LG Manoj Sinha enquiring condition of the injured jawans in GMC Jammu on Thursday.
LG visits injured jawans in GMC
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Nov 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited Government Medical College Jammu here to enquire about the wellbeing of JKP jawans injured while neutralizing terrorists in an encounter at Nagrota earlier today.
The Lt Governor met the injured personnel undergoing treatment at the hospital and assured the men of the best possible health facility for their treatment besides lauding their exemplary courage and bravery.
Sinha hailed the valour and quick reaction of the security forces in foiling the nefarious design of the terrorists. “I salute the exemplary courage and bravery displayed by our forces. The nation is proud of your professionalism and commitment to protect its sovereignty and integrity”, he added. Click here to watch video
In a message to the public of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said that the Government and the security forces are working day and night to lay the foundation of its progressive and peaceful future and said that no outside forces can derail us from our mission.
The Lt Governor was accompanied by Advisor, RR Bhatnagar; Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Financial Commissioner Health, Atal Dulloo; IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, and Principal GMC Jammu, Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma among other senior officers.
*No improvement in situation despite numerous directions Admn Secys asked to earmark 10% posts for SRO-43 cases
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 19: Incredible it may sound but it is a fact that officials’ apathy has not even spared those who are seeking appointments in the Government departments on the compassionate grounds and they are compelled to wait for considerable period of time to avail the benefit of the Government’s policy.
The slackness on this aspect, which otherwise should receive priority attention, is notwithstanding the fact that numerous directions about expediting the clearance of such cases are being issued after regular intervals by none else than the Chief Secretary that too in the meetings of the Committee of Secretaries.
As a humanitarian gesture, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir framed Compassionate Appointment Rules in the year 1994 and notified the same vide SRO-43. These Rules apply to the compassionate appointment of a person who is a family member of a Government employee who dies in harness other than due to militancy related action and a Government employee who dies as a result of militancy related action (or due to enemy action on the Line of Control/International Border within Jammu and Kashmir) and is not involved in militancy related activities etc.
As per the Rules, an eligible family member may be appointed against a vacancy in the lowest rank of non-gazetted service or Class-IV post having qualification as prescribed under the relevant Recruitment Rules.
Where no post is available in the office or subordinate offices of the Head of the Department, the proposal for appointment is required to be submitted to the Administrative Department concerned and where there is no post available in the Administrative Department concerned also, the case is required to be referred to the General Administration Department for appointment of the candidate in any other department.
In order to ensure timely identification of vacancies and settlement of compassionate appointment cases, the General Administration Department vide communication No.GAD/Mtg/ RB-IV/26/2018 dated January 10, 2019 advised all the departments to earmark 10% of Class-IV vacancies for settlement of compassionate appointments under SRO-43 of 1994.
Thereafter, the Chief Secretary, while chairing meetings of the Committee of Secretaries and on other occasions laid stress on timely clearance of compassionate appointment cases so that benefit of the Government policy is provided to the eligible persons without any hassle.
Moreover, he issued directions on numerous occasions about strict compliance to the communication dated January 10, 2019 so that practice of referring cases to the General Administration Department for making appointment on compassionate grounds in the departments other than the one where the deceased employee was posted, could be checked.
However, there is no end to the official apathy and this can be gauged from the latest communication of General Administration Department addressed to all the Administrative Secretaries.
“The Administrative Departments are sending compassionate appointment cases to the General Administration Department for appointment of NoKs of deceased in other departments due to non-availability of such posts in their departments or for other reasons”, reads the communication issued by Commissioner Secretary to the Government Manoj Kumar Dwivedi.
He further said that General Administration Department has been regularly seeking identification of posts from various departments but many times the response from the Administrative Departments remains lukewarm as a result of which the final settlement of such cases remains pending for considerable period of time marring the purpose of providing benefits under the policy of the Government.
Drawing the attention of all the Administrative Secretaries towards the communication dated January 10, 2019, the GAD Commissioner Secretary has once again impressed upon them to adhere to the advisory and ensure earmarking of 10% Class-IV vacancies for settlement of compassionate appointment cases and to promptly identify the posts as and when the requisition is made by the General Administration Department.
