Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 19 : With transporters’ strike entering the fourth consecutive day on Saturday in Sopore, the administration set up a committee to examine the issue and identify the proper mechanism for smooth functioning of transport.

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar in an order, a copy lies in the possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that in view of the reports of infighting between different Transport Unions operating in Sopore town and a committee is set up for recommending corrective actions in the matter.

The panel will have members including Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Baramulla, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Municipal Council Sopore, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (HQ Sopore) Baramulla, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Traflic Rural Baramulla, Tehsildar, Sopore and representative of Transport Unions.

It will examine the entire issue and identify proper mechanisms for smooth functioning of all transport vehicles operating in the town, it reads.

“The committee shall recommend alternate arrangement of the stands for different transport vehicles in accordance with rules. Besides, the committee shall furnish its report within one week,” it added.

Meanwhile, Chairman Sopore transporters association Sajad Ahmed told KNO that the protest will continue and all the passenger vehicles will remain off the roads till Monday.

He said that a meeting of the newly set up committee is likely to be held on Monday and till then there will be a complete strike.

Meanwhile, the strike of transporters has caused inconvenience to commuters, many of whom were seen walking to reach their destinations—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 19 : A man in Utrasoo village in Anantnag district has allegedly disposed off waste of his latrine in a nallah which is source of many water supply schemes.

The PHE department has written to the concerned police station in this regard to lodge the FIR against the accused besides that the health department has issued an advisory as well in the interest of the public.

In a communique, AEE PHE sub division Anantnag has urged SHO Utrasoo Anantnag to lodge FIR and take action against the accused.

“This is for your kind information and necessary action that as reported by the concerned JE and field staff of this office, one person namely Gh Mohammad Wagay S/O, Mohd Khalil Wagay (Shopkeeper) R/O Kemgund Halkah Chattergul has contaminated the existing raw water source of different water supply schemes by way of disposing off his latrine waste in the R.D Nallah by utilizing the services of municipal Vehicle sucker. With the result all water supply from R.D Nallah shall remain suspended till further precautionary measures are taken by this department.” reads the official communique, available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“As such it is requested that F.I.R may please be logged against the above said accused person/s for his/their illegal action at an earliest. An early action in this regard may please be solicited,” it reads.

Meanwhile, BMO Shangus has issued an advisory in this regard and urged the public to boil water for at least 20 minutes before consuming.

“In view of news item carried in local social media regarding water contamination at different places in Block Shangus especially in Chittergull and Ranipora Area, all such inhabitants who are utilizing this water should be brought to full boil for at least 20 minutes before consuming,” reads the advisory.

“In addition to this all the respected Senior Citizens, Auqaf Bodies and other stakeholders are hereby requested to disseminate this vital information among the general public,” it states. “Further the water samples at different locations from Medical Block Shangus have been taken & sent for water quality reports. The said reports will be shared with the administration as soon as possible,” it adds—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Home department on Saturday posted a Muslim woman IPS officer from Gujarat as Deputy Inspector General of Police Administration in Jammu and Kashmir police headquarters.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Sarah Rizvi has posted as DIG administration at J&K police headquarters.

“In the interest of administration, Sarah Rizvi, IPS (RR: 2008), awaiting orders of posting, is hereby posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration), Police Headquarters, J&K, against an available vacancy, with immediate effect,” it reads—(KNO)

In connection with celebrations of “World Heritage Week-2022” being held from 19th to 25th November 2022, a grand inaugural function was held in the premises of SSM College of Engineering. The aim of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about the cultural heritage and diversity on the planet. Since 1983, the International Council on Monuments and Sites has set a theme around which events are centred on the day. The theme for World Heritage Day 2022 is “Heritage and Climate”.

The function was organized by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Srinagar Circle in collaboration with SSM College of Engineering. On this occasion “Heritage Walk” to the site of Ancient Stupa, Chaitya and Monastery at Parihaspora was arranged from college premises to the ancient site in which officers of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Namely Er. Fayaz Ahmad, Archaeological Engineer, Er. Gowhar Ahmad Khan, Archaeological Engineer, Junaid Ahmad Khan Conservation Assistant and Farhat Ahmad Shah, Conservation Assistant and officers of the College Registrar, Director (Research and Academics), Chief Administrative Officer and HOD Civil Engineering Department, faculty members and students from various Department also participated.
On this occasion, ASI Srinagar Circle organized a Photo Exhibition near the site of Parihaspora Monuments to highlight the cultural wealth of Jammu and Kashmir as well as glory of World Heritage Sites in India.

The celebrations of World Heritage Week are aimed to create general awareness among the masses particularly younger generations/students. Addressing the students Er. Fayaz Ahmad, Archaeological Engineer, ASI Srinagar Circle stressed upon the students to take keen interest in rich heritage and its preservation by engaging themselves in Project formulation viz-a-viz pavements, landscaping etc at the heritage sites, for which ASI Srinagar Circle will provide full support.

Kupwara, Nov 19 : An 11-year-old boy and his uncle were rescued within hours after they got stuck in a well at Hatmulla village of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday evening.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a minor boy identified as Firdous Ahmad Mir, son of Nazir Ahmad Mir accidently fell into the well.

He said that soon after the incident, the villagers rushed to the spot and also informed the concerned authorities. “Later, his uncle went inside the well in a bid to rescue the boy, but he too got trapped,” the officials added.

He also said that a team of police, civil administration and fire, emergency department and SDRF started the rescue operation jointly and pressed their men and machinery into the service.

However, after hectic efforts, the duo was rescued safely and shifted to a nearby hospital for medical assistance—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 18 : The government Friday announced prohibition on any activity or assignment including the private tuitions by teaching faculty of School Education Department.

