Precious Kashmir

Mission Development: JKIDFC provides massive push to infra development in JK

Front

07/02/2020

JAMMU: In 2018, the Government of J&K came up with a creative idea of establishing a company named Jammu &Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) Limited to tide over the infrastructural deficiencies in the erstwhile state of J&K. The Company was envisaged to fund the unfunded or long pending languishing projects. Each of the department furnished the details of all the significant yet pending projects to the Finance department for funding through this Corporation. The initiative of setting up the JKIDFC has also been noted as a best practice by the NITI Aayog.

The Corporation is working with a vision to provide an innovative solution for funding the infrastructure needs of Jammu and Kashmir.

By law, this Corporation was authorised to raise loans from financial institutions including state/nationalised banks for completion of unfunded/languishing infrastructure projects in J&K. The corporation was authorised to raise a loan of Rs 8000 crore in the most economical manner through a competitive and transparent process. It was also mandated to finance any new infrastructure projects, which are a priority as far as their public utility is concerned.

The company is being manned by the Board of Directors chosen from the senior officers of the administration headed by Financial Commissioner, Finance, also Chairman & Managing Director of this Corporation.

The sole purpose behind bringing this Corporation into existence by Finance Department is to provide an innovative solution for funding the infrastructure needs of J&K.A ‘High Powered Committee’ (HPC) has been constituted by the Government which conducts regular meetings to take decisions regarding the business to be transacted by JKIDFC.

Till date, nine such meetings have been conducted by the committee under its chairman designate. The HPC has the power to approve, sanction, modify and substitute any of the projects being funded under JKIDFC. Besides this, it also authorises, monitors and regulates the projects taken up under this ‘languishing projects’ programme.

The Government has deputed a dedicated team of officers/officials exclusively to carry out day to day affairs of this company. They include the Executive Director, Director Finance, General Manager and many other IT professionals and ministerial staff, who work behind the scene to make the Corporation a thriving enterprise.

The job of this team is to track each project financed under JKIDFC and update its status on the portal on real time basis. Photographs of the ongoing works along with the percentage of completion are given against each of the sponsored projects. Besides, they process the payment requests against the works and also carry out field visits to assess the progress and quality of works being executed on ground.

Recently, the Board of Directors (BoDs) also empowered a committee comprising of the Executive Director, Director Finance and General Manager of JKIDFC to authorise payments for approved languishing projects. This was done to ensure avoiding any sort of delay on account of release of timely payments to projects being executed by the funds provided by JKIDFC.

Some 2274 languishing projects worth Rs 5883 crore have been financed under JKIDFC by J&K government to fast track their completion. These include 817 projects worth Rs 1719.50 crore of PHE Department,593 projects of Public Works Department worth (Rs 1311.37crore), 169 of PDD (Rs 302.91 crore), 102 of Health (Rs290.75 crore), 76 of I&FC (Rs 188.77 crore), 67 of H&UDD(Rs 355.06 crore), 113 of School Education(Rs83.63 crore), 92 of Industries(Rs 717.29 crore), 100 of Youth Services (Rs420.57 crore), 11 of Tourism (Rs 105.05 crore), 31 of Higher Education (Rs151.57 crore), 8 of Agriculture (Rs23.57 crore), 44 of Animal Husbandry (Rs7.01 crore), 7 of Horticulture(Rs 30.35 crore), 20 of Technical Education (Rs15.80crore), 5 of Estates (Rs 97.97 crore) and few vital projects of many other departments.

It is targeted that 1256 projects worth Rs2219.16crorewill be completed by the end of this financial year. Among them, 422 projects (Rs 626.34 crore) are to be completed by PHE department, 180 (Rs201.31crore) by R&B department, 167 (Rs 299.80 crore) by PDD, 76 (Rs 188.77 crore) by I&FC department, 98(Rs 67.83crore) by School Education, 88 (Rs142.67 crore) by Youth Services& Sports, 50 (Rs 70.72 crore) by H&ME, 48 each by Housing (Rs153.01 crore) and Industries Departments (Rs 314.97 crore) shall be dedicated to public by March 2020. Expenditure of aroundRs479.04croreshas already been made by the Departments executing such projects.

