Category: Union Territory

Local bureaucrats hold insignificant postings in J&K?

All key departments like Finance, Home, Power, and various important departments are headed by officers from outside Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar: The local bureaucracy and contractors feel the heat as officers of Jammu and Kashmir are apparently given insignificant posting while non-local contractors are bagging majority of contracts for execution of works.

IAS and IPS officers from Jammu and Kashmir feel they are being sidelined from significant postings as non-local officers are holding plum postings in Jammu and Kashmir.

All key departments like Finance, Home, Power, and various important departments are headed by officers from outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Non-local officers are also holding top posts like Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Inspector General of Police Kashmir and Jammu.

Similarly, most posts of DCs and SSP are held by non-local officers in Kashmir.

A bureaucrat from Kashmir, wishing not to be quoted by name for fear of reprisal, said it was difficult for non-local officers to manage things in Jammu and Kashmir. “They (non-local officers) are culturally, socially, geographically different with the result that there remains a gap between bureaucracy and the public,” the officer told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service.

Another local bureaucrat said, “Non-local bureaucrats are holding all significant posts in Jammu and Kashmir. We have only one local bureaucrat who is holding an important portfolio of the education department.”

The August 5 decision last year also brought about a crucial change in the bureaucratic structure.

Earlier, in Jammu and Kashmir, 50 per cent of the total strength of officers was allocated by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) after clearing the UPSC, while 50 per cent local service officers were promoted as IAS officers.

In other states, 67% of the officers are direct recruits while only 33% are officers inducted from the state services. When Jammu and Kashmir lost special status, it also became subject to the 67:33 rule.

Similarly, for the first time ever, non-local companies have bagged a majority of contracts for the extraction of minerals from the water bodies of Kashmir.

More than 200 mineral blocks in river Jhelum and its tributaries across 10 districts of Kashmir were opened for auction for mining of sand, boulders, and other river bed material in December last.

Non-local contractors have bagged a majority of the mineral blocks.

Till last year, the rights for extraction of the minerals were exclusively reserved with local contractors.(KINS)

Srinagar: BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav Friday held close door meeting with the Kashmir BJP leaders here in Srinagar and urged them to gear up for the panchayat polls.

One of the top BJP leader told News Agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that Ram Madhav on his visit to the valley Friday afternoon held the close door meeting here in the circuit house Srinagar with senior party leaders.

“The closed-door deliberations continued for several hours and the security of BJP workers and the emerging political scenario in the Valley were discussed,” said the leader wishing anonymity.

He said that Madhav assure the leaders that the security issue of BJP leaders, Panchas and Surpanchs will be addressed soon. “Besides Madhav urged party leaders to gear up for the Pancahyat elections,” he said.

Sources told KINS that Madhav had come to check the political developments on the ground and took feedback from everyone. “We submitted a memorandum demanding security for every political worker irrespective of party affiliation.” said a senior BJP leader wishing not to be named.

Madhav, who had previously played a key role in the formation of the BJP-PDP coalition, arrived here days after six main political parties, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, announced that they stood by the “Gupkar declaration” and would jointly fight for the restoration of Article 370.

The visit also comes at a time when recently working committee of J&K BJP in a unanimous resolution reiterated party’s commitment to restoration of statehood. BJP has termed the Gupkar Declaration “anti-national, pro-secessionist, misleading and deceptive”.

The BJP working committee in the meeting had also reiterated that article 370 and 35 (A) were part of history now and nobody could sell pipe dreams to the people of J&K anymore.

The party had passed a 28-point resolution in the meeting in which they demanded that assembly elections should be held as soon as the delimitation exercise is completed.

During his first visit here in October last year after the abrogation of Article 370, Madhav had maintained that the regional parties would only be allowed to do “routine politics” like seeking restoration of statehood to J&K.(KINS)

PTI

Jammu: Pakistan soldiers violated the ceasefire on Friday by resorting to heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said here.

The Indian Army mounted a befitting retaliation, they said.

“At about 1130 hours today, Pak army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Balakote sector,” a defence spokesman said.

PTI

Srinagar: Four militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kiloora area of Shopian district in south Kashmir following specific information about the presence of militants, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon a search party of the forces, which retaliated.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, four militants were killed, the official said.

He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was being ascertained. The operation is on, the official added.

Movement of people, vehicles not allowed at Lal Chowk

Case lodged against mourners for raising pro-azaadi slogans

Security forces on Friday sealed several parts of Srinagar to prevent Muharram processions, which remain banned since the 1990s in Kashmir Valley.

Lal Chowk saw all main roads sealed with concertina wires, as no movement of people and vehicles was allowed.

An official said curbs were imposed at eight police station limits in Srinagar as “Mourners were planning a procession”.

Today is the 8th of Muharram and Mourners traditionally organise a procession from Shaheed Gunj to Abi Guzar to Dalgate areas on the occasion.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole on Thursday announced fresh restrictions on religious gatherings in Kashmir “in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic”.

The police lodged a case recently against mourners for raising pro-azaadi slogans. Another group of mourners clashed with the police in Budgam.

With inputs from The Hindu

PTI

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administrative council on Thursday approved a proposal for upgradation and improvement of Mughal Road the alternative route connecting the Kashmir valley with the Jammu region, an official spokesman said.

The council which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha approved the upgradation, improvement and resurfacing of the road at an estimated cost of Rs 47.41 crore for a total length of 84.11 kilometres, the spokesman said.

He said the decision of the council is aimed at proper upkeep/maintenance of the road to check avoidable loss of human life in various road accidents and ensuring smooth vehicular movement.

In recent years with the route serving as an alternate link between Jammu and Srinagar, Mughal Road has gained significance by reducing the distance and travel time between Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region and Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir region, the spokesman added.

