Jammu, Srinagar to be transformed into eco-friendly cities: LG

Published from Srinagar | Jammu RNI No: 48956/88 Vol: 34 No. 237 Pages: 12 Rs. 5.00 epaper.GreaterKashmir.comGreaterKashmir.com, GreaterKashmir.net, GreaterKashmir.news

SUNDAY, August 29, 2021 20, Muharram, 1443 34th Year of publication

COLUMN ONE

SRINAGAR-JAMMU

HIGHWAY STATUS

From both sides

C VIDWATCH

Active Positive

Jammu 337Kashmir 874

Recovered & Discharged


Deaths


Jammu & Kashmir

MUKEET AKMALI

Srinagar, Aug 28: Over 640 kanals of the Wular Lake – South Asia’s one of the larg-est freshwater lakes- have been encroached upon, divi-sional administration here has revealed.

“In total 640 kanals of land is under encroachment including the government authorized/ accommodated Sher colony. It was apprised that there was approxi-mately 90 kanals of land under encroachment situ-ated at outer parameters of the Wular Lake out of which encroachment at 10 kanals have been removed,” reads an official note of a meeting chaired by Divisional Com-

missioner on conditions of wetlands in Kashmir.

Wular is the largest lake of Kashmir and a flood basin which has witnessed mas-sive encroachment during the last few decades.

The massive encroach-

ment has its adverse impact on the health of the lake including decline in the fish population and quality of the water.

As per official note, Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla and Bandipora,

the divisional administra-tion has noticed that a major portion of the lake has been encroached upon.

Earlier the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took a strong note on the condi-tion of the lake, particu-larly unscientific dumping of waste and encroachment around Wular Lake and has sought action plan from the Union Territory administra-tion for each of the wetland within one month for fur-ther action in a time bound manner.

In response to the NGT directions, as per the official note, the Divisional adminis-tration has ordered that the matter of land under

Wular loses 640 kanals to encroachments

Covid positivity rate in J&K below 1%Kupwara, Ganderbal a bit higher

KHALID GUL

Kulgam, Aug 28: Famous tourist destination, Aharbal in south Kashmir’s Kulgam dis-trict, may emerge as the oldest and diverse fossil site in Kash-mir.

The exact site which is barely 2 km from the famous Aharbal waterfall along the Kunghwatan route, has been discovered by Dr Rouf Hamza and Manzoor Javaid, hailing from Dooru and Achabal areas of Anantnag district.

Both are lecturers by profes-sion in school education depart-ment and are associated with

School Herbal Gardens as nodal officers.

The duo unearthed this site during fossil hunting.

HANDWARA CASE

NIA fi les chargesheet against 7 accused

Situation better in J&K: DGP Dilbag SinghReviews security scenario in Bandipora

Centre extends Covid containment measures till September 30New Delhi, Aug 28: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday extend-ed the existing Covid-19 enforcement of contain-ment measures till Septem-ber 30 and asked the state governments and union territory administrations to strictly follow the earlier directions issued by the MHA and Union Health & Family welfare.

In an order issued by the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla Saturday, the Ministry said, "In the exercise of powers, con-ferred under the Disaster Management Act, 2005,

the undersigned hereby directs that the order of

the Ministry of Home

India records 46,759 new cases, 509 deathsNew Delhi, Aug 28: With 46,759 people testing posi-tive for COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours, India's infec-tion tally rose to 3,26,49,947 on Saturday, while the count of active cases reg-istered an increase for the fourth consecutive day, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll has climbed to 4,37,370 with 509 more fatalities being recorded, according to the data updated at 8 am.

SHABIR IBN YUSUF

Srinagar, Aug 28: The National Investigation Agency has filed supplemen-tary charge-sheet against seven persons accused in case RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU under sections 8 read with

21, 25 and 29 of NDPS Act, 1985, section 120B of IPC and sections 17, 38 and 40 of UA (P) Act, 1967 in the NIA Spe-cial Court, Jammu.

The accused are: Showkat Salam Parray son of Abdul Salam Parray resident

OWAIS FAROOQI

Bandipora, Aug 28: Direc-tor General of Police, Dilbag Singh Saturday said that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was relatively better and peaceful and that there was no threat from the Taliban.

Singh was talking to the media persons at north Kashmir's Bandipora dis-trict in District Police Lines where he was on a visit to meet and appreciate the 'commendable' job of the security forces.

The DGP said," The situation here is far better

than before and that peace and security has also improved, though some f o r c e s a r e always there to

subvert the peace."Noting that a group was

neutralised in Bandipora forests last month, the DGP said, "As you know some-time back a group infiltrat-ed from across the border to escalated terror activities here, that group was joint-ly neutralized and a huge cache of arms and ammuni-tion were recovered."

Famous tourist destination, Aharbal in south Kashmir’s Kulgam dis-trict, may emerge as the oldest and diverse fossil site in Kash-

The exact site which is barely 2 km from the famous Aharbal waterfall along the Kunghwatan route, has been discovered by Dr Rouf Hamza and Manzoor Javaid, hailing

School Herbal Gardens as nodal

The duo unearthed this site

Aharbal can be oldest fossil site in J&K2 teachers discover gigantic, diverse fl ora and fauna remnants at this famous health resort 2 teachers discover gigantic, diverse fl ora and fauna remnants at this famous health resort

Amid Ladakh bandh, MoS Home meets Apex body Leh, KDA

IRFAN RAINA

Kargil, Aug 28: Amid the Ladakh bandh call, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Aff airs Nityanand Rai on Saturday held delibera-tions with the Apex body Leh and KDA in Leh.

LS Speaker visits Pangong Tso lakePangong Tso (Ladakh), Aug 28: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said there is an amazing chemistry between the local people of Ladakh and the defence per-sonnel which makes this area totally safe.

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Aug 28: Lieu-tenant Governor Manoj Sinha today launched the ‘Polythene-Free Srinagar’ campaign and urged citizens to eliminate the usage of sin-gle-use plastic to lessen its impact on the environment.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor congratu-lated the Mayor SMC and Municipal Commissioner Srinagar for the momentous initiative taken to curb the use of polythene in Srinagar city, an official statement said.

“Jammu & Kashmir has demonstrated an impres-sive capacity to maintain and increase forest cover. We have to exploit every possible tool available to ensure our cities comple-ment this effort by saying no to polythene and strengthen-ing our natural ecosystem,” observed the Lt Governor.

“We are in the middle of the biggest climate crisis and it is up to us how we

shape our planet and the cities today,” the Lt Gover-nor said.

“It is our collective responsibility to include rivers, forests, grasslands, wetlands and all other living species in our future development plans. It is our greatest duty to main-tain delicate balance of the environment,” added the Lt Governor.

The present generation, he said, needs to remember that 'Nature Never For-gives'. “If we lose the

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Aug 28: Jammu and Kash-mir has reported 166 new Covid-19 cases and one death attributed to viral respira-tory illness in the last 24-hours.

As per the official bulletin, of the total cases, 29 were from Jammu divi-sion and 137 from Kashmir taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 324979.

Srinagar district has reported the highest number of cases today. Srinagar reported 77 cases, Baramulla 10, Budgam 16, Pulwama 9, Kupwara 6, Anantnag 4, Bandipora 3, Ganderbal 8, Kulgam 4, Shopian 0, Jammu 2, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 3, Doda 14, Kathua 1, Samba 2, Kishtwar 6, Poonch 0, Ramban 0 and Reasi 1.

Metro rail project to get union cabinet clearance soon

SHABIR IBN YUSUF

Srinagar, Aug 28: Stating that the metro rail project in Jammu and Kashmir is in the offing, Lieuten-ant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Saturday

Landslides disrupt tra� c on Highway

M M PARVAIZ

Ramban, Aug 28: Vehicular traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained disrupted for several hours due to mud and landslides near Cafeteria Morh Ramban on Saturday morning.

Jammu, Srinagar to be transformed into eco-friendly cities: LG

Launches ‘Polythene-free Srinagar’ campaign; Says cannot overcome environmental challenges

without people’s participation

J&K records 1 death, 166 fresh Covid cases in 24 hours

Jammu district gears up amid 3rd

wave fear SYED AMJAD SHAH

Jammu, Aug 28: All gov-ernment hospitals, includ-ing some Sub District Hos-pitals, in Jammu district have installed medical oxygen generation plants, as a part of preparedness for speculative third wave of Covid-19.

Even though Jammu reported only 2 Covid posi-tive cases today, the health department officials told Greater Kashmir that the department was holding

a series of review meet-ings with the officials of the field offices to improve health infrastructure. The department had to face criticism during the second wave of Covid19.

“We have sepa-rate medical oxygen gener-ating plants in G o v e r n m e n t Medical College Hospital, Jammu, Chest Diseases Hos-

MUKEET AKMALI

Srinagar, Aug 28: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded below 1 percent Covid-19 positivity rate, in Kupwara and Ganderbal districts it is slightly higher, Union Health Ministry data has revealed.

As per the official data, J&K has reported below 1 percent positivity rate from

August 21 to 27. While Kupwara and Gan-

derbal are only two districts with above 1 percent.

The positiv-ity rate is the

percentage of all coronavirus tests

performed that are actually positive.

Covid positivity rate in Kupwara for last week was 2.97 percent, Ganderbal 1.63 percent, Doda 1.19 percent, Reasi 1.10 percent, Shopian 0.89 percent, Poonch 0.83 percent, Srinagar 0.82 per-cent, Samba 0.67 percent, Bandipora 0.60, Jammu 0.53 percent, Pulwama 0.51 percent, Baramulla 0.42 percent, Udhampur 0.40 percent, Kathua 0.37 per-cent, Kishtwar 0.30 per-cent, Budgam 0.19 percent, Rajouri 0.16 percent, Anant-nag 0.12 percent and Kulgam 0.12 percent.

The Union Health Minis-try has classified districts in three categories viz. dis-tricts having above 10 per-cent positivity rate, district having above 5 percent and

August 21 to 27. While Kupwara and Gan-

derbal are only

percentage of all coronavirus tests

performed that are

the second wave of

“We have sepa-

Hospital, Jammu, Chest Diseases Hos-

Management Act, 2005, the undersigned hereby

directs that the order of

data updated at

Mubashir Khan/GK

File Photo/GK

See Jammu...on Pg-08 See Metro...on Pg-08

See Situation...on Pg-08

See NIA fi les...on Pg-08

See J&K records...on Pg-08

See Amid...on Pg-08

See LS Speaker...on Pg-08

See Landslides...on Pg-08

See India...on

Pg-08 See Centre...on Pg-08

See Wular...on Pg-08

See Jammu...on Pg-08 See Covid...on Pg-08

See Aharbal...on Pg-08

CMYK

NEWStwitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

02 Greater KashmirSRINAGAR | August 29, 2021, Sunday

CMYK

CONDOLENCEWith profound grief and sorrow

we inform the sad demise of Manzoor Ahmad Naqash of

SUBHANA TAILORS THE BUND on 27th August 2021 Fateh Khawani will be held on 29th August 2021

Sunday at grave yard Stadium Colony Budshah Nagar at 10:30 am

Grief-stricken Gulam Jeelani, Dr Nadeem Khalid 9419419193

Er. Sheikh Mohammad Haneef, Sheikh Shafqat Hussain, Arshid inayat Bakshi.

FATEHA KHAWANI TODAY

With profound grief, we inform the demise of Mohammad Sha� Parray S/o Abdul Samad Parray R/o Lane No. 15 Maharajpora Batamaloo Srinagar on Thursday 26th August 2021. Fateha Khawani will be held today Sunday 29th August 2021 at their graveyard opposite Islamia School Batamaloo near Ziyarat Sharief Batamaloo at 9:30 AMThere will be no condolence meeting at their residence.

BEREAVED FAMILYCELL NO: 9596191092, 9469147916

In the Loving Memory of

RAMEEZ RASHID MIR S/O ABDUL RASHID MIR

ndon 2 Death Anniversary

Death is the biggest truth of life but it is very painful to bear itIts been 2 years Since You left usBut your Smiles and memories areStill alive in this heart and houseMay you rest peacefully in Jannah (Ameen)

29-08-2019

Deeply Remembered byAbdul Rashid Mir R/o Baghat Rawathpora

“We miss you Baba Baya"

DEMISE With profound grief and sorrow, we inform that the wife of Late Prof M S Want passed away on 27th August 2021 (19th Muharram 1443). The mourning will be held for three days only at Goripora, Sanath Nagar, near Goripora Jamia Masjid. The fateha khwani of the deceased will be held at her ancestral graveyard at Peer Haji Mohammed Sahab, Saraf Kadal on Monday, 30th August 2021 at 10:30 am. No congregational gathering will take place at our residence due to Covid19 Pandemic.B E R E AV E D :

Dr Mohammad Ashraf Want, Shaukat Hussain Want, Dr Manzoor Ahmad Want,

Dr Musadiq Amin Sahaf, Danish Want9 6 2 2 9 0 5 3 9 3

With profound grief, we inform the demise of Mrs Javaid Ahmad Khan R/o Khankahi Moulla Srinagar on Saturday 28th August 2021. Mouning will be held only for 3 days. Congregational Fateha Khawani will be held on Monday, 30th August 2021 at their ancestral graveyard Malkha opposite Zaroo Gun Factory at 10:30AM.

BEREAVED FAMILYCELL NO: 9797979713, 9419002168, 9419002781

DEMISE

Talented J&K youth need opportunities, quality education: Altaf Bukhari

Youth welcome to join caravan of political change: Apni Party

Augment green tourism in Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

NC, PDP leadership missed golden opportunity to convince opposition in Delhi: PC

Muzaff ar Baig bereaved

Congress demands exemption of toll taxes for locals

PDP condoles demise of Javed WangnooSrinagar, Aug 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders Saturday condoled the death of Javed Wangnoo.

“A delegation of PDP leaders led by PDP District President Sri-nagar Parvez Ahmad visited the residence of the deceased at Karan Nagar. The PDP leaders said that his death was a great loss as the deceased was known for his social work and helping the needy people of Srinagar,” a statement of PDP issued here said.

It said that the PDP lead-ers offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and courage for the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

The statement said that Abdul Hameed Kohseen, Mohuiddin Wachi, Arif Laigaroo, Qayoom Bhat, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Muham-mad Shafi Kundangar, Ali Muham-mad Baba, Abdul Qayoom Baba attended the condolence meet at the residence of the deceased.

Srinagar, Aug 28: BJP’s district vice president youth and incharge IT and social media for district Doda, Dr Fahad Rameez alongwith his associates on Saturday joined Apni Party at its offi ce in Lal Chowk Srinagar.

A statement of Apni Party issued here said that the new entrants were welcomed by Party President Syed Moham-mad Altaf Bukhari in presence of Party’s media advisor Farooq Andrabi and District President Doda Dr Rehmatullah.

Speaking on the occa-sion, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that youth are the most dynamic part of any society who can be a har-binger of a change in every sphere of public life.

“The most important resource that a country has is

its youth resource and Apni Party is resolute to empower the youth in all capacities nec-essary,” Bukhari said, adding that Apni Party is well versed with the problems faced by the youth especially in the shape of unavailability of career oppor-tunities and quality education.

He said the employment opportunities facilitated by the quality education and vocation-al courses would easily enable J&K youth to compete on nation-al and international levels.

“The party agenda gives a

fair share to the upliftment of youth and redressal of their genuine grievances,” Bukhari said urging the new entrants to work diligently for the public welfare in their respective areas and put in unswerving efforts for strengthening the party at grassroots level.

On the occasion, the new entrants pledged to work hard and put in their untiring efforts to address the public welfare issues in their areas besides strengthening the party cadres in district Doda.

Srinagar, Aug 28: Apni Party on Saturday organised a day-long youth conven-tion in Sallar area of South Kashmir’s district Anant-nag under the leadership of former MLA Pahalgam and Party's General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir.

A statement of Apni Party issued here said that the party leaders who were pres-ent at the convention includ-ed Apni Party leader and Block Development Council Chairman Bashir Ahmad, along with Apni Party DDC Contesting Candidate Gul Kuly, Zonal Coordinator

Ghulam Mohidin Rather and Muzafar Ahmad.

Speaking on the occasion, Rafi Ahmad Mir said the youth are the driving force for a positive political change but if these youth are met with administration-related obstacles, the development would be severely hampered.

“Traditional political par-ties have been deceiving the youth of J&K with empty promises and emotional rhetoric which continues to this very day,” he said.

Mir said that with the participation of youth in political activities, J&K will

be able to achieve its prospective heights.

He went on to say that despite the lack of government guarantees, the youth of Anantnag, particularly that of Pahalgam, have continued to demonstrate their mettle in various fi elds.

Mir said that the Apni Party since its inception has remained steadfast in its commitment for the socio-economic empowerment of J&K's youth.

Srinagar, Aug 28:P e o p l e s C o n f e r -ence (PC) s e n i o r v i c e president

Abdul Gani Vakil Satur-day accused the Nation-al Conference and Peo-ples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership of “double speak” saying that this was aimed to mislead the people of J&K for their political gains which had been their history.

A statement of PC issued here said that addressing various gatherings in different villages of Rafiabad, Vakil asked people to remain cautious of these people who say one thing in Srinagar

and another thing in Delhi.

“It has been history of these politicians and parties. Their politi-cal history is based on deception, lies and dual policy and they can go to any extreme of lies for political gains,” he said.

Criticising NC and PDP leadership, Vakil said that they were exposed when they failed to speak even a word on the revocation of Article 370 during the opposition parties’ meeting in Delhi pre-sided by Congress Presi-dent Sonia Gandhi.

He said that they missed a golden oppor-tunity to convince opposition parties that abrogation of Article 370 was a big mistake by the central government

as it had distanced the people to a large extent from the mainstream.

Vakil stressed on NC and PDP leadership to come clear on their stand on Article 370.

He said that they cannot lie to the people of J&K and then fail to deliver in New Delhi.

“Speaking on Article 370 in Delhi is more fruitful and valuable than to speak in Gupkar which is simply to exploit and deceive the people of J&K. This has exposed their double policy. Otherwise it was a good platform for the NC and the PDP lead-ership to speak about Article 370 and 35-A but unfortunately they couldn't speak a word and failed to deliver,” Vakil said.

Srinagar, Aug 28: Senior Congress leader and former legislator Muham-mad Amin Bhat Saturday sought exemp-tion of toll tax for locals living adjacent to Banihal Qazigund Toll Plaza.

A statement of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) issued here said that Bhat urged the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to exempt people residing adja-cent to the newly-established Banihal Qazigund Toll Plaza from toll tax as they deserve the exemption on the basis of their proximity to the Toll Plaza.

