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BARAMULLA, MARCH 11: An awareness camp regarding Army Recruitment Rally, 2023 was today held at Dak Bungalow Baramulla, here.

The event was presided over by Deputy Commissioner (DC) BaramullaDr Sehrish Asgar. The event was aimed to provide detailed information about the Agniveer recruitment process.

The event was attended by Army Recruiting Officer, Srinagar Colonel G Suresh, District Information Officer Jahangir Akhoon, Tehsildar Headquarter Baramulla Syed Bashrat Hussain and Chief Education officer Baramulla Balbir Singh Raina, officials from Army and prospective candidates and school students.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that the aim of organising the camp is to aware the aspirants of the district about the benefits of recruitment in the Army and the procedure to apply.

On the occasion, Colonel G Suresh briefed the attendees on the recruitment procedure, which began on February 16 and will end on March 15. He said the first step is for the aspirants to register online and the registered candidates will have to undergo Computer-based CEE (Common Entrance Examination), which will commence on April 17. Qualified candidates will then have to participate in recruitment rallies and medical tests.

Sharing details of the improvised process, the Colonel said the website has been linked with DigiLocker so that candidates can easily access their documents. Further, a 50% subsidy in registration fees is being provided so that aspirants will only have to pay Rs 250.

Underlining the reduction time in recruitment, he informed the aspirants that a written exam will precede the medical and physical fitness tests.

Srinagar, Mar 10 : Reacting to a series of news reports by the news agency KNO on seat reservation for ladies and senior citizens, regional transport authorities in Kashmir on Friday said women should seek their rights and that the office will take action after receiving complaints.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the department will enforce seat reservations for ladies.

“Written information about reserved seats for ladies or senior citizens is on display in buses, but the women do not seek their rights. They should invoke their legitimate right by asking a male occupant to vacate the seat reserved for a lady,” he said.

In a response to a question on the department’s role in ensuring the reservation of seats to ladies or senior citizens, he said they are going to act if there are complaints. “There is a government order and there are a set of instructions on it. If there are violations and complaints are received, we will act accordingly with whatever enforcement is needed,” he added.

Speaking about the late-night bus service in Srinagar, Bukhari said although there is a bit of shortage; as of now they have roped in the bus fleet of JKRTC who are operating from Srinagar during late hours.

“We need to understand that there is not so much flow of people during late night hours; had it been so there was no reason for the bus operators not to run their buses,” the RTO Kashmir said.

KNO carried a series of news items on the issue where women complained that the seats reserved for them in public transport are generally occupied by men—(KNO)

Baramulla, March 10: The Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar today convened a meeting of concerned officers in her office chamber to discuss the possession of land , other related matters regarding construction of National Highway Four Lanning under Package A1 and AB from Narbal Pattan and Tappar Sangrama.

During the meeting, a threadbare discussion was held wherein Deputy Commissioner asserted that the project is of strategic importance and stressed upon the concerned officers to redouble their efforts so that the project is completed in a time bound manner.

Discussing various issues related to the project, the Deputy Commissioner directed the officers of Revenue Department to handover the possessed land in first instance to Beacon Authorities so that the work is assigned to them and accordingly the other formalities are carried out including disbursement of funds for land acquisition.

Dr Sehrish Asgar also directed R&B Department to make auction within 10 days duration for chopping down of trees falling under A1 and AB package besides directed Divisional Forest Officer to make a detailed Project Report for planting more trees so that the deficiency of trees is made up and beautification of the road and afforestation is not compromised.

The DC also passed on spot directions to resolve the issues hindering the project.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, Tariq Ahmad Reshi, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Baramulla, Peerzada Mumtaz Ahmad, Sub Divisional Megistrate Pattan, Syed Faheem, SDM Gulmarg, OC BEACON besides all concerned functionaries of Revenue, R&B and Social Forestry Departments were present in the meeting.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner chaired a meeting with Revenue officers to discuss the change of Land use in the district.

On the occasion, threadbare discussion was held with regard to the process of change in land use from agricultural to non-agricultural activities in the district.

While taking a comprehensive review, DC enquired about the status of NOCs being issued in favour of applicants and applications received till date besides their reporting and follow up status by the concerned departments.

Dr Sehrish Asgar directed the concerned line departments to ensure timely issuance of NOCs to the applicants after proper verification of documents and rules under land conversion.

Srinagar, Mar 10 : Fire broke out on Friday evening in the forest area of Meebagh in upper reaches of Brein, Nishat.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the fire broke out this evening in Meebagh forest area.

They said that the forest team has reached the spot and the efforts are on to do use the flames—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 10 : In a significant decision, Haj Committee of India (HCoI) Friday announced to extend the date of Haj forms till March 20.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), HCoI member Er Aijaz Hussain said that the date of filling the forms of Haj 2023 has been extended upto March 20. “Haj aspirants can fill the forms till March 20. Haj forms are available on the Website of HCoI,” Er Aijaz said.

