Govt. has failed to make Sgr-Jammu National Highway an all weather road

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, May 16: Former Finance Minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said that there seems to be a deep rooted conspiracy to destroy Kashmir’s main sources of economy especially its horticulture sector which sustained the state’s economy in its most turbulent times.

 “The dilapidated condition of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway coupled with ban on movement of civilian traffic on this only connecting link between the Valley and rest of the country is a manifestation of some covert plot to give collective punishment to the people of Kashmir,” Bukhari observed.

The former minister said that the blockade of National Highway due to lackadaisical approach of authorities has now become a causal affair.

“Every winter people are supposed to face the miseries due to the condition of National Highway especially in areas including Banihal, Ramban, Nashri, Batote, Amarchasma and Patnitop. The National Highway Authorities have failed in upgradation and widening of this road at these places despite its upkeep being handed over to it, long back,” Bukhari lamented.

He said no concrete or permanent solutions are found to make this highway an all weather road connecting Kashmir with rest of the country.

“With the result not only commuters but the fruit, vegetable livestock laden trucks are halted for long durations which not only inflict miseries on people but prove detrimental to the state’s economy,” he remarked further.

The former minister said that on the one side government had promoted cold storage chains in Kashmir and on the other banned the movement on national highway which has hugely impacted transportation of fruit from different places to the storage centers.

“Fruit being perishable item has a less shelf life. The orchardists are supposed to pay huge sums to keep their yield intact till it reaches to the markets across the country for sale during proper seasons,” he said and added that the refrigerated vans are not being allowed to ply on national highway for its size and primarily because of the decrepit condition of the road.

“Non availability of such vans has also added to the miseries of the farmers and orchardists who want to have a saving in time and freight charges incurred on transportation of their yield to outside markets.”

Bukhari said in such a pathetic scenario, instead of providing a hassle free movement to fruit laden trucks, the government seems adamant that farmers and orchardists do not get optimum returns of their yield by not taking measures to resolve their grievances.

He said the fruit industry received a severe dent during the last few decades of turmoil and with its apathetic approach the government seems hell-bent to destroy this sector completely.

“Over 70 percent population directly and indirectly earn their livelihood by adopting the practices in horticulture sector in Kashmir and this industry generates around Rs. 8000 crores income annually. This sector should have been the main focus of the government polices but alas the ground reality is totally opposite,” he opined.

The former minister observed that keeping in view the immense contribution of this prestigious sector the government should remove the bottlenecks in the process of modernization of this highly important sector of state’s economy.

Bank starts treasury operations centre in Srinagar

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, May 16: “J&K Bank plays a very important role in the economic development of J&K state and the economic prosperity of the state is interwoven with the financial soundness of the J&K Bank. It is an instrument of financial management in the state and this bestows a great responsibility on the J&K Bank team.. I congratulate the Bank for registering excellent profit growth for the last fiscal and we would like to see J&K Bank as one of the best banks in the country in future”.

This was stated by the Principal Secretary Finance, J&K Government, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta (IAS) after inaugurating the Bank’s   relocated Treasury Operations Centre from Mumbai to a the state of the art premises in the Srinagar; in presence of the Chairman and CEO, J&K Bank Parvez Ahmed, members of the Bank’s Board of Directors, Bank’s Executive Presidents and Management team of the Bank.

The Principal Secretary also advised the Bank to aim for improvement in the risk profile of the Bank besides decreasing the NPAs keeping in view the systemic importance of the Bank in the state. He urged upon the operational staff to work passionately, simultaneously moving up the ladder of knowledge acquisition & capacity building besides living up to the huge trust reposed by the people in J&K on the bank.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman Parvez Ahmed said,” The advancement of information technology has made geographies irrelevant and with latest IT infrastructure it is possible to seamlessly operate Treasury Operation from anywhere in the country. Considering this fact, the decision of shifting the Treasury to Corporate Headquarters was taken so that better control, fast decisions coupled with a stable pool of resources would ensure transformation and evolution of Treasury into a vibrant profit making centre.”

