Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 4: The Anti Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, a specialized unit to check rising menace of drugs in the Union Territory, gave another blow to the drugs cartels operating in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
“In Malangpora area of Awantipora, Heroin-like substance worth about Rs 1.5 crores was seized and a notorious drug dealer arrested,” a police spokesman said in a statement.
In a statement, ANTF J&K spokesman said that their unit received specific information that a drug smuggling bid is being attempted in a Maruti Swift car bearing registration number JK 18 8056 by a notorious drug dealer.
“On receiving this information, the ANTF team swung into action and intercepted the said car. The car was searched and driver apprehended, and from his possession heroin like substance worth about Rs 1.5 crores was recovered and seized. The driver has been identified as Abdul Rasheed Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Larkipora, Awantipora,” spokesman said.
He said that an FIR has been registered in this matter under relevant sections of law and ANTF is investigating further links. More arrests are expected, he added.
ANTF J&K has further appealed the people to come forward and help the department in curbing this menace.
J&K Police’s ANTF unit seizes heroin worth Rs 1.5 Cr
KU teacher figures in top 2% scientists of world
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 04: Bringing laurels to Kashmir, senior Assistant Professor at the Department of Electronics, University of Kashmir has earned a very rare distinction by figuring in top 2 per cent scientists of the world.
Dr. Shabir Ahmad Parah, a resident of Zazna in the Lar belt of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district has been listed among two per cent scientists by Stanford University.
Shabir said there is no substitute to hard work to achieve any goal in life.
“Through hard work, focus and dedication, any dream can be achieved,” he said.
Shabir has authored more than 120 research papers so far in SCI journals and conferences. His work has been published by very reputed publishers like IEEE, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley etc. He has bagged four IEEE awards which include three best technical paper awards and one best Algorithmica award.
He is the first student of Kashmir division who qualified JRF/NET in Electronic Sciences subject in 2008.
Besides, he has topped in entrance examinations of M. Sc. Electronics, and M. Phil. Electronics, which he pursued from the University of Kashmir.
He received Ph.D. degree in Electronics from the department of Electronics and Instrumentation Technology, Kashmir University, in the year 2013, and is presently serving the same department incapacity of senior Assistant Professor.
Deport us or give citizenship rights: Pak women
Precious Kashmir News
Kupwara, Dec 4: The Pakistani women married to former Kashmiri militants, who had returned to the Valley under government’s rehabilitation policy in 2010, Friday staged a protest in the premises of District Development Commissioner office in Kupwara district.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the women asked Government of India (GoI) either provide them citizenship rights or deport them back to Pakistan.
“We want justice, provide us travel documents, we appeal both India and Pakistan to think about us,” read the messages on placards.
The women assembled in premises of DC Office Kupwara and raised slogans to attract the attention of authorities.
“We are suffering badly. Please send us back or give us citizenship rights. We appeal both India and Pakistan to think about us. We want to visit our home,” the protesting Pakistani women said.
“Our appeal to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan is to address our issues sensibly. We are living a miserable life here, and our future seems bleak. Please help us and deport us,” they said.
They said scores of Pakistani women who had arrived in Kashmir along with their former militant husbands through India-Nepal border under the government’s rehabilitation policy in 2010 are treated as “second-class citizens”.
“We are also human beings and want to be treated justly. What is our fault? We were promised something but got another thing. Now our husbands are living peacefully, but we are suffering. We are out of touch with our families and on humanitarian grounds, we should be allowed to go back to Pakistan or be given citizenship rights,” they said.
“My mother died last month and I was unable to participate in her last rites,” said a protesting woman. (KNT)
KU gets Centre of Excellence for glacial studies
Secy DST e-inaugurates Rs 8-cr project; VC vows to fulfill CoE mandate
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 4: In a move which could give a huge fillip to research promotion and development at the University of Kashmir, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has awarded the varsity with an ambitious Centre of Excellence for Glacial Studies (CoEGS) in the Western Himalaya.
DST Secretary Prof Ashutosh Sharma e-inaugurated the ambitious CoE, budgeted at approximately Rs 8-crore, to boost the glaciological research activities in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
The CoEGS at KU is among three Centers of Excellence awarded by DST as part of its National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE). Two other CoEs have been set up at Sikkim and Tezpur universities.
