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Srinagar: A team of enforcement wing of FCS&CA, Srinagar led by Deputy Director, Mohammed Akbar Bhat has realised a fine of Rs. 1.5 lac as fine from petrol/diesel pumps, shopkeepers and mutton sellers during inspection for violating different provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.

During inspection, the Deputy Director reviewed the compliance of instructions issued by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir regarding the rationing of petroleum products including diesel, petrol and LPG as ordered after the closure of National Highway.

The enforcement team on the occasion inspected the petrol and diesel pumps at Batamaloo, Polo View, Dalgate and Sonwar areas besides, Gas Agency at Sonwar. The Deputy Director instructed the petrol pump owners and Gas agencies to ensure strict adherence of the directions issued regarding the rationing of petroleum products.

Similarly, to check illegal profiteering and overcharging by shopkeepers and mutton sellers, the enforcement team conducted market checking at various locations across Srinagar.

During the drive, the market checking team fined the violators and lodged FIR against a couple of shopkeepers at Shergarhi Bazar while seven shops were sealed yesterday.

The Deputy Director warned that strict action shall be taken against the traders found involved in illegal practices. He added that the market checking drive will continue across the Kashmir division.

Regarding the rationing of petrol and diesel distribution, he said this order will continue to remain in force till the weather improves and the National Highway is restored completely—(KNO)

Srinagar: Srinagar Police on Thursday claimed to have arrested two thieves and have recovered stolen property from their possession.

Police spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that on 12-01-2021, Police Station Karan Nagar received a written complaint from Muhammad Ashraf of Lajoura Pulwama, stating therein that some unknown person(s) have stolen his mobile phone at SMHS Hospital Srinagar.

Accordingly, police said that a case under FIR number 01/2021 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Karan Nagar and investigation was initiated.

“During the course of investigation, a special team was constituted and deputed to SMHS hospital Srinagar who nabbed one suspect identified as Sameer Ahmad Katto resident of Noorbagh Bagwanpora Srinagar. During his personal search five (05) mobile phones were recovered,” police said.

“When the officers spoke to him, they learnt about his involvement along with an accomplice identified as Sharif Ahmad Sheikh resident of Barthana Qamarwari Srinagar in the commission of crime. Subsequently, he was also arrested. Both the accused persons were involved in stealing the mobile phones and other belongings of people in distress at hospital,” police said, adding that further investigation into the matter is going on while more arrests and recoveries are expected—(KNO)

Srinagar: Around 400 companies are expected to invest a huge amount of Rupees 22,000 crores in Jammu and Kashmir in next 10 years for business purposes.

After the abolition of article 370, when J&K became UT, the Government has allotted 25,000 kanals of land to the Industries and Commerce department which comprises of 17,000 kanals of land of Jammu and 8,000 kanals of land of Jammu for the development of Industrial Park in the UT and easier land bank for the businessmen.

A lot of industrial growth is expected to happen in Infrastructure, IT, Tourism, Health, Technology, Renewable energy, Defence, Manufacturing, Hospitality and Skill Education. Many companies have given a word for their agreement while others have already signed the MOU for laying the foundation of their offices and factories.

Sun Pharma in Health, RK Hoteliers Associate in Hospitality with an investment proposal of 500 crores and Reshmi Group with an investment proposal of 700 crores and a project plan to Reasi Administration has already been given. Other than these, Reliance Ammunition Limited for defence and Jackson Group, Indo-American Synergy, HCH Limited, Dalmia Cement India, Universal Success Entrepreneur and Enterprises are the companies whose proposals are under consideration.

In order to avoid time wastage for these businesses-men, single window system will be applied by the Government. According to them, the outside companies coming to J&K will boost employment for the youth and will lead to development. (PTK)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday extended by four more days the ban on import of poultry as bird flu spreads in neighoring states.

“In continuation of the government order no. 09-ASH of 20121 dated 07-01-2021 and in exercise of the powers conferred under contagious Disease Act, 2009, the ban imposed on import of live birds including poultry and unprocessed poultry meat for any purpose into J&K shall continue to remain operative till January 18,” reads a Government order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

“The decision will be reviewed based on the evolving situation,” the order by Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to Government, added.

The order comes as the administration continues to maintain that there is no cases of bird flu or avian influenza in the J&K so far even as urged people not to panic or stop using poultry products.

The administration has already issued an advisory to poultry owners and dealers for the prevention of the spread of the disease.

The advisory, issued by the Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department to stakeholders, directed the poultry farmers to improve bio-security measures in the farms and not allow any artificial ponds, small water bodies inside and around the farm premises which may attract wild birds and is a risk to the poultry.

