Union Minister Jal Shakti, Lt Governor review implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 10: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Jal Shakti and Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today reviewed the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing.

Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance department; Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Commissioner/Secretary, Jal Shakti department; Sheetal Nanda, Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and other senior officers attended the meeting, in person and through video conferencing.

Timeline for achieving the target of 100% piped water supply to each household was set for the completion of First Phase by March 2021; Second Phase by December, 2021 and March, 2022 was set for the completion of the Third Phase.

The Union Minister observed that the Government of India is committed to provide assured basic services to the people living in rural areas across the country. He reiterated the commitment of Union Government to provide all assistance to the UT to achieve the set goal under JJM.

He stressed on testing of all water sources for once for chemical parameters and twice for bacteriological contamination (pre and post monsoon). He further called for imparting training to five persons, preferably, women, in every village for surveillance of water quality through Field Test Kits (FTKs). The UT was asked for NABL accreditation of all laboratories in next few months.

The Union Minister further emphasized on preparation of village action plans as well as constitution of village water and sanitation committee/ Paani Samiti as a sub-committee of Gram Panchayat with minimum 50% women members, responsible for planning, designing, implementing and operating & maintaining of in-village water supply infrastructure. In all villages, IEC campaign along with community mobilization needs to be taken up to make Jal Jeevan Mission truly a people’s movement.

Underlining the importance of sustainable infrastructure, he asked for proper maintenance and third party inspection of water infrastructure for ensuring sustainability.

Emphasis was given on convergence of Jal Jeevan Mission with Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), MGNREGA and other relevant schemes for dovetailing of funds to ensure long term availability of good quality drinking water in adequate quantity.

The Lt Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir intends to be a leader under the Jal Jeevan Mission for providing piped water supply (Har Ghar Nal se Jal) to every household. The Government of J&K seeks to make the UT, the first among UTs / States in India to complete the Jal Jeevan Mission. The J&K Government has also allocated around Rs. 1800 crore for this purpose out of JKIDFC funding to start working on this mission, he added.

The Lt Governor called for focused attention on Jal Jeevan Mission and directed the concerned officers for holding weekly reviews for its effective implementation. He further directed for establishment of water committees (Paani Samitis) in villages. He asked the Financial Commissioner, Finance Department to release the earmarked funds for meeting the requirements under the scheme.

The Lt Governor said that the Government is eying for 100% coverage of 3 districts i.e. Ganderbal, Srinagar and Reasi before 15th August this year.

Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam assured the Union Minister and the Lt Governor that the work in some districts would be completed this year itself and the rest by March 2022. The procurement systems of Jal Shakti department have been revamped for this purpose, he added.

Commissioner-Secretary, Jal Shakti department, Ajeet Kumar Sahu briefed the meeting about the status of number of households connected and District wise PWS connectivity across J&K. It was informed that out of 6,877, village action plans for 1,800 villages have been prepared.

Jal Shakti Department J&K earlier envisaged completing this Mission with approximate funding of Rs. 10,644.12 crore in three Phases. The Department during the financial year 2019-20 made aggressive efforts in providing new connections and regularizing earlier connections by way of adding another 2.93 lakhs connections and thus making the total tally of PWS connected Households to 7.82 lakhs, he added

The Mission having a three tiered structure for implementation viz. i) Jal Jeevan Mission, J&K at the Union Territory level comprising of an Apex Committee, an Executive Committee and a Mission Directorate; ii) District Jal Jeevan Mission at the Districts level; and iii) Paani Samitis at the village level.

The Department has 20 District Level Water Quality Testing Labs and process for NABL Accreditation of these Labs has been initiated under JJM. 04 Mobile Water Quality Testing Labs are being procured under JJM, it was informed.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 10: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, today convened a high-level meeting to review arrangements for smooth conduct of the Amarnathji Yatra, 2020.

Threadbare discussion was held on various issues regarding the annual pilgrimage which inter alia included traffic, food supply, Health services, fire safety measures, electricity, water supply, telecom connectivity, disaster management, accurate weather forecasting services, and other issues.

