Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Joint Resistance Asks JK Bank to reschedule the payment of loans

    No interest must be charged and threats of harassment or any coercive action against the guarantors of the loan should be stopped

    Srinagar: Joint resistance leadership Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik has strongly reacted to the repeated harassment by the authorities of various banks, especially Jammu & Kashmir Bank for the payment of loan installments along with the interest. They said that banks including J&K bank are meant for the welfare of the masses and are run by the support and financial partnership between them and the client. Terming the J&K bank as a premier financial backbone of the state’s economy, leadership said that this institution has come up as the major welfare and corporate hub not only in providing state’s youth opportunities to prove their talent and worth but is seen as a major partner in various social and developmental ventures. This bank is nourished by the hard earnings of the common populace and we believe it stands tall and distinguished amongst our so many glorious institutions. Pro-freedom leadership said big names need to have big heart as well and who else that the bank itself is witness to the turbulent and chaotic situation and shattered economy of the valley for the last 4 months where everything including the bread and the butter of a common man particularly transporters has come to a grinding halt. They said that we have been forced by our brute oppressor in such a bloodshed that, shouldering the coffins of our loved ones, attending to our injured countrymen, crying for our visually impaired kids and worrying about over incarcerated youth, we could hardly care about our economy for the last 124 days, where each person from every walk of life has contributed positively and encouragingly. Seriously concerned about the threats of account seizer of the “defaulters” and their guarantors, joint leadership made it clear that loan agreements between clients and bank is a contract impliedly subject to “force-majoure” clause, according to which no party can be held responsible for the non-performance due to the reasons beyond its control. Joint leadership has appealed to bank authorities particularly J&K bank to reschedule the payment of loans so that the clients need not to pay installments till the situation is normal and conducive of a meaningful economic activity. They further said that no interest must be charged and threats of harassment or any coercive action against the guarantors of the loan should be stopped as there is no willful default for making the payment. They said that unavoidable circumstances some time demand bold, courageous and pro-people steps from the public enterprises as they have done after the 2014 devastating floods. Resistance leadership has said that instead of using the basic necessities as the tools of exploitation (like puppet government) bank should extend their helping hand and try to sooth the wounds of the people. They further said that threatening and harassment are totally unwanted & illegal and bank authorities will be solely responsible for the repercussions and these unpopular and anti-people actions will tarnish image of this glorious economic and financial asset and it will lose its sheen just because of political misuse, ego and arrogance.

  • Soldier killed in sniper fire in Kupwara

    Srinagar: A soldier was killed in a sniper fire from Pakistan in Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday.

    In a tweet, Northern Command said that a soldier was killed in Pakistan sniper attack in Machil sector.

    “In retaliation fire assault with heavy weapons being directed on many Pak posts,” it said.

  • ‘Students supposed to appear in exams will be released’

    Srinagar: A large number of people from different areas of Pattan town Wednesday participated in a Public Darbar held at ITI Building by Police and Civil administration.

    The Darbar was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Naqash and SSP Baramulla Mir Imtiyaz Hussain.

    Public related issues particularly burning of schools were seriously discussed for which district administration sought cooperation and help from people, an official said.

    The locals attending the Darbar demanded that students who are supposed to appear in the examinations should be released. The officials assured them that students will be released and will be allowed to appear in the examinations. (CNS)

  • Burglars Decamp with Masjid loudspeakers in Hajin

    Srinagar: Burglars on Tuesday night struck in several Masjid’s in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district and decamped with several belongings.
    According to KNS correspondent, Bhat Zahoor, the burglars in the intervening night ofTuesday-Wednesday struck in three Masjid’s including two Jamia Masjid’s. “They decamped with several belongings including loud speakers, inverters, batteries and other things,” locals alleged.
    They said that the burglars have broken the windowpanes of Masjid through which they entered and decamped with several electronic as well as other things.
    The locals informed KNS that they went to nearby Police Station and filed complaint in this regard.
    Meanwhile, Station House Officer (SHO) Hajin, Parvaiz Ahmad said, “The locals have filed the complaint and the investigation has been started in this regard.” (KNS)

  • JK Govt hails PM’s currency scrap decision

    ‘Major blow to Pakistan’s fake currency export’: Deputy CM
    Srinagar: Stating that Pakistan which has been pumping fake currency to India through various channels will be receiving set back with the scarping of the currency of 500 and 1000 notes, the Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh Wednesday said that Narender Modi led government have taken a historical decision of scraping the currency.

