KULGAM: The Department of Horticulture organized a daylong training-cum- awareness camp, here today.
The District Development Commissioner, Kulgam Showkat Aijaz Bhat was chief guest and Director Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat was guest of honor on the occasion.The programme was organized to generate awareness about various Centrally Sponsored Scheme rolled out for the benefit of orchardists.
On the occasion, experts from horticulture department and KVK Pombay imparted training to the orchardists about various methods of pruning and benefits of High Density Plantation.
Interacting with the fruit growers, the DDC urged them to avail benefit of the centrally sponsored and state sector schemes presently under implementation in the division.
He impressed upon the farmers to keep close liaison with the field functionaries of the department so that they are able to get maximum benefits under different schemes. He disclosed that department is going to start skill development programme in the temperate areas with an objective to train the local unemployed youth in various propagation techniques like budding, grafting, canopy management and Pruning techniques, so that they can act as master trainers.
On the occasion, the DDC also distributed mementoes among the orchardists and fruit growers for adopting best horticulture techniques to boost the fruit production.
Chief Horticulture Officer Kulgam, Mushtaq Ahmad wani, concerned officers and scores of orchardists were present on the occasion.
Horticulture training-cum-awareness camp held at Kulgam
Administration re-seals 2 illegally operating premises in Srinagar
SRINAGAR: On the direction of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, action has been initiated against illegal operation and de-sealing of sealed premises at Polo View and Sonwar areas of Srinagar.
Commissioner SMC and SHO Ram Munshi Bagh reached the under-construction Paras Hospital Building at Sonwar and took swift action in the matter and against those involved. Four persons were also detained for being involved in it.
The team also resealed the Samci restaurant at Polo View which was operating in violation of sealing orders issued earlier.
The Divisional Commissioner has directed suspension and initiation of disciplinary action against the concerned SMC ward officer and enforcement wing officials.
Reservations For Jobs, Promotions Not A Fundamental Right: SC
New Delhi: In a major judgement, the Supreme Court has said that there is “no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions”, and also no court can order a state government to provide for reservation to SC/STs.
A bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta said, “In view of the law laid down by this Court, there is no doubt that the State Government is not bound to make reservations. There is no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions. No mandamus can be issued by the Court directing the State Government to provide reservations.”
Citing the necessity of relevant data collection regarding representation of SC/STs in public jobs, the apex court emphasized this exercise is pre-requisite to begin reservation. And this data collection exercise, is not required when the state government decided not to provide reservations.
The top court observed the state government has the absolute discretion to decide whether or not to provide for reservation in jobs or reservation in promotions. Also, the state government is not under any obligation to do so.
Citing its judgement, the bench said that Article 16(4) and 16(4-A) are enabling provisions and the collection of quantifiable data showing inadequacy of representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public service is a “sine qua non for providing reservations in promotions.”
The top court also clarified that a state government is bound to collect data regarding inadequacy of representation of SCs/STs in government services when it wants to provide reservation but otherwise. The top court also observed that the state cannot be issued directions to provide reservations for appointment in public posts. “The State is not bound to make reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in matters of promotions”, added the court.
However, if a situation arises where such provisions were to be introduced, then the state government concerned should collect quantifiable data, which exhibits inadequacy of representation of that class in public services. And, this data would have to be brought on record before the court when a challenge is laid to the reservation policies.
The court observed, “Not being bound to provide reservations in promotions, the State is not required to justify its decision on the basis of quantifiable data, showing that there is adequate representation of members of the Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes in State services. Even if the under-representation of Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes in public services is brought to the notice of this Court, no mandamus can be issued by this Court to the State Government to provide reservation.”
The apex court also observed that the inadequacy of representation of SC/STs is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the State. “The State can form its own opinion on the basis of the material it has in its possession already or it may gather such material through a Commission/Committee, person or authority. All that is required is that there must be some material on the basis of which the opinion is formed,” added the court.
