SRINAGAR: An assistant sub-inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has allegedly committed suicide in Charar-i-Sharief area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said on Saturday.
Quoting an official, KNO reported that the officer posted at Radar Station allegedly hanged himself to death late last night.
He said his body has been sent to sub-district hospital Chadoora for post-mortem.
The official said that police have taken cognisance of the matter.
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SRINAGAR: The government on Friday ordered transfer of four JKAS officers in the interest of administration with immediate effect.
According to a government order, Anshumali Sharma, JKAS, General Manager, JK Medical Supplies Corporation, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Reasi, against an available vacancy.
Irfan Bahadur, JKAS, Secretary, Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Srinagar, has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kupwara, against an available vacancy.
Afroza Bano, JKAS, Sub-Registrar, Ganderbal, has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Budgam, relieving, Muzamil Maqbool Beigh, JKAS, Collector, Land Acquisition, Special Army (Budgam and Srinagar) of the additional charge of the post, it said.
Mohammad Altaf Bhat, JKAS, Tehsildar, Kangan, has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Ganderbal. “He shall also hold the additional charge of the post of Sub-Registrar, Ganderbal, till further orders,” the order added.
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SRINAGAR: Seventeen cattle were charred alive after a mud house was gutted in a fire in Manjakote area of Rajouri district overnight, officials said on Friday.
They said that the fire erupted during intervening night of March 30-31,in a mud house of Tazeem Akhtar widow of Mohammad Anayat at Panjgrain Thanda Pani, W. No 5, in Manjakote, resulting in the charring alive of two buffaloes, 15 sheep and ten hens.
However there was no human loss in this incident, they said. A police officer said a case has been registered and cause of the fire is being ascertained. (GNS)
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Srinagar: Regional Transport authorities have asked the school administrations across the valley to bring their transportation fleet in compliance with the Supreme Court guidelines, indicating that a massive drive to check for rule violations will begin next week.
Quoting an official at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir KNO reported that they have received several complaints about violations on various grounds committed by school bus operators in the valley.
He said that after simplifying public transportation, a significant campaign to ensure the safety of school buses transporting children would begin next week.
“We have been receiving numerous complaints on violations and to check on that, a big push will be initiated from next week,” the official said, adding that the Supreme Court has put down certain criteria for educational institutions regarding the safety of school buses carrying children.
Although the educational institutions are already aware of the Supreme Court guidelines, our drive is aimed at ensuring that everyone follows the guidelines, he said, adding that the issue concerns the children’s safety and those found violating the guidelines should not expect any concessions.
“Those who are found violating the Supreme Court guidelines will be dealt with accordingly. However, no one should expect any concession on grounds that school children will suffer, and in that case, they should plan alternate arrangements,” the official said.
Mentioning some of the guidelines, he said the school bus should have a qualified attendant for children on the bus while boarding and deboarding them and the bus should be painted yellow.
As per the Supreme Court guidelines, the school name should be written on the back and front of the bus. The school name and telephone number should also be written and if hired ‘On School Duty’ should be clearly indicated. It should have up-to-date documents like a vehicle permit, fitness certificate, insurance certificate, valid token tax receipt, PUCC, SLD certificate, and GPS certificate.
“School buses will be checked for the installation of speed limit devices as there is a specific and set speed limit for them,” the SC guidelines mention. “The bus should be fitted with a speed governor of specified standard with a maximum speed limit of 40 kph.”
Highlighting the Supreme Court guidelines for a driver, the official said the driver should have at least 5 years experience of driving Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and carry a complete list of children.
“A driver challaned more than twice a year for red light jumping, violation of lane discipline or allowing unauthorized persons to drive, or challaned even once for over speeding, drunken and dangerous driving should not be employed,” he said.
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A young geneticist,Dr Rais A Ganiawas surprised to see his takeaways from his PhD were part of the text well before he entered the classroom as a teacher. Credited for identifying a particular enzyme that helps in crucial DNA copying, he is serving the IUST’s molecular medicine centre. In a freewheeling interview, he opens up about his research and future plans
KASHMIR LIFE (KL): You studied in Kashmir and worked in different universities all over the world. How was your learning curve and what were the challenges you faced?
DR RAIS A GANAI (DRAG): I was born and brought up in the Posh-Kirri village of Anantnag. I did my primary schooling at Government Primary School in the same village. Later, I went to the Government Middle in the nearby Hugam village. Later, my father suggested me to complete further studies in Srinagar, as he was working at the University of Kashmir. Then, I went to the Starland High School Zakura and completed my matriculation there.
In Srinagar, I found it very difficult to compete with students because of the language barrier, as the medium of instruction was different. It was a challenging task to learn English and Urdu languages. It took me a lot of time to cope with the level of the students.
Then I completed my 10+2 from Soura Higher Secondary School. Afterwards, I went to the Islamia College of Science and Commerce, where from I completed my graduation. Even though there was not an ample structure at that time but the laboratories were well established. Attendance of labs was mandatory, due to which my scientific temper got developed.
After that, I was selected at the University of Kashmir for a couple of courses but I chose to study Biotechnology. After completing the Master’s degree in Biotechnology, I went to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, where I worked under the mentorship of Prof Umesh Varshney and worked intensely on various Biotechnological challenges. He invested a lot of money, time and effort and taught me many new things due to which my interest in the research further deepened. During this time a few of my research papers were published.
Then I went to Sweden in 2009 for my PhD and completed it in 2015 and later got an international Postdoc fellowship offer in Sweden amounting to Rs 2.5 crore. I used that fellowship and immigrated to the USA. There I joined the NewYork based Howard Huges Medical Institute. I did research there for almost 2-3 years under the well-known researcher Danny Reinberg.
Then I came back to Kashmir as a Ramanujan Fellow. Initially, I joined the Central University of Kashmir and later moved to the IUST’s Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine in 2020.
KL: The work on genetics has been going on in all major universities throughout the world. However, we still have not understood the gene fully. What are the various challenges in understanding the gene, and what are the different goalposts we still have to reach?
DRAG: The gene is actually a small DNA sequence made of sugar bases like Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, and Cytosine (A, G, T, C). They are about 3 billion sugar bases called Nucleotides (made of Deoxyribose sugar, the Phosphate group, and the Nitrogen base) in a DNA molecule arranged in a chain structure. All the Nucleotides in a DNA molecule do not constitute genes, but only 1-2 per cent makes the genes and the rest 98-99 per cent of the base pairs do not attribute to the genes.
Scientists have identified most of the genes in our body and their functioning but the functioning of the rest 98 per cent of the non-genomic sequences (regulatory sequences) is still not known. We only know that these contain non-genomic sequences that regulate the genes, but the biggest challenge is to find out how 98 per cent of DNA regulates the 1 per cent of DNA.
The other major challenge was to understand the three-dimensional structure of DNA and its arrangement inside the cell. The chromosomes are arranged in compartmental structures. How and when these compartments are formed is yet to be discovered. How these genes are activated and repressed in the cells is still a challenge.
The actual structure of a DNA molecule has a three-dimensional chromatin architecture. These DNA molecules are present on the chromosomes. Our body contains 46 chromosomes in each cell that are intertwined inside the cell. The intertwined structure of chromosomes helps in the better expression of genes during cell division and cell formation. All the required genes express together and activate simultaneously in order to form a complete cell.
KL: What was your PhD all about and what were the major takeaways from your research?
DRAG: As I mentioned that DNA is a small molecule contained in a cell. A cell contains two meters of intertwined DNA, which if stretched is equivalent to at least four times the distance between the sun and the earth. During cell division and cell multiplication, this DNA is replicated/ duplicated which has to be very accurate. Genetic defects during cell division cause mutations/errors, which lead to genetic diseases, metabolic disorders, or even cancer.
During my PhD, my research was about the role of an enzyme called DNA polymerase in DNA replication. This enzyme reads, copies, and then makes the exact copy of a parent DNA molecule. The three billion nucleotides of a DNA molecule in a cell are copied accurately without any error or defect with the help of this enzyme. Besides, it also rectifies the errors, which are caused during cell division and helps in errorless duplication. Thus, the DNA polymerase enzyme not only plays a role in DNA replication but also fixes the errors caused during DNA replication, if any.
