Issues directions of raising Ease of Doing Business Quotient; developing Start-of-the-Art Industrial Infrastructure
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 3: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha took a review of the Industries and Commerce Department at Raj Bhavan, here today to assess the activities taken up by the department in strengthening the investment ecosystem in the Union Territory of J&K.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, K.K Sharma; Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Department, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi; MD JKTPO, Ankita Kar; Director Industries, Jammu Anoo Malhotra; Director Industries, Kashmir Mehmood Shah and other officers of the Industries & Commerce Department.
A detailed presentation was given by Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Manoj Kumar Dwivedi outlining the current Industrial scenario in the Union Territory including setting up of Industrial estates.
During the presentation, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce department listed out the steps taken by the department in building state of the art Industrial Infrastructure in the Union Territory which includes Textile Parks, Food processing parks, Export Oriented zones, IT parks, Biotech Parks, etc. He also briefed about the upcoming medical device park and establishment of Private Industrial Parks in the Union Territory.
The meeting was informed that the government has already identified 6000 acres of land for industrial development in the UT, out of which around 3000 acres has already been acquired by the department. Further, 14 Sector-specific policies were drafted out of which 11 have been approved by the Administrative Council and rest are in the final stages of approval. These policies cover major thrust areas of the J&K like Agriculture, Tourism, Education, Horticulture, Silk, Hydro and renewable energy, IT, etc.
Moreover, the upcoming Land allotment policy exclusively meant for Industrial purpose and the new Industrial Policy for MSME and Large Industries are in final stages and will be notified soon. Government is also working towards Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) measures in the Union Territory and aims to achieve 100% compliance in implementing District and State level reforms in the current financial year.
The Lt Governor was also appraised that the Union Territory is on course to organize the first of its kind Global Investor Summit which is on hold due to the prevailing COVID situation. In run-up to the Global Investor Summit, the UT government has already signed 281 MoUs with different business houses through roadshows organized in 6 major cities across the country.
After a threadbare discussion, the Lt Governor directed the officers to Identify District wise specific investment sectors in consultation with the business community of that particular district, identifying 20 investment projects for immediate grounding; 10 projects each for Jammu and Kashmir and creating a real-time dashboard for monitoring of timely grounding of these projects.
The Lt Governor exhorted upon officers to prioritize the aspirations of the local entrepreneurs while putting in concerted efforts for making J&K the most investor friendly Union Territory.

Twin CIIITs to come up in J&K
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 3: To strengthen Industry Academia partnership and to bring Quality improvement in Technical education, Government of J&K is establishing two Centers for Invention, Innovation, Incubation & Training (CIIIT) in Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with Tata Technologies. In connection with the development, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha met with a team from Tata Technologies led by Sh. Pramod Thaware, India Head, Education Initiative at the Raj Bhavan here today.

The two centers are being built at Government Polytechnic College, Jammu and Government Polytechnic College, Baramulla and shall be established at a cost of approximately Rs. 360.00 crores.

The Project is aimed at bringing qualitative improvements in the field of technical education in J&K. They will facilitate to create a ready pool of skilled manpower like engineers; technicians which will augment the industrial growth and in turn employment avenues in the region.

The team from Tata Technologies gave the detailed briefing on the progress at the campus for setting up 9 competency centers. These centers will be useful for students from ITI, Diploma, B Tech, M Tech to enhance their skills in line with current Industry needs & future Technology trends.

Those present at the meeting also included Principal Secretary, School Education & Skill Development, Dr Asgar Samoon; Director Skill Development, Sajjad Hussain; Project Manager CIIIT, Prasanna Deshpande and Anil Kelapure, on behalf of Tata technologies.

The Lt. Governor expressed his satisfaction on the progress of works on the project. He also directed the Principal Secretary to ensure bottlenecks, if any, are removed with alacrity.

It was also informed that the centre at Baramulla is slated to open by October 2020, while the centre at Jammu is expected to be ready by November 2020.

Gul Owais

Srinagar, Sep 3: The maiden meeting called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders post abrogation of Article 370 last year was on Thursday foiled by the authorities.

The PDP had called the meeting 15 days after the National Conference (NC) patron and incumbent parliamentarian Dr Farooq Abdullah was allowed to meet party leaders at his Gupkar residence here, the PDP leaders had decided to hold a meeting at party headquarters in Srinagar to discuss the ongoing political situation and party affairs.
However, the leaders from PDP said they were not allowed to attend the meeting today.

Abdul Rehman Veeri, PDP vice president and former minister told ‘Precious Kashmir’ he as well as his colleagues were not allowed to reach the party headquarters where the meeting was scheduled to be held.
Veeri said, “We had sought permission from the government and had urged the authorities to provide security to us. But, our meeting was foiled, which is unfortunate.”