    “This historical decision will definitely yield the results by a strong check on the black money and the elements in Jammu and Kashmir will stop getting money from Pakistan, which would not be able to pump the fake money,” Nirmal Singh told KNS over phone from Jammu.
    He further said that Pakistan was in a habit of printing Indian currency much more than the Pakistan currency to facilitate the elements responsible for the turmoil and other untoward incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. “The fake currency inventory with the elements will get neutralized and they must be worried at this point of time,” the Deputy CM maintained.
    He further elaborated on the issue by saying that the decision would come much handy for economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir and the real estate prices would be stable. “The banks in Jammu and Kashmir would start operations in a day or two and the clients would get the new currency notes. People should cooperate on the decision and should not get worried. As in overall scenario this is for the benefit of the general masses for economic growth,” Singh maintained.
    He said that the Jammu and Kashmir government welcomed the bold step taken by the Prime Minister which will help unearth unaccounted money as well as counterfeit currency. “We feel proud of PM Narendra Modiji’s strike against black money and corruption. His decision to discontinue Rs 500 and Rs 1000 rupee note will immensely help in eliminating corruption. On behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir government, I compliment the Central government and the PM for taking tough but timely and path-breaking measures,” he said.
    It is to mention here that Prime Minister NarendraModi Tuesday announced demonetization of Rs 500 and 1000 currency notes.
    In his televised address, Modi has said people holding notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from November 10 till December 30.
    Modi has further said the notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 “will not be legal tender from midnighttonight” and these will be “just worthless piece of paper.” However, he said that all notes in lower denomination of Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20, Rs 10, Rs 5, Rs 2 and Re 1 and all coins will continue to be valid.
    He also announced that new notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 will be introduced. (KNS)

  • Four involved in torching school in Ganderbal arrested: Police

    Srinagar: Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested four persons involved in torching of a government school in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

    “We have arrested four persons who are involved in setting ablaze Govt Middle School Duderhama and a makeshift shop of a vendor few days ago,” said Dy SP HQ Ganderbal Rameez Ahmad.

    He said this while addressing media in the district.

  • ‘Western Disturbance approaching Kashmir to give first snowfall’

    ‘Srinagar, Banihal, Kokernag may record scattered rains, thundershowers’

    Srinagar: With winter all set to make onset, Kashmir valley may witness the first snowfall of the season with an approaching Western Disturbance to give rain and snow likely by November 12.

    “Snowfall will be confined to the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir the middle and lower levels will record scattered rains and thundershowers. Places such as Srinagar, Banihal, Kokernag, may witness rains and thundershowers,” according to Skymet Weather.

    Reportedly, the Western Disturbance is presently seen over Afghanistan and is moving gradually in the northeast direction. “It is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir by November 12,” it said.

    However, in the wake of this approaching system, the minimum temperatures will increase in states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The maximum temperatures will drop significantly by the weekend, making the weather cold and chilly.

    “These disturbances after approaching the region usually remain for 1-2 days and give spells of rain and snow of varying intensity. We call this system, Western Disturbance due to its movement from west to east,” said a local official on the weather department. (PTK)

  • Kishan Ganga Project Delayed By 18 Months

    Srinagar: The on-going unrest with consistent curfew and protests is feared to have delayed the commissioning of 330 Megawatt Kishan Ganga Hydro Electric Power Project. Expected to get ready by November 2016, it will take almost 18 months more.

    The project coming up at the cost of Rs 5783.17 crores (revised) in Mantrigam (Bandipora) was originally scheduled to complete by November 2016 however, the longest unrest that has already completed four months, has impacted constructions. Even the work on Dam Site in Gurez was suspended for over 20 days when affected villagers suspended work demanding proper rehabilitation and benefits.

    Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) is executing the project for the NHPC, India’s hydropower giant.

    In August on the occasion of NHPC’s foundation day, its Chairman and Managing Director KM Singh though expressed hope of completing the project by the year-end but at the same time admitted that the movement of the workers and material transportation has become very difficult due to law and order problem.

