Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 18: To build awareness about road safety and reduce road accidents, a month-long 32nd National Road Safety, 2021 awareness drive themed ‘Sadak Surakhsha Jeevan Raksha’ was Monday launched across all the districts of Kashmir.
The month long programme that commenced today is scheduled to culminate on February 17.
On the occasion, IGP Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar flagged off a Bike Rally on Road Safety Awareness from Traffic Police Office Polo View Srinagar, which passed through Abdullah Bridge, Via Convent School, L.D Hospital, Sheergari to JehangirChowk, Dalgate, R.M. Bagh and culminated back at Polo View.
The rally was organised by Traffic Police City Srinagar with an aim to create awareness among people to discourage and prevent underage youth from driving, besides making others to abide Traffic rules and signages while driving. The message was delivered via PA system and placards and through rally shows.
Speaking on the occasion, IGP Kashmir appreciated the effort put in to emphasize on the safety and awareness in this regard. He said that the safety of the riders and passerby is the prime concern and need of the hour.
He expressed concern over the rising rate of accidents and said that the Traffic department is committed to work towards reducing such incidents and appreciated the role played by its men on ground, youth and media.
At Budgam, DC Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, who is also Chairman, District Regional Transport Authority also kick started a month long road safety programme during an impressive ceremony here.
The Chairman DRTA, on the occasion urged the general public to follow all precautions, preventions and safety measures while executing any journey or during driving.
Later a rally participated by Drivers/ Pillion riders, conductors and large gathering of common people was taken out from District Headquarters to ARTO office through main road carrying placards/ Banners depicting and demonstrating all precautionary signs and measures relating to road safety.
At Ganderbal, DC Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal flagged- off an awareness rally from Mini Secretariat Ganderbal with an aim to sensitize people about the importance of following traffic rules to prevent road accidents.
The DC on the occasion said that the aim of celebrating the month is to sensitize the people especially the drivers about road safety so that people drive sensibly on roads and follow traffic norms so that accidents are minimized.
At Pulwama, DC Pulwama Raghav Langer inaugurated Road Safety month by flagging off a Car Rally at the new bus stand Pulwama.
At Baramulla, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr G N Itoo flagged off a rally of vehicles from Dak Bungalow to formally kick-start the month long Road safety programme.
On the occasion, DC administered a pledge taken by the driver fraternity wherein they affirmed that they shall obey the traffic rules and regulations for averting losses to human lives and property.
At Bandipora, DC Bandipora Owais Ahmad inaugurated the Road Safety Month by flagging off a car rally from Mini secretariat to Bandipora Town Square, here.
Scores of Sumo drivers carrying placards with slogans appealing people to follow road safety measures to avoid accidents participated in the car rally to create awareness about road rules.
At Kulgam, DC Kulgam, Showkat Aijaz Bhat said that enforcement of traffic regulations and awareness regarding road safety measures is a prerequisite for preventing fatal road accidents.
He said during the month long celebration a calendar of activities including symposium, debates, essay competition, quizzes, panel discussion, medical camps for commercial drivers, seminars, walkathons, poster-making competitions etc will be organised.
32nd National Road Safety month kick starts in Kashmir
Advisor Baseer meets deputations; listens to their grievances, demands
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 18: Over two hundred deputations and individuals Monday thronged the Grievances Cell to apprise Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Khan of their grievances and demands.
A delegation led by Ashiq Shangloo, President Aglar Industrial Unit Holders expressed gratitude to Advisor Baseer Khan for fulfilling their demand of providing electricity to Aglar Industrial Estate, Shopian.
A group of Pahalgam Hoteliers Association headed by Asif Iqbal Burza also thanked Advisor Baseer Khan for reviving tourism in Kashmir by publicizing and promoting tourism potential and adventure tourist destinations of the region which increased the visitor’s Influx manifold thus benefiting thousands of people associated with this industry.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Kashmir Electrical Manufacturers led by Mohammad Yaseen Khan demanded safeguarding the industrial products produced in J&K by extending the provision of price and purchase preference according to the industrial policy of 2016-2026. The delegation also demanded release of pending payments of MSMEs.
Another delegation of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation led by its President, Mohammad Yaseen, also apprised Advisor of the sky rocketing prices of essential commodities due to closure of National Highway seeking an early redressal of the same besides demanding speedy snow clearance from roads.
A delegation of J&K Sericulture and Agrostology Casual Labours and Daily Wagers Associations submitted representations to Advisor regarding the implementation of minimum wages act, utilization of seasonal labourers throughout the year and other issues.