First time projects worth cost of more than Rs 400 crores are under execution under JKIDFC for upgrading the sports infrastructure across J&K. It includes development of a number of new sports stadiums in the rural areas of J&K. The department of Youth Services is augmenting sports infrastructure across length and breadth of J&K incurring the cost of Rs 202.28 crores. Besides these, it is also completing some important sports infrastructure projects like recently inaugurated Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, Bakshi Stadium Srinagar, TRC ground Srinagar and Gani Kashmiri Memorial Sports Stadium Srinagar at a cost of Rs 70.12 crores.

Some of the mega languishing infrastructure development projects approved by JKIDFC are Comprehensive Sewerage Scheme, Jammu (Rs108.16 crore), Comprehensive Sewerage Scheme, Srinagar (Rs154.69 crore), EDI Campus Bari-Brahmana, Jammu (Rs50.74 crore), Jambu Zoo (Rs 49.17 crores), Women Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Jammu (Rs32.24 crore), Industrial Estate at Kathua (Rs81.15 crore),BPOs across J&K (Rs60 crore), and Drilling of Hand pumps across Kashmir region (Rs33.50 crore).

It is pertinent to mention here that most of the projects funded by JKIDFC include creating public utilities like roads, bridges, water supply schemes, sports facilities, educational institutions and industrial estates. All of these projects are believed to be of high public importance and once completed would create immense changes on the developmental landscape of J&K besides easing the day to day lives of general public to a large extent.

LG Chairs Security Review Meeting

City

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor J&K Shri Girish Chander Murmu today chaired a joint security review meeting in Srinagar in which he took a detailed review of existing security arrangements in valley.

The meeting was attended by Advisor R.R Bhatnagar, Advisor Farooq Ahmad Khan, Chief Secretary J&K BVR Subrahmanyam, Corps Commander 15 Corps KJS Dhillon, DGP J&K Shri Dilbag Singh-IPS, ADGP CID Dr. B. Srinivas-IPS, ADGP Security Shri Muneer Ahmad Khan-IPS, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shri Baseer Ahmad Khan-IAS, ADGP CRPF Shri Zulfiqar Hassan-IPS, IGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar-IPS and IG BSF.

IGP Kashmir made a detailed presentation about the security scenario of Kashmir Valley focussing on the security measures initiated for ensuring peace and stability in the valley. He briefed the chair about the various successful anti terrorism operation carried out jointly by the police and security forces in which several top terrorist commanders have been killed recently.

He also briefed about the various other security measures that have been taken in order to strengthen the security grid of the valley including the strengthening of check points at the sensitive locations across valley.

IGP Kashmir also briefed about the various initiatives taken for enhancing the synergy and coordination among various forces operating at the ground level. He presented an overview of the steps initiated by the security forces in valley to counter the challenges faced at the ground level.

Earlier DGP Kashmir also briefed about the role of JK Police in maintaining the stability and peace in JK.

Lt Governor Shri GC Murmu applauded the efforts of security forces particularly JK Police in maintaining peace and stability in Jammu & Kashmir despite challenges. He appreciated that JK Police has rendered countless sacrifices for ensuring peace in the valley and exhorted upon the officers to ensure that the criminal elements are kept under check so as to inhibit the crimes and unlawful activities existing in the society. He emphasized on strengthening the coordination among the forces so as to ensure crime free society.

J&K Enjoying Life Post Art. 370: PM

Front

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reiterated that the situation in J&K has improved dramatically after abrogation of Article 370 and formation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in support of the Presidents’ speech during the Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister refuted the opposition members’ contention that the decision on Article 370 had been rushed through without a discussion.

During his speech in the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister reminded the members of the way in which Telangana formation Bill was hurriedly pushed through in Parliament during the UPA regime in 2014.

“Nobody can forget when Telangana was formed, the country has seen how doors were closed and TV cameras were shut.”

He contrasted Telangana’s formation during UPA tenure with NDA’s smooth handling of formation of three states — Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh — during Vajpayee-led NDA government rule.

Clarifying that the decisions on Jammu and Kashmir had been taken only after extensive discussions in Parliament, the Prime Minister said that immediately after Article 370 was revoked, the underprivileged people in the new Union Territory could avail the benefits of reservation.

