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  • ‘38 Cops/CRPF Men Injured, Four Police Vans Damaged In Shopian Clashes,’ say Police

    Srinagar: J&K Police on Saturday afternoon issued a statement regarding raids in a few Shopian villages.

    The statement – Rebuttal – of the police is reproduced verbatim for larger public interest

    In reference to the news story circulated on some news portals and social media sites under the title several injured in Shopian and property damaged.

    The Shopian police administration has clarified that on a tip off, police and security forces cordoned off the Urpora-Nagbal area and conducted the search operations early today morning.

    At the time of withdrawal miscreants in large numbers from Hushnpora Daschnu and Humana etc assembled and pelted stones on the joint party.

    Thirty eight police CRPF/Security force men were injured and four of their vehicles were damaged.

    Police and Security force men exercised maximum restraint.

    The miscreants were chased away by using mild force.

    Some private vehicles were damaged in stone pelting.

    The news story circulated on the news portals and social media sites is as such far from the truth and is therefore refuted.

    Meanwhile, the statement added that police have received a complaint regarding missing of some articles from EDI Pampore.

    “The contents of the complaint are being verified to check whether the articles went missing before the encounter, during the encounter or after the encounter. After this a formal FIR is being lodged to investigate the matter,” the statement added.

  • Kashmir being robbed of vital institutes: National Conference

    ‘Institutional decay, misgovernance hallmarks of Mehbooba Govt’

    Srinagar: National Conference on Saturday lashed out at the PDP-BJP Government of Mehbooba Mufti for their deliberate machinations to persecute the people of Kashmir to quell the popular perception against PDP’s sell-out. National Conference South Zone President and Former Cabinet Minister, Sakina Ittoo said institutional decay and misgovernance had become the hallmarks of Mehbooba Mufti’s Government apart from the killing and blinding out youth, unprecedented wave of repression and indiscriminate arrests. She hit out at the Chief Minister for allowing Kashmir to be deprived of vital educational institutes and said this was part of a greater plan to rob the youth of Kashmir of career opportunities.
    “The State Government has become the subsidiary of RSS’s systemic infiltration into J&K’s polity and is furthering their divisive, anti-Kashmir and anti-minority agenda. PDP’s alliance with those who find their political identity in opposition to J&K’s special status is a dangerous internal assault on our political rights and dignity. PDP has become an RSS Trojan Horse and has bartered the interests of the people of Kashmir to remain in power. The fact that Kashmir has been deprived of IIM, IIT and NIFT while the Chief Minister is busy appeasing the BJP is an indication of where the people of Kashmir stand today”, Sakina Ittoo said in a statement to Kashmir Today
    The Former Minister said Mehbooba Mufti had handed over the keys of the secretariat to the RSS and had become more loyal to the RSS than BJP itself. “In an effort to prove herself to be more loyal than the King, Mehbooba Mufti has become a mute spectator as Kashmir is being deprived of key educational institutions like the IIM and IIT. When the previous Omar Abdullah-led Government could succeed in getting two Central Universities for the State each for Jammu and Kashmir, why couldn’t Mehbooba Mufti ensure that Kashmir isn’t deprived of an IIM and IIT?”, Sakina Ittoo added.
    “When the Central Government bowed to the pressure of certain lobbies in Jammu to grant Jammu an additional AIIMS after one was granted for Kashmir, why couldn’t the State Government seek the same treatment in case of IIT and IIM? Mehbooba Mufti’s lack of leadership and her complete lack of loyalty to the people of Kashmir has resulted in both IIM and IIT being limited to Jammu. We are not against an IIT and IIM in Jammu, but why is the Government so openly prejudiced against the people of Kashmir and why is the delicate regional balance of the State being violated?, the Former Minister said.
    National Conference South Zone Head and Former Minister also lashed out at the State Government over the shifting of NIFT from Kashmir to Jodhpur and said this was yet another indication of disempowerment and prejudice. “NIFT has been moved to Jodhpur under the guise of the law and order situation and the State Government is completely clueless and unaware about this important development that deprives the students of Kashmir of another vital institution. Mehbooba Mufti should either safeguard the interests of all regions of the State or openly declare that she has sold her objectivity and conscience to the RSS and the BJP”, Sakina Ittoo added.
    “There is a wave of mass repression, indiscriminate arrests and intimidation of innocent civilians across the Valley. If Mehbooba Mufti thinks such mass persecution will help in normalizing the situation, she is living a fool’s paradise. Standing crops are being burnt and destroyed, animal fodder damaged and houses ransacked under the nose of the Chief Minister. Her silence has translated into a sense and atmosphere of impunity. This repressive approach is only adding to the anger on the streets and is further alienating our youth. Even electric transformers are being fired at to damage them and torment the people as a cold winter approaches”, Sakina Ittoo further added.

