Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 16: Power Development Department (PDD) has imposed Rs 30 lakh fine on Baba Reshi flour mills for bypassing the power meter.
Chief Engineer Bashir Ahmad told Excelsior that an inspection team of the department found that the flour mill owner was bypassing the power meter leading to losses to the department. He said that the department has imposed a fine of around Rs 30 lakh on the owner for by passing the meter.
“We have placed two officials under suspension and I have ordered a departmental inquiry headed by SE Srinagar-Budgam Shubhan Kumar. He has been directed to submit his report within a week.” Khan said.
PDD imposes Rs 30 lakh fine on flour mill
Various insecticides declared misbranded
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 16: Quality Control Laboratory of Agriculture Department has declared various batches of different pesticides misbranded after analytical tests.
These insecticides include Macoban M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) with batch No. MA40506MZ, MA40508MZ, MA40509MZ, Ekalux 25 EC (Quinalphos 25% EC) with batch No. SPK4D031, SPK4D032, Hunter G-S (Butachlor 5% GR) with batch No. S-258, S-257, S-259, S-263, S-261, S-262, Finish (Butachlor 5% GR) with batch No. F/FHG-084, Agro Meesheti (Butachlor 5% GR) with batch No. 22, 23, 24 & 25, Luzem M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP) with batch No. DM14D011. The Law Enforcement Agency has seized these insecticides from various districts of the Valley.
The Law Enforcement Agency has also stopped the sale of these products. However, pesticide companies have challenged the test results and have approached the authorities for joint re-analysis under law.
Sham lays foundation stone of Rest House, class rooms
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma today laid foundation stone of PHE Rest House to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 16.25 lakh and additional three class rooms at Middle School Jourian under Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) at Jourian.
Chief Engineer PHE, Sushil Aima, S.E. Hydraulic Jammu, Rajeev Malhotra, Deputy CEO Jammu, Suraj Singh, Tehsildar, Vijay Sharma, Executive Engineer PHE, P.P. Arora, Panchs, Sarpanchs besides tehsil and Block Level Officers were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Sham said that education being priority sector received special attention of the Government and serious steps have been taken to upgrade education sector in remote and farthest corners of the state to provide quality education at the doorsteps.
He said that on completion of Rest House will provide accommodation facilities to the tourists and will prove beneficial for generating income to the locals of the area. The Minister said that efforts are a foot to construct infrastructure for promotion of adventure tourism in the State.
The Minister said Government has put the availability of drinking water to people in remote areas on priority. He said Government is consolidating the reach and output of current water supply schemes before taking up new ones. He directed the concerned engineers to complete the ongoing works within deadline period so that benefit percolates down to people.
The Minister said that to overcome water, power crises, various initiatives have been taken by providing transformers, lift irrigation, Over Head Tanks (OHT) besides other Water Supply Schemes (WSS) have been launched.
Congenital Cardiac Surgery workshop begins at SKIMS
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 16: Director SKIMS, Prof Showkat Ali Zargar today informed that Department of Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery is organizing the 2nd workshop on “Congenital Cardiac Surgery” from 16th to 21st June at SKIMS here.
The workshop is being organised in collaboration with “Healing Little Hearts” organization from UK, a registered charity working under the patronage of Dr.Sanjiv Nichani that sends specialist medical teams to perform lifesaving heart operations on babies and children.
Addressing a press conference, Prof Zargar said that a weeklong workshop was conducted in the month of March this year in which 7 patients were operated by the specialist team of doctors supported by doctors from the department of CVTS, SKIMS. He said that Cardio Vascular Surgeries have been performed since 1982, however, till last year we did not have a separate ICU, adding that the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the inauguration of different projects including Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Unit, December last year, was pleased to see the patients who had undergone open heart surgery with good outcome at SKIMS and desired to help the department having pediatric cardiac surgery as a full-fledged specialty.