A delegation of Casual employees of J&K Cable Car Corporation requested Advisor for regularization of their services.
Similarly, representatives of CIC operators working in the RDD department also requested regularization of their services.
Advisor Baseer Khan issued on spot directions to the concerned officers to look into all the issues projected by the delegations and the individuals and initiate action for early redressal of the same.
DGP reviews security scenario of Jammu zone
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Jan 18: To review the security scenario of Jammu Zone and arrangements for the forthcoming Republic Day, the Director General of Police Dilbag Singh chaired a high level security meeting of the senior officers of Police, Army, BSF, CRPF and Intelligence agencies at Police Headquarters here on Monday.
The meeting was attended by COS 16 Corps Major General Sharad Kapoor, IGP Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh, IGP CRPF Jammu P. S. Ranpise, DIG Udhampur Reasi Range Sujit Kumar, DIG Doda Kistwar Ramban Range Abdul Jabbar, DIG BSF Jammu S. K. Singh, SSP Jammu Shreedhar Patil, SSP CIV PHQ Rajesh Bali, SSP CID CI Jammu Tahir Sajad Bhat, SSP CID SB Jammu Rohit Baskotra and other senior officers.
Addressing the meeting, the DGP complimented the officers for the excellent work done during 2020. “The year gone by was very good as far as maintenance of peace, law & order, and counter insurgency operations were concerned. The work done by all the officers and the personnel deserves kudos”.
He hailed the proactive approach and preventive measures of the JKP and forces which led to the recovery of huge arms and ammunition in 2020 besides killing of 225 militants.
He said that the work done by the Police and forces has been recognized at the highest levels as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha have conveyed their compliments for the same.
The DGP said 2021 will have its own challenges as new strategies have been adopted by Pakistan with new militant operatives emerging on ground, which need to be countered and in that direction the suggestions put forth in this meeting are very valuable.
He directed that the deployments for republic day may be beefed up and the QRTs, escorts, guards will have to be alert.
He directed that all arrangements be made so that 26th January celebrations are held peacefully. “There are inputs that the militants are keen to carry out some mischief as they are desperate to disturb communal harmony, peace and order,” he said and directed the officers to take care of vulnerable persons and places to thwart the nefarious designs of enemies.
He said that well coordinated surveillance systems must be ensured to undo nefarious plans of the enemies. He advised the officers to address all the apprehensions expressed by taking adequate measures in the meeting.
Kashmir’s wound needs healing touch: Sukhwinder
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 18: A famous Bollywood singer, Sukhwinder Singh on Monday said that Kashmir and its people are very good looking and that the place needs to be peaceful.
Singh said he would love to visit Kashmir again and again, saying that he has come here specially to pray for the prosperity of people.
“Every wound has a heal. So, Kashmir’s wound needs a healing touch so that it heals. I want Kashmir to remain peaceful and prosperous. Every person has a right to be happy in his or her life,” he said.
Asked about the talent of Kashmiri youth, he said that Kashmir has got a great talent. “Besides, Kashmiris are good looking as well,” he said. Singh also praised the hospitality of people here and said Kashmir deserves to be safe.
Pertinently, talent hunt-cum-music concert show “SHAURYA” was organized here at SKICC by Army’s Northern Command. ‘Shaurya’ a musical talent hunt has been conceptualized by Mausiqui Studios with active support from the local administrations and renowned Bollywood celebrities and singers like Sukhwinder Singh—(KNO)
Property worth lakhs destroyed in Srinagar fire
Srinagar, Jan 18: Property worth lakhs of rupees has been damaged in a devastating fire incident in the down town Srinagar, official sources said on Monday.
A fire officer of Fire and Emergency Service (F&ES) department was injured during the fire fighting operation, they said.
The fire broke out in a house at Ganderpora chowk in Sakidafar area of the down town late last night. Fire tenders were immediately rushed from different areas, including F&ES headquarters, Batmaloo. However, before the fire tenders could douse the leaping flames, it spread to adjoining houses also.
A Sub Inspector (SI) of F&ES Noor Alam Khan was injured after he fell down from a house when he, along with other firemen, were busy dousing the flames. The injured was later shifted to hospital, they said adding Khan was on Sunday awarded for playing a great role in preventing major fire in densely populated area of Nawa Kadal in the down town, where two houses were gutted.
Sources said six houses and other property had been damaged in the fire at Ganderpora. However, the cause of fire was not known, they said adding police has registered a case and initiated proceedings.
Meanwhile, senior officers of F&ES and Disaster Management have appealed to people to take extra precautions to prevent fire incidents, particularly during the winter when people are using electric gadgets and gas bukharis for heating purpose.
