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In a state of 6 lakh jobless, 50k govt posts lie vacant
SCs, STs corp uses growth funds to pay staff salaries
5 militants killed in encounter
House nod to more ‘humane’ safety Act
Zero Bridge over Jhelum to become motorable soon
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Governor visits Vaishno Devi, reviews development projects
Water taxi service from April 15
Reasi-Katra route a dumping ground for municipal committee
SHRC annual report
BSF sets up rights cell for Valley
CAG attributes food grains pilferage to poor monitoring
Geelani calls for shutdown against Fai’s imprisonment
Jammu-Rajouri highway riddled with potholes
Ahead of darbar move, efforts on to streamline traffic in Srinagar
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In a state of 6 lakh jobless, 50k govt posts lie vacant
Jammu, April 5 Sources told The Tribune that despite the large number of vacant posts in various departments, the government was unable to advertise them following “abnormal growth” in expenditure on the salaries of government employees. At present, there are about 4.5 lakh government employees, both gazetted and non-gazetted, in the state. “The salary bill of the state government, which was about Rs 282 crore in 1988-89, has swelled to more than Rs 12,000 crore in 2011-12,” a source said. According to the documents tabled in the Assembly recently, the state government has claimed that it referred over 17,000 posts to different recruiting agencies under the “direct recruitment” quota, while the vacancies under the “promotion quota” were to be filled as per the laid procedures and norms. The government further claimed that it created 24,693 new posts (6,301 in gazetted, 15,378 in non-gazetted and 3,014 in class-IV category) during the last three years. “At present, there is only one proposal of the Home Department to create 585 posts of different categories and it is under examination of the Finance department,” it stated. Sources said an amount of Rs 9.39 crore was disbursed among 24,724 unemployed youth as Voluntary Service Allowance in 2010-11, while it nearly doubled in 2011-12 when Rs 18.83 crore was disbursed among 34,474 unemployed youth. “As the state’s salary and pension bills have touched a whopping Rs 16,000 crore annually, the state government has limited resources to recruit more people in the government sector. To reduce non-plan expenditure, particularly revenue expenditure on account of salaries, the government recently decided to go for fresh recruitment against non-gazetted posts on a stipendiary mode for the first five years of service,” the source added. They maintained that the government had apprehensions that it would have lesser resources for development works and the execution of public welfare schemes if it didn’t put in place the “expenditure control mechanism”. The Economic Survey report 2011-12, however, reveals that the government has planned to create some five lakhs job opportunities in the state in the coming five years under the newly formed Sher-e-Kashmir and Welfare Programme for the Youth (SKEWPY). While one lakh unemployed youth will be recruited in the government sector, the government will arrange employment avenues for two lakh youth through skill development programmes in handicraft and handloom sectors. The remaining jobs will be created in various sectors like poultry, sheep and dairy, tourism, handicrafts, handlooms and food processing.
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SCs, STs corp uses growth funds to pay staff salaries
Jammu, April 5 This was stated in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. It has revealed that the fund was diverted without the consent of the government, which has released Rs 2.20 crore during 2008-11 under the Share Capital Contribution to the corporation, which was incorporated in 2008 under the administrative control of the Social Welfare Department. As per the report, instead of utilising money for development of the tribal communities and weaker sections, the corporation deprived the beneficiaries of various schemes launched by the government. “The monthly utilisation of funds had not been sent to the administrative department as was stipulated in the sanction governing the release of the Share Capital Contribution leading to violation of the terms and conditions of the government sanctions,” says the report. However in its defence, the management says that it has no regular income to meet the salary and administrative expenses. Despite the government being constantly approached for enhanced budgetary support, it was not provided, “forcing it to divert share capital for payment of salary and other administrative expenses”, says the corporation. The corporation was formed as a service institution responsible for providing self-employment avenues to the target groups, including SC, ST, backward classes and notified minorities. To achieve the objective, the company acts as a State Channelising Agency for five apex-level corporations of the Government of India for various financing schemes for the tribal communities and weaker sections. “The company, being a service institution, depends on the budgetary support from the state government,” says the CAG. The apex-level corporation releases funds to the company for financing the income generation units amongst the targeted groups, strictly in accordance with the standard conditions of the Term Loan Scheme, which stipulates that 10 per cent of the project cost is to be financed by the company by way of subsidy and Margin Money Loan. “The reply is not convincing as the company should have obtained special sanction of the government for diversion of the share capital contribution, which it had failed to so, rendering the diversion unauthorised and irregular besides denying benefits of financing schemes to the targeted groups,” says the report. |
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5 militants killed in encounter
Srinagar, April 5 The police said a joint operation was launched by the 21 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army and the police in the dense forests of Kramhoora. “The militants hiding in the forests resorted to heavy fire, which was retaliated ensuing in an encounter, in which five militants were killed when the last reports came in,” a police spokesman said. “The hiding militants were asked to surrender. However, they opened fire resulting in an intense fight,” Defence spokesman Lt Col J S Brar said. The identity of slain militants was being ascertained as the operation was in progress till the filing of this report. A major encounter had taken place in the same area on March 28, in which five militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed.
