Srinagar, June 21 (GNS): Police authorities have booked four more drug peddlers under Public Safety Act (PSA) in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district on Friday.

A senior police officer told GNS that in its ongoing drive against drug menace, four more persons namely Reyaz Ahmad Badan (24) son of Abdul Qayoom, Mudasir Ahmad Piswal, Tanveer Ahmad Raina and Zameer Ahmad Raina (28) son of Mohammad Israel, all residents of Amrohie Karnah were booked under the PSA and lodged in different jails. 
While two of them, Reyaz and Zameer were arrested in January 30, this year along with 19 kilogram of narcotics substance worth over Rs 70 crore, others Mudasir and Tanveer arrested last month.
Soon after the arrest of Reyaz and Zameer police had filed a case under FIR No 02/19 U/S 08/21 NDPS Act in PS Kralpora against the duo whose arrest was termed by police a great success.

“The catch will be helpful in protecting the gullible youth from Pakistan-based designs, which lure them into drug smuggling and its consumption,” police had said.
The officer said that all the four persons were booked under the stringent law of J&K Prevention of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance act 1988, by the orders of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
He said that Reyaz has been booked vide Government Order Number DIVCOM-K/84/2019, Mudasir under DIVCOM-K/85/2019, Tanveer under DIVCOM-K/86/2019 and Zameer under DIVCOM-K/87/2019.

While Reyaz and Tanveer were shifted to district jail Anantnag, Mudasir and Zameer taken to district jail Baramulla for lodgment, he added.

On June 7, authorities had booked four drug peddlers namely Abdul Majeed Munshi (43) of Munshi Mohalla Gulgam, Ghulam Rasool War (36) of Gonipora, Hyhama, Mohammad Hussain Lone (35) of Mirnag Hyhama and Shabir Ahmad Mir (29) of Dardpora, Kralpora under the PSA. (GNS)

Srinagar, June 21 (GNS):Government forces on Friday apprehended a teenage boy (pillion rider) even as the motorcyclist managed to flee from the spot amid some warning shots at KP road Anantnag in south Kashmir.

Reports reaching GNS said that a joint naka party of SOG and CRPF signaled to stop a motorcyclist near K.P Road Anantnag for checking.

In the meantime, the motorcyclist turned back and the joint team fired few aerial shots which created panic in the area.

In the process, the pillion rider (aged about 17-year-old) fell off from it and was later apprehended by the joint team. The motorcyclist, however, managed to escape from the site, they said.

Sources said that the boy has been taken to JIC Anantnag for questioning.

Confirming it, a police officer said that investigations are underway to ascertain the details.

The incident occurred when the motorcyclist bearing registration number (JK03D-3964) was coming from Mattan towards Anantnag town, the officer said. 

It could not be immediately confirmed whether the motorcyclist turned back and fled due to the absence of license or other documents or there was something else linked to militancy.

In recent past, there have been some instances when motorcyclists or vehicle drivers who ignore signal were fired upon and one such incident three boys were injured on eid day when government forces opened fire at them in Pulwama district. (GNS)

Police in a statement today said that it has arrested a person who was evading arrest since 11 years and was on run.

The police spokesman further said that under the supervision of SDPO Magam Showkat Ahmad, an absconder namely Mohammad Shafi Badyari S/0 Ali Mohammad Badyari R/O Rashan Ghat Bund Rajbagh who was absconding for the last 11 years in case FIR no 25/2008 U/S 420/468 RPC was dramatically arrested by police station Breewah. The absconder was wanted in several other cases also. People of the area have hailed the role of Budgam Police, it added.

Day One: Programme evokes massive response, villages wear festive look, officers take on spot appraisal of welfare schemes, peoples’ needs

SRINAGAR, JUNE 20: The first ever weeklong Government-public interface programme-Back to Village-kickstarted from today across the State evoking massive response from people with officers reaching them at their doorsteps, listening to their problems and suggesting measures to further enhance the efficacy of welfare schemes across the rural landscape.

          The focus of the campaign is on energizing Panchayats, collecting feedback on the delivery of government programmes, capturing specific economic potential and undertaking assessment of needs of the villages. Under the campaign designated gazetted officers are putting up in different Panchayats for at least two-days including a night halt in assigned villages to take a first-hand assessment by holding direct interaction with people and Panchayat representatives besides visiting public utilities and other community assets.

AT SRINAGAR, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary flagged-off designated officers for ‘Back to Village’ programme from DC Office. The designated officers visited Dara-A, Gandthal and Fakir Gujri-B, Panchayat Halqas of Block Harwan; Balhama-A and Khonmoh-A, Panchayat Halqas of Block Khonmoh and Panzinara-A of Panchayat Halqa Qamarwari of the district.

