 Sheikh Imran gets 7 votes, 19 councilors abstain from voting
> Matoo thanks corporators for voting in his favour

Srinagar, Nov 25: The former Mayor and ex-Peoples Conference leader, Junaid Azim Matoo was on Wednesday elected Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
According to KNO, Matoo bagged 44 votes while his rival Sheikh Imran, who is former Deputy Mayor secured only 7 votes.
Officials informed that at least 19 councilors abstained from the voting process today as they walked out during the election process as a mark of protest against what they stated that the authorities wanted a selective mayor for Srinagar.
The scuffle broke out between the councilors after they alleged that they were being forced to vote in favor of former Mayor Junaid Azim Matoo.

Former Deputy Mayor, Sheikh Imran said that they should have been informed about the voting procedure as it was for the first time that polls were being conducted through open ballot rather than secret ballot.
However, he said that after sometime, the Congress candidate was selected following which they protested after doubts and later police reached and took them out from the hall.
“We are not anti-nationals. We wanted that elections be held fairly. The elections should not be a selection, it should be elections only, we demand free and fair elections to be conducted,” he said.
He said that the councilors were dragged out of SMC premises as if they were militants.
“Some councilors have been sold as the authorities want a selective Mayor for Srinagar,” Deputy Mayor Parvez Qadri alleged. He said that they want the elections to be held in front of the Magistrate so that the doubts and apprehensions of councilors will be addressed.
Meanwhile, the councilors walked out in the lawns of SMC and staged a protest where they appealed that their demands must be fulfilled at an earliest.
Meanwhile, Matoo thanked the councilors for casting their votes in his favor.
Addressing a news conference, Matoo who was accompanied by councilors, said that he has won the elections by bagging 2/3 majority. “I was elected after 44 councilors cast their votes in my favor,” he said.
He said that the elections were conducted peacefully. “For the first, the elections were conducted transparently at SMC. There was no secrecy today as the polls were conducted through open ballot,” he said.
Matoo further stated that soon after the polls began, his rival along with NC and Congress created chaos in the premises of SMC, but later the police controlled the situation. He also stated that he will come up to the expectations of councilors and ensure Srinagar is taken to the new heights.
“After 74th amendment, many departments are now under SMC and we will ensure the departments including the schools are upgraded,” he said.

NIA arrests PDP youth leader Waheed Para

Party condemns, terms it an attempt of meddling into electoral process

Srinagar, Nov 25: National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday arrested the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) youth leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para in connection with the DySP Devender Singh and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Naveed Babu’s case.

Para’s arrest comes after NIA questioned him for two days at its New Delhi office.

A top NIA official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) over phone from New Delhi that today, PDP youth wing president Para was questioned for the entire day at the New Delhi office of NIA and now he has been formally arrested.

On January 12, DySP Devender Singh, along with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Naveed Babu besides a lawyer were arrested while travelling in a vehicle from Srinagar to Jammu on January 19, this year. On June 19, suspended DySP managed to get the bail, while the NIA stated that it was investigating another case against DySP Singh.

Meanwhile, PDP in a statement said that “Ahead of the DDC election, which was purportedly supposed to give an opportunity to a new youth leadership in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India through its ruthless brigade arrested Waheed Ur Rehman Para.”

“PDP’s youth leader Waheed Para was supposed to contest the polls from his home constituency in Pulwama. He was arrested immediately after filing the nomination for the polls – a clear attempt by a central agency meddling into the electoral process and influencing it in favor of the cronies of New Delhi. PDP leadership outrightly condemns New Delhi’s latest ruthless action against its youth leader who was a beacon of change in the society and always upheld the values and principles of nonviolence and democratic engagement,” the statement said.

It added that Para’s arrest signals the level of depravity to which the BJP and RSS can go in targeting and damaging its political opponents. These actions of New Delhi will not deter the PDP. |Our actions and our voices will become louder,” it added.

Even after being placed under detention as well as house arrest for more than a year, his belief in democracy and in the power of people’s mandate led him to file his nomination for DDC elections. And his return for investing his past, present and future in the democratic functioning of a volatile zone such as Kashmir has cost him his own freedom, PDP statement said.