     

  • Prepaid mobile services restored in Kashmir after 98 days

    Mobile Internet still under suspension

    Srinagar: Prepaid mobile phone services were restored across Kashmir on Saturdayafter remaining suspended for 98 days. However, mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended.
    The prepaid mobile services were snapped across Kashmir on July 8 evening, soon after the killing of young militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with government forces.
    Mobile Internet services were snapped the same evening across the valley. However, services were not suspended on State-run BSNL phones.
    Same evening, postpaid mobile services were also snapped in south Kashmir.
    Similarly, postpaid services were snapped in north Kashmir on July 11 and central Kashmir on July 15.
    On July 16, landline services were suspended in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north Kashmir.
    While postpaid mobile services were restored on July 26, the prepaid were restored a day after but outgoing call facility continued to remain barred.
    On August 11, again, mobile services were snapped across Kashmir, except BSNL postpaid.
    On August 13, postpaid services were restored but broadband services were snapped. A day after, postpaid services, except BSNL, were again snapped.
    On September 14, broadband services were snapped again. They were resumed after four days, on September 19.
    On October 14, in an official statement, police said: “With the improvement in the situation prepaid mobile services are being restored from tonight (Friday).” (KNS)

  • Cabinet orders transfers, postings in Civil Administration

    ‘Shah Faesal new MD, J&K PDC’

    Srinagar: The Cabinet which met here on Friday under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti approved the following transfers and postings in the Civil Administration.
    1. Pramod Kumar Jain, IAS(JK:1985), Chairman, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Finance Department has been transferred and posted as Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department vice Sundeep Kumar Nayak, IAS(JK:1988), who will report in the General Administration Department till further orders.
    2. Gazzanfer Hussain, IAS(JK:1998), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department.
    3. Sarita Chauhan, IAS(JK:1999), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department has been transferred and posted as Chairperson, J&K Service Selection Board, relieving Gazzanfer Hussain, IAS of the additional charge.
    4. Nirmal Sharma, IAS (JK:2001), Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department has been transferred and posted as Commissioner of Enquiries.
    5. Khurshid Ahmad Shah, IAS(JK:2001), Secretary to the Government, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department.
    6. Sajjad Ahmad Khan, IAS (JK:2002), Commissioner of Enquiries has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department.
    7. Kifayat Rizvi, IAS(JK:2002), Managing Director, J&K State Power Development Corporation has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Rural Development Department.
    8. Shah Faisal, IAS(JK:2010), Director, School Education, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Managing Director, J&K State Power Development Corporation.
    9. Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department shall hold the additional charge of the Administrative Secretary, Science and Technology Department till further orders.
    10. Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, KAS, Additional District Development Commissioner, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Director, School Education, Kashmir.
    11. Peerzada Hafizullah Shah, KAS, Additional Director, SKIMS has been transferred and posted as Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing Department.
    12. Rafiq Ahmad Hakim, KAS, Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing Department has been transferred and posted as Director, Horticulture, Kashmir.
    13. Babila Rakwal, KAS, Administrator, Associated Hospitals, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Director, School Education, Jammu vice Samita Sethi, KAS, who on her return from the Child Care Leave will report in the General Administration Department for further orders.
    14. Jatinder Singh, KAS, Secretary, State Vigilance Commission, has been transferred and posted as Director, Forensic Science Laboratories, relieving Khalid Jehangir, KAS Additional Secretary, Home of the additional charge.
    15. Choudhary Rashid Azam Inqalabi, KAS, Special Secretary to Government, ARI and Trainings Department has been transferred and posted as CEO, IWMP.
    16. Arun Kumar Sharma, KAS, CEO, IWMP has been transferred and posted as Joint Financial Commissioner, Revenue, J&K.

    Cabinet orders transfers, postings in Police department
    Shailendra Kumar new SP, Udhampur
    The Cabinet which met here on Friday under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti approved the following transfers and postings in the Police department.