On the occasion, people of these areas raised many developmental issues like macadamization of roads, construction of drains, electricity, drinking water, works under MNREGA, reconstruction of culverts, repair of electric poles, development of health and educational infrastructure with the visiting officers.  The officers also discussed the specific economic potential of the villages and employment opportunities and also acquainted people with various schemes and programmes of the Government.

AT BUDGAM, designated gazetted officers visited 80 Gram Panchayats which included 20 in B. K Pora, 16 in Khag, 14 in Chadoora, 10 each in Budgam, Beerwah and Khansahib blocks of the district.

Deputy Commissioner, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar accompanied by SDMs, district officers, Tehsildars, BDOs, also visited numerous places across the district to take care of arrangements viz-a-viz facilitating logistical support, ensuring presence of PRI members and interaction with frontline government functionaries.

The gazetted officers also gathered the information as per the format devised. Villages witnessed positive response of the people towards this pro- people programme and came forward enthusiastically and actively participated in projecting their demands and highlighted their grievances.

AT PULWAMA, in an inaugural function, District Development Commissioner Syed Abid Rashid Shah dedicated Park to the public at Nikas Pulwama. The DDC also visited Gangoo and interacted with the people where locals apprised him with various issues being faced by them.

Meanwhile, Director Settlement G.M. Dar visited Shar Panchayat halqa of Khrew Block, Custodian General Farooq Ahmad Shah toured Dadsara Panchayat halqa of Tral Block and Lateef Ahmad Poswal, Director Finance, visited Ladoo Panchayat halqa of Pampore Block and interacted with the people regarding different government programmes and issues faced by them.

Similar functions were held in 55 halqas of all the blocks of the district. Additional Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama, Tral, Awantipora, other officers, various deputations and a large number of people participated in the programme.

AT SHOPIAN, the programme started in Chitragam, Harmain, ImamSahib, Kanjiullar, Keller, Kapran, Shopian, Zainapora and Ramnagri blocks of the district.

A large number of people including senior citizens, stakeholders, retired Government employees and youth participated in the programme and put forth their demands and grievances before the visiting officers.

On the first day of ‘Back to Village’ programme, 33 Panchayat Halqas were covered in the district by 29 visiting officers nominated for the programme in addition to 34 officials from different Departments deputed to assist them.

AT KUPWARA, the programme commenced in 129 Panchayats of the district.

Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg visited several areas of the district including Gushi, Batergam, Batpora, and Bapoora to get the first-hand appraisal of the implementation process of the ambitious programme.

Enthusiastic participation of the general public was seen in the programme and people are inquisitive regarding this flagship programme and expressed their hope for redressal of their grievances with regard to different developmental works in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, at Tangdhar in the phase first, the programme started at various panchayats including Nichiyan, Hajinaar, Khurpara-A, Khurpara-B, Kandi Bala, Kandi Payeen, Chanipora-A, Chanipora-B, Sadpora, Taad and Seemari.

AT BANDIPORA, ‘Back to Village’ programme in the first phase was inaugurated in 51 Panchayats of the district.

Early morning the visiting officers reported at their respective Panchayats. The gazetted officers who visited the Panchayats included Director Finance M Ayoub Nasir, Director Sheep Husbandry Abdul Salam Mir, Director Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Special Secretary Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu, Mission Director ICDS, Shabnum Kamli and other senior officers.

The villages wore a festive look as the Panchayats and other government buildings were decorated while locals thronged their respective Panchayat and interacted with the officers. The visiting officers held interactions with the locals while the locals apprised them about their grievances.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, ADDC Mohammad Yousuf Mir, ADC Zahoor Ahmad Mir, ACR Reyaz Ahmad Beigh, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad and other concerned also visited several Panchayats of the district  to inspect the activities.

AT BARAMULLA, Deputy Commissioner Dr G.N Itoo kick-started the programme. He was accompanied by Joint Director Planning, Mohammad Yousuf; Assistant Commissioner Development, Yar Ali and other concerned officials.

On his visit to Wagoora Block, the DC inaugurated ‘development of playground’ at Durhama and interacted with the residents, while listening to their grievances. He asked them to take full benefit from the programme.

As many as 402 gazetted officers have been nominated for 402 panchayat halqas who have been assigned a Gram Panchayat each.

AT KARGIL, Divisional Commissioner Ladakh Saugat Biswas flagged-off a team of officers to the assigned Gram Panchayats here under ‘Back to Village’ programme.

Pertinently, 98 officers are participating in various ‘Back to Village’ activities in the district who have already been assigned respective Gram Panchayats.

