SRINAGAR: Continuing the anti-encroachment drive, district administration Samba today retrieved 5 kanal and 13 marla prime land in Bari-Brahmana near Industrial estate, having market value worth crores.
The revenue officers informed that the anti-encroachment drive was carried to reclaim state land in possession of a former Bureaucrat and wife of a retired Executive Engineer.
During the anti-encroachment drive JCB machines were deployed to dismantle the boundary walls and other RCC structures erected on the site.
The land was retrieved and notice boards indicating the status of land as state property was installed on the site.
As per the concerned authorities several influential encroachers have been identified and the drive will continue to reclaim the occupied land.
SRINAGAR: Dismissing petitions filed by paramedics serving the Health Department on an academic arrangement basis, a division bench of the high court has asked the Services Selection Board (SSB) to go ahead with the selection process of the 1446 positions on a regular basis.
High Court of Jammu and Kashmir
In order to manage the staff-deficient department, the government engaged paramedics on an academic arrangement basis for one year. The “service” was extendable up to a maximum of four years on a year-on-year basis.
Later on September 19, 2013, it was made extendable up to six years. The extension was based on “good performance and conduct” or till selection or promotion was made according to the recruitment rules, whichever was earlier.
In 2021, the government recruiter, JK Services Selection Board an advertisement notification for filling up the 1446 posts of paramedical staff on regular basis. This led the candidates serving the department for many years to approach the court.
After many hearings, a number of petitions were clubbed together and the case was decided by a division bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Kumar and M A Chowdhary. The decision admitted that the positions they are holding have been made by a committee, a statutory selection body, so they are not backdoor appointees.
“Though, there is nothing on record to demonstrate that selection of the writ petitioners was pursuant to a selection process but from a reading of the 2009 Rules, in particular Rule-6, we find that there was a proper committee constituted for making selection and, therefore, we presume that appointment of the writ petitioners is not a backdoor appointment,” the judgement delivered by the division bench reads. “However, the fact remains that if such appointments, which are made purely as a temporary measure, are regularized and the persons selected are substantively appointed against the posts held by them, it would definitely violate Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution.”
SRINAGAR: Democratic Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to apprise him of “land eviction issues” in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, DAP said Ghulam Nabi Azad met Amit Shah to apprise him of “serious unrest and uncertainty prevailing” among the public due to the “circular of eviction issued by the UT administration directing all Deputy Commissioners to remove the encroachments on state land, including Roshni and Kacharai.”
Taking to social networking site Twitter, Azad said he met Amit Shah on Wednesday regarding the land eviction issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Met union Home minister Amit Shah Ji regarding land eviction issues in J&K. Apprised him about the prevailing unrest & uncertainty among the common people who are forced to vacate the properties which are otherwise recognized by successive regimes. Amit Shah Ji assured me no small landholders who constructed houses will be touched!” said Azad, in a series of tweets.
The DAP chairman said that he informed the Home Minister that the majority of the occupants who are holding small lands and have constructed houses over the past few decades are migrants and are mostly victims of militancy, “as well as victims of abnormal situations arising from time to time, being a border state.”
The DAP statement further stated that Azad had taken up the same issue with LG Manoj Sinha, who also assured him to do the needful with a cogent land policy for small landholders.
ANANTNAG: Continuing the anti encroachment drive against influential encroachers, revenue officials of Tehsil Qazigund today, acting decisively, retrieved encroached land from kin of former Forest Minister and Senior NC Leader, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah.
The land, measuring 1 kanal and 18 marlas is registered as Kahcharai in Estate Kurigam of Tehsil Qazigund. As per revenue officials, the land was encroached by a kin of senior NC leader and Ex Minister Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah.
The said piece of land, valuing more than Rs 1 crore, had been illegally encroached upon and is one of the many such patches of land retrieved from clutches of influential land grabbers.
BARAMULLA: The Associate Hospital of Government Medical College Baramulla has failed to come up as an alternative tertiary care health facility for the north Kashmir districts. The hospital lacks diagnostic facilities, hygienic washrooms and also proper accommodation facilities for students.
LG Sinha Lays Foundation Stone of GMC Baramulla on August 14, 2022
The hospital’s washrooms are filthy with the potential to further accentuate an illness or even start a new one.