I also studied the functioning of various other enzymes but the pivotal research was about DNA polymerase. The majority of DNA polymerase enzymes look like, if I can say, a right-hand structure, containing a thumb, a palm, and fingers. The DNA polymerase, we studied has an additional domain called the P-domain, unlike the other DNA-Polymerase enzymes which only have three domains. The majority of DNA-Polymerase enzymes require a scaffold or support (called PCNA) for DNA copy and replication, but the DNA-polymerase we studied does not require PCNA rather it has the inbuilt P-domain that helps in DNA synthesis and thus does not require an outside scaffold. This was the biggest takeaway from my PhD research.
To my surprise, I later found when I was at the Central University of Kashmir, that our work and findings were published in textbooks, and are being taught to students in different Universities all over the world. It was a very difficult project to work on because nobody prior to us had worked on this. Our work was then published in the Journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, which now is a part of the textbooks and is being taught.
Dr Rais A Gania (WCCMM)
KL: What was your Post-doctorate research about, and what were your accomplishments and learnings during that period?
DRAG: I mostly studied two things during my Postdoc research, the role of epigenetic factors in the development, and the development of stem cells into the cardiomyocyte.
I actually wanted to expand and diversify my expertise, so I shifted to the field of epigenetics.
Under epigenetics, we study how the genes present in the DNA are regulated. Let us understand it this way – if we have two monozygotic twins and one of them is raised by the adopted parents and the other by the natural parents. Technically, after 30 years of age, both should be identical because of the principle of monozygotic nature, but because of the environmental effects, they would have developed variations over time. It is because the influence of environmental conditions affects the development of an individual and that regulates the body. Thus, the effect of an environment on the development over time, beyond the genetic basis and beyond DNA is called epigenetics.
There are thousands of genes on a DNA molecule and there are specific factors that actually regulate the functioning of these genes. I also worked on these factors.
DNA is wrapped around by the histone proteins. These proteins contain chemical modifications or tags that determine the function of the DNA sequence. I worked on early embryonic development, particularly on stem cells. I studied how differentiated development takes place from a single cell into different kinds of complex organs i.e., how a stem cell is transformed into a cardiomyocyte.
KL: How could you make lawmen understand this differentiation of a stem cell into different complex organs? What really controls this differentiation of cells? Is this also part of epigenetics?
DRAG: Nobody really knows how embryonic development occurs as it is not easy to study this field. People have now started research on it.
During embryonic development, the fusion of egg and sperm results in the formation of a Zygote, which later undergoes the 2-cell stage and the 4-cell stage, and so on. From day one of development certain genes are activated which stimulates the Zygote division and this division activates other genes, which then cause muscle cell formation. More and more genes get activated that guide the muscle cells to transform into different complex organs. It is mostly like this, but there is still ambiguity on how embryonic development takes place through different stages of development.
KL: What is your role at the IUST’s Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine and what are the different domains you are working on?
DRAG: I am establishing my lab here for research purposes. Besides, I am also the coordinator of the B Voc course on the Medical Lab and Molecular Diagnostic Technology. I teach students also. I guide students on how to do diagnostic tests and the process of opening diagnostic clinics.
The primary part of my job at the Watson-Crick Centre is to do research along with my students who work with me on the continuation of my PhD research work. We are studying the role of DNA polymerase enzyme other than the role of DNA synthesis.
Secondarily, we are also studying epigenetics. Epigenetic marks at different positions of a DNA molecule, other than the normal positions cause diseases like cancer, and developmental and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. Therefore, our aim is to research epigenetics in detail in order to develop drugs for the treatment of these diseases.
… Mujtaba Hussainprocessed the interview
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SRINAGAR: National Investigation Agency on Thursday said that it has filed chargehseet against two members of Lashkar-i-Toiba oufit in connection with the Udhampur blast case.
NIA spokesman said that following through on investigations into the Udhampur IED blast cases by the LeT through their Pak based handlers, NIA filed a chargesheet against 2 LeT operatives today.
The spokesman further stated that Aslam Sheikh alias Adil and Mohd Amin Bhat alias Abu Khubaib alias Pinna have been charged for their efforts towards revival of militant activities in Jammu by carrying out recruitments from the pool of OGWs and surrendered militants and activating & motivating them to carry out militant acts.
NIA had taken over investigations into the case in 15th of November 2022 from Jammu & Kashmir Police, he said.
NIA Investigations revealed that Mohd Aslam Sheikh alias Adil was in touch with Mohd Amin Bhatalias Pinna, an ‘individual militant’ of the LeT listed by Government of India, who was now operating from Pakistan. Pinna recruited Adil to carry out the two IED blasts on buses parked in the public areas of Udhampur District of J&K, which had inflicted injuries to two persons, he said.
Mohd Amin Bhat was initially a resident of Doda district in J&K. In 1997, he joined the terrorist ranks of Hizb Ul Mujahideen and was involved in the execution of various militant acts in J&K. He escaped to Pakistan in 2009 and is presently an active LeT handler who is playing a vital role to revive and accelerate terrorist activities in the Jammu region of J&K, he said.
Adil collected the explosives consignment delivered by Pinna’s associates from across the border in Kathua sector. Pinna used drones and dead drop method for this delivery. Pinna trained Adil in cyberspace on how to prime the IEDs. On 28th September, Adil planted 2 IEDs in two different buses, which were plying between Basnatgarh and Udhampur. One blast took place around midnight on 28th and the other in the early hours of 29th September, he said.
After his arrest, Adil made disclosures about hoarding of explosives for future attacks. Two more IEDs, three Sticky bombs, three detonators and two PTD timers were recovered from Adil’s residence. These were part of the consignment that was delivered from Pakistan, he said.
NIA unravelled all these facts and has filed a chargesheet on 28th against Mohd Aslam Sheikh and Mohd Amin Bhat under sections 120B, 121A, 122, 307 and 407 of IPC, sections 3 &4 of the Explosives Substances Act, 1908 and sections 16, 18, 18B, 20, 23, 38 & 39 of the UA (P) Act, 1967, reads the statement.
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It seems almost impossible to believe, but 12 months have gone by since we reported the tragic passing of Shane Warne. One of Melbourne’s most famous sons, the Australian cricketer was without doubt among the most talented players of his, or indeed any, era. Yet his almost magical skills on the field of play are only a small part of the legend that was Shane Warne.
Ruffling feathers with the ball of the century
This year will mark 30 years since Warne first took to the field of play at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Plenty has changed in 30 years. Today, nobody would look twice at a cricketer with bleached hair and an earring, but the staid members in their MCC ties were bemused and concealing smirks – just who did this chap think he was?
The answer came around 17 seconds after he was thrown the ball. His first delivery pitched way outside leg stump, spun all the way around Mike Gatting, which was a long way even then, and struck the top of off stump. Gatting’s look of bewilderment as he walked off would be repeated another 707 times before Warne retired from test cricket 15 years later.
Never a dull moment
It doesn’t take a cricketing genius to recognize Warne’s extraordinary talent – but it was arguably a cricketing genius who described him best. When Warne passed, Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter in tribute and said there was “never a dull moment, on or off the field, with Warnie around.”
Some of those off-field moments landed Warne in hot water, but he always owned his falls from grace and bounced back. To the general public, it just proved that he was only human like the rest of us. Let’s be honest, the adulation afforded to the likes of George Best, Alex Higgins, Diego Maradona and Warne’s old buddy Ian Botham, demonstrate that we all have fondness for a flawed genius.
Casino life – a real bloke’s bloke
Australian comedy singer Kevin Bloody Wilson was one of many to write songs in Warne’s honor, like Hero of Ancient Greece. It opened with the words “A cricketing legend all Australian boy, A real bloke’s bloke and we all loved him for it.” Warne liked to drink beer, smoke cigarettes and play the pokies at the casino just like a million other “Australian blokes” of his generation.