Khurshid Aalam, PDP leader and former MLC said that he tried to come out of his house today to attend a meeting. “Soon after I tried to attend a meeting, I was not allowed to come out of my house,” he said.

He added the party had written to the SSP security also to seek permission for a meeting, but despite that the meeting was foiled while the leaders who were scheduled to attend the meeting including him were placed under house detention. “We have not decided anything about the next meeting yet. We will take a decision in this regard soon,” he said.
Pertinently, the meeting was called by the PDP leaders amid the continuous house detention of party chief Mehbooba Mufti.

The party has not held any meeting in Kashmir post abrogation Article 370 last year while in Jammu division a number of meetings by the PDP leaders have taken place till date.

Rajouri, Sep 3: A Head Constable rank official of Border Security Force (BSF) was found dead near a forward Line of Control (LoC) post in Sunderbani sector area of Rajouri district.
The head constable identified as HC Virpal Singh of BSF Battalion deployed on LoC in Sunderbani was found dead in a gorge near his post on LoC on Thursday morning, officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
“It seems that the HC inadvertently fell into the gorge while the investigation into the matter is going on,” a police official said—(KNO)

New Delhi, Sep 3: Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that accounts, which defaulted on repayment of loans till August 31 during the moratorium, will not be declared as NPA till further orders.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan passed the order after hearing different petitioners and respondents in the case.
The Supreme Court was considering the question of interest to be charged on interest as well as the powers of the Centre and the NDMA under the Disaster Management Act to provide relief on aspect of loan repayment during COVID 19 pandemic.
The court had conducted day-long hearing on Wednesday also when the bench heard arguments advanced by the petitioners.
Today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta made his submissions for the RBI.
Mehta said that steps needed to be taken by the authorities required to take note of following aspects – reduction of immediate pressure of payment of installments, revival of all possible sectors and restructuring of stressed assets.
Mehta explained the scope of various types of borrowers and lenders and the different types of distress faced by different classes.
He said, the impact of Covid is faced by everyone but the impact is different for every sectors. Impact is good also on some sectors like Pharma and IT sectors.

Justice Bhushan said, the main grievance of the petitioners is that they have not been given the adequate relief and the NDMA under the DM Act has not been active to give relief.
Justice Bhushan said, whether under DM Act something more has to be done by NDMA and other authorities? You have rightly said that other circulars are not under challenge so we are bound by Article 32 jurisdiction.
“Accounts not declared NPA as on August 31 not to be declared NPA for two months”, the Apex Court said today, and will re-commence hearing on September 10.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 3: District Police Kulgam and Budgam got approval from DGP J&K Police Dilbag Singh under section 25 UAPA 1967 for seizure of five vehicles used in militancy related incidents, a police spokesman said.
He said, in Kulgam, on 24.04.2020 Police Station Yaripora received a docket from Incharge Police post Frisal that one police Constable namely Sartaj Ahmad Itoo son of Ghulam Mohammad Itoo resident of Shirpora Frisal was kidnapped by some unknown militants. Accordingly case FIR No. 40/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Yaripora and investigation taken up.
“During the course of investigation, a search operation was launched by Kulgam police along with other security agencies in Kharpora Frisal to nab the militants who were reportedly moving in a Santro vehicle. Subsequently, a Santro vehicle bearing registration No JK02-9795 was intercepted and on being stopped by security forces the militants sitting in the vehicle came out and started firing indiscriminately on security forces. The fire was retaliated and the two militants were killed on spot, the kidnapped policeman was rescued safely, and driver Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Hamid Dar of Wandena Shopian was apprehended and the vehicle was taken into possession. Also investigation huge quantity of arms/ammunition and explosive substances were recovered. It was established that the vehicle was used to facilitate the movement of militants from one place to another, as such falls within the ambit of proceeds of militancy and is accordingly liable to be seized,” the spokesman added.
“Similarly, on 04.06.2020 SHO Police Station Yaripora along with escort personnel was on patrolling duty at main market Yaripora noticed a Santro vehicle without registration number coming in opposite direction which was signalled to stop for checking.

