Category: Union Territory

‘Only Expert Panel can investigate criminal negligence of doctors’

Srinagar: President Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar ul Hassan today in a statement said that it is illegal for police to say that death of a pregnant woman at sub district hospitalPattan was because of negligence of doctors. “Police by this statement is violating the apex court guidelines on criminal negligence of doctors, said a statement issued to KNS.

According to Dr Hassan the Supreme Court has ruled that doctors should not be held criminally responsible unless there is prime facie evidence before the court in the form of credible opinion from another competent doctor in the same field of medicine supporting charges of a rash and negligent act.The statement said that Apex court has emphasized the need for care and caution in prosecuting doctors for criminal negligence in the interest of society and considering the noble services rendered by the fraternity. “This judgment by Supreme Court came in as many prefer recourse to criminal process as a tool for pressurizing the medical professionals for extracting uncalled for or unjust compensation. Moreover the loss of reputation the noble professionals suffer by booking them for criminal negligence cannot be compensated by any standards. It is necessary to protect noble professionals treading the righteous path,” Dr Hassan said.

“Government is projecting doctors as villains thus have broken the age old bond of doctor patient relationship. A mistrust created with a design has shattered the sacred relation. This is being done to cover up government’s inefficiencies and misdeeds. This attitude of government has created a fear psychosis among doctors which tells upon the efficient patient care. People of the valley must acknowledge and realize the services rendered by doctors in abnormally abnormal conditions. Doctors are bound by medical oath and ethics and no doctor willingly can inflict harm to any patient.”

Huge strides made towards power self-sufficiency: Nasir

Srinagar: National Conference Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani while welcoming the of launch of the second phase of Re-structured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Program (R-APDRP) has said that the Omar Abdullah Government brought about a Power Sector Revolution in the State in the last five and a half years.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Wani, while interacting with party workers and delegations of public said that the Omar Abdullah Government had pioneered a historic and unprecedented power generation program in the State to achieve self-sufficiency in Power and also to provide an impetus to the State’s economy.

The NC Provincial President said that besides the 450 MW Baglihar-I, small projects like 0.5 MW Bhaderwah Unit-III, 1.5 MW Pahalgam Unit-III and 1.26 Sanjak have already been commissioned during the last five years in the State sector while major projects like the 120 MW Sewa-II, 240 MW Uri-II, 45 MW Nimu-Bazgo and 44 MW Chutak were made operational in the same period resulting in adding 900 MW of power in the system. Nasir said that in addition to these landmark achievements, power projects with a total capacity of 32.5 MW were commissioned in IPP Mode which include 7.5 MW Brenwar, 10 MW Tangmarg and 15 MW Rajnala Dunandi.

Lauding the Omar Abdullah Government’s initiatives to take the State towards self-sufficiency in the Power Sector, Wani said that further Power Projects with a total capacity of 1400 MW which include 850 MW Ratle, 450 MW Baglihar-II, 37.5 MW Parnai and 48 MW Lower Kalnai are already under execution in the State. The NC Provincial President said the 450 MW Baglihar-II Power Project involving the cost of over Rs. 3113 crore is likely to be commissioned in September 2015 and will provide a great fillip to our power sector.

Wani said that in addition to these projects that are already under implementation and execution, bids for more power projects with an installed capacity of 2220 MW are under evaluation and the work on these projects is likely to commence soon. These projects include 390 MW Kirthai Stage-I, 93 MW New Ganderbal, 1000 MW Pakal Dul, 660 MW Kiru and ten more projects with the capacity of 77.80 MW under IPP mode, Nasir said.

Wani also appreciated the vision and initiative of the State Government under the dynamic leadership of Omar Abdullah in making significant improvements in the Power Distribution System and infrastructure in the State and also welcomed the Chief Minister’s directives to the Power Development Department to move forward on studying the feasibility for the Baglihar-3 Power Project. 

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday visited Tchunt Waliward Lar Ganderbal to condole with the bereaved family members of renowned Islamic scholar Moulvi Abdul Aziz Suleimani, former principal of Islamia oriental college.

According to a statement issued to KNS, Molvi Aziz has been the  teacher of Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Present Mirwaiz DR. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq . Suleimani recently passed away in Muzzafarabad Azad Kashmir.

Expressing profound grief  over the demise of Suleimani, who passed away in Muzzafarabad Azad Kashmir, Mirwaiz while offering his condolences to the bereaved family also paid rich tributes to him for his scholarly and religious contributions. Describing the death of Sulemani as a personal loss, Mirwaiz asked bereaved family members to be patient. He also  offered special prayers for the deceased. In-absentia funeral prayers were also offered for Sulemani at Jama Masjid Srinagar during which large number of people participated and prayed for the departed soul. Meanwhile, APHC Chairman has called upon the youth not to waste their time only looking for government jobs, adding, instead they should start their own private business utilizing their own resources. He stated that Private enterprises and businesses guarantee  the progress of the society and nation.