Advisor discussed various matters with the concerned officers and also sought suggestions from them to ensure timely and fool-proof arrangements for smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. He stressed on effective coordination among all the concerned departments for ensuring smooth conduct of the Yatra.

Advisor enquired from the Deputy Commissioners about establishment of control rooms at the district level and various civic facilities that have been put in place for the yatris. He also directed the officers to identify locations on the National Highway and other locations where the pilgrims can be lodged in case of the inclement weather.

Heads of various departments apprised the Advisor of the arrangements that have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of Yatra.

The discussion was also held on various issues to strategize appropriate communication tools to help the pilgrims seeking registration for the Yatra, including the need for a compulsory health certificate for registration during the annual pilgrimage.

Advisor also discussed the need for effective traffic regulation to ensure smooth movement of the pilgrims to the respective base camps and directed the traffic department to strictly adhere to the timing schedule. He also asked the Meteorological department to send weather reports on a daily basis to the concerned departments.

Expressing his satisfaction over the arrangements that have been put in place, the Advisor directed the officers to keep on taking periodical reviews at their level to plug any loopholes.

The officers from various districts gave a detailed brief about the arrangements put in place by their respective administrations.

Advisor was apprised that most of the arrangements have already been done at the Holy cave and enroute the Yatra and now they are giving finishing touch to the arrangements as per the standard practices. He was further informed that most of the works have been completed or are at the final stages of completion. He was also informed by the Health department that advance placement of medical staff is being done on Yatra duty for the better healthcare facility to the Yatris.

Advisor also enquired about fire tenders, oxygen booths, temporary ration depots and services like tents, beddings, ponies for the yatra. He directed the concerned officers to gear up their men and machinery to ensure adequate arrangements for comfortable journey and stay of Yatris. He asked the concerned departments to make sure that the pilgrims do not face any hardship during the pilgrimage.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, July 10: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K General Secretary (organization) Ashok Koul Friday said that the party has seriously considered the requests of workers and leaders facing threats and the issue has already been taken up with the police.

“Majority of our party leaders and workers, who are vulnerable to threats and attacks by the militants have been provided security,” Koul told news agency Kashmir Indpeth News Service (KINS).

He however said, “We have already taken up the issue with the police top brass and a strategy is being worked out to cover those who have demanded security cover,”

Koul further said that BJP is a growing political party in Kashmir and people are joining it in large numbers including intellectuals and well-educated youth. “This has triggered frustration among militants and they have resorted to cowardly acts like the one witnessed at Bandipora recently,” Koul said, adding that such incidents won’t deter the resolve of youth and young minds to join the BJP.

He said “Kashmir was already reaping the benefits of roll back of Article 370 as protests at the encounter sites have faded away and stone pelting incidents had vanished completely”.

He said “Due to the successful anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, some militants were feeling frustrated and were carrying acts of frustration”.

“Waseem Bari was a young and dynamic leader of BJP in Bandipora, who always worked for the upliftment of poor and needy. His killing is a jolt for us but at the same time we are committed to rope in youth and give them opportunity to serve the people of Kashmir,” he said.

Koul was the first among BJP leaders to reach Waseem’s residence in Bandipora.

He along with other BJP leaders also shouldered the coffin of Waseem to the graveyard.

It is pertinent to mention that police have already dismissed all the ten PSOs guarding Waseem and all of them have been arrested.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar recently said that Waseem was killed minutes after his PSOs went to their room to relax, which they shouldn’t have done.

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, July 10: Bharatiya Janata Party national General Secretary Ram Madhav is all set to visit Kashmir on Sunday to offer condolences to the bereaved family members of slain BJP leader from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district Waseem Bari.

Sources in the BJP told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Madhav has confirmed his visit to Kashmir with a sole aim of visiting Muslimabad residence of slain Bari in Bandipora district. “He will meet the wife and other family members of slain Waseem Bari and express his solidarity with the bereaved.

