‘Government to incentivize timely completion of projects’

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took a detailed review of the overall developmental scenario of Srinagar district in meeting at Civil Secretariat Srinagar here today. He took stock of the various developmental projects being undertaken by different agencies and the impact of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes being implemented in the district.

Those present in the meeting included Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Bipul Pathak; Dheeraj Gupta Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department; PK Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Shahid Iqbal Choudhary,  Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, ERA; Gazanfar Ali, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Dr. Bashir Ahmad Lone, Vice-Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Chief Engineers, Heads of departments, and other senior officials from various departments.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining the brief profile of the district and various developmental indicators to the Lt Governor. He also informed the Lt Governor about the status of various centrally sponsored schemes being implemented in the district.

He also briefed the Lt Governor about various innovations and milestones achieved by the district administration. He informed the meeting that 10 Modern Revenue offices are getting ready by the end of September, besides achieving 100% completion of Jamabandi updation and 89% digitization of the same to date. He stated that specific interventions have been made in education and health sector to improve the overall scenario in the district. 25 smart schools have been established and work is going on in additional 50 schools for smart classrooms. Further,  5 PHCs have been developed as Smart Hospitals and at present 4000 bedded COVID Care Centers have been established. Laying stress on Grievance Redressal Mechanism, the district has established the UT’s first IVRS Call center for public grievance redressal in which around 12000 tickets stand generated to this date and more than 8300 issues related to services have been resolved.

The Lt Governor directed for immediate capacity enhancement of COVID care beds and called for achieving 100% saturation in all Centrally Sponsored and Social Security Schemes so that larger population can avail the maximum benefits out of these schemes and programmes. He also directed to ensure that 100 % payment with Aadhaar linkage is done to benefit the beneficiaries under Social Security Schemes.

He exhorted upon the officers to lay special focus on improving the prompt service delivery mechanism for the timely disposal of public grievances. Every possibility should be explored in meeting the developmental expectations of the people, he remarked.

Later, the Lt Governor took stock of the various projects for Housing, Urban Transport, and Srinagar Smart City Mission.

Dheeraj Gupta gave a detailed presentation of the various ongoing projects being executed by field agencies of the Housing and Urban Development Department. He briefed the Lt Governor about the new Townships coming up in twin capital cities of Jammu & Srinagar and the plan to construct One Lakh houses in each of the two Metropolitan Regions. He informed that the requisite Institutional Revamp has been undertaken and the two new MRDAs have been notified for planned & coordinated development of the two capital cities. 8 locations in Srinagar MRDA, with a potential of 1.36 Lakh dwelling units have been identified already.

The meeting was also informed that DPRs for the two Light Rail Transit Systems for the two capital Cities has been finalized and the execution of Jammu & Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporations (MRTCs) has been proposed through DMRC.

Taking note of the delays in the execution of developmental projects, the Lt Governor called for a formal policy for incentivizing the timely completion of projects. He also directed the Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department to come up with Comprehensive Drainage Plans for Twin Capital Cities even if the work has to be taken up in phases. He stressed that prospective needs be taken into account while formulating the plans.

On Smart City projects, the Lt Governor was apprised that 15 projects have been completed, 20 are ongoing and 4 stand tendered. Work has been  started on integrated command and control center to cover issues related to emergency services, essential services, city traffic management, security, citywide CCTV monitoring, disaster management, drainage, and other services,5 KM cycle track, smart vending zone, parking, city beautification, Variable Message Display, Reverse Vending Zone.