Inaugurating the Lord Book Centre  at Ganderbal, Mirwaiz stated that our youth were bestowed with talent, crafts and skill and they should try their hand at private sector since more and more educated youth are graduating leading to shrinking of space in government sector. He stated that if lakhs of non-local  people can find work in Kashmir, why not a common Kashmiri can find it.

Srinagar: Expressing serious grief over the increasing road mishaps in Valley senior leader of Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir Shabir Ahmad Shah has expressed solidarity with the family of the teacher and student who breathed their last while meeting with the unfortunate accident at Doda, Bhagwah road. According to a statement issued to KNS, Shah also  prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. In this connection, a delegation of Freedom Party led by its general secretary Muhammad Abdullah Taari visited the injured persons at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura. The delegation also included Molvi Bashir Ahmad and Assadullah Shah.

Srinagar: Patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that his party would formulate a comprehensive and exclusive policy to address issues relating to the youth of the State.

According to a statement issued to KNS, he said that PDP leadership would organise interactions with youth at every district headquarters of the State before formulating the youth policy. During an interaction with a group of youth, who met him under the leadership of PDP’s youth wing president Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, Mufti called upon the educated youth to participate in the ongoing movement of his party to establish a new system of justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir. While reiterating his resolve to address all issues of youth, he reminded the group that PDP is only party in the State that has formulated a separate Youth Development Policy for the overall welfare and betterment of the youth. “We will also accommodate wishes and aspirations of youth of all regions and sub-regions of the state by organising district level interactions”, he said and added that PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, senior leaders including Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, Tariq Hamid Karra  and others would participate in these interactions to make the youth policy more comprehensive and focused.

“PDP has devised a sustainable strategy to support the young people in developing their potential, to improve their living conditions and give them greater responsibilities in political decision-making processes”, he said. “PDP believes that the youth of J& K have the right to seek meaningful employment, participation in decision-making that affects their lives, and protection from socio-economic and political exploitation” he said and added that the party would strive towards realizing this objective for the State’s emancipated young population, who have done us pride in every field. He especially mentioned towards latest UPSC results in which ten youth from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified for civil services.

Mufti said that youth of J&K have huge potential and it was need of the hour to channelize their potential.  He said that PDP was aware of the problems of unemployed youth and give special attention of solve this problem. During interaction Mufti reminded that PDP led regime had proved how to deliver justice to the educated unemployed youth of the State. He especially mentioned that during PDP led regime more than 70,000 youth were appointed as teachers under Rebar-e-Talim (ReT) scheme and more than 30,000 Anganwari workers were also appointed. “Not only a single case of favouritism or nepotism were reported during our tenure because appointments were made with complete transparency and accountability to ensure that only deserving people would get jobs”, he said. Mufti regretted that wrong policies being pursued by the National Conference led coalition have been fueling alienation and creating desperation among youth of the state.  He observed that instead of formulating a pro-youth policy, the present dispensation was brazenly trying to befool the younger generation by making false promises with them. He especially mentioned towards the much touted Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Policy announced by the state government some years back. “Where is that policy which was announced with much publicity?”, he asked, adding “the policy announced by the government was merely an eyewash and cruel joke with the unemployed youth of the state” Mufti exhorted the youth to become part of the movement for change in J&K. “Just concluded Lok Sabha polls have given impetus to the movement for change in J&K and it is need of the hour that youth should actively participate in this movement”, he said. 

Pvt schools floating Govt norms in JK

Srinagar: A student of 5^th standard was reportedly beaten to pulp by the teacher in South Kashmir on the grounds of incomplete homework in one of her subjects.

According to the KNS correspondent, a 5^th standard student namely Asma Rasool studying at MMET Pulwama was on Tuesday beaten up severely by her teacher after which the parents of the students lodged a formal complaint against the school and the teacher before police.

Ghulam Rasool Lone, the father of the harassed student told KNS over phone that his daughter Asma Rasool didn’t attend the school from the last two days and on the thread day, he she was beaten by up by the teacher for not possessing the computer book and completing the homework. Lone told KNS that the teacher sought the help of the 8^th class student for beating her daughter and abused her before other students. The parent of the student later went to the local police station wherein a formal compliant was lodged against the teacher.

Also the pictures in possession with the KNS revealed the torture marks on student’s body.

The school authorities when contacted told KNS that the teacher didn’t beat the student but only taunted the student for not completing her homework. The civil society groups here in the past raised concern over the floating of the norms by the private institutions and not abiding by the rules formulated by the state authorities for the educational institutions of the state.

Cannot speak on the issue: Soz

Srinagar: A day after National Conference leaders in the party’s Provincial Working Committee meeting for Kashmir accused Congress ministers for the debacle in the LS polls the CongressTuesday came down heavily on NC, stating that ‘Congress holds more prestige than NC’ in the state.

The insiders of the Congress party told KNS that the party leaders expressed deep anguish over the statements made by some NC leaders during the core group meet of the party wherein NC blamed Congress for the loss on LS elections. “It was unfortunate that some N senior leaders accuse Congress and its ministers for being involved in the scams. The fact is that Congress always raised voice against the rampant corruption in the state,” said a senior Congress leader and a minister while pleading anonymity.

