Cabinet approves promulgation of the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Ordinance, 2017
Srinagar, August 30 : The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to the proposal of the Finance Ministry to promulgate an ordinance to suitably amend the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017.
The approval would allow to increase the maximum rate at which the Compensation Cess can be levied from 15% to 25% on:
a) motor vehicles for transport of not more than thirteen persons, including the driver [falling under sub-headings 870210, 8702 20, 8702 30 or 8702 90]; and
b) motor vehicles falling under headings 8703.
The GST Council, in its meeting held in August 2017, taking into consideration the fact that post introduction of GST, the total incidence on motor vehicles [GST+ Compensation Cess] has come down vis-a-vis pre-GST total tax, incidence, and had recommended increase in the maximum rate at which Compensation Cess can be levied on motor vehicles falling under headings 8702 and 8703 from 15% to 25%.
The issue regarding the increase in effective rate of Compensation Cess on motor vehicles will be examined by the GST Council in due course.
World Enforced Disappearances Day:
Families remember their missing sons
APDP stages sit-in-protest
Srinagar, August 30 : On the eve of International Day of Disappeared, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) staged a peaceful sit-in at Pratap Park Srinagar on Wednesday. Scores of family members of disappeared persons participated in the peaceful protest that was also attended by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik who expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and said that people of Kashmir always support the APDP which is fighting for a just cause.
He said that more than ten thousand people were subjected to enforced disappearance in Kashmir Valley. “They were either picked up by CRPF or BSF and their families are still looking for them. The ugly part of the story is that a wife who is still searching for her husband is called half-widow. It is a tragedy that has taken heavy toll on the affected families,” Malik said added that peace can only prevail when Kashmir issue will be resolved as per the aspirations of the people.
The family members whose loved ones disappeared allegedly at the hands of security agencies during the turmoil in Kashmir reiterated that they will continue their struggle till government locate their missing members.
One of the protesters, who hails from North Kashmir’s Katianwali area of Baramulla district Bashir Ahmad Chichi told CNS that his brother Altaf Ahmed was on his way back from his routine work from fields when he was picked up by some unidentified gunmen. “Since November 16, 2002 his family has been roaming from pillar to post in search of Altaf but all in vain,”
An elderly woman from Kawoosa village of Budgam said that her son Muhammad Ramzan Sheikh was a 25-year-old young lad in 1992 when he was allegedly taken away by forces. “He was engrossed in his work; we were busy in our paddy fields,” she said while wiping her tears.
“I will die in peace after having a glimpse of my beloved son,” she said.
APDP Chairperson Parveena Ahanger said the victims have left no stone unturned to know the whereabouts of disappeared but to no avail.
“Our search from pillar to post is turning futile.” Parveena said adding, “We don’t get any clue of our dear ones doesn’t mean we would give up. No way till our last breath.”
Parveena said the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), High court, Supreme Court and all other institutions of justice have failed to do justice with them.
She said they are living with the hope to see their loved ones back one day. “Hope sustains life, we are hopeful that our disappeared kin will be with us someday soon,” she added. She further said, “We want government to come clear on the disappearance issue.” “Where are our loved ones? Are they alive or dead, we want to know,” Parveena questioned.
She said that several movements across the globe have been raising their voice for the victims of the enforced disappearances in the world. Like us many families have organized themselves in Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.
“I would like to remind ourselves that the enforced disappearance in Kashmir cuts across regions and religions. Besides Kashmiri Muslims, the Sikh minority has not remained untouched from the state terror. In the year 1994 five foreign tourists who were picked up from the forests of Phalgham also became victims of enforced disappearances. Despite evidence State has failed to give details of their whereabouts to their families,” she said.
CM's Grievance Cell for expediting work on Maternity Facilities at Soura, Bemina
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Taking cognizance of the complaints regarding tardy pace of work on infrastructure upgradation at the Maternity facility at SKIMS Soura, a team of officials from the CM's Grievance Cell today visited the facility for on spot assessment of the progress of work.
