Precious Kashmir

Kashmir’s transgender community on verge of starvation

Front

12/08/2020

Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar, Aug 11: The transgender community in Kashmir is finding it hard to survive as they are without any work post abrogation of Article 370 last year and now the ongoing lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic has further choked their business leaving them in the lurch.

The situations that arise post August 5, 2019 have hit their lone source of income and are crumbling under immense challenges.

Amid tears and sobs, a group of people from transgender community here who are putting up as tenants in parts of Srinagar after they were either forced to leave home or faced social stigma, are facing immense challenges as they have not been able to earn their livelihood since last year.

Tariq Ahmad known as Tahira Ji in the transgender community said that over the years, all of them used to work as middlemen and attend marriage functions as dancers and would sing songs to earn a livelihood, which was the sole source of income for their survival.

“For last one year, we have only witnessed curbs and lockdowns and during the period we faced immense hardships. It is the locals in our area who are serving us food as we have not earned even a single penny since last year to buy even bread on our own,” Tariq said.

Tariq said that due to the ongoing pandemic, there is no sigh of relief among the community as no one allows them to enter their home.

“Post August 5 2019 decision and the ongoing lockdown enforced in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has witnessed the worst ever phase. The government never bothered to look into the miseries of our community and extend a helping hand in any manner,” Tariq said.

Azam, another member from the community said that the government has left them abandoned since there is nothing for them from their end. “Even we are being deprived of our genuine rights. Also, this lockdown has confined us to our rooms fearing the spread of virus,” Azam said.

Fayaz Ahmad, known as Chandni Ji, another member from the community said that they don’t beg anything from anyone except Allah. “We are being deprived of whatever is required from the government’s end if compared to those living outside Kashmir,” Fayaz said.

Fayaz further said stated the government has announced Rupees 1000 to each transgender, which is insufficient and wouldn’t help to survive. “With the meager Rupees 1000 only, what can we do? Either to pay our building rent, electricity bills, buy ration or fulfill other important requirements and for that amount we are made to wait for almost a month that leaves our needs unfulfilled,” Fayaz added.

Fayaz further stated that the inaction and policies of the government is compelling them to agitate against them and hit the roads to press for their rights and demands.

Blaming the government for their inaction, the transgender community said that those at the helm of affairs have left them on God’s mercy, adding that the government must initiate some early concrete steps to facilitate the community and give them rights equivalent to other communities.

The other members of the group also echoed similar concerns—(KNO)

JK schools record drastic decline in enrolment of students

Front

Precious Kashmir

12/08/2020

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, Aug 11: The schools in Jammu and Kashmir have recorded a drastic decline in enrolment of nearly 1.75 lakh students as compared to the academic year 2017-2018.

According to the officials, the decline in enrolment includes nearly 20,000 Out of School Children (OoSC).

According to official documents, there has been a drastic decline in enrolment in schools of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Total enrollment decline between the grades is nearly 1.75 lakh including one lakh in elementary classes as compared to academic year 2017-18,” it reads. The figures further reveal that the total number of OoSC reported is only 19,000.

With regard to the new approaches in the department for the ongoing academic year, the official documents revealed that the new approaches are continued for enhancing the effectiveness of the Samagra Shiksha scheme and making it more outcomes oriented.

“These new approaches aim to change all administrators, schools, teachers and children in activities which would enable to improve the learning outcomes and also measure the impact and outcome of various components under the scheme,” the official said.

The officials further said that the department of School Education and Literacy of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) launched a national mission to improve the learning outcomes at the elementary level through an integrated teacher training programme titled NISHTHA—National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement on August-21 last year.

“The aim of this integrated teacher training programme was to build the capacities of around 42 lakh teachers and heads of schools, faculty members of SCERTs and DIETs and block resource coordinators and cluster resource coordinators,” he said—(KNO)

Class IV posts: JKSSB’s portal records 4.85 lakh registrations

Front

Precious Kashmir

12/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, Aug 11: About 4,85,010 registrations have been done by the candidates on JKSSB’s Online Portal, since the commencement of online application submission from 10th July, 2020 and 2,54,100 candidates completed their online application submission process for Class IV posts. Also 74,600 applications have been submitted online for the post of Accounts Assistant. It has been noted that about 86,000 unique visitors visited the online application portal of JKSSB yesterday.

Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board has advertised 8575 Class IV posts for District/Divisional/Union Territory cadre in various departments under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Appointment to the Class-IV (Special Recruitment) Rules, 2020, in pursuance of General Administration Department’s Revised Indent No. GAD/Mtg/RB-IV/50/2020 Dated 22.06.2020 under Advertisement Notification No. 01 of 2020 dated 26.06.2020.

Further, the Services Selection Board has operationalized two helplines one each at Srinagar and Jammu for the convenience of aspirants. In addition, any person who finds difficulty in submission of application form due to technical issue or for any other reasons, may send a self-explanatory mail at [email protected] for seeking guidance, clarification etc.

Advisor Khan visits Anantnag; meets delegations, reviews development works

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

12/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Anantnag, Aug 11: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, Tuesday visited Anantnag district and convened meeting with the district administration besides meeting various delegations and public representatives.

Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, K.K Sidha, apprised the Advisor about various schemes being launched and implemented in the district by various departments besides highlighting achievements registered in the district, so far.

Officers from Labour, Social Welfare, ICDS, FCS&CA, Cooperative departments were present in the meeting.

Advisor stressed upon the officers of all the departments to work in tandem to achieve the set targets under different schemes in the district. He said that government is committed towards mitigating sufferings of the people in the wake of COVID -19.

Regarding the pandemic, DDC apprised the Advisor about various measures being taken up to control the spread of this dreaded infection in the district. He said that a well knit plan has been put in place to ensure that all necessary preventive protocols regarding the virus are strictly adhered to by all.

Meanwhile, various deputations met the Advisor and apprised him of their issues and concerns seeking an early redressal to the same.

Those who called on the Advisor included President Municipal Councils Anantnag and Bijbehara, BAR President Doru, Qazigund Welfare Forum, Fruit Growers Association Jablipora/Dochnipora, representative of Auqaf Nowgam Shangus, Hotelier and Restaurant Owners Association Pahalgam/Anantnag, Transport Association of Anantnag and Pahalgam, Sumo Transport Association Anantnag and Pahalgam, Gurdawara Prabhandak Committee Chitisingpora Mattan, media gallery, Auqaf Committee Sirigufara, Qazigund Sakhras and many other public delegations.

The delegations put forth several demands and issues including construction of Indoor Stadium, augmentation of Rashi-e-Moul Ziyarat, development of Mughal Garden Bijbehara, development of interior roads of Bijbehra town, upgradation of playfield at Doru, construction of court complex at Doru, Maternity Hospital at Qazigund, Sub-district Hospital at Shangus, macadamization of interior roads of Shangus, allotment of shops in Jablipora, starting of Mandi at Batengoo, Jablipora in current year, PHC Building at Nowgam, construction of Shamshan Ghat at Chattisinghpora, special package for transport, hotel, restaurant and shop owners etc. Besides, the media fraternity led by Tasaduq Rasheed demanded construction of a press club at Anantnag.

Later, Advisor visited the girls orphanage center Dialgam and inspected the development works being executed there.

Govt’s priority is to address public grievances through good governance: Advisor Baseer

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

12/08/2020

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 11: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Tuesday reaffirmed that redressal of public grievances through a more responsive and good governance is government’s prime concern.

Advisor, while interacting with several delegations and individuals during routine public outreach program, reiterated that bringing governance to the doorsteps of people is the core motive of present administration.

A delegation of Fruit Growers Association raised the demand of continuing market intervention scheme under NAFED for this year also, waiving off KCC loans in favour of orchardists affected by early snowfall last year and exemption of rent on account of cold storage for the last year.

The delegation of Alamdar Traders Association, Charar-i-Sharif demanded early completion of construction work on Grand Mosque, beautification of the shrine and its surroundings, completion of shopping complex, operationalization of new hospital building, construction of new building for the local higher secondary school, completion of grid station and establishment of Industrial estate in their area.

A delegation CIC operators working in the Rural Development Department demanded regularization of their services.

Another delegation of Stone Quarry Association Athwajan, Srinagar also projected several demands regarding their trade with the Advisor

Moreover, scores of individuals also turned up to meet the Advisor for resolution of their grievances during this day long outreach program.

