Big Decision taken by Modi Government: Details Here

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December 24, 2022

The union government has decided to make ration available for free, and not just on subsidised rates, to those covered under the National Food Security Act at least till December next year.

The decision, essentially, is to subsume under the Act the special free-ration scheme — Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana — started in 2020 after Covid affected livelihoods.

The Act, thus, will now cover over 80 crore people.

After the Cabinet meet under PM Narendra Modi, Minister Piyush Goyal announced the decision, saying that the Yojana had been in effect for 28 months now. Its latest extension was to expire this month.

The move to now make ration free under the Act will cost the government ₹ 2 lakh crore for a year.

Under the Act, originally, rice is to be provided at ₹ 3 a kg, wheat at ₹ 2, millet at Re 1 — each up to 5 kg per person. The Yojana started in March 2020 gave another 5 kg each free of cost over and above this.

Now, the government has made the ration under the Act itself free of cost. This means the benefit given under the special scheme since 2020 will continue, but now be provided under the NFSA umbrella.

“The Cabinet has decided to merge the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana with the National Food Security Act till December 2023,” Mr Goyal announced.

The government had said last week that India has sufficient foodgrain stocks under the central pool to meet the requirement under the National Food Security Act and its other welfare schemes as well as for additional allocation of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

Over 500 CCTVs to maintain surveillance at Vaishno Devi Bhawan on New Year

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December 24, 2022

Expecting heavy rush of pilgrims on the eve of New Year, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has installed over 500 closed circuit cameras to main surveillance at Bhawan situated in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, last year on December 31 midnight, around 12 pilgrims died and several suffered injuries in a stampede due to heavy rush.

Former Judge, Suresh Kumar Sharma Member Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Friday held a meeting with Cadre of Board and Security agencies to review Risk Management Strategies and to determine the broad approach regarding preparedness for safe pilgrimage prior to onset of New Year-2023 on the directions of Board Chairman, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha.

At the outset, the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Anshul Garg briefed about various measures in place and proactive steps taken for smooth regulation of expected influx of pilgrims likely to visit in large number from various parts of the country and abroad the abode of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on the onset of New Year which includes issuance of RFID cards, effective crowd management, working out plans for decongestion of the entire track, particularly the Bhawan area, separation of entry, exit routes at Bhawan and all time surveillance through CCTV dedicated network of over 500 cameras.

The CEO said that the Radio-frequency identification (RFID) based yatra registration cards have been started with the focus to enhance not only the security but also ensure real time tracking of pilgrims on the track enroute Bhawan for better regulation of the pilgrims in accordance with the holding capacity of the trek and the shrine area (Bhawan).

He further emphasized the security agencies not to allow any pilgrims without a valid RFID card for which additional hand held scanners may be put to use with sufficient staff to plug any shortfall.

Garg said that Yatris are being regularly informed through announcement to register under RFID based Registration Card through Shrine Board Registration Counters only before start of their pilgrimage and if any pilgrim found without RFID cards, he will not be allowed for the pilgrimage.

He also underscored that those pilgrims registered under RFID not returning their card after completion of Yatra shall be charged a fine of Rs 100/- as deterrence.

The Chief Executive Officer also discussed the concern about surge in COVID cases and informed that all the stakeholders have been advised to wear masks while dealing with the yatris.

He also informed that the Shrine Board has made wearing of face masks mandatory for every pilgrim attending the Atka Arti and in the darshan queue.

Suresh Kumar Sharma, however, while reviewing the various mitigation measures in place emphasized coordinated efforts amongst all stakeholders for working on strategies for risk aversion and identifies the congestion and crowd holding spots for better crowd management before the onset of New Year.

In the meeting, PS Ranpise, IG, CRPF highlighted major challenges for the deployed security forces in coming days for managing the expected influx of pilgrims on New Year. He briefed that additional forces as per request shall be deployed in and around Katra and on the track enroute Bhawan in coordination with other security agencies to ensure fool-proof security and effective Yatra management.

20 JeI Properties, Some In Geelani’s Name, Seized in J&K

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December 24, 2022

Srinagar, December 24 : Authorities on Saturday attached atleast 20 properties including some in the name of Former Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman late Syed Ali Geelani at Barzulla here.

The properties were attached in different districts of the Kashmir on the recommendations of State Investigation Agency (SIA), official sources said.

They said SIA is also carrying out raids in Budgam, Magam, Pulwama, Awantipora, Kulgam and Srinagar districts.