Coordinator CM's Grievance Cell, Mr Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, had asked the officials to visit the facility and personally take stock of the progress of work in light of the complaints received from the people. The team of officials was led by Deputy Secretary CM's Grievance Cell, Mr Inam-ul-Haq Siddiqui.
"The team has found that the work on infrastructure upgradation at the Maternity Facility at SKIMS Soura is not going on at the satisfactory pace and the same needs to be expedited," a spokesman of the CM's Grievance Cell said in a statement.
He said the matter has been brought into the notice of the SKIMS authorities and they have been asked to expedite the work so that it can be used as a healthcare facility by the people of the area.
The spokesman said that the facility is catering to a huge population in the area and the SKIMS authorities must pay proper attention towards its upkeep.
Meanwhile, the CM's Grievance Cell has also taken a serious note of the complaints regarding deliberate attempts being made by some quarters in SKIMS Soura to create hurdles in the execution of work at Maternity Hospital Bemina and SKIMS Medical College Bemina.
"The CM's Grievance Cell has received complaints that some officials and medicos at SKIMS Soura are creating hurdles in the smooth execution of work at Maternity Hospital Bemina and SKIMS Medical College Bemina as they don't want SKIMS Bemina to come up as an independent healthcare institution," the spokesman said adding that taking a serious note of the complaints the Coordinator CM"s Grievance Cell has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and the Health Minister, Bali Baghat in the matter so that work is expedited on these institutions.
Schools closed near LoC in Nowshera amid cross-border shelling
Rajouri, Aug 30 : India and Pakistan traded heavy fire along the Line of Control in Nowshera Sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir prompting authorities to close down all the schools located along the border.
An Indian Defense official said that:“Pakistani troops initiated small arms, automatics and mortar fire from 10.35 am along the LoC in Nowshera sector”. “The Indian army was retaliating strongly and effectively,” he added.
Reports said that fire and mortar shells were exchanged by the armies of both the countries in Kalsian, Bhawani and Baba Khori.
“The fresh spate of shelling and firing begun a day after Pakistan troops at a flag meeting with their Indian counterpart at Chakkan Da Bagh in Poonch last week had agreed to maintain peace and tranquility on the border,” said an official.
Reports said that some shells fired from across the border landed in civilian areas.
"As a precautionary measures, some educational institutions located near LoC in Kalal, Kalsian and Bhawani have been closed for today," said an official.
Shortage of drinking water sparks protest in Batamaloo
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Scores of inhabitants of Batamallo and its adjoining area Wednesday protested against the Government and Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department over scarcity of drinking water.
The inhabitants of Sheikh Dawood Colony, Firdous Abad Colony, Dander Khah and other adjoining colonies came on roads on early morning and blocked the main Chowk Batamallo for about two hours.
“There is not a drop of water to drink as taps are running dry. Every time we visited the office of Executive Engineer Public Health Engineering with the request to restore supply in the area but to no avail,” protesters said.
They said that the Government till date didn’t pay any heed to their grievance. “Now the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department is also showing reluctance to restore water supply in their localities, despite repeated assurance from different quarters”, they said.
The PHE and Police officials rushed to spot and gave assurance to them that water supply would be restored before Eid-ul-Azah.
ATM stolen from Anantnag recovered
Anantnag, Aug 30 : Unknown burglars have stolen an ATM of HDFC Bank in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The incident occurred at Barakpora village of Anantnag district during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.
A police official said that ATM has been recovered from Bogam village of Qazigund on Wednesday morning.
An official from the bank told Kashmir News Trust that the ATM carried Rs 7.18 lakh.
It was not immediately known whether the burglars managed to loot cash from the machine.
Thrice:
SMC demolished illegal structure at Shalteng
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Taking strong note of a complaint, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) demolished a concrete structure that had come up illegally at Shalteng area of Srinagar city.
“It was the third time that we demolished this structure as the owner who wants to raise a building was continuously resorting to illegal means to get the structure erected,” an official told CNS wishing anonymity.
He said that the structure is located opposite Baghdadi Restaurant at Shalteng Srinagar.