DC Sgr convenes DLAC meet on Food Safety
‘14889 inspections conducted, 1209 cases filed’
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 18: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary Monday convened a meeting of District Level Advisory Committee (DLAC) on Food Safety at Banquet Hall here.
A detailed presentation was given by Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar Hilal Ahmad Mir who is also the Member Secretary of the committee.
The meeting was informed that from the date Drugs & Food Control Organization (D&FCO) took over the implementation of Food Regulatory Laws in Srinagar, 14889 inspections were conducted, 1209 cases have been filed before the competent courts out of which 444 have been decided and an amount of Rs.63, 47,000 has been imposed as fine on violators and 794 cases are subjudice.
It was further informed that 2,239 samples have been lifted out of which 34 have been declared unsafe while 341 as substandard and 263 as misbranded, besides 53 food business establishments were closed for varying periods and 7881 food business operators have been brought within the ambit of Food Licensing & Registration System.
Also, 63 awareness programmes have been conducted and in addition while implementing Cigarette & other Tobacco Products Act, Cigarettes worth Rs.3, 12, 670 for violating Statutory or Pictorial warning have been seized and an amount of Rs 21,800 was imposed as fine.
Meanwhile, the committee was informed that the district has been selected for Eat Right Challenge a flagship program of FSSAI and under this programme certain schemes like RUCO, Surveillance & Enforcement drives, Licensing & Registration drives, FOSCORIS inspections, Special Camps for consumer Awareness, FosTac Trainings, Hygiene Rating, Hub Certification, Eat Right School & Campuses are also being implemented on ground.
Repeating Highway Troubles
After remaining closed for almost a week, Jammu-Srinagar highway was opened for traffic on last weekend as Border Roads Organization launched Bailey bridge adjacent to the damaged portion of the road in Ramban district within 60 hours.
Closing of the strategic highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the outside world, is not a one-off incident but ironically it happens more often than not. The moment is rain or snow, the highway gets closed.
As days progress into the season of rains and snowfall, the road is bound to see more disruptions. At the cost of repetition, the problem is not new and there has been no answer, from those who are at the helm, to the questions that the people have been asking for decades now: “how long would these closures, and disruptions, happen on the highway.”
Denying geographical facts including the terrain and vulnerability from landslides to snow would not be prudent. However, in this day and age such issues should be manageable, at least to the extent that the closure becomes a rarity rather than normal, more so during winters. The weather vagaries are not the only contributing factors to the disturbances on this thoroughfare. In effect much of the problems are manmade. The way traffic is managed on this road has always remained a matter of concern for the people who travel on this road.
There have always been complaints of negligence and ill planning. Such issues need to be addressed on priority.
There are various projects that are said to ease the troubles that confront the commuters.
There are a number of projects that are running for many years and this has resulted in multiple problems on this key road. Apart from easing the movement of traffic, these projects are also said to shorten the distance. However, the problems have accentuated by the pace with which the work is being carried out on these projects.
The administration even failed to utilize the lockdown due to pandemic to speed up the work on highway and remove the bottlenecks. One would expect the construction work accelerated because unless the widening is complete and the defenses erected at various places to disallow the landslides from blocking the thoroughfare, nothing can stop the nightmarish experience for the commuters due to the pathetic condition of the road.
The closure of the highway causes food prices to skyrocket and as such comes at a price for the people of Kashmir.
The government must consider taking experts views and professionals’ expertise for finding a lasting solution to the problems causing disruption on the highway.
Substance abuse killing youngsters, causing heart attacks
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 17: The drug addiction among the youngsters in Kashmir is emerging as a major concern for the entire society.
Experts are of the opinion that the substance abuse could be one of the reasons for young people dying of heart attacks in the Valley. “The drug addiction is at its peak. It’s unfortunate that the substances that can be abused by the youngsters are easily available in the open market. This needs to be checked. Nothing can be done till stern action is taken against the drug peddlers and the drug dealers,” an expert told Precious Kashmir.
He said, “As a society we have to wake up and ascertain the reasons for youngsters getting pushed towards substance abuse. In the recent past we have had a few cases about youth after getting intoxicated losing senses and indulging in altercations. In a few cases the situation has taken an ugly turn which has even led to murders.”
It’s in place to mention here that the government with the help of police and army has set up many drug de-addiction centers across J&K. These centers have helped many youth to give up addiction and return to their normal lives. “This problem has to be nipped in the bud. A system needs to be put in place to ensure that the drug peddlers are kept away from the educational institutions and the places that are thronged by the young people,” said an observer.