Bhat urged the Lieutenant Gover-nor Manoj Sinha’s administration to intervene and take up the matter with the NHAI to ensure that local were exempted from toll tax.

He also appealed the Union Min-istry of Surface Transport to direct the NHAI to pass tax emption order to ensure respite for the locals.

“I would also urge the concerned Deputy Commissioner (DC) to get the matter resolved with NHAI on a pri-ority basis as the locals deserve this privilege,” Bhat said.

Srinagar, Aug 28:National Confer-ence (NC) President Farooq Abdullah Saturday said that sustainable tourism could be a driving force of job creation,

economic growth and development in J&K, and Ladakh.

A statement of NC issued here said that delivering the presiden-tial address at the ‘National Meet on Safety Culture and Energy Con-servation’ at Sonamarg, Abdullah dispelled the myths about Kash-mir and said that the region was entirely safe for the tourists.

“The to-do list for visitors in Kashmir espouses camping, trek-king, motor biking, Gondola ride, skiing, white water rafting on one hand and cultural tourism on the other hand,” he said. “The region has to offer a lot to meet the expecta-tions of the visitors.”

Abdullah also underscored the need of harvesting renewable resourc-es of energy to meet the ever-growing demands of the nation.

“Nature has a limit. We cannot go on robbing it of its forests and other fossil fuels. A time will reach when most of our fossil fuels will get depleted. Sustainable develop-ment has long been acknowledged by the United Nations. It is better we also mainstream this sustain-able feature of development in our country by the judicious use of

fossil fuels and other non renew-able sources. The future belong belongs to renewable energy and J&K has a lot to offer on that front. We have the sunshine, the wind, biomass and the gushing rivulets that offer an immense potential to cater to the future demands of the energy sector,” he said.

The NC president also urged the tourism players to shift towards green tourism by decreasing their dependency on non-renewable sources of energy.

“These measures will go a long way in protecting our environment, our glaciers, our rivers and quality of air,” he said.

The three-time chief minister of J&K while stressing on the safety stands of the working force mainly the manual labourers working in mega mining, rail road and tunnel projects said that the government was duty bound to ensure the safety and security of the workers.

“There ought to be multipronged strategy and policy frame work to address the safety concerns of the manual labourers, which he said are the hands of the nation,” he said.

Abdullah said both the private and public sector companies should have critical healthcare gadgets and parameters in place to deal with any eventuality at construction sites.

Senior NC leader Mian Altaf Ahmad and nearly 150 delegates from across India and a cross section of industries participated at the event.

MD NHIDCL, public delegations call on LG

JKJA organises workshop on 156 (3) CrPC

Srinagar, Aug 28: Public delegations, heads of organ-isations, and representatives including Padma Shree Javed Ahmed Tak, Managing Director National Highways and Infra-structure Development Corpo-ration (NHIDCL) K K Pathak, delegation of Jammu Kash-mir Film Makers and Artists Cooperative (JKFMAC), and Chairman All J&K Folk Artists Association called on Lieuten-ant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan on Saturday.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that calling on LG Sinha, MD NHIDCL apprised him about the progress being made on the Zojila tunnel and Z-Morh tunnel.

He also apprised the LG on the status of winter pre-paredness and informed that Sonamarg-Ladakh connectivi-ty would remain open through-out the winter.

Discussion was also held on various other projects of NHIDCL in J&K.

The MD expressed confi -dence in completing both the tunnels before the target date.

Padma Shree Javed Ahmad Tak along with President Jammu and Kashmir Handi-capped Association Abdul Rashid Bhat met the LG and discussed with him various issues of concern of the differ-ently-abled (PwD) community of J&K.

They put forth the demands of a special employment drive for educated persons with dis-abilities, raising the amount under ISSS pensions, easy accessibility in government offices, and reservation in private sectors, besides other

facilities for youth belonging to PwD category.

The LG while hearing the representatives of the PwD com-munity assured them that all their demands would be looked into for their speedy redress.

He said that necessary direction would be passed to the concerned departments to ensure easy accessibility to PwDs in all fi elds and for cre-ation of opportunities for their employment.

The LG said that the J&K government was working with an inclusive and holistic devel-opmental approach for all sec-tions of the society involving youth in every fi eld.

Chairman of All J&K Folk Artists Association Gulzar Bhat also met the LG and dis-cussed promotion of folk cul-ture of J&K, besides having a robust cultural policy for J&K.

A delegation led by CEO JKFMAC Shabir Hyder expressed gratitude for the new J&K Film Policy.

They demanded preference to the local talents including indigenous writers, producers, and artists.

The LG acknowledged the crucial role of J&K Filmmak-ers and Artists Cooperative in the revival of J&K’s fi lmmak-ing sector.

He said that J&K had a rich tradition of cultural values and heritage, and the J&K admin-istration was taking several initiatives to revive and pro-mote the cultural glory of J&K keeping its young artists at the center. The LG assured them of appropriate consideration on all the points brought forth to him.

Srinagar, Aug 28: J&K Judicial Academy (JKJA) Saturday organised a one-day training pro-gramme-cum-workshop on ‘Exercise of power under section 156(3) CrPC and grant of injunctions besides delay in disposal of interim injunction applications’.

A statement of JKJA issued here said that the workshop was held for the Judicial Offi cers (Munsiffs and JMIC) of Kashmir division with an objective to apprise the offi cers of the latest case law on the subject and to augment their learning capacity for leading them to effectively exercise such discretionary juris-diction by adopting judi-cious approach.

It said that workshop was held under the lead-ership of Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, who is also the Patron-in-Chief JKJA, Justice Pankaj Mithal, and guidance of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, who is the Chairman JKJA and other judges of the governing committee.

The statement said that the training pro-gramme was presided over by Judge High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and member JKJA Javed Iqbal Wani who presented a thought-provoking and inspiring inaugural address.

It said that he apprised the participants with the

statutory framework and enlightened them with valuable and enriching inputs on the given topics.

He stressed that power under 156 (3) CrPC should be exercised strictly in accordance with the law laid on the subject and that discretion should be exercised in a fair and transparent manner.

He said that while deal-ing with the subject of grant of injunction being equitable remedy, it was in the discretion of the court and such discretion must be exercised after satisfying the cardinal principles of law and every effort be made to dispose of the application for injunction within 30 days thereby satisfying mandate of order 39 Rule 3A CPC.

The statement said that the programme was mostly in interactive ses-sions which was moder-ated by Director JKJA Sanjay Parihar.

It said that the par-ticipating judicial officers discussed the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Code of Civil Procedure con-cerned with the subject under discussion.

The statement said that the issues cropped up during discussion were resolved in the backdrop of the relevant provisions of law and judicial prec-edents from the superior courts.

Altaf Bukhari, Sajad Lone, Hakeem Yaseen condole demiseSrinagar, Aug 28: Apni Party Presi-dent Altaf Bukhari Saturday expressed shock and grief over the demise of Farida Baig, sister of Muzaffar Hus-sain Baig and paternal aunt of Apni Party spokesman Javid Hassan Baig.

A statement of Apni Party issued here said that in a condolence mes-sage issued here, Bukhari described the deceased as a pious and hospitable lady who would be ever ready to help those in need.

He prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss.

“I express my heartfelt condolenc-es and deep solidarity with the Baig family in this time of distress. I pray for endurance to the family, their relatives, friends and acquaintances to bear this irreparable loss,” Bukhari said.

Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Gani Lone also expressed grief and

sorrow over the demise of Farida Baig.A statement of PC issued here said

that while expressing condolences with the bereaved family, Lone prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved in their hour of loss and grief.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to Muzaffar Baig on the sad demise of his sister Farida Baig. May Allah grant her Jannat. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” he said in his condolence message.

Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Chairman Hakeem Yaseen also con-doled the demise of Farida Baig, sister of Muzaffar Hussain Baig.

A statement of PDF issued here said that while expressing condolenc-es with the bereaved family, Yaseen prayed for the peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to Muzaffar Baig on the sad demise of his sister,” Yaseen said while praying for the eternal peace to the departed soul.

03Greater Kashmir SRINAGAR | August 29, 2021, Sunday

Regional Institute of Ophthalmology hits the wall

Unidentifi ed body found in River Jhelum at Sopore

GHULAM MUHAMMAD

Sopore, Aug 28: An unidentified body of a man was found in River Jhelum near Jamia Bridge in north Kashmir’s Sopore area on Saturday.

Some locals spotted the body floating over the water in River Jhelum near Jamia Bridge in Sopore and immediately informed Police about it.

Soon after being informed, a team of Police reached the spot and recovered the body.

A Police officer said that the body had been recovered from the river and taken into Police custody for postmortem. He said that a case under the relevant sections of the law had been registered and further investigations initiated in this regard.

Eye donation, transplant programme, specialised Optho services fail to take o� ZEHRU NISSA

Srinagar, Aug 28: Two years after approval and 12 years after proposal, the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) is nowhere in sight despite fund allocation and an identified site.

The specialised programmes for prevention and reversal of blind-ness that were expected to run from this multi-crore institute stand suspended due to the delay.

In 2019, J&K government approved the 100-bedded RIO to be set up by the Department of Oph-thalmology, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar with the initial funding of Rs 9 crore and a Rs 5 crore annual fund.

The institute is planned to house an eye bank and set the eye dona-

tion and transplant programme in Kashmir in motion.

The RIO is part of the network of such centers set up by the Union Min-istry of Health and Family Welfare (MohFW) meant to provide state-of-art facilities for prevention of blind-ness under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

The proposal for RIO had initially been submitted in 2009 and had already suffered a delay of a decade when it was approved two years ago.

The building of Kashmir Nurs-ing Home (KNH) at Gupkar Sri-nagar was identified as the loca-tion for the center.

However, since June 2019, when the proposal was approved, no work has been done on the RIO.

In April 2020, the KNH was des-

ignated as a Covid Care Center and for the past two years, the hospital has become a recovery center for mildly-sick patients.

Currently, when most of the hospitals that had been labelled as Covid-19 designated facilities have been allowed to resume their rou-

tine services, KNH continues to admit patients.

As on date, 13 patients are recovering from SARS-CoV2 infection at the facility.

A senior ophthalmologist said the eye donation programme in

Kashmir had failed to take off due to unavailability of a facility to house the paraphernalia for the purpose.

“We have manpower and skills and there definitely will be some people willing to come forward to donate eyes but because we are already pressed

hard for space at SMHS Hospital, there is no way we can start it,” he said.

Head of the Department of Ophthal-mology at GMC Srinagar, Prof Sabiya Rashid said that it was due to Covid-19 that no progress was made on RIO.

She said that the department had started an eye-clinic at KNH and every week, ‘some doctors’ provide consultation services at the location.

“It is confined to refraction and basic service only,” she said.

Prof Rashid said that the GMC had written to J&K government seeking direction on resuming work on setting up of RIO in KNH.

“We are awaiting the decision of the government,” she said.

The GMC Srinagar had in 2019 announced that the building would be renovated and refurbished to suit the requirements of the RIO.

Banihal shuts against closingdown of passenger vehicle stand

MUHAMMAD TASKEEN

Banihal, Aug 28: Authorities in Bani-hal town of Ramban district have shut down the main passenger vehicle stand in the town citing frequent traffic jams, triggering a shutdown by the local transporters and traders on Saturday.

The shutdown being observed on the call of the ‘Beoparmandal Banihal’ has affected normal life in the town.

President of the trade body, Naseer Ahmed Wani told Greater Kashmir that the local administration had compelled them to go for a shutdown by closing the passenger vehicle stand despite

repeated pleas against the move.Wani said that their request to allow

a limited number of passenger vehicle from the Banihal stand on major routes including Khari Mahoo Mangit, Ramban, Pogal Paristan, Neel, Chamalwas, Jammu, Anantnag, Nowgam and Tethar

was also turned down by the authorities, causing inconvenience to the passengers.

“Since the stand was closed, the pas-sengers, especially sick and elderly, are facing a tough time and have to walk on foot to the “temporary stands” set up on the Srinagar-Jammu nation-al highway around 1.5 km from the main Banihal stand,” Wani said.

The local transporter and traders said that the move had also hit their livelihood.

The Bioparmandal Banihal has demanded that local passenger vehi-cles be allowed to run from the old bus stand in Banihal town for the conve-nience of the passengers.

Leakage in irrigation canal inundates Mansbal Park, damages road stretch

IRFAN RAINA

Ganderbal, Aug 28: A leakage in an irrigation canal for the past two weeks has caused damage to a road stretch at Mansbal health resort in Ganderbal.

According to locals, the leakage in the Lar irrigation canal for the last two weeks resulted in damage to the road stretch at Mansbal resort.

They said that the leaked water had inundated the nearby Mansbal Park, causing inconvenience to the visitors and locals.

Locals said that it was unfortunate that despite being a tourist destination frequent-ed by hundreds of tourists, the authorities were unmoved to solve the problem.

“The Irrigation department, R&B, Mansbal Development Authority and the Tourism department have all been caught napping on this issue,” said Firdous Ahmed, a local.

The locals have urged the administration to redress their grievance.

JAMMU BAR ASSOCIATION ELECTION

1413 lawyers vote to electnew body; counting todayJammu, Aug 28: At least 1413 lawyers Saturday voted to elect a new body of Jammu Bar Association.

The elections for the 15 posts were held peacefully in which 1413 lawyers par-ticipated.

The voting continued from 10 am to 5 pm.

According to the Return-ing Officer, Surinder Singh, the counting of votes would take place on Sunday and the result would be declared by 5 pm.

The elections to elect the new body for the Jammu lawyers’ body were held after 2 years.

for Control of Blindness (NPCB). tine services, KNH continues

KITE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGEVAWOOSA, RANGRETH ,SRINAGAR (J&K)

Recognised by J&K Govt. Affiliated To State Board of Technical Education.Approved By AICTE, Govt Of India

Email: Kite_polytechnic @yahoo.com

ADMISSION OPEN2021-2022

FOR 3 YEARS DIPLOMA INCIVIL ENGINEERINGELECTRICAL ENGINEERINGMECHANICAL ENGINEERINGCOMPUTER ENGINEERINGELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERINGELIGIBLITY:10TH WITH 35%(Min Percentage)No Age BarLateral Entry Admission in 3rd Semester10+2(Medical/Non-Medical) or 10th with 2 Yrs ITISCHOLARSHIPS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTSPRAGATI SCHOLARSHIP RS. 50,000/per year (Girl Students having Annual

income less than Rs : 8 Lacs)SAKSHM SCHOLARSHIP RS. 50,000/per year (Specially Abled Students)JKBOCW RS. 30,000/per year POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP RS.6000/ per yearSWANATH SCHOLARSHIP RS. 50,000/per year (Orphan Students)

Application Forms can be submitted in the office of kite polytechnic Till 5th September 2021 Timing 10:00 AM to 3:00 PMFor Further Queries contact: 2300311, 9419036565, 9419006926,8825081247

ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

Application Forms can be submitted in the office of kite polytechnic Till 5th September 2021 September 2021

2300311, 9419036565, 9419006926,8825081247

Students having Annualincome less than Rs : 8 Lacs)

RS. 50,000/per year (Specially Abled Students)

NUMANBABA

RATHERHASHIM

HUZAIFZAZAR

TANZEEBAHMAD

FURQANBABA

SALMANAHMAD

BAABARRMUDACER

MUDASIRALI

WAQARKHAN

AABIDALI

UMERMAJEED

RAIEZKHAN

ANUANAF

ALISAFFUDIN

YAWARABDAL

UMERNAZIR

ISHFAQKAWA

PRESENTED BY

POWERED BY CO-POWERED BY

ASSOCIATE PARTNER EVENT PARTNER

S T R E A M I N G O N R E D F M J & K Y O U T U B E C H A N N E LDIGITAL MUSIC CONCERT

4TH SEPTEMBER 7PM ONWARDSS T R E A M I N G O N R E D F M J & K Y O U T U B E C H A N N E L

FOR REGISTRATION

SCAN QR CODE

OUR PARTNERS

CO-POWERED BY

WAQARKHAN

AABIDALI

RAIEZKHAN

ANUANAF

NUMANBABA

HUZAIFZAZAR

SALMANAHMAD

MUDASIRALI

BAABARRMUDACER

ALISAFFUDIN

NEWS twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

CMYK


AIMS EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCYHead Ofce: Main Market Chanapora Sgr

7006788388,9419084307

BBA MBABCA MCAB.Tech

Civil

For India-2021

Me

dia

Hu

bSRM UNIVERSITYFinal Call

Call98143234569814111913

BOOK1/2/3 BHK FLAT

at Mohali withhandsome returns

start @14.90 Lac*upto 80 Lac

spe

ctru

m a

dv

Land For SaleLand measuring 01

Kanal, 16 Marlas situated at Botshah Mohalla, Lal Bazar.

Land measuring 02 Kanals situated

Meerak Shah, Shalimar Srinagar for

immediately sale.

Contact: 7006841866

The Fastest Food

Delivery in HERE!

waln

ut ads

STUDIOAPARTMENT

BOOK

at DUBAI withhandsome returns@60 Lac* Only

spe

ctru

m a

ds

Call92796000139814111913

KanganAadhaar Updation Centre.Timming: 9 AM to 7 PMVisit: Mirs Valley Centre Prang Kangan Near Jammia Masjid Tehsil Kangan DistrictGanderbal J&K.Services Charges as per Government.For any kind of Enquiry Related to Aadhaar Services.Contact: 9469111992,01942951703Adnan Ads

Mirs Valley Centre Prang Kangan

Aadhaar Updation Centre is Open.Timing: 9 AM to 7 PM

Visit: Mirs Valley Centre Prang Kangan Near Jammia Masjid Tehsil Kangan

District Ganderbal J&K.

Services Charges as per Government

For any kind of Enquiry Related to Aadhaar Services.

9469111992,01942951703

Ad

na

n A

dv

t

Call98143234569814111913

BOOK1/2/3 BHK FLAT

at Mohali withhandsome returns

start @14.90 Lac*upto 80 Lac

spe

ctru

m a

dv

URGENT NEEDOF DRIVERS

ForDubai Very Much

Handsome Salary

NEED BSC. NURSE(Female)

CONTACT:7006317345

PHP WEB DEVELOPER-02MIN EXP: 2-YEARS

ANDROID APP DEVELOPER-01MIN EXP: 1-YEARS

OFFICE BOY- 01CUSTOMER SUPPORT EXECUTIVE

[email protected] or call at 7298077077

INTERESTED CANDIDATES CAN SEND THEIR RESUME AT

(FEMALE)-01

walnutads.in

HIRING

KASHMIR ADS

Wanted young girls, housewife's, widows for a leading Spa job in Delhi. Food and accommodaon provided by us.

