Precious Kashmir

10th, 12th Syllabi reduced to 70 %: Samoon

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15/08/2020

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, Aug 14: The government Friday said it has reduced the syllabi for annual exams of secondary and higher secondary classes of Jammu and Kashmir to 70 percent only following the closure of schools in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner Secretary to government for School Education Department, Asgar Samoon said that the syllabi for annual exams of 10th and 12th standard students is reduced to 70 percent.

“Syllabus for 10+2 classes exams reduced to 70 percent for JKUT. This also applies for 10th class syllabus for exams,” Samoon posted on Twitter.

All educational institutions in Valley are closed since mid-March after outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

The chairperson of Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) Veena Pandita said they have not got any formal intimation with regard to the matter.

“As of now, BOSE have not got any formal order or intimation in this regard,” Pandita said. She said that deciding the relaxation in syllabi was the mandate of BOSE authorities and as of now they haven’t decided anything yet.

“I believe in something which is written formally. We have given the proposal to the administration and it is all up to BOSE to decide about the relaxation of syllabi,” Pandita said. (KNO)

Worship places likely to reopen in J&K from Aug 16

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United News Of India

15/08/2020

Srinagar, Aug 14: The worship places, including shrines, Jamia Masjids, Gurdwaras, temples and Churches remained closed since March this year due to COVID-19 pandemic in the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, where authorities have announced to ease lockdown restriction from Saturday evening and allow people to offer congregational prayers from August 16.
Administration, doctors and experts have reiterated the need to strictly follow guidelines, including wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and avoiding social and religious gathering to curtail the spread of COVID-19 cases in the valley.
Majority of the people in the valley, adhering to the guidelines, offered mid-day (instead of Friday) prayers at their respective residences.
All gates to historic Jamia masjid remained closed for devotees since March this year, when government ordered closure of all religious places in view of COVID-19 pandemic. The Jamia market also remained closed today and forces remained deployed in the area to prevent people from entering the worship places.
Gates of other major mosques and shrines, including Asaar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), also remained closed. Prayers in major mosques and shrines remained suspended for the 22nd consecutive week on Friday due to restrictions on religious gatherings to prevent spread of COVID-19 in the valley.
However, people offered Friday prayers in small and interior mosques in the valley though authorities are yet to lift ban on congregational prayers.
No congregational Shab-e-Qadar prayers were offered in any mosque in the valley. No prayers were offered on Jamat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy fasting month Ramzan, in the valley, where Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha prayers were offered by people in their respective houses.
On August 4 the Principal Secretary power and Information Rohit Kansal said the Union Territory (UT) government has decided to reopen religious places and worship places from August 16.
In a tweet he said, “Major decision by J&K Government. All religious places and places of worship to open in Jammu & Kashmir from August 16, 2020. Religious processions and large religious gatherings remain strictly prohibited.”
The temples, including Shankarachiariya on the hill of Takhat-e-Suliman and Hanuman Mandir also remained closed. Due to COVID-19 no function was organized on Janamashtami recently. Similarly Gurdwaras and Churches also remained closed for devotees in the valley.

SC holds Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt for tweets against judiciary, CJI

