DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 (PAGE 3)

Governor Satya Pal Malik and Advisors K Vijay Kumar & KK Sharma at a meeting in Jammu on Monday.

Advisors brief Governor on prevailing law and order situation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: K. VijayKumar and K. K. Sharma,Advisors to Governor Satya PalMalik met him at the RajBhavan this evening and briefedGovernor about the prevailinglaw and order situation in theaftermath of Pulwama incident.

Governor discussed with

Advisors issues relating to effec-tive maintenance of law andorder and directed them that noanti-social element should beallowed to disturb peace andharmony in the State. He alsodirected that availability ofessential commodities, medi-cines etc be ensured by theadministration.

Governor greetspeople on Guru

Ravi Dass JayantiExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: GovernorSatya Pal Malik has greeted thepeople on the auspicious occa-sion of Guru Ravi Dass Jayanti.

In his message of felicita-tions, the Governor describedGuru Ravi Dass Ji as a greatsocial reformer who tirelesslyendeavoured to ameliorate the lotof the people, especially thedowntrodden and under-privi-leged sections of the society. Hesaid that Guru Ji's teachings ofpeace, harmony, love and com-passion have influenced millionsof people and continued to inspiregenerations to work for a harmo-nious society which is based onequality and social justice.

The Governor also prayed forpeace, progress and prosperity inthe State.

Members of the committee for Ladakh constituted by SAC in a meeting with LAHDC Leh onMonday.

Committee for divisional status visitsLeh, holds meet with LAHDC

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Feb 18: A committeefor Ladakh constituted by StateAdministrative Council (SAC)under the Principal Secretary(Planning & Development)Rohit Kansal reached Leh todayand held a meeting with theLAHDC, Leh at the CouncilSecretariat under the chairman-ship of Chief ExecutiveCouncilor (CEC) LAHDC LehJamyang Tsering Namgyal.

The meeting was attended byExecutive CouncillorsAgriculture Stanzin Phuntsogand Education Tsering Sandup,Principal Secretary (Planning &Development) Rohit Kansal,Commissioner/Secretary toGovernment RevenueDepartment Shahid Anayatullah,Commissioner/Secretary toGovernment Ladakh AffairsRigzen Samphel, DivisionalCommissioner Ladakh SaugatBiswas, Director General BudgetFinance Department MohdYaqoob Itoo, SecretaryDepartment of RuralDevelopment & PR SheetalNanda, Deputy Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer LehAvny Lavasa, SSP Leh SargunShukla, Councillors, and HODs.

The main objective of thecommittee's visit to Leh was tostudy on the periodicity of thenewly created Ladakh Divisionand understand and resolve theconcerns of the people of Lehand Kargil districts.

The CEC submitted various

points concerning the people ofthe district before the committeesuch as, creation of the post ofCommissioner Secretary rankfor the District as ChiefExecutive Officer LAHDC,where the directorates createdmust function under the overallcontrol and superintendence ofthe LAHDCs of both the twindistricts of Leh and Kargil.

He further said that the dis-trict stands with the Governmentdecision for sanctioned Headquarters of the Ladakh Divisionat Leh as per the GovernmentSRO-110 and with no modifica-tions to any other location on thefacts that Leh is equidistant fromall the Sub-divisions/blocks ofentire Ladakh region. Also, frominfrastructural point of view, Lehis better approachable via bothair and road connectivity withthe rest of the world. As a matterof fact, Leh has more availabilityof land for future expansion ofheadquarter and directorates ofall the administrative depart-ments, added the CEC.

Considering the geo-strategicrelevance of Leh, Namgyal fur-ther advocated for the headquar-ters in Leh. Stressing on the factthat Leh is already accommodat-ing the multi-ethnic groups ofpeople from all the corners of theLadakh region, including Kargil,CEC said that having HQ in Lehwould be in the great interest ofthe common mass.

The CEC further stressed oncreation of all the posts on the

lines of other divisions of theState. In the end, he requested forcreation of separate Directorateof Hospitality, Tribal Affairs,Civil aviation among others.

Giving a patient hearing tothe points presented, Chairmanof the Committee Rohit Kansalsaid assured that the committeeis committed for a fair reportconsidering the long term sus-tainable development of thisregion focusing on the promo-tion of art, culture, handicraftand Pashmina. He further saidthat they are here to achieve theobjectives of divisional status byway of identifying the overallactual requirements of thedepartments and officers onground. The committee willwork towards equal develop-ment of both Leh and Kargil dis-tricts, asserted Kansal.

Later, the Committee alsoheld a meeting with the DistrictOfficers at DC Conference halland took first hand informationabout the power and exercise ofmajor departments in terms ofdevelopmental schemes underDistrict and State sector andCentrally Sponsored Schemes,and their fund flow mechanism.

