J&K HC Reopens Nadimarg Massacre Case

SRINAGAR: High Court on Friday reopened the case of Nadimarg massacre of 24 Kashmiri Pandits that was closed a decade ago, reported Daily Excelsior.

Justice Sanjay Dhar was hearing the application filed by the prosecution seeking recall of order dated 21.12.2011 whereby the criminal revision petition was dismissed.

The massacres of 24 persons belonging to the minority community was carried at Nadimarg village in Shopian district in 2003.

A case (FIR No.24/2003 for offences under Sections 302, 450, 395, 307, 120-B, 326, 427 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act and Section 30 Police Act) was registered in Police Station, Zainapora in connection with massacre and investigations were taken up.

After investigation of the case, the challan was filed against seven accused persons initially before the Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Pulwama, that was later transferred to the Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Shopian, upon the creation of the said court.

During the pendency of the trial of the case, the prosecution moved an application before the trial court seeking permission to examine material prosecution witnesses on commission, as according to the prosecution, these witnesses had migrated out of Kashmir valley and they were reluctant to depose before the trial court at Shopian in view of the threat perception.

The application was dismissed by the Principal Sessions Judge, Shopian in 2011 and the said dismissal order was challenged by the prosecution by way of Criminal Revision Petition before the High Court.

On 21.12.2011, the revision petition was dismissed by the High Court which the prosecution sought to be recalled by way of the instant application.

“For the foregoing reasons, the application of prosecution is allowed and order dated 21.12.2011 passed by this Court is recalled. The Registry is directed to post the revision petition for rehearing on 15.09.2022,” Justice Dhar directed.

The prosecution counsel contended before the court that the impugned order sought to be recalled has been passed without hearing the prosecution and without adverting to the merits of the case which he said is non-est in the eyes of law as a criminal revision petition cannot be dismissed for non-prosecution.

It is noted that the petitioner-State filed a petition seeking Special Leave to Appeal against the judgment and order dated 26.02.2014 passed by the High Court. The petition was filed by the petitioner-State before the High Court to challenge the proceedings from the date of framing of charge by the trial court and a direction was sought for fresh trial of the case or in the alternative to transfer the case to any court of competent jurisdiction at Jammu so that statements of all the migrated witnesses available at Jammu are recorded in the said case without any fear.

The said petition came to be dismissed by this Court in terms of order dated 26.02.2014 and the said order was challenged by the State before the Supreme Court by way of a Special Leave to Appeal. The Supreme Court had granted liberty to prosecution to approach the High Court for recalling of the order impugned.

“As is clear from the afore-quoted order of the Supreme Court, the petitioner-State has been given liberty to file a recall application before this Court so that order dated 21.12.2011 may be recalled”,

newspaper Daily Excelsior quoted Court as having said the criminal revision petition against the impugned order passed by the Sessions Judge, Shopian, has been dismissed by this Court without hearing the petitioner-prosecution and without giving reasons for its dismissal.

“Therefore, the same can be recalled by this Court by treating the said order as a nullity being against the settled law that a criminal revision petition cannot be dismissed for non-prosecution. Even otherwise, the observations of the Supreme Court in the order dated 16.07.2015, clearly indicate that the order dismissing the revision petition deserves to be recalled so that the legality of the impugned order passed by the Principal Sessions Judge, Shopian, are determined after hearing both the parties,” Justice Dhar recorded according to report.

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PDD Lineman Electrocuted To Death

SRINAGAR: A PDD lineman died after he was electrocuted while repairing a live wire in Ashmuqam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag on Friday.

Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that the lineman received an electric shock when he was repairing a wire in Manzigam area of Ashmuqam.

He said that he was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The official identified the deceased as Mohammad Maqbool Khadim son of Assad Khadim of Ashmuqam.

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Safina Baig Elected As Chairperson Of JK Haj Committee

SRINAGAR: Chairperson of district development council Baramulla Safina Baig was Thursday elected as head of Jammu & Kashmir Haj Committee after her name was proposed and seconded by two other members of the panel who are affiliated with the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

Safina Beigh

Quoting sources news agency KNO reported that Safina Baig was elected as chairperson of the Haj committee  after her name was proposed by former MP Choudhary Talib Hussain. “Her name was seconded by Muhammad Rafiq Chashti (district president BJP Poonch),” they said.

During the meeting, according to sources, the name of member parliament Justice (retired) Hasnain Masoodi was proposed by Molvi Muhammad Ashraf, but it was  seconded none.

