Jammu, Nov 9: Days after his expulsion from the post of chief patron after meeting the leaders of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) here, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Monday revoked the exclusion of its founder Bhim Singh terming his visit purely as “personal”.
The JKNPP on Saturday had removed Singh from the post, saying “there is no place in the party for those who disrespect Jammu region”s sentiment”. Singh had attended the meeting of the PAG at the Bathindi residence of National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah.
“Putting an end to the controversy erupted in the NPP in the wake of Singh meeting some leaders of the Gupkar alliance and the resultant crises, the issue has been sorted out amicably after verifying the factual position,” a party release said.
As per the report given by a fact finding committee constituted by the party headed by Balwant Singh Mankotia, Singh’s visit was purely personal and not connected in any way with Gupkar declaration, it said.
“And accordingly it was decided that Singh will continue to hold the position of Chief Patron of the Party,” Mankotia said.
He said in view of the findings of the committee and the gargantuan contributions made by Singh, it was unanimously decided that the status quo ante shall be restored.
JKNPP revokes Bhim Singh’s expulsion as chief patron
ACB produces chargesheet against ex BMO Beerwah, 3 others
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 9: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has produced chargesheet of case FIR No. 26/2014 u/s 5(1)(c), (d) r/w 5(2) J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 & sections 120-B, 201,420,467,468 and 471 RPC in Anti Corruption Court Srinagar against Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Banday (then DDO/ BMO Beerwah), Mushtaq Ahmad Parray (then Jr. Assistant cum cashier Medical Block Beerwah), Zahoor Ahmad (then Pharmacist Medical Block Beerwah).
“During investigation it was found that that accused officer/officials of Medical Block Beerwah, have misappropriated and embezzled an amount of Rs.11589851/- from Treasury Beerwah against the fake, fictitious salary bills drawn against the non existent employees or against the officials of Medical Block Beerwah which have not received the amount nor were entitled for the same or against the staff engaged under NRHM scheme for whom there is separate mechanism of disbursing their salaries and on account of wages meant for the consolidated/part time workers,” a spokesman of ACB said.
It also revealed that in blatant violation of financial rules and regulations and with criminal intention of accused DDO has issued a cheque in the name of self from the official account and similarly has transferred the amount from salary account into the NRHM official CD account. Accused officer/officials while preparing fake/fictitious/double drawal bills and drawing same from the Treasury have destroyed the office copy of such bills along-with invoices issued thereof.
The Chargesheet was produced before the Court of Special Judge Anti Corruption Srinagar after Government accorded prosecution sanction in respect of in-service accused 03 public servants.
The trial of case is going on.
CUK’s Urdu Deptt celebrates Urdu Day
Precious Kashmir News
Ganderbal, Nov 9: The Department of Urdu, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Monday celebrated Urdu Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of The Poet of the East, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, with Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir in chair.
Director Research and Development, Prof. G M Bhat, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Director Arts Campus, Prof. Wali Muhammad Shah, Controller of Examinations, Prof. Parveen Pandit, Finance Officer, Prof. Fayaz A Nikka, Dean School of Languages, Prof. Gayasuddin, faculty members and scholars were present on the occasion.
The programme began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Muhammad Younis Thokar and Na’at Sharief by Assistant Professor, Dr. Altaf Hussain Naqshbandi.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir hailed the department of Urdu for organizing the event to mark the Urdu day. He said the department has been doing a commendable job in imparting quality education to the students pursuing the post graduate and research programmes and asked them to continuously work with the same zeal and zest.
The VC asked the faculty members to reach out to the students studying in colleges and higher secondary institutions in order to create awareness among them about the Urdu language.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Abbas Raza Nayyar, Head Department of Urdu, Lucknow University. Prof. Abbas traced the history of Urdu language and its usage in different countries across the world. He said the Urdu language does not belong to any particular religion, which can be gauged from the fact that several poets from other religions, have written poetry and prose in Urdu.