Email: [email protected]

Hiring

Call: 08749036322

walnutads.in

HOUSEFOR SALEA 3 storied ready to move

house with Hamam is available for sale at

Sector 8, Shah-e-Vilayat Colony Umerabad Srinagar

Interested parties can contact on

9541274872, 7006954107

Passport LostI have lost my passport (Republic of Lithuania) bearing No: 23575737. If anybody has found the same may please contact me on below mentioned cell numbers.

Lina LideikyteWhatsApp: +91 7993157054

Cell No: +91 6006907846

NOTICEIn my passport bearing No: M3420633, my mother's name is written as Roome Jan while as in my matriculation certification my mother's name is written as Roome. I am applying for renewal of my passport with the same details as per my previous passport. Any body having any objection may contact Regional Passport Office Srinagar within a week at the most.

Mohammad Areeb BhatS/o Shabir Ahmad Bhat

R/o Mehboob Colony Sector "A"Natipora Srinagar

NOTICEIn my previous passport bearing No: K1879511. I want to correct my name from Hazika to Hazika Shah and also my parentage from Basit Amin Shah to Basit Amin as per my matriculation certificate.Anybody having any objection may contact Regional Passport Office Srinagar within a week time at most.

Hazika ShahD/o Basit Amin

R/o Peerbagh Srinagar

2 SHOPSFOR SALE

4 Storey (Part Of Building) Having 2 Shops on Ground Floor

Entrance from main road as well as from back side, two sided open

approximately measuring area 58' x 22' is for sale (Milikiyat) at Sarai Bala (Cloth Market) Amira Kadal Srinagar

Genuine Parties May Contact7006152119, 7006142823 7006463284

(Brokers Excuse)

Valley ConstructionServices

DESIGNERS & CONTRACTORS: Structural, Architectural and Interior Designing.Contractors - Residential

and RCC Structures

+91-9906664149, [email protected]/www.valleyconstructionservics.in

SHOP ON SALEShop is on sale with dimensions 13x10 near Jamia Ahli Hadith Masjid Chanapora Srinagar. Interested parties / person can contact only given numbers

9149576765/9541806343

Asking Amount is 70 lacs, Amount is negotiable

NAME CORRECTIONThis is for information to the general public that in my service documents wrongly mentioned Mrs NASEEEN AKTHAR.Now I want to correct it NASREEN AKHTER INSTEAD of NASREEN AKTHAR. Now in this case if anybody have any kind of objection He/She may file the same with in seven days from the publication of this notice.

Mrs Nasreen AkhterW/o: Fazal Ahmed

R/o: Chhajla, P/0: ChhajlaTeh: Mendhar, DISTT: Poonch

URMIYA/SHIRAZ

88997505277006250527

MBBS INIRAN IUMS

OPP.JK BANK KARANNAGARAl -Alim

GWAY

88997505277006250527

MBBS IN KAZAKISTAN

ASTANA/KAZAKH NATIONAL SAMEY

OPP.JK BANK KARANNAGAR

GWAY

Al -Alim

URMIYA/SHIRAZ

88997505277006250527

MBBS INIRAN IUMS

OPP.JK BANK KARANNAGARAl -Alim

GWAY

88997505277006250527

MBBS IN KAZAKISTAN

ASTANA/KAZAKH NATIONAL SAMEY

OPP.JK BANK KARANNAGAR

GWAY

Al -Alim

FOR SALE

9419056944 / 7006494285

MED

IA H

UB

PLOTS 2.5 MARLA AT

PANDACH WITH PLINTH 7 & 11.5 & 12 & 6.75 Marla at Zakura13 Marla at Zafran Colony5.5 & 7 Marla at Gulabagh 6.25 Marla at Batamaloo7 & 8.5 Marla at Nowbugh1 Kanal at Ganderbal1 Kanal at Narbal13 Marla at Rambagh

14 KARNALAT GANDDERBAL



3 HOUSES AT BILAL COLONY

ZAKURA

DISCLAIMERReaders are recommended to make all enquiries and

seek appropriate advice before acting on any adver-tisement appearing in this publication. Any subscriber sending money, incurring any expenses or acting on any medical recommendations or entering into any com-mitment in relation to any advertisement published in this publication, shall do so entirely at his/her discretion, intelligence and risk. The Company, Publisher or any of its employees do not vouch for any claims made by the Advertisers of products and services and shall not be held liable for any damages, loss, consequences, suffered by any person on account of relying on such advertisements.

CMYK

05SRINAGAR | August 29, 2021, Sunday

J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates AssociationConstituent of All India Power Engineers Federation And

Northern India Power Engineers FederationSRINAGAR

APPEALThe Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Graduates Association humbly appeals to His Excellency Lt. Governor Sh. Manoj Sinha Ji, worthy Chief Secretary A.K. Mehta and Principal Secretary Power Development Department Sh. Rohit Kansal Ji, to kindly bestow justice on the below mentioned facts-State Administrative Council had directed the proposal for regular promotions of Engineers in Power Development Department be processed on fast track at departmental level without referring to Public Service commission as one-time exemption and whole process was supposed to be completed within 02 months by 30.11.2019 (GONo. 191-PDD of 2019 dated 23.10.2019) to address the 20 years pending issue of regularization of Engineers in Power Development Department.1. The proposals complete in all respects vetted by empowered committee have been placed

for accord of approval by the establishment committee. It is pertinent to mention that the proposals are of retired engineers who have retired from 2001 to 2018 and many of them have expired and some are ailing as well. The Integrity/Work conduct of the incumbents had been counter signed by none other than Principal Secretary Power Development Department based on the available records in lieu of reference to vigilance organization.

2. Current sitting Managing Directors/ Chief Engineers/Superintending Engineers are all Assistant Engineers and most of the sitting Executive Engineers are Junior Engineers in substantive capacity and are only officiating the higher assignments in –charge capacity with no emoluments of the higher positions. The regularization of Engineers in PDD is pending since 2001 and has severely dented the morale of serving engineers.

3. Lot of clear vacancies are available in the department at the level of AE, AEE, XEN, SE, CE and the promotions at all levels should be expedited.

4. Further it is submitted that GO No- 795-JK (GAD) of 2021 dated -26.08.2021 should be kept in abeyance as it denigrates the position and the protocol of Superintending Engineer/Executive Engineers wherein they have been told to get their APRs initiated from Deputy Commissioner.

We most respectfully seek your kind consideration for resolution of the above mentioned basic issues of Engineers of Power Development Department. It shall go a long way in infusing renewed zeal among the fraternity

Warm Regards

Er. Sachin Tickoo Er. Munshi Majid AliGeneral Secretary President JKEEGA+919419150216 +919419055007

Lt. Governor HE Manoj Sinha

Arun Kumar MehtaChief Secretary JKUT

Rohit KansalPrincipal Secretary PDD

Authorities act tough against COVID SOP violators43 persons fined for not wearing facemasks in public places

MUDASIR YAQOOB

Srinagar, Aug 28: Intensifying its drive against COVID SOP violators, authorities on Satur-day penalised 43 persons in the summer capital for not wearing facemasks in public places.

The development came a day after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued directions to the officials to take strict action against COVID19 proto-col violators as per provisions of Disaster Management Act. The special teams set up by district administration made surprise checks at various public places in Srinagar to enforce COVID Appropriate Behavior (CAB).

30 persons were penalized in the city centre during the spe-cial drive against violators held by tehsil south under concerned Executive Magistrate.

“Rs 6000 was recovered as fine from the violators and they were asked to follow COVID19 safety guidelines in letter and spirit,” said Moin Kukru, Execu-tive Magistrate Srinagar South.

He added that strict action under law shall follow against an individual in case he is found repeating the violation.

Kukru added that follow-ing COVID19 safety guidelines is a greater common good for all and people must adhere to SOPs as a preventive measure

to contain the coronavirus.In Tehsil North, 13 persons

were found violating CAB and were penalized on the spot.

“We have intensified drive against violators and strict action under law will follow against those violating CAB,” said Mohammad Altaf, Execu-tive Magistrate Srinagar North.

He added that amid predic-tion of third wave of virus, the authorities have to be tough against those found without face masks and violating the other protocols.

He added that an announce-ment about Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has already been made public and pandem-

ic can be defeated by collective effort of everyone.

While showing concern about violations especially in view of prediction for the third wave of virus, the Execu-tive Magistrate Altaf stressed on strict enforcement of COVID SOPs including com-pulsory wearing of masks, maintaining social distance, use of sanitizers and saniti-zation.

He said those found roaming at public places without masks are being fined and could be booked under Disaster Man-agement Act in the interest of the community at large.

"Several violators were

warned earlier and asked to adhere to safety measures against spread of virus. Today, action under law was taken and this drive will continue on a daily basis," Altaf said.

"Action under law shall follow if we find any business estab-lishments violating safety proto-cols. Our teams are vigilant and active," he said while replying to a query.

He appealed to civil soci-ety members, traders and other respectable citizens to play their part in encourag-ing people to follow COVID19 safety guidelines in letter and spirit to avoid or minimize the third wave of virus.

State, Kacharie land worth Rs 35 crore retrieved during anti-encroachment drive in Srinagar

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Aug 28: Continu-ing drive to retrieve illegally grabbed land in the district, the District Administration Srinagar today launched a massive anti-encroachment drive across the summer capital during which about 40 Kanals of State and Kah-charai land worth approxi-mately Rs 35 crore was retrieved from encroach-ment of land-grabbers.

The drive was conducted by the enforcement wing of Revenue Department on the directions of Deputy Com-missioner (DC), Srinagar,

Mohammad Aijaz Asad.Assistant Commissioner

Revenue, Srinagar, con-cerned Tehsildar and other officials from the Revenue and Forest Department were part of the Anti-Encroach-ment drive teams.

The land was retrieved from land grabbers at various prime locations of Srinagar including Said-pora Eidgah, Ali Jan Road, Shiv Pora, Sonwar, Pantha Chowk, Chanpora, Inder-hama, Astan Marg, Dara and other areas in the City.

Speaking about the drive, the DC said anti-encroachment drives will

be undertaken in all areas of the district to retrieve entire State and Kahcharai lands encroached in the dis-trict. He said involvement in land encroachment will be dealt with sternly as per the law.

The DC also urged the gen-eral public to bring into the notice of Revenue Officers or the DC Office any instances or attempts of encroachment on the State or Common land in the district.

The Land Revenue Act lays down stringent punish-ment against encroachment on state Land which can lead to imprisonment as well.

Water shortage hits Qazi MohallaSrinagar, Aug 28: Residents of Qazi Mohalla Shivpora here have demanded restoration of potable water supply in the area.

A delegation from the area said that they are facing water shortage from past several days. “Despite reminders to concerned authorities, water supply has not been restored. We make a fervent appeal to Chief Engineer PHE to look into the matter,” they said.

Police facilitates PCPG meeting in SrinagarSrinagar, Aug 28: As a part of public outreach programme, Police Com-munity Partnership Group (PCPG) meeting was facilitated by Sri-nagar Police here.

The meeting was held while following social dis-tancing norms and other protocols.

The meeting was chaired by SSP Sri-nagar Sandeep Choud-hary accompanied by SP East Tanushree, S D P O K o t h i b a g h , SHO Kothibagh and SHO Maisuma. On the occasion, presidents of market federations of Lal Chowk, Koker Bazaar, Maisuma, Resi-dency Road, Polo View, Red Cross road and Karalkhud market also attended the meeting.

“The main aim of the meeting is to facilitate interaction with commu-nity members and redress their grievances so as to create cordial police-pub-lic relationship.

During the meeting,

the participants raised various issues related to Police and civil admin-istrations. The chair-ing officer assured the participants that their genuine grievances per-taining to police will be resolved on priority and the issues pertaining to civil administration will be taken up with the concerned for their early redressal. They also

sought their co-operation in harmonizing Police-Public relationship,” police spokesperson said in a statement.

Speaking on the occa-sion, SSP Srinagar said that such meetings are conducted to solicit the suggestions and sup-port of people for better policing and would be conducted in future as well. He also thanked the

people for participating in the meeting and for providing valuable sug-gestions.

The participants in the meeting assured their full cooperation to police in tackling social evils and also appreciated the efforts of police in facili-tating community inter-action meets where par-ticipants express their opinion freely.

DC Srinagar inaugurates workshop for specially abled persons at BeminaSrinagar, Aug 28: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today inaugurated a daylong Workshop on use of modern technological inter-ventions in developing and manufacturing prosthetic aids for physically chal-lenged people.

The workshop was organ-ised by Voluntary Medicare Society, J&K in Collabora-tion with IIT Madras at Bemina here to dissemi-nate the skills required for Assessment, Prescription,

Fitting of Wheelchairs and Training of Users.

The DC who was the Chief Guest on the occasion in his address said that people with physical or mental disabili-ties are blessed with special abilities due to which such people have proved their mettle in every walk of life besides in the Sports field at national and international level competitions.

He lauded the efforts of VMS for organising such an awareness programme and mitigating the suffer-

ings of the people with dis-abilities.

He stressed on introducing the latest and innovative tech-nology for the rehabilitation of differently abled persons. He said the objective of organiz-ing such events is to encour-age social inclusion with equal

opportunities for persons with or without disability in order to endorse the fabric of social integration.

The DC also congratu-lated the IIT Madras for designing and developing innovative Arise Standing Wheelchairs.

twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.comC TYGreater Kashmir

Readers can email their write-ups to City Page for Colony Woes, We the Srinagarites and other columns.

[email protected]

DISCLAIMER: Views expressed in We The Srinagarites column are author’s own

CMYK


VIEWPOINTDR RAJA MUZAFFAR BHAT

[email protected]

Iagree with the assessment of the fi fth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that increased temperature and increased frequency of extreme weather events will have

an impact on economic activities, includ-ing agricultural production, infrastruc-ture, and health.

While India like other South Asian countries are vulnerable to climate change because of its population, poverty and economic inequalities and now the impact of COVID-19 on exposing severe inequalities, I disagree with the 2021 IPCC report’s assessment that the South Asian countries will be the worst sufferers.

I assert that climate change will impact both developed and developing countries equally. The impact of fl ood-ing and destruction of roads in Colorado and in Uttarakhand in 2013 and Kashmir in 2014 are a refl ection that disasters affect all regions. While current sce-nario of 2021 in developed countries is much more worst. In the United States, many posh localities in California suf-fered forest fi res, north western United States and western Canada suffered a lot due to bush fi res. Eastern Australia also suffered with forest (bush) fi res continuously during high temperature in 2018, 2019 and now in 2021. Again in 2021 July-August most developed Euro-pean countries including Germany, and Belgium suffered worst fl ooding. During Olympic 2020 in Japan, during July and early August 2021, heat waves prevailed and some regions were heavily fl ooded. One must not forget 2003 heat wave in Europe that killed more than 70,000 people within a fortnight in August. In 2005, Hur-ricane Katrina devastated southern US. Frequent occurrences of hurricanes in the southern USA devastated the country.

Thus these examples of extreme weather events impacted even developed coun-tries which are equally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Given this, it appears that there is a political motive in identifying India and South Asia as the most vulnerable — to hasten the process of industrialisa-tion and economic development. South Asian nations are emerging economies and while the economic slowdown of 2008 as well COVID-19 impact on economy affected the US economy, India and other south Asian nations were not severely affected by the economic crisis.

Regarding the reduction of CO2 emis-sions, developing countries — including India — demand that developed coun-tries accept the Kyoto Protocol, and adhere to Paris Climate accord of 2015. Developed countries must recognise that they are mainly responsible for the high levels of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of more than 150 years of industri-al activity, and places a heavier burden on them under the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.

In the case of emerging economies, reduction in CO2 emissions means a reduction in the level of income and a decline in GDP. Thus, it is not possible for developing countries to reduce their emissions. India has already committed to reduce green house gases as per Paris climate accord. “Under the Paris agree-ment, India has committed to cut green-house gas emissions intensity of its gross domestic product 33% to 35% by 2030, increase non-fossil fuel power capacity to 40% from 28% in 2015 and substan-tially boost forest cover to reduce carbon dioxide”. This is an important commit-

ment India has made, and taking actions accordingly.

Regarding emission of CO2, United States emitted 5.41 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, while India emitted 2.65 billion tonnes over the same time. In 2020, when the pandemic shrunk eco-nomic growth, India’s emissions fell 9.7% to a little more than the world aver-age of 9.6%.

With a share of just 7% of global emis-sion, any amount of mitigation by India will not affect climate change. So a substan-tial commitment by the China (28%), USA (15%) to reduce emissions will be required. However, it seems that the western world is envious at the pace of economic growth registered by India pre-pandemic period. The discussions on the IPCC assessment report provide another opportunity for industrialised nations to create a fear psy-chosis among emerging economies includ-ing India that they are most vulnerable and thus have to heavily cut down on CO2 emissions which will impact the economy of India, already devastated by COVID-19. Climate change affects all nations, devel-oped or developing.

It appears that less scientifi c evidence and more political motives are behind isolating India and south Asian countries as the most vulnerable countries in the report. It seems that developing countries are heading towards climate colonialism.

euronews.green in its report on 6th

February, 2021 rightly noted, ‘It feels as though every time there’s a new study about the US or EU needing to reduce carbon emissions, there’s a voice which pops up and asks ‘but what about India and China?!’

The views expressed by the author are personal.

Prof. Rais Akhtar was the lead author of the third and fourth IPCC assessment reports,

and recipient of Nobel Memento in 2007

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts, analysis,

assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not refl ect the views of GK.

I hope the West does not believe in climate colonialism

This is in response to the report on “India to face irreversible impacts of climate crisis, fl ags IPCC report” by Jayashree Nandi, in a national daily on 9th August

It appears that less scientifi c evidence and more political motives are behind isolating India and south Asian countries as the most vulnerable countries in the report.

Digital services are not free and customers have to pay for availing these online services after breaching a threshold limit of free transactions.

The noise grew shriller. The ambience was darker…..as the mad cacophony continued.

The outbreak of the coro-navirus pandemic, which is yet to end, forced the banking institutions to improve their capabilities

on the technology front without wasting time. In pre-Covid times, banking operations observed a sea change and integration of technology into the core bank-ing operations helped the banks to provide a series of technology driven services to their custom-ers, anywhere and anytime. How-ever, despite facilities of online transaction platforms in place, the banks were not active enough to guide their customers to board the online platform for conducting digital transactions.

