Plea in top court against J-K HC decision over JKSSB controversy

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March 14, 2023

A petition has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging the Jammu and Kashmir High Court decision relating to the Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) to proceed with the selection process of Junior Engineer (Jal Shakti Department) and Sub-Inspector (Home Department).

The petition has been moved by Advocate Yugandhara Pawar Jha, Advocate-on-Record and Advocate Satya Sabharwal.

The Special Leave Petition has been moved against the judgment and final order dated March 10, 2023 passed by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu.

According to the petitioner, on March 10 the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu without discussing the merits of the case, disposed of the appeals and remit the writ petition back to the single-judge Bench Writ Court for deciding the matter afresh and has directed that interim direction dated December 9, 2022 shall remain in force.

The petitioner further said Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board [JKSSB] shall proceed with the selection process of Junior Engineer (Jal Shakti Department) and Sub-Inspector (Home Department), however, the result of the same shall await further Orders from the High Court.

E-rickshaws to ply on 25 more routes in Srinagar

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March 14, 2023

In a bid to ensure hassle free movement of vehicular traffic in summer capital Srinagar, the Regional Transport Authority on Tuesday said they have designated 25 additional routes for e-rickshaws in addition to the 18 routes already notified to ply in and around the City.

This decision has been taken in the interest of the functioning of e-rickshaws to provide for a smoother public transport service.

Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, while sharing details, citing a notification, said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notification No. S.O. 2812(E) dated 30.08.2016, provides that “the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 66 (dealing with permit for transport vehicles) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 shall not apply to any transport vehicle of the category e-cart and e-rickshaw as defined in section 2A of the aforesaid Act used, or to be used, for the purpose of carriage of goods and passengers with their personal luggage respectively – Provided that the State Governments authorities may impose restrictions on plying of these vehicles in specific areas or specific roads.”

“Whereas, the Regional Transport Authority in its last meeting had defined 18 (eighteen) routes listed at Annexure-A for plying e-rickshaws in Srinagar. Whereas, the number of e-rickshaws in the city has increased substantially and in the interest of functioning of e-rickshaws for a smoother public transport service, it was felt imperative to define the additional routes for e-rickshaws.”

“The issue was considered in the meeting of Regional Transport Authority, Srinagar, convened on 13-03-2023, and it was decided that in addition to the already notified routes, the e-rickshaws shall be allowed to ply on some additional routes in and around Srinagar city”, the traffic regulatory officer said adding now therefore, the e-Rickshaws shall be allowed to ply on the following additional routes with the restriction that no e-Rickshaw shall ply anywhere on the National Highway and from Tengpora Bypass to Sonwar and Jehangir Chowk to Airport road segments in the Srinagar City.

“The routes have been carefully selected, taking into consideration the busy areas, the most popular destinations, and the residential areas. The e-rickshaws have been allowed to operate on 45 routes, covering almost every part of the city.”

The first route runs from Parimpora Bypass (Toyota Showroom) to Dharmunnah. The second one starts from Pantha Chowk and goes to Zewan via Gamander BSF Camp. The third and fourth routes start from Shalteng and go to Sharifabad and Kalunna respectively. The fifth route covers Shalteng to Umerabad/Mustafabad.

The sixth and seventh routes start from Batmaloo and go to Tengpora via Dobhi Mohalla, Firdous Abad Colony, and to Allochi Bagh Gurduwara. The eighth and ninth routes start from JVC and go to Qamarwari via HIG Colony, MIG Boat Colony, and Cement Bridge to Palapora via Guzarbal Colony. The tenth and eleventh routes run from Khumani Chowk to Hakkarmula and Bemina Bye Pass to Khumani Chowk.