Keep the farm premises and shed surroundings vegetation-free. Regularly clean the areas. Keep feed supplies and water for poultry protected as they attract wild birds and rodents, it said. GNS)

Jammu: Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari has said that they will hit roads if the administration continues to remain non-responsive towards the suffering of the people during the harsh winter season.

Statement reads, “The situation in Jammu as well as in Kashmir is difficult for the common people. The unscheduled power cuts, shortage of drinking water and poor response from the administration has made the people suffer during the harsh winter season,” Altaf Bukhari said.

A function was organized at Apni Party Office in Gandhi Nagar in which prominent social worker and contesting candidate of DDC Choudhary Tazeem Gujjar alongwith Tanveer Ahmed, Aquib Sharif, Mohammed Rafiq, Ishtaq Ahmed, Mohammed Saleeq and others joined Apni Party in presence of Party President Altaf Bukhari.

Besides, a retired KAS officer namely Choudhary Pawan Kumar and Balbir Singh, Narinder Singh, and Gurvinder Singh among others also joined the Party.

The joining programme was attended by Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, General Secretaries Vijay Bakaya, Vikram Malhotra, Provincial President Jammu Manjit Singh, Ex-MLA Rajouri Choudhary Qamar and others.

While welcoming her into the party, Bukhari said that the people have hopes only with the Apni Party in Jammu and Kashmir due to its unbiased approach towards the suffering of the people.

“We work for the people, not for the power. The traditional power hungry parties in Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PADG) have been exposed for their misdeeds and inability to come upto the expectation of the people,” he said.

Referring to the woe of the people against the non-responsible administration in J&K, Bukhari warned that the Apni Party will hit the roads against the bureaucratic system which remained unconcerned about the concerns of the people.

“From ration supply systems, medical aid to other necessary things, the administration has failed to handle on ground. It is happening because of poor management and monopoly of two-three bureaucrats who mainly control the administration in J&K. The administration must be responsible towards the people and should not neglect the people in general,” he said.

Seeking restoration of 4G speedy internet services in J&K, Bukhari expressed surprise that “I fail to understand when 4G speed internet is available in the rest of the country, why it is made a concession for J&K. What is given to the rest of the country is being denied to us. Is this what the new order is?”

He said that the e-commerce and education of the student has affected badly with the restriction on high speed internet. “The situation has improved and the militancy has also declined but the internet services are being denied in an unjustified manner,” he added.

He said that the assembly elections must be held in J&K as early as possible and only the popular Govt is responsible to the people.

Bukhari said that even as the Apni Party came into being nine months back, the people in Jammu Region have welcomed the party and its agenda of unity and development gradually.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President and Former Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir advocated unity and restoration of statehood to J&K.

“The statehood restoration is a common cause of both the regions and they want it to be restored without further delay. We do not represent any one region. For us, both the regions are equal,” said Mir.

He said that in a short time, the Party’s cadre has increased due to its developmental agenda.

“We are against the divisive forces. Such forces have failed in DDC elections,” he added.

SSP Traffic Srinagar, Javaid Ahmed Koul said that they have recommended for ten days the odd-even rule to reduce the traffic flow.

Due to un-cleared snow on the roads, the authorities are mulling to introduce ‘odd-even rule’ in the summer capital Srinagar.

“Following the accumulation of snow on Srinagar roads, there has been a traffic mess. The snow mounds on roadsides have further narrowed the roads triggering traffic jams. The rule when implemented will give a breather to both the authorities and the commuters” a traffic official said.

The official said that Srinagar traffic police have written to higher ups in the administration in this regard so that the rule can be implemented for a period of ten days.

‘Situation not conducive to pull out troops from J&K’

Jammu: Maintaining that India is ready for any challenge, the Indian Army chief General M M Naravane Tuesday said that the developed relations between China and Pakistan form a potent threat to the national security of the country, while the army would continue to maintain the stand in eastern Ladakh come may what.

Addressing his annual press conference ahead of Army Day on 15 January, Naravane said that Pakistan continues to support militants and militancy, however, India is ready to meet any eventuality.

“There is no doubt collusion threat exists from Pakistan and China and it’s not just something that was part of some strategy process or loud thought process but has very much manifested on the ground also there is a cooperation between the two nations in both military and non-military fields,” he said.

“Two front threat is something we’ve to be prepared to deal with and have to see which is more serious and prioritize deal with that first”, he said.

To a query about the national security threat challenges, the army chief said that Pakistan and China together form a potent threat to the national security of India.

