‘PRI Reps will continue to get honorarium’

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said there is no plan to reduce or scrap the honorarium of the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
“Such rumours are being spread by certain vested interests deliberately misleading elected representatives on the honorarium issue,” Sinha said at a programme in Baramulla district.
The Union Territory administration on Saturday had issued rules to implement 73rd Amendment of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir, giving rise to speculations that the Government might do away with the honorarium being given to Panchs and Sarpanchs.
Sinha also said that the UT administration is not imposing property tax as being misrepresented by some people.

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However, the Urban Local Bodies are competent to decide on such issues in consultation with the public and for their own development, he added.
Sinha said the adminstration has initiated the ‘my town, my pride’ programme with the prime agenda of empowering the urban local bodies by reaching out to the urban population with governance at their doorsteps and ensuring on the spot redressal of their issues and grievances.
The two-day long programme, an initiative for the municipal areas, is being conducted on October 19-20, during which camps for public service delivery have been set up.
The Lt Governor observed that public outreach in towns, strengthening grass-root democracy, and service delivery at doorsteps are the three main objectives of the initiative.
The programme has not been launched to announce anything new but it is an opportunity to discuss and derive solutions to existing needs, issues and for effective delivery of services at every doorstep, he said.
During the two days, many issues faced by the cities will come to light, which will thereby help create a definitive roadmap for developing a strong ecosystem for our cities, focussing on the urban-rural partnership, enhancing market and business opportunities, job creation, filling the gaps in education system and ensuring sustainable economic development of our cities, he added.
The Lt Governor asked the officers to own the initiative, identify local issues and needs of the people, and serve people with accountable, responsive, and participatory governance.
Synchronised efforts must be made for ensuring maximum saturation of social security and beneficiary-oriented schemes; besides ensuring speedy issuance of important documents, certificates; revenue services, and mobilisation of funds towards developmental activities as per the needs of the local population, he added.
During his visit, the Lt Governor inaugurated and laid the foundation of public assets worth Rs 16.64 crore. He also inaugurated Fish Market Bridge worth Rs 4.99 crore and laid the foundation of development and upgradation of Cariappa Park costing Rs 1.31 crore.
Sinha handed over Wheelchairs, Hearing Aids, Motorized vending Cart, and Irrigation Pump set, KCC sanction letters, school bags, books and school uniforms, Old-Age and Widow Pension Orders, sanction orders, and financial assistance to the beneficiaries under various welfare and departmental schemes including PMAY Urban, IHHL Urban, NULM and different schemes of Agriculture, Horticulture, FCS&CA, and other departments.
A  fleet of Garbage collection vans of Municipal Council, Baramulla was also flagged off by the Lt Governor.
Sinha observed that the developmental works created as assets would benefit the local population in meeting their needs and demands.
The Lt Governor dedicated the Fish Market Bridge to the public and said that the bridge will cater to the needs of thousands of pedestrians and the long pending demands of the locals have been addressed with the construction of this bridge.
It was informed that the bridge is a vital link between Old Town Iqbal Market and Fish Market which is a business hub of Baramulla town. It reduces the commuting distance of 1.50 km to 110 meters.
The assets inaugurated by the Lt Governor today include – Bagh-i-Islam community centre worth Rs 2.62 crore; 8 CT/PT under SBM worth Rs 1.2 crore; Machinery/transport facility for Municipal Council, Baramulla costing Rs 1.44 Crore and distribution of door to door dustbins at a cost of Rs 39.80 lakhs.
The assets for those foundations laid were – 3 MLD Sewage / 60 KLD STP costing Rs 9.65 crore; Car parking at Noor-ul-Huda Market at a cost of Rs 84 lakhs and beautification of the market by way of illumination costing Rs 50 lakhs.
The Lt Governor also planted a sapling on the occasion. Artists spread awareness on the COVID-19 pandemic and other social issues through their cultural performances.