But to use the gambling terminology, Warnie knew no other way than to go all in. Most of us might look at a list of minimum deposit casino platforms and choose somewhere to play cricket pokies like Cricket Star or Cricket Hero for perhaps $10. That would hold little appeal for Warne, who would be straight across to the casino’s high roller tables, and buying champagne and cigars all round, too!
Known the world over
Shane Warne was known everywhere he went. But unlike so many famous athletes, he always found time to say hello, sign an autograph and pose for a selfie. Whether he was working his magic in the middle, chatting with those curmudgeons in the Long Room at Lord’s or getting into another scrape at a nightclub or casino, Warnie knew no other way than to be himself.
A year on from his passing, the cricketing world is a quieter place, and has lost a certain lustre. We’ll never forget Shane Warne.
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Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police is all set to get armoured JCB’s and tractors for conducting operations in Kashmir.
As per media reports, the Jk Police will be provided with five armoured tractors and JCB’s to help them in conducting operations in the militant hotspot areas.
The bullet proof vehicles will be a big boost for the police department as it will ensure safety of the police personnel for conducting anti-terror operations on the ground, the News 18 reported.
The armoured JCB’s and tractors will be an important part of operations and will help police in having clear operations at the encounter sites and conduct searches in debris. The bullet proof vehicles can also help the police in going closer to the encounter sites and aim at the target at a closer range, the report said.
This will ensure greater degree of safety to police forces and will also help them in conducting the operations independently.
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SRINAGAR: According to the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India carried out by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir has almost one million drug addicts.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment disclosed this information in response to a query by National Conference Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi in the Lok Sabha. The query had requested information on the total number of suspected drug addicts in Jammu and Kashmir and the total number of facilities for addiction treatment, de-addiction, and rehabilitation in the Union Territory.
According to the Ministry’s response to National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi’s inquiry about drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry referred to a survey which revealed that around 108,000 males and 36,000 females were found to be using cannabis, 534,000 males and 8,000 females were using opioids, and 160,000 males and 8,000 females were using various sedatives. The Ministry also stated that a significant number of males and females were addicted to cocaine, Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), and Hallucinogens in the region.
The Ministry’s figures on drug-addicts in Jammu and Kashmir may be underestimated as the survey was conducted several years ago and the drug problem has since become more widespread in the region. The Ministry informed the Parliament that it endorses the establishment of Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in government hospitals across the country, a program being implemented by AIIMS New Delhi. Out of the 46 ATFs established so far, 10 are operational in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the reply provided to the Member of Parliament.
Additionally, the Ministry supports the establishment of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, which not only provide treatment to drug victims but also offer services such as preventive education, awareness generation, motivational counselling, detoxification/de-addiction, aftercare, and reintegration into mainstream society.
The Ministry’s reply to the Member of Parliament stated that although 46 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) have been established across the country, only 10 are currently operational in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the Ministry supports the establishment of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, of which there are 340 in the country but only one in Jammu and Kashmir.
Similarly, out of 40 Community-based Peer-led Intervention (CPLI) Centres established so far, only two are operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, the Ministry has set up 71 Outreach and Drop-in Centres (ODICs) across the country, with three currently operating in the UT of J&K. The Ministry also supports the establishment of District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) in districts without IRCA, ODIC, and CPLI centres, of which there are currently five in Jammu and Kashmir out of a total of 15 supported by the Ministry.
In response to a question about the menace of narcotics, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had destroyed poppy on 288 acres of land in J&K in 2018, 1123 acres in 2019, 893 acres in 2020, 292 acres in 2021, and only 88 acres in 2022. However, given that poppy is grown on a significant portion of land in the Kashmir valley, the figures suggest that no significant progress has been made in its destruction.
On the other hand, cannabis destruction has increased with 37 acres destroyed in 2018, 295 acres in 2020, 523 acres in 2021, and 443 acres in 2022, but the performance of NCB is still not satisfactory considering the large area of land used for growing cannabis in Kashmir valley.
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SRINAGAR: The Centre on Wednesday said out of the total 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, 161 km has already been commissioned, while Rs 26,786 Crore expenditure has been incurred till March 2022 out of the anticipated cost of Rs 37,012 Crore.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL) project was sanctioned in 1994-95.
He said the anticipated cost of the project is Rs 37,012/- crore, against which, expenditure of Rs 26,786 crore has been incurred up to March, 2022 on the project.
“Out of the total 272 km length of the USBRL project, a length of 161 Km has already been commissioned. Work on the balance stretch of Katra-Banihal section of 111 Km has been taken up,” he said.
He also said the completion of any Railway projects depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of forest department, deposition of cost by State Government in Cost sharing projects, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of projects site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic considerations etc. “All these factors affect the completion time of the projects.”
On whether the government is likely to increase the number of trains deployed to Kashmir with the completion of USBRL project, he said at present, 19 passenger special train services are running on Baramulla-Budgam-Banihal section of USBRL Project. Moreover, introduction of new train services or extension of existing train services is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject to traffic demand, operational feasibility and availability of rolling stock.
On whether the government is proposing to provide transport linkages to tourist destinations nearby the USB rail link, the minister said the new line projects are considered on the basis of demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Member of Parliament, other public representatives and Railways’ own requirements. “As receipt of such proposals is a continuous and ongoing process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained.”
He added the proposals are taken up on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, socioeconomic considerations, missing links and alternate routes including connectivity to tourist destinations etc., depending upon liabilities of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands which is a continuous and ongoing process. (KNO)
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SRINAGAR: A son has allegedly killed his mother in Sopore area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, reports and officials said.
Reports reaching the news agency GNS said that a youth strangulated his mother to death in Dangarpora village in Sopore area on intervening Wednesday and Thursday night.
Confirming the unfortunate incident, a senior police officer told GNS that they have launched a large-scale manhunt to nab the accused.
“We are looking into all possible angles regarding the incident”, the officer said adding, “Once any further details are available, same will be shared accordingly.” (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: The wife of Kiran Patel, a conman who was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for impersonating a high-ranking official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), was taken into custody on Tuesday for attempting to illegally acquire an elderly citizens residence, reports appearing in media said.
As per a release by Ahmedabad city crime branch, Malini Patel was apprehended from a relative’s residence in Jambusar town of Bharuch district. A few weeks after her husband’s detention in Srinagar Kashmir, an initial information report (FIR) was filed against the couple on March 22, following which Malini Patel had been on the run.
According to the release, Malini Patel, who had previously been arrested in 2017 for cheating and criminal conspiracy charges filed against her at Naroda police station in Ahmedabad, has been taken into custody once again. It was stated that Kiran Patel, her husband, has faced similar charges in at least four cases in Gujarat and has previously also been detained.
The Ahmedabad city crime branch registered a case against the couple on March 22 under Indian Penal Code sections 420, 406, 120-b, and 170, and Kiran Patel was also held by Jammu and Kashmir police earlier this month when authorities became suspicious of his activities at a five-star hotel in Srinagar.
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SRINAGAR: A 20-year-old labourer from Ramban working at Zojila Tunnel died of some un ascertained cause here in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said on Wednesday morning.
An official identified the deceased as one Haroon Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Hameed, resident of Bassan Ramban.
Confirming the death of the individual, a police official said they are gathering the necessary details for possible cause of the death. (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has pulled up the Jammu & Kashmir Bank for incurring a wasteful expenditure of Rs 5.28 crore by hiring hotel Broadway in Srinagar, which was not used at all for its operations.
In its report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday, the CAG said that the Bank entered into a lease agreement with the M/s Broad Way Enterprises Private Limited (firm) in December 2017 and March 2019 for hiring of space in Hotel Broadway for the opening of High Net worth Individual (HNI) Branch and housing its International Banking Division (IBD), respectively, at a monthly rent of Rs 150 per square feet.
It hired the space for housing its International Banking Division (IBD) citing space constraints at the existing premises at Air Cargo Complex, Srinagar. The Bank also placed a work order at a cost of Rs two crore for development of the hired premises in February 2019.