Meanwhile, various activities including introductory meeting with Panchs and Sarpanchs, interactions with villagers, inspection of schools and health institutions, inaugurations of public parks and other facilities as well as other activities were held across Gram Panchayats across the district.

AT GANDERBAL, the programme commenced in several Panchayat Halqas. Secretary,  Rural Development Department,  Sheetal Nanda visited several Panchayat Halqas in Kangan Sub-division where she enquired about the developmental issues faced by the people.

She was accompanied with ACD Ganderbal, Mohammad Ashraf, DPO, BDO and other district officers.  In addition to the designated visiting officers, officials from different departments interacted with the general public regarding various governmental welfare programmes.

AT KULGAM, in the first phase of the outreach, all the visiting officers reported to their places of 57 panchayat halqas where they organized Gram Sabhas.

The programme was held in several Panchayat Halqas block-wise and major villages including CR Pora, DH Pora Partly, Kounserbal, Sopat, Zangalnpora, Kilam-A, Kilam-B, Hablish, Nowpora, Laisoo, Nadmiamarg, Yarkah, Khull, Margibal, Waipora, Gasran, Chanser, Shuch, Okey, and Hadigam besides other villages on the first day of the programme.

AT ANANTNAG, the district administration kick-started the weeklong public interface programme from all the 68 Panchayat Halqas of Sagam, Breng and Larnoo blocks of the Kokernag Constituency under the supervision of District Developmental Commissioner Khalid Jahangir.

The DDC went to the various Panchayat Halqas of the district and took stock of the implementation of the ‘Back to Village’ programme.  He interacted with the public and detailed them about the aims and objectives of the programme.

Designated officers went to their respective Panchayat Halqas, interacted with the public and discussed with them the developmental scenario of the villages. Officials from different departments gave awareness to the public regarding various state and centrally sponsored schemes, besides received feedback with regard to the implementation of the said schemes on the ground.

AT LEH, various activities were held to mark the commencement of the ‘Back to Village’ programme. Deputy Commissioner Avny Lavasa visited various places in the district to supervise the implementation of the ambitious initiative of the Government.

During the week-long programme, designated officers shall visit all the 95 Panchayat halqas of the district and seek feedback based on their observation, interaction and other activities as per the provided general guidelines of their concerned Gram Panchayat.

Srinagar, June 20 : Jammu Kashmir Government has an unpaid liability of Rs 1100 crore towards the contractors on account of development works carried by them. If sources are to be believed Public Works Department has no funds to carry out macadamize work this season. 

Public works department in this regards according to sources has sent a communiqué to finance department seeking immediate release of the funds.

 Sources told news agency that road projects worth crores are in jeopardy.

    An official from Public Works Department confirmed that they have no funds for macadamization work. “Funds have been released for the macadamization of patch work only. The important roads that are in dilapidated condition await macadamization while there are no funds with the department,” he added.

   He said that they have been urging the government to release the funds so that the liabilities of contractors will be cleared and the work on the road projects be executed. 

  Farooq Ahmed Dar, who represents Kashmir Economic Alliance and Contractors Central Coordination Committee confirmed that Jammu Kashmir Government has an unpaid liability of Rs 1100 crore towards the contractors. “Government is unable to execute works due to lack of funds,” he added. 

  PWD Chief Engineer was not available for comments as his cell phone was switched off. (CNS)

Srinagar

Governor, Satya Pal Malik chaired the meeting of the State Administrative Council (SAC) at Raj Bhavan Srinagar on Thursday.

Advisors to the Governor K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, K. Skandan and K K Sharma, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and other officials were present at the meeting.

The SAC deliberated upon the various proposals submitted by Administrative departments for its consideration and approval.

SAC approves termination of EPC, PMC Contracts for the 48 MW Lower Kalnai HEP Project to be re-tendered

The State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the termination of the EPC & PMC Contracts for the 48 MW Lower Kalnai HEP, updation of the DPR and re-tendering of the balance works of the Project under EPC mode.

The 48 MW Lower Kalnai Hydel Project is a run of the river project in District Doda. The project was awarded on EPC basis in September 2013 to M/s Coastal projects Pro Limited and was scheduled to be completed in September 2017. Due to poor progress work and listing of coastal projects in the insolvency list of RBI, the Management a Finance Sub-Committee recommended termination of the Contract and encashment of PBGs.

The Contract of PMC of Lower Kalnai HEP was awarded to M/S ICCS-Rodic Consultants Consortium which was to be completed within 48 months. In view of poor progress of the main EPC Contract, the PMC was asked to minimize its manpower deployment. Subsequently, the PMC demobilized their staff, handed over the records and formally closed their services in August 2018.