Even as demonetization of high value notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 in November 2014 provided a push to the digital transactions, it was the Covid-19 induced pandemic which promoted the online trans-actions to unimaginable heights just within a span of two years. In order to meet the growing expectations of their customers, the banks have been making huge investments in upgrading their technology platform and the situ-ation has created a pivotal role for Fintech companies to lend tech-nology support to the banks and fi nancial institutions. However, the good thing is that customers are gladly taking the route of digi-tal facilities without any fear to conduct various day to day fi nan-cial transactions.

Precisely, the pandemic, on the opportunities side, has been leading to mass migration of people to digital transactions and today we witness huge utilization of services like internet banking, mobile banking, swift transfer of funds anywhere in the world, credit cards, debit cards etc. on large scale. As banks are continu-ously engaged either in upgrad-ing or adopting new technology solutions for the convenience of their customers, the service charges or transaction fees are unavoidable and to be paid by the customers.

One main thing needs to be clear to all that digital servic-es are not free and customers have to pay for availing these online services after breaching a threshold limit of free transac-tions. Of course, such charges/fees have to be reasonable in line with the facilities a bank

customer is availing. It is also a fact that for quite some time now, bank customers have been vomiting anger on social media against such service charges/ transaction fees.

So, here it makes sense to make you aware about some bank charges that all of you should know about. Notably, in line with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directions, all banks have kept their service charges schedule available for the general public on their websites.

What is meant by maintaining aver-age monthly or quarterly balance?

In the modern banking practic-es, maintaining average monthly or quarterly balance (AMB/AQB) in saving deposit accounts is a norm. This minimum balance criterion is an amount which an account holder is supposed to keep in the account on a regular basis. Actually, banks incur cost for maintaining and servicing the deposit accounts, especially savings accounts. These charges are to be recovered, and apply-ing ‘average minimum balance requirement’ norm to the savings accounts is a smart move by the banks to recover such mainte-nance charges.

Globally, it is one of the most widely applied norms to generate revenue by any bank. An accoun-tholder shouldn’t get surprised if he/she fi nds his/her savings account closed if AMB or AQB is not maintained over a period of time. The balance in the account would be eaten up through regu-

lar penalties. Some banks don’t close the account, but create a negative balance in the savings account by levying charges for non maintenance of minimum balance.

Notably, in the AQB mecha-nism, an account holder has an opportunity to cover AQB despite being on the borderline of the breach. Their balance may be swinging on and off below mini-mum balance requirement during the month but at the end they can manage AQB requirement. Under AMB criterion, there is no chance of swinging of balance on and off below the minimum balance norm. There are banks who now stick to AMB to get more and more customers into the penalty net on account of non maintenance of average balance.

Pertinently, the concept of average minimum balance requirement has the Reserve Bank of India backing. The RBI has advised the banks to inform customers regarding the require-ment of minimum balance at the time of opening the account in a transparent manner. The apex

bank had even directed the banks to intimate the account holders about any subsequent changes in this regard.

So, account holders need to understand that breaching the average minimum balance requirement would cost them. So, what is the hitch in falling in line and save money?

What are other services for which banks levy charges?

As already stated that you are required to maintain average balance in your account. Other-wise, the bank would be deduct-ing charges from your account as a penalty for breaching the threshold limit of average bal-ance. In addition to this, you shouldn’t be surprised if your bank charges you for cash trans-actions. There are banks who would charge you for making unlimited cash deposits or even withdrawals. Besides, there is also a fee charged to a bank customer, if he/she conducts transactions at home as well as non - home (other banks’) ATMs beyond the threshold limit of such transactions per month.

Banks also charge you for dis-honoured cheques. If a cheque which is drawn on bank or depos-ited with bank is returned for want of funds or any other valid reason, the bank would be deduct-ing charges for the ‘dishonoured cheque’. The charges differ from bank to bank.

In today’s digital age, it makes sense to make best use of online transaction facilities. Avoid writ-

ing a cheque as much as possible. You may get some cheque leaves free of cost, but after crossing the threshold limit you will have to pay for each cheque leave.

You must also remember that your debit card is not free from charges. These charges, which are annual or biannual in nature, are deducted immediately after the card is issued. If the card is lost or damaged, you will have to pay additional charges for the new one.

Obtaining a duplicate account statement also attracts charges. Here you have a choice to cut down these kinds of charges. Take route of digital services to obtain your duplicate account statement. The banks will give you a 50% or above rebate on such charges.

Using electronic modes of funds transfer like National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) too attracts charges. Internation-al transactions cost a few percent more because of the currency conversion charge. If you make payments abroad through debit or credit card, a charge of varying from bank to bank is added to the exchange rate

Swiping a debit or credit card at a petrol pump attracts the amount of surcharge. The charges vary from bank to bank. However, some banks offer you a cash-back in partnership with oil marketing companies.

SMS alert service is one of the best things that has hap-pened entirely to the benefi t of the account holder. Now banks charge for the balance updates they send on cell phones. Some banks charge on a quarter basis for the service, while some levy charges after the account holder crosses the threshold limit of free SMS alerts.

Even charges are levied if you leave your account unused. Over a period of time, these unused accounts fall below the minimum amount balance limit. Once it hap-pens, the bank starts deducting charges. At one point of time, the entire balance of your account can be wiped out. So don’t leave your account inactive and simul-taneously ensure your minimum balance in the account is in line with the norms to avoid charges’ deduction. It is better to close the unused accounts.

Know your service chargesPeople need to understand that online

services are not free of cost.

FREEZE FRAMESYEDA AFSHANA | [email protected]

STRAIGHT Talk

SAJJAD BAZAZReaders can send their queries to

[email protected], [email protected](The views are of the author & not the institution he works for)

Face the musicBefore the family could reckon of anything else, the timbre of some musical instruments started booming from the loudspeakers.

GLOBAL CONCERNPROF. RAIS AKHTAR

[email protected]

“Allah will surely reward you for this concern. It is certainly for a good cause. Though I am a retired man, here is my modest contribution,” he said while donating some money to the group of neighbors who had visited him. “Who were

they?” his wife inquired from him as soon as he came in from the veranda door. “Nothing, they were look-ing for someone and I guided them,” he replied while wearing his reading glasses, and started surfi ng the newspaper.

A few days later, he was waiting to receive his grandchildren from school at a nearby bus stop. “My exam went well,” said Sara, his fi ve-year-old grand-daughter while stepping down from the school bus. Taking her in arms, he replied with good cheer, “It’s great, and what about you Saqib?”, turning to his sev-en-year-old grandson, whom he held fast by his hand. “I did everything I was asked to do… Hey Grandpa, what are they doing?” he eagerly asked while pointing towards some people dropping off a lot of goods from a load carrier which included huge logs of wood and iron rods plus much more. Without taking any serious note, Grandpa forced Saqib to move towards home and said, “It seems some marriage function is happening in the locality; you get in as you must be quite tired.”

Evening set in. Having a little in their dinner and throwing all tantrums around, Sara and Saqib were cajoled to sleep by their parents. Sometime later, elders of the family, fatigued of the daily toil as well as the managing of the children, too went to sleep. No sooner they had a nap, an earsplitting and grat-ing voice burst from the loudspeaker—“Hello, hello, testing, testing...” It was a surprising moment. A time neither for any Azaan nor for any call of the religious night, the sound kept mounting in volume. Before the family could reckon of anything else, the timbre of some musical instruments started booming from the loudspeakers. It wasn’t the voice from the mosque; at least this was now clear for the family.

Gradually, the musicians also started singing in all the languages they knew. From so-called religious songs to Bollywood item songs, they let no one sleep in the locality. Kids, old, young and sick, all had to ‘face the music’. Grandpa quietly went to see Sara and Saqib in their room. However, he saw their parents pacify-ing them as they had started tossing and turning, and getting cranky. The deafening voices were getting shrill as the night advanced. Amid the dark long night, the lights of rooms in adja-cent houses were fl ickering on and off. Everybody felt besieged in the noisy scene.

The ailing granny also got uneasy and distressed. The wide-awake old man too couldn’t go to the mosque the next dawn. Along with the blaring music and bawdy lyrics that rebounded from the lanes of the locality, he went to the baker shop to fetch some fresh bread. He saw other people there, waiting for their turn, in an agitated mood. The issue under discussion was the use of loudspeakers during Mehndiraat. The old man was upset to learn about the extravaganza by a particular person in the locality who had hired these pricey singers for the whole night. Without entering into the discussion, he took the bread and returned home.

For Sara and Saqib, the night was no less than a nightmare. Being too sleepy and irked, they missed their morning online classes. Amidst trauma stem-ming from the pandemic and prevailing circumstanc-es, it was too hard for kids to take this hullabaloo.

Tackling the irritated kids was a hard task for the parents. The doctor advised some investigations and added some more medicines in granny’s prescription. Kids went to sleep an early evening, and the rest of the family too decided to have dinner ahead of schedule and then take some rest.

“Thud, Thud” an instant big blast followed by scores of thunderous boom once again woke up the kids with fright and made them take refuge under quilt fussily. The old granny once again got startled. The sounds were so piercing and loud that the father of kids called up his friend in the nearby locality where-from the blasts echoed, just to know what was happen-ing. “What did your friend say?” eagerly asked his old father, “is there an encounter going on?” he added. “No, it is some Baraat that has reached the marriage hall in my friend’s colony,” he answered pitiably.

“Who played loud music yesterday, and who is bursting these crackers tonight?” asked Saqib edgily while holing himself up under the bed cushions. “The music was played by the poor person for whom our neighbors raised the money to get his daughter mar-ried. And, these crackers are burst by the ‘rich’ class of our society,” Grandpa replied in a dull voice and added, “my dear, you will understand once you grow up. I wish your growing is silent and smooth, and you don’t lose the face and face this music.”

The noise grew shriller. The ambience was darker…..as the mad cacophony continued.

Bottomline: When marriages become a spectacle of fl aunting, shallow escapades and social media antics, the so-called rich prove appallingly poor people of any society. Marriages aren’t mad displays staged to create ballyhoo. Marriages are solemnly soulful connect, beyond temporal and fl imsy manifestations. If they fail to be so, they are then reduced to earthly settlements.


assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not refl ect the views of GK.

EDITtwitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

Printed and Published by: Rashid Makhdoomi on behalf of GK Communications Pvt. Ltd. | Editor: Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo | Executive Editor: Arif Shafi Wani | Jammu Bureau: 3/A, Auqaf Complex, Auqaf Market, Gandhi Nagar, Ph: 0191-2430732 | Published from: 6 - Pratap Park, Residency Road, Srinagar - 190001 | P. Box No: 558 (GPO) | R.N.I. No: 48956/88Regd. No: JKNP-5/SKGPO-2015-2017 | Phones & Email: Editorial: 2455435 Fax: 0194-2477782, [email protected], [email protected] | Advertising: 2474339, [email protected] | Circulation: 2474755, [email protected] | Printed at: E-Tech Printers, Industrial Estate Rangreth

DISCLAIMER: The content in the articles that appear on the editorial pages of Greater Kashmir, and are uploaded on its online edition, is strictly authors' own. GK does not take any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, originality, and not plagiarised, or validity of any information on these articles. The information, facts or opinions appearing in these articles in no way refl ect the views of Greater Kashmir,

and GK does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. The responsibility of the content, in whatever manner, is solely, and totally, authors'.


REGIONAL SHIFT DR. MUDASSIR FATAH

[email protected]

as a socio-religious entity within the valley, they also propagated the assimilation of dif-ferent religious cultures and identities. For instance, Hazrat Bulbul Shah of the Suhar-awardi order strengthened the foundation of Sufi Islam in Kashmir when he acted as a catalyst in the conversion of the Buddhist prince Rinchana to Islam after the Buddhist Prince was denied the right to convert to Hin-duism after his marriage to the Hindu prin-cess Kota Rani, the daughter of the erstwhile King Ramachandra. (Ahmed Shah, 2021) He also advocated the synthesis of Islam, Hindu-ism and Buddhism within the valley to bring political stability within the region.

Similarly, Mir Syed Ali Hamadani popu-larly known as ‘Shah-i-Hamadan’ enriched Kashmiri society for the better through his diverse contributions in the field of philos-ophy, ethics and jurisprudence on the one hand and art and craft on the other. (Ahmed Shah, 2021) For example, through his books like Zakhiratul Mulk, Shah-i-Hamadan tena-ciously provided his followers with a com-prehensive code of conduct that could enable them to lead a virtuous life, eventually allow-ing them to attain eternal salvation (Sa’adah) As a pious Sufi, he also believed in earning from lawful (Halal) resources. (Greater Kash-mir, 2015) and he had an all pervasive influ-ence on the rise of Sufi Islam within Kashmir. Since his teachings were based on the notions of Tawheed (oneness of God) Ikhlas (purity) and Unity, he attracted several followers from all walks of life including the patrician and plebeian classes (EFSAS, 2017) for he envisioned a society where people of diverse religious backgrounds could live together as a community peacefully. (Singh, 2018)

However, the most notable contribution in this regard was made by the Sufi saint Hazrat Shiekh Nuruddin Wali, also known as Nund Rishi. His shrine at Charar-i-Shareef is popu-lar among both Hindus and Muslims. Impor-tantly, his popularity among both Hindus and Muslims can be attributed to the fact

that he preached communal harmony and promoted the universal notion of love. Inter-estingly, what makes him a true ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity was his respect and adoration for the Shaivite female mystic Lal Ded or Lalla Arifa (Lala, the Realised One) and convergences between their teachings can be found till this day. Both Nund Rishi and Lal Ded were tolerant in their beliefs and supported the marginalised sections of society. They vehemently opposed the caste system and the existing superstitions within the Hindu religious fold. (Sikand, 2001) and Nund Rishi’s shukhs and Lal Ded’s vakhs initiated a conversation in medieval society about faith and its enduring role in society.

Rise of Pluralistic Cultural Order in the Valley Due to the burgeoning influence of mys-

tics like Nund Rishi and Lal Ded, a pluralistic culture of tolerance emerged within Kash-miri society that saw its finest expression in religious festivals and cultural celebrations across the valley. For example, the birth of the river ‘Vitasta’ (Jhelum) was celebrated with great fervour by both communities where the king himself (King Zain-ul-Abidin/ Bud Shah in this case) served as the high priest. In fact, this festival ‘Vethrutava’ that feted the birth of the river Jhelum was celebrated with much fanfare even when most of the Kashmiri population had converted to Islam in medieval Kashmir. (Ahmed Sheikh, 2017) This celebra-tion of the river’s brith can be attributed to the fact that the river Jhelum is the lifeline of the valley and has remained an important mode of transportations and internal trade since ancient times. (Hakhoo, 2015)

Similarly, both Hindus and Muslims also came together to celebrate the onset of Spring by celebrating the festival of ‘Badamwari’ (Almond Festival) amidst much fanfare. (Nadeem, 2020) Similarly, Nagayatra was celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims during Bhadun (August) (Ahmed Sheikh, 2017) Similarly, Na’ats or devotional poems

praising the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were composed by Hindus (Ashiq, 2018) while Muslim artists composed Hindu Kirtans or devotional hymns (Nazir, 2018) Thus, due to the influence of eclectic Sufi traditions, Kashmiris came to develop customs (Rewaz) that strengthened the notion of a composite culture.These cultural practices paved the way for the creation of a society that was inclusive and tolerant.

ConclusionTherefore, the arrival of Sufism in Kash-

mir greatly impacted the society and polity of Kashmir. Moreover, Sufi saints in Kash-mir while cementing the Islamic belief system in the valley worked assiduously to build a society that espoused the cause of inter-faith harmony. The rise of a pluralistic cultural order in the Kashmir Valley was a by-product of the positive influence of Sufi saints in Kashmir as the inherent eclecti-cism that informed Sufi practices within Kashmir richly influenced the lives of ordi-nary people in the Kashmir Valley. Thus, Sufism as an ideology promoted the creation of a composite culture in Kashmir.

References Ashiq, P. (2018) Kashmiri Muslims sing

Pandits’ poetry The Hindu 01June 2018 URL:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/kashmiri-muslims-sing-pandits-poetry/article24050626.ece Greater Kashmir (2015) The Shah of Hamadan Greater Kash-mir 22 September 2021 URL: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/the-shah-of-hamadan/

European Foundation for South Asian Studies (2021) Kashmir’s Composite Culture: Sufism and Communal Harmony- Kashmiri-yatEuropean Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) URL: https://www.efsas.org/publications/study-papers/kashmir’s-composite-culture-sufism-and-communal-harmony-kashmiriyat/

Hakhoo, S. (2015) Happy b’day Jelum, the lifeline of Valley Tribune India 26 September 2015 URL: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/happy-b-day-jhelum-the-lifeline-of-valley-138277

Nazir, A. (2018) Kashmir’s religious har-mony a lesson in troubled times Al Jazeera 06 May 2018 URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/5/6/kashmirs-religious-harmony-a-lesson-in-troubled-times

Parveen, B. (2014) The Eclectic Spirit of Sufism in India: An Appraisal Social Scien-tist Vol. 42, No. 11/12 (November–December 2014), pp. 39-46

Peer, N. (2020) Role fo Sufism in Kashmiri-yat and Communal Harmony international Journal of Applied Research 2020 6(7) 342-345 URL: https://www.allresearchjournal.com/archives/2020/vol6issue7/PartE/6-7-102-412.pdf

Shah, A.A. (2021) Islam in Kashmir and the Role of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) Rising Kashmir

Sikand, Y. (2001) Hopes for Reconcilia-tion in Kashmir Outlook India 01 November 2001 URL: https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/hopes-for-reconciliation-in-kashmir/213601

Shiekh, A.T. (2017) Composite Culture of Kashmir: A Reflection of Social Cus-toms and Practices International Journal For Innovative Research in Multidisci-plinary Field July 2017 Volume 3 Issue 7 URL: https://www.ijirmf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/201707007.pdf

Singh, J. (2018) From Shaivite masters to Sufi saints: The land of spiritual gurus-Kashmir Times Now 24 October 2018 URL: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/gurus-of-kashmir-shaivite-masters-sufi-saints-hindu-muslim-gurus/300016

Anuttama Banerji is a Freelance Features Writer & Political Commentator


assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not reflect the views of GK.

Sufism & the Creation of Composite Culture in Kashmir

Kashmir is a mosaic and not a monolith of cultures and the advent of Sufism has promoted the rise of a cosmopolitan culture in the Kashmir Valley

While Sufi saints played a role in strengthening Islam as a socio-religious entity

within the valley, they also propagated the assimilation of different religious cultures

and identities.

DISCLAIMER: The content in the articles that appear on the editorial pages of Greater Kashmir, and are uploaded on its online edition, is strictly authors' own. GK does not take any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, originality, and not plagiarised, or validity of any information on these articles. The information, facts or opinions appearing in these articles in no way reflect the views of Greater Kashmir,

and GK does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. The responsibility of the content, in whatever manner, is solely, and totally, authors'.