According to the CAG report, the Bank, however, in January 2020 decided to de-hire the premises due to a host of reasons. “The Bank, however, decided (January 2020) to de-hire the premises on the ground that shifting of IBD would not translate into phenomenal growth of foreign exchange business as the forex business in Srinagar was limited. Further, the yearly rental outflow was considered very high vis-Ã -vis the business opportunities in the opening of HNI branch due to prevailing situation in Kashmir region,” the report states.
“By the time the Bank de-hired (June 2020) premises, it had incurred expenditure of Rs 3.78 crore towards rent and Rs 2.43 crore on the development of the premises. Out of Rs 2.43 crore, an amount of Rs 1.47 crore was spent on civil interior, furniture items that either could not be dismantled or were dismantled with substantial/ major damages. The dismantlement work was carried out (August 2020) at a cost of Rs 2.99 lakh,” it further states.
The CAG has questioned why the Bank hired space in the hotel despite the fact that it had hired already premises for the opening of it at Barzulla, Srinagar and was operating IBD at Air Cargo Complex, Srinagar having sufficient space at the monthly rate of ₹ 75 per sq. ft. and ₹ 85 per sq. ft., respectively.
“Moreover, the decision to open HNI branch and shift IBD at Hotel Broadway may be viewed in light of the fact that the Bank sanctioned (September 2016) a term loan of Rs 48.98 crore in favour of the lesson for renovation of existing hotel building and construction of new building and the term loan was eventually classified (January 2020) as Non-Performing Asset as the lessor could not service the account,” the report further states.
In its reply, the management of the Jammu & Kashmir Bank stated in March 2022, owing to sluggish market patterns and slow growth in overall banking sector, it decided to implement various measures to bring down the cost to income ratio and one of the measure was to vacate the premises in order to cut the costs on account of rental.
“However, the fact remains that the Bank hired the premises without taking cognizance of the fact that the decision to open HNI branch at Barzulla, Srinagar was already taken by the Management. Further, the limited business opportunity with regard to forex business in Srinagar was in the knowledge of the Bank as most of the customers were already dealing with it,” the CAG pointed out. (KNO)
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SRINAGAR: Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has ordered change in school timings for Kashmir province from April 1.
According to an order issued by DSEK, the new timings for the government and the recognized private schools falling outside Srinagar Municipal limits will be from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
“The order/instructions shall be adhered to strictly by all the concerned institutions,” the order reads, adding, “Any deviation in this regard shall be viewed seriously.”
There is no mention about timings for schools located within the Srinagar Municipal Limits and it appears that it shall remain from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm. (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: A young girl from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district has written the holy Qur’an after memorizing it.
Salima Jan from the Anderwan area of Ganderbal is pursuing BA and wrote the Qur’an during morning and evening times and completed it in around four months.
Salima said that due to the religious environment at their home, she a passion for writing the Qur’an.
“I started writing the Quran in November last year and completed it in March,” she said, adding, “My family has been very supportive and they provided me with everything I needed to complete the work.”
Salima said she has learned the Qur’an from many clerics and has memorized it by heart.
Her parents said it is a proud moment for them and the whole locality. “Remaining connected with one’s religion in today’s era is rare. We are proud of her,” they said. (KNO)
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SRINAGAR: District Football Association Srinagar former president has been arrested in connection with the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association JKFA Biryani scam, sources said here on Tuesday.
Sources said Sofi was allegedly involved in embezzlement of funds meant for the development of football in the region.
The scam involved misappropriation of funds meant for organizing football tournaments and events.
Sofi’s arrest comes after investigation into the matter, which has revealed the involvement of several other officials of the JKFA and DFA.
Sources said more arrests are expected in the case as further investigation is still going on. (KNS)
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SRINAGAR: A man died while another sustained injuries after a carrier vehicle met with an accident in the Doda district of Jammu region on Tuesday, officials said.
They said a carrier vehicle (JK06B-6047) on its way to Kishtwar from Doda met with an accident near Shibnote Premnagar area of Doda district.
A man identified as Murtaza Ahmed of Gurmaul Guwari village died on the spot while another man whom police identified as Faizan Iqbal Naik of Doda has been shifted to hospital for treatment.
Police took cognizance of the incident and registered a case in this regard. [KNT]
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Tuesday said that Shab-e-Qadr will be observed on April 17 while as Eid moon will be sighted on April 20 and in case moon is sighted on April 20, people will have to offer Qaza fasting of a day.
In his statement to the press following a lengthy meeting of Ulema which included prominent figures such as Maulana Rahmatullah Qasmi, Ghulam Rasool Hami, and Prof Muhammad Tayib Kamili, as well as Moulana Aga Syed Al Hassan Mousavi, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, Moulana Fayaz Ahmed Rizvi, Masroor Abbas Ansari, and others, the Grand Mufti declared: “April 17th will mark the observance of Shab-e-Qadr. On April 20th, the moon sighting will take place, and if the moon is sighted, individuals will be required to observe one day of Qaza fasting after Eid.”
He said any decision regarding Eid will be made public after thorough consultation with Ulema. “MeT department will also be consulted before any announcement,” he said.
It is worth noting that there was a dispute regarding the start of fasting in Kashmir. The Grand Mufti had recommended that people begin fasting from Friday, while the majority of individuals had already started fasting from Thursday.
The Grand Mufti had explained that he had not received any testimony about sighting the Ramadhan crescent on Wednesday evening. Additionally, he called for the release of Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdur Rashid Dawodi, and other Ulema who are currently detained in different prisons.(KNO)
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SRINAGAR: Ishaq Ahmad Magry, a visually impaired scholar hailing from Jammu and Kashmir recently accomplished his Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, reported Awaz The Voice
Hailing from Handwara in the picturesque region of Jammu and Kashmir, Magry’s journey towards academic excellence has been filled with numerous challenges, owing to his visual impairment. However, his determination and unwavering spirit to overcome all obstacles eventually led him to achieve this remarkable feat.
Magry’s pursuit of higher education began after completing his undergraduate degree in History from the Hindu College in Delhi in 2008. Despite the difficulties he faced, he refused to let his disability deter him from his academic goals. His hard work and passion for history led him to enroll in the National Institute of Visually Handicapped in Dehradun, where he began his journey towards attaining academic excellence.
After completing his coursework, Magry continued his education at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, one of India’s premier academic institutions. Here, he specialized in the study of Mughal Administration and Polity in Kashmir from 1605 to 1658, under the guidance of his mentor, Professor Heeraman Tiwari. Magry’s rigorous research, dedication, and commitment to his work culminated in a doctoral thesis that showcases his expertise and knowledge in the field.
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SRINAGAR: In order to curb high-speed stunt biking and rash driving of vehicles, Traffic Police Srinagar on Monday said they have received a few ‘Speed Radar Guns’, a specialized device to assess the speed of moving vehicles.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for City Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah while speaking to the media at his office said the department was short of the equipment to measure the speed of moving vehicles, and now they have received an inventory of a few ‘Speed Radar Guns’.
” The device would be used to crack down on high-speed stunt biking,” he said.
“We would be using the speed radar guns, which would assist us in detecting the people who drive erratically and at high speeds,” he said, adding that in the coming months, the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) is going to be activated. The installation of multiple cameras will automatically detect and minimize traffic violations, he added.
Talking about Sunday’s Parimpora incident in which a group of boys riding two-wheelers was seen allegedly harassing a family and said to be involved in stunt biking, the SSP said, “There was a swift action by the Parimpora police station, and the action will serve as an indication to those who are involved in these kinds of acts. Law is very clear about it and nobody can escape.”
Shah said the initiative on underage driving and rash driving was taken last year but the effort can only be successful if parents cooperate.
He urged parents to not allow minors to drive either four-wheelers or two-wheelers, and those who do so should make sure their children have all the required paperwork, including a driver’s license, and that they are wearing helmets when riding two-wheelers. (KNO)
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SRINAGAR: After returning from her exams, a 12th grade student passed away due to cardiac arrest in Bakihakra village of Handwara, located in the Kupwara district of northern Kashmir.
An official said that the girl (18) identified as Ulfat died of cardiac arrest after she returned from 12th standard exams today afternoon.