This year, Er Aijaz said that Haj has been made cheaper by Rs 80,000 while as better facilities have been ensured for the pilgrims at Makkah and Madina. This year, 25 embankment points have been set up across the country to facilitate pilgrims. Er Aijaz said that over 10,000 pilgrims will perform Haj from JK UT while as one lakh Indian pilgrims are expected to leave for Haj 2023—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, March 10 : Newly constructed building of government boys high school,Guloora in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has developed major cracks, thereby putting lives of students and staff at risk.

Locals told the news agency–Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they had already brought the issue into the notice of concerned authorities that contractor has used substandard material in construction.

They alleged that the building was recently handed over to the department and soon it developed cracks, thereby putting the lives of students and staff at risk.

“We had already informed the head of the institution that the concerned contractor has used substandard material in its construction but she did not pay any heed and today we have the results before us,” he said.

The locals said it took years to construction the building and huge funds were spent but to no avail. “We demand a probe into this and the concerned contractor be taken to task for using substandard material in its construction,” the locals said.

They also appealed to deputy commissioner Kupwara to take note of this issue and demanded thorough investigation into the matter.

Despite repeated attempts CEO Kupwara did not respond to several calls from this reporter—(KNO)

Kupwara, Mar 09 : The authorities on Thursday suspended 5 health official including a medical officer posted of PHC Unisoo in Langate area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district for remaining absent from duties.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the employees were found absent from their duties during a surprise visit by deputy commissioner Kupwara today.

The officials include medical official Dr Feroz Ahmad Khan, senior pharmacist Fayaz Ahmad Dar, pharmacist Aijaz Ahmad Mir, ISM pharmacist Tahir Ahmad and FMPHW Kulsuma Bano.

The order stated they have been asked to explain their position within 24 hours, failing which it shall be presumed they have nothing to say in their defence—(KNO)

Jammu, Mar 09: Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries has given shutdown call On March 11 against imposition of property tax in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference president CCI Arun Gupta, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that after series of meetings with members of civil society and other organizations, thye have decided to observe complete shutdown on Saturday.

He said that Chamber of Commerce and Industry will oppose any move that will put burden on the people—(KNO)

Baramulla, Mar 09: The Innovation and Incubation cell of Government Degree College Baramulla in collaboration with J&K Science Technology and Innovation Council Srinagar held one-day technical workshop aimed at promoting innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship among students on Thursday.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the workshop which featured talks from industry experts and representatives from financial institutions focused on informing students about the various schemes and resources offered by the government to support start-ups and encourage economic growth.

Guest of honor Javed Rashid, lead district manager of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in Baramulla and representative of Reserve Bank of India highlighted the need for students to acquire necessary skills to succeed in a saturated job market.

He stressed the importance of government schemes like the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), agricultural finance, and other allied sectors, such as fish rearing, to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.

Professor Tariq Chalkoo, the convener of the program, spoke about the need for a shift towards ethnographic thinking and the transformation of colleges into designing schools. He emphasized the importance of imparting relevant skills to the 71 percent of youth who pursue education and employment.

Prof Mohammad Farooq Rather, the Principal of GDC Baramulla, highlighted the crucial role of skill development and education in shaping successful entrepreneurs. He urged students to focus on industrial skill programs in addition to government jobs to harness their potential.

The workshop also included visits to the departments of Fisheries, Botany, and Chemistry, where students learned about commercial fish farming, mushroom cultivation, and vermicomposting.

The professors of organizing departments and participating students were presented with mementos and certificates by the Principal of the college—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 09: The work related to land revenue and other services has come to a standstill in this central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district due to the UT-wide pen-down strike by the Jammu and Kashmir Patwar Association.

The association has been protesting for their demands which include an increase in grade pay, the creation of patwar halqas, girdawar circles and other issues. The patwaris have also threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands are not fulfilled at the earliest.

While the authorities have assured the association that its demands will be looked into, no concrete steps have been taken yet. The protesting patwaris have urged the government to take prompt action in this regard.

The patwaris told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO): “Our strike is peaceful. We have been sitting on a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and tehsil office, and we will not go back till our demands are met.”

“We were appointed as patwaris in 2012 with a grade pay of 2800. After some time, due to unknown reasons, our grade pay was demoted to 2400. We are requesting the administration to restore our grade pay,” one of the patwaris outside the DC office Ganderbal, wishing anonymity, said.

“We have protested earlier, and the government has made promises to us, but till now, nothing has been done,” he added.

Another patwari said, “Our prime demand is the enhancement of grade pay, and our second demand is the creation of patwar halqa and girdawar circle. The patwar halqas of 1876, when Sir Walter Lawrence was the Regional Director, continue till now. As you can see, there were three districts – Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag. Many others have come into existence since then, but the patwar halqas have remained the same. Our sole demand is to increase these patwar halqas.”

Abdul Rahman, a local resident, while expressing his frustration said, “I came here for some work related to land revenue, but the office is closed.”

Naseema Begum, a nearby shopkeeper, said she supports patwaris in their demands. “They play an important role in land revenue and other related services. The government should fulfill their demands as soon as possible,” she said.

Riyaz Ahmad, a farmer, said the strike is affecting the work of the general public. The government needs to take quick action and resolve this issue. We cannot afford to wait for too long, he said.

“The patwaris have been working tirelessly for years, and they deserve better pay and working conditions,” Ghulam Nabi, a local businessman, said—(KNO)