The twelfth route runs from Hamdania Colony to Sharifabad via Durbal. The thirteenth and fourteenth routes start from Maharaj Gunj and go to Chattabal via Aali Kadal Watal Kadal Safakadal and Cement Bridge via Malik Sahib Ghaisi Mohalla and Zaina Kadal to Shaheed Gunj. The fifteenth route runs from Nawa Kadal to DC Office via Jama Latta Nawab Bazar Zaldagar Sona Masjid Karfalli Mohalla. The sixteenth route starts from Mirwaiz Manzil and goes to Wazapora, Nawa Kadal, Jamallata, Nawabazar, and SMHS Hospital.

The seventeenth and eighteenth routes start from Gojwara-Nowhatta-Malkah-Rainawari and Rawalpora to Baghi Mehtab via Flood Channel Road. The nineteenth and twentieth routes run from Rawalpora to Peerbagh via Flood Channel Road and Kralpora to Wanabal. The twenty-first and twenty-second routes start from Tengpora Bridge to Narkara and Hyderpora Chowk to Shah-Anwar Colony/Gulbarg Colony/Gul-Bahar Colony.

The twenty-third and twenty-fourth routes run from Chanapora Bridge via Gulshan Nagar to Baghi Mehtab Housing Colony and Chanapora to Ahmad Hospital via Methan. The twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth routes run from Srinagar Railway Station to National Highway Bypass and Nowgam Bypass to Arebagh, Magraypora, Mochua. The twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth routes start from B.K Pora to Kralpora and Nowgam Bypass to B. K Pora.

The twenty-ninth and thirtieth routes run from Sempora to Balhama via Zaffron Colony and Ram Bagh to Jawahar Nagar and Rajbagh via Bund. The thirty-first route runs from Broadway to Indra Nagar, among others. (GNS)

5.9 Million Tonnes Of Lithium Found In J&K Will Be Auctioned

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March 14, 2023

Union Minister for Coal and Mining, Pralhad Joshi, has said that Jammu and Kashmir will put on sale the lithium block discovered last month. For the first time in the history of modern India, lithium reserves were found in a huge quantity in Jammu and Kashmir last month.

A whopping 5.9 million tonnes of lithium were found in the union territory, as per the the government. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries.

“The mineral block will be auctioned as Composite License (CL) by the Government of Union Territory of J&K. The financial viability will be determined after auctioning by the successful bidder,” Joshi said in Rajya Sabha.

The expected date of extraction of lithium will depend upon successful auction of the mineral block.

“GSI (Geological Survey of India) carried out a G3 stage project during Field Season 2020-21 and 2021-22 in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir and estimated an inferred resource (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore and the report has been handed over to the Government of Union Territory of J&K,” the minister said.

In a separate reply, the minister said that GSI generates baseline geoscience data through mapping, e.g. geological, geochemical, geophysical which is a prerequisite for identifying the potential area for systematic mineral exploration.

Based on the mapping data, GSI carries out systematic mineral exploration activities for various major mineral commodities including lithium.

“In part of Jammu & Kashmir, as a follow up of lithium exploration in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, GSI has taken up another reconnaissance G4 stage exploration programme on lithium and associated mineral in Panasa – Dugga – Baldhanun – Chakar – Sangarmarg (Saro-da-Bas) area of Reasi district during current field season 2022-23 and the work is in progress,” he said.

Based on the mapping outcome more exploration programme on various mineral commodities including lithium will be taken up in future in different parts of the country including Jammu & Kashmir.

Generally cloudy, dry weather expected in J&K till March 17: MeT

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March 14, 2023

The meteorological department has predicted generally cloudy but dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir till March 17 while as the minimum temperature recorded a slight decrease on Tuesday.

Quoting a meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 5.3°C against 5.8°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the summer capital.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 0.4°C against 1.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.6°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was 2.9°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 14.7°C against 14.8°C on the previous night. It was 0.7°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil, he said, recorded a low of minus 4.2°C and minus 3.9°C respectively.

He said till March 17, “generally cloudy with dry weather” was expected.

“Afternoon thunderstorms at isolated places can’t be ruled out,” the official said, adding, “Generally cloudy with intermittent light rain with thunder at scattered places was expected during March 18-21.”