Political vendetta, say Omar, Mehbooba

Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 : National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah was today questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Srinagar for seven hours in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association scam.
Dr Abdullah was summoned today by ED at 11 am in connection with multi-crore JKCA scam. He spend whole day in the ED office at Rajbagh where he was questioned for seven hours. He left the ED office at 5 pm.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Abdullah said that the ED sleuths were nice, sober and friendly to him. He said let ED do their job and he will his own.
“I am quite clear. I will always face them. My fate will be decided by the Court when they would put the case to judicial scrutiny. I couldn’t have lunch today. There was no time”, he added.
Asked whether he was summoned because of the formation of Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, Dr Farooq said that “don’t bring Gupkar Declaration into this.”
On whether the questioning was regarding J&K Cricket Association scam, he said: “Why are you bothered? Ask them (ED).”

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Replying to a query whether ED summon and questioning of seven long hours would weaken his resolve for fight seeking restoration of Article 370 back, Dr Farooq said that it wasn’t his resolve alone. “This is the resolve of people of Jammu and Kashmir. This will continue whether Farooq Abdullah is dead or alive.”
To a query that his son Omar Abdullah and PDP chief had termed the ED summon to him as political vendetta, Dr Farooq said: “I have nothing to say on that.”
Abdullah’s son, Omar said the questioning was political vendetta and connected to the alliance forged by six parties from Jammu and Kashmir over the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. “This is nothing less than political vendetta coming days after the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. To set the record straight no raids are being conducted at Dr Sahib’s residence,” Omar posted.
Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the summon depicts nervousness about the mainstream politicians. “ED’s sudden summon to Farooq Sahab displays the extent of GoIs nervousness about mainstream parties in J&K fighting as one unit. Also reeks of political vendetta & wont in the least blunt our collective resolve to fight for our rights,” Mehbooba tweeted.
National Conference spokesperson said in a statement that the ED summon to Farooq Abdullah, who represents Srinagar in the Lok Sabha, shows that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to fight him politically and is now taking help from agencies.
“The ED summon to Dr Farooq Abdullah is clearly the result of unity that Dr Sahib has forged between different mainstream political parties in JK. This is the price one faces when opposed to the BJP’s ideology and divisive politics,” the spokesperson said.
Ten office-bearers of the JKCA, including Abdullah, are accused of turning the sports body into a lending agency and operating several bogus accounts between 2005 and 2012 when the scam was unearthed.
The scam came to light in March 2012 when JKCA treasurer Manzoor Wazir filed a police complaint against former general secretary Mohammad Saleem Khan and former treasurer Ahsan Mirza. Soon, a list with around 50 names linked to the financial scandal was out. Abdullah lost the post of JKCA president later after holding it for more than three decades.
ED attached assets worth Rs 2.6 crore in a money laundering case related to the alleged embezzlement of funds of JKCA. A provisional order for attachment of assets was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the former treasurer of JKCA Ahsan Ahmad Mirza and its finance committee member Mir Mansoor Gazanffer.
The ED case is based on a Central Bureau of Investigation’s first information report as part of which the latter probe agency booked former office-bearers of JKCA, including general secretary Mohammad Saleem Khan and Mirza. The CBI filed a charge sheet against Farooq Abdullah, Khan, Mirza, Mir Manzoor Gazanffer Ali, Bashir Ahmad Misgar and Gulzar Ahmad Beigh (former accountant of JKCA) for “misappropriation of JKCA funds amounting to Rs 43.69 crore” from grants given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the association for promoting the sport in the erstwhile State between 2002-11.
The ED probe has found that during the financial years 2005–2006 to 2011–2012 (up to December 2011) JKCA received Rs 94.06 crore from BCCI in three different bank accounts. However, several other bank accounts were opened in the name of JKCA into which these funds were transferred. Such other bank accounts along with the existing bank accounts were later used for laundering funds of JKCA.
Meanwhile, the People’s Alliance, a newly formed conglomerate of mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, today condemned the interrogation of Dr Abdullah and termed it as part of the “vindictive politics” practised by the Centre to eliminate dissent and disagreement across the country.
Such “tactics” will not dampen the conglomerate’s resolve for restoration of Statehood and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, it said in a statement.
“It is stated that the Central Government unnerved by the unity amongst the people across all the regions and communities to pursue the goals of Gupkar Declaration and support extended to it by political parties and civil society groups at the national level is resorting to a game of witch-hunt and suppression,” the Alliance said in its statement.
Condemning the Enforcement Directorate’s action, the group said it was part of the “vindictive politics practiced by the Central Government to kill dissent and disagreement across the country”.
In the present case, the action has been taken “to silence the genuine demand for reversal of unilateral and unconstitutional decisions of August 5, 2019” under which the State was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir — and the special status guaranteed under Articles 370 and 35-A of the Constitution was abrogated.
“The Alliance has reminded the Central Government that such tactics are not to dampen the will of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to have the Constitutional status realised,” it said.
The Alliance also urged the Centre to realise “the dangers in this process of witch-hunting and intimidation” and desist from such “vindictive designs”. “Dialogue with all stakeholders remains the only option to address the deepening uncertainty in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” the statement said.