Meanwhile, locals have appreciated the role of SMC and hoped that the Corporation will take stern action against the violators.
Forces allegedly thrash teachers, teargas student protesters in Handwara
Handwara, Aug 30 : Government Degree College Handwara teachers Wednesday alleged that they were thrashed by Forces personnel who according to them barged into the college and targeted students as well as them.
According to teachers, Government Forces resorted to indiscriminate tear-smoke shelling after the College students staged a protest against the killing of their college student in a fake encounter.
Pertinently, Shahid Bashir Mir was killed by Army in alleged fake encounter in Hefdara forest of Handwara town in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Scores of students amid pro-freedom slogans staged a protest and demanded action against the army personnel responsible for his killing. However, Government Forces swung into action and fired tear-gas shells to disperse the protesting students.
“There was chaos and confusion. During the melee several students were wounded,” said a teacher adding that government forces manhandled many teachers of the college.
World Disappearance Day: DFP urges int’l community to probe disappearances and unmarked graves in Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 30 : On the World Disappearance Day, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has urged the world powers to seriously pursue the case of those Kashmiris who were subjected to enforced disappearance after being taken into custody by Indian forces for the last 27 years.
“As the world observes this Day, it is high time to find out those thousands of Kashmiris who were subjected to enforced disappearance,” a DFP spokesperson said in a statement issued to press.
Giving details, the spokesperson said more than 10,000 persons have disappeared during last three decades. “They were arrested in a broad daylight and no one knows their whereabouts. Their families are living a life of unending miseries and facing challenges at every front of life. They have been reduced to living corpses,” he said.
“During the last few decades, India forces in order to suppress the freedom struggle of Kashmiris resorted to various inhuman tactics and killing to death while subjecting to custodial torture is one among them,” he said.
Referring to thousands of unmarked graves across Valley particularly in south Kashmir, the spokesperson said the world community should take notice of it and pressurise India to reveal the identities of those buried. “It is unfortunate that the international community despite being aware of the reality isn’t taking any action,” he said.
The spokesperson said more than one lakh orphans and 25,000 widows in Kashmir is a human tragedy and the need of the hour is that human rights bodies fulfill their responsibilities in finding out the truth and reasons behind such tragedies and provide justice to the victims.
Forces allegedly thrash teachers, teargas student protesters in Handwara
Handwara, Aug 30 : Government Degree College Handwara teachersWednesday alleged that they were thrashed by Forces personnel who according to them barged into the college and targeted students as well as them.
According to teachers, Government Forces resorted to indiscriminate tear-smoke shelling after the College students staged a protest against the killing of their college student in a fake encounter.
Pertinently, Shahid Bashir Mir was killed by Army in alleged fake encounter in Hefdara forest of Handwara town in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Scores of students amid pro-freedom slogans staged a protest and demanded action against the army personnel responsible for his killing. However, Government Forces swung into action and fired tear-gas shells to disperse the protesting students.
“There was chaos and confusion. During the melee several students were wounded,” said a teacher adding that government forces manhandled many teachers of the college.
Weaker sections of society left to fend for themselves by govt: Tarigami
Nobody listens to their woes'
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Stating that corruption has rendered the system defunct in Jammu and Kashmir despite tall claims of PDP-BJP government to eradicate it, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today said marginalised and poorer sections of the society have been left to fend for themselves by this government.
In a statement issued here, he said, "The weaker and poorer sections of the society have been totally neglected by the government which has severely hit their means of livelihood. The welfare schemes for old aged, destitutes and other weaker sections are virtually defunct. Same is the situation with casual labourers working in different departments. There has been lot of noise on their regularisation. Even the issue was discussed in the Assembly, but till date nothing has been done on ground. Wages of casual laboureres in several departments are pending for several months. The NERGA workers are without wages, widows, old aged and destitutes are moving from pillar to post to get their pension, but nobody is listening to their woes."
"The insensitive approach of the state government towards the long pending legitimate grievances of casual labourers, Anganwadi workers and helpers, contractual employees is unfortunate. These people work with dedication but they have been pushed to the wall and the state government seems to be insensitive towards their well-being."
