Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar, Oct 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday wound up it’s first-ever Law Commission constituted during the PDP- BJP rule in 2017.
The department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Wednesday issued an order to disband the panel.
“Sanction is accorded to the winding up of the first law commission for Jammu and Kashmir constituted vide govt. Order No. 3378-LD(A) of 2017 dated 04-08-2017 with effects t from 03-08-2020,” reads the order, a copy of which is with Precious Kashmir.
On September 20, this newspaper had reported that Jammu and Kashmir’s Law Commission was functioning even after completing its term.
The panel headed by former High Court Judge MK Hanjura completed its three-year term on August 3, 2019.
The report carried by this newspaper highlighted that the panel’s chairman and staff were attending duties in absence of any direction from the government.
On August 4, 2017, the Law department(vide order NO. 3379-LD(A) ) had ordered creation of the Commission comprising of a chairman, two full-time members, two part-time members and secretary department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Commission’s terms of reference include identification of redundant and obsolete state laws which can be repealed, identification of laws that require changes and amendments and make recommendations in this regard. It was also empowered to suggest measures for quick redress of public grievances in the field of law, and examine laws that affect the poor and carry out post-audit of socio-economic legislation.
The commission, however, became functional after January 7, 2019 when former High Court Judge, Justice (Retd) M K Hanjura was appointed as its chairman.
Since January 2019, the panel submitted more 10 reports to Jammu and Kashmir government seeking changes in the laws.
It had also recommended separate human rights commission for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.
“Taking into consideration the vagaries of weather, the difficult terrain, the topography, the geographical conditions with which the two Union Territories are confronted with and above all the number of complaints which were pending for disposal at the time of winding up of the Human Right Commission of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, it may not be feasible and possible to confer the functions relating to human rights upon a State Commission located outside these Union Territories”, read the report submitted by it to government last year.
Pertinent to mention here that 10 commissions and rights bodies were disbanded by Jammu and Kashmir government after Centre made constitutional changes on August 5, 2019.

New Delhi, Oct 28: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

“It is rare for me to search for words while making an announcement; hence here’s me keeping it simple — I’ve tested positive for #COVID and would request those who came in contact with me to get themselves tested at the earliest”, the Minister tweeted.

Irani is the latest high profile victim of the highly contagious virus. Earlier, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and several Ministers in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet had contracted the deadly virus.

New Delhi, Oct 28:  India recorded 43,893 fresh cases of COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, pushing the total case count so far to 79,90,322, Health Ministry’s update said here on Wednesday.

Country’s COVID fatality toll also reached 1,20,010 on Wednesday after 508 more lives were lost to the highly contagious virus since Tuesday.

There is a drop in the number of active cases in the country by 15,054 in the same duration. Currently, the peninsular houses 6,10,803 such cases, that account to 7.64 per cent of the total case count till date.

Talking of recoveries, there were 58,439 cured/discharged cases recorded in the past 24 hours, pushing the recoveries to 72,59,509 till date, with the discharged percentage now standing at 90.85 per cent across the nation.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, there were 10,66,786 tests conducted on Tuesday , while a total of 10,54,87,680 Covid tests have been conducted till date across the country.