The SAC accorded sanction to the termination of EPC Contract with M/s Coastal Projects Limited and termination of PMC Contract with M/s ICCS-Rodic Consultants Consortium as per the provisions of the Contract Agreement.

The SAC also approved revision of the DPR to exclude the work already executed and to include only the balance works, updation of the DPR to the present price level and retendering the balance works of the Project under EPC mode.

Further, the SAC authorized the Commissioner/Secretary, PDD/ Managing Director, JKSPDC to take the required action in this regard.

SAC approves annulment of the bid process, initiation of fresh procurement process by JKSPDC for 93 MW New Ganderbal HEP

The State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the annulment of the bid process of 93 MW New Ganderbal HEP and initiation of the procurement process of the project afresh by JKSPDC.

The 93 MW New Ganderbal Hydro Electric Project was conceived as a run-of-the-river scheme on Sindh nallah, a tributary of river Jhelum. All the requisite clearances for the project have been obtained and compliances for clearance of the project by Indus Commission (Gol), made. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has accorded Techno-Economic Clearance (TEC) to the project at an estimated cost of Rs.965.87 Crore at including IDC and FC of Rs. 175.146 Cr. The appraisal was valid for a period of three years. The CEA has been approached for revalidation of the appraisal.

Earlier, a two-stage bidding process was adopted for the selection of the EPC contractor for the construction of the project in which HCC emerged as the successful bidder with a negotiated cost of Rs. 819.18 Crore. However, for a variety of reasons M/S HCC failed to implement the project.

As the LOI to M/s HCC was issued in pursuant to a Cabinet Decision, the proposal was placed before the SAC, which accorded approval to annulment of Bid Process and initiation of procurement process of the 93 MW New Ganderbal Hydro Electric Project afresh by JKSPDC in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The decision was taken in view of the resolution passed by the Board of Directors of JKSPDC in a recent meeting.

JAKFED to be wound up by August 2019

The State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the winding up of Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (JAKFED) by August 2019.

The process of winding up of the Federation will be concluded by the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, J&K in terms of Section 74 of the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Society Act, 1989 by 31.08.2019.

SAC directed the Cooperative Department to constitute a Committee which will coordinate the winding up of JAKFED. The Cooperative Department, under the guidance of the Committee, will come up with a detailed winding up plan, including an appropriate VRS for employees of the Federation by 31.07.2019.

All the movable/immovable assets of JAKFED shall be taken over by the State Government and financial commitments, if any, shall be met by the Cooperative department through the sale of these assets and the State Government shall not bear any financial liability whatsoever on this account.

It is noteworthy to mention that JAKFED, registered under the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989, is an apex level institution in the Cooperative Sector. The major activities of the federation included procurement and distribution of Fertilizer, building material, domestic gas etc.

JAKFED, initially a profit earning organization could not maintain its tempo on account of malpractices which were probed by a High Level Committee (Pillai Committee) and, thereafter, by the Joint House Committee of Legislative Council.

It was observed that the Federation has the strength of 224 employees. The Federation is suffering the annual recurring loss of around Rs 2.75 Crore and has overall liabilities to the tune of Rs 67 Crore.

After careful analyses of all the pros and cons and in view of the very limited scope for revival, the decision to wind up JAKFED has been taken.

Major step towards realizing 24×7 Power supply in Srinagar, Jammu cities

The State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the award of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Distribution Management System (DMS) under R-APDRP Scheme for Jammu and Srinagar cities to M/S G.E T&D India Limited at a cost of Rs.173 crore

The establishment of SCADA/DMS is a major step towards realizing the vision of 24×7 Power Supply to all consumers in the twin cities. SCADA will enable setting up of reliable and “no manual touch” systems for system control/data collection and adoption of Information Technology in the area of energy accounting. It will reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and enable real-time monitoring & control of Electric Distribution network, handling of loads while load shedding & restoration, plugging of pilferage points, supply of quality power, faster identification of faults & early restoration of power supply, proper metering, strategic placement of capacitor banks & switches and in proper planning and design of distribution network.

The SCADA project was sanctioned under R-APDRP by the Union Ministry of Power/Power Finance Corporation in the year 2011. The implementation of the project got delayed in view of poor response to the bidding process. With this step, implementation will speed up the vision of 24×7 power supply.

Bill for extending 10% reservation to EWS approved

The State Administrative Council (SAC) which approved the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019’ for incorporating provisions for the implementation of the 103rd  amendment of the Indian Constitution. The amendment will provide for 10% reservation to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions and direct recruitment in civil posts and services not covered under the scheme of the reservation for SCs / STs / OBCs.