The ruling of the top court came on a clutch of petitions connected with reservation to Scs and STs in promotions in the posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil) in Public Works Department, Government of Uttarakhand, where the government had decided against reservations. But, the High Court asked the state to first collect quantifiable data connected with representation of SCs/STs, and decide on the matter. The High Court also gave another direction that all future vacancies that are to be filled up by promotion in the posts of assistant engineer, should only be from the members of SCs and STs. The apex court set aside these directions.
Omar’s PSA Dossier Cites ‘Ability To Woo Voters’, Mehbooba’s Pro-Separatist Stand
Srinagar: Former chief minister Omar Abdullah’s “considerable influence” over people, including the ability to attract voters to polling booths despite poll boycott calls and the potential for channelling energies of the public for any cause, has been cited in support of his detention under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
His political opponent and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has been accused of making anti-national statements and extending support to organisations such as the Jamaat-e-Islamia of the state, which has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The PSA dossier prepared by the police against the 49-year-old Omar, who had served as minister of state for external affairs as well as commerce and industries, states his ability to convince electorates to vote in huge numbers even during the peak of militancy and poll boycott calls by separatists and militants.
The grounds of detention against Omar, who was chief minister of the state from 2009-14, state that on the eve of the reorganisation of the state he had made attempts to provoke general masses against the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A.
The grounds also mention his comments on social networking sites to instigate common people against the decisions on Articles 370 and 35-A which had the potential of disturbing public order.
However, the police have neither mentioned any of Omar’s social media posts in the dossier nor in the order for grounds of his detention.
“To the people of Kashmir, we don’t know what is in store for us…….stay safe and above all please stay calm,” was the last few tweets of Omar before he was taken to Hari Nivas for preventive detention.
Restrictions have been put on communication links since August 5 last year. These were subsequently eased. Internet is functional at a few places through leased lines. Mobile internet facility has been made functional but with a speed of 2G with special instructions that it would not be used to access social media sites.
Omar and the 60-year-old Mehbooba Mufti had been under preventive detention since August 5 last year, when the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution granting a special status and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories — Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
They were booked under the PSA on the night of February 6, barely a few hours before their preventive detention was to end.
According to rules, preventive detention can be extended beyond six months only if an advisory board, constituted two weeks before the completion of the 180-day period, recommends for that.
Mehbooba has been slapped with the PSA for her remarks which included challenging accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in case the Article 370 was abrogated.
The statements of the former chief minister, whose party PDP was an ally of the BJP till June 2018, on security forces killing militants was also made a part of the PSA dossier against her.
Her support to the Jamaat-e-Islamia group of Jammu and Kashmir after it was declared as a banned organisation by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) also figures in the dossier.
Omar’s father, Farooq Abdullah, who is a five-time chief minister and currently a member of Lok Sabha, was booked in September last year under the PSA, a law which was enacted by his father Sheikh Abdullah in 1978 to fight timber smugglers in the state as they would easily get away with minimal detention those days.
Sheikh Abdullah brought the Act as a deterrent against timber smugglers as it provided a jail term, without a trial, for up to two years.
However, this Act came in handy for the police and security forces during the early 1990s when militancy erupted in the state.
After then Union home minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed enforced the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state in 1990, authorities used the PSA to detain people.
The Act was amended in 2012 and some of its stricter provisions were relaxed. After the amendment, period up to which a first-time offender or individual can be put in detention without trial was reduced from two years to three months.
MeT Forecast Snow, Rains This Week
Srinagar: Weather remained pleasant for the third successive day on Sunday due to sunshine even as icy cold winds continued in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley, where fresh snow fall is predicted from next week.
However, night chill intensified across Kashmir valley with mercury plunging several degrees below normal due to open skies.
Meanwhile, there was still no respite for people from chilly weather conditions in Ladakh, where all water-bodies — including lakes and streams remained frozen due to several degrees’ below freezing point temperature. The people in the newly created Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh are mostly dependent on hot water springs during winter. The border town of Kargil was the coldest place in the region at minus 21.6 degree, followed by Kargil, where the mercury settled at minus 19.1 degree.
