NEW DELHI, Aug 3: An estimated 1.06 crore tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir from January to July 3 this year, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Responding to questions in the House, the minister also said nearly 30,000 people have been recruited in the public sector in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.
“During the current calendar year i.e. from January 2022 till July 3, 2022, the tourist footfall in UT of Jammu and Kashmir increased significantly and estimated to be around 1,06,24,000,” he said replying to a written question.
Rai did not specify whether the number of tourists includes pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi temple and Amarnath Cave.
He said 75 offbeat destinations have been identified for tourism across Jammu and Kashmir.
In order to attract private investors from across the country to invest in tourism infrastructure, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Policy, 2020, has been notified and tourism given the status of industry to encourage investment, he said.
Replying to another question, the minister said special recruitment rules were made and various departmental rules amended to accelerate the recruitment process in a transparent and time bound manner.
“Recruitments in the public sector have been carried out from the year 2019 onwards totalling 29,806,” he said.
On August 5, 2019, the central government abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. (Agencies)
1.06 Crore Tourists Visited Jammu And Kashmir From January to July
GCOE conducts district level inter-college debate competition
JAMMU, Aug 3: NSS Unit of Government College of Education Jammu conducted district level inter-college debate competition celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The topic for the debate was “Role of Empowering Women and Achieving Gender Equality to the Sustainable Development of India”.
The programme started with Saraswati Vandana followed by lamp lighting ceremony. SSP Manjit Kour was the chief guest on the occasion and the students were adjudged by Dr Geetanjali Rana (Dean Humanities, Cluster University Jammu), Prof Nitu Kumari of Cluster University of Jammu and Prof Vishav Raksha (Head and Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Jammu).
Anjali Sharma of Govt Degree College Akhnoor was declared first and was given Rs 5000 cash while as second prize was bagged by Jeevika Misri from Govt College for Women Gandhi Nagar. She was given Rs 3000 cash. The consolation prizes were given to Harshita Sharma from GCOE, Deepika Sharma from Govt Degree College Purmandal and Aditya Bhardwaj from MAM College Jammu
Speaking on the occasion, Principal of the College Kulvinder Kour appreciated the efforts of NSS Volunteers and said that as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, 15 different activities including debate competition, slogan writing completion, poster making competition, plantation drive etc will be conducted in the college premises.
The program was adroitly conducted by Dr Shubhra Jamwal, NSS Programme Officer, along with the organizing committee comprising of Prof Shapia Shameem Bhatti, Prof Seema Kumari, Prof Sarita Dogra and Prof Neeraj Verma. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof Neeraj Verma.
The debate competition was conducted on the direction of Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department and guidance of Dr Yasmeen Ashai, Director Colleges.
4,690 people arrested under UAPA from 2018-20, 149 convicted: Government
A total of 4,690 people were arrested under the anti-terror law UAPA between 2018 to 2020 but just 149 were convicted under it in the three year period, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.
Rai said 1,321 people were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2020 while 80 people were convicted in that year.
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In 2019, 1,948 people were arrested under the UAPA and 34 people were convicted in that year and in 2018, 1,421 people were arrested while 35 people were convicted, he said replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha.
The minister said the highest number of people arrested under the UAPA between 2018 and 2020 was in Uttar Pradesh — 1,338, followed by Manipur — 943 and Jammu and Kashmir — 750.
CWG 2022: Indian weightlifter Lovepreet Singh captures Bronze medal in Men’s 109 kg final
Birmingham [UK], August 3: Indian weightlifter Lovepreet Singh added another medal to India’s tally after capturing a Bronze medal in the final of the Men’s 109 kg category at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Wednesday.
He finished with a combined lift of 355 kg. It consisted of 163 kg in his final Snatch attempt and a best of 192 kg in the Clean and Jerk category.
Cameroon’s Junior Periclex Ngadja Nyabeyeu took home the Gold with a combined lift of 361 kg, which consisted of the best lift of 160 kg in the Snatch category and the best of 201 kg in the C&J category.
The silver medal went to Samoa’s Jack Hitila Opeloge who had a combined lift of 358 kg. It consisted of the best lift of 164 kg in the Snatch category and 194 in the C&J category.
Lovepreet Singh was off to a great start. He lifted a solid 157 kg in the first Snatch attempt and he took the lead after this.
His other opponents outdid him and he was dethroned from the first spot. His second Snatch attempt was an impressive 161 kg, which once again placed him at the top.
However, in his final attempt, Canada’s Pierre-Alexandre Bessette lifted an impressive 163 kg, which pushed him to number one and Lovepreet was thrown at number two.