Advisor directed the concerned officers to resolve all the issues raised by the deputations and individuals without any delay.

Pertinent to mention here that in view of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic the delegations and individuals were given different time slots for meeting the Advisor and proper social distancing and sanitization protocols were observed throughout the event.

Div Com reviews Muharram arrangements

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

12/08/2020

Stresses on adherence to social distancing protocol other SOPs

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Aug 11: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Tuesday chaired a meeting of officers to review arrangements for the ensuing holy month of Muharram-ul- Haram.

The Div Com urged people to maintain proper social distancing protocol and adherence to all Covid-19 related SOPs while holding mourning procession and religious congregations.

He asked officers to gear up and make all arrangements as per the past practice available to the people putting up in Shia dominated areas for the month of Muharram starting on August-21.

The Div Com during the meeting directed PHE authorities to ensure regular water supply to all areas and deploy water tankers and install public posts as per the requirement at all Imam Baras.

Stressing on scheduled power supply particularly no outages during morning and evening times, the Div Com instructed PDD authorities to ensure there is no power curtailment during the holy month.

He also instructed concerned to keep additional buffer stock of transformers available for quick supply and installation in affected areas.

PDD and ULB authorities were directed to ensure installation of street lights at all required places and ensure immediate restoration of all defunct street lights in all urban and rural areas.

Stressing on maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness, the Div Com instructed concerned to launch special sanitation drives around Imam Baras and procession sites.

The Div Com emphasised on making fool-proof medical arrangements and asked Director Health to deploy medical teams along with ambulances in all areas where processions are taken out and called for making required medicines, bandages and cotton available to the people.

PWD authorities were asked to ensure level surfacing and attending all lanes, streets and main roads that need repairing for smooth passage of processions.

The Div Com instructed concerned to ensure timely supply of ration to the people and ensure all essentials and required items are available in the market, besides, there is no violation of official rate list of essentials. He said strict action should be taken against the offenders for overcharging.

The Div Com also reviewed arrangements regarding parking, transport facility for Ashura procession and other major processions.

The meeting was attended by various civil administration and police officers besides, DCs, Police and Health officers of others districts attended the meeting through the Video Conferencing.

HM module busted in Kupwara; militant, 4 OGWs arrested: Police

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

12/08/2020

Srinagar, Aug 11: The forces said they busted a module of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) by arresting an active militant and four Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in the frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir on Tuesday, a senior police officer said.
He said on a tip off about a module working in smuggling of weapons troops of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, 28 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 162 Batallion CRPF launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at Lalpora in Kupwara on Monday night.
He said the CASO culminated in apprehending a local HM militant Parvaiz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Lolpora Lolab in Kupwara. One AK rifle, one 9mm Chinese pistol with magazine were recovered from his possession.
He said four OGWs of the HM were also arrested. They were identified as Altaf Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Kohli, Nizam Din Gujjar and Abdul Qayoum Gujjar. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the OGWs.
He said preliminary investigation so far has revealed that the OGWs had established contacts with militant commanders alias Reyaz and Amjad both hailing from Bandipora and currently operating at Sonar Lauch Pad as District Commanders for smuggling and supply of weapons to militants active in valley. Further investigation to ascertain all details of their smuggling activities over the recent past is going on the basis of technical evidence.
In this regard case FIR No 105/2020 U/S 7/25 IA Act and 13, 16, 18, 39 UAPA stands registered at Police Station Lalpora and investigation taken up the statement reads.
A defence spokesman has earlier said three suspected militants were arrested during the operation.

Adhocism In Govt Services

Edit

Precious Kashmir

11/08/2020

The J&K High Court last week frowned upon government over continuing policy of adhocism in government services, especially in engineering jobs. It ordered all recruitments and promotions shall be made strictly in terms of the rules and not on the in-charge basis.

In fact, rather astonishingly, the successive governments continue to observe in breach, for last 20 years, the Supreme Court’s directions aimed at checking the adhocism in the government departments and grant of promotions.

