Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 22: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) today arrested a Patwari in Halqa Kulbugh, Khansahib, Badgam for accepting a bribe of Rs 5000.
The ACB said that the instant case was registered on the complaint that Irshad Ahmad Dar, Patwari Halqa Kulbugh, Khansahib, Badgam was demanding Rs. 5000 as a bribe for providing/issuing Fard Intikhab (revenue extracts) of land in favour of the complainant.
“Immediately, on receipt of this complaint, Case FIR No.19/2020 in PS ACB Srinagar U/S 7 Prevention of Corruption Act was registered. A team was constituted to lay a trap. The Patwari was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 5000 from the complainant,” the ACB said.
It said that further investigation of the case is going on.
Patwari arrested for accepting bribe
Malhotra objects implementation of Govt schemes through BJP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: Accusing administration of playing in the hands of BJP, Apni Party general secretary Vikram Malhotra today expressed concern over the situation in Jammu in which the Government schemes are being implemented selectively through the cadre of BJP in violation of rules.
“The administration is helping the BJP and its cadre to implement Central Government schemes in Jammu selectively particularly in issuance of domicile certificates or Aayushman Bharat Scheme in violation of set norms,” said Apni Party general secretary Vikram Malhotra.
Issuing a statement to the press, Malhotra questioned the silence of the civil administration for their involvement in highly objectionable acts of facilitating a political party and ignoring other political parties.
“It shows how the administration provides unprecedented support to the BJP and this political party’s cadre collects Rs 50 per case in Aayushman Bharat Scheme. It is a glaring example of violation of all norms, and implementation of Government schemes on the ground through the BJP cadre which is highly objectionable,” Malhotra said.
He said that they will approach Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and seek action against the administration for their selective approach. The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu should immediately act against the officials,” said Malhotra.
Vikram Malhotra, Apni Party’s General Secretary said that the growing anger among people is especially in absence of an elected Govt and there is no one to listen to their concerns. When people approach the administration, he alleged the officials do not work without direction from BJP. “This administration has become a puppet in the hands of BJP and they are pleasing their bosses by annoying the public,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, several people from Talab Tillo area of Jammu West and Ward Number 15 of Jammu East Assembly Constituency joined the party.
US proposes not to issue business visa for H-1B speciality occupations
WASHINGTON, Oct 22:
The State Department has proposed not to issue temporary business visas for H-1B speciality occupations which allowed several companies to send their technology professionals for a short stay to complete jobs on site in the US, a move which could affect hundreds of Indians.
The proposal, if finalised, will eliminate any misconception that the “B-1 in lieu of H policy” provides an alternative avenue for foreign professionals to enter the US to perform skilled labour that allows, and potentially even encourages them and their employers to circumvent the restrictions and requirements relating to the H non-immigrant classification established by Congress to protect the US workers, the State Department said.
The move, made public yesterday, less than two weeks ahead of the November 3 presidential election, is likely to impact several Indian companies which send their technology professionals on B-1 visas for a short stay to complete jobs on site in the US.
On December 17, 2019, the Attorney General of California announced a USD 800,000 settlement against Infosys Limited to resolve allegations that approximately 500 Infosys employees worked in the state on Infosys-sponsored B-1 visas rather than H-1B visas, the State Department said.
“The proposed changes and the resulting transparency would reduce the impact of foreign labour on the US workforce of aliens performing activities in a specialty occupation without the procedural protections attendant to the H-1B classification,” it said.
In its federal notification issued yesterday, the State Department said the US architecture firm seeking protection from rising labour costs in the country might believe it could lay off its US architects and contract for the same professional architectural services to be provided by a foreign architecture firm.
If the foreign firm sought H-1B visas for its architects, it would be required to pay the prevailing wage for architects in the area of intended employment in the United States, presumably the same wage the US architects had been paid, and meet the other requirements enacted by the Congress to protect US workers.
But under the B-1 in lieu of H policy, the foreign architects could ostensibly seek B-1 visas and travel to the US to fill a temporary need for architecture services, as long as they retained a residence in the foreign country and continued to receive a salary, perhaps significantly lower than what is customary for US architects, dispersed abroad by the foreign firm (or under the auspices of a foreign parent or subsidiary), the State Department said.