Stating that the governance deficit has cost the state dearly, he said, "Infilation is so high that for a common man purchasing essential commodities from the market has become difficult. There is no accountability on price control as government is nowhere. Corruption has spread its tentacles everywhere despite tall claims of the government that it will leave no stone unturned to eradicate it. System has become defunct and government is insensitive to the woes of common people. There is a dire need to chalk out a comprehensive policy to regularize the casual labourers. Government should fulfil the promises it has made with casual labourers and contractual employees from time to time without any further delay. How will these people and their families celebrate Eid if government fails in its duty to release their pending wages?"
Tarigami lashed out at the government for its erratic utility services and scarcity of rations at the CAPD outlets, especially in remote and far off areas. "The rations at the CAPD outlets in these areas are either out of stock or of the substandard quality."
The CPI (M) leader urged the government to release the pending wages of casual labourers and contractual employees before Eid festival. He also urged the government to review the cases of prisoners for release on Eid.
Geelani extends greetings to Muslim world on Eid-ul-Azha
Srinagar, Aug 30 : APHC Chairman Syed Ali Geelani today extended greetings to the, Muslim world and people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, wishing them peace, well-being, prosperity and respite from bloodshed.
While referring to Kashmir and Palestine issue, Geelani said that there should be an integrated approach to make a halt to current tense and difficult situtaions in all regions and countries across the world.
Laying stress for overall development, Syed Ali Geelani said that increasing interest of new generation in economic and political fields is welcome step and joint steps and sophisticated institutions are needed to provide them guidance within ambit of Islamic jurisprudence and its teachings to prevent them from going off track.
Geelani expressed his deep concern over the continuous bloodshed and brutalities carried by imperialistic and colonial forces in Kashmir, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and said, In Islam, innocent killing is killing of humanity.
Geelani said that Islam does not allow any innocent killing and says that it would be as if he slew the whole humanity andadded that the fair system of Islam strongly emphasizes the protection and respect of the people belonging to minorities, other religion and faith.
Geelani expressed hope that Haj pilgrims during their prayers in holy city of Mecca will seek blessings from Almighty Allah for integrity, strengthening the brotherhood bonds, wellbeing, amity, tranquility and over all prosperity of Muslim Ummah.
APHC castigates authorities for harassing civilians in Pulwama and Shopian
Srinagar, Aug 30 : APHC spokesman on Wednesday criticized authorities for their rude and heartless approach against civilians in Shopian and Pulwama, said that forces are unnecessarily harassing and intimidating civilians on one pretext or the other.
He said that forces are subjecting civilians to worst treatment and their fundamental rights are being disregarded and trampled and added that all these state sponsored tactics and coercive measures won’t deter us from pursuing our mission.
It is worst human rights violation and people are subjected to humiliation and forces, police and other agencies feel free and unaccountable for their misdeeds, said Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar & while terming police action as bullying against civilians, he added that such uncivilized and heartless tactics are nowhere adopted in civilized societies.
In his appeal to organizations for human rights urged to take cognizance of reports of creating scare, harassment and atrocities inflicted by forces against civilian population in South Kashmir and in nook and corner of the state.
DCJ holds interaction session with Australian photographer
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Department of Convergent Journalism (DCJ), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Wednesday organised an interaction session with Australian photographer, Warren Clarke.
Drawing on his 20 years of experience working in all facets of editorial, commercial and documentary photography, Clarke shared his insight with the students of first and third semester. He also dwelt on technical nuances of photography. Clarke appreciated the work of some of the students, saying that they have tremendous potential to excel in photojournalism.
Coordinator, DCJ, Dr. Asif Khan said: “the interaction with Warren Clarke is inspiring for the students as his work speaks volumes about brilliance in this art.” Dr. Khan advised students to research about the work of Mr Clarke on his websitewww.warrenclarke.org to get an insight into genres of photography.
