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  • J&K Bank digital payments continue to disappoint, UPI services affected from Dec 13

    Srinagar, Dec 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Bank continues to disappoint customers with its digital services.

    Even as the customers were informed by text messages that UPI services will remain affected between 12 to 6 am on 13 December but customers say the service is still down.

    The customer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that none of the transactions were happening via UPI.

    Those with J&K Bank accounts and living outside the J&K, who mostly rely on online mode of payments using UPI services in multiple modes like PayTM, GPay and PhonePay were affected.

    We were able to make Mpay transfers for the same bank beneficiaries but transactions to other banks both from Mpay and UPTO services are not getting through,” they said.

    A Kashmiri student wrote on ‘X’ that the bank users outside Kashmir will have to wash dishes in some restaurant or soon will be thrashed because they are unable to make payments.

    “I suggest you take plenty of cash with yourself every time you go out,” he added.

    Another student told Kashmir News Observer-KNO, “I’ve been trying to send money through the Gpay app since yesterday but the app even fails to open”.

    In a statement, a J&K Bank official announced the bank’s UPI platform upgrade, necessitating a one-time reset of the UPI PIN/Passcode to ensure uninterrupted UPI services.

    “To change the PIN/Passcode, please utilize the Bank UP or NPCI registered apps such as Gpay, Paytm, PhonePe, etc., exclusively. It is advised for safety reasons not to click on any link for PIN change,” he said—(KNO)

  • Cases Involving JKLF Chief Yasin Malik: 3 Witnesses Fail To Appear Before TADA Court In Jammu

    JAMMU, Dec 14: Three witnesses, including former Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom, failed to appear in a special court here on Thursday in connection with the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, while separatist leader Yasin Malik and his associate Rafiq Pahloo appeared before it via video-conferencing. Pahloo was given a final opportunity by the special TADA court to file objections to an application for the cancellation of his bail in a 1990 case in which four Indian Air Force (IAF) officers were killed case and the abduction case of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of the then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
    “Four eyewitnesses were summoned to appear before the special court. Among them, Mian Qayoom did not appear and submitted a medical certificate that he is admitted in a hospital. It was said that another eyewitness (number 23) is dead. Both were witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed abduction case,” Senior Public Prosecutor S K Bhat said.
    In the case of the killing of the IAF personnel in a terror attack in Srinagar in 1990, the court had summoned two witnesses for identification, but they could not appear citing medical reasons, Bhat said, adding that both of them had to come from outside.
    Bhat said Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Malik and Pahloo appeared before the court via video-conferencing.
    The court would again hear the case of the killing of the IAF personnel on January 18 and the Rubaiya Sayeed case the next day.
    Bhat said Pahloo was given a last opportunity by the court for filing objections to an application for the cancellation of his bail. The court has agreed to summon eyewitnesses.
    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) moved an application in August for the cancellation of Pahloo’s bail in the two cases, informing the court that he had violated the bail conditions by allegedly indulging in separatist activities.
    Two witnesses — numbers 24 and 25 — were examined in November. They supported the prosecution’s case and identified accused Ali Mohammad Mir, Bhat said.
    Mir, who is the prime accused in the abduction case after Malik, had taken Rubaiya Sayeed in his vehicle to Sopore from Srinagar and kept her in a guesthouse.
    Malik, who is lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail where he is serving a term in connection with a terror-financing case, was not produced in the court physically due to an order issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs restricting his movement.
    Pahloo is lodged in the Central Jail in Srinagar following his arrest for reviving the terrorist apparatus in the Kashmir valley, Bhat said.
    Pahloo alias “Nanaji” was among the 10 terrorists arrested in July from a hotel in a case related to a conspiracy to revive the banned JKLF and separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference in the valley.
    The special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court has already framed charges separately against Malik and several others in both cases.
    The charges against Malik, Pahloo and eight others in the 1989 abduction case of Rubaiya Sayeed were framed by the court on January 11, 2021. (Agencies)

  • No govt jobs to those involved in stone pelting in J&K: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

    Srinagar, Dec 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said in that Rajya Sabha that announced the construction of a new prison for terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, costing Rs 105 crore, and stated that those engaged in stone pelting would be ineligible for government jobs