PERSPECTIVEANUTTAMA BANERJI

[email protected]

How will they deal with the

unemployment, healthcare,

development, and corruption. The

biggest question ever is what about the girls’ education.

Development is impossible without peace. For tourism

to flourish, Peace is again imperative.

As the Taliban is march-ing back on the roads of Kabul after almost 20 years, the situation is changing rapidly, and

world leaders are watching keenly. The regaining of the control by the Taliban not only ensures their success but also raises many questions, particu-larly on the action US and NATO took twenty years ago. There is a general understanding regard-ing the hurried withdrawal of the US, but did the US had any other choice; the answer is simply no.

Let me put it simple, first, US invested $83 billion on the war in Afghanistan and lost 2448 American service mem-bers’. The damages done to the US due to this war are unprece-dented. The war saw four Presi-dents of the United States. On April 6, 2021, President Biden has reportedly told his staff that he wanted to withdraw all the troops by Sept. 11. He said, “I was the fourth president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan — two Republicans, two Demo-crats,” he said later, “I would not, and will not, pass this war on to a fifth” (New York Times, August 15, 2021). Mr. Biden was convinced enough that keep-ing the small counterterrorism forces back in Afghanistan for few more years, as advised by some Defence Department officials, will not prevent an eventual Taliban victory. So, he found no reason in keeping back some forces in Afghani-stan.

Second, the rampant corrup-tion in the Afghanistan govern-ment played a greater role in weaking of the Ghani govern-ment. This eventually paved the way for the Taliban success that

too without any hard fight from the Afghan forces. A confiden-tial effort on “Lessons Learned” conducted by SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghani-stan Reconstruction), published by the Washington Post, high-lighted a ‘devastating picture of corruption, incompetence, lack of motivation and other flaws among the Afghan forces’. The corruption was so rampant in Afghan government that many Afghan citizens began to ques-tion whether their government or the Taliban was the greater evil(New York Times, August 15, 2021).

This impatience of the US administration and the rampant corruption with the Afghan government paved the way for the early entry of the Taliban into the Kabul. The “Graveyard of Empires” as Afghanistan is called was substantiated again by the success of the Taliban, even the mighty power could not hold as they could have dreamed off. As is well said, the wars are not won by gun battles, rather in the minds of the stake-holders involved. It is really a mind game. Won in the minds and by the minds. There is no denying the fact the US knew that the Taliban is going to win this war, it was just the matter of time.

Now when the Taliban 2.0 has entered the Kabul, Ashraf Ghani has already stepped down and left the country, the big question of the time is WHAT NOW FOR THE TALI-BAN. Will the Taliban 2.0 be different from the old Taliban. How will they deal with the unemployment, healthcare, development, and corruption. The biggest question ever is what about the girls’ educa-tion. Will the Taliban allow the girls’ schools to operate this time, though promised, but it needs to be seen. Women rights are without any doubt going to be the contentious issue within the new Taliban government. Maintaining peace and pre-venting the Afghanistan going to civil war are definitely big challenge to the Taliban 2.0.

Apart from these internal challenges, some of the external challenges are also there to be faced by the Taliban 2.0, which most importantly includes the international recognition. With-

out the international recogni-tion it is impossible to sustain for long. This time Taliban does not have the option of being aloof. Though the Taliban have Russia and China, apart from Pakistan on their side, the world would like to see some changes in the Taliban govern-ment, which most importantly includes inculcating much needed democratic values in their ideology, if not, then the challenges will pour in the Tali-ban 2.0 as well.

Though capturing back Afghanistan was not so tough for the Taliban, sustaining is. For sustaining, they need inter-national recognition. For inter-national recognition peaceful atmosphere in all over Afghani-stan, taking adequate care of the minorities and most impor-tantly women’s rights are much needed.

The game for the Taliban and the regional powers begins now. India, Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia are the regional and the most important stakeholders in Afghanistan now. How will Tali-ban connect to these countries and assure all its neighbours and take care of their interests in Afghanistan now, remains to be seen. As the Russia has refused to close its Embassy in Kabul after the guarantees from the Taliban, is it an indication that Kremlin will be recognising the Taliban regime?

China is already ready for the greater role in Afghanistan. On July 28, 2021, Chinese For-eign Minister Wang Yi hosted nine-member delegation of the Taliban and described them “a pivotal military and political

force”. The visit comes days after Pakistan Foreign Min-ister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Mr. Wang in the Chinese city of Chengdu. China has also decided not to close its Embassy in Kabul, a swift change in its policy towards Taliban 2.0.

Pakistan, without any doubt is already maintaining its influ-ence on the Taliban. From the regional compact, only India is left out. As of now, India is closely watching the situation and vacating Kabul. The future course of action of Russia and China will be known very soon, but the Indian govern-ment may not be in any hurry to take any immediate action. Very recently, Russia also invited US, China, and Paki-stan for the Extended Troika Meeting on Afghanistan, again India was left out. Though it seems Russia and China may very hurriedly recognise the Taliban regime, India and the West are unlikely to do so at this point of time.

Until the Taliban 2.0 will guarantee the rights and secu-rity of the women, minorities, and its citizens in general, world may not recognise them. This in fact is the time for the Taliban to redevelop and revisit their ideol-ogy and take along all the nec-essary stakeholders. They must not punish any person who have worked with the US or the Ghani government, only then the peace will prevail in Afghanistan. Though they have announced the general amnesty for all those who have worked with the US and the Ghani government, much cannot be predicted as of now. It is their duty to assure the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the same. The peace and secu-rity must be maintained, only then the world may look towards them, and the future of Afghani-stan may be secured.

Note: Views are personal.

Dr. Mudassir Fatah is Assistant Pro-fessor, Department of International

Relations, School of Liberal Arts, Noida International University, Gautam Budh Nagar, UP. The author is a researcher on

Afghanistan.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts, analysis, assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not

reflect the views of GK.

Economic development ofJ&K under Modi government

A vast natural resource base has enabled J&K to develop land for cultivating major fruits.

The six-year rule of Prime Minister Modi Ji from 2014 will be remembered as the most peaceful period in the history of Jammu and Kashmir since 1990 .

The prime minister focus remains on three things -- speedy development of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure benefits reach an ordinary person for his upliftment, strengthening of grassroot democracy and a peaceful security scenario.

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a Union Territory (UT) of India, located in the country’s northern part, and a global tourist destination. In addition to tra-ditional recreational tourism, a vast scope exists for adventure, pilgrimage, spiritual, and health tourism.

The economy is primarily services based and agri-oriented. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) increased at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 8.51% between 2015-16 and 2020-21 to reach Rs. 1.76 trillion (US$ 24.28 billion). J&K’s NSDP increased at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 8.61% from 2015-16 to 2020-21 and reached Rs. 1.49 tril-lion (US$ 20.49 billion).

A vast natural resource base has enabled J&K to develop land for cul-tivating major fruits. With varied agro-climatic conditions, the scope for horticulture is significantly high in J&K. Food processing and agro-based industries (excluding conventional grinding and extraction units) thrive in the UT. J&K has an ideal climate for floriculture and an enormous assortment of flora and fauna. J&K has Asia’s larg-est tulip garden.

J&K’s handicrafts are world famous and the tra-ditional handicraft industry has emerged as a large industry. Due to its large employment base and export potential, the industry has been receiving priority attention of the government. The UT is also famous for its small-scale and cottage industries such as carpet weaving, silks, shawls, basketry, pottery, copper and silverware, papier-mâché, and walnut wood. The cot-tage handicrafts industry provides direct and gainful employment to around 340,000 artisans.

After August 5 last year, there is a visible change (in J&K) in every field, whether related to unfinished projects, implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, infrastructure development and security

situation,”On August 5 last year, the Centre had abrogated

the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifur-cated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.

Extending benefits of various centrally sponsored schemes like Ayushman Bharat to all residents of the Union territory and PM special scholarship scheme (PMSSS)for students of jammu and Kashmir and many other schemes of ministry of minority affairs .

Peace is essential for development, tourism and employment generation for the youth.

Development is impossible without peace. For tourism to flourish, Peace is again imperative. Peace is key to fulfillment of the dreams of youth .

PM Modi’s six-year rule provided most peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir .

Promises made to the people of the Union terri-tory by PM being implemented sincerely .

Traditional parties of jammu and Kashmir could not achieve in last fourty years what present Govt did for the state in every field development of higher education institutions and other infrastructure.

Modi government not only ensured national integrity but also integrated the region with the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat vision .

Jammu and kashmir will soon emerge as an edu-cational hub. “The IIT, IIM, IIMC and AIIMS will expand educational opportunities for the youth,” center government wants the youth of J-K to compete with the rest of India and achieve their aspirations.

“Expanding infrastructure and investment in the state will provide them avenues for employment setting up of AIIMS and Cancer Institute along with two new medical colleges in Udhampur, as well as 22 colleges and two cultural universities.

Center govt investing in educa-tional infrastructure because they believe in investing in the future of the youth. J-K is a crucial factor in the economic strategy and growth of India’s economy . under PM Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), nearly

11,517 km in total length, 1858 roads and 84 bridges have already been constructed.

BJP govt led by Modi ji approved a ₹28,400 crore incentive package to boost industry and generate jobs in the newly created Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

There main aims to attract new investments into the region that has been ravaged by terrorist vio-lence for decades resulting in slow industrial growth and lack of employment. The package, announced days after the conclusion of local body elections, also aims to support traditional industries in the region.

Economic development of Jammu and Kashmir under Modi government will be remembered in the history of kashmir .

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts, analysis, assumptions and perspective

appearing in the article do not reflect the views of GK.

What this shift means for the worldMaintaining peace and preventing civil war are definitely big challenges

FOCUS BHARAT RAWAT

Sufism in the Kashmir Valley Sufism (Tasawwuf) as an ideological

framework or religious belief system origi-nated in the seventh century when mystics wearing coarse woollen clothes asserted that they had found a way of acquiring ‘mystic knowledge’ of God (Allah). The Sufi mystics sought holy communion with God through an intensely personal liaison with the Divine Power. (Parveen, 2014:39) While most Sufi orders in India have traditionally followed the principle of Wahadat ‘al Wujud (unity of all existence) which preached that all reli-gions led to God and mystical union with God was possible, some Sufi orders also followed the principle of Wahadat ‘al Shuhud (unity of all witness) that negated the claims of the former and stated that God was unique in his Self, and in no way could any created object be a part of His being.

Within Kashmir, the principle of Wahadat ‘al Wujud has largely held sway as Sufism has given birth to a rich and eclectic culture within the Kashmir Valley. Like the erstwhile Mughal state which was not a wall-to-wall carpet but was a patchwork quilt1, Kashmir too, has always possessed a rich cultural heri-tage and Sufism as an ideological belief system has further enriched the socio-cultural belief systems of the local Kashmiri population. The convergence of humanism, spirituality and tolerance within Sufism has attracted ordi-nary Kashmiris within the Sufi fold as various Sufi orders (silsilas) have flourished within Kashmir such as the Naqshbandi, the Qadiri, the Suhrawardi, the Kubrawi Silsilas and the Sufi order of the Rishis. Barring the order of the Rishis which had indigenous origins, the other orders had Iranian or Central Asian origins. In fact, Sufism had a twin impact in Kashmir. Firstly, it acted as a catalyst in the spread of Islam in Kashmir. Secondly, Sufism gave birth to a composite culture within Kash-mir as different religious communities, be it, Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist came to reside in Kashmir peacefully (EFSAS, 2017) Thus, Sufism on the one hand strengthened Islam as a religious entity within the region, it also paved the way for the creation of a composite cultural identity within Kashmir.

Sufism, Islam and the Spread of Composite Culture The spread of Sufism coincided with the

1 rise of Islam within Kashmir. While Sufi saints played a role in strengthening Islam

OPED twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

08 Greater Kashmir

FROM THE FRONT PAGE...twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

SRINAGAR | August 29, 2021, Sunday

Jammu, Srinagar... Aharbal can be... Situation... Centre extends...

Wular...

Covid positivity...

India records...

Metro rail... J&K records 1 death...

Amid Ladakh...

Jammu district...

LS Speaker...

NIA files chargesheet...

Landslides...

balance between Nature and development, I am certain global warming will destroy our civilization and all the modern facilities we have created for mankind,” the Lt Governor added.

“Our small steps can prevent irreversible damage from climate change. Everyone must strongly support this unique movement and say 'No to Polythene',” said the Lt Governor.

Speaking on the emerging threat of plastic waste, the Lt Governor observed that around 300 million tons of plastic waste is being collected all over the world every year. “As per 2019 report of the Central Pollution Control Board, 34,367 tonnes of plastic waste is being collected every year in Jammu Kashmir and a sizeable portion is single-use polythene,” he added.

“Climate change is real. If we do not take action now to protect Mother Nature, our rivers, lakes and localities in future could possibly be buried under the burden of this waste,” said the Lt Governor.

“We cannot overcome environmental challenges with-out people’s participation. I urge everyone to do their bit to support this important cause,” observed the Lt Governor.

Citing an example of a small town of Palwal in Haryana, the Lt Governor also advised people to adopt eco-friendly practices like using cotton bags to curb polythene pollution.

“We must add ‘Rethink Strategy’ in our existing 6R Campaign- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Remove, Refuse, and Report to strengthen our resolve for bringing better envi-ronmental sustainability in the UT,” he added.

The Lt Governor emphasized several measures being implemented by the government for transforming Jammu and Srinagar into smart and eco-friendly cities.

The action plan prepared by Srinagar Municipal Corpo-ration for Waste to Energy Plant has been approved. We are planning to start door-to-door collection of 100% solid waste in all the cities of UT by 2nd October, he added.

Terming the revival of Khushal Sar Lake as one of the biggest examples of Jan-Bhageedari in environment pro-tection endeavors, the Lt Governor expressed gratitude to everyone involved in lake rejuvenation initiative.

Manzoor Ahmad has done phenomenal work and he is an inspiration for our citizens. I have learnt that he is also working on other plans as well with active participation of the government departments. The administration has also taken up the work of Jhelum Riverfront, added the Lt Governor.

On the occasion, pledge was also administered to make Srinagar a polythene-free zone.

Junaid Azim, Mattu, Mayor SMC and Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor JMC also spoke on the occasion and out-lined the measures taken by the Municipal Corporations to reduce the polythene pollution in the UT.

The JMC Mayor also promised to conduct a similar drive in Jammu.

The talented musicians enthralled the audience during “Battle of Bands” programme on the theme of polythene-free Srinagar. Organized by SMC, in collaboration with White Globe, the event is a part of the series of programmes under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

said that the UT administration was awaiting the union cabinet nod for the project.

“We have submitted the proposal for the metro rail, and the Housing and Urban Development Ministry has circu-lated the cabinet note in this regard,” Sinha told newsmen on the sidelines of a function held here in connection with making Srinagar polythene-free.

“Once all the departments comment on it, it will be sent to the PMO and the cabinet will approve it. After it is approved, we will start the tendering process,” he said.

Pertinently, in this connection a detailed project report prepared by the M/S RITES stands submitted to the Min-istry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The metro rail projects in Srinagar and Jammu cities are pegged to cost Rs 10,559 crore.

The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Once the projects are completed, Srinagar and Jammu will become the first two non-major cities in the country to have the rapid transport network functional.

Experts believe that the site which is rich in fossil bio-diversity and replete with dense fossil samples at specific locations can be as old as 488 to 354 million years. However, the exact date can be ascertained only after radiocarbon dating.

“As per our preliminary research it can be the oldest fossil site,” said Dr Hamza, doctorate in Botony and coor-dinator School Herbal gardens for Kashmir division.

He said in terms of area, quantity, and diversity the fossil site is significant. “We have been following this site since 2018. The erosion of metamorphic rocks due to weath-ering has resulted in the fossils getting exposed,” he said.

He said upon preliminary investigation it was revealed that the fossils fall between the Ordovician and Devonian period. “The different organisms of that period include bryozoans (colonial animals); gastropods, trilobites, ances-tors of C scorpions, and ancient relatives of snails etc,” Dr Hamza said.

He said the site needs to be evaluated for other fossil flora and fauna.

Manzoor Javaid, postgraduate in Environmental Sci-ences and Sociology, who is also State coordinator in School Herbal gardens, a department of school education initia-tive, suggested that the government should protect the site and establish a fossil museum.

“There should be a separate department of paleontology at college and university level,” he said.

Meanwhile, a team from the department of archives, archaeology and museum visited the site today and took the samples. “We took the samples for cleaning purposes and then put it them to the investigation,” said deputy director archives, Mushtaq Ahmad Baig.

He said the samples would be sent to Baba Atomic Research Centre (BAARC). “As of now, we can’t confirm the age of these fossils and about the prints. It needs to be ascertained through serious research and carbon dating. However, it is the biggest find in J&K in terms of occur-rence, area, diversity, and age of the fossils,” he said.

He said an effortless observation reveals that thousands of fossils are visible at the site superficially without any excavation.

“It is an indication that a huge haul of fossils could be hidden beneath. If the potential areas of the site are excavated, it may reveal an astonishing fossil world to the scientific community,” Baig said.

Most of the fossil sites have either been discovered by foreigners or by professionals. This is, however, the only discovery in J&K made by the amateur fossil hunters.

Presently, Zewan area on Srinagar outskirts is consid-ered as oldest fossil site in Kashmir.

An unveiling ceremony of the site was held today.Among others present at the event were Mushtaq Ahjad

Baig, Deputy Director Archives, Muneer ul Islam, Direc-tor General custodian, and ex-director Archives, DFO Kulgam, Syed Waseem; District coordinator of Herbal garden scheme Shopian, Parvez Sajad and Muhamad Yousuf, coordinator Herbal garden scheme. Muhamad Yousuf and amateur hunter Fayaz Ahmad.

The DGP said that those militants killed in the operations recently had on their hands blood of dozens of civilians from different parts of Kashmir, particularly emphasizing on Abbas Sheikh who was recently killed in Srinagar.

The DGP said "All those killed in encounters which happened in Tral, Pulwama, Shopian, were involved in innocent civilian kill-ings. And by playing with the lives and properties of the people, they want to create an atmosphere of fear for those who want to live peacefully."

He further said, "It's the exercise they had been doing before so that shutdowns happen, people suffer... that is why civilians are killed and such operations against them will help to improve the atmosphere".

On whether the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has increased given that the encounters and arrests have increased, the DGP replied, "This is a police process which continues and our effort remains whosoever tries to violate peace and law is dealt in with severity."