Clarke started working for daily newspapers such as The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. He covered events for agencies including Reuters, Associated Press and AAP. Warren was a founding member of the renowned Australian photo collective “Oculi” that started operating in the year 2000.
His work has featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek and The Wall Street Journal as well as shooting stills and video for production companies such as The Discovery Channel, BBC and Open Society Foundations. Faculty members also attended the session.
Killing of civilians by unidentified gunmen cause of serious concern: Hakim Yasin
Asks State and Central govts to clarify their stand on Art 35-A
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Expressing serious concern over the rise in killings by unidentified gunmen in various parts of the Valley, especially in south Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and MLA Khansahib Hakim Mohammad Yasin today said it hasn't only terrified the people but puts a big question mark over the way the government is handling the situation.
In a statement to media issued from Srinagar, Hakim Yasin said,"In a throwback to 1990s, the Valley is witnessing the killings by unidentified gunmen again. The killings at the hands of unknown gunmen are not just terrifying but put a big question mark over the way the government is handling the situation. Who are the unidentified gunmen who are killing the innocent people, government needs to answer this."
"Whosoever is being killed is a Kashmiri and government is non-serious over the rise in killings. Government needs to investigate the issue and answer to the people who these unidentified gunmen are," he demanded.
The PDF chief also cautioned both the Central and the State governments against any misadventure to fiddle with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. "We have said it before and repeat it again that any tinkering with Article 35-A would add fuel to the fire as situation in the state is already volatile. The State and the Center need to clarify its stand over the issue as fiddling with Article 35-A will have serious repercussions. Article 370 and Article 35-A has constitutional position and is a bridge between Kashmir and New Delhi. Any fiddling with it will have adverse impact on the relations between State and the Center," Hakim Yasin said.
The PDF chief asserted that the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were ready to give any sacrifice to protect Article 370 and 35-A, which guarantees for special status to J&K in the Indian union. "The proposed abrogation of article 35-A will have serious ramification not only within the State but it would also be very harmful for the country as well," he warned.
The MLA Khansahib urged Indo-Pak leadership to hold a meaningful and time bound dialogue to resolve all the issues including Kashmir. "When China and India can resolve its issues peacefully, why not India and Pakistan," he asked.
Hakim Yasin also asked the government to release the political prisoners before Eid-ul-Fitr on humanitarian grounds.
DIPR organizes 'Radio Storytelling' Workshop
Information Department to offer internship to media students at Jammu, Srinagar: Muneer-ul-Islam
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Noted journalist, broadcaster, author, storyteller, script writer and lyricist Neelesh Mishra known for his famous radio show ‘Yaadon Ka Idiot Box’ today said that seeing the world through the prism of the character is the key for better storytelling.
Mishra was speaking at a daylong workshop on ‘Radio storytelling’ organized for media students by the Department of Information and Public Relations at Media Complex here.
The workshop was attended by the faculty and media students of Media Education Research Centre, University of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora, Govt Women's College MA Road and Government Degree College Baramulla.
Director Information, Muneer-ul-Islam, Joint Director Information (Headquarters) Abdul Majid Zargar, Deputy Director Information (PR) Sheikh Zahoor, Bureau Chief of 'The Hindu' Peerzada Ashiq were also present on the occasion.
Regarding the art of storytelling Mishra said getting involved in the character mentally helps in coming out with good stories.
He asked the students to stress on delivering the message honestly and cited the instance of a postman whose job is deliver the message without adding anything to it.
Mishra offered the media students internship in storytelling at his organization and then turning it into a successful entry opportunity in the media field.
He also asked them to decide and explore early about their career choices and not get influenced by the peers or family pressure. “A person can judge himself in which filed he can do best,” he said.
Mishra shared his journey of life, full of challenges and opportunities from his birth place Nainital to becoming one of the successful voices in the broadcasting world.
He also shared his behind the scene conversation with Mahesh Bhat while researching for a book which led to his debut song for Bollywood 'Jaadu hai Nasha hai' for Jism.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Information Muneer-ul-Islam said the DIPR is always ready to facilitate the media students with different genres of media to enrich their knowledge. He said of late various initiatives have been taken to give professional touch to the functioning of the Department and create avenues and opportunities for the media students.
