Anantnag, Mar 6, : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday led a protest in Khanabal area in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district to demand lifting of ban from Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI).

Reports said a large of PDP workers and leaders took part in the protest held outside housing colony in Khanabal.

The protesters raised slogans to demand release of hundreds of JeI workers detained in a massive crackdown last month.
   They asked government to stop ‘state sponsored terrorism’ and ‘autocratic approach.’

Addressing the reporters, Mehbooba warned of more protests if the ban on JeI was not lifted. “The arrest of members of JeI, moulvis and Imams affiliated with Ahli-Hadith is a direct interference in our religious affairs. We won’t tolerate this,” she said.

   Mehbooba Mufti while demanding for the immediate revocation of ban on Jamat-e-Islami said such tactics won’t help in establishing peace in Jammu and Kashmir. She said that it is really shameful to target and ban an organization that has been playing a positive and effective role in society. The JeI, a socio-political organisation, was banned last week by the Union Home Ministry on “opinions” that it is in “close touch with militant outfits and is supporting extremism and militancy”, supporting claims for “secession” and was also involved in “anti-national and subversive activities”.

Kupwara, March 06: In order to review arrangements for upcoming elections 2019 in Kupwara, a meeting under the Chairmanship of Additional District Development Commissioner Kupwara was held today in Mini meeting hall DC office complex Kupwara.

On the occasion, ADDC Kupwara sensitized the concerned Officers of different departments who have been nominated as Nodal Officers for different election activities in the district about their duties , Role and responsibilities in ensuring a fair, transparent and smooth election in the district for strengthening the democracy at grass route level.

The members discussed threadbare overall work done i.e drinking water, electricity, transportation healthcare. The meeting was also informed that 280 polling stations in which 221 have been fully facilitated by drinking water and 31 polling stations will be cover through mobile water tankers during election period.

The representative of ARTO, also informed that 577 sumos has been hired and Mini bus will hire after completion of submission of requisition from Police department and other agencies. ACD Kupwara also reported that all polling booths have also facilitate with ramps, bathrooms etc.

Srinagar, Mar 06 : Member of Parliament and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Muzaffar Hussain Baig Wednesday condemned the statement made by BJP leader Subramaniam Swami wherein he had threatened to forcefully occupy Kaaba Shareef.

Baig said the BJP leader should be sacked from the Parliament membership and a case should be lodged against him.

Citing the example of Pak minister who was sacked after speaking against Hindu religion, Baig said it stands the responsibility of BJP to sack Swami from the membership of the party.

He said the restoration work carried out by Pulwama residents on a temple there is a glaring example of communal harmony. (KNS)

Srinagar, Mar 06 : The Chief Electoral Office Jammu and Kashmir has taken a serious for not submitting details by government about one month additional salaries to state employees, who attended election duties last year. 
Joint Chief Electoral Officer JK has written to district development commissioners, who happen to be election officers to submit the details about one month additional salaries to state employees.

“Kindly refer to this office letter No 6057/CEO/Acctts/2018/3386-97 dated 28/12/2018 followed by reminder issued under No 6057/CEO/Acctts/2018-19/3686-3705 dated 09/1/2019, wherein this office has sought information with regard to release of one month additional salary wages, remuneration in lieu of election duty, which is still awaited from your end,” the letter reads, a copy of which lies with news agency.

The letter reads that district election officer have been directed to kindly furnish the consolidated list on the devised format to this office by or before March 8. “After which no such claim will be entertained,” the letter reads.
The government had announced one month additional salaries to employees who attend the election duties.
In December last year, the government ordered the release of one month salary for the employees who were deployed for conduct of Municipal and Panchayat polls this year.

An order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) had said the sanction is “hereby accorded to the payment of one month additional salary/wages/remuneration as the case may be, in respect of employees as were deployed for conduct of Municipal1 Panchayat Elections, 2018 or both.”
The Gad order had said the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) shall draw one month additional alary/wages/remuneration in respect of an employee, borne on the establishment of his office only after obtaining a certificate to be issued by the following:
“Deputy Commissioner concerned will certify in respect of an employee posted in his/her district that the employee concerned was actually deployed for conduct of Municipal/Panchayat Elections, 2018 or both, under a proper authorization/order and performed such duty without any break,” the order had said.

“Chief Electoral Officer, J&K will certify in respect of Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, General Observers, Expenditure Observers and the staff posted in the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K that they performed election related duties during Municipal/ Panchayat Elections, 2018 or both,” it added. (KNS) 

Srinagar: Advisor to Governor, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, who holds the charge of Education Department, today said that there will be no further extension in winter vacations beyond March 9 and all schools, colleges will open from March 11.

Chairing a high level meeting attended by the Vice Chancellors, College Principals, Controller of Examinations and Director School Education Kashmir, the Advisor asked them to make preparations for starting class work.

Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, Porf Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor Cluster University, Sheikh Javid Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, IUST, Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqi, Vice Chancellor, Central University Kashmir, Prof. Mehraj-U-Din Mir, Divisional Commissioner, Baseer Ahmad Khan, DIG Central Range Kashmir, V.K Birdhi, DC Srinagar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Education Kashmir, Mohammad Younis Malik and other concerned also participated in the meeting.

Threadbare discussions were held at the meeting regarding re-scheduling of examinations. Advisor Ganai directed that the examinations shall be conducted as per the schedule.

He further stated that in case of law and order situation examination roll number cards will be treated as curfew passes to ensure that the examinations won’t be hampered.

The meeting laid stress on the need for maintaining close coordination between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions during exams for making adequate security arrangements for exams.

The Advisor enjoined upon the principals to ensure that the studies are not affected and asked them to take extra-classes, if necessary, to make-up for the loss. He stressed not to stop co-circular activities at any cost as these are necessary for personality development and over all exposure of the students.

He urged Vice Chancellors to coordinate among themselves and take appropriate decisions in the interest of the smooth functioning of colleges and universities.

The Principals of the colleges assured the Advisor and VCs of full cooperation for the benefit of the students.

The Divisional Commissioner, DIG Kashmir and DC Srinagar assured that adequate arrangements will be made available whenever requested for conduct of examinations.