Prof Zargar said that the Chief Minister personally took keen interest to invite the overseas team of pediatric cardiac surgeons from UK.
The press conference were also addressed by team leader Dr.Sanjiv Nichani, who said that their purpose to come Srinagar is to operate poorest children free of cost.
Dr. Nichani lauded the effort of the local teams of the doctors who have been working in tandem to increase the outcome of both pediatric as well as adult open heart cardiac surgery at SKIMS.
Prof Lone who heads the CVTS Department highlighted the various initiatives taken to enhance infrastructure and upgrade the skills of the faculty. He said new cardiac machines, ventilators and other critical instruments have been procured during the last one and half year and more machines and equipment will be added soon.
The present oversees team of doctors includes Dr. Sanjiv Nichani, Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care, Dr. Demetris Taliotis Consultant Padiatric Cardiology, Dr. Aparna U Hoskote, Consultant Cardiac Intensive Care, Dr. Lorenzo Sc Grazioli, Consultant Paediatric cardiac Anaesthesia, Dr. Attilio A Lotto, Consultant Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, besides ICU and OT Nurses.
Azad calls for framing of expert group on accidents
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 16: Expressing concern over increasing road accidents, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad today called for constitution of an expert group to study the whole issue in totality and suggest short and long-term measures to curb tragedies on roads in the State.
In a statement, Mr Azad expressed deep shock and grief on the loss of precious lives due to an unfortunate accident of a mini bus, which was on its way from Doda to Bhagwah. He conveyed his sympathies to those who sustained injuries in this tragic accident.
While appreciating the efforts of administration to airlift the seriously injured patients to Srinagar for making available super-specialty services, Mr Azad urged the State Government to make available required medical assistance to all those who have been seriously injured in the accident.
“No doubt India has the dubious distinction of reporting highest number of road fatalities in the world, with more than one death and four injuries occurring every minute. However, the recurrent and heart-rending accidents in Chenab valley have become a matter of deep and abiding concern for all of us”, he said, adding “we have to part with precious and quality human resource in these tragic road accidents.
“Even in today’s accident, most of the dead or injured are teachers and Government employees, who were on their way to respective places of duty”, Azad said, adding “State Government should evolve a comprehensive action plan encompassing all features of a coherent road safety plan for bringing down the accident rate in the Chenab valley”.
Having drawn the attention of State Government towards this menace earlier also, Mr Azad maintained that status quo is not going to give any dividends and the Government should at least constitute an expert group immediately to study the whole issue in totality and suggest short and long term measures to curb road accidents in the State.
Omar reaffirms determination to revolutionize power sector
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed the determination of his Government to revolutionize the power generation in the State and provide upper hand to Jammu and Kashmir in energy availability.
“The Government has put in place an ambitious and stupendous power generation programme to achieve self-sufficiency in it and catapult State’s economy and financial health”, he said and added that people will remember our Government for this historic initiative when they will reap the fruit in this regard in near future.
The Chief Minister was launching 2nd phase of Re-structured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) for Jammu division to tone up the power supply system in the city and eleven towns of Akhnoor, Bhaderwah, Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, R. S. Pura, Samba and Udhampur to benefit 237002 consumers on account of power supply and distribution.
The Chief Minister recently launched a similar programme in Srinagar for Kashmir division to benefit 256679 consumers under the R-APDRP.
Two Data-cum-24X7 Consumer Care Centres have also been inaugurated by the Chief Minister under this programme at Jammu and Srinagar for the facilities of the consumers.
Omar Abdullah said that dozens of power projects in the various stages of execution will accrue benefits to the people in near future. He said these will make the State self-reliant in power generation to meet its domestic, agricultural and industrial needs besides enabling it to sell the surplus energy and earn substantial revenue for meeting development requirements in all sectors.
The Chief Minister castigated those who want to do politics on development issues and mislead people carrying the bogie of false propaganda. He said equitable and inclusive development of all the regions and sub- regions has been benchmark of the development policy of the Coalition Government and the holistic development all across the State is witness to this determination of the Government.