The Director Information announced that DIPR will soon start Internship for media students, both at Jammu and Srinagar.
He said that many more programmes are in pipeline which would help media students to get required exposure for launching a successful career in media industry.
Govt committed to provide basic amenities to people living in remote areas: Zulfkar Ali
Minister on 2-day visit to Gurez
Gurez, Aug 30 : Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Information, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, today said Government is committed to provide all basic amenities to people living in the far flung areas.
The Minister, who is on a two-day visit to Gurez and Tulail, said this while addressing a public gathering at Davar in Gurez area.
Highlighting Government’s concern for people especially living in far off areas, the Minister said since Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has come from grassroots level, she understands the issues of people better.
The Minister said the welfare of people living in far flung areas is one of the primary concerns of CM who has issued strict directions for ensuring people in the far flung areas never face any kind of scarcity of basic amenities. While highlighting new initiatives taken for uplift of people living in remote areas, the Minister said the CM keeps on seeking update regarding the ongoing developmental steps taken for the welfare of the people living in far flung areas.
The Minister said he was personally keen on visiting Gurez and Tulail areas so that he could get first-hand knowledge of the issues faced by people here.
The Minister also announced to add up 5000 population of the area in BPL category. The area so far had 19000 people falling under the category, and with the addition, the number have now gone up to 24000. He also announced opening up of new 30 Fair Price Shops in the area.
Regarding the issue of scarcity of food grains in the area, the Minister announced increase in the upper limit of 35 kgs of ration to 50 kgs given to BPL families under Mufti Mohammad Syed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) for Gurez area.
Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali also directed Director FCS&CA Kashmir to prepare and distribute 10000 pamphlets among the people to raise awareness about the rights of people in the area.
Later, the Minister also held a meeting with officers meeting, where he appreciated FCS&CA for doing a commendable job in the region. He directed the concerned officers to make frequent visits to the area so that people here do not face any kind of inconvenience.
Later the Minister also visited to tehsil Tulail.
The Minister during his visit was accompanied by Secretary FCS&CA Shafiq Ahmad Raina, Director FCS&CA Kashmir Nissar Ahmad Wani, ADC Bandipora, SDM Gurez and other concerned officers.
Abdul Haq chairs DDB Kulgam meeting
Reviews progress of developmental projects
Kulgam, Aug 30 : Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq today chaired the District Development Board meeting to review the progress of various developmental projects in the district.
The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament, Nazir Ahmad Laway, MLAs Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi), Mohammad Amin Bhat, Abdul Majid Padder, DDC Kulgam Talat Parvez, Heads of concerned departments and sectoral officers besides other concerned officers.
While addressing the Board Meeting, Minister directed the officers to prioritize those schemes and projects which are near completion but linger on due to meager funding so that they can be physically and financially completed.
The chairman exhorted the officers to take the development on mission mode basis so that its fruition is cherished by the general public. The Minister directed the officers that the board decisions should be implemented in letter and spirit as it acts as institution of empowerment for people, which should be strengthened.
The Minister called for judicious use of funds and consolidation of works as per the requirement and asked the executing agencies of various projects to construct buildings as per requirement, not as per the wishes of contractors.
Stating that the Government has strengthened monitoring system to bring more transparency in implementation of various flagship programs, he said that persons found wasting public exchequer will be held responsible and dealt under law. He also stressed on timely completion of projects.
Earlier, DDC Kulgam briefed the Board about progress made in the implementation of various developmental projects till date in the current financial year 2017-18.
He informed the meeting thta Rs 33.45 crore have been spend in the district so far out of the available budget of Rs 56.59 crore in the district. The district has an approved budget of Rs 134.59 crore.
He further informed till date roads of 25 kilometres length have been completed during the current fiscal at the cost of Rs 16.94 crore while work is in progress for completion of 78.46 Kms at the cost of Rs 47.25 crore.
