Opinion & Editorial

KUPWARA, DECEMBER 16 (KNS): Road length of 272.25 kilometers has been macadamized out of a target of 278.52 km till ending November 2022 in Kupwara district.

 This information was stated during a review meeting of concerned officers chaired by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara, Doifode Sagar Dattatray here, today.

The meeting was informed that out of 272.25 km, 187.90 km have been macadamized by R&B department, 52.30 km by PMGSY and 32.5 km by BEACON.

The meeting was further informed that during the year 2021-22, 248.39 km were macadamized in the district by all the 3 executing agencies.

The district has a total road length of 2956.42 km which is maintained by R&B department, PMGSY and BEACON. Out of this road length, blacktopped road length is 2158.64 km.

The meeting was also informed that District Administration plays a vital role in coordination and sport of all executing agencies to ensure that maximum road length is blacktopped.

DDC directed concerned officers to further augment road connectivity across the district with priority of far flung areas.(KNS)

Ensure 70% Expenditure be Incurred by December 31, RDD Director to Officers

Baramulla, December 15: In order to take an appraisal of physical and financial progress of various developmental works being executed by Rural Development Department under different sponsored schemes and programmes, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish and Director, Rural Development Department Kashmir, Imam U Din today jointly presided a meeting of concerned officers at Dak Bungalow where a comprehensive review was taken.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Joint Director Planning, M. Yousuf Bhat, Assistant Commissioner Development, Gulzar Ahmad Khan, Executive Engineer (REW) Baramulla, BDOs, AEE, AEs and other concerned functionaries.

At the outset of the meeting, Assistant Commissioner Development Gulzar Ahmad Khan appraised the chair about the current status of different works spearheaded by RDD Baramulla besides presenting a detailed sketch about the implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes including 14th FCA, MGNREGA, SBM, ADP, CD & Panchayat, PMAY (Rural) and other related schemes.

The meeting also discussed detailed proposals under the District Capex Plan, 2022-23 including physical status of projects targeted for completion in the current fiscal.

During the meeting, it was deliberated upon all the BDOs to ensure hundred percent Aadhar seeding of MGNREGA job card holders besides 70 percent of expenditure limit be achieved in compliance to the directions of the government.

It was also given out that all the on going works under 14 th FCA and other schemes should be completed by this month, Geo tagging of all assets created under various schemes be done within a weeks time besides completed PMAY houses be provided the IHHL unit (Rs 12000) within seven days if not provided as yet.

Directions were also passed for clearance of Material and labour payments within seven days to the extent of releases made till date.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on the concerned officers/officials to take all possible measures to accelerate the pace of the ongoing works for their time-bound completion and directed for regular monitoring of works.

Dr Sehrish exhorted upon the concerned officers to achieve the set targets under different schemes within a stipulated timeframe with a focus on the creation of durable assets. She also asked for ensuring the release of wage payment under MGNREGA within a fixed timeline.

The DC issued on the spot instructions to officers of concerned departments to strictly adhere to quality specifications and ensure close monitoring for quality of works. She asked the construction agencies to put in their best efforts to achieve the targets within fixed timeframe.

On the occasion, Director, Rural Development Department Kashmir after taking a stock of ongoing works in the district directed all the officers to keep a close liaison and coordination with PRIs (DDCs/BDCs/Sarpanchs/Panchs) so that a new system of implementation of developmental activities is ensured in a hassle free manner and people can realize the actual and intended benefits of work.

He also stressed upon the officers to install Public Information Boards at prominent places in all Panchayats of the district so that the works under execution are displayed for the information of the general public.

Later, the Director RDD paid spot visit of the ongoing capacity building training program of PRIs/frontline workers at Dakbanglow Sopore being organised under RGSA and directed to ensure hundred percent attendance in the remaining scheduled program. He also inspected some of the ongoing and completed works of Rural Development Department.

It is hereby notified for the information of all such candidates whose Computer Based Written Test (CBT) examinations for the post of Sub Inspector Home Department advertised vide Notification no. 06 of 2021 which was scheduled on 09.12.2022 and was postponed vide Notice no. JKSSB-COE0EXAM (UT)/54/2022-03 (7057013) Dated: – 08.12.2022 shall now be held on 20.12.2022,” JKSSB said in a notification, a day after postponing the examination.

“However, Admit cards downloaded previously by the candidates shall not be valid for 20-12-2022 examination and the candidates need to download admit cards afresh for the CBT examination to be held on 20.12.2022,” the notification, a copy of which lies with GNS, reads, adding, “ The Fresh Level 1 and Level 2 admit cards shall remain available on JKSSB website w.e.f 13.12.2022 and 17.12.2022 respectively. Further the examinations scheduled from 11.12.2022 to 19.12.2022 shall be conducted as per the schedule issued already.”