The CoEGS aims to quantify the past, present and future climate changes in the western Himalayan region, reconstruct the past glaciation in the western Himalaya, conduct climate change impact studies on glaciers and water in the western Himalaya, and, study the linkages and impacts of the depleting snow and glaciers on springs and lakes to suggest long-term strategies for sustainable development of springs and lakes in the region.
In his inaugural remarks, Prof Ashutosh said the fragile and diverse Himalayan ecosystem is highly susceptible to natural hazards that trigger concerns about current and potential climate change impacts, including abnormal floods, droughts, landslides, loss of biodiversity, threat to food, water and energy security.
In recent times, the receding glaciers due to climate change have led to global concerns, he said, adding that any slight change in the Himalayan ecosystem can drastically impact and alter millions of lives and impact them in substantial and adverse ways.
KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad thanked the DST for recognising the varsity’s strenuous efforts to become a part of the country’s research and development initiatives on matters of great societal and scientific importance.
“Having such important Centers of Excellence makes us not only develop greater research expertise in critical areas like climate change and glacial studies, but also open the doors of our university for collaborative research activities and exchange programmes at the national and international level,” he said.
Covid-19 SOPs violation: 2 schools sealed in Budgam
Precious Kashmir News
Budgam, Dec 6: Authorities have sealed two schools and imposed fine for forcing children to attend the classes in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Official sources said after receiving complaints that two schools are forcing children to attend the school and run classes despite Covid-19 pandemic, District Development Commissioner Budgam Shahbaz Mirza dispatched an inspection team that found the complaint genuine and accurate.
The schools in question were ‘Peace Public School, Nagam Chadoora and ‘SQM Islamic School, Namthaal Chadoora.
On the directions of District Development Commissioner Budgam, both these educational institutes were sealed.
“During inspection, it was found that normal class work was going on in these schools without observing any SOP’s of Covid-19. This act on part of these schools may have serious ramifications, as Covid-19 infection has not been controlled and government has strictly directed that normal school work shall not have been resolved as the children are one of the vulnerable groups,” said an official.
He said besides sealing of these schools, a penalty to the tune of Rs.30000 each were also imposed for violating guidelines of the government. (KNT)
Disproportionate Assets Case: ACB arrests Naib Tehsildar Rawalpora
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 4: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case FIR 23/2020 u/s 5(10 (e) r/w 5(2) of J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 in PS ACB Srinagar on 17-11-2020 against Abdul Rashid Malla, Naib Tehsildar Rawalpora Srinagar for acquiring huge assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
“The case was registered on the basis of a verification conducted by ACB Srinagar into the allegations that Abdul Rashid Malla, Naib Tehsildar, Rawalpora, Srinagar is in possession of huge assets in the shape of Shopping complex, palatial house etc. During investigation it was further established that the suspect has received a salary of around Rs 45,00,000/- with effect from year 2008 up to 2019 however, the properties acquired by Abdul Rashid Malla in the said period are worth crores of rupees which is totally disproportionate to his known sources of income. The omissions and commissions on behalf of the suspect invokes the provisions of section 5(1) (e) of J&K PC Act Svt, 2006,” an ACB spokesman said.
He said after registration of the case, search warrants got from the competent court and searches conducted on18-11-2020 as various places in district Budgam and Srinagar simultaneously. “During searches important documents were seized by the search teams of this bureau. After collection of evidence it has been found that the accused Abdul Rashid Malla S/o Late Ghulam Ahmad Malla R/o Hassipora Chadoora Budgam committed the offence u/s 5(1) (e) r/w 5(2) of J&K PC Act Svt. 2006. During investigation it has been found that the accused has acquired properties at different places in District Srinagar and Budgam for which the arrest of accused was mandatory so that the alleged accused could not temper the evidence.”
The spokesman said today the accused was arrested and shall be produced before the Court as per procedure.
“Further investigation in the instant case is going on,” he said.
Hassle-free vaccine availability
High on vaccine optimism, the governments across the globe are working with vigour to ensure a hassle-free distribution of the most precious vial in contemporary times. In Jammu and Kashmir, the top administrators have held back to back meetings to meet the endeavor and also ensure the delivery within a time-bound manner across the J&K.
The Covid-19 vaccines are currently in the third phase of clinical trials and will be available for usage soon, possibly in the next few weeks. To effectively deliver the vaccines, the government has rightly stressed need for undertaking a detailed micro-planning regarding vaccination sites, cold chain storage points, and logistics requirements.