    “I want to ask the followers of Nehru, why was Article 370 was prefixed with the word “temporary” by him? SC upheld that challenging the Governor’s rule and President’s rule was not correct,” he said.
    “After facing such a defeat (in SC), I would have gone into depression and wouldn’t show up my face in Parliament for a month at least. But look at them (Opposition), they are doing a press conference that Article 370 was scrapped through wrong means,” the home minster said.
    “If you don’t mend your (Opposition) ways, you (seats) will reduce further in next elections and Modi ji will come back to power for a third term,” he added.
    “Who blocked the rights of my Gujjar Bakkarwal brothers for 75-years? It was these 3 families. I want to tell Digvijaya Singh that whenever he smiles there is a problem. So when he smiled and asked this question, I understood he wants to pit Gujjars against Bakkarwals. This will not disturb the reservation for Gujjars,” he said.
    “It was said that Kashmir is part of India due to Nehru. But I want to ask, there was a bigger problem in Hyderabad, did Nehru go there? Why did Digvijaya Singh not name Sardar Patel in context of Kashmir? The J&K integration was delayed as pressure was mounted on Maharaja to include one person- Sheikh Abdullah. You have to answer for the past,” he added.
    “New jail, only for terrorists at a cost of Rs 105 crore is being built in J&K. Anyone involved in stone pelting will not get government jobs,” he said and appeals to gun wielding youth of J&K to surrender weapons and join the mainstream.

  • Sad but not unexpected: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on SC verdict on Article 370

    Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday said the Supreme Court’s verdict on abrogation of Article 370 was ”sad but not unexpected”.

    The top court unanimously upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and directed restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir ”at the earliest” and set a September 30, 2024 deadline for holding assembly elections there. ”It’s sad but the verdict was not unexpected particularly in the present circumstances,” the Mirwaiz told PTI.

    He said people who facilitated accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in 1947 must be feeling deeply betrayed.

    ”Those people who at the time of the Partition facilitated the accession of J&K and reposed their faith in the promises and assurances given to them by the Indian leadership must feel deeply betrayed.

    For the rest, the State as it existed in August 1947 remains divided on the ceasefire line, and hence continues to be a bleeding humanitarian and political issue, begging redressal,” he added.

    The Hurriyat chief was released from house arrest in September, four years after he was taken into detention in the wake of abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019.

  • Concerns mount as patients decry ‘excessive fees’ at some private clinics in Kashmir

    Srinagar: A surge in complaints from patients seeking medical care at private clinics in Kashmir has brought attention to issues ranging from steep fees to the absence of heating arrangements during the winter season.

    News agency KNS reported that patients have raised alarms about what they perceive as “excessive” fees charged by some private clinics in the Kashmir Valley.

    The costs associated with consultations, diagnostic tests, and prescribed medications have become a substantial financial burden for some.

    Shabir Ahmad, a patient, expressed shock at being charged Rs 600 for a routine visit to a Gastroenterologist, highlighting the growing disparity between healthcare costs and the financial capacity of a significant portion of the population.

    Patients, choosing to remain anonymous, shared stories of unexpected bills, advocating for greater transparency in pricing and a mechanism to address overcharging concerns.

    Another pressing issue raised by patients is the lack of heating arrangements in the majority of the private clinics, particularly during the harsh winter months in Kashmir. The cold climate poses additional challenges for patients, especially those with chronic illnesses or elderly individuals more susceptible to the cold.

    Complaints range from uncomfortably cold waiting areas to chilly examination rooms, prompting questions about the adequacy of facilities to provide essential warmth to patients.

    Some have reported avoiding necessary medical visits during winter due to the discomfort caused by the lack of heating infrastructure.

    In response to these concerns, calls for increased regulatory oversight of private clinics in Kashmir are gaining momentum.

    Advocates argue that regulations are necessary not only to address issues related to excessive fees but also to ensure healthcare facilities provide a comfortable environment for patients, regardless of weather conditions.

    Local activists and healthcare advocates are urging authorities to establish a mechanism for monitoring and regulating the pricing of medical services in private clinics. They emphasize the need for enforcing standards that guarantee the provision of basic amenities, including heating arrangements, to safeguard the well-being of patients.