He said, "If a grenade blast happens both innocents and forces personal are injured, somebody walks with a pistol and makes a selective killing, it is not any sacred job. It is against the society. Any of these elements that police could identify are dealt with strictly."

The DGP, however, said, "We won't say that militancy is increas-ing but those associated with militancy and wanting to create the atmosphere of terror are being dealt with on regular basis, and operations against them are gaining pace on daily basis."

On Taliban, the DGP said, "The situation in Kashmir is peaceful and it will remain as such."

Meanwhile, a police handout said that Director General of Police J&K, Dilbag Singh visited North Kashmir Range’s Bandi-pora district today where he reviewed the security scenario of the district at a meeting.

The DG addressed Darbar of officers and personnel at DPL, chaired officers’ meeting with Army, CRPF, BSF and jurisdictional officers to review the security scenario of the district and also inaugurated joint interrogation centre in the Police Component Complex, a police handout said.

Accompanied by IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, the DGP was received by SSP Bandipora Mohd Zahid and other officers of the district.

Addressing the Darbar, the DGP said he was happy to be back in Bandipora to compliment all officers and soldiers personally for exhibiting devotion and sincerity in performing their duties, the statement said.

“He said that it is good to see that all of us faced the 2nd wave of COVID bravely because J&K Police personnel are better vaccinated. He thanked the Almighty for saving the J&K Police personnel,” the statement said.

The DGP asked the officers and soldiers to be very careful and cautious for themselves and for their families as the 3rd wave of COVID is supposed to be around.

He said that as in the recent past “we have faced two waves bravely and hoped that the 3rd wave of pandemic will also be faced bravely.”

He directed the personnel to be prepared mentally and physi-cally on ground for the next challenge of COVID.

Referring to the recent successes for the maintenance of peace and law & order, the DGP said that J&K Police is known for its bravery, professionalism not only in J&K but across the coun-try. He said he is always overwhelmed when newspaper articles are published highlighting the achievements of the J&K Police force and describe it as one of the best forces in the country. It is because of the work done by officers/personnel on ground at cutting edge level, he added.

He said that to maintain the status of being one of the best forces all of us have to work hard with sincerity for any upcom-ing challenge.

The DGP said that recent gallantry medals conferred on the J&K Police officers & personnel shows the commitment, sincerity, hard work and above all martyrdom of our brave hearts.

He said that out of total 79 Ashok Chakras conferred during the last 70 years J&K Police owns one among them. It is an honour for the force to receive Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra & Shaurya Chakra together in an year and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has personally conveyed congratulations for the feat, he added.

He said that Police Headquarters is trying at different levels to sharpen the capabilities of our officers and soldiers.

Referring to the capacity building programmes organised with NIA the DGP said that working and learning with the renowned agencies would help in sharpening the talent of our officials.

He directed the SSP Bandipora to organize the lectures of those officers who attended the programme and share their learned skills with their colleagues and PSIs.

Speaking on the occasion the IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that “we are all fighting for a common goal that is peace” and stressed upon officers and soldiers work together. He said that J&K Police “has been fighting terrorism since last 32 years profes-sionally and each one of us has to contribute for lasting peace.”

During the darbar, the DGP patiently listened to the demands and grievances of the officers and soldiers.

He assured them that all genuine grievances of the personnel will be looked into at the earliest.

After addressing the darbar, the DGP chaired officers meet-ing wherein he took stock of the present security scenario of the district.

Speaking to officers the DGP directed them to keep pressure on the anti national elements and stressed upon them to identify the areas & OGWs wherefrom anti national elements get assis-tance. He said that synergy between all forces in Jammu Kashmir has ensured peace.

SSP Bandipora and other officers briefed the DGP on the secu-rity measures taken for the peaceful atmosphere in the district.

Besides IGP Kashmir, SSP Bandipora the security review meet-ing was attended by CO 14 RR Pranab Joshi, CO 26 Assam Rifles Shri C Vidya Dharan, CO 13 RR Mayank Sharma, CO CRPF 3rd Bn. Rakesh Sharma, ASP Bandipora Ashiq Hussain Tak, Dy CO BSF Surinder Singh, all district SDPOs and SHOs.

The DGP, J&K also inaugurated a joint interrogation centre in the Police Component Complex. He also decorated SSP Bandi-pora with the JKPMG Medal, the statement said.

Also one Covid death has been reported from Jammu Division.

Moreover, 103 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from various hospitals including 36 from Jammu Division and 67 from Kashmir Division.

Besides this, 64.64 percent of the population above the age of 18 years has been vaccinated across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Bulletin also informs that no new confirmed case of Mucormycosis has been reported today, thus the total number of confirmed cases remains 44 in the UT of J&K.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona-virus (Covid-19), out of 324979 positive cases, 1211 are Active Positive, 319362 have recovered and 4406 have died; 2165 in Jammu division and 2241 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 13219524 test results available, 12894545 samples have been tested as negative till today.

pital, Bakshi Nagar, Super Speciality Hospital, Jammu, Government Gandhi Nagar Hospital, MCH Gandhi Nagar, SMGS Hospital at Shalamar, RS Pura SDH,” said an official in the health department.

The official said that the SMGS hospital and Super Spe-ciality Hospital, Jammu would have additional oxygen generation plants very soon. The work was in progress to establish separate paediatric Intensive Critical Units (ICUs) at SMGS Hospital and Gandhi Nagar Hospital.

Besides, he said, installation work of oxygen generation plants was in progress in Sub District Hospital Akhnoor and Chowki Choura.

“A new SDH Akhnoor building is being constructed and it will be commissioned soon. We are given a deadline to handover the building by September end,” the official added while saying that they were providing training to the concerned medical staff to effectively run ventilators and maintain high pressure of oxygen.

The installation of oxygen generation plants would make the hospitals self-reliant with regard to the availability of oxygen, the official claimed. He said that the department provided oxygen concentrators in almost all the Primary Health Centres at panchayat level in Jammu district.

So far, Jammu district vaccinated 11 lakh people (first dose) of all age groups i.e., 60, 45 and above 18 years.

The officials further claimed that they dedicated an ICU in DRDO established hospital at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu district and of 125 ICU beds, 28 beds were dedicated for paediatrics purposes.

“We have dedicated 28 ICU beds for paediatrics and 33 beds in the general ward. The number can further be extended as and when it is required,” a senior official in GMC Jammu said.

At present in DRDO-established hospitals, six Covid infected patients were under treatment and their condition was improving.

The official said, “We are monitoring the situation. As of now, the situation is normal with regard to Covid19 positive cases.”

Affairs to ensure compliance to the containment measures for Covid-19, as conveyed vide Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will remain in force up to 30th September, 2021."

Noting that the overall pandemic situation at the nation-al level now appears to be largely stable, except for the localised spread of virus in few states, Bhalla said, "The total number of active cases and high case positivity in some districts continue to remain a matter of concern".

In a separate communication with states and UTs, he noted that the weekly enforcement data received from across the country with regard to wearing face masks in public, maintaining social distancing norms and imposi-tion of fines indicate a downward trend, but asked the state governments and UT administrations to augment their efforts for effectively checking transmission of the disease.

Bhalla also directed state administration to fix up responsibility of the district officials if any failures occure in effective enforcement of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

The Union Home Secretary also said that the states and UTs need to take suitable measures to avoid large gather-ings during the coming festive seasons and if required, impose local restrictions with a view to curb such large gatherings.

"We need to continue our focus on the five-fold strategy -- test, track, treat, vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour", he added.

Noting that the country has made a significant progress in vaccination, Bhalla also asked the states and the UTs to continue their vaccination programmes so as to inoculate the maximum number of eligible persons and also to ensure that areas having no virus or low virus transmission are adequately protected by increasing testing and other sur-veillance measures. IANS

cultivation may be taken so that action may be taken as per the NGT directions within 15 days.

“The matter of kamas be taken with rakhs and farms so that action regarding the cultivation shall be taken as per NGT directions within 15 days,” Divisional Commissioner PK Pole ordered concerned DCs.

Earlier, the J & K government had constituted a Joint Action Committee (JAC) for re-verifying the boundaries of the water body.

Nearly 30 hectares of the water body has been encroached upon by residents living along the banks of the Wular in the past three decades

Wular Conservation & Management Authority (WUCMA) officials said that the dredging of the lake had started last year amid the raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the union territory (UT).

The project was awarded to a Kolkata-based dredging company to increase the water-holding capacity of the lake, which is considered one of the biggest freshwater lakes in Asia.

districts with less than 5 percent.The country’s Covid-19 positivity rate, which has

remained below 3 percent for the last 53 days, was recorded at a low of 1.98 percent after 15,63,985 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates a posi-tivity rate of 5 percent for an outbreak to be considered under control.

However, the declining tally of daily Covid-19 cases has failed to dull the apprehension of a third wave even as states like Maharashtra have gone forward with relax-ations in curbs.

The bandh call was given by the Apex body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) over the delay in carrying forward the deliberations by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Sources said that the MoS Home Nityanand Rai, who was in Leh for an outreach programme invited these amalgams of vari-ous political, social, religious and students organisations for a joint meeting.

Earlier, the Apex body Leh and KDA had called for the Ladakh bandh today to register their protest against the delay in the delib-erations by the MHA with their leadership regarding their demands including full statehood to Ladakh, recruitment policy with a resi-dent certificate on the pattern of PRC, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts and constitutional safeguards under 6th Schedule or Article 371.

Talking to 'Greater Kashmir', senior National Conference leader and former minister Qamar Ali Akhoon said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. He added that both the Apex body Leh and KDA leadership put forth the views and agenda before MoS Home.

Akhoon said that MoS Rai listened to the views and agenda and assured that soon a joint committee would be formed to hold further talks.

Senior Congress leader Asgar Ali Karbalai said, “The two groups in Leh and Kargil already have agreed on 4-point agenda, which included full statehood to Ladakh, recruitment policy with a resident certificate on the pattern of PRC, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts and constitutional safeguards under 6th Schedule or Article 371.” He said that same was put forth before the MoS Home Nityanand Rai during the meeting.

Karbalai said, “The MoS Home assured us on two things includ-ing formation of a joint committee to hold further deliberations and initiation of recruitment process for unemployed youth of Ladakh.” He said that the Ladakh bandh call had a massive response and it was because of it, the Apex body Leh and KDA leadership were called for a meeting with the MoS.

Meanwhile, a complete bandh was observed in twin districts of Leh and Kargi with all the transport, merchants and other groups supporting the call given by the Apex body Leh and KDA.

After the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated in 2019, J&K and Ladakh were designated as UTs. But while the former has an assembly, the latter is without one.

With New Delhi initiating the political process in Jammu and Kashmir, the Apex Body of Leh in Ladakh region recently had deviated from its earlier demand related to the 6th Schedule and said that it would be asking for a Union Territory (UT) with a full-fledged legislature.

Apex Body Leh, based in Leh district of the region, is the com-bined group of the mainstream parties, religious, student, civil society groups and elected representatives. It was formed last year.

The Apex Body managed to grab the attention of the central government after it called for a complete poll boycott ahead of the 6th general LAHDC elections in Leh district.

Notably, in January this year, the central government committed them to form a committee to be headed by the then MoS Home GK Reddy to hold deliberations with the leadership of Ladakh.

On the other hand, Kargil Democratic Alliance - an amalgam of various political, social and religious organisations, has right from the beginning opposed the August 5, 2019 move of abrogation of Article 370, 35 A and bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Kargil leadership is demanding full-fledged statehood for Ladakh with constitutional safeguards.

On July 1, an 11-member team of Kargil Democratic Alliance had met the MoS Home in Delhi and put forth its opinion before him.

Birla, who is on a three-day visit to Ladakh region as part of a 'Parliamentary Outreach Programme for Panchayati Raj Institu-tions', visited Pangong Tso lake during the day.

He is perhaps the first Speaker to visit the far-flung areas near LAC in Ladakh region.

He said MPs from both ruling and opposition sides have vis-ited Pangong Tso lake and nearby areas, and tourists from across the country are visiting the region.

Birla also interacted with local sarpanches, hill council mem-bers and tourists here. "There is an amazing chemistry between the local villagers and armed personnel which is making this area totally secure," he said.

Birla also interacted with army personnel stationed in the area. Birla is scheduled to visit Srinagar on Sunday and will also address a conference of panchayat members. PTI

Sector Officer Traffic police National Highway Ramban informed Greater Kashmir that the vehicular traffic on highway was disrupted due to a brief spell of rain lashed the area Saturday morning around 2 am and triggered mud and landslides at Cafeteria Morh, between Mehar and Ramban sector.

Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded between Ram-ban-Digdol and Mehar-Chanderkote sector of highway.

He said men and machinery of the company engaged by NHAI were summoned to clear the accumulated mud and landslide. The highway was restored for traffic at 9-30 am.

Even after resumption of traffic, hundreds of vehicles en route Jammu remained stuck in traffic jams for some time, due to a single-lane road at the site.

of Parray Mohalla, Sumbal, Bandipora, Asif Gul son of Ghulam Mohd Alwaie resident of Village Kanispora, District Baramulla, Altaf Ahmed Shah son of Mohd Afzal Shah resident of village Dangerpora, District Ganderbal, Romesh Kumar son of Thoru Ram resident of village Vijaypur, District Samba, Mudasir Ahmed Dar son of Ghulam Mohd Dar resident of village Wanduna, District Shopian, Amin Allai @ Hilal Mir son of Hazi Ghulam Mohi-u-din Allie resident of Near Petrol Pump, Shan-e-Kashmir National Highway Sangam, Tehsil & PS Bijbehera, District Anantnag and Abdul Rashid son of Mohammad Abdullah Badan resident of village Amrohi, Tanghdhar, Kupwara, an NIA spokesperson in a statement said.

The probe agency spokesman said: “The case was initially registered in Police Station Handwara as case FIR no. 183/2020 dated 11.06.2020 wherein during checking of vehicles at Kairo Bridge, Handwara, accused Abdul Momin Peer was intercepted by the Police Naka party while coming from Baramullah to Hand-wara in his Hyundai Creta vehicle.

“During search in the vehicle cash amounting to Rs. 20,01,000/- and 2 Kgs of Heroin was recovered and seized. Fur-ther interrogation of Abdul Momin Peer led to recovery of 15 kgs of Heroin and cash amounting to Rs. 1.15 Crores. NIA had re-registered the case as RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU on 26.06.2020 and taken over the investigation.

“The investigation has established that above seven charge sheeted accused persons were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy for procuring and selling narcotics drugs and generating funds in J&K and other parts of India in close association with operatives of banned terrorist outfits, Lashkar-E-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), based across the border in Pakistan.

“The funds so generated were pumped for furtherance of mili-tant activity in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir through a network of over ground workers ( OGWs). NIA had earlier filed chargesheet against six accused persons on 05.12.2020 in this case. Further investigation in the case continues.” the statement said.

The number of active cases has now increased to 3,59,775 which comprises 1.10 per cent of the total infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.56 per cent, the min-istry said.

An increase of 14,876 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

Also, 17,61,110 coronavirus tests were conducted in the country on Friday, taking the cumulative number of such examinations done so far to 51,68,87,602.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.66 per cent. It has been below three per cent for the last 33 days.

The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.19 per cent. This has been below three per cent for 64 days now, according to the Health Ministry.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,18,52,802, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 per cent, the data stated.

Cumulatively, 62.29 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive till Saturday morning.

India's COVID-19 infection tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 last year, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5, 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and one crore on December 19.

India crossed the grim milestone of two crore infection on May 4 this year and three crore on June 23. PTI

CMYK


Samagra Shiksha extended for 5 more years, revised norms in line with NEP-2020Revised scheme to focus on admission of out-of-school children, filling infrastructural gaps in schools

SYED RIZWAN GEELANI

Srinagar, Aug 28: The Samagra Shiksha has been granted exten-sion for a period of five years by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) from 2021 to 2025-26 with a total financial outlay of Rs 2,94,283.04 crore as central share and Rs 18,53,98.32 crore as state share.

As per the official document, the scheme has been granted extension with revised norms and guidelines in line with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 which has broad-ened the scale and scope of imple-mentation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme all over India.

“The scheme has been revised by introduction of certain new norms, modification, merging and ratio-nalisation of the existing norms and resultant financial implica-tions,” the official document reads. Earlier, the scheme was launched in 2018 by the Government of India for a period of three years.

As per the documents, the revised Samagra Shiksha has given special focus on various interventions along

with control on out of school chil-dren besides the universal access to education and filling infrastructural gaps in government schools.

The revised scheme focuses on special training for age appropriate admission of out-of-school children (OoSC) at elementary level.

“Special training facility should be started for out-of-school children to enable children to be admitted to an age appropriate class, to inte-grate academically and emotion-ally with the rest of the class,” the document reads.

The J&K School Education Depart-ment in previous years has failed to mainstream the OoSC which also led to the non-utilisation of funds.

The department was reprimand-ed by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), GoI for its failure to identify the OoSC after it repeatedly failed to meet the target to enroll these chil-dren in normal schools.

After repeated failures, the department was asked to start a fresh survey to identify OoSC with the latest figures and start their

admission in normal schools.Notably, the revised norms of

Samagra Shiksah state that the assistance of the department in con-trolling the number of OoSc would be appraised based on an assess-ment of the success of the state or union territory in mainstreaming children who had been provided special training facilities.

This will be an outcome based component to incentivise better performing states and UTs

As per the norms of the scheme, the OoSC would get support through National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for the age group of 16-19 years.

“The number of children to be sup-ported will be based on an increase in the number of students enrolled in NIOS and SIOS in over the year 2O2O-21,” the document reads.

The government will also pro-vide financial assistance of up to Rs I 6000 per child per annum for non-residential courses while an amount up to Rs 20000 per child per annum will be provided for residen-tial courses.

“For out of school children at 16 to 19 years of age through the Open school system (NIOS/SIOS) at sec-ondary/senior secondary stage, the support will be provided up to Rs 2000 per child per grade.

The revised also emphasises on reduction in dropout rate of school children for which the states and UTs have been asked to develop guidelines and courses for con-ducting special training and con-duct special enrolment drives for migrant OoSC.

“The department should con-duct regular household survey for identification of OoSC and to calculate the percentage of chil-dren mainstreamed in the formal education system (nonresidential schools) and percentage of children mainstreamed in the formal edu-cation system (residential schools) besides the percentage of children mainstreamed in the open school education system,” it reads.

The focus has been also laid on addition of new subjects in exist-ing higher secondary schools with preference to Educationally Back-

ward Blocks (EBBs), Special Focus Districts (SFDs), Border areas and the aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog.