National

Agencies

15/08/2020

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Supreme Court has held activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court for his tweets derogatory against the judiciary and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The hearing on the quantum of punishment will be held on August 20, the Supreme Court said on Friday.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra pronounced its verdicts in the suo motu contempt case against Prashant Bhushan for his two tweets on judiciary, CJI SA Bobde and his four predecessors.
On July 22, the SC had issued notice to Prashant Bhushan in the contempt proceeding initiated against him for his tweets, saying his statements prima facie “brought the administration of justice in disrepute”.
In his reply to a show cause notice issued by the Supreme Court, Prashant Bhushan said the expression of opinion, “however outspoken, disagreeable or unpalatable to some”, cannot constitute contempt of court.
Prashant Bhushan also referred to the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution, and said this right was the ultimate guardian of all the values that the Constitution holds sacred.
On August 5, Prashant Bhushan defended in the Supreme Court his two tweets saying they were against the judges regarding their conduct in their personal capacity and they did not obstruct administration of justice.
A day later, Prashant Bhushan moved a plea seeking to present additional evidence if the court was not satisfied with his submissions that the contempt was not made out against him for his two tweets against judiciary.
Advocate Dushayant Dave, representing Bhushan, argued in the contempt case and said, “The two tweets were not against the institution. They are against the judges in their personal capacity regarding their conduct. They are not malicious and do not obstruct administration of justice”.
Bhushan has made immense contribution to the development of jurisprudence and there are “at least 50 judgments to his credit”, he had said, adding that the court has appreciated his contributions in cases like 2G scam, coal block allocation and in mining matters.
“Perhaps you would have given him ‘Padma Vibhushan’ for the work he did in the last 30 years,” Dave had said, adding that this was not the case where contempt proceedings would have been initiated.
While referring to the tweets by Bhushan, the SC had said these statements are prima facie capable of “undermining the dignity and authority” of the institution of the Supreme Court in general and the office of Chief Justice of India in particular, in the eyes of the public at large.

Advisor Baseer reviews progress of tourism projects under PMDP

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

15/08/2020

Asks CEOs to submit weekly report of ongoing projects

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 14: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan Friday held a meeting to review the progress of various projects of the tourism department under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Zubair Ahmad, Director Tourism Kashmir, Director Floriculture, Vice Chairman LAWDA, Director SKICC, Secretary RSGC, Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir, Chief Executive Officers of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Kokernag, Wullar, Mansbal, Aharbal and Yousmarg Development Authorities.

The officers from Jammu who attended the meeting through video conferencing included Managing Director JKTDC, Director Tourism Jammu, Secretary JTGC, Chief Executive Officers of Surinsar-Mansar, Baderwah, Rajouri, Poonch, Lakhanpur, Patnitop and Kishtwar Development Authorities.

During the meeting, the Advisor was presented a detailed overview of the various completed and ongoing projects of the tourism department under PMDP.

The Advisor directed the concerned authorities to work in a coordinated manner and expedite the works of the ongoing projects under PMDP so that they will be completed at an earliest.

He also directed them to furnish the completion certificates for the completed. Besides, instructions were issued to the officers for timely submission of utilization certificates to the concerned authority.

The Advisor further asked the concerned CEOs to submit a weekly report of their respective jurisdictions about the ongoing projects while directing the authorities to remove any hiccups if any and resume the work on the stalled projects. The officers were directed to ensure the effective follow up of these projects for best possible results.

He also gave on spot directions to the district authorities to ensure that all the ongoing projects under PMDP are carried out smoothly. The various projects being executed under PMDP include tourist facilities at Tral, Naristan, Harwan, Moharmarg, Anantnag, Burzahama, Rajpora, Uri, Athwajan, Bhagwati Nagar, Sidhra and others areas in Jammu and Kashmir.

ACB arrests SI while taking bribe from truck driver

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

15/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 14 : The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) team arrested a police officer for accepting bribe from a truck driver here in Srinagar.

An ACB official said a truck driver had parked his truck/trawler near Batamaloo Srinagar. “He was approached by a Sub Inspector of Police attached to P/S Batamaloo to produce the documents of the vehicle. The complainant showed the relevant documents to him but the SI instead demanded a bribe of Rs.3000/- to return back the same documents”.

The complainant approached Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar with a written complaint to this effect.

A case FIR No.09 of 2020 U/S 13 & 7 PC Act r/w 161 IPC was registered in P/S ACB Srinagar.

“Accordingly a trap was laid near Kaman Post Batamaloo Srinagar and the SI Farooq Ahmad Abassi S/o Mohammad Akbar Abassi R/O Bonyar Uri Baramulla presently posted in P/S Batamaloo was caught red handed while receiving the bribe money of Rs.3000/- in lieu of releasing the documents of the vehicle which he had retained with him without any reason or rhyme,” the ACB official said.

