State
Restore accommodation of Panchs, Sarpanchs: PC to Govt
Srinagar, April 10: Panchayat Conference (PC), a body representing Panchs and Sarpanchs on Wednesday while criticizing the government for withdrawing accommodation of 17 Sarpanchs and Panchs said that they would hit the streets, if their accommodation was not restored at an earliest.
Staging protest at Press Enclave, they said that the move was totally “unacceptable” in a democratic setup.
The protestors said “Even those who possess the accommodation have been asked to vacate.”
Threatening to hit the streets, Secretary PC, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan said the move has been taken without taking note of the repercussions.
“We are giving one weeks’ time to the government. If it didn’t provide the accommodation, we would hit the streets. The onus of any eventuality would come onto the government itself,” he added.
“We fought elections despite threats. Taking away accommodation is quite unfortunate. The government should provide us the accommodation at an earliest,” said Ghulam Mohiddin Wani, a Sarpanch from Budgam.
“No intimation was given to us. We fail to understand, why our accommodation has been taken away. Among us many are not able to stay at home because of one or the other reason,” Wani added.
They also raised concern over the government’s inability to provide salaries to them.
“Our salaries have been withheld for the last four months. We have nothing to spend. We have families, and without salaries we are not able to fulfill their needs,” they added.
“The government should release our salaries at an earliest. It should not force us to resign,” they said.
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 11: Advisor to Governor KK Sharma today directed for early clearances including Right of Works (RoW) so that the pace of implementation of various schemes meant for augmentation of electric infra in the state are paced up.
The Advisor was speaking at a meeting convened to discuss the issues/bottlenecks related to non completion of some part works of various flagship schemes in the PDD sector.
Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, Financial Commissioner Finance Arun Kumar Mehta, Commissioner Secretary PDD, PCCF Forest, Chief Engineer PDD and other senior officers were present.
Divisional Commissioner Mr Baseer Khan, DCs of Ganderbal, Bandipora and other senior officers of District Baramulla and Budgam also participated through video conferencing.
The Advisor directed the Divisional Commissioner to ensure that the bottlenecks in the execution of these works should be removed as early as possible so that the balance work on these can be completed and the schemes are closed. He said that a mechanism should also be worked out to ensure that the issues related to RoWs and land acquisitions are addressed.
The Advisor said that the completion of left over works of some schemes is essential for realizing the commitment of providing adequate and round the clock supply of uninterrupted power. He said that the officers of the PDD should also remain in close coordination with those of district and divisional administration so that the issues are sorted out in regular review meetings.
The meeting discussed the bottlenecks to be cleared for execution of balance works of Zainakot-Alesteng Transmission Line and Grid Station Alesteng and that of Badampora-Bandipora Transmission Line and Grid Station Bandipora so that they can be completed within the targeted dates in the month of October. Necessary directions were passed to the concerned Deputy Commissioners and PCCF to ensure that the bottlenecks related to payment for compensation and land issues are settled at an earliest.
Earlier, Chairman State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) Lokesh Jha called on the Advisor and discussed several issues related to the functioning of the Commission.
The Advisor also discussed various power related issues with the Chairman SERC.
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 11: Government today accorded sanction to the enhancement of stipend from Rs 19500 to Rs 35000 per month in favour of House Surgeons currently working in Government Medical College Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua and GDC Jammu/Srinagar.
Curfew-like restrictions were reimposed on Tuesday in several parts of Kashmir, including the city, to foil any plans on taking out Muharram processions in the Valley as authorities apprehended that large congregations might lead to violence.
Commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas were completely sealed off by placing concertina wires at all entry points where large number of security force personnel were deployed, officials said.
Restrictions have been in several parts of Kashmir as a precautionary measure for maintaining law and order in the Valley, they said.
The officials did not cite any reasons for reimposing restrictions but it is believed that the step was taken to prevent Muharram processions in the city and elsewhere in the Valley. The processions stand banned in Kashmir since 1990 when armed insurgency began.
Muharram is considered as one of the sacred months of the Islamic lunar calendar. The battle of Karbala, in which Hazrat Imam Hussain – the grandson of the Prophet – had attained martyrdom – is said to have been taken place in the 7th century.
Restrictions were first imposed across Kashmir on August 5 when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate the state into union territories. The restrictions were lifted in phases from many parts of the Valley as the situation improved with passage of time.
The authorities have been imposing restrictions in vulnerable areas of the Valley every Friday, apprehending that vested interests might exploit the large gatherings at big mosques and shrines to fuel protests.
Meanwhile, normal life remained severely affected in Kashmir due to shutdown in the Valley which entered 37th day on Tuesday.
Markets and other business establishments remained closed while public transport was off the roads across the Valley, the officials said.