He said the girl was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the village as news of her death spread in the area. (KNS)
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SRINAGAR: Police have solved a theft case by arresting two accused persons involved in the commission of crime and recovered the stolen sheep from their possession in south Kashmir’s Awantipora district on Sunday.
A police spokesperson said in a statement said that on March 25, 2023 Police Station Awantipora received a written complaint regarding theft of 25 sheep from Ali Mohd Khan son of Mohd Sultan, a resident of Dangerpora Padgampora.
Accordingly, cases vide FIR No. 41/2023 under relevant sections of law was registered in police station Awantipora and investigation was initiated.
“During the course of investigation, a special police team was constituted headed by SHO police station Awantipora for its quick disposal. Officers investigating the case learnt about the involvement of two accused persons identified as Nazakat Bokhda son of Zubair Bokhda resident of Shar Shali Khrew and Mushtaq Ahmad Bajad son of Mohammad Bashir Bajad resident of Champa Rajouri A/P Puchal Pulwama who were subsequently arrested. During questioning, they confessed their involvement in the commission of crime,” he added.
“On their disclosure, 18 sheep were recovered from their possession. Both the accused persons have been shifted to police station for custody. The stolen property will be handed over their rightful owners after completion of legal formalities,” an official said. (KS)
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SRINAGAR: The British Council in partnership with the GREAT Britain Campaign is inviting applications from Indian Postgraduate students for University of Bristol GREAT scholarship – India 2023. Applicants can avail scholarship benefits for a yearlong Masters Degree course at University of Bristol.
To claim eligibility, the candidates must have a valid Indian passport, be classified as an overseas fee payer, be entirely self funded, hold an offer to start a one year full-time masters degree course in September 2023 and be academically well versed.
The candidates who are awarded the scholarship will receive £10,000 as the coverage for the cost of tuition fee for any one year masters degree course taught at the University of Bristol. The candidates need to submit the copies of their passport, mark sheet and other relevant certificates, as requested by the university.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is April 24, 2023. The candidates who are awarded the scholarship will be notified of their short-listing on or before May 21, 2023. The rejected candidates shall receive official communication shortly afterwards as well. Applicants to the GREAT India scholarship will be automatically considered for the Think Big postgraduate scholarship. A separate application isn’t required.
The application process for the GREAT India 2023 scholarship is the same as that of the rest of the international scholarships offered through the University of Bristol. Interested and eligible applicants can apply using the official website to apply for the scholarship.
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SRINAGAR: In a bid to spread awareness among masses about the judicious use of electric appliances, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, in a high level meeting, impressed upon the officers of the Power Development Department (PDD) to run large scale campaign in this regard.
Dr Mehta enjoined upon the officers to make the masses fully acquainted about the consumption of electricity by different electric appliances like ACs, water heaters, room heaters and other appliances so that they become aware about costs and use these gadgets judiciously.
He asked them to use the power of our youth in changing the attitude of people by making them champions of change in the society.
The Chief Secretary stated that losses suffered on power purchases exceed more than Rs 3500 Crore annually with previous liabilities piling up by each passing year. He reiterated that these resources belong to our people and should optimally be utilized in creation of jobs for youth or other welfare measures for the people of JK. He observed that people should be sensitized about the same through massive outreach campaign and this gap in power purchase and revenue realization should be minimized for the general good of masses particularly the educated youth of the UT.
He further added that the overall AT&C losses should be brought down to less than 20% in the UT. He emphasised on having a proper mechanism to redress the grievances related to billing of consumers. He told them to fix Electric Division wise targets for demand side management.
The Chief Secretary also emphasized on making the flat rates less attractive so that people prefer switching to metering of their power connections. He observed that most of the people are ready to pay for their consumption. The new mantra should be 100 percent payment and 100 percent electricity. He made out that people who clear their dues regularly deserve to be provided quality power round the clock.
The Chief Secretary further exhorted upon the officers that the smart metering of all the urban areas of the UT should be completed by August this year. He asked them to establish dedicated enforcement teams in each circle to ensure proper monitoring and surveillance of the consumers.
The Principal Secretary, PDD, Rajesh Prasad in his presentation stated that the Department has formulated plan to reduce AT&C losses to 41% from current 49% during the coming financial year which would further be decreased to 20% till financial year 2025-26. He also stated that the gap between Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realised (ARR) for the year 2022-23 is Rs 1.79 which is going to be further minimized to Rs 1.60 in the next fiscal and to Rs 0.58 by 2025-26.
He further apprised the meeting that the Department has conducted 166134 inspections in the UT thereby imposing a penalty of Rs 15.03 Cr and making 133534 disconnections of erring customers till February this year. In addition the Department has recovered Rs Rs 54.92 Cr in the shape of arrears from both domestic and commercial consumers.
As far as bringing efficiency in distribution system is concerned, the Department is going to implement the projects worth Rs 5641 Cr sanctioned by GoI under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to install the Smart meters to the tune of Rs 1046.71 Cr and carry out other loss reduction works to the tune of Rs 4595.20 Cr. The completion of these projects are going to greatly reduce the AT&C losses further thereby making additional energy available to Department for providing 24×7 quality power supply to consumers across JK.
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SRINAGAR: The Government of India (GoI) is planning to set up an international-level Railway Training Academy in Jammu to educate the technical staff and engineers of the department to develop an understanding of new mountains and Himalayan formations.
As per the news agency KNO, this was revealed by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, while addressing a press conference at the world’s highest railway bridge here, after conducting an inspection of the track and tunnels on a track-mounted vehicle on the second leg of his two-day Jammu & Kashmir visit.
“I met the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and discussed the land for Cargo Terminals. Land for three is already identified and for the remaining one, the process is in progress,” he said, adding that Cargo Terminals will be of great help in transporting (import-export) the goods in a shorter time and at cheaper transportation cost.
The minister said that the construction work on this bridge started somewhere around 2005-06 but when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over in 2014, he reviewed the project, which is very close to his heart and he desired the design of the bridge for more than 100 years.
“Taking all ifs and buts in mind, the bridge is made in such a way that it is designed for 120 years, which is a big achievement for the entire country. The nation must be proud of our engineers, who transformed the dream into a reality,” he said.
He further said that there were several engineering challenges involved in the projects but the most important was the ‘willpower’ of the leadership. “The willpower of the leadership matters a lot especially when PM Modi took the project into his hands with timely reviews, monitoring, and discussions that made us more encouraged and determined to accomplish the target. Leadership makes a difference,” he said.
The minister said that among others, the foundation design was also one of the major challenges in this project, secondly was the construction of tunnels in the young mountains of the Himalayas.
Earlier, there was only one reliable tunnelling method known as New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) which was accepted worldwide, but it was not suitable for our young mountains, he said, adding, “Our finest brains of our country develop indigenous Himalayan Tunnelling Method’ (HTM) to build tunnels in the Himalayas”.
“A team of engineers desired that the HTM papers be published in journals and the technicalities be adopted worldwide,” he said, adding that the issues of gases in the mountains at the time of tunnelling, were also taken under consideration to prevent fire incidents,” he said.
Stating that the duration from Jammu to Kashmir will be reduced to 3 to 4 hours after the start of the connectivity, Vaishnaw said, “Vande Metro trains from Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa will also start very soon that will actually and practically convert both the cities into one.”
“Many rail projects into the Himalayan region are under progress and few are coming up, the Minister said that four PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are also coming up in the Kashmir valley (between Banihal to Baramulla) for transportation of Kashmiri items to the rest of the country,” he maintained.
“Everything would be smooth, especially game changer for apple farmers after PM’s ambitious Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals become optional, as farmers easily and affordably transport their crops in any part of the country,” he said, adding, “Similarly many goods including cement, steel will become cheaper in J&K, once transportation fare came down.”
On challenges in the North East, he said, “with challenges viewpoint related to topography, we face some similar challenges but after the completion of this project, the challenges faced in this project and the lessons learned can be shared in the North East projects and the similar can be implemented in this region from the eastern parts of the country.”