“It is really a matter of serious concern that officials’ apathy has not even spared the compassionate appointment cases which otherwise should receive priority attention especially in the light of the fact that family members of Government employees die in harness need immediate assistance for their survival”, sources said and hoped that in future there would be strict compliance to the directions and GAD is not compelled further to reiterate the directions.
Union Minister Mukhtar Abass Naqvi addressing the party workers at TRC Kupwara on Thursday. —Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
‘No power can de-stabilize India’
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Nov 19: Union Minister Mukhtar Abass Naqvi today said that the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) is the death of destructive dynastic politics in Jammu and Kashmir and its formation was the conspiracy of political parties against the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the party workers at Tourist Reception Center (TRC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Union Minister said that the people were deprived of political rights only because of Articles 370 and 35A. Click here to watch video
“The dynasty rule in J&K kept people away from the mainstream as well as unaware of the Constitutional rights”, he added.
About the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls, Naqvi said that all the parties are contesting the elections including those claimed that they won’t contest the polls unless the August 5 decision is reversed.
“DDC election will send a clear and loud message that the people of J&K are now part of dignity, development, rights and all this will be fulfilled by BJP. It was the time when BJP will make people understand that the time and atmosphere has changed and the people at present are happy and are looking forward”, the BJP leader said.
He said that the PAGD is the death of politics in Jammu and Kashmir and the amalgam will try to keep J&K away from development and prosperity.
Naqvi said that 890 rules were not applicable in J&K including no reservation for Gujjars and Bakerwals and job reservation as also other schemes from Central Government but post August 5, 2019 decision, the funds from the Central Government are directly being utilized in J&K, which was not happening in the past under dynasty rule.
“Schemes are also being implemented regularly,” the Union Minister said, adding that the development with dignity is the way forward.
“I assure you that all the problems and challenges people were facing earlier, will be eliminated in the times to come”, he said.
Terming PAGD as a conspiracy by the regional parties including the Congress, Naqvi said that the alliance is a conspiracy against J&K people and they’ve got engulfed into their ill-thoughts.
Naqvi said that a very transparent independent democracy should have been in J&K for a long now but the dynasty rulers have always opposed this and that’s why the regional parties initially called for a boycott and demanded the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.
The Union Minister said that the security has been provided to many people already and all the representatives who need it will not be deprived of it as well.
About the eviction and demolition drive of Gujjars and Bakerwals’ homes in parts of J&K, Naqvi said that no one can be allowed to disobey the forest land law. “No one will force the Gujjar community to leave the forests. Whosoever is living within forests will remain there,” he said.
Reacting over the tweets of former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Minister said that no power in the world can destabilize India be it Pakistan or anyone else.
The regional parties along with the Congress are hatching a conspiracy to de-motivate the people and bring them down from confidence level but BJP is committed to strengthening it, he said.
“The PAGD doesn’t want the J&K to adopt the path of development, peace and prosperity”, he said.
JAMMU, Nov 19: Three persons died one each in Kathua, Reasi and Rajouri districts while 247 others tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu region, 95 in Jammu district alone and 185 recovered from the virus.
A 65-year-old man from Ward No. 5 Kathua, who was co-morbid and positive for the virus, died in the Government Medical College (GMC) Kathua while a 52-year-old man from Katra died in the Community Health Centre (CHC) Katra. He was suffering from ailments and Coronavirus. A 58-year-old man from village Bareri in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district succumbed to ailments and virus in the CHC Nowshera.
In Jammu district, two persons each tested positive for COVID-19 at State Motor Garages New Plot, Baggar Mandi, Trikuta Nagar Chowk, Raghunath Bazaar, Shahidhi Chowk, Patta Bohri Chowk and Parade Chowk. Three persons were reported positive in the office of Director Industries, four at Gangyal and five in Domana.
Among 247 positives in Jammu region, 95 cases were reported from Jammu district followed by 36 Udhampur, 29 Kishtwar, 25 Samba, 17 Doda, 13 Ramban, 12 each Reasi and Kathua, five Rajouri and three in Poonch district.