The district magistrate (DM) Srinagar had already ordered sealing of three properties of Jamat-e Islami (JeI) including two storied residential structures constructed over 17 Marlas of proprietary land at Barzulla, Srinagar recorded in the name of Syed Ali Geelani.

Pertinently, SIA has identified as many as 188 JeI properties across J&K which have either been notified or are under the process of being notified for further legal action. These are as a result of investigation of case FIR number 17 of 2019 U/S 10, 11 & 13 of Police Station Batmaloo being investigated by SIA.

Covid19: No Need To Panic, Situation Under Control, Says J-K Adminstration

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December 24, 2022

Asserting that there is no need to panic in view of rising Covid-19 cases in neighbouring countries as no surge has been reported in the Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor administration on Friday maintained that it is fully geared up to tackle the situation.

The officials said that genome sequencing facilities are being created in both capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar and asked people to go for voluntary testing if symptoms occur.

In a meeting with health experts, Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta called for preemptive measures so that the administration is fully prepared to meet any contingency.

He asked them to activate all the Covid testing facilities so that any person desiring to test finds the facility nearby. He impressed upon them to create ample awareness among public so that no unnecessary scare is created among them.

The Chief Secretary also asked the health department to give booster doses to the vulnerable groups like elderly.

He also directed them for encouraging people to observe the Covid appropriate behavior for safety of one and all.

He asked them to take stock of medicines and other paraphernalia before hand so that people are served better, if need arises.

He said the testing capacity of J&K has been augmented by many folds. The new three COBAS 6800 machines are also being procured for enhancing the facilities further, he added.

It was also revealed that every sample of a positive person is sent for its genome analysis as per the GoI guidelines.

It was revealed that J&K has around 20,000 isolation beds available including 717 ICU, 1,320 ventilators and 5,468 oxygen supported beds. It has a capacity to generate 1,14,366 LPM of oxygen from its 154 plants. The UT also has 4 CBNAAT, 15 TRUENAT labs in its hospitals to generate tests more accurately and quickly, the meeting was informed.

Srinagar records minus 5.4°C as cold wave continues in J&K

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December 24, 2022

Freezing weather conditions continued unabated as mercury saw a further drop in Jammu and Kashmir with Kupwara town and Bhaderwah recording this season’s coldest night while mercury settled at minus 5.4°C in Srinagar on Saturday.

A meteorological department official said that the temperature in Srinagar dropped by 0.6°C against the previous night and was just a notch below 22 December’s minus 5.5°C which was the coldest of the season so far. Overall the mercury was 3.4°C below normal during this time of the year for the summer capital, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.4°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 6.4°C, the same as on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 1.4°C, it was remained the 2nd coldest night this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.9°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night, he said. It was 1.8°C below normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.4°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 0.6°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 5.2°C against minus 5.1°C on the previous night, the official said. While being 2.6°C below normal, it was the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter in the north Kashmir area, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 4.2°C against 6.3°C on the previous night. It was 4.0°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of minus 2.0°C ( below normal by 2.9°C), Batote 0.2 °C (2.5°C below normal), Katra 4.6°C (2.3°C below normal) and Bhadarwah minus 1.5°C, the season lowest so far and 1.0°C blow normal).

In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 13.0°C and 12.5°C respectively, the official said.

Kashmir is under Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 is in its infancy, it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.

“Mainly dry weather till December 25. From 26-30th generally cloudy sky with intermittent light to moderate snow is expected at scattered places of Kashmir, higher reaches of Jammu and light rain in plains of Jammu (60℅chance),” the MeT official said, “Snowfall and below freezing temperature may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on places like Mughal road, Zojila, Karna, Sadna top etc during 26-27th, although there’s no forecast of any Major snow spell.”

NIA conduts raids in Kathua in connection to narco-terrorism case

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December 24, 2022

The National Investigation Agency conducted raids on Saturday, December 24, in Kathua in connection with cross border narcotics smuggling. According to reports, several locations are being raided in the Union Territory.

Reportedly, the NIA officers from Delhi and Chandigarh arrived in Jammu and Kashmir to inspect the case of narco-terrorism, it is alleged that Pakistan has been sending large consignments of narcotics which is being sold in India and the money generated is used in funding terrorist activities in the union terriroty and Punjab.