Srinagar: Police arrested scores of leaders and activists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Srinagar during a street protest, the first such demonstration since August 5, 2019 when the Centre ended J&K’s special status.

A PDP spokesperson said the party had planned a peaceful protest at its headquarters in Srinagar. “However, the police swung into action and detained PDP leaders, including Rouf Bhat, Hamid Qousheen, Shanti Singh, Arif Laigroo and Mohd Amin,” the spokesperson said.

The party spokesperson said the street protest was against the detention of political prisoners, harassment of youth, the gag on media, and rights violations.

With inputs from The Hindu

Religious gatherings were allowed for the first time since March 20 just 10 days ago in Jammu and Kashmir

Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad

The Jammu and Kashmir administration re-imposed restrictions on religious gatherings in the Kashmir valley on Thursday, a day after a group of Shia mourners clashed with the police in central Kashmir’s Budgam.

“In the wake of COVID-19, restrictions shall continue on all religious processions and gatherings in all districts,” Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole, said.

Mr. Pole urged the heads of Shia bodies “to use their influence and make people aware of the importance of following COVID-19 -related standard operating procedures (SOPs)”.

An official spokesperson said senior Shia leaders, including Abid Hussain Ansari, secretary of the All J&K Shia Association; Aga Syed Muntazir, secretary of the All J&K Anjumane Sharie Shiaan, and representatives of the All J&K Itehaadul Muslimeen and other Shia Anjumans, attended a meeting organised by Mr. Pole to assess the situation.

The decision to re-impose restrictions comes just a day after the police booked Shia mourners for raising pro-azaadi slogans and recorded a clash in Budgam. Religious gatherings were allowed for the first time since March 20 just 10 days ago in J&K.

Prominent Shia cleric Ruhullah Mehdi accused the administration of “provoking” the community.

“Imposition of a curfew is a deliberate provocation by the administration. This curfew and beating up of people going out for their routine life will have a backlash. It will turn the situation from bad to worse. I may have my own opinions about processions and SOPs related to COVID-19. The rogue behaviour and firing on mourners is unacceptable,” Mr. Mehdi, also a National Conference leader, said.

J&K Apni Party also condemned use of force on Shia mourners. “The police action is unwarranted and interference in religious affairs. The police should stop from such reprehensible actions,” J&KAP president Altaf Bukhari.

With inputs from The Hindu

Srinagar: On Thursday when river Jehlum swelled near the danger mark at several places, the government asked people to be vigilant in various parts of Kashmir.

Amid continuous rains, a lot of people from flood prone areas also ferried their families to safer areas as the water level in the Jhelum kept rising.

The rains have been going on since Wednesday and causing water logging in various parts of the Valley.

Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Sopore issued a circular on Thursday, which reads, “It is continuously raining from last 24 hours and there is every apprehension of heavy discharge in the adjacent Nallahs and tributaries as such all the sectoral officer/ beat officers are asked to remain vigilant and have an advance inspection of their jurisdiction especially vulnerable.”

Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Rajbagh said they didn’t sleep the entire night due to heavy rainfall.

“We remained alert that the water level may go above the danger mark,” Ashraf told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
He said the rains reminded them the horrors they underwent when the floods hit their area in 2014.

Similar apprehensions were brewing among the residents of Shivpora, Batpora and Sonawar.
“Those moments of flood are still haunting us when we spent three nights on the terrace of our neighbouring house and the entire area was inundated in water. I always pray to God that we should not face such times again in our lives,” said Bilal Ahmad, a local resident of Sonawar.

He said the Jehlum water would enter into their area even before the danger level as the breached bunds have not been repaired yet.
The residents Mehjoor Nagar said the rain water has got stagnant in the lanes and bylanes of their area due to lack of drainage system.
“Water has not been drained out completely from our area. The rains since Wednesday have become a source of miseries for us due to lack of drainage system,” said Mohammad Amin, a resident of Mehjoor Nagar.

An official of the Irrigation and Flood Control department said they are monitoring the situation and have not issued flood threat yet.
“We have already deputed the staff on ground. They are continuously monitoring the water levels at different places,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Meanwhile, the gauge reading of the Jhelum River has been consistently rising since Wednesday.

A study titled ‘A satellite-based rapid assessment on floods in Jammu & Kashmir–September, 2014’ conducted jointly by the Department of Environment & Remote Sensing (DERS) and ISRO has warned that intensity of rainfall and frequency of rainy days in the Himalayan region may increase in 2030s, leading to another flood in Kashmir if immediate steps are not taken to restore the drainage system of Jhelum.

A senior official of the Irrigation and Flood Control department said the Wular Lake, which is the largest flood absorption basin has lost the water carrying capacity due to a host of factors.

“Several surveys have found that gross human interference, deforestation, encroachments, chocking of waterways and reduction in capacity of wet lands due to heavy siltation posing an imminent threat of floods even by average downpour,” the official said.

After 2014 deluge, tall claims were made by the government. But it seems as if the government did not have learned any lessons from 2014 devastating floods to handle disasters in Kashmir.

After the 2014 floods, the government has announced construction of an alternate flood channel to Jehlum in Kashmir. Despite passing over five years, the government has failed to frame a detailed project report (DPR) for the mega project.

In July 2015, the first-ever disaster management plan was approved by the cabinet headed by the then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. However, officials said there has been no implementation of the disaster management plan.

Srinagar: Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department Iftikar Kakroo said there
is no flood threat in Kashmir as of now.

Taking to KNS, Chief Engineer said, “water level has increased in water bodies. Sangam gauge is showing 10 ft less reading than danger mark,” he said.

He added, “As of now there is no danger of flood, we are keeping a watch on the water levels. We have asked all field staff to keep vigil and watch on streams particularly traditional weak points.”(KNS)