Srinagar, Jun 13 : Congress Chief Whip Shafat Gaffar along with some corporators today met Chief Electoral Officer J&K and submitted an application for disqualification of 7 Corporators who defected the party recently and joined People’s Conference.
Corporators who defected the party are Sobee Jan, Sara Bilal, Ajaz Rasool Bhat, Gulshan Bilal, Naziya Yousuf, Haseena and Shaheena.
Srinagar, Jun 13 : To meet the requirements of high net worth individuals, J&K Bank today launched Premium Savings Bank Account scheme- a tailor-made product with special add-ons, freebies and discounts in fee / charges at the Corporate Headquarter of the Bank.
Customized to address the needs of different sets of prospective customers, the account has an Average Monthly Balance (AMB) requirement of Rs 1.00 lakh only and is replete with attractive features including free Accidental Insurance Cover of Rs.5.00 Lacs.
The bank is committed to provide world class banking products for the entire spectrum of society in terms of their economic standing. This product is designed to meet the requisite demands of high net worth individuals. The product has appealing features besides many add-ons for individuals with sound financial standing. The bank shall continue to come up with innovative products to address the rapidly evolving requirements of its customers and going by its motto of Serving to Empower, shall strive to keep evolving.
Other special features of the product include zero Cash Deposit Charges at Base Business Unit, free first Instant / Personalized Card (Gold Debit Card), Zero Annual / Renewal charges for Gold Debit Card, Cash Withdrawal of Rs.75, 000 per day at ATMs and POS / Merchant Usage of Rs.1, 50,000/- per day using Gold Debit Card, zero Credit Card Issuance Charges and many other attractive features.
Srinagar, Jun 11 : Students from two colleges located in Srinagar on Tuesday have appealed Controller Examinations Cluster University to conduct exams which they missed last month due to ‘unfavourable conditions.’
Students from two colleges—Amar Singh College and Degree College Bemina told Srinagar-based news agency that on the day of examinations—May 27, when they were about to write their papers, protests and clashes broke in the college premises.
“We had no other option then to leave the college due to prevailing conditions,” they said.
According to the students, the protests broke out in the aftermath of killing of Zakir Musa.
They said students from various streams including Medical, Non-medical, Commerce and Arts missed the exams for the subjects of Geography, Biotechnology, Food Science and Technology, Economics, Sociology and e-Commerce,” the students said.
“Since then we have been making constant efforts to persuade the Cluster University authorities to allow us to conduct our exams afresh but nothing has been done so far in this regard despite a lapse of almost two weeks now,” the students said.
Appealing the varsity officials to look into their issue on humanitarian grounds, the students said that, “we humbly request the varsity authorities to consider the issue on humanitarian grounds and conduct our exams afresh,” they said, adding, “There was no fault on our part and the authorities shall consider this important aspect.”
Meanwhile, despite efforts Vice-Chancellor and Controller Examinations of Cluster University couldn’t be reached for their comments’ over the issue. (GNS)
Shopian: District administration Shopian in collaboration with14th battalion of Central reserve police forces (CRPF) kick started sqay martial arts tournament under Khelo Shopian action plan – 2019-20 here at Mini Secretariat Arhama Shopian.
Many budding martial art players took part in the tournament in presence of Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Owais Ahmad, commandant 14th battalion CRPF; Erick Gilbert , Commanding officer 44 Rashtriya Rifles of army; AK Singh. Additional Deputy commissioner Shopian, Shabir Hussain Bhat was also present there.
Deputy commissioner Shopian on the occasion said that youth from Shopian is inherent with talent whether it be sports of academics, the youth is talented and proving their abilities. “We have seen that the district has produced players who bring laurels to country at international levels and so they did in the 10th, 12th and NEET examinations,” he said.
Deputy commissioner Shopian further added that the district administration is available at the door step of students and sportsmen whenever they feel need of our help.
Both commandent 14th battalion of CRPF and Commanding officer 44 army promised their full support in such initiatives of the district administration.
Many athletes took part in the tournament and they were felicitated with trophies and medals.
