Precious Kashmir

Arnab moves SC for bail in abetment to suicide case

National

11/11/2020

New Delhi, Nov 10: Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking interim bail in the 2018 case of alleged abetment to suicide of an interior designer.

The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to grant interim bail to Goswami and two others in the case and had asked them to move to the local court for the relief.

Goswami and the two others were arrested by Alibaug police in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on November 4 in connection with the suicide of architect-interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother in 2018 over alleged non-payment of dues by companies of the accused.

Besides the state government, the journalist has made station house officers of the Alibaug police station and Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh as parties to his appeal in the top court.

The hearing on Goswami’s bail plea is scheduled to be heard in the trial court also during the day.

Admin forms committee for rent fixation in Srinagar

City

Precious Kashmir

11/11/2020

Rooms hired by students to have standard rent; timely redressal of complaints

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Nov 10: District Magistrate, Srinagar has constituted a committee for fixation of rent of rooms hired by students in city. The inter-departmental committee has been entrusted to finish the task within a period of 15 days.

Meanwhile directions have been issued to concerned authorities to ensure that students do not face inconvenience on this account.

The committee constituted with Assistant Commissioner Revenue as convener is comprised of Superintending Engineer PWD, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic , Superintending Engineer Power, Chief Education Officer and Deputy Controller Legal Metrology. Deputy Commissioner as chairman of District Rent Assessment Committee has tasked the team to arrive at a uniform rate to be fixed based on different types of accommodations offered to students in Srinagar city.

The committee will workout per square feet rent in different locations and also take into account the standard expenses involved viz a viz power and water supply, or any other recurring tariff. Department of Legal Metrology has been asked to received the complaints in case of violation and initiate action wherever instances of overcharging are detected.

It is pertinent to mention here that a large number of students in various areas of city complained about overcharging of room rent and related issues. The district administration has accordingly initiated the process for a fair and transparent process to ensure standardisation of rent to be paid for hired properties.

Deputy Commissioner, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary directed the officers to obtain feedback from students as well as owners of such rented properties to the maximum extend possible for a fair assessment , working out tariff on account of services as well as rentals per unit area to arrive at standard rates which is indispensable to do away with the reported instances of arbitrary overcharging of rent reported in many cases.

Subsequent to the fixation of rates by the district aren’t Assessment Committee the district administration having appointed Legal Metrology as nodal department will receive complaints, related to violation, at the district call centre for redressal and necessary action.

Cousins from Baramulla cultivate home-grown lotus stems

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

11/11/2020

Peerzada Waseeem
Pattan, Nov 10: For the first time, the cousin brothers from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have cultivated world-famous Lotus Stem (Nadru) in the locality, which otherwise was only found in the lakes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The cousin brothers from Markipora area of Pattan in Baramulla, identified as Jalal-Ud-Din Dar (27) and Hilal Dar (32) have made the entire locality proud after cultivating the lotus stems (Nadru) in the locality, which is approximately 35 kilometres far from the famous Wular Lake.
The duo turned their barren land into a fascinating garden, which even compel the people to visit it. While talking to KNO, the duo said they have been trying to remain relevant and continue their forefathers business to preserve the tradition and skills.
The 27-year-old Jalaludin Dar said that he completed his masters in Political Science and came up with a fish farm at his native village. “After years, the sector changed his fate as the business proved fruitful,” he said, adding that he later started to sow lotus stems in his barren land and became the 1st villager to sow lotus stems in Baramulla district.
His cousin Hilal Ahmad, a matriculation pass out could barely continue his studies after passing class 10th due to the financial crunch. Belonging to the poor family, he began to work with his father to earn the livelihood.
The duo said five years ago, they started this unit to earn livelihood. In a message, they said the youth should try to be self-reliant and youth should focus on being more innovative and subsequently try with start-ups. They also appealed to youth to stay away from drugs.
The youth of their generation, especially those living in rural areas are getting new opportunities emerging in different fields, they said, adding that the dearth of appropriate training and proper formal education in these small towns has reasonably proven to escalate the unemployment. (KNO).

