Jammu & Kashmir

Suhail Khan

Sopore, Mar 6 : Scores of sweepers working in School Education Department protested in Sopore, asking authorities for regularisation of their services.

A sizable number of women working in the department across Sopore, as per GNS, gathered at Iqbal Market, raising slogans in support of their demands. 

“We have been continuously raising our voices, but nobody seems interested to listen to our pleas. We are working on meagre wages, but who cares?” the protesting women sweepers lamented.

They said, we are working tirelessly in the School Education Department after being appointed in 2006, and since then, there have only been false hopes about our welfare.

The protesting sweepers demanded that their services be regularised at an earliest.

They also appealed to the LG administration and Director of School Education to look into their demands and address them accordingly.

The protesters later on dispersed peacefully after intervention from police. (GNS)

PoJK integral part of India, no power can keep it away for long; 50 lakh youth participated in sports events across UT; All banks directed to provide full support to youth setting up their own ventures

Jammu, Mar 06 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that the government has identified land for the construction of PoJK Bhawan for the displaced PoJK people, who have suffered a lot over the past so many decades while as the colonies they are living in will be “regularized shortly.” He was quick to add that PoJK was an integral part of India and no power can keep it away from the Union.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event titled special governance for PoJK people, in Jammu, the LG, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the divisional administration Jammu has identified land where PoJK Bhawan will come up for the displaced PoJK refugees. “These people have suffered a lot and their children are the worst sufferers. We will soon have a PoJK Bhawan and the colonies where these people are living at present will be regularized shortly,” he said, adding that the children of displaced PoJK refugees will be given priority in jobs and education.

He said that the government is committed to resolve all issues being faced by the PoJK refugees. “PoJK will come up as per the aspirations of refugees,” the LG said, adding that the divisional administration and the revenue officials will hold deliberations with the displaced PoJK people before setting the ball rolling for the PoJK Bhawan.

He said that PoJK is an integral part of India and no power on earth can keep it away from the Union for long. “I urge all the PoJK people including women and youth to play their part in building a strong India and Vibrant India,” he said.

He said PoJK will benefit from every scheme of the government. “Industrial boom is coming up in J&K. Rs 13000 Cr work related to Industries have already started and more is in the offing. There was a shortage of land bank which is being looked into,” the LG said.

He said that the way a huge list of KP youth have been received the administration for entrepreneurship, similarly, PoJK should follow the suit. “Register your youth in the camps and administration will provide all support for your youth to become entrepreneurs who can provide employment to five other youth,” he said, adding that these camps will be organized in every district.

He said that 50 lakh youth took part in sports related activities as huge investment was made to upgrade the sports infrastructure across the UT. He said large number of people were deprived of their rights and it was for the first time after the historic decision taken by Prime Minister Narendera Modi on August 5, 2019, these people got all their rights. “These people are living a dignified life now,” he said.

He said that the administration has directed all the banks to provide all support to youth who are coming forward to start their own ventures—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 05 : The authorities on Sunday suspended the license of a two-wheeler after Srinagar police arrested two eve teasers for stalking and harassing a girl in Dal Gate area of Srinagar yesterday.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Regional Transport Officer suspended registration of two wheeler bearing registration number JK01AG-5814 owned by Peerzada Sajad Arif son of Haji Shreef-u-din of Kwajapora Srinagar.

The order reads that in view of the complaints, social media and other verified reports and also in view of the fact that an FIR No:35/2023 Dated: 05-03-2023 under Section 341, 506, 509, 294,354D of IPC has been registered, the vehicle has been used in commission of the cognizable offence and an act which is likely to cause nuisance and danger to the public.

The further read it has therefore, failed to comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and the Rules made there under. “Therefore, in exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 53 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, the Registration Mark JK01AG-5814 is, hereby, suspended with immediate effect,” it reads.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Srinagar Dr Aijaz Asad on his official Twitter handle also informed that registration of the two-wheeler has been cancelled.

Reacting over the incident of eve teasing, he said there is zero tolerance for such unlawful behaviour.

“The Registration of scooty bearing Mark JK01AG-5814 linked with Eve-teasing case of yesterday in the Dal Gate area is hereby suspended with immediate effect under Section 53 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Zero tolerance for such unlawful behaviour,” he tweeted.

Earlier, Srinagar police said two eve teasers Saqib Mehraj and Faizan Yousuf of Hawal have been arrested for stalking & harassing a girl in Dal Lake area yesterday—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 04: On world obesity day, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Saturday expressed concern over the rise in the number of obesity cases among children in Kashmir valley.