Replying to a query concerning Jammu-Poonch Rail Link and making Jammu Railway Station a Division, the minister said, “It is a very difficult terrain but very soon new projects will be undertaken. And, special arrangements will also be made and other technicalities will be looked into for converting Jammu into a Division.”
Vaishnaw also said that with tourism, three spots have been identified from where the bridge is visible and they will be developed as tourist destinations to tap the potential of the region.
He however, on water effects on the nearby villages with the project said, “It is an important aspect and is taken into consideration while a team of WAPCOS (Water and Power Consultancy Services Limited), is already having a detailed scientific study.”
Claiming that the construction of the world’s highest rail bridge on river Chenab is done on a ‘fix it, forget it’ basis
The bridge stands 359 meters above the river bed level and is 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower in France, making it the highest in the world.
“As far as the maintenance part is concerned, this project is very very important. The tracks and tunnels are planned and designed in such a way that it requires least maintenance as possible,” the Railways Minister told reporters during a press conference after inspecting the bridge in Reasi district.
The minister said our engineers can get training and learn more about this project so that along with getting skilled, the maintenance, model, and experience of Chenab bridge’s construction can also be utilized in projects in progress or coming up in other parts of the country.
He further revealed that this (Chenab) rail bridge is designed with Richter scale 8 seismic activity. “The foundation has been designed practically which is half the size of a football field,” he said.
The minister said that 28,000 tonnes of steel is used and the welding is around 600 km. “All safety and security measures are taken into consideration. It is a very tough and strong bridge,” he said.
As part of connecting Kashmir to every part of the country, the work on one of the most strategic projects–the 272-km long–Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project(USBRL), has been expedited and is expected to be completed before the 2024 Parliament elections to dedicate the facility to the people of the nation.
Declared a “National Project” in 2002, the Project involves 38 Tunnels (combined length of 119 km), the longest tunnel (T-49) having a length of 12.75 Km, and is the country’s longest transportation tunnel.
There are 927 Bridges (combined length of 13 Km), which include the iconic Chenab Bridge (Overall length of 1315 m, Arch span of 467 m, and height of 359 m above river bed) which will be the highest railway bridge in the world. Indian railway’s first cable-stayed bridge is also being constructed on Anji Khad. (KNO)
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SRINAGAR: Amid forecast for mainly dry weather in the next 24 hours, the minimum temperatures recorded a drop in Jammu and Kashmir with mercury settling below sub-zero level in Pahalgam and Gulmarg on Monday.
A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar recorded a low of 3.0°C against 5.7°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 2.1°C against 5.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.6°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 1minus .8°C against 2.0°C on the previous night and it was 3.4°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 3.1°C against 4.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.9°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 1.6°C against 3.8°C on the previous night and it was 2.9°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 12.5°C against 11.9°C on the previous night. It was 4.1°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 3.8°C (below normal by 2.7°C), Batote 6.1°C (below normal by 2.4°C), Katra 11.2°C (2.6°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 3.6°C (1.8°C below normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 3.8°C and 2.0°C respectively. (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: Two linemen of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) were critically injured on Sunday late evening after they received an electric shock at Panzigam receiving station in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
An official said that the duo was critically injured after they were electrocuted while repairing the high voltage electricity line at the receiving station.
“The injured were rushed to the District Hospital Bandipora for treatment,” the official said.
A senior doctor present at the hospital said that the duo was brought with burn injuries and after initial treatment, they were shifted to the Srinagar hospital for further treatment.
The doctor identified them as Farooq Ahmad of Malangam and Ashiq Hussain of Qazipora. “Their condition is stable,” he said.
Meanwhile, following the incident, the electricity in the entire area was snapped when this report was being filed.(KNO)
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SRINAGAR: One person died and another was injured when a Tata sumo they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a river near Manoie in Doda district.
Official sources said that the tata sumo (JKO6-9240) on way from Thatri to Gandoh skied off the road and fell into a deep gorge at Manoie. One person namely Mohammad Yaser, son of Mohammad Shafi Zarger of Neli Halore was declared dead while one person namely Mohammad Mohsin of Changa Gwara was critically injured and referred to GMC Doda.
SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom confirmed the accident and casualties in it. He said a case has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: Stating that he doesn’t have to contest any election in J&K nor does he indulge in politics, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday said a law will soon be enacted to provide land and homes to a poor lot of the UT.
“I am surprised to see that in J&K there has been no law for providing laws and homes to the poor. J&K administration is working on it and very soon there will be a law enacted in this regard,” the LG said while speaking on the 450th Prakash Utsav of Goswami Shri Guru Nabha Dass Ji Maharaj in Jammu. He said that the poor lot will have better land and housing facilities soon.
He said that the poor will get land and homes too. “Everything will be done for them by the J&K administration,” the LG said. He said the way the administration led by him provided housing facilities to migrant Kashmiri Pandits, similar facilities will be provided to government employees who are non-J&K residents.
“We will ensure that safe and secure accommodation is provided to the employees who belong to other parts of the country and are presently posted in J&K. We know working in Kashmir is a bit challenging,” the LG said.
He said that the administration is committed to converting the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi about J&K into action on the ground.
“I was surprised to see 270 trucks ferrying files of darbar move from Srinagar to Jammu. Today, we are the number one UT in the country to have E-services. We have 450 E-Services, and 102 services under PGSA. Some gaps are being filled by May this year,” he said.
The LG said that there was a time when only 7 km of road was laid in J&K and today the figure is 20 km and 15 km of road is being macadamized daily.
“A lot has changed in the past three years. Under the self-employment scheme and women’s self-help groups, hundreds of youth including young girls were trained to become good entrepreneurs. In every Panchayat, youth are being selected for entrepreneurship training and 20 youth are being trained under skill development program,” he said—(KNO)
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SRINAGAR: During his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the increasing popularity of lotus stems in Kashmir, referred to as ‘Nadru‘ by locals.
“Whenever we talk about Kashmir or Srinagar, the pictures of the mountains and Dal jheel come in front of us. We all want to enjoy the scenic beauty, but there is one more speciality attached to it. Dal jheel is also known for its delicious Lotus stems. They are known by different names in the country, and in Kashmir, they are referred to as ‘Nadru’,” he said.
He further stated that in response to the growing demand for Nadru, farmers have established a Farmers Producer Organization (FPO), which currently comprises 250 farmers.
“Today, the farmers are able to export the FPOs to foreign countries. Recently, they sent two sets to UAE. This is not just taking up the name of Kashmir, but also increasing the income of the farmers,” he said.
The Prime Minister also discussed the farmers who have transitioned to cultivating lavender and the advantages they are obtaining through the government’s Aroma Mission initiative.
“Another effort by the Kashmiri farmers is spreading the fragrance of its success. Actually, there is a small town Bhadarwah, in the Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir. The farmers there traditionally used to grow maize, but some farmers decided to do something innovative. They shifted towards floriculture. Under this, around 2,500 farmers are growing lavender. They have also benefited from the Aroma scheme of the government. This has increased their income several times. And today, along with the lavender, the fragrance of their success is also spreading,” he added.
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SRINAGAR: The world’s first cloned female Pashmina goat, Noori, is no more. She died a natural death on March 15 after living a life of 11 years and already being a grandmother.
The goat was the first ever animal that SKUAST-K produced through cloning. Her birth was a major development in veterinary science in Kashmir.
The goat kid was born in 2012 after the strenuous efforts of years put in by Dr Riaz Ahmad Shah and six other researchers who brought cloned Noori, into the world on March 9, catapulting Kashmir straight into the international limelight.
All her life, Noori lived at SKUAST and mothered seven kids, two female and five male.
Defying all notions that cloned species are susceptible to various ailments, Noori lived a healthy life and reached an advanced age in good health.
It was after the premature death of Dolly sheep, the first mammal to be cloned that scientists developed doubts that cloning accelerates the ageing process and other related problems. However, Noorie proved this isn’t the case as cloning also follows routine motherhood after the initial stage.
Dr Riaz said that Noori lived a healthy life of more than 11 years since her birth which is the average life span for this species. She died of old age and passed away peacefully at sheep and goat research station SKUAST-K leaving behind a great legacy.