Pertinently, NC in its Provincial Working Committee meeting for Kashmir held on Monday at party headquarters Srinagar decided to go alone in the forthcoming polls for Assembly, maintaining that the alleged involvement in controversies of some Congress ministers could dent the party’s image as was done during the Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress leaders stated that the party has taken strong note of the reports and that it will respond to the allegations leveled by NC in the very near future.

State Congress chief Saif-ud-Din Soz when contacted by KNS gave wide berth to the reports maintaining that the press must ask the people whom NC had accused of being involved in ‘scams’ and that he has no take over the issue.

Srinagar: The health and medical education department on Tuesday attached Dr Ishfaq-ul-Hassan, Block Medical Officer Achabal Anantnag.

Top sources in the department revealed to KNS that Dr Hassan was attached on the directions of the minister health and medical education Taj Mohiuddin, following some embezzlement charges.

“After his return, he was reinstated by the department and posted as BMO Verinag in Anantnag district,” sources said. The department has now attached Dr Hassan after some allegations were reportedly made against him and additional charges were given to Dr Mohammad Yousuf Zagoo Block Medical Officer Larnoo Kokernag. The CMO Anantnag and Director Health services were not available for their comments.

Srinagar: An application under Right to Information (RTI) Act has been filed before the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, ministry of law and parliamentary affairs and the vice chancellor Kashmir University seeking reasons thereof for deletion of subject pertaining to Rambir Penal Code (RPC) and Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir from the courses of LLB and post graduation in law.

Khalid Tufail, the social activist, who has filed the application told KNS, that he wants to make people aware about how their special identity under Article 370 is being ‘trampled’ by different channels. The applicant has also sought details of the committee and its members who were responsible for the deletion of RPC from law courses. “Information required, how and when the subject of RPC and constitution of J&K has been deleted from the law graduation courses/PG courses in law.   If so who were the members of the said committee and their names designations date minutes of meeting and the person/authority who has convened the said meeting,” the application filed by Tufail reads.

He has further sought reasons on the basis of which these two subjects were deleted from the law syllabus in Jammu and Kashmir.  “I state that the information sought does not fall within restrictions contained in section 8 and 9 of the RTI Act,” he has clarified further in his application.

Srinagar: The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which met on June 14, approved candidates for the upcoming assembly elections.

According to a statement issued to KNS, from Lolab, Abdul Haq Khan’s candidature has been repeated while as from Langate the party has given mandate to Ghulam Nabi Panditpuri, the brother of former MLA Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri. From Sangrama the   sitting MLA Syed Basharat Bukhari will contest the elections while as Mohammad Yasir Reshi will be contesting from Sonawari.

Molvi Imran Raza Ansari the son PDP senior leader Moulana Iftikhar Hussian Ansari has found his place in the list of PDP candidates. Imran will be contesting from  Zadibal constituency.

Mohammad Ashraf Mir, MLC will be contesting upcoming assembly elections from Sonwar on PDP ticket while the Javid Mustafa Mir the sitting MLA will be contesting from his constituency Chadoora.

From Tral the PDP candidate is Mushtaq Ahmad Shah while as from Pampore Zahoor Ahmad Mir will contest the upcoming elections. Abdul Majeed Padder the former Congress leader who recently joined the PDP will contest the election from Noorabad on PDP mandate.

From Kulgam Nazir Ahmad Laway will be contesting the upcoming elections while as from Shangus constituency Peerzada Mansoor Hussain the sitting MLA has been asked to contest the upcoming elections. Rafi Ahmad Mir the sitting MLA will contest from his constituency Pahalgam while as from Inderwal the party has selected Dr Abdul Majeed for the upcoming assembly elections.

Former divisional commissioner Kashmir Mehboob  Iqbal has been given mandate from

Bhaderwah constituency while as from Ramban, Swami Raj Bhagat will be contesting the upcoming elections on PDP ticket.

Similarly, from Banihal the former bureaucrat Bashir Ahmad Rouniyal has been given party mandate for the upcoming elections while as from Gool Arnas Imtiyaz  Hussain Shan will be contesting the elections.

The party has given mandate Sukh Dev who will be contesting the elections from Udhampur while from Chenani Hans Raj is the party candidate. For Jammu East Bharat Mahajan has been given party mandate for the upcoming assembly elections while as Bushan  Dogra will contest from Ranbir Singh Pura.

From Suchet Garh S.Trilok Singh Bajwa has been given mandate while as from Darhal Choudhary Zulfikar Ali will contest the elections. From Kalakote Syed Assad Hussain Shah Bari has found his place in the list of candidates for upcoming assembly elections, while as Choudhary Qamar will be contesting from Rajouri. From Nowshara Surindar Choudhary is the party candidate while as from Poonch Shah Mohammad Tantary will contest the upcoming assembly elections. The second list of candidates will be announced shortly, a party spokesman said.