Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 26: While briefing about some of the major reforms brought by Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) under the Modi government, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also In-Charge DoPT, disclosed today that the male employees of the Government are also now entitled to Child Care Leave.
However, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the provision and privilege of Child Care Leave (CCL) will be available only for those male employees who happen to be “single male parent”, which may include male employees who are widowers or divorcees or even unmarried and may therefore, be expected to take up the responsibility of child care as a single – handed parent.
Describing it as a path-breaking and progressive reform to bring ease of living for government servants, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the orders regarding this had been issued quite some time back but somehow did not receive enough circulation in the public and was not reported enough in the media.
In a further relaxation to this provision, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that an employee on Child Care Leave may now leave the head quarter with the prior approval of Competent Authority. In addition, the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) may be availed by the employee even if he is on Child Care Leave. Elaborating further, he informed that Child Care Leave can be granted at 100% of leave salary for the first 365 days and 80% of leave salary for the next 365 days.
Based on the inputs over a period of time, Dr Jitendra Singh said, another welfare measure introduced in this regard is that in case of a disabled child, the condition of availing Child Care Leave upto the age of 22 years of the child has been removed and now Child Care Leave can be availed by a government servant for a disabled child of any age.
With the personal intervention and indulgence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his special emphasis on governance reforms, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it has been possible to make several out-of-box decisions in the DoPT over the last six years. Basic purpose behind all these decisions has always been to enable a government employee to contribute to the maximum of his potential, although at the same time there will be no leniency or tolerance toward corruption or non-performance, he said.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 26: ADGP Armed J&K AK Choudhary visited Armed Police Complex Zewan here today to take the stock of the functioning and welfare of jawans of armed police units located in the complex.
During the visit the ADGP conducted meeting of officers and jawans of JKAP-9th and JKAP-12th Battalions viz Ladies Contingent of J&K Armed Police jointly.
During the meeting, the officers and jawans of the units put forth several personal as well as departmental problems mostly pertaining to their welfare.
ADGP patiently listened to the grievances of jawans and officers and assured them that their problems falling within the competency of APHQ shall be examined at APHQ level and accordingly redressed on merit and other issues shall be taken-up with the PHQ on priority for appropriate action.
While addressing the meeting, the ADGP stressed upon them to promote police public relations and maintain discipline of highest order.
Highlighting the necessity of remaining extra alert and vigilant and wearing proper anti-riot and BP gear while performing law & order duty, the ADGP stressed upon the supervisory officers at unit coy as well as platoon level to exercise proper control upon the men under their command and ensure that nothing wrong is allowed to go unnoticed.
The ADGP also advised the supervisory officers at all levels to patiently hear the grievances of their subordinates whosoever approaches them for redressal of their grievances and take appropriate action on genuine grievances put-forth before them by their subordinates. Hearing a subordinate patiently by his supervisor is the first solace which a subordinate expects from his supervisor and motivates him to a great extent for better and result oriented performance.
The ADGP also apprised the officers and men about the new policy to be introduced by the Government regarding reviewing performance of work of Government employees and advised them to work with dedication and sincerity.
During the visit, the ADGP was accompanied by his Staff Officer Mahmood Ahmad SSP, DySP (Pers) APHQ Abdul Hamid Dar, DySP (Sports) APHQ Mushtaq Ahmad Wani and Private Secretary Syed Sajad Hussain DySP(S).
Earlier, Manzoor Ahmad SSP Commandant JKAP-9th Battalion and Sanjay Rana-SSP Commandant JKAP-12th Battalion welcomed ADGP and also briefed him about other infrastructural requirements of the complex besides different assignments, the units are presently performing.
Senior officers of JKAP-9th and JKAP-12th Battalions and Ladies contingent including Commandants, Deputy Commandants, Coy Commanders, NGOs and ORS were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: Senior Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders and former ministers Raman Bhalla and Yogesh Sawhney today alleged that anti-farmer, anti-employee, anti-poor, anti-women and anti-people BJP Government has been badly destroying the country.