India Slams Pak-Malaysia Joint Statement On Kashmir Reference

Front

PK Web Desk

07/02/2020

India Slams Pak-Malaysia Joint Statement On Kashmir Reference

New Delhi: India on Thursday reacted sharply to the reference to Jammu and Kashmir in a Pakistan-Malaysia joint statement, saying the Malaysian leadership should develop a better understanding of facts and acknowledge that Pakistan remains an epicentre of global terrorism.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India completely rejects the references made with respect to Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India.

“We once again call upon the Malaysian leadership to develop better understanding of the facts, including that Pakistan remains an epicentre of global terrorism, which continues to recruit, train, arm and finance cross-border terrorism against India,” he said.

A joint statement issued by Malaysia and Pakistan at the end of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit recorded that the Pakistani premier had raised the issue of Kashmir during talks with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir bin Mohamad.

Khan had also thanked Mahathir bin Mohamad for “speaking up” on the Kashmir issue.

India-Malaysia ties have been hit in recent times following the remarks by Malaysia on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Kashmir issue.

In December, India had summoned the Charge d’Affairs of the Malaysian embassy and lodged a strong protest with him over the Malaysian prime minister’s “insensitive” comments criticising the new citizenship law.

Right To Internet Not Fundamental, Country’s Security Equally Important: R S Prasad

Jammu & Kashmir
National

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

New Delhi: Misconception about the right to Internet being a fundamental right needs to be cleared, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, emphasising that the country’s security was equally important.

Communications, Information Technology, Electronics and Law and Justice Minister Prasad during the Question Hour said communication of ideas and views through Internet are part of fundamental right to speech and expressions.

“The Supreme Court…has clearly stated that no lawyer argued that right to Internet is a fundamental right…This kind of misconception needs to be corrected. What the Supreme Court has stated is that for communication of your ideas and views the use of Internet will also to be held a part of your fundamental right of speech and expression,” Prasad said in reply to a query.

Prasad said no one can deny abuse of Internet for spreading violence and terrorism, and Pakistan has been doing it in Kashmir and ISIS prospered because of Internet.

“While right of Internet is important, security of the country is equally important…. Can we deny (that) Internet…is abused by terrorists…for violence and there have been attempts to create unrest in Kashmir from across the border through Internet,” Prasad stressed.

He emphasised that the Constitution which provides rights lays equal stress on its regulation, saying “Use Internet but you cannot create violence…and weaken unity, integrity and security of nation.”

In reply to a supplementary question by Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad, Prasad said that having been a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir he had also been on the hit list of terrorists and was well aware of abuse of Internet.

Whether it is a BJP government or a non-BJP government, Internet has been restricted on several times on account of its abuse and “what the Supreme Court has done is they have said temporary suspension of rules must be periodically reviewed”, he said.

He said a committee at the Centre comprising the Home Secretary, the Law Secretary and the IT Secretary reviews it periodically while there are committees in states too.

Prasad said law and order is a state subject and decisions are taken based on ground situation which are reviewed periodically.

“Once the Supreme Court itself has declared that the use of Internet to propagate one’s views and ideas will be held to be fundamental rights…I will like to flag…this will also be subject to reasonable restrictions…for public order, for security and integrity of India,” he said.

On Jammu and Kashmir, he said he had recently visited Kashmir and on demand of apple growers at Sopore, which produces 300 varieties and sends out 450 trucks daily, had initiated the process of making it an e-mandi.

“People in Kashmir are happy,” he said and added voice, SMS and landline services have been restored in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, while Broadband functional in Jammu division.

“We have allowed it for white listed websites… there are 783 white-listed websites of government, banking, tourism, ecommerce, transportation, education,” he said.

3 coronoavirus Suspects Admitted To Hospitals In UP

National

Agencies

07/02/2020

3 coronoavirus Suspects Admitted To Hospitals In UP

Lucknow: Three more persons, suspected to have contracted the coronoavirus, have been admitted to government hospitals in Balrampur, Agra and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh.

All three have recently returned from China recently and have reported flu like symptoms.

Director, communicable diseases, UP, Dr Mithlesh Chaturvedi said in an official statement that, “The three patients have been kept under observation while their families have been checked to rule out flu. Their samples have been taken and sent to NIV Pune to check for coronavirus.”