“Junk food and sedentary lifestyle are pushing more children towards obesity,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

According to a latest survey by National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Kashmir has registered an increase in the percentage of obesity among children. The number of overweight children increased from 2.1 percent in the NFHS-4 survey conducted in 2015-16 to 3.4 percent in NFHS -5 conducted in 2019-20.

Dr Hassan said one big factor for this spike is junk food which has largely replaced homemade meals. “Children are often seen having fast foods like burgers and pizzas. They are addicted to chips, sugary drinks and frozen ready meals.”

“Television advertisements targeting children and junk foods being sold in school cafeterias are shifting dietary habits of children from healthy food to processed food,” he said.

He further said “with high dependency on smartphones, we are increasingly witnessing children leading a sedentary lifestyle. And physical inactivity is also contributing to a spike in obesity cases among young ones.”

The DAK President said childhood obesity has been linked to health conditions like Diabetes, Asthma, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, joint problems and liver disease.

“Many of these health conditions had only been seen in adults, now they are extremely prevalent in overweight children,” he said.

“Obesity is becoming a major health crisis. We need to do more to raise awareness and encourage action towards its elimination,” said Dr Nisar.

He said it is vitally important to educate parents to prevent their children from becoming obese. They have to encourage them to eat healthy and take up some sport in leisure time, he said.

“Preventing obesity helps protect your child’s health now and in the future,” he added—(KNO)

Rajouri, Mar 04: Power Distribution Corporation Limited (PDCL) Jammu Saturday disconnected a number of electricity connections of five government offices, Dak Bungalow besides few shops and residential houses.

Officials of department told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that over pendency of normal bills, defaulters are issued notices for submission of payment.

They said that a special team of department on Saturday carried out drive in Rajouri town areas and electricity connections of chronic defaulters, including Government departments, have been disconnected with immediate effect.

The government offices where connections of electricity have been disconnected include the office of executive engineer of public works department, office of superintendent engineer of public works department, office of assistant executive engineer of public works department, store complex of public works department, office of assistant labor commissioner Rajouri, industrial training institute complex.

Alongside, the electricity connection of central dak bungalow Rajouri that comes under control of public works department has also been disconnected with immediate effect.

Besides these offices electricity connections of residential complexes of executive engineer public works department, superintendent engineer public works department, assistant executive engineer public works department and five residential quarters of public works department complex have also been disconnected.

The team also came hard on a number of private defaulters and disconnected their connections.

These private establishments where connections have been removed include two medical shops, a tea stall and a Photostat shop in Gujjar Mandi market of Rajouri town, three shops and house of Sarpanch, four shops and a house near sports stadium Kheora.

Officials said that electricity connections have been snapped as these defaulters, including Government offices were not paying any concern on the repeated notices—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 04: Around 21 percent adults in Jammu and Kashmir are using that tobacco even as authorities have taken slew of measures to decrease the percentage of tobacco consumption in J&K.

As per GATS 2 Data 35.2% Men & 5.1% women & 20.8% of all Adults currently smoke Tobacco in J&K

As per data available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 6.8% Men & 1.5% women & 4.3% of all Adults currently use smokeless Tobacco, 39.7% Men & 6.2 % women & 23.7% of all adults either smoke tobacco or use smokeless Tobacco.

The National Health and Family Survey-5 (NHFS-5) data reveals nearly one-third (32%) of men, but only 1 percent of women, age 15-49 use some form of tobacco.

“Tobacco products mostly used by men are cigarettes (27%), bidis (4%), hookah and cigars or pipe (2% each). Among women and men, the use of any form of tobacco is slightly higher in rural areas (1.4% for women and 35% for men) than in urban areas (0.7% for women and 24% for men),” the data adds.

Meanwhile, top health officials said that slew of measures have been taken to decrease the percentage of tobacco consumption in the UT even as they claim that percentage has started going down due to the efforts of the National Tobacco Control Programme launched by the Government.

We have taken steps to reach out to the people and make them aware about the hazardous effects on their health, they said, adding that the overall consumption of tobacco and cigarette smoking has declined.

Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir told KNO that during the year 2022-23, at least 6624 tobacco users received counselling besides that 2109 users received counselling and pharmacotherapy while 147 persons quit tobacco use.

He said that in the last four thousands of tobacco users were counselled and hundreds have quitted tobacco use.

He said that in the year 2022-23 around 8000 challans were produced and around Rs 3 lakh were collected from them.

He said that various awareness programmes have been already started to educate people about the hazards of tobacco chewing and smoking besides that officials have been directed to conduct regular enforcement drives for implementation of COTPA-2003.

Notably ,the government of Jammu and Kashmir has also imposed a complete ban on the sale of loose cigarettes, loose beedis and loose tobacco while all educational institutions and tourist destinations were declared as tobacco free zones.