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House nod to more ‘humane’ safety Act
Jammu, April 5 The draft of the Act, approved by the Cabinet, was sent back by Raj Bhawan on December 11, 2011, after Governor N N Vohra had raised queries on a particular clause pertaining to detention of youth below 18 years of age under “differentiated categories” (state residents and non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir). As per the amended form of the Act, the government has reduced the detention period under the Act from two years to six months, while any person below the age of 18 years will not be detained under this law. In response to the objections raised by the Governor, the government has now provided “safety cover” of minimum age limit to both state and non-state subjects. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar, while speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on the last day of the budget session yesterday, said the government was committed to “making all laws more humane”. “We are also committed to revoking these laws as and when the situation improves in the state,” he maintained. The minister said any person below the age group of 18 years would not be detained under the law. “The maximum period of detention of 12 months stipulated in Section 18 of the Act -- in case of persons acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public law and order — has been reduced to three months in the first instance and extendable to 12 months,” he maintained. Similarly, in case of persons acting in any manner — prejudicial to the security of the state — the period of detention has been stipulated to six months in the first instance and extendable up to two years. |
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Zero Bridge over Jhelum to become motorable soon
Srinagar, April 5 The Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC), Madan Gupta, said today the
Zero Bridge, which was declared unsafe for plying of vehicles, is being strengthened and upgraded to a motorable bridge. He said the protection and upgrade work of the bridge has started and it is likely to be completed within the shortest possible time. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has given directions to the JKPCC to take measures to protect and safeguard the heritage bridges. Gupta said a new Zero Bridge would be constructed on the Jhelum at an alternate feasible site in the area, for which preparation is in progress. He said the Chief Minister had directed for taking measures to restore and strengthen the unsafe Zero Bridge to extend its life. He had also directed for adding footpath to the existing bridge. “A scheme was approved for strengthening and rehabilitating the iconic Zero Bridge at a cost of Rs 2.3 crore,” he said, adding that the work has been initiated under the scheme. Gupta said the JKPCC is also rehabilitating and strengthening the Zaina Kadal Heritage Bridge in old Srinagar city at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore.
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Governor visits Vaishno Devi, reviews development projects
Jammu, April 5 The Governor, who is the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state. He was accompanied by First Lady Usha Vohra, Chief Executive Officer Navin Kumar Choudhary, Additional CEO Mandeep K Bhandari, Reasi DC Sheetal Nanda, Reasi SSP Atul Goel, Katra SP Mohan Lal and senior board officers. The Governor asked the CEO to speed up the construction of pony stand and immediately commence work on the new locker complex in the bhawan area. The 4-storey pony stand, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.57 crore, will provide space for 350 ponies. The 4-storey new locker complex, estimated to cost Rs 2.40 crore, will provide about 3,000 lockers. Vohra also asked the CEO to identify suitable sites for creating additional locker complexes. He was apprised that the construction of the Parvati Bhawan (at the main bhawan), with a capacity of around 150 beds, is scheduled to be completed this year. He stressed on the completion of all projects within the envisaged time frames. The Governor discussed with the CEO and the Additional CEO of the board various facets of the comprehensive plan formulated to upgrade infrastructure from Katra to the holy cave. These included augmenting accommodation facilities for the pilgrims, improving availability of water, sanitation, solid waste management, widening and re-tiling of all the tracks, smoothening of gradients and segregation of mules and pilgrims track by installing dividers. The Governor was briefed that the work on the mule track from Katra to Adhkwari is going apace and would be completed soon. Steps are being taken to increase manpower and use systems for ensuring better sanitation on the entire yatra track as well as in the bhawan area. He also reviewed the status of the material ropeway project from Siar Dabri to the bhawan and passenger ropeway from the bhawan to the Bhairon Temple. The Governor also reviewed the progress of various activities being undertaken as part of the year-long silver jubilee celebrations of the shrine board, which commenced in August 2011. These included the special sanitation drive involving manual collection and disposal of garbage, setting up additional toilet units along the track and undertaking extensive renovation of the existing toilet blocks. Enroute Sanjichhat to the holy cave, the Governor reviewed the progress of the plantation drive. He was briefed that 2.25 lakh saplings were planted from July 2011 to March 2012. He issued instructions to the CEO to take all required measures for the continuous repair, improvement and beautification of the track. He also interacted with the pilgrims and enquired about their views and impressions about the facilities available for the pilgrimage. Majority of them expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. |