In a meeting of the District Congress Committee Jammu-Urban (DCC-U), held here today to make necessary preparations for conducting district-wise programs to commemorate the 36th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the senior PCC leaders alleged that BJP was weakening the democratic institutions and tries to govern J&K through proxy. They alleged that BJP has proved anti-farmer, anti-employee, anti-women and anti-people.
Raman Bhalla, while speaking in the meeting, announced, that as per party directions, they will organise a Satyagraha on October 31 to step up it’s protests against the BJP Government for farmers’ rights to mark the day as Kissan Adhikar Diwas. “The party will step up and accelerate its awareness program to awaken people to the unjust actions of the Government, the economic degradation, the increasing inflation and costs, and anti-farmer agricultural laws among other things. Therefore, the party has decided to launch a series of programs against the anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-poor and anti-people policies of the BJP-led Government at the Center”, said Bhalla.
PCC leader launched a scathing attack on the Union Government for endangering the livelihood and rights of the backbone of the country i.e., our farmers. The coming Satyagraha will mark our resistance against them. “The BJP’s attempt to fan hostility among the public by saying sugar-coated statements would not succeed as the miserable condition of the country in all walks and spheres of life is visible to all. The BJP then goes on to divert people’s attention from real issues to save their power, and their authoritarian, extremely dictatorial strategies are only working against the country. The political and communal turn each of the issues has taken had led to a series of conspiracies and conflicts only but no solutions”, he said.
Sawhney elaborated on party’s future course of action regarding Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary programs. “We will conduct Satyagrahas and fasts at district headquarters against anti-farmer and anti-labour policies of BJP Govt,” Sawhney said.
Senior Congress leaders Dr RamaKant Khajuria, Uttam Singh, Madan Lal Malager, SP Sapolia, Sushant Gupta, Atul Sharma, Kulbushan Sharma , Chander Shekhar Sharma, Amrit Bali, Hoshiar Singh, Vijay Sharma, Rakesh Chopra and others were also present in the meeting.

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 26: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh during his two days visit here alongwith DIG Rajouri-Poonch Vivek Gupta reviewed crime, security and law and order situation of the district.
During the visit, IGP conducted crime meeting of the Rajouri-Poonch Range which was attended by SSP Rajouri Chandan Kohli, SSP Poonch Ramesh Angral and all gazetted officers of the district Poonch.
During the meeting, instructions were issued to finalize the cases on merit and using scientific aids in investigations. Police should adopt people friendly approach in day to day dealings. IGP Jammu Zone also reviewed the preparation of Zila Panchayat elections and its related security arrangements.
IGP Jammu Zone inaugurated Police Martyrs Memorial Volleyball Tournament at Sports Stadium Poonch.
Later IGP along with other officers visited Mandi and Loran areas and reviewed the overall security scenario of the region.
IGP also attended cultural program organized by District Police Poonch in the memory of gallant Police Martyrs.
During his visit, he interacted with prominent citizens, sports persons and general public.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: J&K Private Schools Association (JKPSA) has appealed the Government to evolve a strategy of reopening the schools in Jammu and Kashmir on rotational basis.
The issue was discussed threadbare in a meeting of private schools of winter zone of district Reasi, which was organized by Ashwani Khajuria (district president) along with the designated members of private schools of district Reasi to discuss their problems.
Members from different winter zones viz Chasana, Arnas, Pouni, Mahore participated in the meeting and highlighted their problems which included financial deficit due to the non-collection of monthly fee, delay in disbursing the regular monthly salary to their employees even at the closure of academic session 2019-20 of winter zone etc.
While speaking, members from far flung areas said that it has become worrisome for them to run a private school due to their low budget. “The teachers which were engaged to continue the community classes and online classes as per the guidelines issued by the Government in the wake of COVID -19 are now claiming their wages and threatening to lodge complaint against the school authorities for the delay in their salaries,” they added.