Under the Department’s guidance, visas could be issued for multiple architects planning temporary work in the US in certain situations. However, a foreign employer may succeed in undermining the US immigration law and policy by rotating architects between the US and the foreign country to effectively fill the position of one US architect at a significantly lower cost, the notification said.
“If the architects who intended to perform skilled labour were “of distinguished merit and ability… Seeking to perform (temporary architectural services) of an exceptional nature requiring such merit and ability, one might argue the current regulatory language suggests this type of labour is a permissible basis for B-1 non-immigrant visa issuance,” the State Department said.
This potential outcome is harmful to the US workers and contrary to the policies of the Trump administration, it said.
The State Department said the application process for a B-1 visa does not include similar procedural requirements to protect the US workers like that of H-1B visas.
Also, the fees for the B-1 visas are far less than that of H-1B visas.
While Congress required H-1B employers to pay significant fees to fund assistance to the US workforce as well as prevention and detection of fraud related to skilled labour, employers are not required to pay comparable fees to employ skilled workers under the B-1 in lieu of H policy, it said.
According to the notification, the State Department estimates that this proposal will affect not more than 6,000 to 8,000 foreign workers per year, specifically aliens intending to provide services in a specialty occupation in the US.
As per its estimate, up to 28 per cent of the approximately 8,000 annual B-1 visa issuances under the B-1 in lieu of H policy were to foreign workers who applied for a visa to perform services in a specialty occupation for a small entity in the US. (PTI)
Final of ‘Kashmir Ke Sitare’ musical talent held
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 22: A musical talent hunt competition for the Kashmir Valley was organized by News18 Urdu at Tagore Hall here.
The musical event titled ‘Kashmir Ke Sitare’ was initiated from 08 August 2020 under the aegis of Kashmir Glowkar Society in collaboration with News 18 Urdu TV Channel.
“This talent hunt show provided a platform to all such youth so that their talent can be recognised properly and other youngsters will also be encouraged to come forward and showcase their talent to the entire music world,” Group Editor, News18 Urdu Rajesh Raina said.
To participate in the ‘Musical Talent Hunt’ show, the aspirants had to record their videos on mobile, and WhatsApp them to News 18 Urdu.
The talent hunt competition was organized in the categories’ of Kashmiri Folk, Sufiyana, Light Classical and RAP.
Only Kashmiri folk or original compositions were accepted in the approximate two months-long promotion over 130 auditions was received from all over the valley, even from the remotest areas.
Once the auditions were received they were screened and the best 20 performances were shortlisted for a live competition.
The final competition was held in Tagore Hall on 19 Oct 2020
Their performances were judged by eminent artist like Gulzar Ah Ganie, Waheed Jeelani and Showkat Yaqoob who apart from judging the contestants guided them on the finer nuances of the music
Junaid Mir who contested in the light classical category was adjudged as the winner of Rs 51,000 Prize of “Kashmir Ke Sitare”.
He was closely followed by the following Runner ups, who were awarded Rs 11,000 each Omar Farooq Bhat and Waqar Khan in the Sufiyana category. Saqib Shah for Kashmiri folk music category. In RAP Category, the performance of Arshid Rasik and Musaib were jointly adjudged as the Runner ups.
The prize distribution was done by the jury who hailed the competitive Spirits of all the participants.
AIBCU discusses OBC census
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: In a meeting of All India Backward Classes Union (AIBCU) chaired by its president, Abdul Majid Malik the matter of OBC census was discussed.
Speaking in the meeting AIBCU Secretary, Kewal Krishan Fotra said, Supreme Court on October 15, 2020 has pulled the government for not doing OBC census after 1931, when it was done by the then British government.
He also claimed that the apex court has also questioned the Central government for not including separate OBC column in Performa for census 2021.
In a handout AIBCU has asked OBC people to boycott census 2021 if no separate column for OBC is included in the Performa.
