People urge governor to intervene to have past deals probed in the interest of poor people

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Police has filed a case and initiated investigation following seizure of over one thousand quintals of sub-standard rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI) depot in Bumhama area of north-Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Official sources told news agency that the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CA&PD) had last month received several complaints about the supply of sub-standard rice to the people from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in Bumhama.

Acting upon the complaint, a team of CA&PD headed by Additional Director Food (AD) Mudasir Ahmad Wani carried out an inspection and seized over one thousand quintals of sub-standard rice from the godown.

When contacted, Additional Director CA&PD, Kupwara Mudasir Ahmad Wani confirmed to GNS that over one thousand quintals of rice were found to be of “poor quality”.

“The rice through FCI comes for schools as well as for our department (CAPD) and we later distribute it among people and we ensure that poor quality rice is not distributed,” he said, adding, “It is better that an FIR is registered as the rice which comes from FCI is received only once the FCI committee, constituted for the purpose, approves the same.”

He said that committee takes the samples and “we have no knowledge about these samples.”

“FCI is a different department and we only procure rice from them on monthly basis and keeping in view the fact that rice is to be distributed among the poor, I thought appropriate to have an FIR filed. We have to ensure that there is no compromise with the quality of the rice to be distributed among the poor.”         

He said that a factual statement has been forwarded to the police based on which the FIR was registered.

When contacted, a police officer said that an FIR (113/2019 under section 270, 273 RPC) has been registered following the complaint received from the CAPD officials.     

Meanwhile people demanded that investigation should not be restricted to thousand odd quintals of rice but to overall supplies made to schools and far flung areas.  

An officer of the CAPD department told news agency that governor administration should entrust the probe to Crime Branch or any other agency as some FCI people mingle poor quality rice with every truck. (GNS)   

Suliman Seith

Ganderbal, August 01 :Aiming at spreading awareness about the ill-effects of drugs a drug de-addiction awareness cum reach out programme to realize the dream of drug free Ganderbal was organized on Thursday by Civil Society Ganderbal at Boys Higher Secondary School Ganderbal.

On the occasion the speakers expressed their views on the topic ‘Socio-economic and legal implications of drug abuse’.

Speaking on the occasion the Convener Civil Society Ganderbal Dr Khursheed Ahmad Qureshi said that the main aim of the programme was to spread awareness amongst the student community to take necessary steps for curbing the drug menace. He highlighted the prevalence of drug abusers and stressed the audience especially the adolescents regarding the hazardous of substance abuse on both physical and mental health of the youth.

Drug addiction as a social evil, its effects on society and responsibilities of society in its eradication were highlighted by Social Worker Bilal Ahmad Wani . He also made the students aware about the warning signs and symptoms of an addict. He said that the effects of drug abuse are long-term and limitless, as they percolate through all the aspects of life.

Speaking on the Occasion Advocate Mudasir Hameed informed the participants about the hazards of substance abuse and its adverse impact on health and society. He said there are many laws to deal with addiction of various kinds. Those found guilty of flouting these laws can face jail, fine or both.

The programme was highly appreciated by the Principal of the School and requested for further awareness programmes in his school.

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 1: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat met Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here today. He was accompanied by Lt. General Ranbir Singh, Army Commander Northern Command, and Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon, GOC 15 Corps.

Governor and the Army Chief discussed various important matters relating to the role being played by the Army in safeguarding the territorial integrity and the internal security of the State and security management for smooth conduct of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra.

Governor lauded Gen. Rawat and his men for their exemplary devotion in maintaining a constant vigil along the borders and conducting successful anti terrorist operations in co-ordination with the State Police and Central Armed Police Forces in the hinterland.

Srinagar, August 1, : Stating that unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir was like a ticking time-bomb which can burst anytime, Senior CPI (m) leader and former MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf on Thursday said that neither previous regimes nor the incumbent regime are serious to tackle the burgeoning unemployment problem in the state.