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Water taxi service from April 15
Srinagar, April 5 Stating that tenders had been invited from water taxi operators and vessel owners desirous of plying water transport on the river, an official said the service would soon be launched on a “massive” scale. While the Irrigation and Flood Control Department Kashmir has sought tenders for mechanically driven 18-seater water taxis, the government intends to extend the service from Chattabal Veer to Pampore in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Under the Rs 323-crore plan, the authorities would also develop bunds on the Jhelum from Sonawar to Dubji Ghat while 12 terminal buildings have been proposed to be constructed from Pampore to Chattabal. The government has gone ahead with the project despite objections raised by the houseboat owners of the Jhelum. They have expressed fears that their houseboats would get damaged once the ferry service is started on the river. The houseboats owners have also demanded proper rehabilitation and shifting of their boats to the Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake. Last month, the houseboat owners of the Jhelum had taken out a procession in their shikaras (boats) against the government’s decision to launch water taxi service. —
TNS |
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Reasi-Katra route a dumping ground for municipal committee
Katra, April 5 Barely 500 metres from Katra towards Reasi, the MC dumps garbage regularly alongside a gorge. A foul smell emanates from the garbage scattered all over the place. Pilgrims on the way to the Shivkhori as well as daily commuters between Katra and Reasi find it difficult to pass by. Besides creating unhygienic conditions, the garbage, during the rains, flows into the sacred Ban Ganga. Its water is used by people for various purposes, including domestic chores. The district administrative officers too have to take this road to reach the district headquarters in Reasi. Angrez Singh, District Officer, Pollution Control Board, said the Katra MC had been using this spot as a dumping ground for the past seven years. “We have served several notices on the MC to stop using the place for dumping garbage and make proper arrangement for the purpose. The issue was also taken up at the District Planning Board’s meeting, but to no avail,” said Singh. |
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SHRC annual report
Jammu, April 5 The prisoners are not taken to courts on time to face trials, thereby prolonging their stay in the over-crowded prison for years. These observations came from the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (JKSHRC). In its annual report 2010-2011 tabled yesterday in the Upper House, the SHRC observed that there is overcrowding in the jail. The inmates complain that they are not taken to courts punctually and regularly. Therefore, the proceedings in the courts are delayed and delay is caused in disposal of cases, reads a paragraph of the SHRC report. Most of the inmates have complained that they are in the district jail for years, only because their cases are not speedily disposed of. The SHRC pointed out that the jail authorities face a number of problems relating to inmates’ health, prison discipline and management of inmates because of the overcrowding. “The jail is understaffed as out of 78 sanctioned posts of warders/SG warders/head warders, only 66 are in place leaving 12 posts vacant,” reads the report. Commenting on the medical care and 10-bed hospital in the prison, the SHRC report stated that no permanent doctor was posted in the hospital, while para-medical staff was also not provided as per the sanctioned strength. The SHRC also pointed out that in the past two years, no district-level official had visited the jail. |
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BSF sets up rights cell for Valley
Srinagar, April 5 The human rights cell is being headed by Deputy Commandant KS Rawat and has been set up at the BSF headquarters located at the Humhama area in the outskirts of the city, a BSF spokesperson said here. He said the cell would monitor the progress of cases referred by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), probe cases of human rights violations and also endeavour to prevent the occurrence of such incidents. The cell would also sensitise the BSF personnel over the value of human rights besides sensitising the public over the “role and task” of the BSF men in the Valley. The BSF cell would also work with the local NGOs and human rights bodies during investigations.