Pertinently tobacco is said to be the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. It kills approximately more than seven million globally and more than one million in India.

Notably lung cancer has been found to be the second commonest cancer. In the past few decades, the cancer catastrophe has created havoc globally, Kashmir has witnessed rise in cases of lung and breast cancers.

As per the hospital-based data from Kashmir valley males have higher incidence of lung cancer while females fall victim of breast cancers.

There is a direct relation between length of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked per day. Even if smokers quit smoking there are chances of developing cancer but these chances decrease to a greater extent, officials said—(KNO)

Sumbal: To commemorate the India’s presidency in G20 Summit, NSS Unit in collaboration
with ECO Club of the College organized a poster making competition on CLEAN
WATER AND SANITATION on Saturday in the Indoor stadium of the college.

On the occasion Principal of the college, Prof. (Dr.) Shabeena Iqbal Shawl, in her address emphasized upon the participants to imbibe the sense of belonging towards
the Institution and to actively participate in the events which are equipping the
students with appealing message to share and act upon. Staff secretary of the college,
Dr. Mehraj-u-din Parray, highlighted the importance of Indian Presidency in G20
Summit. The Programme started at 11 am, the judges of the event were Dr. Saima
Manzoor, Head Department of English, Dr. Abida Akhter, Department of Commerce
and Dr Raihana Maqbool, Head Department of Biotechnology. A good number of
students participated in the event.
Prior instructions were provided to the participants
regarding the norms and the rules to follow in poster making.
Nishawar Farooq from
BG 4th semester bagged first position followed by Farhat Akhter (BG 4th semester) and
Dawood Bhat (BG 2nd semester) who were ranked second and third simultaneously.
All the three were rewarded with cash prizes and the participation certificates by the Principal.
The program was attended by Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Head
Department of Statistics, Convener, ECO Club, Dr. Mubashir Jeelani, NSS Programme
Officer, Dr. Riffat Basharart, Dr. Fahim-ul-Hassan, Dr. Hilal Ahmad Wani, Dr. Tariq
Shafi, Prof. Shabir Hussain and Mr. Javaid Ahmad Bhat.
The programme was highly
applauded by all the participants.
Convener, ECO Club
Dr. Mubashir Jeelani
NSS Programme Officer
Dr. Riffat Baharat

Baramulla, March 04: To enhance the quality of public service delivery system in the government offices, the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar today paid an extensive tour to Sopore where she carried out section wise administrative inspection in Additional Deputy Commissioner’s office besides took a stock of the punctuality of government functionaries.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner in presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore Tariq Ahmad Reshi interacted with the concerned functionaries of Revenue Department and took appraisal of all land acquisition cases in the district. She asked to disburse the payments on priority for all the pending cases under Land Acquisition. She further directed that land acquisition processes for construction and widening of various road projects be expedited.

With regard to online services, the DC directed all the concerned to adopt online services in Revenue related matters so that it becomes easy for the people to get every information in a digital form.

She also inspected the operation of e-office and exhorted upon the concerned functionaries to adopt the e-office for more effective and transparent services delivery in government offices.

Furthermore, the DC also held a brief review regarding land Registration process and reviewed comprehensively the progress achieved under digitization of Masavis besides other related issues of public importance.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner exhorted upon the concerned functionaries to take all measures for making the registration process fool proof and to avoid any inconvenience to the people. She asked them to bring efficiency and transparency in the online registration process.

Meawhile, the DC also took stock of the punctuality of government employees and also sought their biometric attendance. Taking stock of the staff strength, Dr Sehrish Asgar directed the concerned sectional officers to ensure the regularity of all employees and reiterated that any kind of dereliction won’t be tolerated in the larger public interest.

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Mar 04 : The National Investigation Agency on Saturday attached property of a slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant in Kralpora area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the property belonged to Bashir Ahmed Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam, who was recently killed in Pakistan.

He said Imtiyaz was also declared a terrorist under the UAPA by the Union Home Ministry.

The official said land measuring 3 Kanals was attached by the NIA, which was assisted by local police—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 04: The tourism department of Kashmir on Saturday said more than 1 lakh tourists thronged the Kashmir Valley i. the month of February alone and that they are hoping the number will increase in coming days.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here, Director Tourism Kashmir, Fazlul Hafeez, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the month of February alone recorded more than 1 Lakh tourist in the Valley.

He said they are working on several methods and preparing for the upcoming tourist season so that number of tourists in the Valley will increase.

“We are working on scientific methods of calculating tourist numbers as this is the age of big data, so we collect dats based on scientific methods. We collect data from registered and unregistered hotels also,” he said.

Director further said they have to ensure collecting of right data of tourist numbers, so it is important to collect the same on scientific methods—(KNO)