“Syed Mohd Rafiq, who is also a member of the panel, was not present during the proceedings,” they said.

It is worthwhile to mention that Safina Baig had started her political career from the Peoples Democratic Party. She had joined the Peoples Conference in 2021 but later she maintained that she was independent and would remain as an independent candidate.

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J&K’s Economy Living Up To The Expectation After August 2019: LG Sinha

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the 8th India International MSME Start-up Expo & Summit at New Delhi.

The Expo provides a much needed platform to SMEs, startups, trade, industry, service providers to explore new opportunities, buyers-sellers meet, sharing knowledge about central/state’s/UTs schemes etc.

Expressing gratitude towards Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing a revolution in MSME sector, the Lt Governor said that in the last 8 years the MSME sector has undergone very rapid change.  New strength, resilience and global competitiveness of MSMEs will make India a preferred destination for manufacturing for the world, he added.

The Lt Governor said that the Indian MSME sector today can be described as Magical, Steadfast, Magnificent Enterprises, which is contributing nearly 45% of overall India’s exports. The number of initiatives under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is driving economic progress and social development, he added.

MSME is the nerve center of the country’s business. Our focus is to rejuvenate traditional MSME’s with greater access to credit and market linkage to ensure a higher growth trajectory for MSMEs, the Lt Governor observed.

Productivity, Connectivity & Standardization, is in fact, three important factors for MSME’s sustained growth. Vocal for local, District Export hubs, GeM portal, market linkage of domestic & global value chains, all these interventions are results of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s efforts to ensure that MSMEs contribute to realize the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat & Aatma Nirbhar Jammu Kashmir, the Lt Governor further added.

The industry centric policies, provisions of financial assistance, handholding to new and existing enterprises have encouraged MSMEs and other industries in J&K. The business ecosystem is exuding the confidence,” he added.

After August 2019, J&K’s economy has been living up to the expectation. In FY 2021-22, MSMEs export registered 54% growth and importer-exporter registration has gone up by 173%. Strategic focus on food processing, handicraft & organic products has stimulated the economic growth, the Lt Governor said.

J&K has one of the fastest growing horticulture markets in the country. Our strengths in natural resources & skilled workforce, best in class incentives through new Industrial development Scheme are well known and makes J&K an ideal MSME destination, the Lt Governor further added.

Highlighting the government’s endeavours to empower MSMEs, the Lt Governor said that JKTPO is continuously organizing Buyers-Sellers Meetings, Exhibitions, Capacity Building programs to provide entrepreneurs with requisite support for their businesses.

In the last financial year, J&K Bank was given a target to provide credit facility to the accounts of 60,000 entrepreneurs and we have ensured credit of Rs 3579 crore to 81,238 accounts, very well exceeding the target, the Lt Governor noted.

The Lt Governor informed that MSMEs from the manufacturing and service sectors contribute 8% to the GSDP of Jammu and Kashmir. Our GDP in this financial year is estimated to reach Rs 2,03,716 crore which will be 7.5% higher than last financial year, he further observed.

J&K is making rapid strides in both manufacturing as well as the service sector. Setting up a biotech park at Kathua will help us to exploit the opportunities in sunrise areas and further open up opportunities in the knowledge economy, the Lt Governor noted.

Highlighting the need to adopt holistic approach to tackle fast-moving global business scenario, the Lt Governor advised all stakeholders to pay special attention to three priorities- Sustainability in business, Brand-building with focus on market & customer research and Quality, time bound service & value addition.

The Lt Governor also visited the stalls of MSMEs & other stakeholders from J&K displaying the local products.

Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department J&K ; Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department J&K;  Rajnish Goenka , Chairman, MSME Development Forum, besides foreign and domestic business delegates, investors, entrepreneurs and members of MSMEs were present on the occasion.

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Govt Orders More Transfers Today

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ordered transfers and postings in the administration.

According to Government Order No.966-JK(GAD) of 2022, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Anand, Commissioner Revenue, Samba, is transferred and Ravinder Kumar JKAS, Assistant posted as General Manager, DIC, Ramban, against an available vacancy.

Sanna Khan, JKAS, Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu, is transferred and posted as Deputy  Director, Rural Sanitation, Jammu.

Manu Hansa, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Samba.

Piyush Dhotra, JKAS, General Manager, JKRTC, Jammu, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Jammu, vice Mr. Vijay Kumar, JKAS, who shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department.

Maxiumn Gorkie, JKAS, Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation, Jammu, is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu.

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CS Launches E-Market For Sale Of Mining Material

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Thursday launched here the web portal (e-Market) for sale of mining material in the UT of J&K.