“The school education depart-ment should ensure that all the stu-dents, particularly from underpriv-ileged and disadvantaged sections have universal, free and compulsory access to high-quality and equitable schooling,” the document reads.

The DSEL has also asked the education secretaries of states and UTs to strengthen the infrastruc-ture support to be provided to pre-primary sections in Primary School.

“School infrastructure should be provided as per the provisions in the schedule of the RTE Act, 2009,” the document reads.

Samagra Shiksha is an overarch-ing programme for the school edu-cation sector extending from pre-school to class 12 which has been prepared with the broader goal of improving school effectiveness measured in terms of equal oppor-tunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.

DSEK interacts with ERCs, gets feedback of stakeholders

Admin reviews availability of Covid vaccines across J&KSrinagar, Aug 28: Addi-tional Chief Secretary (ACS), Health and Medical Education (H&ME), Vivek Bhardwaj Saturday chaired a meeting to review the availability of Covid vac-cines across J&K.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that speaking during the meeting, Bhardwaj passed strict instructions to make both Covshield and Covaxin vaccines available at all vac-cination centers across J&K.

He directed the depart-ment of Family Welfare and Immunisation to make an equitable distribution of the 6.5 lakh vaccine doses across J&K which were being received this weekend by the department.

Bhardwaj also urged the public to come forward and get their Covid vaccine shots at their nearest vac-cination centers to protect themselves from COVID-19.

2881 fined for violating Covid-19 guidelines: PoliceSrinagar, Aug 28: A total of 2881 persons were fined for violating Covid-19 guidelines across Kashmir on Saturday.

A statement of Police issued here said that Police realised a fine of Rs 3,14,070 from 2881 persons through-out Kashmir for violating the various guidelines, rules and SOPs regarding Covid-19.

AB PM-JAY universal health coverage review in J&K concludes

Srinagar, Aug 28: Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), National Health Authority (NHA), GoI, Praveen Geedam Saturday chaired a meeting to review the progress and performance of AB PM-JAY and AB PM-JAY SEHAT schemes in J&K.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that CEO State Health Agency J&K, Dr Doifode Sagar Dattatray, MD National Health Mission Choudhary Muhammad Yasin, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Samia Rashid, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather and other senior officers of the depart-ment attended the meeting.

Principal GMC Jammu, Director Health Services Jammu, medical superintendents of tertiary care hospitals, medical superintendents of district hospitals, CMOs of all the districts and other concerned officials participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

ACEO NHA Dr Praveen Geedam said that J&K had done excep-tionally well in the implementation of the scheme on the ground.

Dr Parveen said that there was a need for complete bank integra-tion, claim settlement as per defined TAT, and strengthening DIUs for smooth implementation of AB PM-JAY universal health coverage.

On the occasion CEO, AB PM-JAY, J&K gave a detailed presentation about the progress of AB PM-JAY and AB PM-JAY SEHAT schemes.

He informed the meeting that 49.1 lakh Ayushman cards cover-ing 14 lakh families (70 percent) have been generated across J&K which was much above the national average of 59.2%.

CEO SHA said that the State Health Agency had started a unique initiative, ‘Gaon Gaon Ayushman’ which was aimed to provide Ayushman Bharat cards to the entire population within the shortest period of time.

To ensure all eligible beneficiaries are registered under Ayush-man Bharat PM-JAY-SEHAT scheme, camps are set-up for on spot registration of beneficiaries by CSCs where VLEs are also being stationed for ensuring 100 percent registration and awareness activities at grass root level are done by PRI involving VLEs with door-to-door campaign by ASHAs.

The drive is being conducted in coordination with District Devel-opment Council (DDC) chairpersons of the respective areas.

Additional CEO NHA, Dr Praveen Geedam and Deputy CEO NHA Vipul Agarwal briefed Additional Chief Secretary J&K Vivek Bhardwaj about the progress of AB PM-JAY Universal Health Coverage in J&K.

ACS H&ME, J&K was informed that as per the data released by NHA, GoI, J&K figures amongst the top five states and union territories with highest number of Ayushman cards to have been generated in the last six months.

As per the data, J&K generated 19 lakh Ayushman cards in the last six months and proportional to the total beneficiary base, J&K is the best performing state or UT vis-à-vis Ayushman card generation in the last six months.

DIG NKR chairs security review meeting in Kupwara

Srinagar, Aug 28: Director School Education Kashmir Tassaduq Hussain Satur-day convened a meeting of district and divisional-level members of Education Reform Committees (ERCs) constituted on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that these committees have been constituted to work as Special Task Force for giving a paradigm shift to the school education system.

The spokesman said that during a daylong session, the director interacted and discussed with them various important aspects regard-ing the National Education Policy-2020.

Speaking on the occasion, Hussain said that the New Education Policy was no less than a panacea for the educa-tion system which was sure to bring remarkable changes on the ground as far as the modern challenges in the edu-cation sector were concerned.

The committee members put forth their suggestions wherein they highlighted the need and importance of NEP-2020.

Addressing the members of Education Reform Com-mittees, the director said that it was necessary to seek valuable suggestions from the stakeholders for effective implementation of the policy.

The director has been inviting all the stakeholders over the past week including

principals, senior lecturers and resource persons with an aim to formulate a learned response for the implementa-tion of National Education Policy-2020 in the schools.

The new initiative would help develop a sense of empowerment amongst the teachers, making them more responsive and accountable towards their duties.

Hussain said that the main focus should be to implement the policies of the Education department and bring about significant changes in educa-tional set up.

He expressed hope that teachers as primary and tal-ented school leaders should lead the department towards new heights of success for a bright future.

Kupwara, Aug 28: Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir Range, Sujit Kumar Saturday chaired a secu-rity review meeting in Kupwara.

A statement of Police issued here said that he vis-ited the district Kupwara, chaired the officers’ meeting, and reviewed security sce-narios besides holding darbar with the police personnel.

The DIG NKR was received by SSP Kupwara G V Sundeep Chakravarthy and was presented with a cer-emonial guard of honour on his arrival at DPO Kupwara.

Kumar chaired the securi-ty review meeting with Police officers to assess the law and order situation in the district.

He appreciated the role of Police in Kupwara for their

professionalism in maintaining peace and public order in the district by keeping the criminal activities under check.

Hailing the role of Police in Kupwara in combating drug menace in the district, the DIG NKR exhorted upon the officers to remain cautious and alert to maintain peaceful atmosphere

in the district saying, “The anti-national elements are trying to disturb the peace and stability in the area.”

He directed the officers to ensure better synergy among the forces to thwart any nefarious designs of the enemies of the nation.

Kumar also held a darbar with the police personnel and heard their grievances patiently and assured them their genuine grievances would be redressed.

He said that stringent action must be taken against the ele-ments found involved in unlaw-ful activities for maintaining a peaceful environment.

The DIG NKR directed the officers to maintain a close liai-son with the public for mainte-nance of peace and order.

Cell: 7006755564,6005605210

MERCO AGRO FARMS PRIVATE LIMITEDReg. Office: H.No. 30 (Al Madina Colony) Tantray Mohalla,

Rawalpora, Srinagar-190006 (India)CIN: U01110JK2019PTC010777

MERCO AGRO is looking for candidates with qualifications of diploma and degree in Chemical Engineering candidates with 2 to 3 years experience are preferred the selected candidates with be stationed in associated facility In Bahran.

Note: Candidate should have Passport For further details Contact:- 9103092020

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, PULWAMA

NOTICEWhereas joint application has been received from Shahnawaz Afzal S/o Abdul Hakeem R/o N-5 Sailing club road Near Khalilullah Masjid, Batla House Jamia Nagar, Okhla, near Friends Colony South DL 110025 (Transferor) and Aijaz

Bin Bashir S/o Bashir Ahmad Mir R/o Rajpora Pulwama (transferee) for transfer/Re registration of vehicle No DL9CAC8728 Now therefore it is notified for general information that objections if any to the proposed Re-registration of the said vehicle shall be filled in writing in the office of Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Pulwama within a period of 15 (Fifteen) days from the publication of this notice in the daily newspaper Greater Kashmir.

ARTO/Pul/1778-79 Sd/- Asstt. Regional Transport OfficerDt: 28-08-2021 Pulwama

SellerPurchaser

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, PULWAMA

NOTICEWhereas joint application has been received from Arvind Kumar S/o Suresh Kumar R/o Dadumajra Complex Chandigrah (Transferor) and Nisar Ahmad Seh S/o Ghulam Mohd Seh R/o Achan Pulwama

(transferee) for transfer/Re registration of vehicle No CH01BM0704 Now therefore it is notified for general information that objections if any to the proposed Re-registration of the said vehicle shall be filled in writing in the office of Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Pulwama within a period of 15 (Fifteen) days from the publication of this notice in the daily newspaper Greater Kashmir.

ARTO/Pul/1780 Sd/- Asstt. Regional Transport OfficerDt: 28-08-2021 Pulwama

SellerPurchaser

IN SRINAGAR REQUIRESLEADING IVF CLINIC

MEDICAL OFFICER 6005944300Contact:

Attractive Salary Package Offerred For Suitable Candidates R.M.S ADS

Qual.: MBBS | BAMS |BUMS

NEWS twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

CMYK

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com


CMYK

PM motivated scientists to develop anti-Covid 19 vaccine: Union MinisterJabalpur, Aug 28: Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi motivated scientists and doctors to conduct medical research which led to the development of an anti-coronavirus vaccine in India, Union minister Virendra Kumar Khatik said on Saturday.

“It is for the fi rst time that we need not have to depend on any other country to pro-cure vaccines to fi ght against a virus," the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister told reporters.

Khatik is in Jabalpur to launch the BJP's 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra', which is aimed at reaching out to the masses.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative to motivate scientists and doctors to conduct medical research which led to the development of an anti-coronavirus vaccine in the country,” he added.

In contrast, anti-polio vaccination in India was launched three to four years after vacci-nation against polio almost got completed in many countries, he said.

“As of now, around 60 crore anti-COVID-19 shots have been given in the country," he said.

Speaking on Central schemes, the minis-ter said a roadmap titled "Amrit Kaal" worth Rs 100 lakh crore has been drawn under the leadership of the prime minister for the next 25 years to make India self-reliant by strength-ening the roads, industry and railway infra-structure. PTI

President Kovind to students: Build strong, self-reliant India

Gorakhpur (UP), Aug 28: Presi-dent Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday inaugurated the Mahayogi

Gorakhnath Vishwavidya-laya at Sonbarsa here and expressed confi dence that the varsity will produce stu-dents who will contribute in building a strong and self-reliant India.

The university runs under the Maharana Pratap Siksha Parishad of Gorak-sha Peeth.

Earlier in the day, the president had also laid the foundation stone of Ayush university at Pipri.

Speaking after inaugurat-ing the university, Kovind noted that he was confi dent that the Mahayogi Gorakh-nath University “would pre-pare such knowledgeable students who would contrib-ute in building a self-reliant, strong and healthy India”.

He also talked about the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and how it envis-ages that education should build character.

The NEP also follows the ideology of Swami Vivekanada that education should promote mental power, development of mind and also enable a person to stand on his feet, he said.

One of the objectives of NEP is to improve the cur-riculum and pedagogy of

our institutions and also to create awareness among the students about their funda-mental duties and constitu-tional values as well as their roles and responsibilities as citizens in the changing world, he noted.

Kovind also expressed con-fi dence that the new univer-sity would conduct employ-ment generating courses keeping in view the need of the hour in addition to cours-es in Yoga, Ayurveda, medical education, higher education and technical education, and would encourage high-level research.

He hoped that it would also run vocational educa-tion and skill development courses for the students. PTI

Rajnath urges industry to make India defense manufacturing hub for world

Covaxin single-dose to Covid infected equivalent to 2 doses for una� ected: ICMRNew Delhi, Aug 28: A sin-gle-dose of Covaxin provides a similar immunity response in previously Covid-infect-ed people as those without previous history of Covid infection with two doses of vaccine, says Indian Council of Medical Research's latest study.

The ICMR in its recent study has found that the people already infected with Covid-19 while taking a dose of Covaxin have the same or increased antibody response as unaffected people taking two doses of Covaxin.

The pilot study was undertaken to examine SARS-CoV-2 specifi c anti-body responses after day

0 (baseline before vaccina-tion), day 28A2 days post-fi rst dose (month 1) and day 56A2 days post-first dose (month 2) of BBV152 in a group of healthcare profes-sionals as well as frontline workers.

The antibody responses of individuals with confi rmed pre-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those individuals with-out prior evidence of infec-tion.

The blood specimens were collected from health-

care professionals and front-line workers who received BBV152 vaccine at vacci-nation centres in Chennai, India, during February to May 2021.

Blood samples were col-lected before receiving the fi rst dose of BBV152. Prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 was determined by SARS-CoV-2 IgG positivity at baseline. The study was approved by the Ethics Com-mittee of ICMR-NIRT.

Antibody levels were measured at three time

points: on the day of vacci-nation (baseline), at month one following the fi rst dose and at month two following the fi rst dose.

The results were deter-mined via a calibration curve, which is an instru-ment specifi cally generated by two-point calibration and a master curve provided via the reagent QR code.

Almost all participants with prior Covid-19 infec-tion except two had detect-able antibodies at the time of vaccination. This study

offers evidence in support of public health-oriented and immunologically sustained vaccine strategies.

Lokesh Sharma, Scien-tist and Media Coordinator, ICMR, says, "This is a pilot study. If such fi ndings are confi rmed in large popula-tion studies, a single dose of BBV152 vaccine may be recommended to previously confi rmed Covid patients so that the naA-ve individu-als could attain the larger benefi t of a limited vaccine supply." IANS

C h e n n a i , Aug 28: Defence Min-ister Rajnath Singh on Sat-urday while pointing out the reform

measures and the global market potential, urged Indian industries to make the country a defence manufacturing hub for the world.

Speaking at an event to commission the Indian Coast Guard's ship 'ICGS Vigraha' here Singh said due to global security reasons, border dis-putes, and maritime domi-nance, countries around the world are moving towards modernising and strength-ening their military power.

He said the demand for military equipment is increasing continuously and as per reports by 2023,

the expenditure on security around the world is going to reach $2.1 trillion and is expected to increase further.

Indian industries should take advantage of the reform measures taken by the Cen-tral government and work towards making India a defence manufacturing hub, not only for ourselves, but for the whole world, Singh said.

The Defence Minister said the world is changing very rapidly with economic, political, and trade relations between the countries con-stantly fl uctuating.

India cannot be untouched with the developments hap-pening in another country as its interests are directly linked to the Indian Ocean.

"The Indian Ocean region, with more than two-thirds of the world's oil shipments taking place, one-third of

bulk cargo and more than half of container traffic, serves as a key route in achieving the world's own interests," Singh said.

According to him, today's changing world certainly impacts these areas as well. As such, we need to be vigi-lant at all times.

These challenging times also give India an opportuni-ty, which the country should take advantage of.

The Coast Guard's new patrol vessel 98 metres Vigraha will be based at Visakhapatnam and operate on India's Eastern Seaboard.

Apart from having 40/60 Bofors guns and other guns, the ship is designed to carry one twin engine helicopter and four high speed boats.

The ship can also carry pol-lution response equipment to contain oil spills at sea. IANS

COVID-19 'not developed' as a biological weapon: US intelligence community Washington, Aug 28: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was "not developed" as a biological weapon, the US intelligence community has concluded in a report, with President Joe Biden reiterating the allegation that China continues to reject calls for transpar-ency and withhold infor-mation about the origins of the virus.

The Director of National Intelligence in a report, prepared at the direction of the president, on Friday said SARS-CoV-2 prob-ably emerged and infected humans through an ini-tial small-scale exposure that occurred no later than November 2019 with the fi rst known cluster of COVID-19 cases arising in Wuhan, China in Decem-ber 2019.

However, there was no unanimity among the intelligence community (IC) on the origins of the coronavirus.

“The virus was not developed as a biological weapon. Most agencies also assess with low confi dence that SARS-CoV-2 prob-ably was not genetically engineered; however, two agencies believe there was not suffi cient evidence to make an assessment either way,” said the unclassifi ed version of the report.

The IC also assesses that China's offi cials did not have foreknowledge of the virus before the ini-tial outbreak of COVID-19 emerged, it said.

“After examining all available intelligence reporting and other information, though, the IC remains divided on the most likely origin of COVID-19. All agencies assess that two hypotheses are plausible: natural expo-sure to an infected animal and a laboratory-associ-ated incident,” the report said. PTI

PM Modi inaugurates renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh memorialSays not right to ignore such horrors

Amritsar, Aug 28: Stressing that it is a coun-try's duty to pro-tect its history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Satur-day that events

of the past "teach us and give us direction to move forward", as he dedicated to the nation the reno-vated complex of Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

Modi, who inaugurated the complex virtually, paid homage to the Jallianwala Bagh martyrs.

"The global developments remind us of the importance of self-reliance and self-confi dence.

"At a time when we are cel-ebrating Amrut Mahotsav, we should strengthen our nation's foundation and take pride in it," the prime minister said.

"Today, if any Indian is in trouble anywhere in the world, then India stands up to help him with all its might. Be it the Corona period or the crisis of Afghanistan, the world has experienced it continuously. Hundreds of people from Afghan-istan are being brought to India under Operation Devi Shakti," the prime minister said.

He said the dedication of the

renovated complex in the coun-try's 75th year of freedom is a matter of inspiration for all.

"It is the duty of every country to protect its history. Events of past teach us and give direction to move forward," he said.

Horrors like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Partition speak of the sacrifi ces made for India's freedom and should not be forgotten as they inspire to keep the country above all, the prime minister said.

"It is not right for any coun-try to ignore such horrors of its past," he said, noting August 14 is now being observed as Parti-tion Horrors Remembrance Day.

"This place will inspire future generations about the journey of our Independence movement, the sacrifices and countless struggles of our ancestors.

"What should be our duty towards our nation and how we should keep the country above all in everything we do, the inspi-ration for this will come from this place," the PM said.

Quoting Gurbani, the prime minister said happiness ema-nates from empathy and service.

For the all-round progress of Punjab and the country, a combined effort is needed, he said, adding "virasat (heritage) and vikaas

(development) must coexist". A wreath-laying ceremony

was held and a two-minute silence was observed in the memory of martyrs of the Jal-lianwala massacre.

Museum galleries have been developed at the memorial and the event showcased multiple development initiatives taken by the government to upgrade the complex.

A sound and light show has been set up to display the events of April 13, 1919.

Four museum galleries have been created through adaptive reuse of redundant and under-utilised buildings.

They showcase the historical value of events that unfolded in Punjab during that period, with the fusion of audio-visual technology, including projection mapping and 3D representation, as well as art and sculptural installations.