“Hospitals are meant to make us feel safe and provide an environment where one receives proper medical attention,” Muneera Hassan, a patient said. “But these washrooms here are in a mess.”
A group of patients said that they feel that they are at risk of contracting new infections due to the poor hygiene level of the hospital.
Safeena, a patient said, “The air stinks, there is urine on the floor, and the water faucets are broken.”
Suraya Malik said, “Once I opened the door of a toilet at the hospital I had to immediately step back because a musty, unpleasant odour permeated the air. I could barely make out the shape of the commode as it was covered in mould and mildew. A thick layer of grime had accumulated on the walls and floor, and it was clear that no attempt had been made to clean this public space.
Suraya then opted for the washroom of a nearby restaurant.
Students of GMC Baramulla in December 2022. Pic: GMC Baramulla FB page
While unhygienic washrooms are a part and parcel of the hospital, the facility also doesn’t conduct the ECHO test for several months. An ECHO is an important device used to evaluate the condition of the heart and is essential for patients suffering from cardiac ailments. It checks the structure of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, analyses how blood flows through them, and assesses the pumping chambers of the heart.
The ECHO test facility was started a few years ago at the hospital after Jammu and Kashmir Bank donated the device under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
However, the hospital authorities have failed to ensure that the device was regularly maintained. The ECHO device granted to the hospital by Jammu and Kashmir Bank was in reality secured by the civil society of Baramulla who persuaded the higher officials of the lead bank.
Like the washrooms and the ECHO, the students pursuing their MBBS course from the Government Medical College Baramulla are also in the doldrums.
The students have been complaining about the non-availability of hostel facilities within the premises along with the lack of transport facilities as well. The situation has forced many students to opt for costly private accommodations wherefrom commuting is also expensive. The college has students from as far as Jammu and Ladakh who are forced to take these private accommodations adding to their monthly expenses.
Also, the students have raised concerns about the limited availability of laboratories in the college.
A student said, “Anatomy lab isn’t a proper one. We were supposed to do a practical session at the forensic lab but that never happened. We had to contend with digital content. This presents some difficulties since online content cannot provide the same level of interactivity and first-hand experience that a laboratory setting would have given us.”
A group of students said, “We were promised hostel facilities within the campus. Completion of the hostel seems a distant dream given the slow pace of work,”
Medical Superintendent GMC Baramulla Dr Parvez Masoodi said that on daily basis they receive around 7000 patients for which limited washrooms are available. “We have already put people for proper sanitation in the hospital. But with such a huge influx of patients, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain hygiene, yet the health of our patients and staff remains a priority.”
“I have also implemented strict cleaning protocols to ensure that every single washroom is cleaned and disinfected thoroughly at least twice a day, and we will expand the infrastructure and build more washrooms so that we can provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone.”
Principal GMC Baramulla Dr Rubi Reshi didn’t want to comment on the story.
SRINAGAR: The minimum temperature recorded a slight rise at few places and drop at others but stayed below sub-zero level in Kashmir Valley barring Srinagar on Thursday.
Quoting a meteorological department official news agency GNS reported that Srinagar recorded a low of 0.4°C, the same as on the previous night. Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was above normal by 1.1°C for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 2.0°C against 0.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 2.9°C against minus 8.9°C on the previous night and it was 3.2°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.9°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night and it was 0.5°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 7.6°C against minus 8.2°C on the previous night and it was normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at minus 2.3°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night and it was normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.5°C against 6.7°C on the previous night. It was 0.9°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 1.4°C (above normal by 0.6°C), Batote 4.1°C (above normal by 2.0°C), Katra 8.1°C (1.1°C above normal) and Bhadarwah minus 0.2°C (0.4°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 11.0°C and minus 15.6°C respectively, the official said. Drass, the second coldest place after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 16.1°C.
While Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 has ended, Kashmir is under the grip of a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’. It will be followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
The MeT department has forecast isolated very light rain and snow for next 24 hours. The weather department has already ruled out the possibility of any major snowfall for a week.
SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that the encroachment drive launched by the government is another UAPA for the people in Jammu & Kashmir, terming the step a part of corruption practice as under the influence of this drive, the government wants money from rich and vote from the poor.