“Age-related issues had started to show up in Noorie and she had stopped food intake,” Dr Riaz said. “Her teeth were falling out making it difficult for her to graze adequately.”
Noorie, meaning light, was seen as a ray of hope by scientists who knew that the female kid would pave the way for mass production of silky soft wool, the prized fibre.
Noori, when born, had such a shiny lustrous coat that my colleague Prof Maqbool Darzi named it Noori, and the light that she brought into the world of science will continue to inspire us to do better in our field, Dr Riaz said.
“We are aiming to diversify the cloning process and are trying to get hold of the gene editing process and transgenic animal research. If that happens, we will be able to have mass production of pashmina,” Dr Riaz, who is literally the father of cloning in India, said. Currently, he is the Chief Scientist at Animal Cloning and Transgenic Laboratory, Division of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences SKUAST-Kashmir.
“The average pashmina production in a pashmina goat is around 200 grams. If we are successful in creating a Gene-edited cloned goat, the first of its kind, we can take the pashmina production up and have 300 grams of production per goat,” he said while offering an idea about the focus of his current research.
Before Noorie happened, a doctoral student at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, Dr Riaz had invested painstaking efforts and expertise in developing the first buffalo clone Garima many years ago. It was for the first time he switched to a comparatively easier and cost-effective technique; different from the one utilized to produce Dolly, the world’s first cloned sheep in 1996.
Buoyed by the success, Dr Riaz submitted a proposal jointly with the NDRI to the government of India. He hoped to secure assistance for furthering research in Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, a key technique that later went on to make the project Noori happen.
“While NDRI continued to carry out its research on buffaloes, we zeroed in on a different species,” Dr Riaz said.
Project Noorie was different; she was from our native place and had tremendous economic importance.
Subsequently, Rs 2 crore funding package for a four-year period breathed life into his project. From a sufficient amount, he created a world-class laboratory before roping in the finest battery of research scholars and scientists who helped him hit the target. In this process, Riaz said, they also learned how to skilfully preserve an embryo and transfer it to recipients.
In the next three years, a near-miraculous development happened. Scientists isolated an egg cell from a goat before extracting out its innards, creating space for administering the DNA, a biological rulebook, of a Pashmina goat.
Once the DNA was integrated, the egg cell was rammed into the skin cells of a Pashmina goat, giving rise to an embryo that would further journey towards becoming a foetus. “The new offspring was an exact duplicate of the Pashmina goat whose DNA had been extracted from its skin cell,” Riaz said.
His department is rearing a huge herd of Pashmina goats that defies the tradition that these goats cannot survive outside Ladakh. However, the wool output of these goats is slightly low. If cloning becomes a success, Kashmir finally can have Pashmina herds too.
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SRINAGAR: The School Education Department (SED) has warned private schools of Valley’s North and Central Kashmir districts of strict action for unilateral hike in tuition fees and other charges collected from the parents under different heads.
As per the circular instructions issued by the Joint director Central and North Kashmir districts, the private schools have been warned to refrain from giving unilateral hike in fees and remain careful in future, while going for a revision or hike in fees.
“Parents of students studying in Private Schools of Central and North Kashmir districts are openly coming in social media, print and electronic media to express their anger and grievances with regard to overcharging of various fees like admission fee ,tuition fee and bus fees collected by the Private Institutions from the students in Brazen violation of rules and regulations and cannons prescribed by the (FFRC) Fee Fixation Review Committee established by the Govt of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory,” the circular reads.
The move as per the department circular has been viewed “very seriously” by the higher authorities and the stakeholders.
“Parents of the students who have to bear the brunt of the onslaught of this unilateral hike of fees by the unbridled School Managements, who are always in search of opportunities to give a hike to the fee in any Head/Sector without any plausible justification and slap this Hukum-I-Tughlak to the parents through WhatsApp/SMS/Telephonic-Calls,” the circular reads.
The department has observed that the private school managements have become so arrogant that they withhold the results of the students who don’t pay advance fees of the current month which is yet to finish.
“They don’t bother or feel it necessary to consult the Parent Body, Working Committee or any official machinery to get the hike of charges examined, discussed, justified, and finally accepted by one and all,” the circular reads.
The joint director has warned the Private School Managements to remain careful in future, while going for a revision or hike in fees and shall immediately consult the Chief Education Officers or Zonal Education Officers concerned and the Parents Body of that school and move a proposal for any such hike.
“With this, the menace of overcharging of fees, exorbitant admission fees are streamlined as per standard of school, the facilities provided by school, quality of education, transport facilities, playground,” it reads.
The Joint Director has issued instructions to all the Chief Education Officers and Zonal Education Officers of all the six districts including, Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara to mobilize themselves and re-activate their institutions.
“Make surprise visits to your school jurisdictions and take cognizance of complaints received in this behalf and take a strong notice of violations to curb this menace with Iron hard and restore confidence and faith of General Public, Parents and students in the law of the land and law enforcing agencies,” the circular reads. (KNO)
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SRINAGAR: A shopping complex was damaged in a nocturnal blaze in Wandevalgam in Kokernag area in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said.
They said that a fire broke out in the shopping complex, resulting in critical damage to at least five shops despite timely efforts by locals and F&ES Department men to douse off the flames.
The shopping complex, they said, belongs to one Ghulam Hassan Sheikh son of Abdul Gaffar Sheikh. (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: A Special Judge of Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar has sentenced an Assistant Sub-inspector rank police official to one year jail over accusations of demanding and accepting bribe.
A Spokesperson said, “Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar has sentenced a public servant to one year in Jail. The judgement was pronounced on 24-03-2023, wherein accused ASI Mushtaq Ahmad Shah then posted at Police Station Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam has been convicted U/S 5(2) PC Act and 161 RPC and sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for one year and pay a fine of Rs. 10,000/- under each offence. It was further announced that in case of default in payment of fine, the accused shall undergo further imprisonment for one month under each offence.”
“The accused convict has been taken into custody and sent to Central Jail Srinagar for serving the sentence.”
“The accused Mushtaq Ahmad Shah was trapped while he was posted at Police Station Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam on 19-09-2008 following a complaint lodged by one Ab. Rashid Chopan resident of Fresdub, Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam in Police Station VOK (now ACB)”, he said.
“It was averred that the complainant had purchased 03 quintals of rice from Govt. Ration Depot Nagam, Charar-e-Sharief and was transporting the same in a Sumo towards their home. On his way he was intercepted by ASI Mushtaq Ahmad Shah of Police Station Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam who took him along with rice to Nowhar, Charar-e-Sharief where he demanded and accepted bribe of Rs. 500/- from the complainant but returned only 2 quintals of rice to him.”
“The accused Mushtaq Ahmad handed over remaining one quintal of rice to a Shopkeeper and demanded further bribe of Rs. 1000/- from the complainant. The complainant persuaded the accused who agreed to accept Rs. 500/- only to settle the issue. The bribe was agreed to be paid on 19-09-2008”, the facts maintain.
“However, the Complainant lodged a complaint with VOK (now ACB) and accordingly a team of officers of VOK was constituted to lay trap for the accused public servant. The team laid a successful trap and arrested the accused public servant ASI Mushtaq Ahmad Shah red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe. The tainted money was recovered from his possession.”
A Special Prosecuting Officer Ghulam Jeelani on behalf of Anti-Corruption Bureau has contested the case resulting in the conviction awarded by Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, Mr. Chain Lal Bavoria.
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SRINAGAR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a provisional attachment order under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to seize a multi-storeyed commercial complex, worth more than Rs 252 crore, located in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh area in connection with its probe into an alleged bank fraud case against the Ambience Group, The Tribune reported.
Tribune reported that the ED in an official statement said that the immovable property “is named Ambience Tower and it belongs to a company called Ambience Towers Pvt Ltd”, a firm of the Ambience Group promoted by Raj Singh Gehlot.