Moreover, the Committeealso made a detailed enquiryabout procedural issues andadministrative problems pertain-ing to various departments. TheDeputy Commissioner/ChiefExecutive Officer, LAHDC, LehAvny Lavasa gave inputs on var-ious important issues during themeeting.

HC directs for timely cooperationfor protection of Dal lake

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 18: HighCourt has directed the Secretariesand Heads of all the departments toprovide timely and quick coopera-tion to the direction or suggestionmade by the Committee of Expertswith regard to the protection andrestoring the glory of Dal lake.

The Division Bench passedthese directions after perusal of thethird report of Committee ofExperts. The report reflects thetremendous efforts being put in bythe Committee of Experts and itslaudable suggestions.

Court, however, expressed itsserious concern for not filing anyAction Taken Report with regardto the previous Court directions orthe suggestions made by theCommittee of Experts before thecourt.

"We direct the Secretaries orthe Heads of all the Authorities andDepartments to ensure promptcooperation and action in responseto any suggestion, direction madeby the Committee of Experts orrequest from the LAWDA withregard to any aspect relating to sub-ject matter of consideration by thiscourt or the Committee ofExperts", DB directed.

When asked to State counselabout non filing of ATR, heinformed the Court that the samecould not be filed for the reasonthat under orders of the ChiefSecretary, Prasanna Ramaswamystands recently appointed as ViceChairman, LAWDA who is hold-ing full-fledged charge of theorganization, and has to file thesame.

Court further directed theRevenue authorities to take imme-diate action for identifying the

land for rehabilitation of the own-ers of the floating gardens. "Thedecision in this regard shall becommunicated to the ViceChairman LAWDA as well asCommittee of Experts within twoweeks. This is essential to enablethe allotments and commence-ment of farming at the relocationsites by the persons who have to bemoved", court said.

Court also directed theCommittee of Experts to ensurethat the authorities place a compre-hensive scheme and plan for reha-bilitation of all the persons whohave to be rehabilitated before it.

"Provisions of all necessaryfacilities at the rehabilitation sitewould also be undertaken. Theproposal for relocation shall beplaced before the Committee ofExperts by the end of this monthso that the Committee of Expertscan examine the same and visit theproposed site as well in its forth-coming visit to Srinagar", readsthe order.

Court also recorded that ChiefSecretary of the State is asked tolook into the observations by theCommittee of Experts with regardto converting weed waste into'wealth' and to examine the possi-bility of the commercial utilizationof the weeds.

LAWDA has been directed toplace a report with regard to theaction taken on the public noticesregarding STPs which had to beinstalled by hoteliers around the

periphery of the Dal Lake."The authorities shall also

place before us the steps takentowards informing and educatingthe public about the directions ofthe Court recommendations of theCommittee of Experts, applicablelaws and regulations etc", courtdirected. Court further made itclear till such time the Dal Lake isrejuvenated and revived, therewould be no use of chemical fertil-izers and pesticides by farmers inand around the Dal Lake, as theLAWDA has expressed its inabili-ty to impose a blanket ban on useof chemical fertilizers and pesti-cides by farmers on and around theDal Lake. "This prohibition shallbe implemented by the StatePollution Control Board and thelocal police", court said.

State counsel has assured thecourt that the recently appointedVC LAWDA shall examine thematter on urgent basis, and submitthe action taken in terms of the rec-ommendations and suggestions ofthe Committee of Experts and theAction Taken Report shall be filedpositively within three weeks fromtoday.

Apart from the LAWDA, courtsaid, the State Pollution ControlBoard; the Revenue Authorities;the Department of Agriculture andHorticulture; the Department ofTourism are required to take actionupon the recommendations of theCommittee of Experts and theorders passed by this court.

A view of complete bandh in Samba on Monday. -Excelsior/Gautam

Youth protest at Lakhanpur in Kathua on Monday. -Excelsior/Pardeep

Troops patrol a road in Jammu City on Monday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Trucks carrying essential commodities heading towards Srinagar on the National Highway.-Excelsior/Rakesh

Heavy rush at a petrol pump in Jammu during curfew relaxation period on Monday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 18: Amidthe unfolding situation withinthe state and in response to theapprehensions expressed by thecandidates through print, elec-tronic and social media plat-forms, J&K Bank has decided topostpone the ProbationaryOfficer and Banking Associateexamination scheduled to beheld on 21st, 22nd, 23rd and24th February 2019.

The decision in this regardwas taken today after thoroughdeliberations at a high levelmeeting presided over by theJ&K Bank Chairman and CEOParvez Ahmed, ExecutivePresidents and Presidents hereat the bank's corporate head-quarters.