The state health department also found eight asymptomatic probable cases, including three from Meerut, two each from Bareilly and Gautam Buddha Nagar and one each from Balrampur, Pilibhit, Agra and Lucknow, having travelled to China and sent their samples for analysis.

Health officials informed that samples of 18 suspected cases in the state have been taken. Of these, six tested negative for coronavirus, which originated from China and has recorded its presence in 24 countries. The reports of the remaining samples are awaited.

Pahalgam Receive Fresh Snowfall, Cloudy Sky In Kashmir

Front
Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

Srinagar: World famous health resort of Pahalgam and other upper reaches in the south Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Thursday afternoon.

Drass in Union Territory (UT) Ladakh freezes at minus 21.5 degree minimum temperature while Leh recorded minus 15.1 degree.

Meanwhile, mercury witnessed dip due to cloudy sky in the Kashmir valley during the day after the minimum temperature was sub zero in most areas.

A Met department spokesman said the weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in the Kashmir valley. There will be no change during the subsequent two days, he said.

However, a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is approaching and could hit the region on February 11 which could result in isolated rain or snow.

Fresh snowfall was received at famed health resort of Pahalgam this afternoon after cloudy sky during the day, a hotel owner said over phone.

He said the minimum temperature was minus 7.4 degree at Pahalgam, which serves as base camp for annual Amarnath pilgrimage in summer.

The holy cave shrine and its periphery also received fresh snowfall today. Reports of moderate to heavy snowfall was also received from Panjterni, Sheshnag, Mahaguns and Chandanwar, the last motorable halting station on traditional pilgrimage route.

However, at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir the sky was cloudy since this morning. The minimum temperature there was minus 9 degree. World class ski slopes are under three to six feet of snow, still awaiting skiers and adventure lovers.

After witnessed yet another cold night due to minus 3.2 degree minimum temperature, sky was cloudy during the day in summer capital, Srinagar. However, sun was playing hide and seek for some time in the morning before going behind the clouds.

Met spokesman said the sky would be mainly clear to partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures will be 8 degree and minus 3 degree respectively in Srinagar during the next 24 hours.

Gateway of Kashmir, Qazigund on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, recorded minus 4.5 degree, Kokernag minus 2.8 degree and Kupwara minus 4.2 degree minimum temperature.

92% Revenue Records Digitized In JK: Govt

Front
Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

92% Revenue Records Digitized In JK: Govt

SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Department of Revenue, Dr Pawan Kotwal today said that 92 per cent revenue records in Jammu & Kashmir have been digitized, assuring that the Government was taking all possible measures to bring vibrancy in the department—which is considered as backbone of the administration.

Speaking to several delegations during a Public Grievance Camp here today, Kotwal said that there are about 6.6 crore revenue documents and 55,000 revenue maps in Jammu and Kashmir—which need to be scanned, digitized and updated. He said that in order to speedily complete computerization of revenue records, early completion of writing and computerization of Jamabandis officers of the Revenue Department have been directed to club the Phase-II and Phase-III of DILRMP for the completion of 100 % work by March 2021.

He said that the scanned revenue, land documents would also be available at Tehsil Level Record Rooms so that public can have access to those documents.

He informed that 92 per cent of revenue records of Jammu and Kashmir have been scanned whereas 95 per cent of the Cadastral Maps (Massavis) have also been scanned so far.

Kotwal informed that as directed by Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, the Department of Revenue was making every possible step to make Data Centre of J&K ready by 31st March. He said that the department was also working for creation of Disaster Recovery Centre making it functional before June 2020.

“We now have a vital work of registration to carry out. For effective working of newly created registration offices, officers have been directed to go for the computerization of the registration process and posting of staff for registration offices,” he said. He said that Rs 24. crores have been released for the computerization of the registration system while as DPR, estimating the cost of Rs 48 crore have been formulated.

The Principal Secretary said that 28 Sub-Registers would be posted on regular basis and the registration process would be done on monthly and hassle-free basis.

The process of digitization of land records is being carried out under Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).

The project aims to provide computerized management of the land records and their digital maintenance would make it easier and quicker to obtain updated land revenue records.