Thanking the Principal Secretary Finance and other members of the Board for their constant support and guidance in bank’s endeavours, the Chairman highlighted the critical role of the treasury towards realizing the Bank’s Vision-2022 by amplifying its profits besides enabling it to retain a stable pool of resources, made possible by its shifting to Srinagar.

“It was not easy to manage such a task given the resources and logistics involved but with the talent & execution skills of Team J&K Bank, coupled with the guidance of the Board and support of other stakeholders, the assignment was accomplished on time and in a hassle free manner. The Treasury will significantly contribute to the bottom-line of the Bank and help achieve it Vision 2022 earlier than expected”, he said. Adding that the treasury operations of the bank should “set benchmarks” of excellence and grow exponentially to become “one of the most vibrant treasury in the country”.

Acknowledging the exemplary role played by the retired as well as in-service employees in the establishment and management of the Treasury Operations at different periods of time, the Bank felicitated its ex-employees who managed the affairs in various capacities during their stint at the Bank’s Treasury Operations in Mumbai. Momentos were presented on the occasion to retired presidentsFazl e Mehboob Gani, Mohammad Amin Mir, retired vice presidentsGulam Ahmad Bangroo, Bashir-ul- Islam, Mohammad Sultan Kaboo, Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Aftab Ahmad Qazi, Khurshid Ahmad Fazili andretired AVP Mohammad Shafi Sheikh by Principal Secretary Finance.

Stressing on the importance assumed by the Treasury in terms of the commodities and assets, Executive President P K Tickoo dubbed working in it as a “coveted assignment” while as Executive President R K Chibber urged the staff to come to the expectations of the management in helping it achieve the desired targets.

Earlier, President Sunil Gupta welcomed the attendees saying that shifting of the Treasury was part of the Chairman’s Vision 2022 and its shifting will go a long way in maintaining key financial ratios while adhering to set systems and procedures.    

Vice President Treasury Operations Rakesh Kaulmade a detailed presentation depicting the organizational structure and workflow of the Treasury Operations of the Bank and Assistant Vice President Treasury Operations, Raja Zaffar Khan extended a vote of thanks.

Notably, treasury operation is a critical function with its role spanning over domestic money and capital market activities as well as the international FOREX markets. It also plays an important role in the management of liquidity on day to day basis besides handling the bank’s investments in securities, foreign exchange, asset/liability management and cash instruments.

Women harassment become common in Kashmir

Ishtyaq Ahmad 

Srinagar, May 16 : As two alleged rape cases have been reported in last one week in Kashmir, such incidents have become common in the valley.

A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped last week by her neighbour in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, leading to widespread outrage and protests against the incident. The accused has been arrested by police and a special investigation team constituted for a speedy investigation of the incident. Another case was reported on Tuesday when another girl was allegedly raped in central Kashmir Ganderal. Last month, a girl committed suicide who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her father.

These seems not rare case but are being often reported in Kashmir. Similarly molestation cases are also on rise in Kashmir.

As per the official figures of police department, at least 142 rape cases were registered during 2018 in Kashmir, indicating almost every 60-hours, a rape case gets reported in the Valley.

The police have disposed off 116 cases, while 26 are still being investigated.

During 2018, some of the heart wrenching rape cases were reported in the state.

An official of police department said that many crimes go unreported in the Valley either due to remoteness of the location or victims choose to stay silent out of fear or social stigma attached to the crime.

“There are crimes like rape, molestation, and eve-teasing where the victims many a times prefer to remain silent,” the official told.

In most of these cases, reasons are dowry, interference from in-laws, misunderstandings, giving birth to female babies leading to matrimonial disputes and family squabbles and are also subjected to mental as well as physical torture in homes, workplaces or in educational institutions.

“Very little percentage of crimes against women goes reported as women mostly prefer to remain silent without lodging compliant against their family members. Women also face harassment outside their homes be at workplaces or in educational institutions,” the police official said.

Eve- teasing and street harassment incidents, despite being reported numerous times, remain the constant problem in Jammu and Kashmir. Lewd remarks greet young girls on the roads, in public transport and outside their school, college and University campus.

1233 cases of molestation were reported in 2016. They got escalated to 1361 cases in 2017.