Raids underway at multiple locations across J&K

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March 14, 2023

Raids underway at multiple locations across J&K

The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday carried out searches at several locations in the Kashmir Valley in a case related to militant conspiracy.

Report said that the NIA raids were underway at 6 locations in the Kashmir Valley.

He said the case was filed last year alleging criminal conspiracy for carrying out militant and subversive activities hatched by the cadres and OGWs of various proscribed organisations and their affiliates and off-shoots, operating under various pseudo names, at the behest of their Pakistani handlers.

The officials said the suspects are involved in carrying out attacks by using cyber-space in J&K, targeting of minorities, security personnel and spreading communal disharmony.

“Initial searches carried out last year had led to seizure of digital devices which were analysed forensically. Current searches are based on those leads,” he said.

Searches were underway at different locations in Srinagar, Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian.

Those, who gave jobs to terrorists, have no right to talk about fair recruitment: LG

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March 14, 2023

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a veiled dig at the opposition parties, stated that those who gave jobs to the terrorists and the members of their families had no moral right to talk about fair recruitment. “How can they, who gave jobs to the terrorists and the members of their families, talk about fair recruitment? What moral right do they, who resorted to one lakh backdoor entries to recruit such people that it has become so difficult for the administration to run its affairs, have to talk about this issue (fair recruitment)? They don’t have any ethical right to give moral lessons to others,” he said.

LG Sinha was addressing the gathering after inaugurating and laying foundation stones of projects worth more than Rs 155 crore under Jammu Smart City here.

With reference to the ongoing protests against Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board, LG Sinha reiterated that his administration was committed to free, fair recruitment in a transparent manner where merit would be the only criterion.

“Some complaints were received which were substantiated and a number of people were found involved. Immediately after malpractices were established, without any delay, the exams were cancelled. The investigation in the case was handed over to the premier investigative agency of the country – the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). I believe that the CBI is the best agency, which can conduct (such an) investigation in an effective and credible manner. It (CBI) has arrested many people in this connection,” he stated, while referring to the action taken by his government following allegations of malpractices in the conduct of exams for JKP SIs, JEs (and FAAs).

The Lieutenant Governor remarked that the investigation was being carried out in the best possible manner, followed by the strictest possible action.

“I assure you that the long arm of the law will catch the guilty, howsoever, powerful or influential they may be and it will bring them to justice. They will have to pay a price for sure with an exemplary punishment. Following it (scrapping of exams and initiation of action against the guilty), fresh exams were conducted and selections were made in a transparent manner. However, some youth are objecting to it (selection),” he said.

Hinting at ongoing protests against JKSSB, LG Sinha said that deliberate attempts were being made to halt or sabotage the process of recruitment.

Reassuring the youth of J&K about the fairness of exams recently conducted (by the JKSSB), he said, “I’m openly declaring here – anyone who feels or finds some bungling or malpractices in the exams conducted may come forward to share it with us. We take the responsibility to hold a free and fair investigation, fix the accountability and scrap the exam if it (malpractice) is proved at any stage of its (exam’s) conduct. We assure stringent action against those who will be proven guilty of it (malpractice) as per the law established under the Constitution. This is our solemn pledge to you.”

However in the same breath, he cautioned the youth against getting swayed away by misplaced notions and vicious propaganda of vested interests.

He assured that recruitment would be made only on the basis of merit with transparency.

“I assure you that merit and transparency will be the sole criteria for jobs. Gone are the days when the jobs would be on sale in the shops and one would need some contacts to procure a (government) job. Hence I caution and appeal to my young friends to have faith in us. If you come across any trace of malpractice in the (recruitment) process just bring it to our notice and rest assured, the guilty, whosoever he is, will not be spared,” the Lieutenant Governor asserted.