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CAG attributes food grains pilferage to poor monitoring
Jammu, April 5 Not only was the prescribed system violated but a tainted employee, who is a “chronic defaulter”, was entrusted with the job of managing important stores of the CAPD in different areas. The CAG report mentioned that the Assistant Director, CAPD, Udhampur, in the course of inspection of food store noticed huge shortages in the food grains stock. A physical verification in 2011 revealed shortages in the stock of wheat, atta, rice and sugar to the tune of Rs 64.57 lakh and the store keeper in charge, a class IV employee, posted at the food store was placed under suspension. The report observed that the class IV employee, who was entrusted with the job of store keeper, had been a “chronic defaulter”. The employee had been placed under suspension in 1993 but was reinstated in August 2000. Subsequently, he again pilfered food grains during his tenure as storekeeper at the CAPD stores at Chenani and Basantgarh. Before his posting at CAPD, Udhampur, the employee had pilfered food grains worth Rs 4.48 crore as salesman at his previous place of posting at the CAPD store in Ramnagar. “We noticed that the department had not taken any disciplinary action against the official and instead the official had been posted as storekeeper of the Udhampur store -- the biggest in the region -- in February 2010,” the report mentioned, adding that “it was noticed that despite teams for physical verification of various stores having been constituted by the Director, CAPD, the physical verification of the stocks lying in Udhampur store had not been conducted.” |
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Geelani calls for shutdown against Fai’s imprisonment
Srinagar, April 5 After a meeting of the advisory council of the Hurriyat amalgam held here on Tuesday, Geelani issued an appeal to transporters, government employees, shopkeepers and the public urging them to observe a shutdown on April 7 against the imprisonment of Fai, whom he described as a “bold ambassador” of Kashmiris and a “victim of Indian lobbying” in the US. Alleging that the Government of India had launched a “diplomatic front” against Fai, the separatist leader said he (Fai) was only working as a “spokesman” of the people to draw international attention towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue. According to the media reports, Fai (62) was sentenced to two years’ jail by a US court on March 30 for conspiring to defraud the US by concealing the transfer of $3.5 million from Pakistan's ISI to fund his illegal lobbying efforts on Kashmir. Fai’s 2-year jail term will be followed by three years of supervised release. He has been asked not to maintain any contact with the officials and agents of the Government of Pakistan and the ISI. Fai had been arrested by the FBI on July 19.
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Jammu-Rajouri highway riddled with potholes
Rajouri, April 5 Though several review meetings have been held in the past to improve road connectivity to the hilly regions of the state yet the crucial Jammu-Rajouri highway is in a poor condition. “The poor maintenance of the road from Nowshera to Rajouri not only spoilt our mood but also damaged our vehicle due to the presence of potholes,” said Iqbal, a tourist from Delhi. He declared that he would think twice before planning a visit again to the region. “As a majority of the tourists arrive in the state using surface transport, the neglected condition of roads is a dampener to the promotion of tourism,” said Sahil, a local restaurant owner. “No comprehensive road planning policy has been in place in the state. The planning of works is not up to the mark,” a local resident said. The Commandant, Border Road Organisation (BRO), Satya Narayan, said: “We are fully aware of the problem and we are planning to use modern methods to improve sustainability of black topping by increasing the sub-base, as the soil of the region is different and has not been able to hold the traditional way of road binding.” “A Rs 5-crore project to increase the sub-base of black topping on the 13-km highway from Nowshera to Rajouri is awaiting the nod of the Ministry of Surface and Transport,” he said. “Fifty personnel are deployed on the national highway and repair work is going on,” he added. |
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Ahead of darbar move, efforts on to streamline traffic in Srinagar
Srinagar, April 5 The meeting discussed various suggestions for removing bottlenecks, particularly problems created by footpath vendors in various areas, pushcart owners and shopkeepers, who occupy footpaths illegally. The SP, Traffic, Srinagar, and the SP, Srinagar, were asked to ensure removal of hurdles for hassle-free movement of traffic in the city. Meanwhile, the Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, GN Qasba, disclosed in the meeting that in the first phase, traffic signals would be installed at four vulnerable places in Srinagar city like Rambagh, Jehangir Chowk, Dalgate (Badyari-Chowk) and Radio Kashmir in the first week of May. Other locations of both the corridors would be covered by June 2012. He also informed the meeting that a British-South African company would install a free of cost traffic signal at Karan Nagar Chowk in the first week of May, 2012. The meeting was told that widening of roads at many places, including in downtown Srinagar, was in full swing while work on the upcoming flyover from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora was also in progress.
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As part of the preservation of heritage bridges, the government has launched protection and conservation of the historic
Zero Bridge on the Jhelum to make it a motorable bridge.
Governor NN Vohra today visited the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and took stock of the various ongoing development projects launched by the shrine board for expanding and upgrading the facilities for the pilgrims.
The Governor, who is the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state.
The Municipal Committee, Katra, removes garbage from the base camp of the Vaishno Devi to provide a clean environment to the pilgrims. However, it dumps the garbage on the Katra-Reasi road that leads to the shrine, creating unpleasant conditions for the pilgrims to the Shivkhori shrine.
Despite crores of rupees being spent on construction and improvement of National Highway roads in the state, the government agencies have failed to maintain the over 150-km-long
Jammu-Rajouri National Highway, particularly the stretch between Nowshera and Rajouri which is in a deplorable condition.
Official statistics reveal that there are 5,242 posts in gazetted cadre, 35,594 in non-gazetted and 11,240 in class-IV category lying vacant in various departments. The number of registered job seekers has increased from 1,11,564 in 2007 to 6,01,847 till November 2011, registering an increase of 439 per cent during the period. 