The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has leant that the Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Alok Kumar has said, “It has been observed that some members of teaching faculty of School Education Department are undertaking coaching assignments in private institutions and coaching centres even during school hours in violation of Rule 10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971 as well as Chapter (IV) Section 28 of RTE Act, 2009.”

Kumar in a circular said that the Rule-10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971 states, “No Government employee, whether on leave or active service, shall except with the previous sanction of the government engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business or undertake any other employment.”

Provided that a government employee may, without such sanction, undertake honorary work of a social or charitable nature of occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character except in organizations or associations with which a Government employee is expressly debarred from associating, subject to the condition that his official duties do not thereby suffer, but he shall not undertake or shall discontinue such work, if so, directed by the government.

Kumar said that it has also been provided in the Chapter (IV) Section 28 in the RTE Act. 2009 – Prohibition of private tuition by teachers that ‘No teacher shall engage himself or herself in private tuition or private teaching activity.’

“In spite of these, it has been observed that some members of teaching faculty of School Education Department are undertaking coaching assignments in private institutions and coaching centres even during school hours in violation of Rule 10 of The Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971 as well as Chapter (IV) Section 28 of RTE Act, 2009,” reads the circular.

Kumar said that the High Court in one of the cases has also issued directions that reads, “That the department of education (school as well as higher education) is directed to implement Rule 10 of the Employees Conduct Rules in letter and spirit and ensure that no member of its teaching faculty engages in private tuition at private coaching or tuition centres without previous sanction of the government.”

“The Zonal Education Officers at the zonal level and Chief Education Officers at the district level shall be the nodal officers, who will ensure the implementation of Rule 10 of the Employees Conduct Rules and the circular or instructions, if any, issued by the Government to give effect to Rule 10 of the Employees Conduct Rules,” it reads.

According to the School Education Department, the court directions further reads that the government shall do well to create and provide toll free telephone numbers in each District where the complaints against the banned activity of the teaching faculty could be made.

“In supersession of all earlier circulars and instructions issued on matter, it is impressed upon all the teaching faculty of School Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir to strictly adhere to the instructions as provided in Rule 10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971 and Chapter (IV) Section 28 of RT Act, 2009 and not to indulge in any private trade or practice or private tuitions,” Kumar ordered.

He further ordered that no teaching faculty shall undertake any activity or assignment including teaching in a private educational institution or coaching centre, unless they obtain prior sanction from the competent authority. “Any violation in this regard shall invite disciplinary action against the delinquent officers or officials as warranted under rules.”

The Principal Secretary further entrusted the responsibility of ensuring that no member of the teaching faculty of the School Education Department violates the circular. The responsibility has been given to Directors of School Education of both Jammu and Kashmir regions, all Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, Principals of Higher Secondary Schools and Headmasters of all government schools—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 18 : Transporters in Sopore town on Thursday continued their indefinite strike for the third consecutive day against the administration’s move of accommodating “illegal” cabs in General Bus Stand, hitting life in the northern region.

The transporters demand immediate rollback of the decision saying the move will affect them.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that hundreds of transporters assembled at the General Bus Stand and held a protest against the administration’s move.

Chairman Sopore transporters association, Sajad Ahmed, said that the protest will continue and all the passenger vehicles will remain off the roads till their demands are not met.

“We have been assured by the deputy commissioner Baramulla that the issue would be resolved within two days but nothing has been done till now,” he said.

Sajad said that the strike has caused them losses amounting to Rs 45-50 lakh but blamed the administration for forcing them to go for strike. According to him, their affiliates in Baramulla, Pattan, Sumbal, Kupwara and other adjacent villages have suffered due to the strike as well.

On the ground, the strike has caused inconvenience to commuters, many of whom were seen walking to reach their destinations.

“I had a medical emergency at home and had to reach Rafiabad. But lack of transport in Sopore forced me to pay Rs 700 to a cab as against Rs 30,” said a commuter, Nasir Ahmed.

A college-goer, who had to reach Baramulla, said that if the administration is so hellbent on their decision, they should give some alternatives to commuters. “How can we reach the college,” he asked.

Similarly, a group of students and office goers said they either reached their destinations very late or in many cases were forced to stay home.

On Monday, a formal order was issued to accommodate “illegal” sumos in general bus stand Sopore.

Additional deputy commissioner Sopore Parveez Sajad told KNO that the order would be implemented. “The order won’t be revoked,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 18: On Friday, J&K Workers Party President, Mir Junaid met LG J&K Manoj Sinha and expressed deep concern over recent threats issued to journalists working in Kashmir by terror organisations, and the subsequent resignation of five media persons over the threat. He said the space for media freedom and active civil society has been steadily affected due to the terror threats in the region.

While assuring the safety of Journalists, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said that we assure the safety and support to our brave journalists who have always been on forefront performing their professional duties.

We are keenly looking after the developments and soon the culprits associated with the threats will be behind bars. Our Journalists are brave enough to go through such terror threats and they have time and again proved that pen is mightier than gun.

Mir congratulated LG Manoj Sinha for reaching out to forgotten villages by way of providing electricity to border village Rangwada, 35 kms from Kupwara. Pertinent to mention that after 1947, when India got freedom, the village saw electricity for the first time.

Mir said that under LG administration, UT of J&K is witnessing a new era of development for which LG Manoj Sinha will be remembered. The village was covered under Deen Dhayal scheme and the residents of the village expressed joy.

And appreciated the LG led administration for providing the electricity in the village.

Mir, while discussing the issue of electricity, water, and road connectivity during the winter and the snowfall, he requested LG for directing administration to facilitate people during this winter. LG Manoj Sinha assured that administration is on toes with men and machinery on stand by. We will assure electricity, road connectivity and water during this water. I will be personally monitoring the situation to facilitate people during the harsh winters.