    Healthcare providers respond by stating that the costs associated with running a medical facility contribute to the pricing structure, including infrastructure maintenance and operational expenses.

    However, they acknowledge the need for balance to ensure healthcare remains accessible to a broader segment of the population.

    Healthcare professionals express a commitment to addressing heating arrangement issues, pledging efforts to enhance patient comfort, particularly during the winter season.(KNS)

  • Fast track Court in Srinagar convicts a man for sexually assaulting her minor daughter  

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  • Dr Rukhsar From Kashmir Clinches Second Runner-Up Title in MasterChef India Season 8

    Dr Rukhsar Saeed, Kashmir food technologist has secured the second runner-up position in the latest season of MasterChef India.

    Dr Rukhsar became the first contestant from Kashmir to participate in India’s biggest food reality show.

    The grand finale of the show was telecasted on Friday in which Mohammad Ashiq of Manglore was declared winner of Master Chef India Season 8.

    Dr Rukhsar was declared as the second runner up of the show. She has won Rs 5 lakh for securing the second position in the show.
    The recently concluded season saw Dr. Rukhsar not only securing a coveted spot among the final 12 contestants but also got good remarks from the judges for taking Kashmiri cuisines to such a big platform.

    Out of 12 passionate chefs, only 4 reached the finale—Nambie Marak, Mohammed Aashiq, Dr Rukhsaar Sayeed and Suraj Thapa
    In a gruelling audition process held in June, she navigated through a series of challenges and tests, showcasing her exceptional skills and unwavering determination.

    Dr. Rukhsar, a native of Pampore, who has already stated that she is on a mission to introduce the world to the unique and delectable flavors of Kashmiri cuisine, said she learned the recipe of this ‘lost Kashmiri dish’ from her mother, who, in turn, had inherited it from her mother (Rukhsar’s grandmother).

    In her final culinary creation of the season, Ruksar curated a harmonious Brotherhood Platter, featuring a delightful fusion of flavors from both Muslim and Kashmiri Pandit traditions. The exquisite dish showcased a medley of Wazwan delicacies, including Rogan Josh, Dum Aloo, and Bata Haakh, symbolizing the rich culinary tapestry that unites diverse communities

  • First time after Independence, 2 Crore tourists visit J&K up to November this year: Union Tourism Minister

    Says number of tourist arrivals highest after Article 370 roll back; 85 lakh foreign tourists visit India this year, G-20 meetings gave big push to tourism industry of country, PM Modi grand ambassador of India’s tourism, showcases India’s tourism potential in every foreign visit

    Srinagar, Dec 07: Union Tourism Minister G Kishen Reddy Thursday said that for the first time after Independence, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded the arrival of two crore tourists up to November this year.

    Replying to a query in the Parliament, Reddy, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that for the first time after India’s Independence, Jammu and Kashmir has seen two crore tourist arrivals including foreigners up to November this year. “The figure is set to go up further by December end,” he said.

    He said that there has been 155 per cent increase in the overall tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2021 and 2022. “85 lakh foreign tourists visited India this year so far,” he said.

    The Union Minister said that Prime Minister Narendear Modi has played a huge role in showcasing India’s tourism potential and tourism Industry. “PM Modi has been the brand ambassador of India’s tourism industry. In his (PM’s) every foreign visit, Modiji showcased India’s huge tourism potential that attracted lakhs of tourists to India,” he said.

    The Union Minister said G-20 meetings have played a great role in promoting India’s tourism. “The ambassadors rather than the representatives sent by over 30 countries were the cream of foreign countries. Almost 200 meetings of G-20 were held across India including one in J&K. The participants went back to their respective countries as ambassadors of tourism,” he said, adding that the Tourism Industry of India got a big push after a successful G-20 meeting this year.

    Interestingly, Tourism officials in J&K believe that the G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar in May this year helped lure a large number of foreign tourists to Kashmir. Official source said that this year upto November, almost 50,000 foreign guests visited Kashmir and the number went up after the successful G-20 summit in Srinagar.