The United States of America is the nation with the maximum number of COVID cases followed by India on the second spot and Brazil on third.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 28 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday said that it conducted searches at 10 locations in Srinagar and Bandipora in the case pertaining to “so-called NGOs and Trusts raising funds in India and abroad in the name of charitable activities and then using the same funds for secessionist and separatist activities in J&K.”
The NIA official said the NIA sleuths conducted searches at 10 locations in Srinagar and Bandipora (J&K) and one location in Bangalore in connection with a case pertaining to “certain so-called NGOs and Trusts raising funds in India and abroad in the name of charitable activities and then using those funds for carrying out secessionist and separatist activities in J&K.”
“This case was registered by NIA on 8/10/2020 u/s 120B, 124 A IPC and sections 17, 18, 22A, 22C, 38, 39 and 40 UA(P)A, 1967 on receipt of credible information that certain NGOs and Trusts are collecting funds domestically and abroad through so-called donations and business contributions etc. and are then utilizing these funds for secessionist and militant activities in J&K,” the NIA official said.
“Several incriminating documents and electronic devices have been seized. Further investigation in the case is continued,” the official further said. (KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 28: The government Wednesday said the employees appointed in terms of the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Special Recruitment Rules, notified vide SRO-202 on 30 June 2015, shall not be entitled to annual increments, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and City Compensatory Allowance until they successfully complete their two years of service on consolidated salary.
“It has come to the notice of the Government that there is a lack of clarity with regard to the fixation of Pay and grant of annual increments in respect of such employees who have been appointed to the service in terms of the provisions contained in the Jammu and Kashmir Special Recruitment Rules, 2015 notified vide SRO 202 of 2015 dated 30.06.2015,” reads an official order.
“In this regard, attention is invited to the following provisions of SRO 202 of 2015 dated 30.06.2015 as amended vide S.O. 194 of 2020 dated 17.06 2020: (I).- The persons appoint under these rules shall be entitled to annual increments, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and City Compensatory Allowance on successful completion of their two years service on consolidated salary,” it said.
Referring to clause on no monetary benefit as a result of amendments in terms of the Jammu and Kashmir Special Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2020 before 1.7.2020, the government said that any person appointed under these rules before 1.7.2020 shall be governed by provisions of rule 8,9 and 10, as amended by the Jammu and Kashmir special Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2020 before 1.7.2020, subject to the condition that such persons, who have completed probation prior to 1.7.2020 as per the amendments made by the Jammu and Kashmir Special Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2020, shall be entitled to notional benefit only upto 30.06.2020 and monetary benefit with effect from 1.7.2020.
“A conjoint and combined reading of the SRO 202 dated 30th of June, 2015 and amendments made vide S.O. 194 dated 17th of June, 2020, indicate that the period of probation which was earlier five years has been reduced to two years and these amendments have not diluted the provisions of Rule-10 in any manner,” the order stated.
“Rule-10 has not been omitted, amended or superseded as a result of these amendments.”
In respect of Rule-10, only words of ‘completion of five years service have been substituted with those of two years’ service.
“While reading Rule-10 in juxtaposition to newly added Rule-13, it becomes clear that the persons appointed under Jammu and Kashmir Special Recruitment Rules, 2015 shall be entitled to Annual Increments, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and City Compensatory Allowance after successful completion of their two years service on consolidated salary,” it said, adding, “Thus, such of the employees whose appointment is governed by the terms and conditions of SRO 202 of 2015 dated 30.06.2015 are not entitled to any increments during the period of probation, which is now two years as a consequence of the amendments carried out in the rules vide S.O. 194 of 2020 dated 17.06 2020.”
The amendments have only reduced the period of probation and Rule-10 of SRO 202 makes it abundantly clear that the appointees under these rules are not entitled to annual increments and other allowances, be it notional or otherwise, during the years spent on probation, it said.
“Accordingly, all the DDOs are impressed upon to take note of the clarification and fix the salary of these SRO 202 appointees accordingly on the completion of their period of probation.” (GNS)

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Oct 28: The government has appointed Yatish Yadav as senior media consultant and Dr. Dushyant Kumar Rai as media consultant in the Information Department on nomination basis.

The senior media consultant will be paid Rs 150000 salary per month while the media consultant will draw a salary of Rs 80000 per month, according to an order issued here.

Cumulatively they will draw Rs 230000 as salary besides other perks.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the engagement of Yatish Yadav as Senior Media Consultant and Dr. Dushyant Kumar Rai as Media Consultant in the Information Department, on nomination basis to assist the Lieutenant Governor,” reads an order.