He said after obtaining the police remand, the accused has been lodged at P/S Shaheed Gunj Srinagar.

Police rescue minor girl from child marriage in Udhampur, parents among six arrested

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

15/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Udhampur, Aug 14: Police on Friday rescued a minor girl from child marriage and arrested six persons including her parents in Udhampur district of Jammu division.

A police statement said that on receipt of information from Sarpanch of Katwalt, Ramnagar that a minor girl was being forcibly married at Gaghote, Ramnagar with a 35-year-old man, a Police team of PS Ramnagar headed by Station House Officer (SHO) Ramnagar Police Station and SDPO Ramnagar raided the place and sought a proof of birth proof of date of birth of the girl identified as Kajal (name changed) in which it was found that the girl was only 13-year-old.

Police arrested all the six persons including parents, husband, in laws and others for solemnizing marriage of a minor girl, he said, adding that in this connection, a case under FIR number 95/2020 under section 9/10/11 prohibition Of Child Marriage Act was registered in the records of Police Station Ramnagar.

The arrested accused persons were identified as Daya Ram (Husband), son of Santokhu of Gagote, Raj Kumar (Father), son of Fina of Katwalt, Sushma (Mother), wife of Rajkumar of Katwalt, Santhoku (Father-in-Law of victim), son of Bhagat Ram of Gagote, Shanu (Mother-in-law of victim), wife of Santhoku of Gagote and Rattan (Pandit), son of Kiker of Gagote.

After being rescued, the girl was handed over to her Maternal Aunt namely Shano Devi through Child Welfare Committee, Udhampur as the girl requested to be sent with her.

District Police lauded the Sarpanch for playing the role of a responsible citizen and public representative and thanked him for his support—(KNO)

Anjuman Sharie Shian issues Muharram guidelines

City

Precious Kashmir

15/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 14: President Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman Sharie Shian, Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi presided over a high level meeting through video conferencing to review guidelines for Muharram. The meeting was attended by the Anjuman’s Executive Council, representative of the General Council, Ulema Council, Youth Wing and all District President also participated.

In a statement, Anjuman’s spokesperson said since the issue is sensitive and has religious complications and emotional charge, the deliberations were done on every aspect on the conduct of the Muharram in view of outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

“The meeting was conducted under the light of the stances taken by the Mara’jey in Iraq and Iran and fatwas and advisories issued by Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Imam Khamnaie and Ayatollah Syed Ali Hussaini Sistani,” he said.

The SOPs would be followed during the Muharram.

“Although the Muharram is being downscaled to contain spread of the coronavirus but we will do every sought of azadari and pay tribute to the martyrs at our homes,” the spokesman said.

He said a unanimous resolution was passed and rectified by the President that Muharram congregations and processions will be held but in strict affinity with Covid-19 the guidelines. (KNS)

4G Internet Trial

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Precious Kashmir

14/08/2020

Finally, after much waiting, there is some hope about the restoration of the high service internet, albeit only in two districts, of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier this week, the centre submitted before the top court of the country that on the trial basis and taking into consideration the option to tryout of opening up high-speed internet despite the current security situation as reflected in the inputs of the security agencies, the Special Committee, constituted for the purpose, was of the view, that the present situation “could permit “ a carefully calibrated easing of some restrictions in limited and specified geographical areas which are comparatively less sensitive from national security, internal security, border security and public order standpoint, subject to strict monitoring and periodical review.

The statement followed the former Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu’s interview to a national daily that the J&K government was not averse to the restoration of the high-speed internet as “Pakistan will do its propaganda, whether it is 2G or 4G. It will always be there”.

At the same time, New Delhi while expressing readiness for restoring the internet on trial basis, it repeated that the Committee was of the considered view that the threat perception on the security front in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be high. It was also of the view that internet speed related restrictions are not posing any hindrance to Covid control measures, access to education programmes or carrying out business activities.

