JAMMU, Sept 9: The government on Friday ordered transfer of five IAS and a JKAS officers in the interest of administration with immediate effect.
According to the order, Mohd Yasin (IAS) Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K, has been transferred as posted as Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited , against an available vacancy.
Ms. Ayushi Sudan (IAS), Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, has been transferred and posted as Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K.
“She shall continue to hold the additional charge of the post of Chief Executive Officer, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojno, till further orders.”
Minga Sherpa (IAS), Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (IKTDC), against an available vacancy.
Faz Lul Haseeb (IAS), Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar holding additional charge of the post of Chief Executive Officer, Urban Development Agency, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Director, Tourism Kashmir.
Harvinder Singh (IAS), Sub Divisional Magistrate, Uri, holding additional charge of Sub Registrar, Uri, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi ltoo (JKAS), Director Tourism, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department.
Five IAS, One JKAS Officers Transferred
Big Decision taken by J&K LG Manoj Sinha
The Administrative Council has provided this last opportunity to the consumers because of not being able to avail the benefits of the last scheme due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during the scheme period. The new scheme envisages that the outstanding amount arrears accumulated up to March 31, 2022, after waving off 100 percent interest and surcharge should be paid in a maximum of 12 monthly installments.
The scheme further entails that the failure of payment of any installments within the prescribed 12 months period should invite penalty and legal action under the Electricity Act, 2010, in addition to the accrual of compound interest on the outstanding dues.
Consumers who fail to pay the current bill simultaneously with the payment of monthly outstanding installments should forfeit the benefits of the amnesty scheme besides the disconnection of the power supply.
An independent Project Management Agency would be hired for overseeing the efficient implementation of the scheme.
Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Chief SecretaryDr Arun Kumar Mehta, and Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Nitishwar Kumar attended the meeting.
DoPT deputation rules relaxed to encourage IAS, Central Services officers to get posted in J&K: Dr Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, September 9: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday informed that Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) deputation rules have been relaxed to encourage IAS and other All India Service Officers as well as the ones of Central Services to get posted in Jammu and Kashmir.
Due to this relaxation, Singh said, 22 officers belonging to various services and different cadres have been posted in Jammu and Kashmir at various levels at a crucial time. Singh was briefing the media about several steps taken to address the shortage of officers in the newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister said DoPT has played a major role in facilitating the induction of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services Officers into IAS by coordinating with UT of J-K, Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
“As a result, recently 16 officers from Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) have been inducted into IAS and another eight such vacancies will be filled up shortly giving opportunities to the JKAS officers to become part of the prestigious IAS service after a long gap of 12 years,” Singh said.
The Minister also added that mid-career training of JKAS officers of various seniority was carried out in collaboration with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and this has provided a new level of exposure to the JKAS Officers and more than 200 offices.
Singh also listed some initiatives by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Government of India like special concessions and incentives to the Central Government employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached and subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of the Central Government.
He said that they were extended special concessions for a period of three years with effect from August 1, 2021, and the incentives included an additional house rent allowance, composite transfer grant, per diem allowance, an incentive for a period of temporary duty, messing allowance, facility to draw pension at the place of settlement in relaxation of relevant provisions.
The Minister also informed that the facility for retention of general pool accommodation available to officers who have served in central government has also been extended to officers posted in Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of northeast States.
Singh said, in view of home LTC, it can be availed to visit J-K and Ladakh for which guidelines have been notified by DoP&T and this will enhance tourism to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and also provide an opportunity to all central government employees to visit J-K and Ladakh.
Apart from the above measures, Singh said, three National Conferences on Good Governance were held in J-K covering hundreds of its employees. He said, best practices from Jammu and Kashmir and all over the country were showcased and about 800 J-K government officers were trained on effective handling of public grievances.
The Minister also informed that the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in the Ministry of Personnel had helped the J-K government to switch over to online functioning, as a result of which the UT exchequer would save over Rs 200 cr incurred in the transport of records etc during Durbar move.
He informed that the District Good Governance Index was launched from J-K for bringing about healthy competition between districts to achieve the goal of saturation of citizen services and improving developmental activities in districts.
Moreover, four policy papers related to good governance were sponsored by J-K encouraging new models for development in the challenging scenario of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister further said that the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives high priority to J-K and there is no dearth of support forthcoming, as far as the Centre is concerned. (AGENCIES)
Facilities at campsites, containers ‘basic’; BJP trying to ‘defame’ Yatra: Congress
Kanyakumari (TN), Sep 9: The Congress on Friday said its ‘Bharat Yatris’ were staying in containers which have very “basic and minimal” facilities, and claimed that the BJP was trying to “defame” its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ as it was rattled by it.
