NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Senior IPS officer and former director general of Tihar Prisons Sandeep Goel has been suspended by the Union Home Ministry for alleged dereliction of duties, officials said here on Thursday.
Goel, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was removed as the head of Delhi’s Tihar Prisons last month and attached to the Delhi Police headquarters.
He has been suspended by the home minister for “dereliction” of duties during his tenure as DG of Tihar, a ministry official said.
No specific reason has been cited in the suspension order.
Goel was removed from the post after alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar made sensational claims that he had paid Rs 12.5 crore to the officer as “protection money” for his safety in Mandoli Jail, where he is lodged in connection with a Rs 200-crore money laundering case.
Chandrasekhar also claimed in his letter to the lieutenant governor of Delhi that he had paid more than Rs 50 crore to the city’s ruling AAP for an “important” post in the party and another Rs 10 crore to jailed minister Satyender Jain as “protection money”.
The claims were made by him in a letter dated October 7. (AGENCIES)
Senior IPS officer and former director general of Tihar Prisons Sandeep Goel suspended
J&K Lieutenant Governor’s BIG warning to protesting Kashmiri Pandits – ‘No salary if you sit at home’
Jammu: In a big warning to hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits who had been protesting for better security and relocation outside Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has warned them that those sitting at home won’t get any salary. Sinha also assured them that the J&K Administration has taken all necessary measures for the safety of minority community employees including Kashmiri Pandits serving in the Valley.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha made the remark on Wednesday amid the ongoing protest by migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees and Jammu-based reserved category employees who left the Valley for Jammu in May following the targeted killings of their two colleagues – Rahul Bhat and Rajni Bhalla. “They are on a strike and I was in constant touch with them and made sincere efforts to address all their long-pending issues. Almost all of them were transferred to district headquarters in consultation with district commissioners, superintendents of police and other government functionaries,” the Lt Governor told reporters here.
He, however, said some people are placed at tehsil headquarters, and some in villages close to the city as those posted in the rural development department cannot be transferred to the city.
“Minority employees will not be deployed alone in any office and it was decided that two to three more people will be stationed along with them. We have appointed officers in every district and one in Raj Bhavan to look after their grievances. They are listening to them and are looking for necessary steps to address their issues,” he said.
PM Modi To Review Covid-19 Situation At High-Level Meeting Today
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the situation related to COVID-19 in the country at a high-level meeting Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The meeting comes a day after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the situation and asked people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and getting vaccinated.
Official sources have said random sample testing will be done at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries.
There has been a sudden spurt in Covid cases in China and some other countries.
In view of a sudden spurt in COVID cases in China and some other countries, the Union health minister on Wednesday reviewed the situation in the country and asked people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and get vaccinated.
“COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had said.
During the meeting, attended by experts and senior officials, the minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario, including the preparedness of all stakeholders.
Noting that only 27-28 per cent of India’s eligible population have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul, after the meeting, said people should take the jab and also wear masks in crowded places.
Paul urged people not to panic and said that there was no change in the guidelines for international air travel so far.
“People should wear masks in crowded areas. Those with comorbidities and old should especially adhere to this,” Paul said.
At minus 5.5, Srinagar coldest this season
SRINAGAR: ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the 40-day harshest winter period, has made its presence felt in the Kashmir valley with Srinagar recording its coldest night this winter, officials said on Thursday.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar recorded on Wednesday night was minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest so far this season, the officials said.
The city had recorded minus 4.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.
They said Pahalgam, which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra, recorded a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius and was the coldest recorded place in the valley.
It was also the coldest night of the season so far at the tourist resort.
The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, they said.
The mercury in Kupwara in north Kashmir settled at a low of minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund, the gateway town to the valley, recorded minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius.
The meteorological department has forecast mostly dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir till December 24.
There is possibility of rains or light snowfall in some parts of Kashmir around Christmas, it said.
The ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ is the 40-day harshest winter period when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to freezing of water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley.
The chances of snowfall are the most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall.
While ‘Chillai-Kalan’ begins on December 21, it will end on January 30. The cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
BSF foils another Pakistan drone intrusion attempt in Punjab
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday foiled yet another drone intrusion attempt from Pakistan’s side in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab, a BSF statement said.
The incident occurred along the India-Pakistan international border in the Ferozepur sector. A senior BSF officer informed that on Wednesday at about 8 pm, BSF troops detected drone intrusion from Pakistan in the area of responsibility of border outpost Harbhajan in the Ferozepur Sector of district Tarn Taran, following which BSF troops fired at the drone.