As the police party moved towards Santro vehicle the militants sitting in the vehicle four in number started firing indiscriminately on police party. The fire was retaliated and the militants sitting in the Santro vehicle managed to flee away from the spot and left Santro vehicle there from which doctor’s perception, waterproof jacket, 02 registration number plates and 01 VIVO phone were found. During firing one pedestrian Imtiyaz Ahmad Malik son of Abdul Rashid Malik resident of Wanpoh working in health department got injured. Accordingly, case FIR No. 83/2020 U/S 307 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Yaripora. During search of scene of crime 13 empty cartridges of AK-47, 06 empty cartridges of pistol, 02 Armour piercing round projectiles were recovered. During investigation identity of driver of the said car was ascertained as Hilal Ahmad Malik son of Mohammad Maqbool Malik resident of Tazipora Mehmoodpora Kulgam who was militant associate of proscribed outfit LeT and after commission of this crime he became active militant of the banned outfit LeT.
During further investigation it surfaced that the accused Hilal Ahmad Malik has ferried the militants in the above Santro vehicle bearing registration No. PB65-H-9897, Chasis No 804230536MALAA 51HRBM29857126, Engine No G41+GBM454767 for committing militancy related act, besides the accused also used motorcycle bearing registration No JK02BF-6620 and truck bearing registration No JK03E-8904 for transportation of militants, arms/ammunition from one place to another. All the vehicles including Santro, truck and motorcycle were taken into possession in the instant case, as they fall within the ambit of proceeds of militancy and are accordingly liable to be seized,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said, “In Budgam, on 08-05-2020 Police Station Chadoora received a docket from Incharge Counter Insurgency Unit Nowbugh that he along with the nafri of CI Unit Nowbugh, 181 BN CRPF and 53RR stopped an i-20 vehicle bearing registration NO. JK01V-0180 at Kilkadal Chadoora for checking. During search 10 posters, 01 Matrix Sheet of proscribed terror outfit JeM and cash of RS 42000/- were recovered from the possession of Mohammad Lateef Koka and Younus Manzoor Waza who were boarding the said vehicle.

Accordingly, case FIR NO. 40/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Chadoora and investigation taken up. During the course of investigation it was well established that the vehicle i-20 bearing registration No. JK01V-0180, Chasis No. MALABB51-RLDM598062 and Engine No. D4FCDU304769 has been used to facilitate the movement of militants and incriminating material from one place to another which falls within the proceeds of militancy.”
He said on Thursday Kulgam and Budgam Police got approval from DGP J&K Police for seizure of the above said five vehicles.

‘Employment opportunities extremely few, health facilities insufficient in J&K’

Aqib Ahmad

Srinagar, Sep 3: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has called for “urgent halt” to the private practice by the doctors of government hospitals and directed the administration to seriously “examine” it.

Hearing an application, a bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Puneet Gupta ordered it while observing that “judicial notice” can be taken of the fact that employment opportunities in J&K are by far extremely few and large numbers of people are without financial resources while health facilities are either not available or insufficient.

The court passed the directions and made the observations after the counsel for the applicant said that the working of the Government Dental College Srinagar, and Associated Hospitals of Government Medical College Srinagar have not been as it ought to be.

“We are informed that initially when restrictions on account of the Covid-19 pandemic had to be imposed, the Government had restricted the functioning of public facilities in Government medical establishments. However, over a period of time, there has been slow opening of these facilities,” the court said.

The applicant submitted that several doctors and practioners working in Government Hospitals have taken undue advantage of the restrictions imposed by the Government.

The applicant also contended that while facilities in the Dental Hospital are closed and no procedures are being performed, several doctors and practitioners employed in the hospital are carrying out all those procedures in their private clinics.

“This application seeks to highlights an unfortunate fall out and aspect of the practice prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir whereby Government Doctors are permitted to carry on with their private practice,” the court said, and reordered in its order submissions by the counsel for applicant that this permission is used by medical practioners to build large private practices by diverting patients from Government hospitals to their private clinics.

However Shah Aamir, Additional Advocate General, refuted the contentions and the allegations and seeks time to file the reply.

“If what is submitted by the applicant is correct, it suggests the adverse manner in which health services would be made available to patients seeking treatment in Government Hospitals and facilities,” the court said, adding, “The contended disservice to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and prejudice to the public interest is a serious matter and the permissibility of permitting private practice to Government Doctors and employees deserves to be seriously re-examined.”

It cannot be denied, the court said, that it is patient care and public interest which has to be placed on the highest pedestal and optimized.

“Government doctors and professionals cannot be permitted to use their employment and public facilities for building private practices and commercial exploitation,” the court said as per Global News service, adding, “Attending to lucrative private practices has to resultantly diminish and detract from the attention which a professional would pay to his salaried public position as a government doctor.”

It further said: “Jucicial notice can be taken of the fact that employment opportunities in the Jammu and Kashmir are by far, extremely few, large numbers of people without financial resources and health facilities either not available or insufficient. Such practices as complained by the applicant need to be urgently brought to a halt.”

The court ordered that a copy of the application and observations made in its order be served upon the Chief Secretary of J&K “to ensure that the above issue is examined.”

“The competent authorities shall examine the practices which are prevailing in other States and Union Territories on this aspect, of course, after taking into account the limitations on medical facilities available in J&K,” the court said. (GNS)