The Opposition party alleged that the BJP IT cell was spreading falsehoods about the facilities at its Yatra campsites and in containers.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the BJP, saying this is not like the 1990 “Rath Yatra” – a Toyota Yatra or an Innova Yatra – ours is a Padyatra.
The attack by the Opposition party came after it gave access to the media to its campsite in Nagercoil where the 60 containers were parked.
About 230 people, including 119 Bharat Yatris who will walk the full 3,570 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another.
Rahul Gandhi is staying in a one-bed container that has a small sofa, an air conditioner, a small refrigerator and an attached toilet.
A pictorial representation of one of Mahatma Gandhi’s marches with his quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, is also put up in the former Congress chief’s container.
Leaders such as Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh are staying in two-bed containers.
There are also four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers. While some have attached toilets, others do not. Mobile toilets and showers, mounted on trucks, are also parked at the campsites. The site visited by the media was Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, where the Yatris spent Thursday night.
“We have 60 containers here. These containers move from one site to another. There is a one-bed container which Mr. Rahul Gandhi uses. There is a two-bed container which Mr. Digvijaya Singh, Mr K C Venugopal and I use, there is a four-bed, six bed, eight-bed and 12 bed containers,” Ramesh told reporters.
He said his container has two bunks and is like a second AC train compartment.
There is an area for having meals at the campsite and a conference room container which can accommodate 10 people, Ramesh said.
Hitting out at the BJP, Ramesh said they only have “propaganda” to peddle.
“The allegations that have been made by the BJP IT cell with the encouragement of the prime minister (Narendra Modi) to defame the Bharat Jodo Yatra show that the BJP is rattled,” Ramesh said.
The BJP is making these allegations in its nervousness, he claimed.
“They should come and see what the reality is. We are not hiding anything, there is complete transparency. Look at the way we are staying, it would take about 160 days (to complete the Yatra),” he said.
“Day 2 of the padayatra started with flag hoisting at 7 am in Nagercoil. Bharat Yatris were joined by 89-year-old freedom fighter Kodikal Sheikh Abdullah. He inspired everyone by highlighting the need to stand up, unite and fight for the soul of our nation,” Ramesh said in a tweet.
Rahul Gandhi, along with several of his party colleagues, embarked on the 3,570-km “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from here on Thursday.
Amid sounds of drum beats, a sea of tricolour and slogans of “Bharat Jodo”, the march began from Vivekananda College Road, Agasteeswaram here on Thursday.
Walking briskly, Gandhi, along with several top Congress leaders, covered 13 km in the morning session of the yatra on Thursday. He walked about seven km in the evening when there was mass mobilisation and thousands walked along with the former Congress chief. The march would cover 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months.
The march is moving in two batches from 7 am to 10:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. While the morning session includes fewer participants, the evening session sees mass mobilisation. The participants plan to walk around 22-23 km daily. About 30 per cent of ‘Bharat Yatris’ are women. The average age of Bharat Yatris is 38. About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the Yatra. After reaching Kerala on September 11, the Yatra will traverse through the state for the next 19 days, reaching Karnataka on October 1. It will be in Karnataka for 21 days before moving north. It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar. (Agencies)
SC denies to entertain plea seeking Nupur Sharma’s arrest
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the authorities to act and arrest former BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her alleged hate statement against Prophet Mohammad and hurting sentiments of the Muslim community.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit told petitioner Advocate Abu Sohel said that his plea looked innocuous but had far-reaching consequences. Sohel then withdrew his plea. The advocate sought an urgent hearing of the case alleging that no action has been taken against Sharma by the police despite the complaint.
The plea has said that Sharma made vulgar remarks against Prophet Mohammad and the Muslim community, and hence it sought directions for an “independent, credible and impartial investigation” into the incident which may ensure her immediate arrest.
The plea sought immediate action against Sharma saying that her statements were violative of Articles 14, 15, 21, 26 and 29 of the Constitution and other fundamental rights.
“Sharma’s undesirable words have caused huge unrest and uproar in the country and across the globe and tarnished the image of our great nation,” the lawyer said.
Sharma’s remarks created unjustifiable and illegal deviation from the intent of our Constitutional makers to create harmony among the religions and directly hit the core ethos of our nation which is founded on the basis of secular’ ideas, added the plea.
CUET-UG results to be announced by September 15
New Delhi, Sep 9: The results of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG will be announced by September 15, University Grants Commission Chairman Jagadesh Kumar said on Friday.
The debut edition of the CUET-UG, a gateway for undergraduate admissions, began in July and concluded on August 30.