Sr. Assistant Prof. Dr. Rashid Azeez conducted the programme proceedings while as Associate Prof. Irfan Alam proposed the vote of thanks.
J&K SLSA observes Legal Services Day
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Nov 9: Under the vision of Justice Gita Mittal, Chief Justice High Court of J&K and Patron-in-Chief J&K Legal Services Authority and the guidance of Justice Rajesh Bindal, Executive Chairman J&K SLSA and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Executive Chairman Ladakh Legal Services Authority, JK SLSA observed “National Legal Services Day” through District Legal Services Authorities across all districts of UT’s of J&K and Ladakh involving Para Legal Volunteers, Panel Lawyers and other stakeholders by organising various programmes to celebrate existence of Legal Services Institutions and generate awareness regarding their functions and activities particularly for welfare of marginalized sections of the society.
The aim of celebrating the day is to ensure free of charge, proficient Legal Services to weaker sections of the society as well as to make them conscious about their rights.
National Legal Services Day was celebrated by District Legal Services Authority Jammu at District Court Complex, Janipur by holding a programme which was attended by Judicial Officers, Public Prosecutor, Additional Public Prosecutor, police officers, panel lawyers, senior citizens and para legal volunteers.
The participants were introduced to the objective and importance of Legal Services Day and deliberations were made about various provisions of the Legal Services Act.
Sanjeev Gupta, Chairman DLSA Jammu highlighted the important schemes of NALSA and the utility of Lok Adalat.
M.K Sharma, Member Secretary J&K Legal Services Authority, while appreciating the efforts of para legal volunteers, also emphasized Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism as a great contribution towards dispute resolution. He also highlighted the importance of Lok Adalat and encouraged the concept of equality as the basis of social justice.
Other prominent participants included K. S Parihar, Presiding Officer MACT Jammu, T. K Raina , Addl. District and Sessions Judge Jammu, Naushad Ahmad Khan, Secretary DLSA Jammu, Shalini Sharma, Chairman CWC Jammu, Pooja Uppal, Legal Manager 181 Women Helpline Jammu, Advocate Deepali Arora, Advocate Leena Devi, Advocate Alisha Kohli, Advocate Upasna Thakur, P.K Choudhary and panel lawyers of DLSA Jammu.
On the occasion, disbursements were made in three cases amounting Rs 4,00,000/- under the J&K Victim Compensation Scheme by M.A. Chowdhary, Chairman DLSA Samba.
DRDO develops fire detection, suppression system for passenger buses
New Delhi, Nov 9: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed for passenger buses a technology called ”Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS)”, a statement said.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday witnessed here at the DRDO Bhawan the demonstration of FDSS — a technology which can detect fire in buses in less than 30 seconds and extinguish it in 60 seconds, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said.
Demonstrations were given on water mist-based FDSS for passenger compartment and aerosol-based FDSS for engine fire, it said and added that the ministers were briefed about the various other programmes and systems.
“DRDO”s Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi has developed the technology, which can detect the fire in passenger compartment in less than 30 seconds and then suppresses it in 60 seconds thereby reducing the risk to life and property to a significant extent,” the statement said.
The FDSS for passenger compartment comprises a water tank of 80 litre capacity, a 6.8 kg nitrogen cylinder pressurised to 200 bar installed at appropriate location in the bus and a network of tubing with 16 number of atomizers inside the passenger compartment, the statement said.
The FDSS for engine comprises of aerosol generator with which the fire suppression could be achieved within 5 seconds of the system activation.
The statement said CFEES has unique competency in the areas of fire risk assessment, fire suppression using different extinguishing mediums, modelling and simulation.
It has developed system for battle tanks, ships and submarines.
The active fire protection system has been developed by CFEES as a defence spin-off technology for providing a solution to the fire incidents in passenger buses, it said.
Although, the fire threat is present in all the vehicles, the highest concern emanates from special vehicles particularly the school buses and the sleeper coaches for long distance travel, the statement said adding as on date, only the engine fire is regulated for fire safety.