Later, Madhav will also meet party workers in Srinagar,” they said, adding that the BJP General Secretary will reach Kashmir on Sunday morning and right away travel to Bandipora district.

“A meeting with the BJP workers from Srinagar and other districts is also on cards with Madhav,” sources said. They said that after Madhav’s visit, BJP’s national president J P Nadda will also visit Kashmir and meet family members of slain BJP leader Waseem Bari at Bandipora.

“Nadda will come next week,” a source in the BJP told KNO. Waseem, the young face of BJP in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district was killed along with his father and brother at his shop-cum residence at Muslimabad area of the district on July 8 evening.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar told reporters at the residence of slain BJP leader and two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants had carried out the attack on Waseem and that the attack was pre-planned. He had stated that both the militants will be tracked down soon.

Srinagar, July 10: The government on Friday relieved Ajeet Kumar Sahu (IAS), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, who has been transferred to Ladakh by the Ministry of Home Affairs last month.

“Pursuant to the Order issued by Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India under F.No.15030/38/2020-J&K, Dated 9.6.2020 and in partial modification of Government Order No. 688-JK(GAD) of 2020 dated 30.6.2020, it is hereby ordered that Ajeet Kumar Sahu, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, under orders of transfer from UT of J&K to UT of Ladakh, shall be deemed to have been relieved with immediate effect, with further direction to report to his new place of posting, forthwith,” reads an order issued by the government, a copy of which lies with KINS.

Rajouri, July 10: An army soldier was killed after Pakistani Rangers resorted to shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district of Jammu region.

Official sources told news agency KNT that an army Havaldar sustained splinter injuries. Though he was shifted to a medical facility, he succumbed there of his injuries.

Official sources identified the slain soldiers as Havaldar S. Gurung.

The cross LoC firing and shelling incident occurred during the middle of Thursday night. (KNT)

Owais Gul

Srinagar, June 10: As Kashmir remains under tight grip of heat wave over the past two weeks, the Meteorological department is of the belief that weather is behaving normally in the Valley and day temperatures can shoot up to 35 degrees Celsius in the in the days ahead.

The MeT claim, however, has been countered by the environmentalists who attribute weather change to the cycle that is repeated after every six decade.

Director MeT, Sonum Lotus told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that in the month of July and August, the temperature usually remains high and there was nothing new in it. “We have seen a similar kind of temperature in previous years as well,” he said. Lotus said that the rise in the temperature is the outcome of no rainfall in the Valley.

“We are predicting a light to moderate rainfall in the coming days. But, there is no possibility of heavy rainfall till next week,” he said, adding that in the present month, the temperature can even go up to 35 degree Celsius, which is normal.

Dr. MRD Kundangar, a prominent environmentalist told KNO that he doesn’t attribute the current weather conditions with climate change. “In my childhood, I have witnessed such a heat wave as well,” he said.

“In my opinion, the prevalent heat wave is only a weather cycle, which is repeated after every 60 years,” he said, adding that people would have come to know about it, but unfortunately, there is no record available in this regard in Jammu and Kashmir.

“During the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the carbon dioxide as per the World Health Organizations in the air has also decreased. Therefore, it will not be good to attribute the prevalent weather conditions to climate change,” he added.

Prof. Shakeel Romshoo Head Department of Earth Sciences also told KNO that the present weather conditions are not unusual. “The long dry spell in the Valley is a reason behind the current weather conditions. We were witnessing rainfall every evening almost two weeks back. We can’t attribute the present weather conditions with climate change. But the only reason behind it was the convective weather system,” he said.

He added at present the weather conditions are not unusual but if it continues for ten more days then it will be a cause of concern.

Complaints against over 50 Pvt schools registered at DSEK: Officials

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, July 10: In a brazen violation of government norm, some private schools in Kashmir Valley are ‘compelling’ the parents to pay the pending tuition, transport and other miscellaneous charges.