Under R&B sector, Four bridges have also been completed at the cost of Rs 7.42 crore viz Brazloo, Khee, Damhall-Laisoo, Malwan-Khaloora bridges . Work is also in progress on 10 bridges being constructed at the cost of Rs 81.13 crore. The Meeting was informed that work on six bridges will be completed by the end of this year. The bridges were fully washed away during the floods of September 2014 floods.
The ACD Kulgam was also directed to start the work on construction of Akhal-Khulshan road under MGNREGS which shall be completed at a cost of Rs 10 lacs.
It was given out that construction of four buildings including a Drug De-addiction Centre, IPD Block-A, ARTO Office and Sub Centre Adpora at the cost of Rs 24.22 crore . It was stated that there are 16 more projects under execution including construction of various buildings out of which four buildings will be completed during current fiscal that include including Polytechnic College Kulgam , NTPHC Srandoo, Twin Lecture Block Degree College Kulgam. In addition two blocks of residential quarters for sectoral officers at Lirrow will also be completed by the end of this year.
Meeting was further informed that 11 Ultra High Density Apple Plants Orchards have been established in the district while a Model Nursery has also been established.
The department of agriculture has also successfully introduced Mushkibudji and Kamad on 33 plots while High Quality Paddy Seed Villages have also been established over 126 hectares of land. The department of Fisheries provided huts to seven fishermen at the cost of Rs 5.12 lakhs.
It was stated in the meeting that nine Mini Sheep farms have been established in the district this year while 25 bicycles along with ice boxes are targeted to be provided to fishermen for marketing purpose
Under Education sector , the minister was informed that 19 smart class rooms have been established during last fiscal while 16 are at various stages of completion and 22 new smart classrooms have ben approved for the current fiscal. It was stated that 57 seasonal Centers have been established in meadows of zone Devsar and DH Pora for the children of Migratory population. It was given out that 23225 students have also been proposed under District Scholarship Programmes.
The Board was further informed that under MGNREGA, 10000 man days have been generated and 3731 works have been completed so far while there are 1507 ongoing works under the schemes. It was stated that 264 families covered under IAY/PMAY and 668 units have been verified under PMAY.
Under Swach Bharat Mission, the Department has taken up construction of 2856 IHHLs out of which 1072 IHHLs have been finalized. It was said that two blocks viz Pombay and Frisal will be declared Open-Defecation Free by the end of this year.
During the current year 14 Water Supply Schemes will be completed that will cover about one lakh souls of 61 habitations. While a project of Solid Waste Management in the district will also be completed this year which is under execution at the cost of Rs 16 crores.
Under Power Sector, seven towns of the district have been covered under IPDS scheme with estimated cost of Rs 16.99 crore while work has been tendered out for electrification of 150 habitations at the cost of Rs 21.78 crore under DDUGY.
It was stated that 374 Transformers were damaged this year out of which 351 transformers have also been repaired so far. The Chief Engineer PDD apprised the meeting that work on the workshop shall be completed within 3 months so that dependence of Central Workshop and SSI units could be curtailed down.
During the meeting legislators of the district raised numerous issues of public interest in their respective districts while the chairman of the board sought on-spot answers from the officers regarding various issues and passed directions for the redressal of the grievances.
Meanwhile, owing to the slow progress of work execution of different projects and in light of certain complaints regarding technical irregularities in construction of PHCs, the chairman directed the DDC to hold any enquiry into the matter.
Abdul Haq visits slain police officer's family
Pays condolences to bereaved family
Qazigund, Aug 30 : Minister for Rural Development Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq, on Wednesday visited the family of slain police officer Abdul Rashid at Qazigund, who killed in Mehndi Kadal, Anantnag on Monday.
The Minister was accompanied by Member Parliament Nazir Ahmad Laway, DC Kulgam Talat Parvez, SP Kulgam Shridhar Patel and other senior officers of the district.
The Minister paid condolences to the bereaved family and offered Fateah for the departed soul. The Minister also met slain police officer's sons and assured them of every possible support from the state government.
REPORTS FROM : CNS