The officer further said the area was cordoned off, and a search for the drone was conducted on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
In the morning at 8 am on Thursday, BSF troops recovered the drone from a farm. Further search is in progress to recover contraband, he added.
The BSF has foiled several drone intrusions attempts recently.
On Wednesday, BSF troops shot down a drone that entered India from Daoke Border Outpost (BoP) in the Amritsar sector from the Pakistan side on the International Border on Tuesday evening.
“The Pak drone which had entered India at 1920 hrs in the AOR of BOP Daoke in the AOR of 144 Bn, Amritsar sector was found fallen this morning in Pak area, 20 meters in their territory opposite the AOR of BOP Bharopal. It hovered in the sky for a few minutes when counter-drone measures were taken and fell while returning,” BSF said in a statement on Wednesday.
Earlier on November 26, a suspected flying object coming from the Pakistani side was shot down by the security personnel deployed at Daoke Border Outpost (BoP) in Amritsar sector on India-Pakistan international border.
Security personnel fired six rounds from their INSAS rifles and downed a drone.
Later, it was found to be a China-made Quadcopter DJI Matrice 300RTK brand drone, lying in the field near the border. A few cameras were also found fitted in the drone.
In the last two months, Border Security Force (BSF) has shot down three drones in the Amritsar area.
LG In Delhi: Nitin Gadkari & Lt Governor Review Progress Of Ongoing NH Projects In J&K
NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 21: Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari and Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha held a review of the ongoing National Highways projects in J&K today.
Union Minister of State, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh; Union Minister of State, Shri Jitendra Singh, and Central & UT officials were also present in the meeting. After a detailed discussion, the meeting finalized the design for the upcoming Inter Modal Station, Katra.
It will improve the travelling experience of pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and provide better infrastructure and mobility to the citizens.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) & National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) projects in J&K UT and steps have been taken to resolve various issues related to projects.
Keeping in view the tourist influx at prominent tourist places like Sonamarg during the winter season, and also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity to the locals, the meeting deliberated upon the measures to keep Sonamarg open for the public in winters.
Giving special impetus to surveillance and monitoring of vehicular movement, NHAI & NHIDCL will install CCTV cameras on its highways.
NHIDCL’s works related to Shri Amarnathji Yatra were also reviewed and directions were passed for the completion of the ongoing works to ensure smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage.
The Lt Governor said J&K administration is giving utmost priority to infrastructure development in the Union Territory and various steps are being taken for timely completion of ongoing projects.
“The priority of a self-reliant Jammu Kashmir is modern infrastructure and modern connectivity. Our prime objective is to create facilities for people to ensure sustained economic growth and social upliftment,” the Lt Governor said.
Peoples of J&K eagerly waiting for Bharat Jodo Yatra: Seva Dal J&K
Jammu,
Congress Seva Dal President Vijay Sharma Babbi has said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for Rahul Gandhi’s visit to India. Starting from Kanyakumari and covering a distance of 3500 kms, this yatra will reach its last stop in Jammu and Kashmir. To make this yatra a success, the Congress has completed all the preparations. Every member of Congress is very excited about this visit. The public support received by the Yatra across the country has proved that the countrymen are fed up with the divisive and hate politics of the present government. Wherever Rahul Gandhi is going, he is getting a lot of love. From small children to old, elders are welcoming them on their way which proves that Bharat Jodo Yatra has been a complete success. He said that Rahul Gandhi is trying to unite India by walking for 145 days. For this journey, there should be love in the heart for the country, which is filled with codification in the Gandhi family. If Rahul Gandhi wanted, he could have made big rallies and made attractive promises in front of the people, but he believes in politics of morality and wants communal harmony and peace to prevail in the country. The family from which Rahul Gandhi comes has a history of its own. From the freedom struggle to making India a world leader, the Congress has made the most important contribution. Rahul Gandhi has proved that the real aim of politics should be towards uniting the country and not towards making people fight in the name of religion and caste.
Entrepreneurship Development Program Inaugurated at SMVDU
Entrepreneurship Development Program sponsored by the Higher Education Department
J&K inaugurated at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University from 20-30 December, 2022,
designed for college students and received active participation from various colleges across
J&K. Shri Sumanta S. Sharma, Convener of the Program, welcomed all guests and
participants. Shri Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar, SMVDU, highlighted the university’s
achievements in various fields. Ms. Pooja Gupta, Entrepreneur, Nimbark Organics, Guest of
Honour, encouraged students to pursue their dreams and to become entrepreneurs to help
the employment generation.
The program was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor,
SMVDU, who in his inaugural address motivated the students to become job creators rather
than job seekers and advised them to apply the knowledge to pursue their interests. Dr.