    1. M. Suleman Choudhary, IPS (JK:2007), SP Udhampur has been transferred and posted as SP, Rajouri vice Rajeshwar Singh.
    2. Udaya Bhaskar Billa,IPS(JK:2008), SP Traffic City, Jammu has been transferred and posted as SP, Leh vice T. Gyalpo.
    3. Shailendra Kumar,IPS (JK:2010), awaiting orders of posting in PHQ has been posted as SP, Udhampur vice M. Suleman Choudhary.
    4. Rajeshwar Singh, SP, Rajouri has been transferred and posted as SP, Human Rights, CID, Hqrs vice Pawan Kumar Parihar.
    5. Pawan Kumar Parhar, SP, Human Rights CID Hqrs has been transferred and posted as SP, Kathua, relieving Neeva Jain, IPS, SP, Kathua to join the Central Deputation.
    6. T. Gyalpo, SP Leh has been transferred and shall report in the PHQ till further orders.
    7. Tahir Sajad Bhat, AIG (Pers.) PHQ has been transferred and posted as SP, Reasi, relieving Sujit Kumar, IPS to join the Central Deputation.

  • Open Remarks on an Open Letter

    I am sure Geelani and other Hurriyat leaders are equally worried about fate of our children

    Er Rasheed

    There is very little scope for me to intervene in what you had argued with Geelani Sahab, as you have outrightly made it a Pir affair. But I am writing more as a parent than an MLA because my dream of seeing my elder son Abrar, who is studying in a Govt High School, excel, seems to be in doldrums due to uncertainty over conducting the exams. As Minister of Education it is your right and duty to use all your good offices to ensure that exams are conducted well in time.

    However, It makes no sense if you try to make Geelani Sahab understand significance of education, as the parent organisation of Geelani, Jamaat-e-Islami, has contributed much in the field of education through Fallah e Aam Trust (FAT). I am sure Geelani and other Hurriyat leaders are equally worried about fate of our children. Your curiosity over conducting exams deserves appreciation but going by your track record it takes little to conclude that you are talking sense but seem to be more enthusiastic about the impact of conducting exams over ongoing mass uprising.

    What dares me to say so is your behaviour I have keenly observed in and outside assembly during last two years. I saw you preaching more as a defender of RSS and Sang Parivar rather than focusing on education. You humiliated even your own MLAs whenever they would approach you with important issues pertaining to education.
    Had you really been sincere, my concrete evidences against a senior officer would not have gone waste, as he played with the career of thousands of children of my consistency. Had you been really worried about revolutionising education, you would have at least allowed my Bill to consideration stage in the House, seeking it mandatory for children of all govt servants and public representatives to study in govt schools. The step would have provided equal opportunity and a level playing field to children of all; from a daily wager to a Chief Secretary.

    Your open letter gives a clear cut notion as if Geelani Sahab is the only barrier in conducting exams but you need not to forget that Geelani Sahab is creation of sentiment and sentiment was, is and will be always there – with or without Geelani Sahab. So please don’t forget Geelani Sahab is just one of the custodians of the sentiment and once he succumbs to your Pir politics his relevance will be over. We all need to remember that to ensure a ray of hope one has to learn living with dark nights and tunnels. The sentiment was there, when Iffat used to be proxy of Nayeem Sahab to represent Kashmir Cause; it’s still there when Nayeem Sahab has preferred to change from being a proxy for azadi to that of Sang Parivar.

    So not difficult to understand that for Nayeem Sahab getting dividends from situations and circumstances allows him to take 360 turn. Isn’t quality education more important than getting degrees? If so, should Nayeem Sahab not have advised Mehbooba Ji to recruit 10,000 teachers rather than recruiting 10,000 SPOs as who knows better than Nayeem Sahab that there are thousands of primary schools where there is just one teacher for four or five classes. Perhaps Nayeem Sahab is under the illusion that kid of a farmer, carpenter, villager, or a street vendor studies either at Burn Hall or Biscoe. Whenever a question was put to Nayeem Sahab in the assembly asking for creation of posts in high schools, higher secondaries and colleges, he would simply respond by saying, “currently there is no such proposal before the govt”, preferring to ignore that almost every govt institution has dearth of teachers and courses. Had Nayeem Sahab been sincere he would have not provoked children by saying that there would be no concession in syllabus ignoring that it was no fault of students not to complete the syllabus. By issuing harsh dictates Nayeem Sahab should be held directly responsible for forcing and radicalising students, when they take to streets and shout the slogan Boycott, Boycott, Exam Boycott, a slogan that hits every parent including myself like a bullet. Let me conclude with the request as a parent to all concerned parties not to politicise education.

    Your’s Sincerely

    Er Rasheed

  • Prepaid Mobile Services Being Restored

    Srinagar: According To a Statement Received From Police Media Centre With the improvement in the situation prepaid mobile services are being restored from tonight.

  • Here Are The Full Details Of Today’s Cabinet Meeting

    Cabinet Approves Cadre Review of Secretariat (G) Service

    The Cabinet which met here on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti accorded sanction to the creation of six (6) posts of Under Secretaries to the Government and eleven (11) posts of Private Secretaries in the Pay Band-2 Rs 9300-34800 with Grade Pay of Rs 4800 in the Jammu and Kashmir Secretariat (Gazetted) Service-I and Jammu and Kashmir Secretariat (Gazetted) Service-II, respectively.

