SRINAGAR: Chairperson of Waqf Board, Darakshan Andrabi on Thursday said that at least 5000 notified properties are presently missing and that the process has been started to locate these possessions while the illegal occupants have also been directed to pay rent or vacate the assets within 15 days.
Quoting Andrabi news agency KNO reported that the revenue records of 5000 notified Waqf properties are available, but the possessions are missing. “The revenue records of missing properties are available and Waqf is not having the control on such properties. We have already started a process to locate the belongings,” she said.
She further stated that presently, there are 30 per cent illegal occupants in the Waqf properties. “We have asked the illegal occupants to either pay the rent as per the revised rates or vacate the properties within 15 days,” she said.
Chairperson, Waqf Board also said that people are quite cooperative and it is expected that they will positively come forward to resolve the issue. “We also don’t want to go tough against anyone. We don’t want to affect anyone’s livelihood, but the people must cooperate,” she said.
Furthermore, she said that the process has been going on for the geo-tagging of the Waqf properties.
SRINAGAR: The air quality in Kashmir has been consistently deteriorating for the past three years, reveals the data compiled by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board (PCB).
Quoting Pollution Control Board (PCB) data news agency KNO reported that the air quality has been deteriorating more in winters and Lasjan area has the most polluted air.
The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM or PM 10) levels at all four stations in Srinagar have shown a steep rise in the last three years.
At the Raj Bagh station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 139.26 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 73.88 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 89.61 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
At the Khonmoh station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 162.86 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 120.03 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 163.97 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
At the Khrew station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 132.65 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 119.48 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 127.98 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
At the Lasjan station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 227.80 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 197.74 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 235.29 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
As per the data, the highest RSPM levels have been reported in winter months as the RSPM level in year 2021at Rajbagh and Khonmoh were 237.41 µg/m³ and 255.43 µg/m³ respectively in month of December while at Khrew and Lasjan the levels were highest in month of November with 176.6 µg/m³ at Khrew and 330.08 µg/m³ at Lasjan.
However, as per data the Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels in Srinagar have been found below the permissible mark as average NO2 levels at Rajbagh, Khonmoh, Khrew and Lasjan were 20.27 , 20.09, 22.10, 20.84 respectively in year 2021 as compared to the yearly permissible level of 40 µg/m³ for NO2 while SO2 levels were below 11 at all stations.
Notably, Director SKIMS Dr Parvaiz Koul had recently said that yearly around 10 thousand deaths are attributed to particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) exposure and there is need to control it by countering it.
He said that air pollution is the main issue of J&K due to the increasing number of vehicles, construction, brick kilns, cement factories which emit pollutants and significantly pollute our air and affect “our health which makes air pollution a health issue.”
He said the measures, which can contribute to decreasing air pollution include using fewer vehicles, decreasing the use of unleaded petrol, decreasing use of biomass fuels, less use of Kangri, and using vented heaters.
He said air pollution is affecting every single organ of the body and ”we have work to reduce the pollution.”
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday attended the 3-day long Mahashivratri Mahotsav at Jagti Colony and Migrant Camp Buta Nagar.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha attended 3-day long Mahashivratri Mahotsav at Jagti Colony & Buta Nagar
In order to facilitate Kashmiri Pandit Community in Camps & Non-Camp Areas, Relief Organisation has brought together 20 Line Departments for the Mahashivratri Mahotsav.
Extending the greetings of Mahashivratri in advance, the Lt Governor said the festival is the celebration of Kashmiri culture & the spiritual-cultural heritage of the country.
It is the symbol of our ancient values and ethos. Kashmiri Pandit brothers & sisters living in different parts of the country & the world have kept this tradition alive, he added.
“Mahashivratri or Herath is the most important festival of Kashmiri Pandits & festivity has been aptly named ‘Waliv Samav- Let’s Come Together’ to celebrate & seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva. This is a welcome step by the Relief and Rehabilitation department,” said the Lt Governor.
Our festivals are also the source of self-awakening. I pray to Lord Shiva for the happiness, prosperity, good health and well-being of all, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor said, keeping in view Mahashivratri festival, full salaries of all PM package & other minority community employees who have resumed their duties in Kashmir have been released.
He also highlighted the initiatives of the administration for extension of seamless public service delivery to Kashmiri Pandit community at their doorsteps.
All the issues of the Migrant Kashmiri Pandit community are being taken up for their resolution with utmost sensitivity, said the Lt Governor.