A Met department spokesperson said that weather is expected to remain dry till February 11 in the valley, which could result in further improvement in the maximum temperature though mercury during the night would dip due to open skies.
However, he said a fresh WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit J&K on February 11. “Under the influence of this WD, light to moderate snow could occur at some places in J&K for three days from February 12,” he added.
After witnessing further dip in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly Sunday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. However, as the day progressed sun came out from behind the clouds, resulting in major improvement in the day temperature though ice cold winds continued.
Against minus 3.9 degree recorded on Saturday, the mercury in Srinagar improved and settled at minus 4.2 degree, which below normal. The maximum temperature in the city on Friday was about 2 degree above normal.
Despite improvement in the night temperature, world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley at minus 10.4 degree.
The night temperature at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, improved about 2 degree from Sunday and settled at minus 9.4 degree. “After witnessing further dip in the night temperature, the weather witnessed improvement as sun came out from behind the clouds on Sunday afternoon in Gulmarg, which is famous for its ski slopes and quality of snow. Tourists, including foreigners, were out on ski slopes enjoying different activities,” a hotelier said.
The mercury during the night at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag dipped and settled at minus 6 degree, minus 5 degree and minus 3.8 degree, respectively.
Hundreds Of Vehicles Leave From Jammu To Srinagar
Jammu: Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities and oil tankers, left Jammu for Kashmir early in the morning as only one-way traffic continue to ply on the 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the road connecting the valley with the rest of the country. One-way traffic has proven to be a success and for the past more than over two weeks, traffic is plying normally on the highway, which otherwise was witnessing heavy traffic jam for hours. On Sunday, traffic will ply from Jammu to Srinagar and no vehicle will be allowed from opposite direction, a traffic police official said this morning. He said Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) were allowed to move in the morning while Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) will be allowed in the afternoon. “Only one-way traffic will continue on the highway till further orders,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway, the only road linking Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh with Kashmir, remained closed for the past over two months. There is more than 6 feet to 12 feet of snow on the highway, including at Zojila pass, which has frozen due to below freezing temperature.
Similarly, the historic 86-km-long Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch and Anantnag-Kishtwar road remained closed due to accumulation of snow for the past two months. “These roads are likely to reopen in March-April,” officials said.
Normal life Affected, Internet Restored After 8 Hrs
Srinagar: Normal Life was on Sunday crippled due to a strike called in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley on the seventh death anniversary of Afzal Guru, who was hanged in Delhi’s Tihar jail on this day in 2013.
Low speed 2G internet was restored after remaining suspended for about eight hours since early Sunday morning due to security reasons in the Valley, where broadband internet services remained suspended since August 5.
Official sources said that all cellular companies were directed to suspend internet services in the valley from 0800 hrs to 1600 hrs for security reasons.
The gag on internet, including mobile and broadband, has badly affected professionals, whose work was dependent on internet. Scores of such professionals, who work for different multi-national companies, had to shift to other parts of the country, fearing losing their jobs.
Meanwhile, the famous weekly Sunday market in the summer capital, Srinagar, was closed and 3-km-long road stretch between Radio Kashmir and Hari Singh High Street (HSHS) was deserted with only security forces deployed to maintain law and order.
Business and other activities were paralysed and traffic was off the roads in major towns and tehsil headquarters in the valley.
Shops and business establishments were closed and public transport was off the roads in Srinagar. However, good number of private vehicles besides three-wheelers and cabs could be seen plying in the civil lines and Moulana Azad road besides in the uptown. There was no traffic movement in historic Lal Chowk, which has been closed since early this morning.
Business activities remained paralysed in main business hubs of Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Batmaloo, Dalgate, Regal Chowk, Moulana Azad road, Residency road and Mahraj Bazar.
A large number of security forces have been deployed in the city to prevent any untoward incident.
Life was crippled in this and other major towns and tehsil headquarters in north Kashmir due to strike, a report from Baramulla said.
Additional security forces were deployed on main bridges over river Jhelum, connecting downtown with civil lines in Baramulla.