DODA,June 13: To take the stock of information regarding the progress on mega projects of doda,Div Com Jammu Sanjeev Verma on the second day of his two day tour of Doda,paid visit to GMC Doda to review the progress of the ongoing project here today.
During the visit Div Com was informed by the executing agency that construction of column structure of administrative and academic block has been completed which will be now followed by the block masnory.Div Com directed the concerned to complete the work on the administrative and academic block within the stipulated time and start work in double shifts to achieve the target of timeline, besides to resolve the issue permanent approach path for GMC Doda.
Meanwhile Div Com also visited Akramabad Doda to review the progress on the long pending project of truck terminal,the issue which was also highlighted in yesterday senior citizens meet.Immediate direction were given to MC Doda to start the pending work of the project within a week time and asked DDC to take weekly report of the project which will solve the issue of traffic congestion of Doda at major level.
Moreover Div Com also visited the place near Malwas where park was desired by elected members of MC for the people of Doda, for which directions were given to the administration to take up the matter on priority basis.
Further it has been directed to PMGSY to complete all the pending work of culverts on Doda bhagwah road for the smooth ply of vehicles with immediate effect and asked the PHE department to duct all the water pipes which are going through the open nallahs which provides unsafe drinking water to the people, besides directed the forest department to start a plantation drive alongside the roads which will result in the beautification of town and of its adjoining areas,also directed the sericulture department to increase the number of nurseries and increase the other innovative activities like basket making etc which will enhance the livelihood avenues also.
Officials who accompanied the Div Com during the visit are DDC Doda Dr Sagar D Doifode,ACR Doda Kaiser Ahmed Bhawani,CPO Doda Parshotam Kumar,SE PWD, Tehsildar Doda and other officials of the administration.
Srinagar, June 13: Governor Satya Pal Malik attended the Convocation of the Mewar University organised at the SKICC here today. This Convocation was organised exclusively for the students from J&K who have successfully completed their courses from the University.
Prof. Omar Javed Shah, Director SKIMS was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.
In the Convocation about 800 Ph.D, M.Phil, Post Graduate and Graduate Degrees and Diplomas and Certificates were awarded to the students.
Governor in his Convocation address congratulated the recipients of degrees. He said that the younger generation has a vital role to play in nation building and only the best education can contribute to rapid growth and development of the country and enable them to achieve their expectations. He urged the graduating batch to contribute meaningfully towards the society.
Quoting the examples of various advanced nations who never compromised on their education system, Governor observed that education is the most powerful tool for a nation to empower its citizens and emphasised the need to bring substantial changes in the present education system in the country.
Governor noted that youth of Jammu and Kashmir have exhibited excellence in academics and it is his endeavour that high quality education infrastructure is created in the State so that students here need not go outside to seek admissions in colleges and Universities of other States.
Mentioning about various steps taken by his administration for facilitating students who are studying outside the State, Governor observed that Liaison Officers have been appointed by the State Government with the mandate to resolve issues of students with authorities in other States.
Governor noted that his administration has approved establishment of 102 new colleges of which half will be only women colleges and 230 schools have been upgraded to the next higher level as there are places where students had to travel a long distance to continue their studies.
Governor complimented the parents of the graduating students and also expressed his pleasure on being invited for the occasion. He wished the graduating students a bright career ahead.
Prof. Omar Javed Shah and Dr. Ashok Kumar Gadiya, Chairperson of the Mewar University addressed the students on the occasion and extended their best wishes to the successful candidates.
SHOPIAN JUNE 13: District Social Welfare Office Shopian today organised a distribution camp for providing motorised tricycles and other prosthetic aids to Persons with Disabilities. The District Development Commissioner Shopian Dr. Owais Ahmad presided over the function.
Also present on the occasion were Assistant Commissioner Revenue Shahnawaz Shah, ExEn PDD Irshad Hussain, District Information Officer Showkat Ahmad Khan, DSWO Mohammad Shafait, TSWO Farhana Tak, official of the department and media persons of the district.