Profit, not profiteering

Edit

Precious Kashmir

11/11/2020

Last week, the administration in Kashmir fixed the retail price of mutton at Rs 480 per kilogram. Even as the revised rate is a hike of Rs 40 to the last government notified rate of 2016, the dealers continue to defy the orders. The mutton is sold at Rs 600 per kilogram and a forum claiming to be representing the traders have claimed that the price at which the mutton is sold is rational given the rates outsides. However, the government has stuck to the rates and considers the dealers as violators. The government has warned them against overcharging the customers and has been filing FIRs against them to make them fall in the line. On the other hand, the dealers continue to resent the move. In no uncertain terms, they have expressed their inability to sell the mutton at the price fixed by the government.
The consumers are certainly caught in the tussle of sorts and most people have no way to enforce what has been fixed even as they want mutton prices far lesser than what they are made to pay. There is no doubt that people would in all situations want the prices to come down given the fact that the lesser the prices better the deal. However, they would never want dealers to get an unfair deal.
The government while fixing the price stated that representatives of the dealers were consulted. Besides the technical team of the Sheep Husbandry department presented a realistic scenario of the production cost of the mutton industry as regards how much the retail rate should be even after ensuring the dealers get their due profit. After taking all these aspects into consideration, the new retail rate of mutton was fixed, the government maintains.
In the past people have witnessed that the dealers continue to sell the mutton at higher prices as against government fixed rate. It is important that the concerned authorities settle this matter once for all. There is no point having such situation repeating time and again. The issue is far from settled and needs to be settled amicably. The common consumer is left confused and he finally follows the forces of the market. There is a need for a long-lasting solution and even if needed, resettle the issue. If the government is so confident that the price set by it is rational, tough action should be taken against the dealers while ensuring that they get the due profit. In no case shall they be allowed to indulge in profiteering.

Maisuma residents protest ration shortage

City

Precious Kashmir

11/11/2020

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 10: The inhabitants of Maisuma and adjoining localities in Srinagar city centre here on Tuesday staged protest against shortage of ration at the government depots for past several months.
Scores of aggrieved women of Maisuma assembled at Budshah Chowk and staged demonstrations against the Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department (C&PD). Later they marched towards Budshah Bridge and staged a sit-in there.
Due to the protest, vehicular movement was disrupted for some times on the route leading to the Civil secretariat.
“Authorities have failed to ensure regular supply of rice to the depots. Due to shortage of ration at the government depots we face immense problems,” the protestors said.
Police rushed to support and pacified the female protesters. They assured protesters that their grievances will be taken up with the concerned department. The protesters dispersed peacefully. (KNT)

Power curtailments

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Precious Kashmir

10/11/2020

Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited has issued the first power curtailment schedule for this year’s winter and is applicable till November 23. Even as one would have hoped, it is not the case that on its expiry, there would be no curtailment. It is rather the beginning of what challenges await the people of Kashmir as winter gets harsher. The first schedule provides 3 hours curtailment for metered feeders (1 hour in each slot) and 4 hours for non metered feeders (in 3 slots). As per official dictum, the “unrestricted load” is going up and a gap in supply which leads to the curtailments. The past winters have been harsher in terms of curtailments. The people had to bear three evening cuts running for five hours per day, two to three nightlong besides morning and day cuts every week on rotational basis.

Official claims of improvements including increasing the power generation and reducing transmission losses notwithstanding, the power scenario is far from being satisfactory, the one which would satisfy the needs of the people.

For people associated with small and big industries, the power cuts have a telling bearing on their businesses.

Kashmir’s power problems are perennial despite its huge hydropower potential. The grim electricity scenario is astonishing and depicts failures of successive governments to ensure power woes do not haunt people in such as magnitude year after year despite power generation capacity increased. J&K happened to be only second place in the subcontinent, after the State of Mysore, to have a hydropower house during the first decade of 20th century as Mohura Power House, the run-of-river scheme with the initial installed capacity of 4 megawatt (MW), which was commissioned in 1905. The power house is said to have lit up thousands of houses and supported small industries of the time. More than 11 decades later, the problem of better power scenario, especially during winters, is only growing. As per officials the state-owned power generation projects are capable to generate only 90 MW every day due to low water discharge in local rivers against the requirement of 923 MW every day. The people fear a scary scenario deep into the winter. However, fingers are crossed that the JKPDCL that does not come up with a curtailment schedule that runs for longer durations.

