Jammu, Aug 22: Hundreds of protesters on Monday blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in Samba district after a college student from Jammu and Kashmir was found dead in Punjab, officials said.
Twenty-year-old Vaishali, a resident of Madkoli village of Sumb block, went missing on Saturday while returning from Government Degree College in Samba. Her body was found under mysterious circumstances in Ludhiana on Sunday, they said.
According to officials, the family had lodged a missing report at the local police station on Saturday evening.
Carrying the body of the deceased, a large group of mourners, including her college friends, blocked the highway near Samba town demanding proper investigation into the circumstances leading to her death.
“Her disappearance and subsequent death smells of foul play…We want justice which can be delivered only after a fair probe,” a relative of the deceased said.
The protesters, however, dispersed peacefully after senior police and civil administration officers pacified them and assured that all angles of the case will be probed. (Agencies)
Protesters Block National Highway In J&K’s Samba After Missing Student Found Dead In Punjab
‘Professors of Practice’ | Varsities to hire experts as 10% faculty; degree, publications not mandatory
NEW DELHI, Aug 22: Universities and higher education institutions will soon be able to hire distinguished experts as faculty members under a new category for which formal academic qualification and publication requirements will not be mandatory.
The decision was taken by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in its 560th meeting last week and the scheme — “Professors of Practice” — is likely to be notified next month.
According to the approved draft guidelines of Professors of Practice accessed by PTI, experts from fields such as engineering, science, media, literature, entrepreneurship, social sciences, fine arts, civil services, and armed forces among others will be eligible to be hired.
“Those who have proven expertise in their specific profession or role with at least 15 years of service or experience, preferably at a senior level, will be eligible for Professors of Practice. A formal academic qualification is not considered essential for this position if they have exemplary professional practice in lieu,” read the guidelines, which are likely to come into effect from the upcoming academic session.
“These experts will also be exempted from the requirement of publications and other eligibility criteria stipulated for the recruitment of faculty members at the Professor level.
“However, they should possess the skills to carry out the duties and responsibilities,” according to the guidelines.
The Commission has decided that the number of Professors of Practice in a higher education institution (HEI), at any point in time, should not exceed 10% of the sanctioned posts.
The faculty members under the scheme will be engaged in three categories — Professors of Practice funded by industries, Professors of Practice engaged by HEIs from their own resources and Professors of Practice on honorary basis.
“The engagement of Professors of Practice will be for a fixed term. Their hiring will be exclusive of the sanctioned posts of a university or college. It will not affect the number of sanctioned posts and the recruitment of regular faculty members. The scheme will not be open for those in teaching position — either serving or retired,” it said.
A consolidated amount, mutually agreed between the institution and expert will be paid as remuneration for those hired in the category.
“The engagement may be initially for up to one year. At the end of initial engagement or subsequent extension, the HEI will make an assessment and take the decision about extension. The HEI will devise its own assessment procedure for extension based on the contribution and requirement of the experts engaged as Professors of Practice.“The maximum duration of service of Professor of Practice at a given institution should not exceed three years and is extendable by one year in exceptional cases and the total service should not exceed four years under any circumstances,” the document read.
Involvement in the development and designing of courses and curriculum, introducing new courses and delivering lectures according to institutional policies, encouraging students in innovation and entrepreneurship projects and providing necessary mentorship for these activities are among the duties and responsibilities defined for Professors of Practice.
They will also focus on enhanced industry-academia collaborations, conduct workshops and seminars jointly in collaboration with regular faculty, deliver special lectures and training programmes and carry out joint research project or consultancy services in collaboration with the regular faculty members of the concerned HEI.
“The Vice-Chancellors and Directors may invite nominations from eminent experts for Professor of Practice positions. The experts willing to serve may also be nominated or they can send their nomination to the Vice-Chancellors with a detailed biodata and a brief about their potential contribution to the HEI.