Omar Abdullah said that certain politicians have made it their trait and fashion to pretend to be the best friends of people while facing cameras but they never talk of any public good in the forums and Government meetings.
It may be mentioned that power sector particularly generation, transmission and distribution has registered significant improvement during the last five years. Besides commissioning 450 MW Baglihar-I, small projects like 0.5 MW Bhaderwah Unit-III, 1.5 MW Pahalgam Unit-III and 1.26 Sanjak Power Projects have also been commissioned during the last five years in the State sector. In the Centre Sector 120 MW Sewa-II, 240 MW Uri-II, 45 MW Nimu-Bazgo and 44 MW Chutak Power Projects were also made operational in the same period resulting in adding 900 MW of power in the system. In addition projects with total capacity of 32.5 MW were commissioned in IPP Mode which include 7.5 MW Brenwar, 10 MW Tangmarg and 15 MW Rajnala Dunandi.
Power Projects with total capacity of 1400 MW which include 850 MW Ratle, 450 MW Baglihar-II, 37.5 MW Parnai and 48 MW Lower Kalnai are under execution in the State. The 450 MW Baglihar-II involving the cost of over Rs. 3113 crore is likely to be commissioned in September 2015.
The Chief Minister has directed the Power Development Corporation to move forward on studying the feasibility for the construction of Baglihar-III utilizing the availability of existing infrastructure. He has also directed for finalizing the arrangements for joint venture for utilizing the allotted coal block so that Jammu and Kashmir gets another fillip in the power generation sector.
The newly launched R-APDRP Part-II will involve an expenditure of Rs.1665 crore for the two provinces of Jammu and Kashmir. It involves construction of new sub-stations augmentation of existing ones, construction of new distribution stations, laying of new 33 KV lines, laying of LT lines, reconstruction and upgradation of HT and LT lines with Aerial Bunched Cable, high voltage distribution system and the project is likely to be completed within two months.
Ministers, Sham Lal Sharma, Raman Bhalla, Vikar Rasool, Legislator Devender Singh Rana, Principal Secretary, Power, A. K. Mehta and various officers of Power Development Department were present on the occasion besides members of the civil society.
The Chief Minister later inaugurated the RTI Mobile Van Facility for the people to utilize it under Right to Information Act.
CJ constitutes DB in vacation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: During the vacation in J&K High Court from June 16 to June 27, Chief Justice MM Kumar has constituted a Division Bench comprising Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat in Srinagar Wing to hear all matters of urgent nature during vacation.
SVO books top officials in JDA land fraud case
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: The Vigilance Organisation today registered a case under various provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) against seven persons including six serving and retired officers for illegal allotment of a plot at Trikuta Nagar.
The officers booked by the Vigilance Organisation included Satish Nehru, presently posted as Secretary, Housing and Urban Development and Vinod Sharma, former Vice Chairman of Jammu Development Authority, now posted as Director Economic Re-construction Agency (ERA).
The FIR against the accused has been registered under Section 5(1)(d), read with 5(2) Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act and 120-B RPC in police station of Vigilance Organization, Jammu on the basis of verification conducted into allegation of illegal allotment of Plot No. 42 Sector 1-A Trikuta Nagar Jammu and grabbing of additional land against.
The officers named in the FIR included Vinod Kumar Sharma, then AEE/VC JDA, K.L Vuthoo, then VC JDA (now retired), Prith Pal Singh Betab, then Secretary JDA (now retired), L.K. Mengi then Executive Engineer, JDA (now retired), Satish Nehru, then DLM JDA, Romesh Koul, then CTP JDA (now retired) and Mamta Gupta (Sharma) wife of Vinod Sharma and other unnamed officers / officials of JDA.