The Lt Governor stressed upon the officials to speed up the pace of work on all ongoing projects around the city so that the completed projects can be commissioned for public use at the earliest. He asked officers to conduct regular on-site reviews to resolve all bottlenecks, besides achieving a high level of Inter-Departmental synergy.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Sep 4: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Kashmir has registered cases against 17 top officers in Jammu and Kashmir in the first eight months of the year 2020.
It’s in place to mention here that Governor Satya Pal Malik-led administration in 2018 had set up the ACB for tackling increasing corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the official details accessed by news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), the ACB has registered 17 cases in Kashmir since the beginning of this year.
Several cases have been registered against politicians and bureaucrats. The ACB has registered a case against officers of Jammu and Kashmir into illegal appointments in the bank.
Similarly, it has registered a case against allowing illegal residential commercial constructions in Rajbagh and Gogji Bagh against,Ward Officer, Ward No. 30, Srinagar; 2), Building Inspector, Ward No. 30, Srinagar; and 3), Building Inspector Ward No. 30 Srinagar.
A case has also been registered against Chairman J&K Co-operative Bank and others for sanctioning loan in favour of non-existent co-operative society. The case has been registered against Chairman J&K State Co-operative Bank Raj Bagh Srinagar, and others. The anti-graft agency has also registered a case against former chairman of the bank for allegedly misusing his position.
A case has also been registered against the former Director Archives and Archaeology Department for allegedly misusing his position and had ordered enhancement of consolidated wages without authorization.
A case has also been registered against former directors of Rural Development Department Jammu for allegedly misusing official position and causing loss to state exchequer.
The anti-graft body has also registered a case against former Managing Director JAKFED for misuse of official position.
An official of ACB said that there are complaints against several top government officials for their involvement in corruption.
“Some are still at an initial stage and action will be taken in the next few weeks,” the official added.(KINS)

Reviews court proceedings, developmental works at CC Chadoora
Budgam, Sep 4: Justice Ali Mohammad Magray, Judge of J&K High Court today emphasised that providing requisite infrastructure in all courts of UTs of J&K and Ladakh is on top priority.
Justice Magray said this during his visit to Court Complex Chadoora and added that these sites and locations have already been identified in both the UTs.
He said creating requisite infrastructure in all courts, includes construction of new court complex buildings equipped with all facilities like recreation centers, bar council offices and residential quarters for honorable Judges.
Besides this, Justice Magray reviewed the process of acquisition of land, inspection of court proceedings, took stock of construction status of ongoing projects in concerned court complexes.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Magray said that the infrastructure will come in next two to three years at all identified places and the complexes will have the facility of Alternate Dispute Redressal Centers(ADRCs), residential quarters for judges, facility to litigants, public and lawyers as they are also stakeholders of this whole process.
He said these measures will enable strengthening the whole judicial system in both the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
To acquire the requisite space of land, Justice Magray elaborated that being revenue related matter the concerned revenue authorities have already been taken on board on behalf of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
He revealed that the concerned Deputy Commissioner Budgam has been directed to initiate the process of identifying the availability of State land and provide all logistics for its acquisition particularly for the court complexes of Chareshareef, Chadoora and Budgam, adding he said in addition at some places we may require land from private proprietors also.
During the visit, Justice Magray was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Budgam Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, Sub Judge Chadoora, Munsif Judge Chadoora, SP Budgam, Bar Council President and others concerned.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 3: The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar on Friday summoned the sales head of Spicejet North sector for non-cooperation in investigation regarding the sale of tickets at inflated prices.
Satyaajit Mohapatra, Sales head Spicejet North sector was summoned by CJM Srinagar today in a case under FIR number 03/2020 under section 420, 468, 471, 409 and 120-B IPC registered in Crime Branch Kashmir regarding the sale of tickets at inflated prices to customers through travel agents, who in connivance with airlines staff create an artificial scarcity of tickets.
The court has directed the sales manager to produce the relevant data within a span of 15 days, failing which a warrant against him will be issued.
It has been learnt from reliable sources that Spicejet was not cooperating with the investigation process. (KNO)

New Delhi, Sep 4: President Ram Nath Kovind will felicitate 47 selected teachers of the country and give away national awards to them on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on Saturday.
Kovind will felicitate these teachers through video conferencing at 1100 hrs. Two of the teachers are physically challenged. The teachers are from 36 states and union territories as well as seven organisations.
On the eve of Teacher’s Day, President Kovind also congratulated them by underlining the role of teachers in nation-building.