They said that some schools might have paid the wages to their employees out of their reserve and collection of fee after the announcement of unlock but most of the schools till date have not paid even a single penny because most of the parents are reluctant to pay monthly fee as per circular number 01 Education of 2020 dated 14-05-2020.
Keeping all pros and cons in consideration, Ajay Gupta, general secretary of JKPSA (special invitee on the occasion) on behalf of members appealed to the Government to generate a strategy of reopening the schools in Jammu and Kashmir on the rotational basis as done incase of coaching centers/tutorials for the larger interest of the community.

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 26: The villagers from Rassain Kund held protest against the PMGSY wing of R&B department for using substandard material in newly constructed road from Majua to Rassain in Ramnagar Tehsil. The villagers alleged that even the contractor has not made payments to the labourers.
The protestors raised slogans against the PMGSY department and appealed to Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha to hold high level inquiry into the matter and punish the culprits. They alleged that highly sub standard material has been used by the concerned contractor . The PMGSY department officials failed to keep check on the contractor who has used very low quality material and the road has been damaged within short time. Even the contractor has not made balance payment to the labourers who are moving from pillar to post for the hard earned money.
The work on this road from Majua to Rassain, 16.2 km length under PMGSY was started in August 2018. But black topping work is completed on 6 km but department used substandard material and the road has been uprooted/ damaged within few months. The locals demanded probe into the matter. The black topping has not been completed till date.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Director, Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) J&K, Dr Mohan Singh extensively toured all the districts of Kashmir Division and reviewing the implementation of the AYUSH schemes.
Dr Singh chaired one to one meetings with all the District Officers, Medical Officers and other AYUSH officials of the districts. The implementation of schemes like National AYUSH Mission, NABARD, establishment of AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), along with the physical & financial progress made under various heads were discussed in detail.
Director ISM advised the officers to expedite the works on two 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospitals approved by Union Ministry of AYUSH, at Kupwara and Kulgam. He informed that three more Integrated AYUSH Hospitals have been approved by Ministry of AYUSH to be established at Bandipora, Anantnag and Samba.
While reviewing the progress of AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres, he directed the CHOs of AYUSH HWCs to keep a close liaison with the Allopathic officers so that the services of ASHAs and ANMs are properly utilized to carry out the requisite functions of AYUSH HWCs. He also directed the CHOs to identify the space for lab services (Diagnostics area) and Yoga centres in their respective AYUSH HWCs.
He further advised to all the District officers for expediting prerequisite for establishment of District Program Management units which are envisaged to be established in all the districts to strengthen the AYUSH District Management.
The Director ISM on his visit to Government Unani Medical College and Hospital, Ganderbal observed that the College is at the final stages of completion. He noted that the OPD services in the College cum Hospital Campus at Ganderbal have already been operationalized.
He took a serious note on under utilization of funds in some districts and directed the concerned District officers to submit the Utilization Certificates under all heads at an earliest besides completing all pending works in Health & wellness centres of the District.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAMNAGAR, Oct 26:  Accusing the BJP of having failed to fulfill even a single promise made to its electorates during 2014 Assembly elections, NPP chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh today said that coming elections would prove to be a waterloo for its fake and dishonest leaders.
He said that those who had abused the public trust would not only be made accountable and answerable but appropriately replied and responded. He said that simmering underlying discontent was fast bursting into fury as was noticed in several Ramnagar villages where people were openly confronting the mandated leadership.
“It’s not easy to deceive people. Today people remember each word spoken during elections, each action, each promise and each pledge. How hard we try, we can’t wipe the slate clean and erase the public memory with one new shot. You have to account for the U-turns that you took on your promises made during elections and on the strength of which you were voted to power”, Singh while addressing huge public meetings in Rassaul, Marta, Battal and Babey villages during his two days tour of Ramnagar constituency.