“However, don’t get carried away by those instigating you with a false narrative as they are the ones who shattered your dreams. They are those people who only looted (the people) either in the name of jobs or land (in the past). Finding no way out to escape the repercussions of their illegal acts now they are provoking people to serve their own ends. So the youth of J&K should remain rest assured, neither any malpractice has occurred in these exams nor will it be allowed. There will be no place for the corrupt in J&K now,” LG Sinha assured.

Centre unveils Rs 1,18,500 crore budget for J-K

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March 14, 2023

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled Rs 1,18,500 crore budget for Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory for the next financial year.

As per documents laid in the Parliament today, the total budget estimates for the fiscal is Rs. 1,18,500 crore, of which developmental expenditure is of the order of Rs. 41,491 crore.

“The capital component of the budget has increased substantially. The expected revenue receipts are Rs 1,06,061 crore whereas revenue expenditure is expected to be Rs 77,009 crore, thereby making available revenue surplus for capital expenditure to the tune of Rs 29,052 crore,” reads the budget document.

This was the fourth consecutive budget of Jammu and Kashmir to be presented in the Parliament. The budgets of 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 were also presented in the Parliament in absence of an elected government in the Union Territory.

Mother-Son duo held with charas like substance in Bandipora: Police

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March 13, 2023

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said that it has arrested mother son duo along with charas like substance packed in sachets and recovered Rs 6980 from their possession in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

A Police spokesperson said, “Bandipora Police recovered charas like substance packed in sachets along with a cash seizure of Rs 6980 from the mother-son duo Posha Begum and Aqib Waza, whose father Khurshid Waza (MANDELA) has already been booked. Cognizance taken in Ps Bandipora.

Thieves stole car, hit its owner in Jammu

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March 13, 2023

Injured Abdul Hanif talking to the media.

Thieves stole car, hit its owner in Jammu

Jammu: Some brazen thieves on Monday allegedly stole a man’s car from Bhatindi area of Jammu and after stealing it ran the vehicle over its owner, left him wounded on Monday.

The report said that the mishap took place when some burglars barged into the house of Mr Abdul Hanif in Bhatindi and stole his car, but when he confronted them in order to stop them from stealing his vehicle, the thieves drove the car over him and wounded him.

Also Read: Achievement: Jammu Police arrests interstate drug smuggler with 200g drugs

Talking to the media, Mr Abdul Hanif, said, “I don’t know the robbers. They stole our vehicle from our house, they posses a duplicate key which they used to access my car”.

Watch Report by Ashish Kohli

“When I came in front of the car to stop them they tried to kill me and hit me. When I raised the alarm locals came out to see”, he said.

“My children took me to the police station and when we reached there SSP sir told my kids to take me hospital. The govt has no facility for us, not even a single policemen came to inquire about my condition”, he added.

“After the incident my villagers came for my aid, they lifted me up from the road and kept me aside and told me to visit police station”, he remarked.

“A Kashmiri boy who was wearing a half t-shirt stole my car, there was another with him and another man was lying in the back of my car”, he remarked.

“SSP Zulfikar sir also came and called SHO and told him to take my matter seriously saying that I’m his neighbour”, he said.

“The police should recover my vehicle from robbers and should apprehend them”, he asserted.

“The thieves have fractured my leg”, he said.

Jammu: BSF officer dies of suspected heart attack

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March 13, 2023

file pic, image for representational purposes

Jammu: BSF officer dies of suspected heart attack

An assistant sub-inspector of Border Security Forces died of a suspected heart attack in Mendhar on Monday morning, officials said.

Identifying the deceased as one B L Jonko, an official said that the ASI rank officer complained of being unwell while he was getting ready for his routine duty. The officer, they said, soon after collapsed and started frothing from mouth.

Also Read: Car brutally damaged in terrible Road Accident in Jammu

“Upon sensing emergency, the colleagues evacuated him to SDH Mendhar where despite all possible efforts, the officer couldn’t be saved,” they said.

BMO Mendhar confirmed about the death of the officer at a health facility in Mendhar.

It has been in the meantime learnt that police has initiated investigation into the possible cause of death of the officer.