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Students allege that according to the notification, Authorities consider only diploma holders eligible, whereas professional degree holders are being deprived from the eligibility which is mere injustice

Students demanded withdrawal of the posts till the eligibility is “rectified as per the justified eligibility criteria”

Chaotic scenes were witnessed at Shalimar campus of SKUAST-Kashmir after horticulture students protest against the university authorities for allegedly preferring diploma holders over professional degree holders for recruitments.

The protesting students blocked the entry and exit gates of the Shalimar campus which led to the chaotic situation at the varsity.

They said that they will end their protest only after an assurance from the university administration and the government that their grievance will be addressed.

With regard to their reservations over the recruitment rules, the protesting students accused the government of ruining their career saying that one-year diploma holders (BHT) had been kept eligible for Horticulture Technician-1V posts whereas professional degree holders (B. Sc. Horticulture graduates) were ironically deprived from the eligibility.

They said that in the in the recently advertised posts of Canning Instructor, the JKSSB had set Degree/Diploma in Food Processing or Fruit Preservation as eligibility criteria for the post, however in case of Horticulture Technician-IV, Diploma holders had been exclusively made eligible to apply.

“Such a blunder in eligibility criteria by the higher-ups in the administration has left the unemployed horticulture professionals in a state of despair,” a protesting student alleged.

The aggrieved students demanded withdrawal of the said posts till the eligibility is “rectified as per the justified eligibility criteria”.

They demanded the related amendment in the eligibility criteria be brought about on priority basis as they have been waiting for the vacancies for more than a decade.

The protesting Horticulture graduates further complained that there had been no progress in the 2018 Rehbar-e-Baghbani scheme proposal by the department for engaging professionals they said had added to their miseries.

The Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir Prof Mushtaq Ahmad said the job of university was to provide degrees and produce Human Resource for serving in various government departments.

“Our job is not to provide employment, the Government has to frame a policy for them. We provide our students with a degree to make them employable,” he said.

The vice chancellor further said they have written to the government a number of times about the matter. “But it takes time to finalise policy decisions in government. Students should act patiently and understand that university cannot frame job policy for government departments,” he said.

Kupwara, Feb 16: The formers chief minister and president People’s Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday said that they are not talking about the restoration of statehood but all they want is to restore the status of Jammu and Kashmir which it had before August 05, 2019.

Srinagar, Feb 16: The impasse between the administration and meat dealers over meat prices in Kashmir Valley is likely to end as the trade body Kashmir Economic Alliance’s ‘fact-finding’ committee covering meat prices in outside markets has submitted its report to the authorities.

Led by Farooq Ahmed Dar, Convener of the Committee and Co-Chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance, the members of the Committee on Monday submitted the report to the Director, Department of Civil Supply, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Divisional Administration. Bi-lingual 18 page report, compiled in Urdu and English features the prices of meat in Delhi, Rajasthan, Ambala and Amritsar markets.

Sources told KNT that the fact finding Committee in its report has said that meat retail dealers procure Grade (A) meat for Rs Rs 518 per KG and it is up to the government to add some profit to this amount for these retailers.

Although the price includes the profits of the wholesalers and commission agents of Delhi, the profits of the butchers are not included in the report. The report said that members have followed proper criteria before fixing the rate of the meat.

The report states that Rajasthan’s Sekar Mandi has the best live cattle available, with a very good breed, while Amritsar has sheep and goats of lower quality. According to the report, the average price of meat from Rajasthan Mandi to Kashmir reaches the valley at Rs. 541 per kg, while the average price of meat from Delhi Mandi to the valley reaches at Rs. 527. The price of meat from Ambala to the Valley is estimated at Rs. 516. The average price of meat from Amritsar to Kashmir has been fixed at Rs 490.

Taking into account the prices of meat in all the four markets, the Fact Finding Committee has presented a break-up of the price of meat at Rs 518.5 per kg. It has been mentioned that the same committee members in outside mandis participated in fake bids to find out the real facts, met market traders, discussed with Meat Union officials, of Delhi, Ambala, Rajasthan and Amritsar.

The fact-finding committee in its report also made recommendations and suggestions to the authorities, including regulating meat industry, raising issues with the concerned States to prevent illegal tax collection outside and mutton dealers have been urged to adopt procedures in the interest of consumers.

Sources said that there are indications that the four-month standoff between the administration and the mutton dealers will come to an end once the administration will take a call on this report. There has been a shortage of meat in the Valley from the past two weeks and most butchers have closed their shops as a mark of protest.