“We have no tolerance for militancy and reserve our right to respond at any place and time of our choosing and with precession. This is a clear message sent across, that India will not tolerate any such a kind of activity,” he said.

Naravane said they are maintaining a high state of alertness all along the northern borders, keeping in mind the threat perception.

“We have our winter deployment at the place. We are alert and ever ready to meet any challenges,” he said.

He said that eight rounds of talks between the military commanders of India and China have taken place.

“We are awaiting the dates for the ninth round of talks and I’m sure through dialogues we’ll be able to reach a solution based on the principles of mutual and equal security,” Naravane said.

“We are hopeful for a positive situation, but at the same time are ready to meet any challenge and all the logistics are very well taken care of whether it is clothing, habitat and ration,” he said adding that there is no cause for concern at all on that front and operation preparedness is of a very high order.

The army chief said there is a need to restructure and enhance capabilities and several contracts have been signed that includes procuring weapons and protective gear for soldiers manning the borders.

About the rise in local militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Naravane said that every year a large number of militants are killed but the recruitment process continues in different outfits.

“We always work to thwart the recruitment process at ground level through Sadhbavna operations,” he said. “Militancy recruitment is shrinking every year but there are ups and downs for sure, however, with the government approach and more employment opportunities for youth, I am sure the situation will improve.”

Responding to a query about the internal security, the Chief said that the militancy continues unabated although the situation in the hinterland has improved somewhat. ” The situation has not reached the level we can contemplate and move troops out of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

About the cold injuries in high altitude areas, Naravane said the arrangement for the proper infrastructure, clothing, ration, and heating arrangements have been made and the graph of injuries is the same as the previous year even when a huge deployment has been made along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

“We recorded 0.13 per cent cold injuries last year while the graph is 0.15 per cent now and it’s only because every sector was ready with a backup in forwarding areas with all the requirements”, he said.

To a query about the stress level among the troops, the army chief said that the sample size was only 400 and it’s not an adequate sample size for such a study.

“The actual graph of suicide tendency among the troops has come down,” he said—(KNO)

Prices of essentials go skyrocket, allege citizens, Market checking already going on, sealed four shops, booked four norm violators today: Dir FCS&CA

Srinagar: As the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only road connecting Kashmir with rest of the country continues to remain closed from the last couple of days, black-marketing is at its peak with people alleging that prices of essential commodities have gone skyrocketing across Srinagar.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), consumers from different parts of the Valley here have complained of skyrocketing prices of essentials including the vegetables, saying that the sellers are selling the stuff as per their will.

They said it seems that the sellers have been given free hand to loot the masses as per their will as no action is visibly being taken against the norm violators (sellers).

Altaf Ahmad, a local consumer from Rawalpora said that the vegetable dealers in Mandi should be dealt with strictly as they use to keep the food stuff hidden always especially when the only road remains closed for the traffic.

“The street vendors have nothing to do with the soaring prices of essentials as they are receiving the stuff at exorbitant rates from the respective Mandis,” Ahmad said, adding that it is unfortunate that the prices of essentials including vegetables vary from place to place.

“We are getting meat at the cost of Rs 480 per kg in Lal Chowk areas while in Rawalpora, it is being sold at Rs 600 per kg,” he said, adding that Kale (Haakh) is being sold at Rs 100 while Onion, Tomatoes and Peas also are being sold at exorbitant rates everywhere.

Street Vendors when asked about the exorbitant rates said that they are getting the stuff at exorbitant rates from Mandis and they keep the stuff hidden and later sell the stuff at exorbitant rates among them due to which the people are facing immense hardships.

Besides, the complaints of shortage of gas also poured in from many areas, but the officials claimed that there is adequate stock available and there was no need to panic.

Earlier on January 05, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir P K Pole had ordered strict market checking after the highway was closed for traffic in wake of heavy snowfall.

“All the concerned/Line Departments shall conduct extensive market checking to crack the whip on the persons indulging in overcharging/black-marketing, profiteering etc.” the order had said.

It stated that the concerned Tehsildar & TSO shall make surprise visits and ensure implementation of these directions and report through concerned Deputy Commissioner accordingly.

Meanwhile, Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Bashir Ahmed Khan told KNO that there are clear directions from the administration to ensure proper market checking and the men from the department have already been pressed for the job.

“We have booked many norm violators so far and seized shops of many as well. Similarly, today, we have seized four shops in Srinagar areas and also lodged four FIRs against the norm violators,” he informed.

He also added that the checking will be intensified further and all those involved in norm violation will have to face the law—(KNO)