Congress makes ‘surprise move’ to remain relevant in J&K

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

10/11/2020

Congress makes ‘surprise move’ to remain relevant in J&K

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 9: Congress joining the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and agreeing to contest the forthcoming District Development Commission elections in Jammu and Kashmir in an alliance is a surprise development.
It may be recalled on Sunday National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, who also heads the PAGD, announced that Congress is not contesting the DDC polls alone and it’s a part of the PAGD.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “After staying away from the meetings held by the PAGD the Congress Party seems to have finally realized that going alone into the DDC elections won’t help its cause. It appears that the local Congress leaders have prevailed upon the party high command to let them join PAGD.”
He said, “The confusion has been prevalent in the rank and file of the Congress Party since the day it was ousted from power in Jammu and Kashmir. The party despite sharing power for twelve consecutive years first with Peoples Democratic Party from 2002 to 2008 and then with National Conference from 2009 to 2014 has not been able to strengthen its base in Kashmir.”
The analyst said, “The Congress has already lost its citadel— Jammu— to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been struggling to find its foothold in the region. Many former Congress ministers have already changed their sides and have joined the saffron camp. At this point of time the Congress Party is facing a very difficult situation in Jammu and Kashmir and it needs allies to make its presence felt on the ground.”
An observer said that the absence of the former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is hurting the Congress Party very badly. “Azad could have managed the entire show in Jammu and Kashmir as he is a veteran leader and enjoys very cordial relations with most of the politicians in J&K.”
It may be recalled that Azad was dropped from the list of national office bearers of the Congress Party after he and 20 other senior party leaders had demanded change in the leadership of the “Grand Old Party.”
The observer said, “After Azad’s removal his loyalists in J&K have gone into oblivion. Even Azad has maintained complete silence and has not shown any inclination towards joining the renewed political process in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He said, “At present the Congress Party in J&K is on a weak wicket. It seems the decision to join PAGD has been taken with a hope that it may lead to the revival of the party in the Valley.”

Darbar reopens in Jammu:LG Sinha for zero tolerance against corruption

Front

Precious Kashmir

10/11/2020

Darbar reopens in Jammu:LG Sinha for zero tolerance against corruption

>Advises officers to implement best practices of good governance
>Asks them to serve people in transparent manner
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 9: As the Darbar Move Offices resumed their full functioning at the Winter Capital, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today visited the Civil Secretariat, Jammu and received the ceremonial Guard of Honour.
The Lt Governor arrived at the Civil Secretariat where he was warmly received by Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar and Baseer Khan, Advisors to the Lt Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Dilbag Singh, DGP; Administrative Secretaries, representatives of various employees’ unions, and a large number of officers and employees of the Civil Secretariat.

Setting the agenda of development straight, the Lt Governor laid specific thrust on important public issues like saturation of beneficiary-oriented schemes; speeding up the coverage under the JK Health Scheme; reaching out to the people with all the basic amenities; completion of PMDP- Iconic and languishing projects; prompt redressal of public grievances; on ground effective implementation of youth outreach activities among other issues.
“Good Governance should be the touchstone of the administrative processes at all levels”. Block Diwas is now a regular feature for decentralization of district-level grievance redressal system, said the Lt Governor.
Restore people’s faith by simplifying and speeding up the processes of Government Services and timely execution of developmental programmes, implement best practices of good governance and serve people with accountable, transparent, and responsible governance, he added.
The Lt Governor directed the senior officers present during the meeting to ensure that free and fair DDC elections are held across the Union Territory.
Terming effective public delivery service & grievance redressal mechanisms as cornerstones of people-centric governance, the Lt Governor advised the officers to stay well versed with the issues of the people; avoid unnecessary delays and ensure speedy redressal of public issues and grievances. He also stressed upon the proper maintenance of records and files.