“While we in J&K are seeing how the BJP is constantly favoring and protecting its own candidates for the upcoming elections. A very important member of our party is being targeted for not only voicing his stand against the ills of the Administration but also having the sheer courage to contest in elections after repeated harassment at the hands of the state. Being a part of PAGD, we have also come across how leaders from the alliance are stopped from campaigning and now we see that the leaders who have filed their nominations are being targeted for trying to democratically steer the needs of their people forward,” the statement said.

“The BJP has to face the facts that elections are not meant to favour the favourites rather, elections are meant for people to elect their representatives who they see fit to run their area. Installing puppets and criminalizing genuine efforts towards democratic functioning in Kashmir is how the BJP greatly undermines the spirit of democracy. During the PDP-BJP government (during which he was appreciated by the offices of the former Home Minister of India, Rajnath Singh for his relentless efforts at connecting with disgruntled Kashmiri youth) but has also been instrumental in the reconciliation process,” it added.

PDP said that not only in Kashmir but everywhere across India, criminalizing dissent has become the order of the day for the BJP regime. “After dislodging the space for mainstream politics, caging Kashmiris in jails and in homes, BJP government has now resorted to arm twisting the mainstream politicians into obedience through covert threats and intimidation,” PDP said—(KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 25: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the passing away of the Member Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Ahmed Patel.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor described him as a veteran political leader who made important contributions in Indian Politics and worked tirelessly for the welfare of the public.
“I pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss”, said the Lt Governor.

Condoles demise of Maulana Kalbe Sadiq
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha also expressed his condolences on the sad demise of Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, Vice President, All India Muslim Personal Law Board(AIMPLB).
“Saddened to learn about the passing away of Maulana Kalbe Sadiq. He was an Eminent Islamic scholar, noted educationist, preacher and harbinger of communal unity & progressive thinking”, said the Lt Governor.
In his message, the Lt Governor expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers and prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

Interacts with the public through virtual mode

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 25: Moving towards institutionalizing swift disposal of grievances and making it part & parcel of the effective governance structure in the Union Territory, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha held interaction with the public through virtual mode during the ‘LG’s Mulaqaat-Live Public Grievance Hearing’ to seek feedback regarding the status of their grievances and assessment of the overall functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (JK-IGRAMS).

Today’s interaction was the second round of the “LG’s Mulaqaat-Live Public Grievance Hearing” interactions in which the Lt Governor interacted with a total of 20 randomly selected applicants from across the UT and sought details of the status of their grievances in the presence of all Administrative Secretaries, DCs, SPs, and other senior officers of the various government departments and agencies, who in turn briefed the Lt Governor in response to the issues raised by the applicants.

The Lt Governor also assessed the implementation of directions passed during the first run of the programme and expressed satisfaction over the increase in the overall rate of disposal since then.

During the program, grievances were heard in the presence of concerned officers by the Lt Governor.

In one case, an applicant projected that an issue that his and neighboring households’ drinking water supply got disrupted due to washing away of water pipes in July 2020. The water supply is yet to be restored causing innumerable sufferings to around 30 households.

Similarly, an applicant put forth the issue of illegal encroachment on a nallah causing severe inconvenience to residents in the form of abrupt floods during the rainy season. In both the cases specific timelines were fixed by the Lt Governor for the officers to redress them.

In another case, an applicant raised his grievance of being charged with a fee of Rs 350 thrice while submitting his JKSSB form for the post of Panchayat Assistant and claimed refund for the same. The Lt Governor gave on spot direction to the concerned and it was informed that the pending dues of the applicant and all other similar cases will be processed in two days.

One applicant heaved a sigh of relief when his long unresolved Grievance was heard and resolved on the spot by the Lt Governor during the live “LG’s Mulaqaat” video interaction wherein he issued directions for disposal to the concerned officials within three days regarding pending payment from health department.

Underscoring that an effective public redressal mechanism is the cornerstone of people-centric governance and the government is committed to formalize it at all levels of administration, the Lt Governor observed that the one –on –one interaction with the public has the potential to reform the service delivery structure of the governmental processes and is surely going to make it more efficient, responsive, robust, and time-bound.

“To safeguard the interests of the people of J&K and ensuring prompt disposal of their grievances is the foremost priority of UT government”, remarked the Lt Governor.

The instructions issued by the Lt Governor would be punched into the online JK-IGRAMS system and it would be made available simultaneously to the concerned officers and for the perusal of the applicants as well.

Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department; Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; All Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, HoDs, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 25: In a large exercise involving more than 56000 aspirants and thirty-nine centres spread across the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and in rest of the country, around 6000 aspirants appeared for the first phase of online preliminary examinations for the posts of Probationary Officer (PO) in J&K Bank on the first day.
The online exams are held directly by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Mumbai – a prestigious agency of impeccable track record – with technical expertise being facilitated by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The role of the J&K Bank besides being an observer in the exams, is restricted to making appropriate logistical arrangements for the candidates.
The bank has taken all measures to ensure that the Government’s Covid-19 guidelines at all these centers are complied with besides taking care of the convenience and comfort of the candidates writing the exams.
With the centers mostly been set-up in the government and private educational institutions across the UT and outside, more than 56000 aspirants are expected to appear in the exams to be conducted in five phases beginning today across 39 centers including 10, established in the rest of the country to facilitate the candidates stationed outside the UT, who had already opted for the same in their application forms.
Wishing all the aspirants best for the online PO exams, the bank’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) R K Chhibber said, “Although due to the ongoing pandemic this process got delayed, however, as I had promised recently, the preliminary online examination for the posts of Probationary Officer (PO) has begun. I wish all the best to every aspirant appearing in the tests for his/her future career.”
For transparent and efficient conduct of these online tests, the bank’s specially constituted teams led by the top management from the CHQ and zonal offices visited the centers throughout the day to ensure that the arrangements made at these venues are strictly Covid-compliant besides being convenient for the candidates.
A team of senior officers led by Executive President Sunil Gupta visited various centers in Srinagar and peripheral areas to take first hand stock of the arrangements.
Senior officers of bank’s human resource and technology departments monitored all the test-sessions online throughout the day along with personnel from TCS at the bank’s corporate office.

25 facilities being set up in first phase: DC

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Nov 25:  In an initiative making one of the most needed health-related requirements of modern life easily available to residents, the Srinagar district administration is setting up open gymnasiums in public parks and grounds across the city.

In the first phase of the project, a total of 25 open gymnasiums or workout facilities are being set up at identified locations selected based on requirement and popular demand.

Five of these 25 open workout facilities have been set up at identified locations in old Srinagar city with each gymnasium having been set up at a cost of 5 lakh rupees.

The locations where setting up of these workout facilities has been completed are Eidgah Park, Gunj Park Nowhatta, Baghwanpora Community Park, Shaheed-e-Millat Sports Ground Lal Bazar and Gani Memorial Football Ground.

Each facility has been equipped with a host of equipments ranging from sit-up benches to double and quadruple shoulder wheels to dual sky-steppers to pedalling cycles to seated paddles to push-ups to body waist twisters to air walkers.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that gymnasiums are important facilities people require to be fit and healthy adding that this project is a recognition of this importance and a step in the direction to make relevant facilities enabling looking after one’s physical health easily available.

He said open gymnasium facilities will be set up across the district to enable residents to have easier access thereto.

Five other locations where these facilities approved under the ongoing first phase will be available soon are Ikhrajpora Park, Solina Park, Bemina Park, Joggers Park Rajbagh and Sanat Nagar Park.