J&K First To Launch Online Audit Application For Its Line Departments

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December 24, 2022

Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today launched the online application for conducting statutory audit of accounts of it’s line departments.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti; Principal Secretary, PWD; Commissioner Secretary, IT; DG Budget; DG Audit & Inspections and other concerned officers.
Dr Mehta commended the local Audit department for developing this facility. He observed that it will make the process easy and more focused. He advised the department to keep balance between post audit and concurrent audit of accounts.
The Chief Secretary remarked that the system should be made more reliable and productive in terms of outcome. He asked them to forward the new audit manual which includes e-audit to all the offices so that they are made aware about the new systems.
The Chief Secretary also enjoined upon them to link the same with e-office so that officers have insight about the relevant reports and pending audit paras. He maintained that this mechanism should ensure that the audit is more thorough and comprehensive even if the auditors do not visit the auditees physically. He told them to make it both efficient in terms of quality of audit and management of time.
It was given out that it is an integrated single platform tool for access of Financial Information of government departments that even provides access to and use of data from BEAMS/PaySyS as an additional tool.
It was further revealed that this web based audit gives intelligible insights at all stages in an amenable and analytical manner. It aids in seamlessly mapping both Auditor and Auditee besides managing audit teams and define audit schedule.
Moreover it generates audit reports as per configurable report templates available in PDF that can be shared with users through email. Email based alerts on regular update(s) are also sent to auditees for their information and necessary compliance, as was informed on the occasion.
The online audit Platform facilitates audit as per the defined process. The software also acts as a repository of records related to audit and is a good financial audit tool that considerably improves transparency & accountability, the meeting was informed. All communications relating to audit shall be made through this system which shall bring in much needed accountability.
Pertinent to mention here that earlier during 2019-20 Government of India had launched the online audit used primarily to carryout financial audit of accounts at all the three levels of Panchayats viz District, Block and Village Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Line department by Auditors and J&K is the first among States/UTs to launch the same to audit its financial accounts of all the line departments.

Sunrisers Hyderabad buys J&K Cricketer Vivrant Sharma

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December 23, 2022

Vivrant Sharma was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 2.6 Crore in the IPL Mini Auction.

The Young opener is among several J&K players who have caught the eye of IPL franchise scouts ahead of the auction with their big hits.

J&K Crime Branch Books A Person For Allegedly Drawing Two Salaries

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December 23, 2022

The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) filed chargesheet against a government employee for withdrawing salary from two departments simultaneously.

In a handout, the CBK said that its economic Offence Wing produced Challan in case FIR No. 43/2022 U/S 420 RPC of Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir (Now EOW) against Fayaz Ahmad Bhat S/O Abdul Gaffar Bhat R/O Hayan Palpora Kangan before the Hon’ble Court of Passenger Tax Srinagar. The instant case has been registered upon receipt of a written complaint, wherein the complainant alleged that Fayaz Ahmad Bhat is working as CPW in the Education department since year-1997 and is also working as casual labour in the mechanical department of SKIMS since November 2005 and since then he has been drawing his salary from two departments simultaneously, thereby causing loss to the government exchequer.

The spokesperson further stated that, subsequently, an enquiry was ordered to be conducted into the matter which culminated in the registration of Case FIR No. 43/2022 of the Police Station Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir and the investigation set into motion.

During the course of the investigation, it got established that the accused Fayaz Ahmad Bhat has gained a pecuniary advantage/wrongful gain for himself which he was not entitled to, thus committed offence as defined U/S 420 RPC. Thereby the accused cheated and caused the wrongful gain to himself and wrongful loss to the Government exchequer with criminal intention by getting the salary from two Govt. departments simultaneously and accordingly Challan of the said case produced in the court of law for judicial determination, reads the statement.

Indian Army organises painting competition

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December 23, 2022

Indian Army undertook an initiative of organising a “painting competition” at Chhatroo, Dist-Kishtwar (J&K). 25 boys and girls exhibited their talents. The painting of kids reflected the spirit of patriotism and love for country in the young minds. The creativity of the children was commendable and praiseworthy. Various themes of the painting competition evoked patriotism on one hand and love for nature on the other.

In the end, the Indian Army, recognising their efforts gave away prizes to best student from each class. The Indian Army officials praised the participants for showing gritty determination and also encouraged them to practice and excel in all such events in future. The event was also witnessed by various dignitaries of Chhatroo. Teachers and students from the school highly appreciated the efforts of Indian Army towards providing the students with such activities which prove quite helpful in their all-round development.