On the occasion, Development Commissioner Dr. Owais held detailed interactions with PWDs and called upon them to not let their disabilities to overcome their determination to succeed in life. He motivated them to avail the benefits entailed under various self employment schemes of Central and State Government.
The DSWO informed the DDC and other participants that presently the department is providing monthly pension of Rs 1000/month to 3100 DAPs involving annual expenditure of Rs 3. 72 Cr. “122 motorised tricycles, 32 hearing aids, 11crutches, 5 wheel chairs and 2 walking sticks have been provided to DAPs in last one and a half years,”he informed further.
A total of 16 motorised tricycles and 4 hearing aids were provided to the identified beneficiaries by the DDC Dr. Owais in the camp.
SHOPIAN JUNE 13: District Social Welfare Office Shopian today organised a distribution camp for providing motorised tricycles and other prosthetic aids to Persons with Disabilities. The District Development Commissioner Shopian Dr. Owais Ahmad presided over the function.
Also present on the occasion were Assistant Commissioner Revenue Shahnawaz Shah, ExEn PDD Irshad Hussain, District Information Officer Showkat Ahmad Khan, DSWO Mohammad Shafait, TSWO Farhana Tak, official of the department and media persons of the district.
On the occasion, Development Commissioner Dr. Owais held detailed interactions with PWDs and called upon them to not let their disabilities to overcome their determination to succeed in life. He motivated them to avail the benefits entailed under various self employment schemes of Central and State Government.
The DSWO informed the DDC and other participants that presently the department is providing monthly pension of Rs 1000/month to 3100 DAPs involving annual expenditure of Rs 3. 72 Cr. “122 motorised tricycles, 32 hearing aids, 11crutches, 5 wheel chairs and 2 walking sticks have been provided to DAPs in last one and a half years,”he informed further.
A total of 16 motorised tricycles and 4 hearing aids were provided to the identified beneficiaries by the DDC Dr. Owais in the camp.
DODA : Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma today reviewed developmental scenario and progress on mega developmental projects at a meeting of divisional & district heads of the key departments.
At the outset, the District Development Commissioner Doda Dr. Sagar D Doifode gave details of ongoing projects taken up PHE, PWD, PDD, Health, PMGSY, Forest, Agriculture and Horticulture sectors.
The Div Com took stock of condition of roads, water requirement and availability, power requirement and availability in the township, execution and widening of road by Gref, EOC, status of PMGSY roads and disbursement of compensation to the owners of acquired land, status of CRF roads, status of languishing projects and timeline for completion, health services including NHM, plantation programme and preparation of convergence plan.
The meeting also reviewed the skill development initiatives achievements in handicraft and handloom sectors, agriculture and horticulture production.
Direction has been passed on to these departments to go for new techniques, innovative works and for inclusion of new activities and capacity building of the people’s so that sources of livelihood generation can be increased to fulfil the purpose of the existence of the respective departments.
While reviewing the sector-wise performance of the line departments, the DDC apprised the Div Com about major ongoing developmental projects of the district including polytechnic college at beoli,progess of DC office complex, Construction of GDC khilotran, Construction of Multipurpose indoor hall at Doda, construction of truck terminal at Akramabad etc.
Taking stock of languishing projects, the Div Com directed the Executive Engineers to form a pert chart and asked the DDC to check the weekly progress on each work.
The Div Com directed the concerned officers to take effective steps for timely completion of these projects.
The meeting was informed that in PHE sector new 375 schemes and 32 languishing projects in which 16 are targeted to be completed by the end of this year.
PHE & PDD functionaries were directed to take measures to improve supply of drinking water and power besides other facilities and ensure that the people do not suffer, besides div com was informed that shortfall of 23 lakh gallons of water is still there against which 12 lakhs of gallon of water will be provided to the people by the end of this year.
DDC apprised the div com about the quality of water supply supplied especially in doda town,which followed the directions by div com to the PHE department to collect the water sample from all the towns of district to check the quality of water which is being provided to the people.
The Div Com also reviewed the division wise physical progress of PMGSY roads and laid stress on timely completion of the projects,and also directed them to entertain new technology and innovative concepts for completion of the projects undertaken without harming much to the environment and keeping in view the safety measures for the protection of the people.