The Union Government extended 10% reservation to the persons belonging to Economically Weaker sections (EWSs), who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs in terms of Constitution of India (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019. Subsequently, on the recommendations of the State Government, the Government of India extended the said Act to the Jammu and Kashmir State vide Presidential Order Dated 01.3.2019 notified vide G.S.R. 175(E) of 2019.

Pertinent to mention that the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and Rules made thereunder viz. “The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005” notified vide SRO 294 of 2005 dated 21.10.2005 provide for reservation to various categories viz Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Socially & Educationally Backward Classes (Residents of Backward Area, Actual Line of Control / International Border and Social Castes).

The Act provides that total percentage of the reservation shall in no case exceed 50%. Presently 46% reservation is being extended to various classes. For the implementation of the 103rd amendment of Constitution of India to provide for 10% reservation, an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 was necessary.

The amendment will benefit a large number of people in J&K who are not covered under the scheme of the reservation for SCs / STs / OBC etc.

SAC approves award of contract under EPC mode for 12MW Karnah HEP in Kupwara district

The State Administrative Council (SAC) accorded sanction to the award of contract for EPC mode of execution of the 12 MW Karnah Hydro Electric Project (HEP) at village Pingla, Tehsil Karnah, District Kupwara to the L1 bidder, M/s Angelique-SAPU Consortium at the quoted cost of Rs 96.967 Crore with applicable taxes.

SAC authorized the Managing Director, JKSPDCL to execute all such documents and take such actions as may be required in this regard.

The completion time of the Karnah HEP is 42 months from the date of award of work which includes the time required for pre-construction activities including infrastructure works. The project will cater to the power demand of the area and will also be a source of their socio-economic upliftment.

The project is proposed to be funded with a debt-equity ratio of 70:30. While the debt requirement shall be raised from financial institutions/banks like PFC, REC and J&K Bank, the equity portion for the project i.e 30% of the total project cost is proposed to be funded by the Government of India (Gol) from the Prime Minister Developmental Programme funds (PMDP). In case of any additional requirement of funds, the same is proposed to be met from the internal resources of JKSPDCL.

The Karnah HEP is a run-of-river project with an installed capacity of 2 MW located on Owari Nag Nallah at village Haridal in district Kupwara of Jammu and Kashmir state. The project was commissioned in 1991 but the scheme underwent forced stoppage many times in between September 1992 and July 2010 due to various reasons including damages due to earthquake of 2005, flash flood of 2010 etc. The project was finally made functional in July 2011. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Karnah HEP was prepared in 2011-12 for enhancing the power generation capacity from 2 MW to 12 MW besides shifting the powerhouse downstream by about 1.5 km near village Khudri. After a competitive bidding process, the Board of Directors of JKSPDC in its 74th meeting held on 22.04.2019 approved the award in favour of M/s Angelique-SAPU Consortium.

Sopore, June 20 : Police in Sopore today seized illicit timber & deodar worth lacs of rupees from Ladoora area.

Acting on specific information, a police team headed by SDPO Rafiabad Shri Nissar Ahmad JKPS along with Range Officer concerned seized huge quantity of timber and deodar worth lacs of rupees from the premises of a house, located at Khudwani Mohlla Ladoora belonging to Riyaz Ahmad Qureshi son of Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi and from the nearby orchards.

A case FIR No. 48/2019 under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Panzala and initiated investigations in the matter. 

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, June 20 : The body of an 85-year old man was on Thursday found inside a dam of Power Project Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Reports reaching said that some locals spotted the body of Mohammad Azam Sudan son of Fakir Sudan inside the dam at Dimayar area of Boniyar and immediately informed the police about it.

A police officer said that the body was retrieved from the dam and was taken to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities.

He said that a case under section 174 CrPc has been initiated and further investigations taken up. (GNS)

Srinagar, June 20 : State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to Commissioner Secretary Roads and Building Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, seeking a report about the delay in repairing the main road in Lalpora, Lolab that connects the main town with Kupwara district.

A member of the Commission Abdul Hamid Wani asked the R&B officials and the deputy commissioner Kupwar to file a detailed report as to why they have failed to repair the road stretch, petitioner—Mohammad Ahsan Untoo, chairman International Forum for Justice and Human Rights (IFJHR), said.

The petitioner said that the main road which connects the Lalpora, Lolab with main town Kupwara was in a dilapidated condition and poses a great risk to the lives. 

“For the last couple of months, this road has consumed number lives due to frequent accidents, and still the road continues to be ignored by the authorities,” the petitioner said.