Finance Commission presents its report to President
New Delhi, Nov 9 : The Fifteenth Finance Commission led by Chairman N K Singh, on Monday submitted its report titled “Finance Commission in Covid Times” for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 to President Ram Nath Kovind.
Members of the Commission, Ajay Narayan Jha, Prof Anoop Singh, Dr Ashok Lahiri and Dr Ramesh Chand along with Secretary to the Commission Arvind Mehta accompanied the Chairman.
As per the terms of reference (ToR), the Commission was mandated to give its recommendations for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 by October 30.
Last year, the Commission had submitted its report containing recommendations for the year 2020-21 which was accepted by the Union Government and tabled in Parliament on January 30, 2020.
The Commission was asked to give its recommendations on many unique and wide-ranging issues in its terms of reference. Apart from the vertical and horizontal tax devolution, local government grants, disaster management grant, the Commission was also asked to examine and recommend performance incentives for States in many areas like power sector, adoption of DBT, solid waste management etc.
The Commission was also asked to examine whether a separate mechanism for funding of defence and internal security ought to be set up and if so how such a mechanism could be operationalised.
The Commission has sought to address all its ToRs in this Report to the Union government.
This Report has been organised in four volumes. Volume I and II, as in the past, contain the main report and the accompanying annexes.
Volume III is devoted to the Union Government and examines key departments in greater depth, with the medium-term challenges and the roadmap ahead.
Volume IV is entirely devoted to the States. The Commission has analysed the finances of each State in great depth and has come up with State-specific considerations to address the key challenges that individual States face.The Report will be available in the public domain once it is tabled in Parliament by the Union Government along with explanatory memorandum/action taken report on the recommendations contained in the Report.
Police solves theft case in Srinagar, accused arrested
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 9: Police in Srinagar solved a theft case by arresting an accused person involved in the commission of crime and recovered stolen property.
“Police Station Khanyar received a complaint from from Intizamya Committee of the Zeyarat Sharief Dastgeer Sahib Khanyar that during intervening night of 12/13 Sep 2020 some unknown thief /thieves have entered the shrine and broke down the safe/locker and decamped with money & Golden ornaments,” a police spokesman said.
Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Khanyar and investigation was set into motion.
“During the course of investigation, officers taking assistance of modern techniques learnt about the involvement of one accused person identified Tahir Ahmad Mir @Namta son of Sanaulah Mir resident of Hardan Kuligam Kupwara A/P Palpora Noorbagh Srinagar and subsequently arrested him on 06/11/2020,” the spokesman said.
During questioning, officers learnt about his involvement in the commission of crime and on his disclosure Cash Rs.10,1363/- (one lack one thousand three hundred sixty three) and some Golden ornaments were recovered from his possession. During further questioning, one Laptop, 02 cycles and 09 mobile phones which have been stolen from different parts of Srinagar city were also recovered on his disclosure, he said.
E-training-cum-webinar for registration on GeM portal
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 9: District Industries Center (DIC) Srinagar in collaboration with District Administration and Directorate of Industries and Commerce Monday conducted a one day online training programme cum webinar for registration of MSME units on GeM portal at DC Office here.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a dynamic, sustained initiative of the Government to transform the way in which procurement of goods and services is done by the Government Ministries and Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and other apex autonomous bodies of the Government.
District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, Director Industries and Commerce Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, General Manager, DIC Srinagar, Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos, Joint Director Industries and Commerce Kashmir, Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz, Assistant Director MSME, Srinagar, States Tax Officer Srinagar, representatives of various banks and 100 industrial unit holders participated in the event.
On the occasion, Business facilitator GeM (J&K), Kush Tyagi, gave a detailed presentation about registration of MSME unit holders on GeM portal.
While explaining the advantages of GeM portal, Tyagi said that based on the principles of efficacy, transparency and economy, the portal enables single window sale and procurement of all general goods and services through a simplified process.
He said the portal operates in real time and enables use of historical data and a feedback system for decision making, facilitating prudence in budget management, faster account settlement with timely payment to service providers, better price discovery and generation of auditory.