Participants in the meeting appealed J&K LG to allow their deputation for a meeting to discuss the issues of OBCs.
Abdul Rashid, Jia Lal Verma, Surinder Verma, Sarpanch; Som Dutt, S.C Verma, Bua Ditta Prajapati, Prof Kali Das and others were also present in the meeting.
Al-Badr militants surrender in Sopore
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 22: Two newly recruited militants of Al-Badr outfit surrendered today before security forces during an operation in Shallpora, Tujjjar Shareef area of Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Police said that on specific information, a joint operation was launched by Sopore police, Army’s 22-RR and CRPF at village Shallpora in Sopore.
“During the search operation, two militants were spotted hiding in a residential house, who turned out to be local newly recruited Al-Badr militants, who had joined the outfit on September 23 by circulating their photos of affiliation on social media holding grenades,” police said.
Police said that before any engagement, their family members were brought in on the spot to persuade the militants to surrender. “The militants were persuaded by the collective efforts of security forces and their family members, who responded and surrendered before the security forces along with incriminating materials,” police said.
The duo were identified as Abid Ahmad War and Mehraj-ud-Din War, both residents of Wadoora in Sopore.
A case was registered in this regard in Police Station Bomai and investigation have been taken up.
Smart City Team from MoHUA calls on CEC
Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Oct 22: A team of Smart City Project comprising of technical experts from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Rahul Singh and Arun Sharma besides Tahir Ahmad Nodal Officer Smart City Mission ULB Ladakh called on the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan here today.
The team apprised the CEC about the ongoing stakeholders meetings wherein they are conducting consultative meets to sensitize all the concerned stakeholders regarding the Smart City Mission.
The team further informed CEC Khan that a consultative meeting with the departmental heads was held on 19th and 20th of October, 2020 while another meeting was held with public representatives on 21st of October, 2020.
The CEC was informed these meetings are the first in line of a multistage process of smart city principles so that citizens’ aspirations and participation could be ensured in the development of the smart city.
CEC Khan stated that the team should focus on augmenting and improving all public utilities with innovation and application of technology keeping in due consideration of local terrain and climatic conditions. He further stated that development along vertical alignments could be explored to accommodate public utilities like parking spaces.
Various other important issues like green spaces, public utilities, etc. were also discussed in the meeting.
CEC stressed that public representatives must be taken into confidence right from the planning phase so that active participation and timely cooperation is ensured.
Pertinently, the Government of India has included Kargil among the list of cities to be developed as a smart city under the Smart City Mission which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015.
KPs reject cluster rehabilitation, term LG’s statement confusing
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: Various Kashmiri Pandit organizations have expressed their dismay over the Government’s confusing stand on permanent return and rehabilitation of exiled Pandits in their homeland in Kashmir Valley.
Sampooran Kashmir Sanghatthan (SKS) in a statement issued today asked LG Manoj Sinha to clarify the stand about mass rehabilitation of entire Kashmiri Pandit community.
General secretary, SKS, Bharat Kachroo said that KP community developed a doubt on policies of Government after recent interview of LG regarding rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Kachroo has raised strong objection on statement of LG for saying that only 6000 PM package jobs will end the migration and it will be the mode of rehabilitation in next one year. SKS while rejecting this termed it a joke with the exiled people whose roots are linked to Kashmir and its over 5000 year old civilization.
Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj (VKS) in a meeting held in Jammu while reacting to the statement of LG rejected the Government proposal of cluster accommodation for KPs in the Valley.
The VKS held a meeting under the chairmanship of Pintoo Ji. It reminded the LG that KPs are the real aborigines of Kashmir and are eagerly waiting for the return to Valley with dignity and honour on their own terms and conditions.
Government should not link PM employment package and their accommodation with the return of KPs, it said. In the year 2008 Government announced PM package and till date it utterly failed to absorb even 3000 employees and how Government claims that they have given 6000 employment to KPs which is totally baseless.
M K Yogi Working president NC said, that Government must pass Temples and Shrines Bill to safeguard and preserve the age old culture and tradition of KPs and GOI must sanction fifty thousand crore rupees for the repair and renovation of these temples and other Hindu religious places of importance in the Valley.
