MGNREGA:
Rs 2.17 Crore mobility charges withdrawn during summer 2016 unrest
Srinagar, Oct 25 : The people at the helm of affairs allegedly busy in developing rural areas across Kashmir Valley under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have been looting the state exchequer on the one or the other pretext.
A startling revelation under RTI has cast a doubt on the integrity of officials associated with the MGNREGA scheme in Kashmir Valley. “During the Kashmir unrest in 2016, the officials have withdrawn Rs 2.17 Crore as mobility charges that too only from South Kashmir. South Kashmir in 2016 was on edge where curfew, restrictions, violent clashes disrupted life for more than six months. In such a situation, the officials can’t withdraw such a huge amount for their movement even ambulance drivers those days felt sacred in moving from one place to another,” said a worker associated with the scheme.
If sources are to be believed, the BDO Headquarters has virtually become an autocrat who doesn’t take any official into confidence. Sources added that BDO Headquarters forced supporting staff and other employees to go for shutdown after Vigilance raid on Director Rural Development Department. “The concerned Minister never listens to supporting staff. He follows the footsteps of the Director and the BDO Headquarters. If government will initiate a probe, so many scams will surface and so many officials will feel the heat,” said an employee to news agency CNS.
He added that fake vouchers have been prepared to loot the state exchequer. “You will not believe, fatty bills are being prepared to mint the money. Those who raise voice against the loot are being harassed. While officials are busy in loot, supporting staff are being deprived of their earned salaries. They have to wait for months together to get their salaries.”
In several cases, funds have been sanctioned and even withdrawn for various projects, but the progress on works is dismal.
Another employee said that the after the Vigilance raid in hoarding scam, some of the Junior Engineers refused to go on a strike, however, their decision proved costly for them and they were suspended without any delay.
Sources said that top officials have appointed their relatives as engineers given the fact they don’t possess desired degrees. “Even those have been appointed as engineers whose corruption cases are still being investigated by Vigilance.”
Employees said that there are large scale irregularities and bungling in the implementation of MGNREGA scheme in the State, particularly in Kashmir, that needs to be probed thoroughly.
Observe Oct 27 as Black Day
‘Dialogue process started by India a big joke: Salahuddin
Srinagar, Oct 25 : United Jihad Council chief, Syed Salahuddin while calling for a complete strike on October 27, to protest the landing of Indian army in Kashmir, Wednesday made it clear that they are not against any dialogue process but the dialogue should be tripartite and in the light of UN resolutions.
As per a statement issued to news agency CNS, Salahuddin, according to UJC spokesman, Syed Sadaqat Hussain, while addressing a meeting of Council, said that “on October 27, 1947, Indian army forcefully occupied Kashmir and people of Kashmir are resisting the control since last 68 years.”
Spokesman quoted UJC chief as having said that India has violated all rights of the people of and the People of Kashmir has never accepted the ‘illegal occupation of India.’
“On October 27, 1947 Indian troops entered Kashmir and it was blackest day in the history of Kashmir. Kashmiris didn’t accept subjugation and are continuously raise their voice against it. Since then 5 lakh Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives for liberation of their homeland.”
He said the use of force has not succeeded to subdue Kashmiris. “We are not against the dialogue but the dialogue bugle announced by India is a big joke. Kashmir is neither a territorial dispute between two countries nor an internal issue of any country. The fate of over one Crore forty lakh souls are attached to it,” he said.
Syed Salahuddin appealed Pakistan to be proactive on political and diplomatic front and make world aware about the human rights violations committed by India in Kashmir.
During the meeting, the participants condemned the arrest of the son of Syed Salahuddin and said that innocents are being framed in fabricated cases. During the meeting rich tributes were paid to those who lost their lives for sake of ongoing freedom movement.
Arrest of Shahid an attempt to pressurize our father, says family of Syed Salahuddin
Srinagar, Oct 25 : The family members of Hizb Chief Syed Salahuddin Wednesday while reacting over the arrest of Shahid Yousuf by NIA said that this is the age old tactic by the Delhi government to harass the family and to defame their family head.
“This is an attempt to pressurize our father into submission by Delhi. We are peace loving people and want the issue to be settled through meaningful dialogue. We further want to state that we have never been involved in any terror funding activities in the state, and our record during past 28 years is crystal clear and can be verified by the police and CID,” the family members told news agency CNS through a written statement.
“Our brother Shahid Yousuf is a peaceful citizen, and NIA has incriminated him in absolutely fake charges of terror funding to pressurize our father. Our right to live peacefully is being snatched by State and Central Government,” said the family.
Arresting son of Syed Salahuddin by NIA, a case of clear political vendetta: Yasin Malik
Srinagar, Oct 25 : “Involving families into political affairs, arresting sons for fathers and fathers in place of sons, has been a long ploy of Indian occupation. Arresting Shahid Yosuf Shah son of Syed Salahuddin by NIA and attacks on non-combatant family members of those in freedom struggle are glaring examples of Indian aggression,” this was stated by the chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik in a press release issued on Wednesday.
Terming the arrest of Syed Salahuddin’s son by NIA in a seven year old case, as clear act of political vendetta, JKLF chairman said that in civilized society’s attacks on families of those who differ with you on political issues or who are resisting oppression and illegal occupation is reckoned criminal but India which claims the honor of being the biggest democracy in the world has been using this oppressive tactics against Kashmiri resistance from a long time.