Special Governance Camp is a testimony to our commitment for welfare of Kashmiri Pandit Community. The Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and other line departments are ensuring 100% saturation of the benefits of all social security schemes, entrepreneurship development schemes and skilling programs, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor urged all the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community to avail the benefits of the special camps. Administration is always ready to resolve all the genuine issues. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that your problems & grievances are resolved promptly and effectively, he further added.
Jammu Kashmir Government always stands by you. Your safety is our top priority and we are taking all possible measures to ensure that. This is the commitment of the Government of India and Prime Minister, the Lt Governor said.
You have suffered a lot for three long decades. I pray that the day will come when you return to your homes with honour. I hope with your return Kashmir will find its lost glory, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor also shared the progress of construction of housing units for PM Package employees in Kashmir.
Earlier, it was difficult to get Land for construction of 6000 dwellings but now land has been identified and except for two sites, the work is in full swing. 1200 dwellings will be handed over by April and by December more than 2500 dwellings would be handed over, he informed.
Beneficiaries identified for various schemes during Special Governance Camp on 4th February were also handed over aids and authority letters on the occasion.
Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; KK Sidha, Commissioner, Relief & Rehabilitation and other senior officers were also present.
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of the Parliament from Srinagar on Thursday said the narratives of peaceable calm, development and prosperity peddled by the government doesn’t reflect the reality on the ground.
This he said while addressing people at Habbak today. Party’s Provincial President (Kashmir) Nasir Aslam Wani was also present on the occasion.
Interacting with the workers, Dr Farooq said, “Three years on, there is little to show of a revitalised administration, increased job opportunities for our educated youth and infrastructure augmentation. There is pervasive rage among people, stemming from misgovernance, and unaccountability. Claims of changed ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir emanating from the government are a bundle of lies to whitewash the devastating impact of the GoI’s August 5, 2019 decisions on the people and economy of the erstwhile state.”
Dr Farooq said such claims are akin to running salt into the wounds of people of J&K, who are being denied democracy and not trusted with a popular government, whose democratic rights have been crippled and whose exclusive rights over land, jobs and natural resources stand liquidated.
Dr Farooq further said, “The hard earned gains of our governments during its successive governments in terms of bridging building people’s trust in government has received a setback. The anti-poor, anti-trader and anti-consumer policies being pursued by the incumbent administration have further increased the wedge between the administration and people.”
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress (JKPCC) President Vikar Rasool Wani Thursday reiterated Party’s commitment to continue its fight against wrong and oppressive policies of BJP.
Wani also demanded full compensation to people affected during eviction drives in J&K and asked the Govt to stop demolishing houses and business establishments, terming anti-encroachment drives another oppressive measure on the part of BJP Govt towards people.
JKPCC President was addressing Party workers at Srinagar Party Office. On this occasion prominent leaders from AAP and BJP joined Congress Party and expressed full faith under its (Congress)programmes and pro people policies.
Those who joined INC included Gh.Mohd Dar District President Bandipora AAP, Nasir Ahmad District Vice President Srinagar NC, Farooq Rather Sarpanch Sopore Distt Vice President BJP, Mohd Shafi Khan BJP along with their dozens of supporters.
JKPCC President lashed out at both Centre and State Govt for disappointing people on various counts while terming the eviction drive in J&K a well-planned conspiracy to terrorize people which is not only unfortunate, but highly condemnable and said such anti-people measures will not be tolerated.
People are feeling suffocated under the present dispensation at Centre and yearning for change, which is going to happen in 2024, when BJP will be thrown out of power for adopting anti people policies, Wani added.
JKPCC President emphasized the Party workers and new entrants to work for the betterment of the people, who have great expectations from the Congress Party given its sacrifices and selfless services.
JKPCC President also urged Party Cadres in J&K to ensure successful Haath Se Haath Jodo Abhiyaan, which another Nationwide programme of Congress Party launched to reach out to people at village level across the country, he said.
Senior Congress Leaders Mohd Anwar Bhat also spoke on the occasion and urged the Party workers to connect with the people at grass roots and seek their support for the Party, which is the only viable and strong political force which can fight for them whether in power or out of power.
Congress Leaders Abdul Gani Khan, Umer Jaan, Altaf Malik, Shameema Iqbal, B.A Khan, Dr.Fayaz Khan, Waseem Shalla, Basharat Bin Qadir, Asif Beigh Corporators, Shameema Iqbal, Firdous Wani and various other leaders and works were present on this occasion.
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that the day was not far when all Kashmiri Pandits would return to their home land.
“With God’s grace, all KPs would return to their homes in Kashmir and the day is not far,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Jammu, as per news agency KNO.