Never the less though, the committee said that the trial could begin after August 15 in the areas having the low intensity of militant activities and minimal spillover effects on neighbouring areas, that the impact of the trial should be assessed by the State Level Committee periodically but at least once in seven working days. Finally, it said the central Committee will review the outcome of the trial after a period of two months or before that if so required.

The Government’s justification notwithstanding, the prolonged internet gag wrecked the local Kashmir economy including IT companies and start-ups. The students continue to have hard times studying online as the low-speed 2G speed remains insufficient enough to access video lessons. At times it is annoying for them. In this scenario, the restoration of the 4G, even though on trial basis would be welcomed given the suffering in its absence for almost a year now. It would be also a great step towards normalizing life in the Jammu and Kashmir after more than a year now.

Political parties coming out of ‘oblivion’ in Kashmir

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

14/08/2020

Political parties coming out of ‘oblivion’ in Kashmir

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 13: Political parties that had gone into oblivion after the abrogation of J&K’s special status last year are apparently trying to put their act together.
The regional parties in the Valley have once again started raising the issues and are coming up with the statements almost on daily basis. “It seems that these parties have sensed that revival of political activities in Jammu and Kashmir is on cards,” an analyst told Precious Kashmir.
He said, “During the past few days statements of political parties are pouring in from all the corners and the leaders are making every possible attempt to make their presence felt.”
It’s in place to mention here that soon after former union minister and senior BJP leader Manoj Sinha was appointed as second Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, people started talking about the revival of political process in the erstwhile J&K state, which was bifurcated into two union territories, J&K and Ladakh on August 5, 2019. The J&K UT has an assembly while Ladakh is a UT without a legislature.
After LG Sinha’s appointment National general secretary of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ram Madhav said that Sinha has been appointed to revive political process in J&K.
An observer said, “Recently J&K Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam hinted that J&K will remain a Union Territory till the system is set right. It means that the political parties will have to fight assembly elections in a UT and J&K getting statehood back in near future looks difficult.”
He said, “Before the assembly elections are held the delimitation exercise has to be completed. It may take few more months for the delimitation commission to demarcate the new assembly and parliamentary constituencies.”
Another analyst said, “The regional parties have to remain relevant if they want to become stakeholders in the new political process which is all set to commence.”
He said, “National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and others are trying to tell the people and the administration that they should not be written off and they are ready to make a comeback.”
A politician, who wished not be named, said, “Most of us have realized that we will have to fight for the things which we can achieve. We can’t run after illusions and give false hopes to people. Politics in coming days is going to be an entirely different ball game.”

4G likely to start in Srinagar, Jammu districts after Aug 15

Front

Ibni Maqbool

14/08/2020

4G likely to start in Srinagar, Jammu districts after Aug 15

Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar, Aug 13: The government is to begin restoration of 4G internet services in Jammu & Kashmir likely from Srinagar and Jammu districts after August 15, sources told Precious Kashmir on Thursday.
Highly placed sources said that there are chances that 4G internet services would be first restored on trial basis in capital cities of the Union Territory.
“The proposal is under active consideration. The restoration of 4G services from capital cities can send a bigger message to people of J&K,” they said, adding that both districts are peaceful and no local militants are active in Srinagar.
A high-level panel headed by Union Home Secretary has recommended restoration of high speed internet in one district each in Jammu and Kashmir after August 15.

It recommended that the relaxation from 2G to 4G should be limited for the present to one district each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions so that both regions of UT are covered.
According to an affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court by Ministry of Home Affairs, the panel opined that the “overall security situation is still not conducive to lifting the limited restrictions on high speed internet through mobile devices whilst allowing broadband and 2G across the board”.
Hours before abrogation of Article 370 by BJP-led Central government on August 5 last year, telecommunication and internet services were snapped in Jammu and Kashmir.
The authorities had restored 2G internet services in Kashmir on January 25, more than five months after the Centre abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution which conferred special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and its bifurcation into two Union Territories — Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
But restrictions continue on 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir causing immense hardship to people living in the UT.

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