“Such nominations will be considered by a selection committee consisting of two senior Professors from the HEI and one eminent external member. Based on the recommendations of this committee, the Academic Council and the Executive Council or statutory bodies of the HEI will decide on the engagement,” it said. (Agencies)
Voting rights to non J&K residents totally unacceptable to us: Farooq Abdullah after APM
Srinagar, Aug 22: National Conference chief Dr Farooq Abdullah Monday said that the leaders who participated in the All Party Meet( APM) at his Gupkar residence unanimously decided to oppose the recent announcement of Election Commission about giving voting rights to non-J&K residents. Senior Abdullah said the decision of voting rights to outsiders was “totally unacceptable and if needed, we can approach court to oppose the move.”
Addressing the media men, after APM, Dr Farooq said that he had convened the meeting to discuss the fall-out of recent announcement of EC about giving voting rights to non-J&K residents including labourers and security forces personnel. “The parties who participated in the meeting include NC, Congress, PDP, Awami National Conference (ANC), Shiv Sena, CPI(M), JDU and Akali Dal,” he said.
He said that at present the number of non J&K residents who have been given voting rights is 25 lakh. “Tomorrow the number may go up to 50 lakh or 1 Crore. J&K’s identity is facing a direct assault as Dogra’s, Kashmiris, Sikhs and other communities are loosing their identity,” said Dar Farooq, who was flanked by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, ANC leader Muzaffar Shah and newly elected J&K Congress president Vikar Rasool besides others.
The NC chief said that the fall-out of voting rights to non J&K residents will be that tomorrow “Assembly will be in the hands of outsiders.”
Dr Farooq said that five days ago, he rang LG Manoj Sinha and requested him to convene an APM like one held on the issue of Amarnath Yatra. “I had requested LG to invite all parties, but there was no outcome,” he said, adding that last time, LG had stated that “he will be inviting J&K leaders frequently, but he failed to keep the word.”
Asked about future strategy, he said the today APM explored all options and if needed, “we can approach court as well to oppose the EC’s decision of giving voting rights to non-J&K residents.”
“I wonder why J&K was choosen for this. There must be some motive,” he said. He said that in the month of September, he will invite leaders of national parties to Srinagar or Jammu, and brief them about the prevailing situation in J&K and the fresh moves of Centre to change the identity of people belonging to various communities in J&K. Pertinently, Apni Party and Peoples Conference stayed away from APM.
Dr Farooq also condemned the recent killings of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims, policemen and security forces personnel. (KNO)
AC approves adoption of revised Compassionate appointment Rules (SRO-43)
SRINAGAR, August 22: The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today approved the adoption of Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme, 2022.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
The decision is aimed at promoting equity, inclusion and accountability in providing compassionate appointment by introducing a criteria-based assessment for establishing compassion in the bereaved family based on best practices evolved out of experiential learning over the years.
The new scheme will grant appointment or monetary compensation on compassionate grounds to a dependent family member of a Government servant, who may die in harness or as a result of militancy-related action or due to enemy action on the Line of Control/International Border within Jammu and Kashmir and is not involved in militancy-related activities or retires on invalid pension, thereby, leaving his family in penury and without any means of livelihood. The scheme will extend relief to the family of the Government servant and save them from financial destitution.
To bring greater transparency and equity, besides ensuring adequate safeguards against the misuse of the rehabilitation assistance framework, the new scheme has incorporated provisions for receiving online applications in a centralized manner in GAD on a designated portal; constituting a screening committee in GAD to make appraisal and recommendations; making the Administrative Secretary in the GAD the only competent authority for approving the case of compassionate appointment/monetary compensations (in cases where relaxations are not required); proposing a 5% cap for cases to be considered in relaxation of rules; making relaxation criteria more transparent/objective; and keeping applicants eligible for consideration upto 5 years from the date of submission of applications.