Alleging deprivation and neglect of rural and remote areas, farmers and youth by the erstwhile regime, Singh said that grim political regression of saffron rule shall continue to haunt the people of Jammu region.  “Nobody spoke for the educated youth of Jammu region who were subjected to the most hostile discrimination in services during the last few years. No any mandated leader could rake up the cause of daily rated and other casual and need based workers who were denied wages for years together. No MLA could raise his voice in Assembly against the anti- Jammu stance taken by the Kashmir centric leadership on multifarious issues including holiday of Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday, blatant discrimination against Jammu region and growing unemployment and so on. And no body had the guts to confront the Kashmir based MLA who raised pro- Pak slogans inside the Assembly,” said Singh.
Charging the BJP MLAs of failure on all fronts, Singh said they could neither satisfy the people on developmental front nor could protect the honour and dignity of Dogras.

* SDH for Talab Tillo demanded

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: BJP leader and convener BJP J&K Urban Local Bodies Cell Sanjay Kumar Baru today met Member Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma here in PWD Guest Jammu and held detailed deliberations on various issues/demands of inhabitants of Talab Tillo area.
During hour-long meeting, Baru apprised and strongly recommended some local important issues of the area unanimously decided by Team Talab Tillo comprising of JMC Councillors from Ward No 30, 31, 32, 40, 4, 61 and Sarpanch Gole Gujral and Sari Rakwalan.
The major demands projected were Sub-District Hospital, Community Hall and Toilet Complex for women at Poonch House (Talab Tillo) and New Police Station at Gole Gujral.
Other development issues that figured in the meeting were construction of concrete nallah from Akhnoor Road (Durga Nagar) to Kabir Colony and drainage nallah from wine factory to Hazuri Bagh, route for New Metro Project and Road Widening Projects from Canal Head via Talab Tillo to Patta Chungi.
He further demanded blacktopping of various roads and internal lanes, particularly main road from Patta Chungi to Anand Nagar, internal lanes at Hazuri Bagh, Anand Vihar, Anand Nagar, Priyadarshani Nagar, Tirath Nagar, Sai Baba Ji Lane, Jawahar Nagar Lane, Poonch House lanes etc. Other issues projected were construction of one additional Over Head Tank (OHT) at Wazir Lane for meeting drinking water demand of people of Ward No 40 and 41.
Baru further apprised that all these issues have also been projected before Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sushma Chauhan and to the Visiting Officer during ‘My Town My Pride’ meetings and requested the MP to make his intervention to solve and fulfill all public demands.
Jugal Kishore Sharma listened patiently to all the demands/issues put forth by Sanjay Baru and assured him that he will take up all the issues on priority with Advisors to Lieutenant Governor and also visit the area shortly.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: Former J&K BJP President, Sat Sharma here today inaugurated ‘The Chef’s Grill’ restaurant at Rehari Colony-Rajpura road inside Fitness Planet Gym complex.
Sat was accompanied by District BJP President, Munish Khajuria; owner and MD of the restaurant, Anuradha Sharma; BJP District General Secretary, Karan Sharma; Mandal Presidents-Raveesh Mengi and Keshav Chopra; Mahila Morcha UT General Secretary, Urvashi Gupta and Sangeeta Verma.
A handout stated that ‘The Chef’s Grill’ already has a restaurant in Channi Himmat.
Speaking on the occasion, Sat Sharma hailed the efforts of the owner of the restaurant for taking such an initiative and further providing employment to eight people.
He said, following the appeal of PM Narendra Modi of Aatmnirbhar Bharat, the youths of J&K are showing their potential.
The BJP leader also said that many schemes of Modi Government have created job avenues and appealed the youths to become a job provider instead of job seeker.
“A job provider plays a dominant role in boosting the economy,” Sat maintained.
Munish Khajuria also spoke on the occasion.
Owner and MD of the restaurant, Anuradha Sharma said, world class chefs are working in her restaurant to provide best and hygienic vegetarian and non- vegetarian food to the people.
She also stated that home delivery will also be provided within a limit of two kilometres.