Given the official statements, it appears that the administration has also identified priority groups—healthcare workers both in government and private establishments, and frontline workers including armed forces, home guards, police, volunteers and municipal workers.
The next group that could be taken up for vaccination would comprise persons above the age of 50 years, and persons with co-morbidities followed by the remaining population, as per the official statement. One would expect the government to revisit the priority list by including teachers and allied staff as it would help to reopen schools earlier than expected.
The government has rightly focused on maintenance of the cold chain throughout the distribution channels as also need to have dedicated manpower.
It is imperative that the existing arrangements for Covid-19 testing and routine immunization drives for children and pregnant women are not adversely affected as and when the covid-19 vaccination drive is carried out.
For the pandemic to be essentially ‘over’, the large majority of the citizens need to be vaccinated. The rollout of the vaccine is a test for public health officials who have been already at the forefront of the fight against the pestilence. One important job at their hand is to convince people to be patient. There is also a need to promote transparency about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. The officials also must be open about sharing their internal process on deciding on the vaccine priority list. There is also a need to be cogent regarding spurious vaccine and the government must ensure to be ready on that front also.
Till the vaccine is available to all, there is a need for adherence to the safety norms by the average citizen in letter and spirit. The poor compliance can only jeopardise the future plans even with the vaccine available.
Bringing Marginalized To Mainstream
All men and women are equal. The fundamental values of the United Nations, created in the face of intolerance and discrimination, revolve around this faith—the dignity and worth of humans. To stay true to these values, there is a need to bring marginalised communities from the fringes back into the development mainstream.
Undeniably, there has been a deep shift, both in perspective and legislations, regarding the understanding of disability in humans. At one point in time, such people would be considered unfortunate, and then abandoned and left to fend for themselves. At the most it would be their parents or the immediate family, that would take some care. As things stand now, these people are no longer considered to be a burden and notably, the tag of misfortune is slowly fading away also. While the credit goes to a comprehensive change in the way the problem is looked at now, the discrimination against them on various fronts still exists which is equally unfortunate.
According to recent estimates, over a billion people worldwide are impacted by disability and the stigma surrounding it. As per World Health Organization, around 15% of the world’s population has some or the other form of disability, making disabled people the largest global minority. Continuous discrimination denies them equal access to education, employment, healthcare and other opportunities. The stigma attached to such persons, compounded by a lack of understanding of their rights, makes it difficult for them to attain their valued functioning, considered to be capabilities deemed essential for human development.
Furthermore, women and girls with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual and other forms of gender-based violence.
Estimates by World Labour Organization paint a gloomy picture, especially regarding the people with mental disabilities, specially-abled women with disabilities, and those in rural areas, underlining that they are the most neglected.
These people in this part of the globe continue to be far behind the developed part of the world on various fronts. The society, and also at the level of the government, not enough has been done to integrate them into the system. Not much has been done to sensitise people from all walks of life on how to deal with these people. An all-inclusive approach is needed to ensure that specially-abled persons get equal opportunities in every aspect of life.
There is a need to ponder over our responsibilities towards each other and it is perhaps time to use this time as a catalyst for change and work together to ensure that all the persons with disabilities enjoy the full range of human rights.
3rd phase of DDC polls today
305 candidates in fray, 166 in Kashmir; 139 in Jammu
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 3: State Election Commissioner K K Sharma on Thursday said that all the arrangements have been put in place for the third phase of District Development Council elections, slated to be held on Friday.
Addressing a news conference here SEC Sharma said that that there are total 280 DDC constituencies in the UT of J&K (14 in each district) out of which voting will be conducted in 33 constituencies, including 16 from Kashmir division and 17 from Jammu division, from 7 am to 2 pm in phase-III.
He further informed that there are total 305 candidates in the electoral fray including 166 from Kashmir division and 139 from Jammu division for DDC elections in phase-III. Out of 305 candidates 252 are male whereas 53 are female candidates.
Regarding Sarpanch by-polls, KK Sharma said that out of 126 constituencies, polling shall take place in 66 constituencies and a total of 184 candidates are contesting in phase III including 144 male and 40 female candidates. Forty Sarpanch constituencies have been filled unopposed.