Of 185 persons, who recovered from the virus, 99 hailed from Jammu district, 24 Udhampur, 20 Kishtwar, 12 Kathua, 11 Poonch, 10 Doda, eight Rajouri and one in Ramban district. No recoveries were reported from Samba and Reasi districts.
Jammu region now has 41549 Corona cases. Of them, 1722 are active positives as 39279 have recovered from the virus and there have been 548 casualties.
Among casualties in the region, 285 have been reported from Jammu district, 52 Doda, 49 Rajouri, 36 Udhampur, 35 Kathua, 26 Samba, 22 Poonch, 18 Ramban, 16 Kishtwar and nine in Reasi district.
Meanwhile, one Corona casualty and 91 fresh cases were today reported from the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Corona fatality was reported in Leh district taking death toll in the UT to 95 including 55 in Leh and 40 in Kargil district.
Total Corona cases in Ladakh have gone up to 7714. Of them, 1000 are active and 6619 have recovered.
Srinagar, Nov 19 : After deferring the polls in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities have finally decided to hold the elections for the Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on November 25.
According to a notification, issued by Secretary SMC under number SMC/CS/5027-5116, dated 19-11-2020, the polls will be conducted on November 25 while forms of nomination paper will be obtained from the office of the Secretary, SMC from November 20.
The elections to Srinagar Mayor were necessitated after former Mayor Junaid Matoo was ousted in a no confidence motion moved against him early this year.
LG Ladakh R K Mathur e-inaugurating ‘wash facility for sanitation workers’ (R) and CECs and others participating in function (L).
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Nov 19: On the occasion of World Toilet Day, administration of Union Territory of Ladakh in collaboration with BORDA South-Asia and LEDeG organized a daylong conference on “Innovative Urban Sanitation for Ladakh” today.
On occasion R.K Mathur, Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, e-inaugurated the “Wash facility for sanitation workers” and unveiled a “Whitepaper on Greywater” in presence of Feroz Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive Councilor Kargil, and Tashi Gyalson, CEC LAHDC, Leh.
The wash facility is unique in nature to facilitate the safai karmacharies of Leh town to ease and clean themselves after completing their work. It has provisions of hot water shower, hand wash, laundry and entertainment.
Speaking on the occasion, Mathur expressed the commitment of UT administration to ensure 100% saturation of tap connection to every household and expansion of green technologies in Ladakh for managing grey water and Fecal Sludge and to make Ladakh completely an organic UT.
He asked the concerned officers to ensure documentation of solutions and technologies being presented during the seminar and take up few pilot projects on urgent basis. He urged both the Hill Councils to lead this mission and invited all stakeholders to lend their hand whether it is local population, a tourist, sanitation worker or people from security forces with an objective to protect the pristine ecology of Ladakh.
Feroz Khan urged the academicians and researchers to suggest suitable technologies for Ladakh specific problems especially challenges being faced during extreme winters. Tashi Gyaltson, CEC Leh assured all assistance to the stakeholders for carrying out pilots to find out solutions to the challenges being faced by people in Ladakh and showed his commitment to ensure ease of living for the people of Ladakh.
Experts and delegates from National and International organizations, Government Officials, water and sanitation organizations, and urban development professional joined the daylong conference to discussed and share their experience about the treatment and re-use of grey water for agriculture, public and dry Ladakhi toilets for locals and tourists, and fecal sludge management to improve working conditions of sanitation workers in region like Ladakh.
UP Singh, Union Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti in his key note address emphasized the Government’s perspective and priorities in achieving the objectives of cleanliness. He urged the researches and practitioners to promote easy to use simple and local technologies which should be cost effective as well as more adaptive rather than going for a fancy and expensive solutions in managing grey water and fecal sludge.
Umang Narula, Advisor to LG Ladakh also gave the perspective of Ladakh Administration on these issues.