    On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, told the Parliament that J&K will surpass 2 Crore tourist arrivals this year and the previous record set by BJP will be broken by none other than BJP itself. A Tourism official told KNO that exploring offbeat destinations, reviving film and border tourism, promoting home stays were some major steps taken by the Tourism department to lure large number of tourists this year to Valley—(KNO)

  • No one in J&K happy with Art 370 abrogation: Omar Abdullah

    Says people will show ‘real sentiment’ through ballot, alleges fixed game by BJP, EC on elections in UT

    Pulwama, Dec 06: Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said no one in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was happy with the decision to abrogate the special status of the erstwhile State.

    As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), speaking to the media after addressing party workers in Pulwama Town, the National Conference vice president said that the foundation of the relationship between J&K and India was based on the special status provided by Article 370 and 35A. With their abrogation, the BJP has harmed this relationship, he said.

    “They (BJP) have done it without considering the sentiments of lakhs of people in J&K. The promise made to the people here wasn’t made by a single leader; it was made by a country. It was a bond between a country and a State that has been damaged,” he remarked.

    Omar said the “real sentiment” of the people would be evident when elections would be conducted. “Let them conduct elections, people will show them whether they are happy with the decision or not, but the truth is that people of J&K and Ladakh aren’t happy with the decision. The people of Ladakh have already shown it; the people of J&K also showed it in DDC elections and will prove it again whenever assembly elections are held,” he said.

    Abdullah criticised the Central government and the Election Commission (EC), accusing them of playing a fixed game when it comes to elections. “Depriving people of their right to choose their representatives would lead to destruction, as people have been denied this right since 2014,” he said.

    “When you ask the government, they say the decision is to be taken by the EC. When the EC is asked about it, they say they need to consult the government first. It is evident both are hiding behind each other, while the people of J&K have to bear the consequences,” he added.

    Omar also mentioned the Prime Minister’s promises of removing distance from Delhi and the hearts of the people saying no such steps were taken on the ground.

    Regarding the remarks of a DMK leader about ‘Gaumutra States’, the former CM suggested that one should not hurt the sentiments of others. “We must respect each other’s religion,” he said.

    In his address to the workers, the NC leader said that the BJP has failed to fulfill promises made during the abrogation of Article 370. “They made promises for 24×7 power supply through various types of meters, which have proven ineffective on the ground, especially with frequent power cuts in both urban and rural areas,” he said.

    Abdullah also criticised the BJP for “failing to provide jobs to the youth and for not initiating new industries, hospitals, universities or colleges”—(KNO)
    [06/12, 8:41 pm] +91 90868 20334: *Maintain strict vigil on feeders vulnerable to power pilferage: MD KPDCL to EEs*

    *‘Minimise unscheduled power cuts, stick to curtailment schedule’*

    Srinagar, Dec 06 (KNO): Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Mussarat Islam, has emphasised upon the Superintending Engineers of all 06 O&M Circles of Kashmir Division to improve billing and collection efficiency which has a direct bearing on the revenue realisation and reduction in AT &C losses.

    He passed these directions during a meeting held today to review the functioning of the corporation with focus on inspections and disconnections, revenue realisation, DT damages and strict adherence to curtailment schedule.

    Chief Engineer, Distribution, Javed Yousuf Dar, Superintending Engineers of all O&M Circles, Executive Engineers of all Electric Divisions and SDOs attended the meeting.

    Laying emphasis on strict adherence to curtailment schedule, MD reiterated the earlier directions passed by the Principal Secretary Power and impressed upon all the officers to ensure that no unscheduled power cuts are undertaken. He also laid stress on maintaining strict vigil over feeders which are vulnerable to power pilferage by way of hooking, bypass of meters and exceeding agreed load.

    The meeting was informed that KPDCL has conducted 14,893 inspections during the month of November and imposed a fine of Rs.1.80 crore. As many as 995 illegal connections were regularised and a load of 2.9 MW added. The KPDCL went into overdrive in the last 10 days of November, following complaints of large-scale hooking and non-payment of dues by defaulting consumers.

    MD KPDCL and Chief Engineer (Distribution) appreciated the escalated drives of inspections and disconnections which are crucial to improvement in power scenario, especially in peak winter months.