Similarly, in Panch by-elections, he informed that there are 1738 constituencies, and out of them 798 have been elected unopposed. Polling shall take place in 327 constituencies and there are 749 candidates in fray.
State Election Commissioner further informed that in the third phase, 737648 electors are eligible to cast their votes in phase III which includes 385675 males and 351973 females. He also said that out of these 737648 voters 374604 are from Jammu division and 363044 are from Kashmir division. He also said that 2046 polling stations including 792 in Jammu division and 1254 in Kashmir division, have been setup for the conduct of Phase III elections in a smooth manner.
The SEC said that all the arrangements regarding elections have been completed including man power, election material and security arrangements. He said that adequate security arrangements have been made in all the poll going areas.
Regarding the SOPs related to COVID 19 pandemic, the SEC urged the people to follow the guideline issued by the Commission besides wearing face masks and maintaining social distance during polling. He also said that sanitizers, thermal scanners and face masks have been arranged at the polling stations.
Special Polling Stations at Women College Gandhinagar, Jammu and Girls Higher Secondary School Udhampur have been set up to facilitate physical voting by Kashmiri Migrants.
SEC appealed to the people to come forward and participate in the festival of democracy and urged them to go to their polling stations and cast their vote.
It is pertinent to mention that DDC Elections & Panchayat By-Polls 2020 are being held in 8 phases commencing from 28th November to 19th December. The counting of votes shall be conducted on 22nd of December.
PMO reviews implementation of PMDP projects in J&K
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 3: Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr P K Mishra today chaired a high level meeting to review the sector-wise implementation of projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Package in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Secretary, J&K, B V R Subrahmanyam along with Secretaries of various departments participated in the meeting.
Extensive deliberations were held to review the progress of 54 key developmental projects being executed by the Central ministries and the UT Government across various sectors including road, power, renewable energy, healthcare, education, tourism, horticulture, sports, Jal Shakti, irrigation & flood control, housing & urban development, and disaster management, relief, rehabilitation & reconstruction.
It was informed that majority of the projects are now advancing as per decided timelines and are at various stages of completion. Besides, the lagging projects are also being assiduously pursued by the concerned officers to ensure their smooth implementation.
In-depth discussions were held to review the progress of Ramban-Banihal road, establishment of two AIIMS in the capital cities of J&K, permanent restoration of damaged infrastructure, installation of high-end security infrastructure, creation of medical infrastructure in District/Sub-District Hospitals & Primary Health Centres, phase-II flood management of river Jehlum, rehabilitation of Dal-Nageen Lake, and development of tourism. Owing to the importance of these projects, it was decided that they will be exclusively reviewed to resolve hurdles in their timely execution.
While reviewing the status of construction of AIIMS, one each at Samba and Awantipura, Principal Secretary to HPM directed the implementing agencies to expedite the construction of these institutions and ensure that these are established not beyond a period of 30 months. He further directed that AIIMS Awantipura set up a temporary accommodation to be hired in the vicinity of the proposed site on the pattern of AIIMS Samba so that first batch of medical courses can commence from the next academic session at both the institutions.
Chief Secretary apprised the PMO that exponential progress has been achieved in land acquisition and other related processes over the last two years to ensure timely handing over the encumbrance-free land to implementing agencies for various projects, which includes prestigious projects like Shapur Kandi, AIIMS Samba/ Awantipora, and various road projects which were earlier being delayed for years on account of the unavailability of land.
Chief Secretary further informed that restoration and rehabilitation of Dal-Nageen lakes require massive interventions for which detailed reports are being submitted separately.
During the review of Shahpur Kandi Multipurpose Project, the Chief Secretary raised concerns over delays in execution of construction works on the J&K side, and suggested frequent meetings of the ‘Tripartite Committee’ for better coordination on project execution.
Principal Secretary to HPM also reviewed the progress of iconic projects of Jammu and Kashmir including Hydro-Electric Projects (HEP) of Kiru, Kwar, Ujh, and the Gas Pipeline.
After detailed review of the projects, Principal Secretary to HPM expressed his satisfaction on the progress achieved during the last two years and further laid emphasis on the benefits to be accrued after the completion of prestigious projects under PMDP. Dr. P. K. Mishra said that the union ministries and the UT Government must work in tandem and hold regular project-wise reviews to ensure their completion within the prescribed timelines.