National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to announce the CUET-UG results by 15th September or if possible, even a couple of days earlier,” Kumar said.
All participating universities may keep their web portals ready to start the UG admission process based on CUET-UG score,” he added. (Agencies)
Restrictions in J&K’s Rajouri town to maintain law and order
JAMMU, Sept 9: The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri town on Friday, September 9, 2022, announced restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC in the area and advised people to stay indoors.
The restrictions were imposed on orders of District Magistrate Vikas Kundal, officials said.
Official sources said the move was a precautionary measure taken in the wake of a land dispute between two groups of people.
Residents of the area were made aware of it using speakers mounted on police vehicles. “We inform people that restrictions under section 144 of the CrPc have been imposed in Rajouri town. People are advised to remain indoors,” the message said.
Barbed wires have also been placed in some sensitive areas to prevent movement of people, besides deployment of additional police forces.
Section 144 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure prohibits the assembly of four or more people. (Agencies)
Dry, pleasant weather likely in J&K
Jammu Sep 9: The Meteorological (MeT) office said on Friday that weather will remain dry and pleasant in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is expected to remain dry during the next 24 hours in J&K,” an official of the MeT office said.
Srinagar had 17.6, Pahalgam 12.7 and Gulmarg 10.7 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass town in Ladakh had 6.3, Leh 11.2 and Kargil 10.9 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 20.7, Katra 21.6, Batote 18.2, Banihal 17.8 and Bhaderwah 16.6 as the minimum temperature.
Major Bhang destruction operation conducted in Kashmir
Srinagar: Following the directions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a major bhang destruction operation was conducted at Trimukhan Top, Lolab and adjoining areas, bordering Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts.
The drive has been carried out by Anti Narcotics Task Force Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with Divisional Forest Officer Kamraj, Forest Division Zangil Kupwara, Excise and Taxation department of Kupwara/Baramulla, Revenue department with the assistance of local police.
The wild growth of Bhang (cannabis) spread over approximately 05 hector’s of forest land were destroyed on spot.
The exercise has been widely appreciated by the locals of the area.
General public have been requested to come forward and join hands with the drug curbing agencies for carrying out such kind of destruction drives in near future for making the society in large and youths in particular free from drugs under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Drive.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra scripts another history, becomes Diamond League champion
ZURICH, SEPTEMBER 9: Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday achieved yet another historic feat as he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League Finals title here. Chopra began with a foul but jumped to the top spot with a throw of 88.44m — his fourth career best — in his second attempt, and that turned out to be his winning effort. He had 88.00m, 86.11m, 87.00m and 83.60m in his next four throws.
Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic finished second with a best throw of 86.94m which he registered in his fourth attempt. Julian Weber of Germany was third with a best of 83.73m
The 24-year-old Indian superstar is now the Olympic champion, World Championships silver medallist and Diamond League champion. All these he had achieved in just 13 months. He had won the Olympic gold on August 7 last year in Tokyo.
He has produced 88m-plus throw six times this season which showed his consistency. He holds the national record of 89.94m, which he achieved this season.
Chopra also ended his international season with a history-scripting performance. The Diamond League Finals can be considered as the most prestigious competition outside of Olympics and World Championships.
It was Chopra’s third appearance in the Diamond League Finals. He had finished seventh and fourth respectively in 2017 and 2018.
Chopra was also awarded a Diamond Trophy, $30,000 prize money and a wild card for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
He, however, has already qualified for the World Championships as his Lausanne-leg winning throw breached the 85.20m qualifying mark.
The Diamond League encompasses 32 Diamond Disciplines, following a championship style model. Athletes earn points at the 13-series meet to qualify for the final of their respective disciplines.
Chopra had made a spectacular return from a one-month injury lay-off by winning the Lausanne-leg of the Diamond League series on August 26 and qualifying for the Finals here.
He had become the first Indian to clinch a Diamond League meet title in Lausanne with his third career-best throw of 89.08m.
He had missed the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (July 28 to August 8) due to a minor groin injury he had suffered during his silver-winning performance in the World Championships in U.S.A. in July.
The six-man field in Zurich was without world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who is recovering from injuries after he was assaulted inside a boat in his country last month.
With Thursday’s win, Chopra has beaten the 31-year-old Vadlejch for the fifth time since winning gold in Tokyo Olympic Games in August last year.
Vadlejch was sixth and fourth when Chopra finished second in Paavo Nurmi Games (June 14) and Stockholm Diamond League (June 30).
While Chopra won silver in World Championships in Eugene, Vadlejch clinched a bronze before the pair again clashed in Lausanne on August 26. (Agencies)