Supran Kr. Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Management and the Program Coordinator
emphasized that the program has been conceived with the idea to make young generation
more familiar with what is happening and developing around them; understand their
strengths; to go beyond their conventional thinking; nurture the culture of experimentation
to redouble the innovation efforts. Dr. Sunanda Gupta, Co-convener of the event, delivered
the formal vote of thanks to the dignitaries and participants. Around 100 students from
different colleges of Jammu including GGM Science College, PSPS GCW Gandhi Nagar,
Govt. MAM College, GDC Kunjwani, GCW Udhampur, Govt. SPMR College of Commerce,
GDC Neeli Nallah, GDC (Boys) Udhampur, GCW Parade and GDC Sidhra, are participating in
this prestigious program, spanning over ten days filled with brainstorming and interactive
sessions on the topics including ‘Entrepreneurship-A Practical Way’, ‘Entrepreneurship-
Myths & Practicalities’, ‘Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analysis & Business Opportunities’,
‘Business Model Canvas’, ‘Frugal Innovations & Social Entrepreneurship’ etc. The modules of
the celebrated program are prepared in such a way that the objective of National Innovation
and Start-Up Policy may be achieved.
BJP fails to address public issues in J&K: Rajesh Gupta
Jammu, Dec 21 National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) J&K UT President Rajesh Gupta while addressing
the party workers here lambasted BJP saying that tall promises of development, employment, progress and
prosperity of the region were made with the people who were mesmerized with several other seductive
slogans. He said NDPI will fight the wrong and unconstitutional policies of the BJP which has left the people
of Jammu and Kashmir as unhappy. He said BJP has vowed to finish the identity of Jammu and Kashmir
through unconstitutional and undemocratic moves like abrogation of special status, introduction of new land
laws and bifurcation of the erstwhile State into Union Territories.
NDPI Chief while addressing public issues in a meeting with NDPI leaders accusing the Jammu and Kashmir
administration of failure to address the basic issues of the people, he said the public were fatigued with the
“bureaucratic and proxy” rule and called for early restoration of democracy in the Union Territory. Rajesh
Gupta said elected representatives alone could appreciate the concerns of the public as against the “outside
bureaucrats” who hardly have any accountability to the people. Claiming that bureaucratic rule in the
erstwhile state had proved a “flop show”, Gupta claimed people were fast losing faith in the present
dispensation which had failed to address even their basic concerns. “With people across the new UT
protesting on a day-to-day, uninterrupted power and adequate water supply, restoration of roads and other
essential services, there did not appear to be any takers for their shrill cries,” he said. Gupta also made it
clear before party forum that NDPI is a secular party and respects the integrity and sovereignty of India. He
said Citing history of autocracy in some foreign countries, they opined that end of an authoritarian
government happened following successful mass upsurge.
Gupta said the voters were swayed by pro-Jammu rhetoric and several glamorous slogans given by the
saffron leadership to woo the masses. The gullibility of the Dogras was exploited to the full to attain the high
seats of power. The spell bound people blindly reposed their faith in the BJP giving it a landslide victory from
Jammu region in assembly seats as well as the parliamentary elections, he said.
The leaders those attended the meeting were Umesh Manhas, S.Kuljeet Singh, Tilakraj, Rajiv Luthra,
Sandeep Anand and others
LG Sinha announces three new schemes for agriculture sector, panchayats, towns of J&K
Jammu, Dec 21: Three new schemes, Holistic Development of Agriculture & Allied Sectors, Aspirational Towns Development Programme and Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme were announced by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday, a government spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement said that these projects have been approved by the Administrative Council, chaired by the LG.
In July this year, the UT administration constituted an Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture & Allied Sectors for which leading luminaries were invited like Dr Mangala Rai Former DG ICAR, as its Chairman and Dr Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA apart from other well known figures in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration.
The committee working in a mission mode came with a comprehensive plan in the form of 29 projects covering all the sectors within the ambit of APD in a record time of 5 months.
“Having gone through the contents of the projects that have been cleared by the committee and their expected outputs and outcomes, I am confident that a new revolution in the agriculture and allied sectors of the UT is on the anvil. J&K is determined to move forward to touch new heights of success,” Sinha was quoted saying.
The projects which have now been approved by the administrative council and having an outlay of Rs. 5013 crores over the next five years shall transform the agriculture economy of J&K putting it on a new trajectory of growth, doubling the output of the sectors, boosting exports and making the sectors sustainable & commercially viable. This will herald a new phase of farmer prosperity and rural livelihood security in J&K.