While their term will be co-terminus with tenure of the Lieutenant Governor, they are also entitled to allowances, TA and DA as admissible to a temporary employee and will get transportation and accommodation as that of an additional secretary and a deputy secretary rank officer respectively.

“The salaries and other perks of the above mentioned media consultant shall be drawn from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations,” the order added. (KNS)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 28: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Wednesday chaired the first meeting of the State Broadband Committee to review the implementation of National Broadband Mission in Jammu & Kashmir.
Administrative Secretaries of departments of Home, Housing & Urban Development and Information Technology besides, officers from LSA, Department of Telecom, GoI, BSNL and representatives from TAIPA participated in the meeting.
The meeting was informed that to provide high-speed internet connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir, the J&K Communication and Connectivity Infrastructure Policy will be adopted soon which will pave the way to the implementation of Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016 in the Union Territory.
The Chief Secretary asked BSNL to undertake a survey and consolidate the data regarding the villages/habitations which are yet to be provided with mobile network coverage, besides sharing information on the Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) for J&K.
Reviewing the progress achieved under the National Broadband Mission, the Chief Secretary observed that approximately 3200 Gram Panchayats in the UT is still to be provided with high-speed broadband connectivity. In this regard the Department of Telecommunications was asked to review the bottlenecks and expedite the connectivity of the unconnected villages, favourably by December, 2021.

New Delhi, Oct 28: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday cautioned Army commanders to be wary of Chinese actions at disputed borders and their intent during military talks.
The minister said this while addressing the ‘Army Commanders Conference,’ an apex biannual event that formulates important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations.
Border tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control are the main focus of deliberations in this year’s four-day conference.
Sources privy to the minister’s address said Singh pointed out that talks should be held honestly and in an atmosphere of trust to reach a solution. The defence minister also hinted that there has been a trust deficit since Chinese intent has been questionable.
In the meantime, Singh said on social media: “Addressed the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi today. I’m extremely proud of the initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army in the current security environment.”
He also said that the Ministry of Defence is committed to facilitate the Army in their forward movement on the road to reforms and help them in achieving advantages in all areas.
Talking about empowering the force, Singh tweeted, “We will leave no stone unturned to strengthen the arms of our Armed forces.”
He expressed his confidence in the force and said that he is extremely proud of the initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army in the current security environment.
“The Indian Army has been successful in addressing several challenges to the security and sovereignty of this country since Independence,” Singh said. “Be it the problem of terrorism, insurgency or any external attack, the Army has played a significant role in neutralising those threats,” added the minister.
On Tuesday, during the two plus two Indo-US ministerial dialogue, Singh had said that India was challenged by Chinese “reckless aggression” on northern borders.
Singh had said, “Excellencies, in the area of defence we are challenged by reckless aggression on our northern borders.” Singh talked about China as the US department of State read out of the opening statements of all the dignitaries of US-India 2 2 Ministerial Dialogue.
India and China have been engaged in a six-month-long standoff at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.
Both the countries had seven military commander-level meetings, however, the border issue remains unresolved.

Srinagar, Oct 28: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a Station House Officer (SHO) and Head Constable (HC) for demanding and accepting a bribe in the central Kashmir district of Badgam on Tuesday, a spokesman for the ACB said in a statement.
He said that a complaint was received by Police Station(PS) ACB, Srinagar, that SHO Gowhar Gul and HC Nazir Ahmad Bhat of police station Khag in Badgam district were demanding bribe Rs 4000 for settlement of a complaint lodged by him.
He said on the basis of the complaint Case FIR Number 21/2020 U/S 7 Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at PS ACB Srinagar and a team was constituted to lay a trap.
Subsequently, a successful trap was laid in which SHO Gul and HC Bhat were apprehended red handed while demanding and accepting bribe from the complainant. Both have been subsequently arrested and will be produced before the Court for police remand. The bribe money was recovered in presence of an independent witness.