Administration, pertinently, has fixed the retail price of meat in the Valley at 480 per KG and the wholesale price at 450, after which there was a tussle over these rates. Authorities cracked down on butchers violating government prices. Following the intervention of the Kashmir Economic Alliance, the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, on the instructions of the divisional administration dispatched a team to ascertain prices in outside Mandis, while a team from the Kashmir Economic Alliance, including Traders and Journalists that visited the four mandis from December 20 to 28. These mandis include Ghazipur Delhi, Sikar Rajhstan, Ambal and Amritsar. (KNT)

Mehbooba Mufti seeks impartial inquiry

Srinagar: Three Army Soldiers have been found allegedly involved in the alleged molestation and making an abduction bid on a minor girl last week in Chewa area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Sources told that the three persons who were held on February 10th this month are Army Soldiers.

Sources said “The accused Army soldiers have been identified as Sub-inspector Harbachan Singh, Naik Amit Tahkor and Hawaldar Manzoor Ahmad. All the trios are facing police detention regarding the incident.”

An official confirmed to news agency KDC that police have registered an FIR bearing number 15/2021 under sections 341, 363, 511 IPC last week at Police Station Sumbal following family’s complainant.

Meanwhile, Former Chief Minister of J&K, Mehbooba Mufti while reacting over the incident on Tuesday took to micro blogging site twitter and wrote, “Locals in Bandipora have alleged that 3 army men tried to abduct & molest a 9 year old girl. Her family is now being pressurized to withdraw the FIR. Its a complete travesty of justice & an impartial probe must be set up immediately so that they are given the harshest punishment.”

SSP Bandipora Rahul Malik confirmed that three arrests have been made in this regard and we have not received any complaint so far about reports of pressurizing, adding that no one is being pressured from any quarter as further investigations into the matter are underway.

Old wooden bridges exist only at Zaina Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal turned into footbridge, remaining four constructed afresh

Srinagar, Feb 15: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was famous for housing seven bridges is fast losing its pride of being a city of seven bridges.

Out of the seven original wooden bridges that existed in the J&K, only two old wooden bridges while as alternative new bridges have come up parallel to the older ones.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the seven bridges include Amira Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Aali Kadal, Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal.

Nonetheless, only two old bridges, which have been renovated from time to time including Habba Kadal and Zaina Kadal exist in Srinagar while the old bridges at other places don’t exist anymore and new bridges have come up at the places.

Maximum of the bridges as per locals have been damaged in fire incidents during the initiation of militancy in Kashmir, saying that the new bridges were constructed at a few yards far from the already existing old bridges.

Of two existing old bridges, Zaina Kadal has its own historical perspective as this bridge was constructed by Zainul Aabideen in the 15th century, Ghulam Hassan, an elderly man sitting on the old copper shop, said.

He added that this bridge was personally constructed by Zainul Aabideen, who was also known as ‘Badshah’ (King), saying that the base of this bridge was made of Deodar logs, which unfortunately was later replaced by some blue-eyed people while renovating the historical bridge.

“A new bridge was in consideration at the site of old bridge, but unfortunately a huge amount was wasted and no bridge was constructed,” the elderly shopkeeper said, adding that this bridge is not getting proper attention by the government as huge garbage could be seen piled up at the base of this bridge, which should have been frequently removed.

Zareef Ahmad Zareef in a video is describing Srinagar thoroughly in which he stated that the first bridge was constructed is Aali Kadal by Shah Miri Sultan, Ali Shah in 1415 AD.

He said that the second bridge was constructed by his brother, Zainul Aabideen , who ruled Kashmir from 1420-1470 (Fifty years three months and 21 days), the period known as golden period. He constructed the Zaina Kadal Bridge in 1427.

Later Fateh Shah constructed a third bridge known as Fateh Kadal in 1500AD, he said, adding that Habba Kadal was constructed by Habib Shah in 1573 AD.

Besides, Nawa Kadal was constructed by Afghan Governor Noor Din Khan in 1666 AD and Safa Kadal was constructed by Saif Khan, an Afghan Governor in 1671 AD. Amira Kadal was also constructed by Afghan Governor Amir Khan Jawan Sher in 1774 AD.

These were seven bridges, which were famous and people in these localities were known to each other properly, he said, adding that later some more bridges were constructed by Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad including Budshah Kadal and Zero bridge in 1957 while Cement bridge was constructed during Sadiq rule.

He added that new Amira Kadal was constructed by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah during his rule 1975-1982, saying that he constructed two bridges during his rule including Biscoe Bridge (New Fateh Kadal).

The old Fateh Kadal, which was constructed in 1500 AD was turned into Foot Bridge during Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s rule.

This reporter during a visit to the localities nearby these seven bridges told KNO that Old bridges like at Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal were damaged in fire incidents following which new bridges were constructed at the nearby place.

Habba Kadal as per the locals was renovated in 2013 to 2015 to keep this wooden bridge preserved as heritage.

