Jammu Kashmir ready for new achievement

 DHARTI KI JANNAT, Kashmir is moving ahead for a new achievement. 9.2 km Cehnani Nashri tunnel going to open on July 16 for public by passing kud, patnitop& batote. This will help in boosting tourist in Jammu Kashmir and tourist will also enjoy passing this tunnel. 

Jammu Kashmir : Law Minister called on SAC Chairperson

The law Minister of J&K Mr. Abdul Haq Khan called on the Chairperson of the J&K State Accountability Commission, Justice BA Khan to discuss the affairs of the Commission and the difficulties faced by it in its functioning. The member of Commission Justice JP Singh was also present in the meeting. Justice Khan apprised the Minister of the difficulties faced by the commission in performance of its statutory duties and steps that were required to be taken to revive the commission and he handed over the copy of the proposed amendments to him to be taken up in next budget session of the state assembly. Justice Khan brought to the notice of the Minister that the commission had been rendered in-effective over the years after multiple amendments and also seeks restoration of the powers of the commission as vested in it by Original Act 2002. The Minister in turn assured the commission of the Government’s support and cooperation to make it an effective and potent instrument of the transparency and accountability in the public administration.

Jammus Kashmir : Think out-of-box to address challenges of urbanization

Asking policymakers to think out-of-box to address emerging challenges of urbanization in Jammu Kashmir, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, underlined the need for proper planning and management to ensure planned development, basic amenities and a decent urban life to its people. According to Mehbooba people are entitled to find in urban settlements a sustainable and economically-viable living environment, which responsibility entirely rests on the shoulders of the state’s urban planners. H&UDD will have to pull up its socks so that we have better results to show to the people.  The Chief Minister made these remarks while reviewing the functioning of the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), at the Civil Secretariat. Besides the Draft Master Plans for Jammu and Srinagar, the projects reviewed by the Chief Minister today included Tawi Riverfront Development, Beautification of Maharaja Hari Palace, Multi-tier Parking in Jammu Bus Stand, Housing Colony at Muthi, setting up of IT Park and development of an Amusement Park by J&K Bank under CSR in Jammu city. Similarly, she also obtained up-to-date status of Rakh-e-Arth Colony for Dal Dwellers at Bemina, Sangarmal Complex, parking-cum-commercial complexes at KMD Bus Stand, Old SMG Complex and Sheikh Bagh, besides proposals for housing colonies at Rakh-e-Gund Aksha. Expressing concern over the present state of urban planning and management, the Chief Minister called for a systemic overhaul and suggested a series of measures to provide efficient infrastructure, solid waste management and building capacities of municipalities so that the minimum service guarantees to the people are provided in a hassle-free manner. She also noted with concern the persistent delay in finalization of Revised Master Plans for Jammu & Srinagar cities, lack of housing policy for EWS (Economically-Weaker Sections) as well removing bottlenecks in extending services notified under Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), which include building permissions and issuance of birth and death certificates. 

On finalization of revised Master Plans for the two capital cities of Jammu Kashmir, the Chief Minister issued directions to engage a team of experts which would examines the Draft Plans and recommends improvements. She also asked the Urban Development Secretary to fix timelines on issuance of notifications so that Master Plans are approved after going through the required mandatory processes. Putting her weight firmly behind new waste management regime that makes garbage disposal scientific and affordable, the Chief Minister stressed upon using cost-effective technologies that can successfully handle segregated and un-segregated waste without harming the environment and ecology. She observed that state’s capital cities cannot afford delaying scientific garbage management anymore.

She was informed by the Commissioner/Secretary H&UDD that while Srinagar has one landfill site at Achan, the winter capital is yet to finalize a similar site for proper garbage disposal. JMC Commissioner, however, told the meeting that a site has been identified at Kot Bhawal for which required departmental procedures, including Environment Impact Assessment and transfer of land are currently in progress.   The Chief Minister was also briefed about the proposal to procure one segregator to be installed at Achan Landfill site at Srinagar, for which she gave Urban Development Secretary a deadline of 45 days to install the same.

Mehbooba Mufti said she will personally monitor the Dal Conservation Plan, development of Rakh-e-Arth Colony and the progress of the solid waste management projects, both in Jammu and Srinagar cities.  In a first step to micro-manage city cleanliness drives, Mehbooba Mufti directed the Urban Development Secretary to introduce an incentive scheme, which assesses the performance of the sweepers in their respective wards over a three-month period and rewards those which are the cleanest. The incentive scheme will be offered to sweepers manning 71 wards of JMC and 74 of SMC respectively. 

Stressing upon restoration of urban spaces to its willful owners, the Chief Minister directed the Municipal Commissioners to launch anti-encroachment drives to free public places so that the city centres are de-congested. She also suggested identification of available spaces where vendors can be collectively accommodated so that they earn their livelihood with dignity, without hindering smooth traffic flow.