In a statement, Tarigami said that according to media reports in just 15 days more than 1.5 Lac youth possessing post-graduation or higher educational degrees, have registered themselves with the state government as unemployed.

“The number could be much higher as a time for registration was limited. Then there are a huge number of unemployed people who have lesser or no qualifications. Then there are skilled and unskilled youth, who need jobs,” said Tarigami in his statement.

“According to an official report, the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir is higher than average National unemployment rate, with J&K having 24.6 percent population in the age of (18-29 years) unemployed, which is far more than All India unemployment rate of 13.2 percent,” he said.

He said that woes of the educated unemployed youth are increasing with each passing day, as their figure in the Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a serious surge. As per the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India (GoI), Jammu Kashmir has a very high unemployment rate and as per a survey conducted by the bureau in 2015-16, Jammu Kashmir has 72 unemployed persons per thousand, which means the number of unemployed youth in the state is over 9 lakh based on the 2011 census.

“The employment status in the state is worst as having no private sector, the youth have to rely on government jobs which are scarce, the government should take steps to tackle the problem and save our society from falling into the abyss of crisis. One of the main reasons for frustration and depression among youth is due to unemployment,” Tarigami added.

He said that there is a deep relationship between poverty and unemployment. In many areas of Jammu and Kashmir both rural and urban sector, we see different types of poverty in society due to unemployment such as poor housing, poor infrastructure and poor health.

“Nearly 10.35 percent of the population falls under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category in the state with the rural areas holding more poor than the urban areas. The unemployment gives birth to political instability and youth lose faith in democratic values and peaceful means. They consider that the government is worthless which fails to provide them work. The growing menace of corruption can be addressed by stopping the murder of merit; the deserving candidates should be selected in a free and fair process free from political and administration interventions,” Tarigami said.

“The increasing unemployment causes loss of human resources as well. The labourers in search of employment are virtually facing huge distress. Those labourers who get the job are forced to work under adverse conditions of low wages. There are fewer opportunities for self-employment in Jammu and Kashmir,” Tarigami said.

“Service sector can provide an opportunity for employment but lacks adequate support by the government. Govt schemes are either not implemented on the ground or are not being supported with adequate funds. To overcome the frustration and disillusionment among the youth, the government must explore avenues for meaningful employment in the state. Any delay is fraught with serious consequences,” Tarigami in a statement said. 

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Peoples Conference chief and former minister Sajjad Gani Lone on Thursday questioned National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah about the agenda of their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

“Reports suggest Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah to meet PM regarding Article 35A. What on earth happened to the supposed collective action. Is it a rush for brownie points or mercy petition for economic crimes. The innocent people of Kashmir will never know (sic),” Lone tweeted in response to Abdullahs meeting with Modi.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Aug 1: Crime Branch has booked Shoib Nabi Lone, former MLA Sangrama and congress district president Baramulla in the case of forgery and criminal conspiracy under the offences punishable U/S420, 120B RPC.

The spokesman said that as per the information available with the agency, Lone along with one CS Sauleheen Company Secretary M/S Sauleheen and associates had frequently transferred 65000 shares of Harmeet Singh who happens to be one of the holders of the shares of M/S Alpine Fresh Pvt Ltd along with Shoib Nabi Lone and others.

After the preliminary investigation, offences punishable under section 420 and 120B were proved against Shoib Lone and CS Sauleheen,  accordingly, case FIR number 39/2019 stands registered at police station crime branch Jammu and further investigations have been taken up.

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Information Department Employees Union (IDEU) Thursday welcomed the newly appointed Director Information and Public Relations, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asghar.

The Director, while interacting with the Union assured them full support and cooperation and said that her office will be always available to listen to the grievances of the employees.

IDEU President Shabir Ahmad, General Secretary Abdul Rashid Wani, Secretary Hamid Ullah, Publicity Secretary, Gagan Jamwal and cashier Latief Ahmad were present while welcoming the Director.

The employees union while welcoming the Director assured their full cooperation and said that they will work with full honesty and dedication to ensure smooth functioning of the department.