Lovepreet responded with an amazing 163 kg lift in his final Snatch attempt. He finished the Snatch event tied with Bessette for the second position. At the first position was Samoa’s Jack Hitila Opeloge, who lifted a fantastic 164 kg in his final attempt.
Cameroon’s Junior Periclex Ngadja Nyabeyeu was at the third spot with a lift of 160 kg.
With the Indian in medal contention, things moved to the Clean and Jerk event.
Lovepreet lifted an impressive 185 kg in his first attempt in C&J, which strengthened his top position chances.
He followed this with an even better lift of 189 kg in his second attempt, which improved his combined lift from 348 kg to 352 kg.
Lovepreet’s final C&J attempt was a monstrous lift of 192 kg, which pushed his combined lift to 355 kg. The closest to him was Bessette with a combined lift of 349 kg, followed by Andy Griffiths of England, who had a combined lift of 346 kg.
However, some contestants were yet to complete their C&J attempts and Lovepreet had to wait to see if he could finish at a podium position, preferably the topmost one which he had occupied.
Samoa’s Opeloge lifted a massive 194 kg in his first attempt at C&J and Cameroon’s Junior Periclex Ngadja Nyabeyeu also lifted 196 kg in his first attempt. Both were in first and second position with a combined lift of 358 kg and 356 kg respectively. Lovepreet was pushed down to third.
In the end, Lovepreet had to stay content with a bronze medal as he finished with a combined lift of 355 kg.
India’s services sector growth falls to 4-month low in July
New Delhi, Aug 3: India’s services sector lost momentum in July as demand was curtailed by competitive pressures, elevated inflation and unfavourable weather, a monthly survey said on Wednesday.
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global India Services PMI Business Activity Index fell from 59.2 in June to 55.5 in July, pointing to the slowest rate of growth in four months.
For the 12th straight month, the services sector witnessed an expansion in output. In Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) parlance, a print above 50 means expansion while a score below 50 denotes contraction.
As per the survey, service providers that reported higher sales in July mentioned favourable demand conditions and fruitful advertising. However, growth was dampened by fierce competition and unfavourable weather, survey participants said.
According to Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, there was a “noticeable loss of momentum for the Indian service economy as demand was somewhat curtailed by competitive pressures, elevated inflation and unfavourable weather. Both output and sales increased at the weakest rates for four months”.
The domestic market remained the key source of sales growth as international demand for Indian services worsened further, the survey said
Five including husband, in-laws arrested in murder case of lady at Bemina: Police
Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested five persons including husband and inlaws in a murder case of a lady at Bemina area of Srinagar.
“On 27-06-2022, Police Station Batamaloo Srinagar received an information through reliable sources to the effect that at Nundresh Colony-B Bemina one lady namely Tasleema Bano, (Aged 38 years), wife of Shahnawaz Ahmad Dar of Nundresh Colony B Bemina Srinagar has died at her In-laws house in suspicious condition and was taken to SMHS Srinagar where doctors brought her dead,” a police spokesman said.
Upon reception of this information, a report has been entered into the daily dairy of Police Station Batamaloo vide GD No.30 dated 27-06-2022 and proceedings under section 174 Cr.PC initiated, police said.
“During questioning, some suspects particularly her in laws were brought to this P/S for questioning. However report from Pathology department received and has been submitted that after the persual of complete postmortem examination, the doctors team are of the opinion that the findings are consistent with death due to Asphyxia (Smothering),” the statement added.
Upon this, police said that a case under FIR number 109/ 2022 under section 302 stands registered and investigation was set into motion.
Five suspected persons including three females and two males identified as Hafeeza Begum W/o Ghulam Qadir Dar, Sumiyaa W/o Parvaiz Ahmad Dar, Siaqa W/o Yasir Ahmad Dar, Parvaiz Ahmad Dar S/o Gh Qadir Dar and Shahnawaz Ahmad Dar S/o Gh Qadir Dar—all residents of NR Colony Bemina were arrested in the instant case and further investigation in the instant case is still going on.
Meanwhile, police appealed people to come forward if they any information about this case and thereby cooperating and fulfilling their civil duty, this will greatly help in investigation of this heinous crime against women.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal said that police didn’t come under pressure by mod and proceeded as per the law. “Justice will be done,” he said. (KNO)
SSP DODA HOLDS SECURITY REVIEW MEETING WITH THE OFFICERS OF POLICE, ARMY AND CAPF
In a run up to celebrate Independence Day Function-2022 besides review of security situation in the wake of ongoing yatras and forthcoming religious festivals in the District, today on 3rd of August-2022, SSP Doda, Sh. Abdul Qayoom-JKPS held Security Review Meeting at District Hqrs which was attended by officers of Police/Army and CAPF in the District.