“Very few eve teasing incidents are being reports. The victims are not coming forward to lodge the complaint. It is because of conservative and patriarchal society, girls do not come forward and speak up,” the official added.

An official of State Women Commission said they receive such cases frequently from across the Valley especially Srinagar. “We often receive complaints of stalking, passing lewd remarks and gestures, brushing against the woman’s body and passing vulgar comments,” the official said, wishing not to be quoted by name as he was not authorized to talk to the media since the Commission is headless.

“Majority of girls don’t complain for fear of public humiliation. They prefer to suffer in silence than come out in the open, with the result the eve-teasers are encouraged,” the official said. (KNS) 

Srinagar, May 16 : National Conference said that it will move to Supreme Court if Election Commission of India further delays holding of assembly elections in the state.

National Conference Provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani said that delaying parliamentary elections is unfortunate.

“If ECI further delays assembly elections, we will go to Supreme Court,” Wani told.

BJP senior leader Ashok Koul had said that assembly elections should be held in the state in November because Gujjar and Bakerwals are migrating to Kashmir and can’t vote.

State Congress president G A Mir said that people are suffering because of lack of elected government.

“BJP thinks delaying elections will benefit them. When Gujjar and Bakerwals were in Jammu there was no problem in holding parliamentary elections. Now, they are in Kashmir, for BJP assembly elections can’t he held. What kind of logic is it?” Mir told news agency.

The ECI has not yet taken any decision about conducting assembly elections in the state.

Regional political parties and senior political leaders have sought holding of assembly elections in the state, citing governor rule deprives the people of basis governance. (KNS) 

Urges administration to initiate a time bound probe into the incident

Srinagar, May 16 : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday condemned killing of young Nayeem by cow vigilantes in Bhadarwah last night, saying that the frequency and severity of cow vigilante violence has been a dreadful hallmark of Modi led central government.

While expressing sympathies with the grieved family, Omar said, “I urge the incumbent administration to initiate a time bound inquiry into the incident and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book. Mean time I also urge the people to maintain traditional camaraderie and brotherhood. In this hour of grief, I pray for strength to the bereaved to bear the loss,” he said.

Party vice president said that the self anointed vigilantes knowing that there is no one to reprimand them are rampantly indulging in such gruesome acts. “The utter laid back attitude of the incumbent central and state government gives an impression that there is a tacit alliance between the two,” he said.

“The incident of Bhadarwah cannot be singled out; yesterday a Muslim in Assam was coerced to eat pork.  Had the incumbent central government properly reined in these elements, such incidents would not have been recurring time and again,” he said.

Srinagar, May 16 : Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “fresh bid to befool” the Indian electorate by describing the situation in West Bengal as more volatile than that of Jammu and Kashmir saying this amounts to adding salt to the wounds of the people of Kashmir.

Geelani in a statement issued asked Prime Minister why the West Bengal is not declared a disturbed territory. “Why it is not handed over to Indian military? Why POTA, AFSPA, PSA, ULA like draconian laws are not implemented and people of Bengal (God save them) get killed, maimed, incarcerated and the like as happens in Jammu and Kashmir as an in-alienated part of their miserable life,” he asked.

Hurriyat (G) chairman “for the sake of pure love for the humanity” urged Indian intellectuals and “people of conscience” like Arundhati Roy, Gautam Navlakha, Tapan Bose etc along with the UNHRC, ICRC and Amnesty International to ascertain the “grave violation of human rights situation” in Jammu and Kashmir and prevail upon Indian leadership not to hoodwink their people and the international community by “falsely” proving Kashmir as a safe haven for human life.

He said Government of India is suffering from arrogance of military might and is “unleashing a reign of terror by frequently using all methods of oppression and repression” in Kashmir.

Geelani said Kashmir is an international issue brought forth by India on the tables of UN. He asked New Delhi “not to play politics on this sensitive issue for petty electoral gains”.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat (G) chairman has condemned the government order of not seeking admission in educational institutions of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK).

Geelani demanded early intervention by United Nation Organizations to help resolve the sensitive Kashmir issue in the larger interest of the peace and progress of the whole South Asia.