“We are working on the shortcomings and more manpower is tasked to complete the work,” he said, adding that the pace of the work at Central Record Room (CRR) Srinagar also called Muhafiz Khana of the Revenue Department has also picked up its pace. Likewise, Central Record Room Jammu under DILRMP has been carrying out computerized management of the land records and ensuring digital maintenance of the vital documents.

Pertinently DILMRP, a centrally funded project, was started in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 for having access to transparent land records. The twin capitals were taken first for digitization. The programme involves three phases. Phase I of the programme includes Jammu and Srinagar. Phase II involves Poonch, Ramban, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kargil, Udhampur, Leh, Doda, Bandipora and Rajouri. In phase III, Kathua, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam, Reasi, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Kupwara, Kishtwar and Samba are to be taken.

Rohit Kansal stresses on widening ambit of Information Deptt’s activities

National

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

Rohit Kansal stresses on widening ambit of Information Deptt’s activities

Reviews Department’s functioning, calls for reviving DIPR’s glory, traditions

SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring, Estates and Information, Rohit Kansal Thursday stressed on widening the ambit of activities of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and called for reviving the glory and traditions for which the Department held a unique position.

The Principal Secretary was speaking at a meeting convened at Media Complex here to review the functioning of the Department.

Addressing the meeting, the Principal Secretary stressed on further professionalizing the activities of the Department to serve as a bridge between the Government and the media.

He impressed upon the officers to widen the ambit of the departmental activities which are mainly focused on the welfare of the people. He directed constituting departmental teams so that grievances and complaints of the general public appearing in print, audiovisual and online mediums are monitored and reach to the concerned and accordingly appropriate feedback from them is elicited for redressal of public issues.

Kansal said that effective feedback about various programmes, developmental activities and other issues would bring overall efficiency in the administration as well as in public journalism. He also said that the department should carry success stories and features about what various departments have done from peoples’ perspective besides do public interest stories and packages.

The Principal Secretary said the Department has a rich collection of rare photographs and advised organizing exhibitions to showcase them to art lovers and general people.

Earlier, a detailed presentation about the overall functioning of the Department and the initiatives taken to further improvise the overall productivity at various levels was given to the Principal Secretary. He was briefed about the functioning of Media Facilitation Centre and its facilitation to media fraternity. The role played by the Department in the successful conduct of flagship ‘Back-to-Village’ Phase II, recent visit of Union Ministers and Republic Day functions across the Jammu and Kashmir was also highlighted.

The meeting was also informed that the Department has disbursed advertisements to the tune of Rs 19 crore during the last fiscal and an amount of Rs 16 crore stands expended till September 2019.

During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held over issues including shortage of human resource at various levels, regularization of contractual/ need-based staff, shortage of equipment in the Department, and regular holding of Departmental Promotion Committees.

The Principal Secretary assured that all the issues and grievances projected during the meeting will be examined and looked into for their redressal in a speedy manner. He appreciated the efforts and work done by the Department in challenging circumstances and called for reviving the glory and traditions for which the department wielded a distinct position.

Later, the Principal Secretary inspected Media Facilitation Centre set up by Directorate of Information and Public Relations at Media Complex here and interacted with media persons to enquire about the facilities being provided to them at the Centre.

Red Alert sounded across Tangdhar sector

City

Precious Kashmir

07/02/2020

Army receives specific inputs about possible shelling from across LoC

BY: Tasaduq Hussain

Tangdhar : Army on Thursday sounded a red alert across Tangdhar sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, official sources said.

According to the sources official sources said that as a precautionary measure, Army has sounded ‘Red Alert’ across Tangdhar sector after receiving specific inputs about Pakistani rangers ‘planning to fire heavy mortar shells’.

They said that Army had received specific inputs about targeted heavy mortar shells from Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC).

“Taking serious note of the inputs about the plans of Pakistani rangers, it was intimidated to all about the possible mortal shelling across Tangdahr sector this morning,” the official told KNO.

Furthermore, the official said that it was intimidated to locals especially those residing along the Actual Line of Control (ALC) to be cautious and stay safe and take proper measure in case the shelling takes place.

However, the official said that day passed peacefully not a single fire was fired from across the LoC, but the alert will remain enforced till further orders considering sensitivity of the credible inputs received.

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