The Chief Minister also directed the Municipal Commissioners to interact with various shopkeeper associations so that public spaces are restored to the general public. “Special attention should also be given to creating green spaces by planting trees,” she said, while referring to the barren patches of land at several places in Jammu city.

The Chief Minister also impressed upon the urban planners to create ample recreational avenues for city dwellers for which parks and playgrounds should be developed on priority.  

Handwara Case : Plea in High Court and Protest on Roads of valley  

 After an alleged molestation bid with a student in Handwara too new turn when Jammu and Kashmir High Court directed the police to facilitate a meeting of the girl and her father with her mother''s counsel. High Court sought the state government''s response on a PIL seeking a high level judicial inquiry into the alleged molestation incident in Handwara and subsequent violence. On the other hand Scores of students staged a demonstration in Srinagar demanding release of the girl who is at the centre of the Handwara molestation row in which five civilians were killed during violent protests last week. The protest was organised by All India Students'' Association, Carrying placards, the students staged the protest at Press Enclave alleging that the girl had been “illegally” detained along with her family members. Some of the placards read “the minor girl needs our support not our criticism”, “end denial of legal assistance to her”, “end surveillance and control over the movement of the girl and her family” and “end character assassination of the girl”. They also demanded action against those responsible for the killing of five persons.
A division bench of the High court issued notice to the state government, seeking its response by April 26, the next date of hearing. Meanwhile, a single bench of the court, hearing a plea filed by the mother of the girl against her alleged “illegal detention”, directed that the petition be clubbed with the PIL being heard by the division bench. On the other hand police submitted its status report including the statement of the alleged victim recorded before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Handwara last week. The girl had denied that she was molested by a soldier. The mother of the victim had filed a petition before the High Court last week, seeking release of her daughter, husband and sister who police said were in ''protective'' police custody.

J&K : Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital announces large concessions for major surgeries 

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (SMVDNSH), which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister today, has announced major concessions for patients undergoing major surgeries and other procedures. Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Hrudyalaya Ltd, while speaking at the inaugural function, announced 50% concession on the first 100 major surgeries in each department. Also announced today was a 10% concession on all other procedures for a period of six months from 19th April, 2016. It is pertinent to mention that the Hospital, on commencing operations on 8th April 2016 has already announced free OPD for three months for one and all.  At the inaugural function today, Mediclaim Cards were distributed, on a token basis, by the Prime Minister to the landowners whose lands had been acquired for the establishment of Shri Mata Vaishno DeviUniversity and the  Vaishno  Devi  Narayana  Superspeciality  Hospital. Under this scheme, the said villagers and  their spouses have been insured at the expense of the Shrine Board for hospitalisation expenses upto Rs 1 lakh. The Shrine Board would also be providing free of cost OPD consultation to the villagers of the nearby four villages viz. Sirah, Kakryal, Shool and Kotla.

J&K : Only Women bus service in Kashmir

Atlas women of Kashmir Valley''s got first ever bus service for only women. The exclusive Ladies Special Bus service, inaugurated in summer capital of J&K Srinagar. It would run in Srinagar city from 8 am to 6 pm daily. Much to the delight of the women folk who wanted its frequency to be increased. The service would be provided by Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) and private transporters on various routes of Srinagar. Three buses each will be deployed by JKSRTC and private transporters for the purpose. These buses will ply on hourly basis and Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir and General Manager, JKSRTC would monitor the service regularly. Delighted by the launch of the services, women folk of the city termed the step as very good. One of passenger Riyana said, that It is a very good step. We welcome it as it was the need of the hour. Some time we feel very upward position in full buses. but we have to keep our mouth shut. But now its comfortable for women. Government should post women ticket collector in these buses. 

J&K : PM lands in Jammu, army chief in Kashmir

When Indian Prime minister Narender's Modi's plane landed in Jammu, at the same time Army Chief's Dalbir Singh Suhaga's plane landed in Kashmir Valley. One side PM Modi was giving full assurance to Jammu Kashmir, While Army chief went to Kupwara, where situation is on tense after the death of Five locals while clashes with security forces. Modi invoked the vision of 'Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriat' introduced by former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the way out to resolve problems in the divided state. Modi came out in praise of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and hoped that the formation of new government led by young and energetic leadership would usher in a new era of development across the state. While on the other hand General Suhag reviewed the overall security situation in the valley. He also given valuable direction to Army's officers deputed in valley. PM Modi said, "Government of India with full force will move forward shoulder to shoulder and step by step with state government for changing the destiny of Jammu Kashmir and fulfill the aspirations of people of the state.”

In the mean time Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, described providing a sense of security to the youth as one of her prime responsibilities. According to Mehbooba, people in Kashmir are in pain and suffering and sought cooperation of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in addressing the issue so that no more innocent lives are lost to mindless violence. “We have witnessed several tragic incidents in the past, like in Baljarala in Rajouri, Chittisinghpora in Anantnag and more recently in Handwara, where innocent people have been fatally caught in the vortex of violence. We need to take immediate steps to bring an end to this permanently,” she stated.