Nonetheless, the other old bridges including Nawa Kadal, Safa Kadal, Amira Kadal, Fateh Kadal and Aali Kadal doesn’t exist anymore as new bridges have been constructed by the successive regimes at the place—(KNO)

Srinagar Feb 15: National Conference president and Member Parliament Farooq Abdullah Monday said Centre should restore Article 370, and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir which were protecting rights of people.
“We are seeking restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which were protecting rights of people here. The August 5, 2019 decision has impacted all regions of J&K. It was because of Article 370 that farmers were not committing suicide here because these laws were protecting them,” Abdullah told reporters here according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
“These laws (Article 370, 35-A were not for Farooq but for every citizen of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.”
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claims that J&K is on the path of development since Article 370 was abrogated, Abdullah said, “He (Amit Shah) should listen to speech of Ghulam Nabi Azad which he made in the Raj Sabha where he said how J&K was far ahead in development than Gujarat before August 5. We are now moving backwards.”
Union Home Minister has said in the Parliament, “We were asked what did we do about promises made during abrogation of Article 370. It has been 17 months since the abrogation and you are demanding an account for it. Did you bring the account of what you did for 70 years? Had you worked properly, you need not have asked us.”
Speaking about recent DDC polls, the Home Minister said: “Nobody, not even our rivals can say that there was fraud or unrest during the election (DDC). Everyone voted fearlessly and peacefully. 51% votes were cast in the Panchayat elections. Jinhone Dhara 370 waapis laane ke aadhar par chunav lada tha wo saaf ho gaye saaf (Those who had fought the elections based on the issue of bringing back Article 370 have lost.)”
Farooq Abdullah also claimed discrepancies in District Development Council elections. “See what happened in Budgam. In Shopian, our people were locked to ensure victory of others. But we will continue our fight against wrong doings.”
About Sajad Lone-led Peoples Conference parting ways with PAGD, he said, “Sajad Lone may have certain compulsions. I can’t comment on that. We can’t stop anyone from leaving PAGD. We are not fighting for power but for certain element that want to divide the nation on the basis of religion.” (KINS)

Budgam: A 32-year-old man from Dooniwara locality of Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the man died after a car he was travelling in met with an accident today morning.

Syed Asrar son of Syed Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Dooniwara area of Chadoora dies in road accident in Saudi Arabia.

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The deceased was identified as Syed Asrar son of Syed Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Dooniwara area of Chadoora.

The official said that the man was working in Jeddah.

“More than 80 percent of the healthcare workers have turned down the vaccine,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said most of the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in Kashmir are opting out of Covid-19 vaccine.

“Out of 7,000 healthcare workers at Government Medical College Srinagar and its associated hospitals, only 1,167 (16.67 percent) have received the vaccine as on February 09. 5, 833 workers (83.33 percent) have opted out of the vaccine.”

“Such a large percentage of medical personnel declining to take the vaccine is a major concern,” he said.

“It is a troubling development, especially since healthcare workers are at higher risk of contracting the virus and their sickness would mean disruption of healthcare delivery system.”

“Medical staff would imperil patients by snubbing Covid-19 shots,” DAK President said.

“Unvaccinated staff have the potential to transmit the disease to patients who are vulnerable to Covid related complications and death.”

He said the most frequent explanation for hesitancy is mistrust and misinformation.

Other reason for reluctance is that most healthcare workers are young and they feel invincible.

Some simply want to wait as they are fearful of being first in line.

Those who have recovered from Covid-19 believe that they don’t need the vaccine.

“Vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers will have implications on vaccine coverage among the population,” Dr Nisar said.

“The idea of vaccinating healthcare providers first is to help pave way for broader vaccine acceptance.”

“But if they are reluctant for the vaccine, we will be having a huge challenge in convincing the general population to take the vaccine,” he said.

“Vaccine confidence among healthcare workers is vital in promoting public vaccine confidence.”

“We have a lot more to do to get the healthcare workers to take the vaccine. Simply making it available is not enough – we have to make a more precise and targeted approach to overcome hesitancy among them,” said Dr Nisar.

Srinagar: Amar Singh College here in summer-capital has announced application of odd-even rule for the proposed resumption of classwork on February 15 in Valley, after a winter break of nearly fifty days.

The College Principal Professor Bashir Ahmad Rather told GNS that the classwork will be resumed in pursuance of a Government Order number 18-JK (HE) of 2021 on February 15.

The classwork will be resumed on an odd-even basis wherein students with odd roll numbers for second, fourth and sixth semester will attend the College on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and those enrolled with even roll numbers will attend on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively, he said.

However the classwork for first upto fourth semester for students pursuing PG in Geography and seventh semester IG (PG) English will be conducted on all days of the week, he said.

The SOPs have been elaborated thoroughly, which will are to be followed mandatorily by each stakeholder and no leniency would be tolerated by anyone in this regard, he said.

All the students, teaching and non-teaching staff shall mandatorily wear facemasks, download Aarogya Setu Application on their mobile phones besides following other guidelines”, he said adding that the extra-curricular activities have been put on hold even as all measures put in place to ensure physical distance is maintained in and around the premises of each college and varsity.(GNS)