He said that salaries of the KP employees working under PM Package in Kashmir, who rejoined their duties, have been released. “The relief and rehabilitation department ensured that these employees are properly rehabilitated,” he said.
He said that at Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar, Yatri Niwas has been constructed and is being upgraded to accommodate 3000 pilgrims at a time.
SRINAGAR: Weather was dry in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours as the MeT office said on Thursday that dry weather with partly cloudy sky is likely to continue.
“Dry, partly cloudy weather is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours,” an official of the Meteorological (MeT) department said.
Srinagar had 1.3, Pahalgam minus 1.9 and Gulmarg minus 2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
In Ladakh region, Drass town had minus 10.9, Kargil minus 10.8 and Leh minus 7 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 11.2, Katra 12, Batote 8.2, Banihal 4 and Bhaderwah 4.6 as the minimum temperature.
SRINAGAR: Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, an amalgam of trade unions, social, political and religious groups from Ladakh held protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The protest was meant to press for their four demands including full statehood, sixth schedule under Indian Constitution, job reservation, a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh, and two parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
“It has been four years and we cannot see any development happening in Ladakh even as we were promised development when the UT was made,” the protestors was quoted as saying by reports.
They said government’s ignorance towards the Ladakh forced them to reach the national capital as the development and safeguards and reservation for locals they expected didn’t come so far.
“We are concerned about our cultural identity, political representation as well as job security. LG and a few other bureaucrats can’t decide our future,” they said.
A protester said that they are disheartened witnessing young people not being able to gets jobs.
“The government has supposedly promised twelve thousand roles, but these are merely on paper. Over the last three years since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the government has not been able to develop a plan for Ladakh,” he stated.
On January 26, Wangchuk, the Ladakh-based engineer turned innovator had announced a five-day long hunger strike at 18,380 feet high Khardung to invite attention of the BJP-led Centre to the demands of the people of Ladakh, including extension of sixth schedule of the Constitution and environmental protection form unchecked industrial and commercial expansion.
The Apex and Kargil Alliance objected to the composition of the High Powered Committee announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and headed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanad Rai to discuss safeguards for the Union Territory of Ladakh. They demanded their four points to be included in the agenda of the committee.
SRINAGAR: Noting the remarkable progress made over the last 2.5 years, the World Bank has extended the deadline for completion of its Rs 1500 crore project in Jammu & Kashmir by one more year, but made it clear to the Central Government and J&K authorities that any works not completed by December 31, 2023 would need to be completed with the government’s own resources.
In a letter to Union Finance Ministry and J&K administration, a copy of which has been accessed by news agency KNO, the World Bank has accepted the Union Finance Ministry’s request to extend the deadline of the project to December 31, 2023.
“We also refer to the letter from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance F.No. 05/06/2014-FB.VIII/V dated December 19, 2022, requesting the Association to extend the Closing Date of the Credit by 12 months. We are pleased to inform you that the Association concurs with the request and has established December 31, 2023, as the later date for purposes of Section IV.B.2 of Schedule 2 to the Financing Agreement,” reads the letter written by WB’s Hideki Mori, Acting Country Director, India to Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary (MBC), Department of Economic Affairs Ministry of Finance and Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K.
But the WB has made it clear to them that any works of the project not completed by the closing date of December 31, 2023, including for L.D. Hospital, Srinagar, would need to be completed with the government’s own resource.
After the 2014 floods, the Jehlum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) was approved by the World Bank in June 2015 for reconstruction of the damaged public sector infrastructure and strengthening J&K’s disaster management mechanism.
The closing date of the Rs 1500 crore project was June 30, 2020, which has been extended to December 31, 2023. The project has faced multiple challenges, including COVID-19, which led to substantial implementation delays.
According to the World Bank, the project has shown remarkable progress over the last 2.5 years in improving the pace of public infrastructure construction, completing livelihood support activities, implementing CERC component activities to boost healthcare services for COVID response, and augmenting disaster preparedness capabilities One of the notable contributions of the project has been the installation and commissioning of 30 oxygen generation plants in rural areas of J&K which include areas like Gurez, Tangdar and Bani basoli. The project has committed 100% of the credit with signed contracts including the cost variations and funds earmarked for implementation support.
Out of 213 contract packages under the project, 159 (74 percent) have been completed till December 15, 2022. These includes completion of: 41 schools and higher education buildings, 10 road packages, one bridge, silk and wool factories and showroom with new machineries; procurement and deployment of: mobile pumps, search and rescue equipment; and trainings and technical support to handloom and handicrafts sector and artisans; and several technical studies and assessments.