Further, under the new scheme, the number of vacancies and the merit list of the eligible candidates will be prepared annually and eligible candidates will be considered purely on the basis of merit obtained with regard to a point-based merit system on quarterly basis. Both the list of vacancies merit list of candidates will be put out in the public domain to make the process fully transparent and accountable.
The appointment on compassionate grounds will be made for the Multi Tasking Staff or equivalent or lowest non-Gazetted cadre posts in the Department. However, if an applicant is a Graduate or has higher qualification, there are provisions to allow discretion for considering appointment in the non-gazetted cadre.
However, the compassionate appointment cases still pending disposal in GAD under the existing SRO 43 for various reasons including relaxation of rules and identification of post in other department; will be dealt with in accordance with with SRO 43 of 1994, as amended from time to time.
Furthermore, the new scheme also provides for extending support to the dependants under various self employment/Government sponsored employment generating schemes for obtaining credit as per the laid down norms for setting up a manufacturing unit or a trading venture. The new scheme will put an end to the uncertainty that plagued the erstwhile Compassionate Appointment Rules due to which cases lingered on for years together. The new scheme is expected to provide immediate succour to NOKs of employees who die in harness.
Two killed, 5 injured as speeding car hits them in Jammu
Jammu, Aug 22: Two women were killed and five other persons injured on Monday when a speeding SUV hit them in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jammu city.
Police sources said a speeding SUV crushed two women to death and injured five persons outside the Jammu railway station this morning.
Police have shifted the injured to hospital and registered a case in the incident.
Other details are awaited. (Agencies)
Ease of doing drug business, Rahul asks in attack on PM over Gujarat ‘drug hauls’
NEW DELHI, Aug 22: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over multiple drug hauls from Gujarat and asked for how long he would be silent on the matter.
His attack came days after the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai Police busted a mephedrone manufacturing unit in Gujarat and seized drugs worth Rs 1,026 crore.
” ‘Ease of doing drug business’ in Gujarat? Mr Prime Minister, answer these questions. Drugs worth thousands of crores are reaching Gujarat. Who is spreading this poison in the holy land of Gandhi-Patel,” the former Congress chief said in a tweet in Hindi.
Posing a series of questions, he asked why the port owner had not been questioned so far despite drugs being recovered time and again.
“Why are NCB and other Government agencies still not able to nab ‘Narcos’ running drug cartels in Gujarat?” Gandhi said. “Narcos” is the title of a Netflix series on drug cartels in Colombia.
Who are the people sitting in the Government of the Centre and in Gujarat who are giving protection to mafia ‘friends’, the Congress leader went on to ask.
“Mr Prime Minister, for how long will you be silent, the answers will have to be given,” he said. (Agencies)
Crime Branch produces charge sheet against Kupwara man in admission fraud case
Srinagar, August 20: The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has produced Challan against a Kupwara man for allegedly duping a family on the pretext of providing admission to their wards in PG courses outside the J&K.
A CB spokesman said that the challan was produced against accused Wiqar Manzoor Wani S/o Manzoor Ahmad Wani R/o Lidderwan Trehgam Kupwara in Case FIR No. 54 of 2018 U/S 420 RPC of Police Station Economic Offences Wing before the Court of Judge Small Causes Srinagar.
“The case has been registered upon receipt of a written complaint, wherein it was alleged that Wiqar Manzoor Wani son of Manzoor Ahmad Wani Resident of Liderwan, Trehgam Kupwara was running a consultancy under the Name & Style of M/S HIIT at Parraypora Srinagar,” statement reads.
The complainant’s daughter had completed MBBS degree and approached the said consultancy for arranging admission of his daughter in P.G. Course outside the State, it added.
The non-complainant Wiqar Manzoor Wani promised admission to complainant’s daughter for which complainant paid an amount of Rs. 10 lacs to him, but neither admission was arranged nor the money so paid returned, it added.
During the course of probe it came to fore that the complainant had paid an amount of Rs.10 lacs to Wiqar Manzoor Wani son of Manzoor Ahmad Wani Resident of Lidderwan Trehgam Kupwara for providing admission to his daughter, but the accused failed to arrange the admission in P.G. Course outside the State, it further added.