Srinagar, May16, : President Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) Dr Shah Faesal has made a sincere appeal to the people of state to maintain peace and tranquility adding that “we should not provide any chance to the enemy to divide us.” 

In a condolence message, Shah Faesal, while conveying  his heartfelt condolences to the family of Arshad Hussain Dar, who was killed in police firing at Pattan, has cautioned the people against machinations of the enemies who were hellbent upon to harm our social fabric, peace and development.

“We have to be extremely cautious as our enemies will not miss any opportunity to divide us, ” Shah Faesal remarked while expressing his pain and grief over the killing of Arshad Hussain of Chenabal Pattan. 

He said the protests for getting justice for rape victim of the Sumbal child could have been better handled and this loss of precious life and public property was avoidable. 

Shah Faesal has prayed for eternal peace to departed soul of Arshad Hussain.”May Almighty Allah give patience and courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Shah Faesal prayed.

Srinagar, May 16, : Former Finance Minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said that there seems to be a deep rooted conspiracy to destroy Kashmir’s main sources of economy especially its horticulture sector which sustained the state’s economy in its most turbulent times.

“The dilapidated condition of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway coupled with ban on movement of civilian traffic on this only connecting link between the Valley and rest of the country is a manifestation of some covert plot to give collective punishment to the people of Kashmir,” Bukhari observed.

The former minister said that the blockade of National Highway due to lackadaisical approach of authorities has now become a causal affair.

“Every winter people are supposed to face the miseries due to the condition of National Highway especially in areas including Banihal, Ramban, Nashri, Batote, Amarchasma and Patnitop. The National Highway Authorities have failed in upgradation and widening of this road at these places despite its upkeep being handed over to it, long back,” Bukhari lamented.

He said no concrete or permanent solutions are found to make this highway an all weather road connecting Kashmir with rest of the country.

“With the result not only commuters but the fruit, vegetable livestock laden trucks are halted for long durations which not only inflict miseries on people but prove detrimental to the state’s economy,” he remarked further.

The former minister said that on the one side government had promoted cold storage chains in Kashmir and on the other banned the movement on national highway which has hugely impacted transportation of fruit from different places to the storage centers.

“Fruit being perishable item has a less shelf life. The orchardists are supposed to pay huge sums to keep their yield intact till it reaches to the markets across the country for sale during proper seasons,” he said and added that the refrigerated vans are not being allowed to ply on national highway for its size and primarily because of the decrepit condition of the road.

“Non availability of such vans has also added to the miseries of the farmers and orchardists who want to have a saving in time and freight charges incurred on transportation of their yield to outside markets.”

Bukhari said in such a pathetic scenario, instead of providing a hassle free movement to fruit laden trucks, the government seems adamant that farmers and orchardists do not get optimum returns of their yield by not taking measures to resolve their grievances.

He said the fruit industry received a severe dent during the last few decades of turmoil and with its apathetic approach the government seems hell-bent to destroy this sector completely.

“Over 70 percent population directly and indirectly earns their livelihood by adopting the practices in horticulture sector in Kashmir and this industry generates around Rs. 8000 crores income annually. This sector should have been the main focus of the government polices but alas the ground reality is totally opposite,” he opined.

The former minister observed that keeping in view the immense contribution of this prestigious sector the government should remove the bottlenecks in the process of modernization of this highly important sector of state’s economy.

Jahangir Lolabi

Srinagar, May 16 : Scores of people including family members of the missing 19-year-old boy in Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday staged peaceful protest, demanding his whereabouts.

Zakir Ahmed Bhat son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat resident of Lalpora Lolab went missing on Wednesday.

The family members and relatives while protesting hampered vehicular movement for few minutes on Lalpora-Kupwara road.

They said Shakir hasn’t returned home after he left for Taraweeh prayers last evening.

“He used to return home from Masjid by 10:30 pm every day. However, yesterday he didn’t return. We are worried. We want authorities to help us in tracing our son,” the family members told GNS.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) said that a missing report in this matter has been lodged in police station Lalpora and investigation has been taken up. (GNS)