Rajeev Kher, CEO 3S Saraplast, gave a detailed presentation on toilets on wheels; the bus toilet, followed by representative LEDeG Deachen Spalzes gave a presentation on the opportunity and problem of Ladakhi toilets. Mayank Midha, CEO, Garv Toilets gave detailed presentation on Smart and durable toilets made of steel. Zuraina Dato Seri Zaharin, Founder, ECOLOO, Malaysia discussed about patented water-free, sewage-free eco-friendly toilet technology, B Veeralaxmanan, Head, Covestro Inclusive Business, gave detail presentation on Pre-fabricated, all-weather toilets for Leh and Tikender Singh Panwar Ex-Deputy Mayor, Shimla also spoke on managing networks of public toilets of the best services in the first technical session which was chaired by Chief Executive Councilor Kargil, Feroz Ahmed Khan.
Initially Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Commissioner Secretary Ladakh gave the brief about the challenges being faced by people in Ladakh. Saugat Biswas, Secretary RDD Ladakh thanked all the participants and delegates for their role and contributions. Stanzin Tsephen, Director BORDA provided the technical support in organizing the seminar as knowledge partner.
LIC employees staging protest in Jammu on Thursday.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19: Employees of LIC of India in Jammu and Kashmir under the banner of NZIEA Srinagar Division on the call of All India Insurance Employees’ Association held massive demonstrations ouside LIC offices of Jammu & Kashmir.
Demonstrations in Jammu region were led by Pawan Gupta, Divisional secretary NZIEA Srinagar Division; and in Kashmir region by Ajaz Ahmad Dar, joint secretary NZIEA Srinagar Division.
Speaking on the occasion at LIC office DO Cell Jammu, Dinesh Kumar Sharma, vice president of NZIEA Srinagar Division informed the decision of the organization to hold one day strike on November 26, 2020 against the anti-people and anti- workers’ and anti- farmers economic policies of the NDA Government.
Sharma said that the working class of our country is gearing up to make the one day All India strike on November 26 a massive success which is jointly being observed by Central Trade Unions and nearly 150 independent Federations including All India Insurance Employees’ Association.
The main demands are- stop wholesale privatization of Public sector, wage revision of public sector insurance employees (LIC / GIC employees), merger of public sector General Insurance companies, withdrawal of NPS, increasing the family pension from 15 % to 30 %. Updation of pension, cash transfer of Rs 7500 to all citizens of the country whose income is not taxable.
Dinesh Sharma strongly opposed the move of the Govt to sell a part of the stake of LIC by bringing IPO in LIC. He resolved and appealed to one and all to continue struggle and campaign against IPO in LIC and make strike of November 26 a big success.
Others who spoke included Rajesh Kumar and Raj Kumar, Divisional committee members, Ms Neelam Sharma- convener.
Demonstration was led by Vijay Verma at Khathua, Kuldeep Singh at Samba, Moti Ram at Udhampur, Ashwani Kumar Sharma at Jammu-1, Rohit Gupta at Jammu-2, Ram Raj at Doda, Khaliq Hussain at Rajouri and Raj Kumar at Poonch.
Lt Governor interacting with GOC 16 Corps on Thursday.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19: General Officer Commanding, GOC, 16 Corps Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan here today.
The GOC discussed important security issues and the overall security management in the union territory with the Lt Governor. He briefed the Lt Governor about the prevailing scenario along the forward areas including the Line of Control, LoC. Anti-terrorist operations and matters pertaining to coordination with other security forces were also briefed by the GOC.
The Lt Governor appreciating the security forces for their operational synergy and their success in recent counter-terrorism operations said that sustained coordination between security forces and the civil administration is crucial to meet security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior RSS leader and its national working committee member Indresh Kumar addressing a seminar at Jammu on Thursday.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19: Senior RSS leader, its national Working Committee member and patron, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Indresh Kumar while allaying the fears of Gujjars and Bakerwals in the J&K, said that they should get the ownership rights on the land possessed by them.
Addressing a seminar here, today organised by Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust Indresh Kumar strongly advocated for amendment in Forest law to ensure proper security to them.
Terming Gujjars and Bakerwals the patriotic people by core he said they have never tolerated enemies of this nation and took on with them with full might to frustrate their designs right form 1947.