Subsequently, a Preliminary Verification was conducted which culminated in the registration of Case FIR No. 54 of 2018 U/S 420 RPC.
“During the course of investigation the Crime Branch Kashmir received another complaint against the said accused person with the allegation that Wiqar Manzoor Wani has grabbed an amount of Rs.09.00 lacs on the pretext of providing admission to complainant son (Complainant No. 02) outside the state.
Accordingly the said complaint was clubbed with the instant case and has been made part of the instant case. The investigation conducted has proved the allegations and accordingly charge sheet has been produced in the court of law against the accused person,.” Statement reads. (KNS)
Rusted grenade defused in J&K’s Samba
Jammu, Aug 22: A rusted grenade was defused by a bomb disposal squad in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.
The grenade was found lying in a dried up stream by some farmers working in their fields nearby at Swankha village in Vijaypur, they said.
They informed police and the explosive device was subsequently defused by the experts without causing any damage, officials said. (Agencies)
BJP to chalk out strategy against NC-led all party meet over inclusion of non-locals in voter list
JAMMU, Aug 22: The BJP has convened a meeting of its leaders here on Monday to chalk out a “counter-strategy” against the meeting called by the National Conference over the issue of “inclusion of non-local voters” in the revised electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir.
J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina has called the meeting of senior leaders at the party headquarters, a party spokesperson said.
He said the meeting is being held to chalk out a “counter-strategy” against the “all- party” meeting called by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar over the issue of inclusion of non-local voters in the revised electoral rolls in the Union Territory.
The NC president had called the meeting after remarks related to the addition of voters in the revised rolls by the UT’s Chief Electoral Officer Hirdesh Kumar raised hackles of the regional parties.
The government on Saturday had issued a clarification, saying the reports of a likely addition of over 25 lakh voters after the summary revision of electoral rolls is a “misrepresentation of facts by vested interests”.
The Kashmiri migrants “will continue to be given the option of voting at their place of enrolment or through postal ballot or through specially set up polling stations at Jammu, Udhampur, Delhi, etc,” it said.
Kumar had recently announced that the Union territory was likely to get around 25 lakh additional voters, including outsiders, after the special summary revision of electoral rolls being held for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370.
The BJP had defended the Chief Electoral Officer and said his remarks are “legally and constitutionally” correct .
BJP’s chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi said under the law, anyone who is a citizen of India and not barred by any law can choose to be a voter in any area, State or Union Territory where he or she may ordinarily reside .
“The same being made applicable to Jammu and Kashmir only. Post Art 370 there has to be one India one law,” he said, accusing the opposition of trying to project the “wrong picture”.
“They are trying somehow to create exceptions in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory which is not permissible. People of Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the decision (of August 5, 2019) without exception or reservation and political parties have to realise it and live with it,” Sethi said referring to the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. (Agencies)
Make J&K free of fear, corruption & drugs; job-oriented: LG
Srinagar, Aug 21: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha in the 17th edition of the ‘Awaam Ki Awaaz’ programme today said, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav provides the perfect opportunity to make four big resolutions- Make J&K fear-free, corruption-free, drug-free and job-oriented.
These resolutions entail the participation of the people to fulfill our resolve and build upon the achievements of the last 75 years, he added.
Observing that ‘janbhagidari’ is a strong foundation of effective and efficient administration Sinha urged the people to become a partner in the developmental journey.
“No strategy of rapid socio-economic transformation will work without active participation of people. The ‘Amrit Kaal Khand’ has infused a sense of self-confidence and we are determined to harness the tremendous capacities of human capital to build a strong and prosperous J&K”, he said, adding that continuous efforts are being made to fulfill the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth, who are the lifeblood of society and guardians of economic development and social progress.