    The Cabinet directed the GAD, to carry out the necessary amendments in the J&K Secretariat (Gazetted) Service Recruitment Rules, as a result of the cadre review.

    The proposal was approved following the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub Committee constituted for Cadre Review of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service.

    Cabinet Approves Creation of A Separate Skill Development Mission Society

    To bring all departments undertaking skill development activities under one umbrella, the Cabinet gave nod to the creation of a separate Skill Development Mission Society, as an inclusive and dedicated structure for implementation of all skill development initiatives in the State.

    The Society shall be set up under the name and style ‘Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Mission Society’ (J&KSDMS). It will work to integrate the skill development programmes of Centre and the State government in consultation and collaboration with all the concerned departments.

    The Society shall have two tier structures constituting a (i) Mission body (ii) a Governing Council. Each of these structures shall have its own set of objectives and functions.

    The Cabinet authorised the Technical Education Department to approach the Registrar of Societies for registration of J&KSDMS under the J&K Registration of Societies Act, 1998.

    Cabinet Approves Setting Up of 3361 Additional AWCs

    The Cabinet accorded sanction to the setting up of 3361 additional Aganwari Centers/Aganwari-on-Demand under ICDS Scheme, on adhoc basis in the State Mission Directorate (ICDS).

    The Cabinet approved engagement of 3361 Aganwari Workers and 3361 Aganwari Helpers as honorary workers in these Centers.

    The Cabinet also approved creation of 134 posts of Supervisors for these additional Aganwari Centers (AWCs) i.e one Supervisor for 25 Aganwari Centers each, in the Pay Band of Rs 5200-20200 with GP of Rs 2400.

    Cabinet Approves Allotment of Land for Bio-Tech Park

    The Cabinet authorised SIDCO to allot 80 Kanal of Land to the Science and Technology department for setting up Bio-Technology Park at Industrial Estate Ompora, Budgam, with the financial assistance from the Department of Bio Technology, Union Ministry of Science and Technology.

    Cabinet Approves Promotion of Special Scale KAS Officers

    The Cabinet accorded sanction to the promotion of eight Special Scale KAS officers to the Super Time Scale of Rs 37400-67000 with GP of Rs 10,000.

    The officers who have been promoted to the Super Time Scale include Mohammad Sadiq Sheikh, Arun Kumar Sharma, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, G S Chib, Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Rafiq Ahmad Hakim, Mr Anil Kumar Gupta and Rukhsana Gani.

    Cabinet Approves Creation AD Security Posts for J&K Legislative Assembly

    The Cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of two posts of Assistant Director (Security) for the J&K Legislative Assembly in the Pay Band of Rs 9300-34800 with Grade Pay of Rs 4800.

    The Cabinet also approved enhancement of stipend in favour Accounts Assistants (Apprentice) from Rs 3000 per month to Rs 6000 per month with effect from 01-01-2016.

    Cabinet Approves Establishment of Sub-Treasuries at Litter, Larnoo

    The Cabinet accorded sanction to the establishment of Sub-treasuries at Litter, Pulwama and Larnoo, Kokernag with creation of 7 posts each of various categories.

    The posts in each Sub-treasury include one post of Assistant Accounts Officer (as Treasury Officer) in the Pay Band of Rs 9300-34800 with GP of 4600, one post of Accountant (as Treasury Superintendent) in the Pay Band of Rs 9300-34800 with GP of 4220, two posts of Accounts Assistant (as Auditor) in the Pay Band of Rs 5200-20200 with GP of 2800, one post of Cashier in the Pay Band of Rs 5200-20200 with GP of 1900 and two posts of Orderlies  in the Pay Band of Rs 4440-7440 with GP of 1300.

    Cabinet Gives Nod to State PDD to Sign MoU with PGCIL for Construction of 220 KV Transmission Line from Srinagar to Leh

    The Cabinet gave approval to the State Power Development Department to sign an MoU with the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for the construction of 220 KV Transmission line From Alusteng (Srinagar) to Leh.

    The Cabinet approved that the Power Development Department shall operate and maintain the 220 KV Transmission Line from Alusteng (Srinagar) to Leh at its own cost after take over from PGCIL. The Finance Department shall provide the necessary funds /resource to the PDD for its operation and maintenance after the transmission line is taken over by the State Government.

    The Cabinet also instructed the Finance Department to issue necessary notification/orders for waiver of all State Taxes for construction of 220 KV Transmission Line.