He said that police should constitute special squads in plain clothes to get hold of the people associated with the drug mafia. “This mafia has made inroads into our society and needs to be dealt with an iron fist. We can’t allow it to ruin our generation next,” the observer added.
He said, “Parents cannot just turn a blind eye towards their children. They have to make sure that they keep a strict vigil over the activities of their wards. They can’t allow their children to go astray.”
“Efforts can also be made at the mohalla level to check substance abuse. In many areas mohalla committees have constituted squads to keep a watch over drug peddlers. Law enforcing agencies have got an important role to play. These agencies know in and out of every criminal. Policemen are aware about who is doing what. They need to be empowered to deal with the people who are encouraging the drug addiction among the youth. All of us will have to put our act together if we want to get rid of this menace,” he added.
J&K Reorganisation: Govt reminds departments to review recruitment rules
Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar, Jan 17: In a significant move, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory has directed all the departments to undertake a comprehensive review of their recruitment rules.
Citing Reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir, the Department of Administrative Reforms, Inspections and Trainings has asked the departments to undertake the exercise so that the task of review/ completion of the recruitment rules of all the departments is finalized at the earlier.
“It is therefore once again requested to all the administrative secretaries to conduct a comprehensive review of the recruitment rules of various services(gazetted /non-gazetted) under their administrative control and submit the proposal complete in all respects,” reads the letter written by the department in December 2020.
On August 5, 2019, the Central Government abrogated key provisions of Article 370 and re-organised Jammu & Kashmir into Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. These UTs started functioning as separate territorial entities from October 31, 2019.
After re-organisation of J&K, the manpower of erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir was distributed between the successor UTs.
A high-level panel was also constituted by the Union Home Ministry in September 2019 to distribute assets, liabilities and manpower of erstwhile state of J&K between the two UTs. The committee’s recommendations have been implemented last year.
It is worthwhile to mention that ARI & Trainings department has repeatedly issued directions to all the departments to review their recruitment rules.
The delay in framing/ updating recruitment rules is affecting new recruitment and career progression of officials.
Due to absence of recruitment rules, officials appointed in government departments cannot be promoted to the next higher post(s). The posts created also cannot be filled without any method of recruitment provided for the same.
Recruitment Rules are rules notified under proviso to Article 309 or any specific statutes for post(s) prescribing inter alia the method of recruitment and eligibility for such recruitment. Recruitment Rules are subordinate legislation and so, they are statutory in nature.
In past, the Public Service Commission and the Service Selection Board have repeatedly called for revisiting the recruitment rules, saying the existing rules are obsolete and outdated. “Many new subjects have been introduced in different universities and a large number of candidates have qualified in these subjects. However, such candidates are ineligible to apply for the posts as they do not fulfil the requisite qualification as provided in the existing recruitment rules,” reads the PSC report of 2014-2015.
“In many departments, recruitment rules have been framed way back in 1960. In departments like Agriculture, the rules are so complex that it becomes difficult to consider officers for promotion.”
PC leaders adamant on pulling out from PAGD
Party to hold crucial meet today, Sajad Lone for closing proxy candidates chapter
Srinagar, Jan 16: Amid Political slugfest, People’s Conference has called a crucial party meeting on Monday where party chief Sajad Gani Lone is expected to deliberate on recent political developments with his senior party leaders including Vice President Imran Raza Ansari and Abdul Gani Vakil.
Both Ansari and Vakil have been raising serious objections about party continuing its support to PAGD. They have accused alliance parties of fielding proxy candidates against each other during the recently held DDC polls.
This would be the first meeting of People’s Conference after the two senior PC leaders raised a red flag and asked Sajad Lone publically to snap ties with the Gupkar Alliance.
Sources told KNS that the party leaders were likely to deliberate on the allegations of fielding proxy candidates by some alliance parties besides other party issues.
Pertinently the PC has been on edge from last several weeks after Vakil and Ansari have publically demanded a pullout from the PAGD.
These leaders have questioned the alliance for what they said ” its double speak” saying such ” tantrums” are unacceptable. They have asked party chief Sajad Lone to snap ties with the PAGD immediately.
Sources further said that Ansari and Vakil are demanding that Sajad should ask the PAGD leaders to take action against the leaders who fielded proxy candidates during the recently held District Development Council elections. “If the PAGD fails to act against the erring leaders then Sajad should pull out from the amalgam,” sources said.
They said that however, Sajad Lone, has made it clear that both the senior leaders of the party should close the proxy chapter and allow things to settle down. (KNS)