Petinently, FIR and chargesheets filed by the Jammu and Kashmir anti-corruption bureau that found that a company named Aman Hospitality Pvt Ltd, through its promoter director Gehlot, was sanctioned term loan facility of Rs 810 crore by a consortium of banks led by J&K Bank to part finance its hotel project in Shahdara, Delhi.
“The loan amount later turned into an NPA. During investigation, it was revealed that Gehlot had diverted loan funds and layered the same through a web of bank accounts belonging to his relatives and Ambience Group companies,” the ED said, adding that it also found that the promoter of the company “diverted” materials to the other project sites of the Ambience Group.
Gehlot was arrested by the ED in September 2021 in this case. His wife Sheela Gehlot and other directors of the Ambience Group such as Amit Gehlot, Shamsher Singh and Pawan Singh were also named as accused in the chargesheets filed by the ED earlier.
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SRINAGAR: Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand is inviting applications for a fully funded Doctoral Scholarship for the year 2023.
The University offers around 110 scholarships in the field of Architecture, Business and Government, Design, Education, Engineering, Health, Humanities, Law, Music, Technology, and Science.
Eligible candidates need to have a strong academic record and a record of publications in outstanding journals reflecting candidates’ experience and education.
The documents required for the scholarship include a CV/resume, academic transcripts, Reference letters, and a Personal statement.
Selected candidates will be provided with a full tuition fee and an additional annual stipend of 29,000 USD (2, 38,000 INR).
The scholarship application deadline is for three rounds each year, i.e. March 1, July 1, and November 1.
Eligible candidates need to apply online through the official website of the University.
SRINAGAR: The Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari advised the public not to enter into any commercial contract with any vehicle owner for a vehicle that does not have a commercial permit.
As per the public notification issued by RTO Kashmir, all the government departments, PSUs, Banks, Educational Institutions and individuals not to hire any private vehicles as a Taxi and not to enter into any commercial contract with any vehicle owner for a vehicle that does not have a Commercial permit and that does not sync with the stated law and rules under the MVA, 1988.
“Multiple complaints have been registered in this office claiming that some private vehicles are being used as Taxis, including by the government departments,” the notice reads.
The notice reads that Section 66 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides that ‘no owner of a motor vehicle shall use or permit the use of the vehicle as a transport vehicle in any public place whether or not such vehicle is actually carrying any passengers or goods, save or accordance with the conditions of a permit granted or countersigned by a Regional or State Transport Authority or any prescribed authority authorizing him the use of the vehicle in that place in the manner in which the vehicle is being used’.
“Section 53 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, inter alia, also provides for suspension of Registration Certificate if there are reasons to believe that a vehicle has been, or is being, used for hire or reward without a valid permit,” it said.
It added that according to norms, all outsourced vehicles used by the government departments are required to be registered in commercial category.
The notice further reads the Drawing and Disbursing Officers are strictly advised not hire any private vehicle that is not registered under commercial category.
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SRINAGAR: Rains lashed the plains as light snowfall occurred in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours, the Met Office said on Saturday.
Hill stations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall on Friday.
The Office said that widespread rain/thunderstorm is likely during the next 24 hours in the plains and light snowfall in the hills.
Srinagar recorded 5.8, Pahalgam minus 0.5 and Gulmarg minus 1 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature on Saturday.
Drass town in Ladakh region had minus 1.1, Kargil 0.2 and Leh minus 3.2 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu registered 13.2, Katra 10, Batote 3.5, Banihal 2.2 and Bhaderwah 3 as the minimum temperature
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SRINAGAR: Army on Friday foiled an attempt of narco-militant smuggling by recovering 10 packets of narcotics near Line of Control in Poonch Sector, officials said.
They said that investigations are underway to find out the nature of the narcotics recovered.
“It appears to be heroin but concerned authorities will find it out after examination.” (GNS)
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SRINAGAR: A delegation led by the President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Javid Ahmad Tenga, recently called on the Union Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change (MOEFCC), Bhupinder Yadav, to discuss the challenges faced by exporters of Pashmina shawls. The delegation highlighted the problems faced by exporters at customs, where their shawls are suspected of containing banned content.
During the meeting, the KCCI presented a detailed presentation about the heritage Pashmina craft, it’s weaving process, and exports clearance. The delegation emphasized that the centuries-old cottage craft provided employment to tens of thousands of male & female artisans and the product was in demand within and outside the country in the form of shawls, stoles, rumals, lingerie, and fashion items.
However, exporters have been facing difficulties at customs for some time, where Wildlife Department officials send the shawls to testing facilities outside Delhi (Dehradun/Kolkata) for further examination. Sometimes, the tests report the presence of Guard Hair, which is confused with Shahtoosh, causing a considerable period of time to be lost. This process results in the chain of production getting disturbed and affecting the livelihoods of artisans involved in the process of Pashmina weaving & embroidery.
The KCCI proposed to the minister that in view of conflicting reports of laboratories, the DNA testing of export consignments be done. The Minister accepted the KCCI proposal and assured that in future, DNA testing will be done to address this issue. The Minister was also apprised of the issue of NOC/clearance by Pollution Control Committee, which needed to be simplified and made time-bound.
The KCCI President invited the Minister for a seminar in Srinagar to review the progress of conservation projects being carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The Minister accepted the invitation and asked the KCCI to communicate a suitable date for the seminar for confirmation.
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SRINAGAR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha, a day after his conviction in a defamation case by court in Surat, Gujarat.
The notification disqualifying the Wayanad MP was issued hours after Rahul attended Lok Sabha in the morning session
The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification disqualifying the Wayanad MP from the house.
“Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 March, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” the notification read.
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “We will fight this battle both legally and politically. We will not be intimidated or silenced. Instead of a JPC into the PM-linked Adani Maha Mega Scam, Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified.Indian Democracy Om Shanti.”
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SRINAGAR: Google is inviting applications for Google PhD Fellowship India Programme 2023. Interested candidates can apply before the application deadline of April 18, 2023 through online mode only. The decision pertaining to the award of the fellowship will be taken in July 2023 and candidates will be notified shortly after.
To claim eligibility, the applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme in computer science or an adjacent field. The award of the fellowship does not refer to admission in a PhD programme. The candidates must apply separately for the PhD programme in a recognized institution. The award of the fellowship will be in coherence with the guidelines of the concerned institution.
Candidates in the early stages of their PhD programme can avail the fellowship for a period of 4 years along with a $50k stipend to cover research related activities and travel expenses. As for the candidates in the late stages of their PhD programme, the fellowship period is 1 year and the stipend is $10k. The award winners will also be assigned a Google research mentor.
The awardees must remain enrolled in a PhD programme throughout the period of the scholarship or forfeit the award. Google employees or their household members are not eligible for the fellowship. Students who are supported by any other comparable industry fellowship award are not eligible for the award.
Interested and eligible applicants can send their application the flat PDF format, not portfolio. The application must include the applicant’s resume (publications mentioned, if any), one page resume of the applicant’s primary PhD advisor, academic transcripts starting from Bachelors Degree first semester, research proposal(maximum 3 pages, excluding references) and 2-3 recommendation letters (at least one from the current thesis advisor).
The official website for the Google PhD fellowship is
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SRINAGAR: Weather department on Friday forecast widespread rains and thunderstorm with snowfall over higher reaches at most places of Jammu and Kashmir till weekend.
Quoting a meteorological department official,GNS reported that there was possibility of hailstorm in plains during March 24-25.
“Thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds. Rain likely to commence from March 24 afternoon onwards,” he said.
The weather department also urged farmers to “postpone” spraying of orchards while commuters intending to travel on highway and other hilly areas have been asked to confirm road status from concerned traffic police before starting their journey.
Regarding temperature, the MeT official said, Srinagar recorded a low of 5.3°C against 5.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 4.0°C against 3.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 0.6°C against minus 0.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.2°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 4.7°C against 4.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.0°C, the same as on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 4.0°C against 3.7°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 14.9°C against 13.8°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 5.0°C (below normal by 0.3°C), Batote 7.5°C (below normal by 0.6°C), Katra 12.0°C (0.5°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 5.6°C (1.7°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.0°C and minus 1.9°C respectively.
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