The meeting deliberated and

discussed the ongoing situationacross the state and discussedthe pros and cons of conductingexams on the scheduled datewhile factoring in the feedbackthat kept streaming in.

The meeting concluded infavour of postponing the exami-nation and the Chairman andCEO Parvez Ahmed in his tweetsaid, "Lot of queries beingreceived#JKBank exam.Though preparations are done,our partners in exam IBPS, TCSare here and visiting the testcenters but keeping in view theinconvenience the applicantsmay have to face in the currentcircumstances, we are announc-ing the postponement of examswhich were to be held on 21,22,23 & 24 Feb. New dates willbe notified in due course."

J&K Bank postponesrecruitment examination

JCCI president Rakesh Gupta, flanked by other office bearersat a press conference in Jammu.

Take action against people spittingvenom on social media: JCCI

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Launchingattack on J&K Police for its fail-ure to take action against thosespitting venom on social media,president Jammu Chamber ofCommerce and Industry (JCCI)Rakesh Gupta today said thatCyber Cell of the State Policemust take serious note of it.

Addressing a press confer-ence here today, the JCCI presi-dent questioned the ‘inefficien-cy’ of Cyber Cell of Jammu andKashmir Police for their inactionagainst those using fake ID’sinjecting venom on social mediaagainst India. He appealed to theDGP to take effective measuresagainst the inefficient staff andreplace them immediately.

Referring to anti- JCCI postson social media by few forcesworking at the behest of anti-national elements both in Jammuand also in Srinagar, Gupta saidthat JCCI will take on them lateras the present situation has largerissues to deal with and ensuresecurity of all communities andstand by brotherhood.

The JCCI president alsoquestioned the policy and strate-gy on the part of the StateAdministration during this lawand order situation as there was

total lapse of accountabilitybecause anti- national elementsare still raising anti- India andpro- Pakistan slogans in Jammu.

Rakesh Gupta squarelyblamed the anti-national ele-ments for vitiating the peacefulatmosphere of Jammu. He fur-ther questioned the StateAdministration that what actionhas been taken against those whoraised anti-national slogans andcontinue to do so still when cur-few has been imposed in Jammu.He warned that no anti- Indiaslogans will be tolerated inJammu. He urged theAdministration to identify theculprits and put them behind barswithout any further delay.

He appealed to the Governorto order lifting curfew tomorrowas the situation can never go outof hand in Jammu where peaceloving and nationalist peoplereside. He also appealed to theGovernor to provide job for thebetter half of martyred CRPFjawan, Naseer Ahmad fromRajouri.

Rajesh Gupta JCCI seniorvice president, Rajeev Guptajunior vice president, ManishGupta -secretary general, GauravGupta- secretary and AshuGupta- treasurer also accompa-nied.

Defeat attempts of provocation;maintain amity, brotherhood: Cong

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: The J&KPradesh Congress Committee(PCC) leadership today appealedto the people to defeat theattempts of provocation andmaintain communal harmonyand brotherhood at all levels.

A meeting of senior leadersof Pradesh Congress Committeewas held at Jammu to take stockof the current situation in thewake of the Fidayeen attack onthe CRPF convoy in Pulwama. Itwas presided over by PCC pres-ident GA Mir and attended byseveral senior leaders includedformer MP, former Ministers,former Legislators and seniorfunctionaries of the Party.

The meeting observed two-minutes silence in memory of allthose martyred in the recentattacks including the four Armypersonnel in the encounter atPulwama today.

The meeting expressed greatshock over the loss of preciouslives and conveyed deep sympa-thies with the families of the mar-tyrs and prayed for the earlyrecovery of the injured. Themeeting commended the securityforces who are fighting andeliminating the terrorists leastcaring for their lives in order todefend Nation and it's citizens.

The meeting reviewed theoverall scenario in the State andelsewhere in the country follow-ing the anger of the Nation overthe biggest ever attack onSecurity forces in the State,which resulted into huge loss ofprecious lives.

The meeting reiterated theresolve of the Nation to unitedly

fight against the terror which isthreat to the peace, unity andintegrity of the country.

The meeting felt that the needof the hour is to maintain peace,unity and religious brotherhoodat all costs and defeat the nefari-ous designs of the enemies of ourNation and not to allow suchdesigns to succeed in any man-ner.

The meeting further said thatpeople should defeat any suchattempts of provocation to dis-turb the traditional amity andbrotherhood in Jammu regionand elsewhere in the Country.

The meeting also extendedfull cooperation to the Governor'sAdministration to maintain peaceand normalcy and also appealedall sections of the Society toextend full Cooperation to thelaw enforcing agencies to ensurepeace and communal harmony.