Bid to keep phones, Net functional

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: In a cause of major concern for security agencies, Pakistan Government has started major expansion coverage of its mobile network along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) which has the potential of not only helping the militants infiltrate from Line of Control (LoC) but could also neutralize impact of communication blockade including Internet by the J&K Government.
Imran Khan-led Government in Pakistan has drafted major plan which is ready for implementation in PoK under which it will install very high signaled towers at 38 locations along the LoC and International Border with India which will be capable to provide mobile network signals deep inside Jammu and Kashmir to keep mobile telephones functional even in case of communication blockade including shut down of Internet by the J&K Government due to sensitive situation especially during encounters or any other kind of law and order problem in the Valley.
Highly placed sources told the Excelsior that Pakistan’s Special Communications Organization (SCO), which has been providing telecom services in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan region, has already analyzed signals from 38 sites along LoC and IB to provide its mobile network signals deep inside Jammu and Kashmir.
The SCO proposed to use around 30 existing towers by reorienting the GSM antennas in 17 locations to achieve the objective of providing its mobile network signals inside Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan proposed to target especially the Kashmir Valley in its plan where communication blockade especially Mobile internet had to be shut several times due to law and order problems.
“Pakistan Government is specially trying to cover towns in Kashmir through its mobile network signals to spread its messages among the people to flare up tension at the time of encounters and other law and order problems,” sources said.
To further enhance signals, Pakistan Government has also approved installation of new base transceiver station in PoK and use of Wireless Local Loop phones in the Indian territory.
According to sources, Pakistan Government has given nod to increase signal strength of mobile towers at Cham opposite Baramulla, Leepa across Sopore, Upper Neelum and Athmuqam opposite Kupwara and Hillan Meera opposite Srinagar to provide mobile network coverage.
The SCO, according to sources, is also trying to increase transmission power of Television towers located at Khuiratta, Lawat near Muzaffarabad and Upper Neelum to provide extended TV coverage in Jammu and Kashmir. Through Pakistan Television, the Imran Khan Government has been spreading anti-India propaganda in news and other programmes especially pertaining to J&K.
Pakistan Television channels have been caught several times airing video footage of Syria, Iraq and other such nations to describe them as happenings of Kashmir. The Indian Government has nailed Pakistan’s lies at various international forums repeatedly especially showing morphed pictures and footage of other foreign countries to describe them as Kashmir incidents.