JKLF chairman said that recently police chief of J&K in a statement said that we all should refrain from attacking families of one another but soon after his lecture, police and forces started a new reign of such ugly attacks which on both sides have become a common practice now. He said that prior to 1988, same oppressive methodology was used against peaceful youth and their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters were arrested, subjected to humiliation and put in jails. This oppression pushed youth to the wall and in 1990, people of Kashmir rouse in a historic people’s revolution which changed the whole scenario and politics of our region.
JKLF chairman said that from 1990, it has become a common practice to punish families for what their sons and fathers did or are doing. Especially from 2008, this ugly practice of attacking or arresting family members has become a common practice and to suppress people’s voices police and other forces are subjecting families of those in resistance with brutal aggression and oppression. Citing recent attacks on common people in Tral and other parts of south Kashmir in which even infants were not spared by police, as glaring example of this state sponsored terrorism, JKLF chairman said that arrest of Syed Shahid Yousuf Shah son of Syed Salah ud Din is part of this oppressive tactic of India and it cannot be termed but as clear case of political vendetta. He said that these oppressive tactics have failed in past and will fail in future too because the voices of people cannot be suppressed by such mean tactics like these.
Swine flu: DAK sets up helpline
‘Issues advisory to schools’
Srinagar, Oct 25 : Following three swine flu deaths at Kashmir valley’s SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has set up round the clock helpline numbers for public awareness.
“People can call and get information on 09469154840, 09419409866, 07780941488, 09419045145, 09797046707 and 09906458877. People can also visit our website www.doctorsassociationkashmir.com to seek advice related to swine flu,” said Doctors Association Kashmir on Wednesday in a communique.
President DAK and flu expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said communicators on these helpline numbers are expert doctors and will address public concerns on swine flu from today.
“Effective communication to public is vital to prevent the spread of the disease and is an intervention in its own right,” he said.
DAK President said people are entitled to credible and consistent information which is critical for containment of the disease.
“Moreover, these helpline numbers will address to the public anxiety and panic created by flu deaths,” he added.
Dr Nisar said schools are advised to create awareness among children about the preventive measures of swine flu.
“Children should be encouraged to practice personal hygiene, he said adding that advising them to wash their hands frequently and teaching them cough etiquette will prevent and control the spread of flu among children.”
He further said children with flu symptoms should be advised to stay at home, until they get fully cured.
Dr Nisar said swine flu is a respiratory disease which manifests with cough, fever, sorethroat, runny nose and bodyache.Flu spreads mainly by droplets when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
Two drug peddlers arrested with charas in North Kashmir
Bandipora, Oct 25 : Police on Tuesday night arrested a “drug peddler” during a naka checking at Chewa area of Sumbal town of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The arrested person has been identified as Irshad Ahmad Bhat S/O Mukhtayar Ahmad Bhat R/o Chewa.
Police claimed the recovery of 300 grams of Charas from his possession.
“A Case vide FIR number 141/2017 U/S 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered and investigation taken up,” said a police official to CNS.
Meanwhile, Kupwara police also arrested a notorious drug peddler with 3.5kg charas.
SSP Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain said that based on specific input, special Naka was laid at Surigam Crossing and a drug peddler with 3.5 kgs of Charas was recovered. He identified the accused as Latief Chohan of Surigam Lolab.
“A case vide FIR number 61/2017 under section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered against the accused,” he said.
Aga Hasan condoles demise of Safia Lone
Srinagar, Oct 25 : Senior separatist leader and president Anjuman Shari Shian, Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi, Alsafvi expressed his condolence on the demise of Safia Lone, the daughter of Abdul Gani Lone, who passed away recently.
He expressed his solidarity and sympathy with the Lone family at this hour of grief. “My sympathies are with Sajad Ahmed Lone, Bilal Gani Lone and Saifuddin Lone, the husband of the deceased woman.
Aga Hasan aid that Safia was the daughter of a great leader who sacrificed everything for Kashmir Cause.
He also expressed grief over the demise of Pakistani leader Mujahid Hussain Shah, the nephew of Kifayat Hussain Naqvi.
Finance Department rolls out austerity measures to cut down on expenditure
Srinagar, Oct 25 : The State Government today rolled out a slew of measures to promote fiscal discipline in the administration.
"Utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conference, seminars, workshop by the Government Departments and only such conferences, seminars, workshops etc which are absolutely essential should be held," said a circular issued by the Principal Secretary Finance, Navin Kumar Choudhary.
It said holding of exhibitions, fairs, seminars and conferences outside the state should be strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibition for tourism or handicrafts promotion.
"There will be ban on holding meetings and conferences at private hotels and government buildings/premises would be instead utilized for the same," the circular said adding that the purchase of new vehicles to meet the operational requirement is permitted, "but only against condemnation as a replacement measure and with prior concurrence of the Finance Department."
According to the circular the travel expenditure should be regulated so as to ensure that each department remains within the allocated budget for the same. "Re-appropriation /augmentation proposals on this account will not be entertained."
"The state government officers should travel only by economy class within the country regardless of entitlement and in all cases of air travel, the lowest air fare ticket available for entitled class is to be purchased / procured."
Facility of video-conferencing should be used effectively and travel for the purpose of attending meeting should be avoided to the extent possible.
No fresh financial commitments will be made on items which are not provided for in the approved budget.
FROM : CNS