State Taxes Officer informed the unit holders regarding the importance of timely filing of GST returns and its reimbursement under GST regime.
Speaking on the occasion GM, DIC Srinagar Tazayun said that the focus of the webinar is to apprise the participants of the registration process on Government e marketplace, the bigger common platform for sale and procurement, which is now a mandatory purchase platform for all Government Departments.
Govt As Violator
Jammu and Kashmir High Court recently banned constructions within 200 meters from Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes of Asia. The court passed the orders after its visit to check if the garbage was really dumped at its peripheries near Sopore by none other than those responsible to keep a check on it. While the garbage was removed from the spot before court’s visit on October 10, ironically the government admitted dumping the trash there. The “excuse” by the government that it was done “for the want of land” is shocking to say the least. The local laws, as well as the International and National Protocols for such an area, expressly bars dumping of the garbage. A responsibility is cast on the administration to check the activities that threaten the existence of such areas. There is no justification for violating these norms by the officials.
The waterbody is important on countless aspects and protecting it must be a collective responsibility for all of us. The Lake’s associated wetlands support rich biodiversity and provide habitat to migratory birds within Central Asia flyover. It is also the largest fisheries resource in Kashmir Valley, supporting the livelihoods of large human population living along its fringes. Also importantly, the lake and its associated wetlands protect the Valley from floods as well as maintain the flow to support agriculture and hydro-power generation. However, over the past several decades, the water body is progressively shrinking. Unfortunately, it has not attracted the required attention despite the fact that the lake was designated as “Wetland of International Importance” under Ramsar Convention in 1990 in recognizing its importance for its biodiversity and socio-economic values. There are several reasons for ruins and some of them have been even well identified. However there has been little redeeming difference on the ground. Not only have encroachments continued with impunity, the lake has gone through a sustained environmental degradation.
The Wetland Management and Conservation Rules provide that the wetlands shall be conserved and managed in accordance with the principle of “wise use” as determined by the Wetlands Authority. The rules explicitly prohibit activities such as encroachment of any kind, setting up of any industry and expansion of existing industries besides Solid waste dumping including the discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from industries, cities, towns, villages and other human settlements as well as any construction of a permanent nature. There is need to adhere to the ban on illegal constructions within the distance prescribed by the court as also implementing ensuring implementation of laws.
CD Hospital: Amid COVID-19 patients at emergency ward left in lurch
No doctor remains available, workload on paramedic staff only, allege attendants
Gul Owais
Srinagar, Nov 8: Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the patients who are admitted in the emergency ward at Chest Disease hospital—designated COVID care facility—here are being pushed to the wall in absence of proper care as well as the lack of basic facilities, attendants alleged on Sunday.
Attendants accompanying the patients here at CD hospital told Precious Kashmir that the hospital administration has failed to keep doctors available round the clock in the emergency ward, saying that the patients are being taken care by the paramedics only.
An attendant said that most of the paramedical staff was not capable of looking after the patients admitted in the emergency ward. “There was a dire need to ensure the availability of at least one doctor at an emergency ward round the clock to ensure the patient who is suffering from serious ailment is not forced to face hardships,” he said.
He added that although some of the paramedic staff are very much capable of performing their duties at the emergency ward, some staff members are not even able to inject a needle at the apt place. “Yesterday, a patient was injected almost seven times when he had to get the blood point. This shows the negligence as well as the incapability of the staff,” he alleged.
The attendant further said that the attendants had to face tremendous hardships whenever their patient’s health gets deteriorated. “We have to move from one room to another in search of the paramedical staff to ask them to check our patient. They too don’t stay in their rooms but usually move from one room to the other,” he added.
He stated that not only the absence of doctors, but the emergency at CD hospital even lacks the basic facilities. “We are being told to conduct a test from outside the hospital and that too at a designated lab. The doctors here are not entertaining the test conducted at other labs except the one advised by them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Department CD hospital Dr Naveed Nazir Shah didn’t receive the repeated phone calls from this reporter to respond to the queries.