“In a short span of three years, we have introduced reforms in every sector, which has opened up a plethora of opportunities for growth and development. The results are visible as J&K is now moving ahead to be one of the leading regions in sectors like IT, Industries, Tourism, Revenue, Women Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment”, the Lt Governor said.
He also expressed gratitude to all the citizens for their immense contribution and wholehearted participation in ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Utsav’.
The Lt Governor also shared inspiring stories of citizens who are making positive impact in the lives of others and playing the role of a change-maker for the society.
‘The story of Haji Mohd Shafi Sheikh is truly inspiring. A pioneer in introducing horticulture in Bhaderwah, he encouraged other farmers for converting their land into orchids, and now three villages have been transformed into exotic fruit hub of Jammu division”, he said.
Appreciating Syed Jalees Qadri, a young entrepreneur from Srinagar for his endeavor of replacing the use of plastic cups with ‘kulhad’ (earthen cups), the Lt Governor said, Jalees is on a mission to promote environmental sustainability and reviving traditional crafts. For environmental protection, it is necessary to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and bring about a change in our behavior. Now, environment-friendly ‘kulhad’, which has been a part of our tradition since ages, is slowly and steadily replacing plastic cups,’ he added.
Acknowledging the determined efforts of Srinagar’s Abdul Rahim Bhat to plant a million trees till 2030 in the Valley, Sinha said that his story is an inspiring tale of common man’s social responsibility. He has planted two lakh trees in the Kashmir valley without help of any organisation. His spirit to give back to the society is commendable.
“Our natural resources are limited, and their conservation & protection is essential for our existence. We must take inspiration from Abdul Rahim Bhat and discharge our responsibility towards protecting natural resources from destruction while walking on the path of development”, he added.
Highlighting the role of Self Help Groups as a facilitator of development, the Lt Governor mentioned about Anita Devi, a resident of Reasi district, who is spearheading a Self Help Group of 1300 women, and has transformed several villages of her area.
She is a living example of ‘Nari Shakti’ who has converted the challenges of remote hilly areas into opportunities, he said.
He also acknowledged the notable work of Kulgam’s Shahina Akhtar for providing free coaching to the women of her area so that they can become self-dependent.
Referring to a suggestion received from Doda’s Reva Raina related to capacity building and credit facilities for women entrepreneurs, the Lt Governor listed various programs of the Government to connect women folks with entrepreneurial endeavors and assured her that all the necessary steps will be taken by the administration.
“We have adopted the MTC model- Market Network, Training and Continuous Support, to create a strong eco-system of Women Entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir with personalized support. Financial assistance of Rs 1840 crore was also given through various banks to the people to start their own employment in the financial year 2021-22. Under Tejaswini scheme, 2000 girls were made entrepreneurs in the last financial year, having been provided a financial assistance of Rs 102 crore. Skill development training has also been ensured by JKEDI to all the entrepreneurs”, Sinha said.
The Lt Governor instructed the JKTPO to integrate the suggestions received from Reva Raina during their upcoming programmes.
On the suggestion of Anita Goel from Inner Wheel Club Jammu on strengthening relationship between the civil society and administration he called upon civil society groups to participate in the process of social development and create awareness about public welfare programs run by the administration.
He thanked Poonam Shashtri from Jammu who suggested for conservation and preservation of heritage sites and assured her that the key ideas will be incorporated in the policies.
The Lt Governor exhorted the enlightened citizens to identify ancient heritage sites in their respective areas to intensify ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ initiative. He also called upon all the public representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to join this campaign.
He also mentioned some thoughtful observations shared by Uma Sharma from Jammu to promote ‘Literary festivals’, ‘Book Cafes’ and scaling up the pace of digitization of libraries.
The valuable insights received from Kupwara’s Altaf Hussain Khan and Ganderbal’s Peerzada Vikar Shah pertaining to maintenance and promotion of gardens and landscaping in J&K, besides promotion and monetization of floriculture were also shared by the Lt Governor.