The parents of those wards studying in various private schools alleged that the school management has threatened them of blocking their access to appear for the online examinations if they did not pay the pending tuition and other charges.

One of the parents told KNO that despite government orders, the private schools are charging tuition, transport as well as other miscellaneous fees.

“My three kids are studying at one of the leading private schools of Srinagar and in the name of tuition fee, the school is minting a hefty amount by charging tuition as well as miscellaneous fee,” he said, adding that the school is also demanding the transport fee of past one year.

“The school management is now demanding us to pay the transport fee from August-2019 when all schools were closed following the abrogation of Article-370,” he said.

The parents also said that despite government directives not to charge any fee for the closed months of August and September last year, “the school management have refused to hand over the results of our wards till we pay the whole amount.”

Meanwhile, the official at Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) said, “Complaints against the management of more than fifty schools of charging transport and other miscellaneous charges have been registered. We will take strict action against the violators.

Another parent said that the school management has charged the fifty percent of transport fee besides the tuition charges.

“Since March-2020, the school is charging fifty percent of transport fee besides the tuition fee, however, there are clear directions from the government not to charge any fee apart from the tuition fee,” he said.

In May, the government directed recognized unaided private schools to charge only tuition fee on monthly basis instead quarterly basis for the COVID-19 lockdown period.

The government also ordered the private schools not to hike fee during the academic year 2020-21.

Principal Secretary to government for School Education Department, Asgar Samoon in a circular said, “Only tuition fees shall be charged from students on monthly basis instead quarterly basis for the lockdown period.”

Earlier in June, the government said that the private schools in Kashmir valley were violating the orders of Government Fee Fixation Committee (GFFC) by charging tuition fee as well as miscellaneous fee in the name of tuition fee.

The government had also warned the private schools of strict action in terms of relevant provisions of law in case of any violation found against the school management.

The order issued by the government in this regard stated that the administrative department has issued instructions to private schools in view of COVID-19 pandemic in Jammu and Kashmir with the directions that the last date of deposit school fees is extended up to April-30 without any late fees and no school shall either charge any fee for the online Lecturers or assignments or shall link the result of the child on the basis of home assignment.

DSEK Joint Director, Aabid Hussain said, “We have appointed the deputy Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and nodal officers and the complainants can register their grievances online or offline before them.”

He said that the parents can also register their complaints at DSEK headquarters. “Whosoever comes with a complaint here, we take cognizance and act accordingly,” Hussain said.

Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, July 10: Amid surge in COVID-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the University authorities to complete the examination process of terminal semester and final year examinations by September end.

The UGC said that the exams can be held via offline that includes physical appearance of the students or through the online or blended mode following the prescribed protocols and guidelines related to COVID-19 pandemic.

The newly revised guidelines, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads that UGC this month has issued revised guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Moreover, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has also issued instructions for conduct of examinations wherein a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was formulated for conduct of examinations with measures to be taken in view of the ongoing situation, duly vetted by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare.

UGC in the guidelines said, “In view of the emerging situation related to COVID-19 pandemic in India, it is important to safeguard the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for students. At the same time, it is very crucial to ensure academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students globally.”

It further reads that the academic evaluation of students is very important milestone in any education system. “The performance in examinations gives confidence and satisfaction to the students and is a reflection of competence, performance and credibility that is necessary for global acceptability,” UGC said.

“The universities are required to complete the examinations by the end of September in offline, online or blended mode following the prescribed protocols guidelines related to COVID-19 pandemic.”

Stating the provision of examination through special chance, UGC said, “In case a student of terminal semester or final year is unable to appear in the examination conducted by the University for whatsoever the reasons may be given opportunity to appear in special examinations for such courses or papers.”

“It may be conducted by the university when feasible, so that the student is not put to any inconvenience or disadvantage. The provision shall be applicable only for the current academic session 2019-20 as a one-time measure,” it reads.

UGC said that the backlog of papers in respect of terminal semesters or final year students should compulsorily be evaluated by conducting examinations in offline, online or blended mode as per feasibility and suitability.