Hitting out at Gupkar Gang, the RSS leader accused them of misleading the people of J&K on the name of new land laws. “The leaders of Gupkar Gang are not the well wishers of J&K people but their worst enemies”, he added.
He said these people never thought of the welfare of Gujjars and Bakerwals during last 70 years and deprived them of their rights till date. It was only with the efforts of the then Vajpayee Government and present Narendra Modi Government that they were given ST status and their rights were safeguarded.
Indresh Kumar said it is BJP which gave this community realization of its rights and now the time is not far away when these people will get rid of all their worries and problems.
While turning tables on Gupkar Gang for spreading canards and misleading people on new land laws, he said this law has secured the rights of the people of J&K. The 90 percent land can neither be sold by any body nor any outsider from J&K can purchase it, he added.
He said it is only barren land which can be sold and rest land will remain with its owners and no body can forcefully purchase it from the people. The people can even get highest rate for barren land which will add to their resources. This land can be utilised for construction of hospitals, schools, other business establishments and if employment generation units will open it will bring prosperity to the people, he added.
He said this law will provide jobs to the local people and also boost the education and those who mislead the people on the name of new land law are not well wishers of the masses
but their worst enemies. He appealed the people not to fall in the trap of these leaders. He, while advocating for the rights of Gujjars and Bakerwals on their land said that they should raise their voice for the same and “I am confident that BJP will fully support this demand”.
He also made an appeal to J&K and Central Government in this regard that the rights of this community be safeguarded fully.
He also demanded that on pattern of Ladakh Scouts Gujjar Bakerwal Scouts should also be formed which will provide employment to these people.
On the occasion National Gujjar Bakerwal leaders urged the Pakistan to vacate PoJK immediately. This community in safeguarding the countries borders never compromised on security issues and even made many sacrifices for this cause, they said.
On the occasion the slogans Pak should vacate PoJK, Baltistan and Gilgit rent the air.
Indresh Kumar said Prime Minister and Home Minister want the upliftment and welfare of these people so that they should not lag behind in progress and development than any community.
On the occasion International Gujjar Sabha president Col (retd) Dev Anand Gujjar, MP and representative of Gujjars Ramdev Vidrohi and J&K Gujjar Sabha chief, Chowdhary Mohamed Chizi and convener, Shazia and many other leaders were also present.
In his address MP Ramdev Vidrohi said till nation will remain fragmented in castes and communities it will not progress and nation will not become the world leader. “We all have to work together to make this nation great, strong and prosperous”, he added.
JKPCC chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir addressing a public rally in Verinag area of Anantnag. —Excelsior/Sajad Dar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president, GA Mir has asked the people to defeat the designs of BJP.
While addressing party workers while accompanying Congress candidate, Naseer Mir to file nomination papers for Shahbad Bala (Verinag) today, JKPCC president said that ensuing DDC elections were the best opportunity to elect the true and honest representatives and appealed the people to ensure victory of Congress Candidates in Jammu and Kashmir with a thumping majority. He said it was the Congress party alone which has taken care urges and aspirations of the people without any discrimination.
Mir assured that Congress Party will continue to work for the wellbeing of the people, despite the concocted and false propaganda unleashed by the BJP against the Party (Congress).
Lashing out at the BJP Govt, JKPCC chief said that Congress Party won’t be cowed down by the anti-Congress rant by the BJP, rather it will further strengthen our resolve to fight for the people’s rights. People have realized as to what BJP has done since it assumed power at Centre and erstwhile J&K State and how it pushed people of J&K to wall for electoral gains.
DDC elections were the best opportunity for the people to defeat the designs of BJP RSS, who were desperate enough to grab power, Mir added and emphasized the people to strengthen the secular forces by casting their vote in favour of the Congress Party in these (DDC) elections, ensuring that the BJP and its divisive policies were defeated.
Mir also said Congress will continue to fight against the wrong policies of BJP and won’t compromise on people’s wishes and rights.
Before filing his nomination papers, Naseer Mir addressed impressive gathering of Party workers and thanked the party high command for his candidature and vowed to work hard for the betterment of the people.