Investigations conducted by the Vigilance Organisation revealed that during the year 1980, JDA had acquired land from various persons / land owners for developing housing colony at Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. As per Government Order No 171 UD of 1984, it was directed to allot a residential plot to the 38 families from whom the land was acquired at Channi Rama against a payment of Rs 3,000/- per Kanal as rehabilitation charges.
Prem Nath whose land was also taken by JDA approached for allotment of a plot in his favour but the allotment was delayed for unknown reasons. Vinod Kumar Sharma, former Vice Chairman, JDA who remained posted in JDA from 1987 to 2011 in different capacities (except the period from July 2006 to May 2010) developed a greed to grab the plot and managed to persuade Prem Nath through one Kewal Krishan R/o Purani Mandi to take Rs 3 lakhs from him in lieu of plot of land measuring 5400 sq ft which was to be allotted in his favour.
A lease deed stands executed between JDA and Prem Nath. However, before execution/registration of said lease deed, Prem Nath was made to sign power of attorney where under he empowered Mamata Gupta wife of Vinod Sharma as sole attorney of said plot. This power of attorney had been produced and registered before Court of Sub Registrar, City Jammu on the same day on which lease deed was registered. In this way in pursuance of well planned conspiracy the accused grabbed JDA land worth lakhs of rupees.
The Vigilance enquiry further revealed that after taking illegal possession of the plot, Mamata Gupta (Sharma) with the active connivance and help of her husband Vinod Sharma managed to grab illegally an additional land of 5200 sq ft thereby making a total illegal possession of 10600 sq ft.
Accordingly, case FIR No.18/2014 was registered by the Vigilance Organisation and the investigations taken up in the case.
The Vigilance Organization would call the accused shortly for further investigations.
NC’s CWC to meet tomorrow
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah has summoned party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on June 18 to discuss party’s overall strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
The NC’s CWC would meet at Nawa-e-Subah complex, the party headquarters in Srinagar to discuss political situation and chalk-out party’s strategy in the Assembly elections in the State.
Govt land worth Rs 10,000 cr grabbed in Srinagar
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 16: The Government land worth around Rs 10, 000 crore has been grabbed in various parts of Srinagar city with the connivance of the Revenue Department officials.
A committee formed by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailender Kumar, to look into the land grab in Srinagar city has found that around 22, 339 kanals of State land and 264.4 kanals of water bodies under the illegal occupation.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir had formed a committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah, in February this year to look into the land grab in the city.
The order (dated: 21.2.2014) of the Divisional Commissioner reads: “Enquiry is ordered regarding encroachments of State land in the city of Srinagar and the team constituted for the said purpose consists Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Director Land Management, Srinagar Development Authority; and Regional Director Land Records and Surveys, Srinagar.”
The Assistant Commissioner Central, Srinagar, issued a notice for a meeting in April this year asking the members of team to attend the meeting held by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to discuss the reports filed by Revenue officials and other department regarding encroachment of State land.
In the meeting Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar submitted the details of State land under the illegal and authorized occupation, sought from the Tehsil Offices of SDA, LAWDA, SMC and Nazool organization along with their framed reports.
The report revealed that 8516.10 kanals of land are under unauthorized occupation in Tehsil South, Srinagar which includes land under Police Station Khanyar and Cargo, the headquarter of Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Sheirghari area.
The report revealed that in Tehsil South Srinagar 13458.5 kanals of land are under unauthorized occupation.
The Secretary LAWDA in its communication to the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has found that 51.16 kanals of land and 262.16 kanals of wet land is under unauthorized occupation in Dal Lake. And in Nageen lake 16 kanals of land and 1.8 kanals of wet land is under unauthorized occupation.
Even the land of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) measuring 126.7 kanals is under unauthorized occupation by 74 encroachers.
The report says that 170.2 kanals of land is under 110 beneficiaries of Roshni Act and they have not fulfilled the requirements under the Act.
The report, however, is silent on the Action Taken by the revenue officials regarding the encroachments.