Over 1,000 people were killed and hundreds wounded on April 13, 1919 when British troops fi red indiscriminately on an unarmed gathering of thousands who had assembled in Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab amid nationwide pro-tests against the Rowlatt Act which had extended wartime repressive measures. PTI


No outages in facility linking Aadhaar with PAN, EPFO; all services stable: UIDAI

Levying of Stamp Duty: OMCs, petroleum dealers resentIt will lead to further hike infuel prices

MUKEET AKMALI

Srinagar, Aug 28: As the authori-ties have directed its officials to collect stamp duty from petroleum and LPG outlets, the Oil Market-ing Companies, Petroleum dealers have resented the move stating that it will lead to further hike in petro-leum prices in Kashmir.

An order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Stamps, Kashmir reads: “In exercise of the powers vested in the order the provisions of J&K Stamps Act, SMVT, 1972, offi-cials/officers are hereby assigned to inspect the records of insurance companies, automobiles compa-nies, other government and semi government offices, educational institutions/ medical diagnostic centres, hospitals/nursing homes,

gas agencies, petroleum outlets of Kashmir division.”

According to Stamps depart-ment officials, the stamp duty is to be levied on any bills above Rs 100. “We have started collection of Stamp duty as per the provisions of Stamp Duty Act.”

However the Oil marketing com-panies and petroleum dealers have resented the move stating that Stamp duty on petro-leum is not levied in any part of the country.

A senior executive of OMC in a communiqué to Commissioner Secre-tary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs stated “Oil Marketing Companies are maintaining supplies of POL products/LPG to our retail outlets and LPG distributorships in entire Jammu and Kashmir despite all odds. We have been informed by our channel partners in Kashmir that the Deputy Commissioner of Stamps, Kashmir has issued an

Order 42 / 2021 dated 20.08.2021 from Dy. Commissioner of Stamps, Kashmir citing the stamp act 1977 and imposition of fines have started in Ganderbal and adjoining areas. There is no clarity of the section under which the same has been ordered and it’s applicability in the current scenario.”

“There has also been no prior intimation or consultation with PSU OMCs. Receiv-ing such penalty notices has sent a panic message in the channel partners who have been law abiding and pay taxes

timely. This has also low-ered the morale of OMCs

Staff/ Retail Outlet Owner/LPG distributor of Kashmir Valley and shall put a question mark on sustainability of their business model,” it added.

”We request your good office to kindly urgently take up the issue with concern so that Stamp Duty imposed by the Dy. Commissioner

Stamps, Kashmir to our RO Dealers and Distributor in Kashmir may be put on abeyance,” the letter reads.

In a separate communiqué, Kashmir Valley Petroleum Dealers Association has written to Division-al Commissioner Kashmir seeking his intervention in the matter.

“We petrol pump owners are the authorized dealers of public sector Oil Companies of GOI Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Gov-ernment of India. We are not selling items on MRP instead are working for the government owned OMCs on commission basis and our invoices are included/inbuilt with all the taxes as fixed by the government of India and state/UTs from time to time. If your good self intends to levy stamp duty on sale of petrol/diesel then the right forum to execute it is through OMC as ulti-mately it is the customer to bear the same. It may be in the fitness of state that ;No such practice is in vogue throughout the country and not even in Jammu’.”

JKMPCL clocks `200 Cr turnover Annual GeneralMeeting held

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Aug 28: The 17th Annual Gen-eral body meeting (AGM) of the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers’ Cooperative Lim-ited (JKMPCL)’ was held on Saturday via Video Conferencing owing to the pandemic of Covid-19.

According to a statement issued here, the meeting was held under the Chairmanship of A. K. Angurana, Chairman, Board of JKMPCL, Dr R. S. Sodhi, Manag-ing Director, GCMMF Ltd Anand Gujarat and Dhiraj Chaudhary, Sr. manager (T&P), GCMMF Ltd also attended the meeting.

This Annual General Body Meeting was also attended by elected board directors of JKMPCL along with 30 secretaries of Village Dairy Cooperative Societies from Kashmir and others participated in the meeting through Online Video Conferencing.

The Chairman while addressing the general body extended his felicitations and said that JKMPCL has achieved tremendous growth in sales business and has recorded Rs 200 crore turnover during the last finan-cial year.

“Despite many challenging circum-stances due to the Covid-19, our operations

of collection, processing and supply of milk continued uninterrupted. Even during these tough times, our procurement increased and achieved the highest ever milk collection of 94,000 litres per day during 2020-21.”

Dr. R. S. Sodhi, Managing Director, GCMMF (Amul) expressed his immense joy while addressing the general body.

He appreciated all the stakeholders espe-cially milk producing farmers for giving their contributions for making JKMPCL financially a viable cooperative of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that JKMPCL continued its operations uninterrupted even amid

the pandemic of Covid-19 when global trade was at stand still and JKMPCL had been able to collect milk procurement almost 3 times more than over the previous year.

He said that we altogether envisage eye on achieving the

target of Rs 500 crore turnover in near future which needs our collective

efforts to continue like a team to achieve the set goal.

Chief Executive Officer JKMPCL thanked all those who have helped to make JKMPCL’s operations successful. He said that the progress of JKMPCL has been achieved due to the sincere interest of the milk producers of Jammu & Kashmir and their commitment to make a viable coop-erative organization for Dairy Develop-ment in the Union Territory.

MSP fi xed for hand knotted carpets

MD, NHIDCL inspects Baramulla-Gulmarg road

Baramulla, Aug 28: The Managing Director (MD), National Highways and Infrastructure Develop-ment Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Keshav Kumar Pathak accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar and other concerned functionaries today paid inspection of Baramulla-Gulmarg National Highway to take stock of its develop-ment works.

On the occasion, the DC briefed the Managing Director about its current status and position wherein he informed that the road, having a length of 42.80 km, is being upgraded at an esti-mated cost of Rs 152.43 cr. He further added that the road was declared as National Highway 701A in 2018 by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

After taking a compre-hensive review of the road and other related aspects, K K Pathak exhorted upon the executing agencies to ensure that it is completed well within the fixed timeline. He emphasized to ramp up the pace of work by mobilizing all the available resources productively and efficiently.

The Managing Director also highlighted the impor-tance of the project from a tourism point of view and said that it will help to boost tourism by means of rapid connectivity of the region with world famous tourist destination Gulmarg.

Moreover, he stressed to work in coordination and cohesion besides, he also directed to sort out all bot-tlenecks and impediments in a time bound manner so that the execution work is not affected in any way.

Govt brings new ‘BH’ registration series for personal vehicles Move aimed to ensure seamless transfer across states

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, Aug 28: To ensure seam-less transfer of personal vehicles across states, the road transport ministry has come up with a new registration mark for new vehicles - Bharat Series (BH-series).

In this regard, the government has notified a new vehicle registration regime that will free vehicle owners from re-registration process when they shift from one state/union ter-ritory to another.

“This vehicle registration facility

under ‘Bharat series (BH-series)’ will be available on voluntary basis to defense personnel, employees of central gov-ernment/ state government/ central/ state public sector undertakings and private sector companies/organisa-tions, which have their offices in four or more states/union territories,” the Ministry of Road Transport and High-ways (MoRTH) said in a statement.

This scheme, it said, will facilitate free movement of personal vehicles across states/union territories of India upon relocation.

The statement further said that an IT-based solution for vehicle registra-tion is one such effort as “one of the pain points in the vehicle registration process that needed attention was re-registration of a vehicle while moving

to another state”. The MORTH through a “notification

dated 26th August 2021, has introduced a new registration mark for new vehi-cles i.E. ‘Bharat series (BH-series)’. A vehicle bearing this registration mark shall not require assignment of a new registration mark when the owner of the vehicle shifts from one state to another,” the statement further explained.

Currently, a person is allowed to keep vehicle for a maximum of 12 months in any state other than the state where it is registered. The owners has to get such vehicles re-registered before the expiry of 12 months.

The new rule aims to centralise the system of re-registration of vehicles when relocating between states an easier process.

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, Aug 28: The Unique Identifica-tion Authority of India (UIDAI) on Satur-day said there have been no outages in its Aadhaar-PAN/EPFO linking facility, which is authentication-based, and asserted that all its services are “stable”.

The comment came amid reports of UIDAI system out-ages in linking Aadhaar with PAN and EPFO. The reports said that the glitch had left Aadhaar users in a lurch, even as EPF and PAN link-ing deadline looms.

In a statement issued on Saturday, UIDAI emphasised that all its services are “stable and function-ing fine”.

“There have been no outages in its Aad-haar-PAN/EPFO linking facility, which is authentication-based facility,” it added.

UIDAI explained that as it was going through an essential security upgrade in

its systems in a phased manner over the last week, some intermittent service interrup-tions were reported only in the enrollment and mobile update service facility at a few enrolment or update centres “which too is working fine now, after upgradation”.

UIDAI went on to say that even though the system has stabilised, it is monitoring the same to ensure that no inconvenience

is caused to residents.“It may be noted that more than 51 lakh residents have been enrolled in last nine

days since the beginning of the upgradation process on

August 20, 2021, at an average of 5.68 lakh enrolment per day,”

UIDAI said.While, it added, authentication trans-

actions have taken place as usual on an average of more than 5.3 crore authentica-tions per day.

The Aadhaar-issuing body said the reports on UIDAI system glitch in linking Aadhaar with PAN/EPFO were “not accurate”

The comment came amid reports of UIDAI system out-

the same to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to residents.

the upgradation process on August 20, 2021, at an average

of 5.68 lakh enrolment per day,” UIDAI said.

Cocoon rearing a viable, profi table enterprise: Director SericultureAnantnag, Aug 28: The Director Sericulture Development Depart-ment, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri today inaugurated Cocoon Auction Market at Sarnal Anantnag.

The purpose of the market is to facilitate open auction of cocoons produced by the farmers of twin districts of Anantnag and Kulgam and shall remain open till September, 03 this year.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director said that the department has created marketing infrastructure with requisite facilities for open auction of cocoons and storage and residential facilities for locals as well as out-side buyers. This has been done to ensure healthy competitions during the auctioning process so as to boost the price of the produce, he added.

Interacting with the growers, the Director said that cocoon rearing is a viable and profi table enterprise and the department is making eff orts to a� ract more youth towards the sector. This provides liveli-hood opportunities to them and also creates a competitive market environment, remarked the Director.

Qadri said that the department is incentivising the farmers for bulk production which has helped in achieving the targets.

The offi cials of the department narrated that during the current year 640 MTs of cocoons are expected to be transacted in the market. For growers, DBT facility has been provided while as for buyers cocoon bank facility is available, added the offi cials.

The Market witnessed participation of a large number of grow-ers and buyers besides the offi cials of the concerned department.

Srinagar, Aug 28: In a landmark decision to promote GI certified hand knotted car-pets, the Director Handicrafts and Hand-loom Kashmir has fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for different knottage/qualities of Silk Carpets (Rs. 2050/sq.ft for 16x16, 2500/sq.ft for 18x18, 3100/sq.ft for 20x20 and 4150/sq.ft for 24x24).

As per the statement issued here, the MSP was determined after wide range of consultations at Indian Institute of Carpet Technology among the members of the com-mittee constituted by the Government for the purpose, that included representatives from MEERAS Industrial Cooperative (the Registered Proprietor of GI),Carpet Manu-facturers and Traders Association, Tahafuz Society, Kashmir Carpet Cluster Develop-ment Organization and others.

The statement said that this Initiative is expected to give much needed fillip and boost to carpet industry for manufactur-ing Hand knotted Carpets as per the pre-decided parameters/specifications. After recommendation Govt. authorized Direc-tor Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir to notify MSP for Hand Knotted Carpets

The Indian Institute of Carpet Technol-ogy (IICT), Jammu and Kashmir will intro-duce QR code mechanism, first of its kind in the country, for carpets for the purpose of certification and labeling of Hand knotted

carpets produced in Kashmir. By virtue of this mechanism, the customer will be able to check the requisite details of carpet with the help of a smart phone before purchasing the same just to confirm its genuineness/authenticity along with other necessary parameters.

The IICT is in the process of setting up of such facility in its campus at Baghi-Ali-Mar-dan -Khan, Nowshara, Srinagar and the same is expected to made available within next 02 months for the concerned authorized users.

The committee urged all concerned stake-holders associated with carpet manufactur-ing to get themselves registered as autho-rized users after submitting application forms through MEERAS Industrial Coop-erative, to GI Registry, Chennai (Competent Authority) so that they are eligible for using GI /QR Code labels for carpets.

It is further reiterated that MSP for carpets is expected to go a long way in reviving the carpet industry and will also increase the income of artisans substantially once the GI certification is implemented in letter and spirit.

In this regard, the Government is con-templating to launch a massive publicity and promotion campaign through print, electronic and social media to make people aware about GI Label of carpets so that there is a substantial demand for such carpets at the national and international level. GKNN

TRAVEL EXECUTIVE (F) HIRING

Spe

ctru

m a

dv|

96

97

00

06

98

Call for appointment: 7051405000

Web.: www.hearinghelp.inEmail: [email protected]

Powered by: Hearing Help Pvt Ltd

BUSINESS/DEVELOPMENT twitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

CMYK


Date: 30-08-2021BGSBU Regional Office,

Barzulla, SrinagarLandmark: Near Nirman

Complex

Date and Venue

Imparting quality education in B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering

To be a premier department in the field of Electronics and Communication Engineeringthat produces competent professionals, endowed with high quality knowledge and skills for the well-being of society.

1) Our students have demonstrated worldwide standard, by their employment in various companies and other institutions of national and international renow.

2) Laboratories are equipped with the necessary equipment and softwares.

3) Department continuously organises seminars on innovative technologies for development of students.

For More Information Visit our Website

OUR VISION

Individual DevelopmentFully Equiped laboratoriesEmploybility

+91- 7006-298484+91-9086- 779816+91-9906- 492671

Call For Admission query

Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University

*If

use a

s p

ar

gu

idelin

es

®

Arco FC defeats Kashmir Avengers FCSrinagar, Aug 28: ARCO FC defeated Kashmir Avengers in the sixth CMW knock-out football tournament held at Chanderhama.

As per the statement by Arco, Kashmir avenger is one of the

best c lubs in J&K which has various foreign players under its wings and a formidable oppo-nent for any football team on a given day.

Arco FC won the match by 3-0

goals against the formidable oppo-nent and registered a convincing win.

The fi rst goal was scored by Ishfaq followed by Yawar and Shahid who scored one goal each.

Underwater Sports Championship concludes

GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar, Aug 28: Swim N Survive Society Kashmir concluded 3 days Swimming Championship today.

As per the statement issued here, during the 3 days, Swim N Survive Society organised around 8 events including 1 Km Fin Swimming, Kids Fun Race, Mono Fin Demo, 1 Km Open water Swimming etc in which around 100 swimmers took part.

Valedictory function with Adventure enthusiast Mah-mood A Shah as the Chief guest was also attended by Azad Ahmad Shah (Managing Director Shah Steel House), Swim N Survive Society Pres-ident Syed Shahid Afzal Zadie,

Vice President Dr. Sheikh Tariq were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Mehmood A Shah congratu-lates all the winners and

runner up and appreciated the efforts of swimming experts which includes Riyaz Wani, Zulfikar Ali, Yasir Makh-doomi, Zahid Iqbal, Sheikh Rashid Fayaz and Mudasir

Jeelani of Swim and Survive Society Kashmir for provid-ing training free of cost”.

Faaniq Mohammad Jan and Aamina Basharat were declared disciplined swimmers.

Super Division LeagueSyed Tajudin FC beats Hamdaniya FC Srinagar, Aug 28: In the ongoing DFA Srinagar Annual Super Division League , two matches were played at Synthetic Turf TRC ground here on Friday.

In the fi rst match, Kash-mir United FC clashed with Galaxy FC. The match turned out as 1-1 draw. For Galaxy FC, Syed Fakhar was scorer while as for Kashmir

United FC, Firdous Ahmed scored goal.

The second match of the day was played between Syed Tajuddin FC and Ham-daniya FC. Syed Tajuddin

FC emerged winner by 3-1 goals.

The tournament is orga-nized by J&K Football Asso-ciation in collaboration with J&K Sports Council.

Third Test: India lose by an innings and 76 runs against EnglandLeeds, Aug 28: India suf-fered an innings and 76 run loss against England after being bowled out for 278 in their second innings in the third cricket Test here on Saturday.

England thus leveled the fi ve-match series 1-1.

Resuming at an overnight score of 215 for 2, India’s second innings folded in 99.3 over’s with England pacer Ollie Robinson claiming fi ve wickets.

India were bundled out

for a paltry 78 in their fi rst innings on the opening day.

England then posted 432 in their fi rst innings to take a mammoth lead of 354 runs.

India had beaten England by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord’s.

BRIEF SCORES:India 78 all out and 278 all

out in 99.3 over’s (Cheteshwar Pujara 91, Ollie Robinson 5/65).

England 1st innings: 432 all out in 132.2 overs (Joe Root 121, Mohammed Shami 4/95). PTI

Director DYSS inaugurates Volleyball tourney Srinagar, Aug 28: Director Department of Youth Servic-es and Sports (DYSS) J&K, Gazanfar Ali inaugurated Inter Zonal District level competitions of volleyball for Under-14 and 17 boys categories at Sports Stadium Budgam on Saturday.

In the event 12 teams from each age group catego-ry are taking part.

The tournament is going to be held upto August 31.

While interacting with the young student players, Director DYSS congratu-lated them for taking active part in sports activities and

expressed his gratitude to the parents of all such students who encourage and support their children for taking part in such fruitful activities.

Later Gazanfar Ali impressed upon the field staff of DYSS Budgam to go deep down into the grass-root level in fi nding the best sports talent.

Joint Director Kashmir Bashir Ahmed, District Youth Services and Sports Offi cer Budgam Masrat Jan and other senior offi cials of the Department were also present on the inaugural cer-emony of the tournament.

Ronaldo joins Manchester UnitedManchester, Aug 28 :Cristiano Ronaldo is heading back to Man-chester United, the team that turned him into a global superstar.

In a fast-moving deal that stunned the world of soccer, Ron-aldo secured a return to Old Traff ord on Friday — a day a� er telling Juventus he no longer wanted to play for the Italian club.

“Welcome back, Cristiano,” read a tweet posted by United. Within minutes, the club’s offi cial website had crashed. (AP)

SPORTStwitter.com/GreaterKashmirfacebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmirepaper.GreaterKashmir.com

CMYK

Jammu, Srinagar to be transformed into eco-friendly cities: LG

Documents

Transcript of Jammu, Srinagar to be transformed into eco-friendly cities: LG