    The 332 Km long, 220 KV Transmission Line shall pass through Srinagar-Zojila -Drass-Kargil-Khalsti to Leh. The sanctioned cost of the Project is Rs 1788 Cr. The cost of the Project will be borne by the Centre and State in the ratio of 95:5. The project was approved in January 2014 and is scheduled for commissioning in September 2017. Once completed the Project will feed power to Ladakh region and interlink J&K’s existing 66 KV system.

    The electricity supply system of Ladakh region is currently isolated from the Northern Grid and fed through local small hydro generation and diesel generator sets. The region is experiencing energy shortage and accordingly to overcome this shortage, 220 KV Transmission Line has been planned to improve reliability of power supply through interconnection with the Northern Grid.

    The Project is being executed by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and subsequently will be transferred to J&K Government after an MoU to this effect is signed between State PDD and PGCIL.

    Cabinet Approves Creation of J&K IT Service

    The Cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of the Jammu and Kashmir Information Technology Service.

    With the creation of J&K Information Technology Service, one of the key concerns related to the IT posts existing in isolation in different departments will be addressed.

    There shall be pooling of all IT related posts created in various department of the government into one Service under the administrative control of the IT department. This shall enable efficient cadre management as well as career progression of the IT professionals based on their experience and qualification.

    Cabinet Approves Creation of Human Resource Supply & Service Corporation, J&K

    The Cabinet in principle approved creation of a Corporation, under the name and style ‘Human Resource Supply & Service Corporation J&K’ to regulate the supply of labour force in accordance with the demand in various Government Departments.

    There are roughly 61,000 persons working in different capacities i.e. either as Daily Rated Workers, Work Charge Employees, Casual Labourers, Seasonal Labours etc. in various departments who have been engaged without following any defined criteria. Majority of these workers are poor and do not possess the requisite academic or technical qualifications. However, many of them are reported to be skilled to handle department specific tasks.

    With a view to utilizing their services optimally besides addressing their issue of wage payment, the Corporation is being created. The Corporation will complete the skill profiling of these workers and deploy them as per the requisition made by various departments.

    Cabinet Approves Promotion of Special Secretaries

    The Cabinet accorded sanction to the encadrement of the post of Registrar, State Information Commission to the J&K Legal (Gazetted) Service.

    The Cabinet also accorded sanction to the confirmation of the promotion of six officers as Special Secretaries/equivalent in the Pay Band of Rs 37400-67000 with GP of Rs 8700.

    The Officers include Gulam Qadir Bhat (retired), Dishad Ahmad Baba, Mohammad Iqbal Mir (retired), Abdul Majid Bhat, Fayaz Sheikh and Dilshada Shaheen.

  • Paramilitary trooper killed, eight injured in Zakura attack

    Srinagar: A paramilitary Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) trooper was killed and eight others were injured in a militant attack in Zakura on the outskirts of Srinagar on Friday.

    Reports said that five troopers were injured critically in the attack that took place on Friday evening.

  • After Sopore, Army takes Shopian youth on India tour

    Srinagar: Days after the Army brought back a group of children of North Kashmir’s Sopore and Bandipore from an educative tour to Pune, it has now taken a group of youth from militancy prone Shopian district on India tour.

    According to Army spokesperson, 20 youth from Shopian were today flagged off by Maj Gen Ashok Narula, Victor Force Commander in the presence of the parents of the children and officials from the Civil Administration and Army.

    The ten day tour to Chandigarh and Shimla aims at introducing the children to the diverse cultures, traditions and educational practices in other parts of the country.

    In Chandigarh, they will get a chance to visit the Headquarters Western Command, War Memorial, Infosys IT Park, Rock Garden, Air Force Base and Punjab University. In Shimla, the children will visit the Army Training Command, Fruit Processing Factory and the State Museum.

    The children will also get a firsthand account on the functioning of the Military School Chail during their visit and interaction with school students and faculty.

  • Shah Faesal Is New MD Power Development Corporation (PDC)

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government Friday posted Shah Faesal as Managing Director (MD) Power Development Corporation (PDC).

    An IAS 2010 IAS batch topper, Shah Faesal is a medical doctor by profession.

    Cabinet which met on Friday evening under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti transferred and post Dr Faesal as new MD PDC replacing Kifayat Rizvi.

    Dr Faesal was posted as Director School Education Kashmir before his new posting. His tenure in Education department was widely hailed.

    Power Sector of J&K can turn around the fortunes and put economy on the trajectory of high and sustainable growth. Besides other things, the PDC has been able to create assets for J&K state which includ recently opened Baglihar Power Project.