No reasons have been given as to how an employee, who is substantively working on the lowest post, can be given charge of the highest post in the department without regular promotions. Their seniority position is unknown even as “local adjustments” are made claiming that the particular employee is senior most available. Such employees continue working on that post for years together at the peril of others. It has cascading effects. Not only such a practice demoralizes other employees in the department, the duties otherwise required to be discharged by senior and experienced hands is done by juniors. Also, the employees already in service don’t let the posts of direct recruitment filled up and as such the very object of having fresh talent at different levels is defeated. Not only delaying the recruitments, such practice usurp the rights of the eligible candidates some of whom does not even make it to the services as they are already overage by the time vacancies are advertised.

The top court of the country in 2000 had ordered constitution of a High-Level Committee to be appointed to examine the entire issue. Whether the basic order has been complied with by the government would be known when the government files compliance report to the high court’s orders also seeking details about various details form the government.

While the plague of adhocism in government must come to end, the high court, hopefully, will ensure that directions passed by it are complied with by the government without delay. The government should also do more than defending the officers who allow the in-charge based arrangement. Various employee organizations also need to fulminate against the issue so that there is a check on officers who allow such a system to thrive at the peril of experience as well as the talent.

Flood-hit Karnataka asks PM Modi for special assistance of Rs 4,000 crore

National

Precious Kashmir

11/08/2020

Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and R. Ashok attended video conference with PM

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Revenue Minister R. Ashok attending the video conference chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The Karnataka government has requested the Centre for a special assistance of Rs 4,000 crore and an advance of Rs 395 crore, the second installment of state disaster response fund (SDRF), as floods ravaged 13 of 30 districts in the state.
The state has pegged total losses due to the floods till date at Rs 4,500 crore. “The state has been reeling under floods for the last three years. So, we have sought an advance of Rs 395 crore, to help tide over the crisis,” said Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who, along with Revenue Minister R. Ashok took part in the video conference chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, in the absence of Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa who is hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19.
During the meeting of the chief ministers of six flood-hit states—Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Assam—the PM reviewed the flood situation, relief measures and sought suggestions on flood mitigation.
The meeting observed that the rainfall in June-July had been 118 per cent. Though the rainfall in July alone was only 80-90 per cent, the uneven distribution of rainfall resulted in the floods.
“In Karnataka, rainfall over the last one week in coastal Karnataka region, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts, Madikeri and north Karnataka districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Haveri and Raichur has been higher than normal. For instance, Bhagamandala has received 500 per cent excess rainfall. The overflowing rivers and high speed winds are causing havoc. There has been a shift from the north-east monsoon to south-west monsoon and incessant rains in the Western Ghat region is causing the rivers to swell,” informed Bommai, who addressed a press meet after the video conference.
According to the preliminary assessment report, at least 885 villages across 56 taluks have been affected by the floods. As many as 3,000 houses have collapsed, 80,000 hectares of agriculture and horticulture crops have been destroyed, while 3,500km of roads stand damaged due to heavy rains. There has been massive damages caused to the electric infrastructure like poles and tranformers, government buildings (393), bridges (250), minor irrigation tanks (104).
“The preliminary estimate of losses caused due to heavy rains, landslides .

Here’s a chance for you to pen a book on post Independent India

National

Precious Kashmir

11/08/2020

The New India Foundation has its fellowship open

This is a chance, like no other, to go down a historical rabbit-holes and get lost for a year. The New India Foundation has its fellowship open for anyone with a book project on post Independent India.
“Historians tend to write about the pre-1947 period,’’ says Srinath Raghavan, trustee of the NIF. “Post 1947 is not even considered history for the most part. The post 1947 stuff is left to the other social scientists, economists, anthropologist, political scientists.’’
The NIF was started by Ramachandra Guha and Nandan Nilekani to fill in just this gap. Using the prism of modern India, researchers are encouraged to produce a book—culture, politics, society, environment or even economics.
The fellowship is open to everyone. The only criterion is that “the project is gripping enough’’ and it is a story that needs to be told. “We are entirely agnostic about disciplinary approaches or even academic leanings or ideological positions,’’ says Raghavan.
Last year, two books that went to become a must-have on the modern Indian bookshelf were a result of the fellowship. The Transformative Constitution: A Radical Biography in Nine Acts by Gautam Bhatia had received the fellowship. As did Saba Dewan’s Taiwaifnama.

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