Chairman Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants, Satish Mahaldar has also strongly condemned the statement of LG.
While reacting to LG’s statement he said “It is clear that the Government has not done any home work during these years and neither does it have a plan to facilitate the return of Pandits to the Valley. Almost six years have passed for the Modi-led Government, but no proposal has been made by the Government of India to return and rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley”, he added.
A volunteer group of 419 Kashmiri Pandit families had been promised land and houses in Kashmir as part of the return and rehabilitation process, but nothing has been done in this regard, he said. The list had been submitted to the MOS, J&K Governor and the PMO, he added.
HC quashes detention of 3 persons, directs release
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 22: High Court today quashed three detention orders of detenues passed under Public Safety Act and one detention under NDPS Act and directed the jail authorities to release them forthwith if not required in another case.
Justice Sindhu Sharma while dealing with three separate petitions quashed these detentions passed by District Magistrates Baramulla and Pulwama against the detenues Abdul Ahad Dar, Ajaz Ahmad Mir and Asrar Ahmad Lone and directed for their release from the custody forthwith unless they are not required in any other case.
The Habeas Corpus Petition had been filed against the detention orders passed under Section 8, clause (a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978 with a view to prevent them from acting in any manner in the activities which were prejudicial to the maintenance of the security of the state.
Court said the detenues have a valuable right to make a representation at the earliest against their order of detentions in terms of Article 22(5) of the Constitution of India and Section 13 of the Public Safety Act.
Court said the detenues thus, have to be communicated at the earliest that they have a right to make a representation to the Detaining Authority till the order of detention was approved. Court said as the detenues were not communicated this valuable right of making a representation before the Detaining Authority, this has resulted in an infraction of their valuable right and the detention would be vitiated.
Justice Sanjay Dhar also quashed the detention order of one Parvaiz Ahmad Malik passed under Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSP) as the authorities have failed to file the counter affidavit and production of record despite number of opportunities granted by the court.
Court after enunciation of law on the issue said, it is clear that for detaining a person, who is already booked under sustentative offices, there must be compelling reasons to do so. In the instant case, the detaining Authority has, while passing the impugned order of detention, referred to the alleged incidents that had taken place more than two years prior to the passing of the said order.
The impugned order, court said, could not have been passed on the basis of stale incidents having no proximity to the date of the order. No reasons, much less compelling reason, for passing the impugned order have been brought to bear in the grounds of detention of the petitioner. “Thus, the impugned order of detention is legally unsustainable on this ground as well”, reads the judgment.
Bring some statute to regulate distributors, company relations: FAIVM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: To settle various rifts under distribution agreement, Federation of All India Vyapaar Mandal (FAIVM) urged Government to bring some statute to regulate distributors and company relations.
Sanjay Bansal, President J&K FAIVM has urged Government by writing a letter to Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Minister of Industry and Commerce Piyush Goyal to frame some legal frame work in order to protect interest and existence of distributors and wholesellers which due to manufacturers’ discriminating policies is at stake. A lot of harassment and manipulative business practices have been noticed by companies particularly when they deal with brick and mortal distributors and with online sellers.
According to the National General Secretary of FAIVM, VK Bansal, with the growing online, Companies are making policies in favour of online marketplace and these policies are against the interest of distribution-ship. VK Bansal allege if this kind of policies by manufacturers prevails for long we may anticipate closure of many distributors and whole sellers’ business in near future.
VK Bansal stressed that any distribution invest money, time and efforts to establish any unknown brand or product in market but once it gets established, manufacturer starts removing distribution from his supply chain. Sometimes companies terminate agreement without any notice on unliterary basis. Companies shave our post-dated cheques and blank agreement by which they create pressure on us either to achieve an unrealistic target or sacrifice distribution business. All sudden entire investment becomes zero once companies changes the hands of supply chain.
President of Confederation of West Bengal Traders Association Sushil Poddar, CH Krishna, President of the Federation of All India Distributors and National President of FAIVM Jayendra Tanna also expressed their disappointment over the growing disputes towards companies and distributors.