Jammu, Nov 25: Jammu Police on Wednesday advised people not to circulate content on social media triggering communal tension.
Police spokesman here said that people are advised not to circulate, forward any messages in the form of videos, audio and pictures etc on social media or any other platform having potential to cause or increase communal tension.
“This is an offence under law. Police is constantly monitoring social media and will take strict legal action against those found indulging in it,” said the spokesman adding that people are advised not to post anything incriminating.
He further added that it is also requested to the public to inform about the hate material circulated on social media by informing police by dialing 100 and not by posting on media platforms.
“Kindly do not believe on rumours,” he said.
Meanwhile, in view of security situation at Bhatindi, a special meeting with residents of Bhatindi area has been convened by DIG Jammu, SSP Jammu and other field officers.
“Detailed interactions with the inhabitants of area has been done,” he said adding that the grievances of all the prominent citizens of the area were listened and all the issues were addressed on spot.
“The situation is normal in the area. People are requested not to believe in rumours and manipulations of vested interests,” he said.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 25: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu presented charge sheet against Bharat Bushan, then BDO Barnoti and Mohinder Singh S/o Lochan Singh R/O W.No 15, Patel Nagar, Kathua, the then Storekeeper, Office of Block Development Officer (BDO) Block Barnoti and others in case FIR No. 20/2012 U/S 5(1) (c) (d) r/w 5(2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 & 120-B, 201, 409, 467, 468 & 471 RPC registered in P/S VOJ (now ACB).
“The case was registered on the basis of a verification conducted into allegations of misappropriation of cement/ steel of BDO Block Barnoti during 2004 to 2007 by storekeeper Mohinder Singh and others to the tune of ₹9,21,735/- by making false /duplicate issuance entries of cement/steel in favour of different persons and fudging of stock registers. The above mentioned items were shown issued for undertaking work under various departmental schemes, whereas it was actually not issued. The verification has further revealed that, on the basis of departmental assessment made by the then ACD Kathua, a recovery of ₹3,27,918 was made in the month of March 2006 from the accused storekeeper on detection of shortage in the stores,” a spokesman of ACB said.
He said the omission and commission on part of accused public servant namely Mohinder the then storekeeper of BDO Block (CAD) Barnoti constitutes criminal mis-conduct under J&K P.C Act 2006 Svt. and accordingly FIR No. 20/2012 u/s 5(1) (c) (d) r/w 5(2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 & 120-B, 409, 467, 468 & 471 RPC was registered in P/S VOJ now ACB Jammu and investigation was set into motion.
“During investigation, it was found that Bharat Bhushan the then BDO Barnoti attested/ authenticated the fake entries of cement and steel in the stock registers without checking the corresponding Challans. During his posting period w.e.f. 2000-2004 as BDO Block Barnoti, Mohinder Singh the then Storekeeper fabricate the record by getting attested the fake entries of single challan/same challan of Cement bags/steel under different schemes in the stock registers. Mohinder Singh also diverted the material from one scheme to another scheme and issued excess material. Under a conspiracy, the accused BDO and storekeeper caused huge loss to the state exchequer. Thus the loss caused to the state exchequer on account of misappropriation of the material under different schemes was worked out to ₹ 11,63,421,” added the spokesman.
The ACB after investigation submitted the charge sheet of the case as envisaged U/S 173 Cr.PC against the above said accused persons in the Court of Addl. Judge Anti-Corruption Kathua.

VCs, experts bat for early implementation of key provisions
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 25: The University of Kashmir and the Central University of Kashmir jointly organised on Wednesday a seminar-cum-webinar on implementation of the National Education Policy-2020 in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad presided over the national-level conference, organised by the departments of Education of the two universities to identify key issues in implementing the NEP provisions, with special reference to school and higher education systems.
The NEP-2020, Prof Talat said, is a game-changer flagship programme which focuses on encouraging and promoting creativity, innovation, skill-development and research inquisitiveness among students right from the elementary level to enable them to meet the global benchmarks on academics and research.
He said that digital education is a buzzword in today’s academic world and it’s time to remove bottlenecks in ensuring digital revolution in education across J&K in line with the NEP objectives.
CUK Vice-Chancellor Prof Mehraj-ud-Din Mir was the chief-guest on the occasion and highlighted the role of the universities’ departments of education in shaping the UT’s education system by enabling timely implementation of NEP-2020.
He said the KU and CUK will hold more such seminars and involve eminent academicians from across the country to formulate a concrete roadmap on early NEP implementation in the UT.
Prof Anita Rampal, former Dean, Central Institute of Education University of Delhi, delivered the keynote address. “We need to look at social trajectories, knowledge construction, institutional autonomy and student mentoring to make the 21st century learner relevant and competitive in the global market,” she said.
KU Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir and CUK Registrar Prof Mohammad Afzal Zargar emphasised on imparting-skill-based education and training to students, while instilling a culture of patenting in universities and colleges.
KU’s Dean College Development Council Prof G M Sangmi said: “We need to make our education systems attune to increasing the students’ employability and entrepreneurship prospects”.
Dean School of Education and Behavioural Sciences at KU Prof Showkat Ahmad Shah coordinated the even , while Prof Taslema Jan, Head, Department of Education, presented a welcome address.
Dean, School of Education at CUK Dr Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani said academics need to be proactive in implementing the NEP to ensure that all learners have access to quality education and research.
The seminar-cum-webinar was, among others, attended by noted academics including Prof Mehmood Ahmad Khan, Prof M I Mattoo, Prof Nighat Basu, administrators, teachers and research scholars from both KU and CUK, and many other academic institutions in the country (in online and offline modes).