He stressed upon the need to provide sustained handholding and giving a determined push to key sectors like Agriculture and allied services, Industries, Tourism and Sports for achieving better results on the ground.
The Lt Governor also reviewed the arrangements being made for the smooth functioning of move offices and further enquired about the facilities being made available at the Government accommodations allotted to the moving employees. He asked the officers to ensure the strict adherence of the COVID related SOPs and advisories in the Civil Secretariat.
Stressing on zero tolerance for corruption, he advised the Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments to keep a close vigil on the functioning of their respective departments and take requisite measures to improve their departments’ working. Work at grassroots-level and reach out to the people to address their genuine concerns, he added.
The Lt Governor also asked the concerned officers to be quick and responsive in their efforts during the times of medical emergencies and while rendering critical help in any contingent situation to minimize the difficulties of common people.
In view of the ensuing winter season, the Lt Governor reviewed the preparations and stressed on ensuring proper availability of power and water supply, availability of public utilities like ration, medicines, maintenance of all necessary stocks including dry ration; availability of transformers and other basic amenities and essential supplies, especially in snowbound and far-flung areas.

Later, the Lt Governor went around various sections and complexes of the Civil Secretariat and asked about the well-being of the officers and staff members. He also took stock of the working in the offices of various departments.
Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, IGP Jammu and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

PAGD braces up for DDC polls

Front

Gul Owais

10/11/2020

Constituents of alliance direct respective party leaders, workers to start field work
Gul Owais
Srinagar, Nov 9 : The political parties in Jammu and Kashmir under the banner of Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) have started holding meetings across the Union Territory to identify the faces who will be contesting the forthcoming District Development Council (DDC), slated to be held from November 28.
The parties including National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC), CPI (M), Awami National Conference (ANC), J&K Peoples Movement (JKPM) and others have unanimously decided to contest the forthcoming polls in J&K unitedly with an aim to keep what they termed as “invaders” away.
All the leaders have subsequently directed their second-rung leadership to hold district level meetings and identify fresh faces, who will be given tickets to contest the polls, sources told Precious Kashmir.
They further stated during the meetings, which started today, a couple of names were put forth by the workers for contesting the elections.
NC has also held a meeting today at its party headquarters in Nawa-e-Subha here, wherein discussion took place about the forthcoming polls, sources said, adding that PDP also held a meeting at its party headquarters in Srinagar wherein leaders discussed the issues and also appreciated the decision taken by the top mainstream leadership under the banner of PAGD.
Khurhseed Aalam, former MLC and PDP leader said a meeting was held this afternoon and the preparations for the polls after the decision taken by PAGD is going on.
“Alliance’s decision and subsequent reaction of BJP and its allies’ is tantamount to the fact that it was the right decision. They wanted to grab democratic institutions through a back door, but it was an attack on their designs. The decision taken by PAGD is in the interests of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that BJP was pinning a hope that the political parties would once again boycott, but the decision was taken aptly, which accommodates the aspirations of people.
NC General Secretary, Ali Muhammad Sagar said that BJP was hoping that political parties will boycott the polls so that they can grab the opportunity, but the decision taken by PAGD has left them guessing.
“People will also come to know why the decision to participate in the polls was taken. People are already aware what changes have been made so far in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that the main issue of PAGD is to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. “It was necessary to be part of these polls,” he added.
Pertinently, the State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma announced the maiden DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir from November 28.

BJP announces first list of candidates

Front

United News Of India

10/11/2020

Jammu, Nov 9: Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP on Monday announced the list enlisting names of the candidates for the first phase of upcoming District Development Council Elections here at party headquarters.
J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina made the announcement for the names of party leaders who are entrusted with the party’s mandate after marathon meetings held with all the senior party leaders.
In the first list of candidates, BJP announced 35 candidates for DDC elections in Jammu region, whereas 37 DDC candidates for Kashmir have been announced.
Total names for 72 seats were declared on Monday.
Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh, National Secretary Dr Narinder Singh, former BJP president and Dy CM Dr Nirmal Singh among others were present in the meeting.

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