These twenty-nine projects will almost double the output of the sectors, boosting exports and making the sectors sustainable & commercially viable. These gains shall be equitable, reaching the last person in the pyramid and ecologically sustainable through efficient use of bio-resources for food, feed & industry. The agricultural output which stands at Rs 37600 crores shall increase by over Rs 28142 crores to reach more than Rs 65700 crores per year, with a resultant increment in sectoral growth rate to 11%. The interventions shall create employment opportunities for over 2.8 lakh youth and establish around 19,000 enterprises. More than 2.5 lakh persons shall be skilled in various agri-enterprises ranging from seed production, precision farming of vegetables, bee-rearing, cocoon production, mushroom farming, integrated & organic agriculture, high-density fruit farming to processing, dairying, sheep & poultry farming as well as fodder production. In the next five years the UT shall have a motivated workforce with agri-entrepreneurial skills in a commercially viable and ecologically sustainable agri-ecosystem.
“I am sure that the J&K of the future will be a role model for the whole country in its agricultural practices and prosperous farming community,” the Lt Governor said.
J&K UT is also rolling out “Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme (APDP)” in UT of J&K and to select the most backward 285 Panchayats (One Panchayat per Block) for their holistic development.
The spokesperson said that a total of 100 measurable indicators have been identified across 9 Sectors namely Agriculture & allied Activities (06 indicators), Health & Nutrition (11), Education (13), Rural Development & Sanitation (07), Beneficiary-Oriented Schemes (04), Skill Development (04), Basic Infrastructure (17), Environment (05) & Good Governance (33), which shall give insight of existing status and incremental progress over a period of time.
On the basis of importance of these sectors, weights shall be assigned to each sector and sub-indicators as per relevance in the life of rural population.
These Aspirational Panchayats shall be developed through convergence of various ongoing District / UT Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes / Programmes. Additional financial assistance of Rs. 10 Lakh shall be provided to the selected Panchayats under the scheme for its further development after achieving saturation in the following parameters like Soil Health Cards, Land Pass Books, Kisan Credit Cards, Shram Cards issued to eligible Laborers, 100 percent Institutional Births,100 percent vaccination of children in the age group of 9-11 months, Zero Percent Out of School Children, 100 percent Solid Waste Collection & Treatment, Aadhaar Seeding with MGNREGA Cards, Issuance of Golden Cards under PMJAY SEHAT.
Some 285 most backward Panchayats shall be selected from 4291 Panchayats of UT of J&K (One Panchayat per Block), on the basis of least aggregate score obtained on the selected 100 parameters/indicators in the Panchayat Development Index in the concerned Block. The data shall be analyzed in PD&MD and most backward Panchayat in the Block shall be identified, the details of which shall be shared with all respective District Development Commissioners for their authentication.
The government said that J&K is rolling out “Aspirational Towns Development Programme” (ATDP), the Urban Reform Incentive Fund (URIF) to incentivize undertaking of reforms in Municipalities, and the Assessment Framework for rating various Municipalities.
The Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Development Index (J&K MDI) – 2022 is a tool to assess the development of Urban Local Bodies across the Union Territory of J&K against the normative development benchmarks. While J&K MDI will act as a guide to evidence-based policy making, catalyse action to achieve broader developmental outcomes, including the Sustainable Development Goals, assess and compare the outcomes achieved by municipal bodies, give citizens an insight into the functioning of local bodies and build a dialogue between the stakeholders, the URIF will provide necessary financial incentive to Municipalities to undertake reforms, in their journey of becoming Aspirational Towns.
Since the 74th Amendment Act gave constitutional recognition to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as the third tier of governance in 1993, municipalities have become pivotal to urban governance. It is therefore apparent that the development and governance of the cities is determined by the functioning of Municipalities. They are the key agents that provide the enablers into making a city ‘Smart, and Sustainable’.
The assessment framework examines the sectoral performance of Municipalities across a set of 7 verticals/pillars, namely Quality of Life and Services; Economic Ability; Technology; Urban Planning, Governance, Sustainability & Climate Resilience and Citizen Perception, which include 37 sectors/categories and 138 indicators. The Municipal Development Index will act as a guide to evidence-based policy making, catalyze action to achieve broader developmental outcomes including the Sustainable Development Goals, assess and compare the outcomes achieved by municipal bodies, give citizens an insight into the functioning of local bodies and hold them accountable.
Based on the performance of these Municipalities, as per the benchmarks prescribed under J&K MDI-2022, while best performing Municipalities will be encouraged and incentivized though additional grant-in-aid in the form of URIF (Urban Reform Incentive Fund), special funds will also be provided for building capacities and covering gaps in these Municipalities.
“It is our responsibility and resolve to ensure that the aspirations of the people get fulfilled,” the Lt Governor said.