    During the current financial year, KPDCL has conducted 78,673 inspections and regularised 31,706 connections in Kashmir Division, the meeting was informed. KPDCL has also disconnected 13229 consumers for want of non-payment of energy dues, for which Rs.4.83 crore arrears were collected from defaulting consumers in November alone.

    Appreciating the performance of all Electric Divisions in launching a massive drive against power pilferage, MD KPDCL advised all the Executive Engineers to improve billing and collection efficiency, which is at the core of bringing down AT&C losses. He fixed the responsibility of concerned SDOs to further improve revenue realisation, which will be continuously monitored.

    Expressing concern over slight increase in DT damage rate, MD KPDCL directed all AEEs to maintain log of damaged transformers and its replacement within the timelines fixed by keying in relevant details on the newly revised designated portal.

    MD KPDCL also directed SEs to prepare Circle-wise post-snow preparedness plans for real time restoration of power supply. He advised the SEs to also keep an eye on weather forecast which shall allow them mobilise men and machinery in advance—(KNO)

  • Kashmir Suffered For Years Due To Nehru’s Two Major Blunders: HM Amit Shah

    New Delhi- Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday blamed India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s “two major blunders” — declaring a ceasefire without winning the entire Kashmir and taking the issue to the United Nations — for the sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, Shah said if Nehru had taken the right steps, a large chunk of territory would not have been ceded and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir would have been part of India.

    “I support the word that was used here — Nehruvian blunder. Because of the blunder that was committed during the time of Nehru, Kashmir had to suffer. With responsibility, I want to say that the two big blunders that happened during the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru, happened due to his decisions, because of which Kashmir had to suffer for years,” Shah said.

    “Kashmir had to suffer due to Nehruvian blunders. One was that when our Army was winning and as soon as Punjab area was reached, ceasefire was declared and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was born. If the ceasefire would have been (declared) three days later, PoK would have been part of India,” the home minister said.

    The ceasefire made without winning the entire Kashmir was one “blunder” and the other was taking the issue to the UN.

    There was an uproar by the opposition benches over the remarks on Nehru and they staged a walkout but returned later.

    After their walkout, BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said the home minister should also talk about the “Himalayan blunder”, a reference to Nehru’s actions leading up to the war with China in 1962. Shah quipped that his talking about two blunders had upset the opposition benches and if he had used the phrase “Himalayan blunder”, they would have resigned.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the remarks made were not an insult to anyone and were only made to put things in context.

    In his remarks, Shah also alleged that the Kashmir matter was taken to the UN in a hurry.

    “If at all it had to be taken to the UN, it should have been sent under Article 51 rather than Article 35 of the UN Charter,” he said, asserting that he of course believes that the issue should not have been taken to the UN in the first place.

    Shah also quoted Nehru as saying later that the ceasefire was a “mistake”. Shah added that it was not Nehru’s mistake but a blunder.

    “So much land of this country was lost, it was a historic blunder,” the home minister added.

    Talking about the abrogation of Article 370, Shah said it had nothing to do with going back on promise as it was a temporary article and had to go.

    “You did not have the courage, PM Narendra Modi showed courage and did away with it,” he said, referring to the opposition benches.

    Shah pointed out that the two bills on Jammu and Kashmir seek to nominate two Kashmiri Migrant community members, including a woman, to the assembly.

    One seat in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be set aside for people displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the home minister said.

    More than 45,000 people have lost their lives due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir so far, he said.

    Shah said the government’s focus was on ending the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

    He said a plan to have zero terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir is in force for three years and it will be successful by 2026.

    “I believe Modi government will return to power in 2024 and by 2026, I hope there will be no terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    Shah said the two bills will give justice to those deprived of their rights for the last 70 years and asserted that reservation to the displaced people will give them a voice in the legislature.

    He said that had terrorism been tackled at the beginning without considering vote-bank politics, Kashmiri Pandits would not have had to leave Kashmir Valley.

    He said one of the bills seeks to give representation in the assembly to those who had to leave Kashmir due to terrorism.

    Shah also lashed out at the Congress for talking about backward classes, saying that if any party has harmed backward classes and come in the way of their growth, it is the Congress.

    He said Narendra Modi was born into a poor family and became the prime minister and he knows the pain of the backward classes and the poor.

    The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill were passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.