“The guidelines regarding intermediate semester or year examinations will remain unchanged as notified in the previous guidelines,” it reads.

SOP’s for conducting exams

The UGC said that in case there is a restriction on movements in certain areas, admit or identity cards issued to the students should be treated as a pass for the movement of students.

State Governments should issue instructions to all local authorities to issue movement passes to invigilators and all personnel engaged in the conduct of examination.

Entire examination centre floors and walls, doors, gates, should be sprayed with disinfectant. Fresh mask and gloves to be used by exam functionaries after staff verification is done. Sanitizer bottles should be arranged at the entry gate, examination rooms, staff/observer room, etc. and should be replenished regularly.

All liquid hand wash bottles should be replenished in restrooms and entry gate whenever required. Candidate seating area should be thoroughly sanitized after every session. All the washrooms should be cleaned and disinfected. All door handles, staircase railings, lift buttons, etcetera should be disinfected.

Exam functionaries must submit self-declaration about health status. Thermo gun temperature check must be done at the staff entrance point.

If any Examination functionary fails to meet the self-declaration criteria, or thermal gun check, he or she will be asked to leave the examination centre immediately. Exam functionary needs to wear the mask and gloves at all time

Wherever possible, students should be given fresh face masks by the Invigilators in the examination room itself. Avoid crowding at entry and exit points.

“Senior staff should monitor the entry and exit. There should be proper markings with at least two meter distance where students stand while waiting for the opening of the college gate. Exit of students should be permitted one by one only. Thermal Screening of students, wearing of face mask, sanitizing of hands etcetera be ensured.

The students should be asked to sanitize their hands before and after signing the Attendance Sheet,” the SOPs read. “Students having symptoms of fever, cough and cold should be either made to sit in a separate room or given a chance to appear on another day.

Precious Kashmir News
Ramban, July 10: Finance Commissioner, Revenue, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, who is also the Nodal Officer National Highway Four Laning Project, today visited district Ramban and inspected NH-44 construction works being executed from Banihal to Nashri. FC asked the NHAI and other departments to expedite the pace of construction work to complete the Jammu -Srinagar,   National Highway  which is  priority of the government.Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Nazim Zai Khan, SSP, Haseeb –ur- Rahman, ADC, Ashok Sharma, Project Director (PD) National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), SDM Ramsoo, Dil Mir Choudhary, SDM, Banihal, Zaheer Abbas Bhat, other concerned officers and representatives of construction companies were present on the occasion.During his one day tour, FC inspected construction works at Chamalwas, Nachilana, Ramsoo, Seri, Ramban, Chanderkote and Dahlwas besides directing the concerned officers for removing bottlenecks, if any, hindering the project.  He was informed that the land acquisition process has been completed and all the working sites have been handed over to the NHAI to start construction works besides almost all of the structures have been removed from the acquired land. FC was informed that construction work on 8.5 Km long Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel is near completion and after the security and other necessary audit of the tunnel it will be thrown open for public use.Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work on the project, he said that the ongoing works of NH44 widening project will be completed within one and half year and construction works in the tunnels are going on war footing. He instructed the NHAI and contractors engaged in the widening of the NH44 to ensure proper maintenance of existing roads for hassle free vehicular movement.FC, while addressing the media persons on the occasion, said that the process for shifting of towers of 132 KV line from Right Of Way (ROW) to safer places is expected to be completed by December. Besides, alternate land has also been provided to the TLMD for construction of the same, he added.He said that keeping in view the tough topography of hilly terrain between Ramban and Banihal a Detailed Project Report is being formulated by NHAI worth Rs. 2000 crore to complete changed 16 KM four laning realigned project which included more tunnels and bridges to avoid landsliding and sinking areas.   Earlier, ADC apprised FC of the status of land acquisition cases, shifting of 132 KV tower lines and other structures besides other bottlenecks hindering road projects. He assured that the work would be completed as per target fixed by the Chief Secretary earlier.