During the meeting, SSP Doda briefed all the officers about the present security situation of the District and advised them to maintain vigil and alertness of highest order for effective surveillance in their AOR with special focus on religious places, vital installations, hotspot areas and guarding of venues of Independence Day function. The officers were also informed that there is need to monitor the vulnerable areas by way of increasing foot patrolling, LRPs/SRPs, laying of random Nakas and effective area domination so that no anti-social elements/mischievous person may take chance to disturb the peaceful atmosphere on the eve of forthcoming Mega official event. The officers were also briefed to make all efforts for the implementation of instructions /directions regarding “Har Ghar Tringa” programme on ground.
In the meeting, all the officers shared their views and suggestions and various security measures were discussed at threadbare to work in coordinated and synergized manner by all forces for effective security mechanism on ground.
Among the officers, Addl. SP Ops Doda, Dy.CO-IR-5th Bn, officers of Army, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, Dy.SP Hqrs Doda, SDPO Gandoh, Dy.SP DAR Doda and Dy.SP Traffic were also present in the meeting.
HDFC Bank organises Plantation drive in Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah, Aug 03:- To spread the message of importance of trees, HDFC Bank Doda organized plantation drive in Bhadarwah on Wednesday.
Under the able guidance and supervision of Rattanjeet Singh, Cluster Head HDFC Bank, the plantation was held in the premises of GNR School Bhadarwah, in which saplings of different plants were planted.
The plantation was successfully carried out by Qadafi Qayoom Principal of the School in presence of Bank staff Musarat Ali Butt and Kulbir Singh.
Besides students and staff members were also present on the occasion.
Principal and staff members of G.N.R School appreciated step taken by HDFC Bank Doda to initiate plantation drive in the institution.
657 CAPF personnel committed suicide in 5 years: Govt
As many as 657 personnel belonging to the Central Armed Police Forces like the CRPF and BSF died by suicide in the past five years, Union Minister Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.
The minister of state for home said the Rajya Sabha that 153 personnel died by suicide in 2021, 149 in 2020, 133 in 2019, 97 in 2018 and 125 in 2017.
The Central Armed Police Forces or the paramilitary forces include the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles and the National Security Guard.
The combined strengthen of these forces is around 10 lakh.
Militancy Funding Via ‘Bitcoin’ Trade: Houses Of 7 Persons Searched, Says SIA
JAMMU, Aug 3 : State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Wednesday houses of seven persons were searched in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir in a case related to militancy financing via Bitcoin trade.
“House premises of suspects in Mendhar Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara were searched in connection with investigation of case FIR No.12/22 U/S 18, 38, 39 UA (P) Act, 120-B, 121,121-A IPC registered in Counter Intelligence Police Station in Srinagar,” police said..
The case, the police said, pertains to militancy financing via Bitcoin trade. “Details that are being investigated into at the initial stage include a mastermind in Pakistan who with active support of Pakistani intelligence agencies and in connivance with (militant) organization(s) based in Pakistan has been pumping slush money to their agents in J&K for further distribution among (militant) organisation(s), secessionist(s) for fueling mass violence and (militant) activities in J&K.”
The “Pakistani mastermind”, police said, has been “comprehensively identified”. However, it said, his particulars are being kept confidential because other agents connected with him are not alerted.
The police said the houses searched today include that of Ms. Zahida Bano daughter of Mutwali Pathan/ Khan R/O Hajinaka Manigah Hyhama, Kupwara; Ghulam Mujataba Deedad son of Ghulam Nabi Deedad of Lone Hari, Kupwara; Tamjeeda Begum wife of Javid Ahmad Chachi of Satkoji Rajwara, Handwara (Kupwara), Yasir Ahmad Mir son of Shamas-ud-Din Mir of Dewan Bagh Baramulla; Mohammad Sayed Masoodi son of Shariefud-Din of Trajpora, Baramulla; Farooq Ahmad of Gagrian, Mandi Poonch and Imran Chowdhary of Dharana Mendhar.
“Preliminary investigation revealed evidence that the dirty money originating from Pakistan has reached these persons”.
It said the investigation has revealed that the transfer of money has been layered to prevent backward tracing of its origin. “While several accounts-in-the-middle that have been used to layer the money are outside J&K, the effective whitewashing of the Pakistani money has taken place through exploitation of loopholes in the international bitcoin trade.”
During searches conducted today, the police said, incriminating material “believed to be hidden in digital devices, SIM cards, Mobile Phones and documents, having a bearing on the investigation have been recovered and seized.”
“Analysis of the data and questioning of suspects would follow and leads that would emerge would become the basis of further investigation,” it added.