Expressing grave concernover the increasing incidents ofmilitancy and attack on forces inthe recent past, the Party askedthe Government to take moreeffective measures to counter Paksponsored terrorism at all frontsand ensure safety of the citizensand our brave soldiers.

Among other who were pres-ent included- Nawang RigzinJora, Madan Lal Sharma, MulaRam, Raman Bhalla, MohdSharief Niaz, RS Chibb,Ravinder Sharma, VikramadityaSingh, Ch. Aijaz Ahmad Khan,Balwan Singh, ManmohanSingh, Ch. Shah Mohd, RamanMatto, Rajnish Sharma, ASMicky, Shabir Khan, Hari SinghChib, Indu Pawar, Shiv KumarSharma, Udhay Chib, RaqeeqKhan and Pranav Shagotra.

New scheme for youth, womenbased SHGs on cards: Div ComExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 18: TheDivisional CommissionerKashmir Baseer Ahmad Khantoday said that Government ispreparing a new scheme for youthand women based Self HelpGroups (SHGs), which is eco-nomically more viable, sustain-able and creates good employ-ment opportunities.

He further said that self-employment through the constitu-tion of Self Help Groups (SHGs)for youth (within the age group of18-35 years) and women shallbecome the cornerstone of theeconomic development. He saidthat there is widespread accept-ance of the need to create SHGsfor youth and females, as a pre-requisite for poverty reductionand women empowerment.

The Divisional Commissionermade these remarks whilereviewing the income generatingeconomic activities and youthengagement activities in SouthKashmir districts.

The Divisional Commissionerdirected Deputy Commissioners(DCs) to collect details withregards to specified areas in theirrespective districts especially inthe sectors of agriculture, horti-culture, cooperative societies,educational academies andcoaching centers, sports acade-

mies and clubs, youth engage-ment activities and other industri-al schemes, which have a greatpotential for youth and women.Concerned officers were alsodirected to share all schemesrelated to youth, women empow-erment and SHGs with theDeputy Commissioners.

For the significant impact ofthe youth and women based SHGscheme, DCs and concerned offi-cers were also directed to includebeneficiaries on socio-economiccategory, capacity building pro-grammes for youth and womenSHGs

"The aim of the new SHGscheme is to reach out to allunemployed youth and womenfolk to link them with sustainablelivelihood opportunities and nur-ture them till they come out ofpoverty and enjoy a decent quali-ty of life," Khan added.

Directors of Industries,Agriculture and Education,Divisional Sports Officer,Additional MD JKSRLM, JointDirector Horticulture, DeputyDirector Youth Services &Sports, Assistant Commissioner(central) and other concernedofficers were present in the meet-ing whereas all DeputyCommissioners (DCs) of southKashmir participated the meetingthrough video conferencing.

Govt employee caughtaccepting bribe

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 18: AGovernment employee wascaught red hand while demand-ing and accepting bribe forrelease of bank guarantee doc-uments lying with the NationalHighways Authority of India.

The accused, identified asIrfan Ahmad, was caughtaccepting a bribe of Rs 10 thou-sands and was arrested follow-ing a written complaint, lodgedin Police Station Anti-Corruption Bureau Kashmir, bya contractor of M/s SterliteTechnologies Limited allegingtherein that the said employeewas demanding bribe forrelease of their bank guaranteedocuments.

After registration of a Case,FIR No 05/2019, under section5(2) J&K PC Act Svt; 2006, 4-A Amendment Act- 2014, asuccessful trap was laid by thesleuths of the Anti CorruptionBureau. The said public servantwas caught red handed andarrested. The investigation ofthe case is going on.

70 employees suspendedExcelsior Correspondent

KUPWARA, Feb 18: On theinstructions of DistrictDevelopment Commissioner(DDC) Kupwara Khalid Jahangir,Assistant Commissioner Revenue(ACR) Kupwara, Bashir Ahmadconducted a surprise visit of vari-ous offices in the district and found70 employees absent from theirduties without any authorization.

During the inspections, 20 offi-cials at PHE Division Kupwara, 17at Irrigation and Flood Control, 12at Geology and Mining, and 21 atREW, BDO office Kupwara,

Handicrafts and FisheriesDepartment were found unautho-risedly absent and were placedunder immediate suspension.

Besides five officials includingX-En REW, BDO Kupwara, ADHandicrafts, District MineralsOfficer and AD Fisheries havebeen put under notice, which shallfollow the charge sheet for initiat-ing disciplinary action againstthem.

Meanwhile, the DC has direct-ed all the officials and employeesworking in the district to ensurepunctuality in the offices.