While reviewing the education sector DDC Doda apprised the div com about the ongoing innovative initiative project Zimedari launched by district administration under which various reformative activities were taken into account and is still going on for which div com has applauded the efforts of DDC.
Futher authorities of forest department were directed to carryout effective plantation of tress alongside the roads under convergence with mgnerega.
The Div Com also reviewed the progress of newly sanctioned college and was informed by the DDC that land for the college has been already identified and notification for admission is already issued which will function temporarily in HSS Kastigarh till the completion of permanent accommodation,for which div com directed concerned to start the execution work of the campus buildings immediately when land will be available.
Also the issue of dislocated Ayush hospital were discussed in which directions were given to the director health services to resolve the issue with ISM department on priority basis so that the benifits of the respective hospital will be availed,besides progress on newly sanctioned GMC Doda were also discussed.
Later, the Div Com also interacted with Self Help Groups, UMEED groups to take an account of the activities which they are carrying out at their households level for their livelihood.
Besides President MC Doda along with Counsellors, members of civil society Doda,senior citizens of doda also met with div com and raised various issues pertaining PHE department,requirement of park at malwas, effective implementation of SBM,link roads for disconnected wards,completion of old eid gah road,improper drainage system, payment of pending payment under PMGSY, implementation of rehabilitation policy for people of Pul Doda, improper solid waste management in mohallas, parking issues nearby district hospital, road connectivity for picnic spots in doda,besides division and district officers of the concerned departments were also present.
Raja Muzaffar Bhat, president of Jammu and Kashmir RTI movement has fought a protracted battle with the management of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank seeking transparency and accountability in working and asset management by this premier financial institution of the state.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Bhat recalled his longstanding battle over the Bank’s proclaimed exclusion from the RTI Act.
“In 2009 the J&K RTI Act came into force. Soon after an Information Commission was constituted. I approached the Information Commission regarding the legality of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank remaining outside the purview of the Act.
“The then Chief Information Commissioner G.R. Sofi delivered a detailed judgment declaring Jammu and Kashmir Bank as a public authority thereby making it obligatory that information sought under the RTI Act must be furnished by the Bank.
“In 2010 the Bank got the RTI Commission’s judgment stayed by the state high court. The stay order had still not been vacated.
“On November 22, 2018 the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik decided to bring the Bank under the RTI Act after declaring it as a public authority. State government owns 59 per cent shares of this bank.
“I wrote an article in a daily newspaper saying that after the SAC decision the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has no valid legal reason for not furnishing information about its NPAs, huge loans to business houses, management of other assets etc.
“Instead of furnishing the required information, the Bank filed a defamation suit of Rs 50 crore against me in a local court in February this year.”
“In my defence I told the court that I had not named any person or any business house that had been benefited by the Bank’s management,” he said.
Bhat said despite facing defamation filed against him by the Bank, he relentlessly continued his pursuit to throw light on the grey areas in the Bank’s functioning.
“For example, I asked the Bank that it has shown a net profit of Rs 465 crore for the fiscal ending March 31, 2019. I raised a simple question, the Bank has sold its 2.40 per cent stake in MetLife amounting to Rs 185 crore. I sought explanation as to how the sale proceeds from selling of its stake in MetLife could become a part of the Bank’s net profit,” the RTI activist said.
He has raised many other questions through his RTI applications which have been brushed aside by the Bank’s management.
“I raised a query as to what prompted the Bank to sell 1,800 crore of its bad debt portfolio to assets reconstruction companies (ARCs) at a discount of over 40 per cent while the same borrowers reflected as bad debts by Jammu and Kashmir Bank owed money to other banks where they were making repayments without any distress sale of such debts by those banks,” Bhat said alleging that there is a strong reason to believe that a huge deal of over Rs 200 crore was made by selling these debts at over 40 per cent discount to ARCs.
The RTI activist said he is satisfied with the steps being taken to bring transparency and accountability in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, but wanted the probe into mismanagement extended beyond the tenure of the sacked Chairman Pervez Ahmed.(IANS)