The Board also said that the inconvenience caused to the candidates “is deeply regretted.” Both the notification, one issued on Thursday and another today came amid high court orders. (GNS)

A Division Bench of justices Vinod Chatterji Koul and Sindhu Sharma also issued notice to other side to be returned within four weeks.

“Meanwhile, appellant (JKSSB) shall proceed with the selection process of Junior Engineer (Jal Shakti Department) and Sub-Inspector (Home Department), however, result of the same shall await further orders from this Court,” the court said in an order.
Subsequent to the judgment by the court’s Single Bench, JKSSB had postponed computer based examination for Sub Inspector till further notification

Top officials of the varsity informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the management will announce the winter vacations from first week of January 2023.

“As of now, we have not conducted the meeting with the deans of the university, but in the weeks time we will hold with them and will accordingly decide about the winter vacations,” the official said.

He also said that examinations of several departments have also been slated during the remaining time till the winter vacations. “We will try to culminate those exams first and then we will take a call regarding the vacations.”—(KNO)

It also noted that 50 per cent of the faculty members must remain available at once.

“The Winter vacation holidays 2023 for Faculty Staff of SKIMS will be due w.e.f. 01.01.2023 to 28.01.2023 (1st half) and w.e.f. 01.02.2023 to 28.02.2023 (2nd half). In this behalf all Heads of Departments are requested to furnish the names of faculty members who are desirous to avail 1 half/2nd half of vacation. It may be kept in view that 50% of faculty staff is available in the department for both the halves,” reads a circular, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“Heads of departments must ensure that one amongst the senior faculty members remains available in the department during each half of vacation, wherever possible. No change will be entertained after receipt of the roster from the concerned Heads of Departments. The Administration has right to call back any faculty member during vacation, in case of emergencies and if need arises,” it reads further.

“It is reiterated that the departure reports of faculty members proceeding on vacation shall not be entertained unless their residential addresses /contact numbers are recorded therein,” it added.

“Further, it should be specifically mentioned in the roster whether any station leaving permission is required or not. No faculty member on duty will be permitted to avail any leave for attending conference/Seminar/Workshop entailing station permission,” the circular added—(KNO)

In a communique, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DSEK said that timings for the schools falling within Srinagar Municipal limits would be from 10 am to 3 pm and for schools falling outside the municipal limits of Srinagar and other area of Kashmir province it would be 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.

It also said that the order should be adhered to strictly by all the concerned authorities. “Any deviation in this regard shall be viewed seriously,” it added.

Pertinently, the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Tasaduk Hussain Mir earlier this month has said that if the weather condition permitted, the department will continue academics till December end to compensate the academic losses suffered during the COVID-19 lockdown—

While offering heartfelt sympathies and condolences, President All Kashmir Timber Association Jameel Ahmad Dar said that his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family.
He hoped that the family is able to draw strength in this hour of grief and whole association stands shoulder to shoulder with the family at this difficult time.
He prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
Jameel Ahmad Dar said that , we lost honest,dedicated officer and noble soul.

A statement of JK Revolution issued here quoted Editor, JK Revolution in a condolence message as saying that the deceased was a Noble Person known for his pious and hospitable nature.

Editor JK Revolution prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family.

“We pray that Almighty God grants peace to the deceased and courage to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss,” the Editor JK Revolution said.

Bereaved:- Dilbag Singh, DGP J&K Police, and His Family of Amritsar.

On 14th September 2022, Debates and Seminars Committee of Degree College Sumbal in collaboration with Department of Political Science organised an extension lecture as a part of celebrations of Gandhi Jayanti related to the theme “Truth and Non-violence.” The lecture on the topic was delivered by the staff secretary of the college, Dr Mehraj Hajini, HOD, Department of Political Science and Staff Secretary of the college.

Principal of the college Prof. (Dr.) Shabeena Iqbal Shawl presided over the function. The worthy Principal in her opening remarks highlighted why Mahatma Gandhi is respected, revered and followed both at the national and international level. She advised students to adhere to the principles of Gandhian Philosophy which as a matter of fact is worth to be followed as a complete way of life.
Dr Mehraj Hajini in his lecture deliberated upon the four pillars of Gandhian thought: Truth, Non-violence, Sarvodaya and Satyagraha and his views about the relationship between politics, ethics and religion. He also spoke at length about the relevance of Gandhian philosophy in the 21st century and also how it can help humanity to resolve the most thorny and contractible issues by ways of peaceful methods.
The event was attended by the faculty members and students of the college. Dr. Arfat Firdous, HOD, Department of Physics, presented vote of thanks and the entire programme was moderated smoothly by Prof. Reyaz Ahmad Kuchay, the Convener, D&S Committee.