Many from Govt schools, SHO test +ve

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Three persons including a 10-year-old child died of COVID-19 in Jammu region and 169 persons tested positive, the majority being 116 in Jammu district, as 417 persons recovered from the virus today. The region’s Corona toll has gone up to 460.
Sixty persons tested positive during Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) in Jammu district.
They include four from Parade Ground, two each in Barbor Higher Secondary School and ZEO Kachi Chawni & Talab Tillo and one each from Government Middle School Satwari, Government Girls High School Rajpura Mangotrian, New Rehari, Government Boys Higher Secondary School Gole Gujral, Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Gandhi Nagar and Resham Ghar.
In rural areas, seven cases each were reported from Pallanwalla and RS Pura, five Akhnoor, four Dansal, three Kot Bhalwal, two each Bishnah and Marh and one at Sohanjana.
A 10-year-old child hailing from Bari Barahamana in Samba district, who died in a road accident, tested positive for pathogen posthumously in the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu. The child was suffering from polytrauma.
A 59-year-old man from village Nowgam in Banihal tehsil of Ramban district, who was co-morbid and positive for Coronavirus, died in the Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar where he was admitted on 17th October while a 78-year-old man Adarsh Colony in Udhampur district, who was suffering from multiple ailments and virus, breathed his last in the GMC Jammu where he was admitted two days back.
With today’s deaths, Jammu region’s Corona casualties have gone up to 460, the maximum 237 in Jammu district followed by 45 Rajouri, 42 Doda, 30 Kathua, 26 Udhampur, 25 Samba, 22 Poonch, 14 Kishtwar, 12 Ramban and seven in Reasi district.
As many as 169 persons today tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu region. While Jammu district accounted for highest numbers of 116 cases, all but one of whom were locals, Doda district reported no fresh case. Three doctors tested positive today.
The SHO Budhal, who is in the rank of Inspector, was among two positive cases in Rajouri district while a staff member of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and two others reported positive for the virus in Reasi district. All seven positives in Kishtwar and four in Ramban district were locals.
Among 12 COVID positive cases in Samba district, eight were locals and four travelers while in Poonch six were locals and three travelers in total of nine cases. In Udhampur district, five out of 11 positives and in Kathua, four of five positives were locals and rest travelers.
As against 169 positive cases in Jammu region, 417 recovered from the virus today including 160 in Jammu district, 82 Reasi, 47 Doda, 41 Rajouri, 38 Udhampur, 26 Poonch, 15 Ramban and eight in Kathua district while no recoveries were reported from Samba and Kishtwar districts.
Jammu region now has 35415 Corona cases. Among them, 3189 were active positives while 31766 have recovered from the virus. There have been 460 Corona casualties.
Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Ladakh today reported 49 new Corona cases—46 in Leh and three Kargil taking the UT’s Corona tally to 5647.
Ladakh has 880 active positives as 4701 persons have recovered from the virus.
There have been 66 Corona casualties in Ladakh, 28 in Leh and 38 in Kargil.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 : Kashmir reported seven more COVID-19 related deaths today, taking its overall Coronavirus death toll to 1391 while 258 people tested COVID positive in the Valley taking the number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 88,369.
Kulgam reported two deaths and Srinagar, Pulwama, Bandipora, Shopian and Anantnag one each.
Those who died in Kashmir include a 77-year-old woman from Bandipora, who died  13 days after being admitted to the SKIMS Soura hospital; and a 70-year-old man from Pampore in district Pulwama who died at CD hospital, three days after he was admitted there.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached 931 in Valley.
Srinagar district with 333 deaths topped the list followed by Baramulla 135, Budgam 90, Pulwama 78, Kupwara 71, Anantnag 71, Kulgam 45, Bandipora 43, Shopian 34 and  Ganderbal 30.
And Kashmir reported 258 fresh COVID cases today taking the number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 88,369.
Among these Srinagar reported 112 cases, Budgam 16, Baramulla 38, Pulwama 19, Kupwara 18, Anantnag 26, Bandipora 19, Ganderbal 4, Kulgam 2 and Shopian 4.
The total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached 52,954 including 46,901 recoveries and 9228 deaths.
As per officials figures, 17,809 positive cases including 333 deaths and 15,699 recoveries are from Srinagar, 5,253 including 90 deaths and 5,169 recoveries are from Budgam, 5,253 including 3,823 recoveries and 135 deaths are from Baramulla, 4,433 including 4,076 recoveries and 77 deaths are from Pulwama, 4,094 including 71 deaths and 3,711 recoveries are from Kupwara, 3,999 including 3,575 recoveries and 71 deaths are from Anantnag, 3,865 cases including 3,543 and 42 deaths are from Bandipora, 3,319 including 3,037 recoveries and 30 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,397 including 2,269 recoveries and 45 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,122 including 1,999 recoveries and 34 deaths are from Shopian.
Moreover, they said, 781 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals including 364 from Kashmir valley.
With 781 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 78,667 which is 89.02 percent of the total cases.