Addressing a news conference here, the former chief minister said that the drive to retrieve the land is being used as a weapon against the people of J&K to uproot them, suppress and harass them and also make them homeless. “It is another UAPA for the people, otherwise China has encroached our 20000 sq km land, if the government is serious then let the encroached land be retrieved from China first,” she said.
Quoting Mehbooba news agency KNO reported that there are some people who possess the land since Maharajas rule and their land properties are also being demolished, adding that first the government created rift between the religious communities and now it is making attempts to create a rift between poor and rich class through this drive.
However, she said that such measures cannot be stopped until and unless the people from J&K and Ladakh are not united. “The people here in Kashmir are not being allowed to hit the streets.
The people were even trying to participate in Bharat Jodo Yatra in large number, but they were not allowed. The government has created a situation where the people are not being allowed to come out. The people of Ladakh have united, but until and unless Jammu’s Dogra and Kashmiri people don’t get united, these measures cannot be stopped,” she said.
“Jammu people reacted yesterday, but people in Kashmir can’t do so as there is NIA, ED and other agencies behind Kashmir. How would it be possible that the people will come out to react over the issue,” she said, adding that these drives are part of a massive corruption here as they want to get money from the rich and vote from the poor. “The poor are being asked to vote against their land and the rich are being asked to meet some officials in this regard,” she said.
Mehbooba also said that if the government is serious in retrieving the land; let it start from Governor House, B B Cant here.
Asked about the budget presented today in parliament, Mehbooba said that there was nothing new in today’s budget as the financial plan by the incumbent government is being made for the benefits of some capitals and businessmen. “The taxes being collected should have been used for the welfare of people, but the budget is being made for some businessmen only. The situation is such that the poor are getting poorer, the free ration quantity has been reduced to four kilograms,” she added.
JAMMU: Chief Engineer (Distribution), JPDCL, Jammu has informed that the power supply to Yatri Niwas, Bhawani Nagar, Gole Gujral, Talab Tillo, Trilokpur, Panjpeer, NITCO Lane, Vikas Nagar, Sari Rakhwal, Pounichak, Jhajjar Kotli, Dansal, Jindrah, Battal Manwal, Surinsar, Kishanpur, Mansar, Vijaypur Town, Kolpur, Bandral and its adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 02 from 9 am to 2 pm.
Meanwhile, the Superintending Engineer (Distribution), JPDCL, O&M Circle Kathua has informed that the power supply to HP Gas Agency-2 and Channi Manhasa Village shall remain affected on February 02 and 04 from 10 am to 2 pm.
Similarly, the power supply to Kothey Pathania, Gho Brahmana, Duboj Kaka, Phalla etc shall remain affected on February 03 from 10 am to 2 pm.
SRINAGAR: The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has been allocated Rs 35581 crore in the Union budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Quoting the budget documents news agency KNO reported that Jammu & Kashmir has been allocated Rs 35581 crore in the Union budget for 2023-24.
According to the documents, there has been massive hike in revised estimates for the current financial year.
The revised estimates for UT have been hiked to Rs 44538 against budget estimates of Rs 35581 crore.
SRINAGAR: Amid forecast for mainly dry weather in next 24 hours, the minimum temperature recorded a drop in some places in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday with Pahalgam recording a low of minus 8.9°C.
Quoting a meteorological department official news agency GNS reported that Srinagar recorded a low of 0.4°C against 0.0°C on the previous night. Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was above normal by 1.1°C for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 0.2°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was 2.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 8.9°C against minus 4.7°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against minus 0.8°C on the previous night and it was 1.9°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.2°C against minus 8.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.6°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at minus 1.4°C against minus 0.8°C on the previous night and it was above 0.9°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 6.7°C against 7.1°C on the previous night. It was 1.7°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 2.2°C (above normal by 1.4°C), Batote 2.5°C (above normal by 0.4°C), Katra 6.8°C (0.2°C below normal) and Bhadarwah minus 0.4°C (0.2°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 12.0°C and minus 17.6°C respectively, the official said. Drass, the second coldest place after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 24.9°C.
While Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 has ended, Kashmir is under the grip of a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’. It will be followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
The MeT department has forecast it will be mainly dry in the next 24 hours and isolated very light rain and snow for subsequent two days. The weather department has already ruled out the possibility of any major snowfall in the next nine days.
