Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, Aug 17: Keeping in view the ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption, LG Manoj Sinha led government has decided to launch a massive drive for prevention and detection of corruption.

Sources said the Government is planning to tighten the noose against the corrupt officers and on the basis of complaints, it has identified the public dealing departments on which focus will be laid.

They the newly appointed LG Manoj Sinha has asked Anti Corruption Bureau and other investigating agencies to adopt a policy of “Zero Tolerance” towards corruption in various fields of governance and implemented  the policy in letter and spirit, so that general masses also get to know that their day-to-day work can be got done without giving bribe.

Sources said as part of detection of crime, raids and traps would be carried out by the ACB and Crime Branch to nab corrupt officials.

They said the Government wants to make the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) corruption free. “The Government believes that if the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir become corruption free then a large section will be covered and to a large extent the target of the government’s priority towards ‘Zero Tolerance’ for Corruption would be met”.

Sources said the government would be keeping strict vigil on government departments like Panchayat, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees, PWD, Revenue Department and all other enforcing government agencies where public dealing is more.

The Sinha-led government also plans to plug all the loopholes so that agencies face no hurdle in collecting evidence.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has unearthed many scams during the past few months has exposed the entire system.

“Many big guns have fallen in the ACB net and it appears that investigations are on to nail others also,” said sources.

The corrupt being nailed has sent a clear message down the line that no one will be spared. The ACB has even produced challans in old cases which were shelved due to political pressure or other reasons.  (KINS)

Stresses on making fool-proof action plan in case drought like situation arises
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 17: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Monday chaired a meeting of concerned officers to take stock of the water crises like situation looming due to dry season and no rainfall in nearly past 3 months.
During the meeting, the Div Com reviewed the functioning of Water Supply Schemes, Irrigation schemes, functioning of Power Projects and other related issues to be affected by deficit rainfall across Kashmir.
The Div Com while addressing the meeting said that though there is no drought like situation at present, however, a fool-proof action plan and all related arrangements should be put in place to meet any challenge in case dry season continues for a longer period.
To mitigate portable water supply crises in affected areas, the Div Com instructed concerned to use water tankers and ensure continuous supply to the residents in these areas.
The Div Com on the occasion took stock of the affected WSS and Irrigation schemes due to the low water level and directed concerned to facilitate required irrigation supply to paddy, maize and other crops through community and individual bore well in all affected areas so that the yield is not damaged due to water supply shortage.
He urged people to ensure judicious use of water to ensure there is no scarcity anywhere.
The meeting was informed that farmers irrigating orchards during the day can have adverse impact on the yield and instead they should water their orchards during night times.
The meeting also discussed measures to be taken for sustenance of trees health, next year yield, wildlife, fish population that is likely to get affected due to deficit rainfall.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Tasaduq Mir, Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, CE, PHE, Iftikhar Ahad, CE, I&FC, Iftikhar Kakroo, Director Horticulture, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, DD, Agriculture and other concerned.

New Delhi, Aug 17: India and UAE on Monday discussed the regional issues pertaining to their neighbourhood and cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.
Both the countries held the 13th Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation virtually on Monday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan co-chaired the meeting.
“On August 13, the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) was also held virtually between Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Bhattacharyya and UAE Assistant Minister of Economic and Trade Affairs Abdul Nasser Al Shaali,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
In preparation for the JCM and SOM, virtual meetings of the members of the 5 Sub-Committees from India and the UAE on Overview and High-level exchanges; Economic, Trade and Investment cooperation; Consular & Community Affairs cooperation; Defence and security cooperation; and Education, culture and youth cooperation were held on August 10 and 11.
“Wide-ranging discussions were held in a friendly, frank and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the strong bilateral ties between the two strategic partners,” it added.
Noting the close political relations between the two countries, both sides expressed satisfaction over the sustenance of momentum in the bilateral relations in various areas for mutual benefit under the aegis of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They agreed to strengthen cooperation in ongoing areas and also to explore cooperation in newer areas reflecting the changing times.
In this context, both sides welcomed the close cooperation during the last few months in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed a joint strategy to offset the economic and social impact of the pandemic on both countries.
Both sides agreed to hold the next Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
The specific dates of the meeting will be finalised by both sides through diplomatic channels.

MMU demands exemplary punishment to accused
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 17: The protests were held in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday against the people, who made a blasphemous video and hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community.
Three accused persons have been arrested by the police.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), protest was held in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district where a number of people took to streets and demanded strict action against the persons involved in the blasphemous act.
The protest was also held in Tengpora area of Batamaloo where locals hit the streets and demanded authorities to take stringent action against the involved person.
In Srinagar’s press enclave, the separate protests were held by the Islamic clerics and a local NGO, who reached the Press colony amid chanting slogans.
The protesters demanded action against the person involved in the act. In Sogam Lolab, the protest was held by the locals where the protesters raised slogans and demanded action against the involved persons.
Besides, the protests were also held in Jammu division.
In Poonch’s Surankote area, Rajouri town and Ramban’s Banihal, the people staged protests today and raised slogans against the person who is involved in the act. The protesters have also demanded stringent action against the involved persons.
Besides, the people at different places in Jammu division approached the higher ups in their respective districts and submitted memorandum, demanding action against the persons involved.
Meanwhile, Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) has strongly condemned the blasphemous video in Reasi area of Jammu and termed it a deliberate attempt to hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.
The MMU, a conglomerate of religious bodies of Jammu Kashmir, said it is extremely unfortunate that the anti-Islam forces are being time and again encouraged to indulge in such deliberate provocative acts to serve their petty interests by hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.
According to a statement issued by MMU, all the religious, educational, social and welfare organisations associated with the MMU which comprise Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Dar-ul-Uloom Raheemiya, Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ahle Hadeth, Jama’at-e-Islami, Anjuman Sharia’n Shian, Karwaan-e-Islami, Itihaad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Jamiat Hamdania, Anjuman Ulema-e-Ahnaaf, Dar-ul-Uloom Qasmia, Dar-ul-Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Jamiat-ul-Aima Wal Ulema, Anjuman Aima Wa Mashaa’ikh Kashmir, Dar-ul-Uloom Naqshbandiya, Dar-ul-Uloom Rasheediya, Ahl-e-Bayt Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Perwaan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamiya Khurram Sarhama, Anjuman Tanzeem-ul-Makaatib, Muhammadi Trust, and others made it clear that Muslims can never tolerate disrespect or ill-remarks against their beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the epitome of humaneness and peace and is dear to each and every Muslim than their own selves.
The MMU demanded strict and exemplary punishment to those who committed this crime and have been arrested so that no one is swayed with communal frenzy and deliberate provocation musters courage to commit such shameful act again or harm the centuries-old communal harmony and mutual brotherhood in J&K. (KNO+KNS)

Road caves in, vehicles damaged

Jammu, Aug 17: A number of vehicles were damaged and several houses were also partially damaged due to overnight incessant rains in Jammu and other parts of the region.
However, reports from other district said that some houses also suffered partial damages due to rains. Many household items were damaged or destroyed due to rain water in parts of Jammu.
Also in Jammu, rain water entered many houses and shops in places like Canal Road, Krishna Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo and other low-lying areas.
At Peerkho, a portion of road caved in following which around three cars parked along the road, plunged into the Nallah.
The locals blamed the administration for allegedly neglecting the repair of the damaged road.
Some of them said that the foundation of the road was also laid for parking by the former government but no work had been done on the ground.
Meanwhile, many people criticised the Jammu Municipal Corporation for not taking measures in advance in view of monsoon season.
They alleged that many nallahs and drains overflow in the rainy season and the dirty water enters their houses.