He said in his message, “Every year, Teacher’s Day is celebrated nationwide on the birth anniversary of a great teacher like former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in his memory. I convey my congratulations and best wishes to the teachers who will be honoured tomorrow.”
President Kovind said teachers were guiding force for students and true nation builders, and noted that “the teacher is not only a person who teaches but also a moral guardian and instilled values within the students.”
He said that in Indian culture, Guru Shishya tradition is viewed with respect. Teachers with their patience and restraint not only introduce students to the rich tradition of our culture but an ideal teacher motivates students to achieve their goals. There is no doubt that teachers are the driving force for the students and the creator of the nation.
He also said that in view of changing times in the society, there is a need for change in the education system and more contribution of teachers is needed for the betterment of the society. Hopefully, teachers will continue to play their role in building a great nation and make the student community wise so that they can lead the country in the coming days.

Srinagar, Sep 4: The administration of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory is set to sort out all pending issues relating to service matters of police officers, sources disclosed.
Highly placed sources told news agency- Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Home department has proposed release of selection grade in favour of all eligible officers of SP and DySP rank.
“The proposal has been sent for approval. Once it is approved, the grade would be released in favour of the eligible officers,” they said.
According to sources, the government is also mulling to regularise all superintendents of police and deputy superintendents of police who were working in officiating capacity.
“The Home department has also finalized seniority of police officers. It would be notified once the administrative council approves it,” they said, adding that these proposals would be notified after getting a nod from administrative council and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
According to sources, Home secretary Shaleen Kabra and Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam have played a crucial role in sorting out these matters.
As already reported by KNO, the Jammu & Kashmir government submitted a proposal earlier this year to the Union Public Service Commission and Ministry of Home Affairs for filling 28 vacancies in promotion quota of the prestigious Indian Police Service. The proposal was submitted after MHA determined 28 vacancies for these years- 08 for 2010, three vacancies for 2011, 08 vacancies for 2012 and 09 vacancies for 2013.

Srinagar, Sep 4: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh has sanctioned Rs 3.54 crore relief and loan for Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, a police spokesman said on Friday evening.
He said continuing with an aim to provide more and more welfare measures for police personnel and to give financial assistance to meet their urgent needs, DG Singh sanctioned welfare loan in favour of 343 personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police. Welfare relief has also been granted in favour of 15 needy personnel. The amount has been sanctioned out of Central Police Welfare Fund.
As per the Police Headquarter welfare loan and relief of Rs3.54 crore has been sanctioned in favour of 343 police personnel. Among the 343 police personnel 48 personnel and their dependents who are suffering from different ailments have been provided loan and relief of Rs 60.50 lakh for self-treatment and treatment of their dependents.
He said Rs 2.7 crore have been sanctioned to 207 personnel to meet the expenses of their marriage. 79 personnel have also been provided welfare loan of Rs 78.50 lakh for the marriage of their dependents.
DGP also sanctioned Rs one lakh each in favour of seven police personnel in different ranks to meet the expenses of their wards on technical and higher education. Rs fifty thousand each has also been sanctioned in favour of two police personnel to meet the expenses on Circumcision and Mundan ceremony of their wards.

Sopore, Sep 4: Burglars broke into the five shops in two different markets in North Kashmir’s Sopore town of Baramulla district and decamped with goods and valuables worth lakhs of rupees.

Local sources told that burglars stole cell phones and electronic goods from two shops at Iqbal Market Sopore.

Similarly burglars decamped with valuables worth lakhs from 3 shops at Main Chowk Sopore. These shops are owned by Fayaz Ahmad Shah, Jan Muhamad Parray and Muhammad Iqbal Rather.

Locals said that besides looting 5 shops, the burglars also tried to broke the locks of many shops but have failed in the bid.

When contacted, a police official said that a case in this regard has been registered and investigation set into motion. (KNT)