    Power House, Switch Yard, Tail Race Tunnel and Dam spot are the main project operation sites that were badly affected by the on-going unrest. The work on all the sites stands suspended from last 3 and half months. One contractor has even stopped salary to its most of the workers and employees.

    “We were unable to install turbines, transport material even most of over workers were unable to attend the operation sites,” an officer said. He said that the one-month suspension of work on project means six months delay”

    After killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani on 8 July until mid-September the traffic on the road leading to project site-Pazalpora, Mantrigam, Sonawrani-traffic remains suspended only a few vehicles were playing during night hours.

    However, work on Dam Site in Gurez was running smoothly that too was disrupted when affected villager’s stage protest and suspend work for over 20 days in August. During the heavy snow and chilly winter season- January to March – the work remains suspended on the Dam site for over three to four months in the year.

    The electro-magnetic contractor has installed two turbines (110 MW each) but are unable to install the third one for which material couldn’t be transported, while the work on Switched Yard is yet to start, sources said.

  • Stakeholders didn’t disclose to media what transpires in meeting

    All reassured support to separatist leadership programme

    Srinagar: All stakeholders on Tuesday remained tight lipped over what transpired in a daylong meeting held at the residence of Syed Ali Geelani in Hyderpora to chalk out the future course of action vis-a-vis the ongoing uprising.
    The presidents and senior members of transporters, traders, Schools Associations, Sikh body, civil society members and others who attended the daylong meet, refused to disclose what was discussed in the meeting.
    However, reliable sources informed KNS that all the attendees put forth their suggestions before the leadership.
    Sources told KNS “The ground situation was discussed in the meeting while issue of transporters and torching of schools in Valley were also discussed.”
    “Almost all the persons who attended the meet raised the issue of transporters as they suffered huge loss during the ongoing movement and are not able to take benefits from the relaxation,” they said.
    Sources said that the traders, transporters and others reiterated their support to the leadership. “The senior members of the associations in a meeting said that they will follow the leaderships programme in letter and spirit,” they added.
    However, the attendees remained tight-lipped over the meeting saying they are not political leaders but only attended the meet to extend their support to the leadership.
    “We met and put forth our suggestions before them. We extended our support to the leadership’s programme. Else we don’t have any command to disclose anything regarding the meeting,” said a trader wishing anonymity.
    Other attendees also refused to talk regarding the issue and said that only leadership can talk in this regard.
    Meanwhile, at a time when the meeting between the stakeholders was ongoing at Geelani’s residence, the people reached outside the venue of meeting and staged protest.
    The protesting people were raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. (KNS)

     

     

  • Naeem Akhtar reviews implementation of PMMM Mission

    Jammu: Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today convened a meeting with consultative committee of the experts and State Collaborators (SIE and DIETs etc.) to chalk out an action plan for implementation of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) in the state.
    The meeting was organized by the Department of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu.
    Vice Chancellor CU Jammu, Prof. Ashok Aima, Head & Dean, Department of Educational Studies CUJ Prof. Lokesh K Verma, Head & Dean, CU Assam Prof. Nityanand Pandey, Dean School of Education Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Anita Rastogi, Head & Dean CU Kasmir Prof. Nadeem, Director School Education Jammu Babita Rakwal, Field Advisor SIE, CEOs Jammu and Samba, faculty and scholars of Department of Educational Studies were among the members of the consultative committee.
    During the meeting, the Minister stressed on the need to revisit the education system in the state and called for coordination among various agencies involved in implementation of various education schemes.
    The Minister emphasized on creating integration to generate pool of academic and intellectual young minds having scientific temper while highlighting the areas of immediate intervention required in the field of school education and teacher education.
    He said that focus should be laid on the capacity building programme in science, mathematics and languages with the effective use of ICT. The meeting decided to develop SIE and DIET, Jammu and DIET Srinagar as incubating centers and model institutions for quality teaching and teacher programmes.
    Earlier, Prof. Ashok Aima, VC, CUJ, stressed on the need to bridge gap between university and school education and assured of all possible financial and academic support.
    Later, the Minister visited Government Primary School at Sainik Colony and inspected the quality of Mid-day meal being given to the students besides taking stock of other facilities available there.
    The Minister also interacted with the students and exhorted upon them to concentrate on their studies besides focusing on extra-curricular activities for their overall development.
    Chief Education Officer and other officers accompanied the Minister.