Similarly, hundreds of security forces and state police personnel have been deployed in other major towns, including Sopore, hometown of Guru, in north Kashmir to prevent any demonstration. Additional security forces have been deployed on the Srinaar-Uri highway to prevent stone pelting on vehicles.
Reports of complete shutdown were also received from different towns in south Kashmir, a report from Anantnag said. Business and other establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads. However, some private vehicles and cabs could be seen plying on some routes.
Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam.
Fresh Firing Along LoC In Poonch
Srinagar: The Pakistan Army fired mortar bombs at forward posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district for the second day on Sunday, a defence spokesperson said.
No casualty was reported in the Pakistani firing, he said.
The latest ceasefire violation by the neighbouring nation took place in Balakot and Mendhar sectors, prompting a befitting retaliation from the Indian Army, he said.
The firing and intense shelling with mortars from across the border in the two sectors started at around 12.50 pm and was going on when last reports were received.
On Saturday, an Indian soldier was killed and three others were injured in heavy firing and shelling in Degwar sector of Poonch district.
Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat, 36, belonged to Rajasthan’s Jaipur district. He is survived by his wife, Usha Shekhawat.
The Army on Sunday paid rich tributes with full military honours to Naik Shekhawat.
Senior officers paid last respects to the slain soldiers at a wreath-laying ceremony organised at the Air force Station in Jammu, officials said.
General Officer Commanding-in-chief of Northern Command Lt Gen Y K Joshi and General Officer Commanding of elite White Knight Corps Lt Gen Harsha Gupta also saluted the soldier and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
3 DCs, 3 Other KAS Officers Shifted
Srinagar: The Government on Sunday ordered transfer of six KAS officers in the interest of administration.
According to a government order, Hashmat Ali Khan, KAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, has been transferred and posted as Joint Financial Commissioner, Agrarian Reforms in the office of Financial Commissioner, Revenue, J&K.
Bashir Ahmad Dar, KAS, Chairman, J&K Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.
Rajinder Singh Tara, KAS, Joint Financial Commissioner, Agrarian Reforms in the office of Financial Commissioner, Revenue, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar.
Khalid Jahangir, KAS, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has been transferred and posted as Chairman, J&K Services Selection Board.
Angrez Singh Rana, KAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, has been transferred and posted as Member, J&K Services Selection Board.
Shafqat Iqbal, KAS, Additional District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.
On February 7, the Union Territory administration made a major reshuffle with the posting and transfers of 60 police officers, including 14 IPS officers.
District police chiefs of six districts – Shopian, Anantnag and Pulwama in south Kashmir and Rajouri, Ramban and Kathua in Jammu region – were reshuffled.
Reduction In Joining Militancy Since Aug 5 Last Year: Report
Srinagar: The number of youths joining the ranks of militancy in Kashmir has gone down “remarkably” since the nullification of provisions of Article 370 in August last year, officials have said.
According to a report prepared by security agencies, on an average five local youths have joined militancy every month since August 5 last year, as compared to the earlier rate of 14 per month.
The report, comparing militancy-related developments before and after August 5, stated that large gatherings at funerals of militants, which were fertile grounds for recruitment of youths into militancy, have become a thing of the past as now only a handful of close relatives are seen at burial grounds.
“There are instances when militants were buried in the presence of just a dozen of close relatives,” the report said.
Earlier, funerals of terrorists killed by security forces attracted large crowd with the attendance crossing 10,000 at times.
Another trigger for local youths joining the ranks of militancy was the last call made by a trapped terrorist to his family members. Such voice recording would normally find its way to general masses and would act as a catalyst on some of the young brains to pick up the gun.
However, after August 5, 2019 no such calls were reported, partly due to restrictions in communication channels and partly due to the changed scenario, the report said.
It said there has also been a marked decrease in stone-pelting incidents — both during encounters between security forces and militants as well as on other occasions. The use of tear smoke shells, pellet guns was naturally reduced and the number of deaths in law and order went down to negligible limits.
On August 5 last year, a clampdown was enforced in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of the state’s special status and its bifurcation into union territories — Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
