; media persons and the citizenry in large number witnessed the traditional grandeur.

Srinagar:  A 66-year-old artist from Srinagar district has won the prestigious Padma Shri award, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his exemplary contribution to the Kashmiri Handicraft.

Haji Gh Rasool Khan, a resident of Rehmania Colony in Jogiwan Amda Kadal, who is also chairman of All J&K Shilp Guru National Award and Artisans Society has so far won many prestigious awards for his art work.

Khan said he has been associated with handicrafts since his childhood as his ancestors were also earning livelihood by remaining associated with the same art.

In 1998, Khan met with an accident in Delhi and his movement remained confined in a room for years. During that time he spent more time on Pashmina work.

“Handicraft is a work of patience and most people lack that patience,” he said.

Khan said for 5 years, he worked on a 64 piece shawl along with his men who were learning the art from him.

“After showing this piece to foreign designers through the handicraft department they recommended my name for state as well as for national award,” Khan said, adding that he got both the awards in 2003.

After 5 years, Khan was selected for the Shilip Guru national award for Pashmina art work.

“Later I made a 360 piece shawl in six years and received several awards,” he said.

Khan said that he is very happy for getting the Padma Shri Award as it is the recognition of his work. However, he said, Kashmir craft art is dying and the government must take steps at an earliest to save it.

“Lot of things have to be done to keep the art alive. And I want to remain healthy to do so. Craft art is unique. It is a gift of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) to us, the coming generation should also think about keeping it alive,” he said.

Khan said he has taught the handicraft art to over 500 people, however, the government must also come forward to save the art.

“There is a need to open institutions where master craft will be taught to aspiring people. There is a need to open showrooms at important markets of India where customers can purchase products directly,” he said. “There is also a need to organize programmes at different stages to educate people about Kashmiri art work and how it is different from others, so that shawls from other states or countries can’t be sold on the name of Kashmiri Shawl.” (KNO)

Jammu:  Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Friday paid tributes to the former Defence Minister, George Fernandes during his second death anniversary commemoration conclave organized by George Fernandes Foundation, in collaboration with Hind Mazdoor Kissan Panchayat, J&K Unit and Step India J&K Unit at Press Club.

Remembering the former Union Minister, the Lt Governor observed that George Fernandes was a fearless leader, who tirelessly worked for the upliftment of the underprivileged. He worked for multidimensional development of the society and will continue to inspire the nation with his courage and selflessness, said the Lt Governor.

The Lieutenant Governor, while addressing the gathering, shared his experiences of working with the former Union Minister and recalled the great leader as a well-wisher of the downtrodden. He was an extraordinary personality and able leader. He was instrumental in the eradication of many social inequalities and always worked for the welfare and development of the people.

Throwing light on the working of the former Union Minister, the Lt Governor observed that while being the Minister for Railways, George Fernandes made Konkan railways a reality connecting Mumbai with Mangalore through many crisscrossing rivers, valleys and mountains.

The Lt Governor said that George Fernandes advocated transparency in the Government Systems and always stood firm for equal rights for every citizen of the country.

Underlining the importance of transparency and accountability, the Lt Governor said that the present dispensation has laid a mechanism to make information of all Government works available in public space. He observed that people have equal responsibility in government decisions and their active participation is always sought by the UT Government.