On the occasion the Chief Secretary enjoined upon the officers of the Geology &Mining Department to ensure that the construction material is readily available to the customers on the already approved rates. He asked the Department to make this process hassle free so that the customers finds it easy and reliable to use.

Dr Mehta maintained that the step is highly appreciable for it would help in checking the illegal mining besides allowing the customers to find material on competitive rates with access to vast market from the comforts of their homes. He asked the Department to make the portal the best way to fetch the mined material for different developmental purposes.

The Chief Secretary also directed the Deputy Commissioners to monitor the process and see that there is no overcharging or scarcity of such materials in the market. He asked them to submit daily reports in this regard. He also asked for carrying out third party checking of rates and availability of these materials in the market for gauging the ground reality.

The Chief Secretary was informed that there are more than 200 registered miners in the UT dealing with extraction of different minerals. It was further revealed that all of them are onboard on the web portal that can be accessed by logging into https://ift.tt/mw0LaSk.

The meeting was further appraised that the both the vendors and customers have to register on the portal. The customers can then directly order the material like sand, bajri, nallah muck, stones, crushed bajri, etc from the portal. They can do cost comparison besides the items are available at approved rates, as was informed by the department.

The payment can be made securely online through payment gateway. The collection of duties and taxes would also be done online without the scope for evasion of same. An e-challan would thereafter be generated after authentication by the concerned DMO and sent both to vendor and customer. The end to end features like placing of order, follow-up and tracking can be done by the end user, as was given out on this occasion.

The Department also intends to integrate the system with weigh bridges at sites for accuracy and install PTZ cameras/Drone surveillance at vulnerable illegal mining points across all the districts in future for the better serving the people of J&K.

Those who were present on the occasion includes Principal Secretary H&UDD, Secretary, Mining; Director General, Mining, representatives of J&K Bank and other concerned officers and officials of the department.

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Kishtwar District To Be Power Hub Of North India

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district will become North India’s major power hub generating nearly 6,000 MWs of power after the completion of the ongoing power projects.

The surplus power from Kishtwar will not only be utilised for other parts of the UT, but will also be sold to other States

Pertinent to mention that 1000 MW Pakal Dul Project, 624 MW Kiru Project, 540 MW Kwar Project and 930 MW Kirthai Project are all located in close vicinity of each other, along with 850 MW Ratle Project which has been revived as a Joint venture between the Centre and the UT.

It is pertinent to mention that CMD (Chairman & Managing Director), National Hydro Project Corporation(NHPC), A K Singh called on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and briefed him about the status of the ongoing power projects in Kishtwar, which when completed will turn Kishtwar into a major power hub generating nearly 6000 MV of power.

Pakal Dul HE Project (1000MW) is under active construction after river diversion was carried out. The project will generate 3230 MWs annually and expected to be completed by July 2025. Kiru HE Project (624 MW) is also under active construction. The river diversion was carried out recently and after completion it will generate 2272 MWs annually. The project is expected to be completed by July 2025.

The work on Kwar Hydro Electric Project (40MW) started in 2022 and the project will generate 1975 MUs annually and scheduled completion is in November 2026.

Similarly, Ratle HE Project (850 MW) is under construction and work started by awarding EPC Contract in January 2022.

The scheduled date of commissioning of the project is 10th Feb 2026 and once commissioned, project will generate 3136 MUs annually. Kirthai-II HE Project (930 MW) is under investigation and will generate 3329.52MUs annually on commissioning.

With the commissioning of all these projects, the power requirement of Jammu and Kashmir will be improved drastically and will help in achieving the goal of zero carbon emission.

Recently, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Rattle (850 MW) and Kwar (540MW) hydroelectric projects, to be constructed on Chenab river in Kishtwar at a cost of around Rs 5,300 crore and Rs 4,500 crore respectively.

Similarly, in Gurez area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Kishanganga hydro power- 330 megawatt (MW) project on the river Kishanganga, a tributary of Jhelum project is a success story.

This project added a new dimension in the growth journey of Jammu and Kashmir. The project in Bandipora district provides 13% free power to the J&K including 1% for local area development fund. The Power project comprising three turbines is spread over 750 kanals in Karalpora Matrigam and 4200 kanals in Gurez area where from the water comes through a tunnel measuring 23.5 kilometers.

J&K administration has initiated various reforms to overhaul the power sector in the UT. The government is working on a mission mode for developing new power infrastructure and improving the existing one to meet the power demands of the people.

Unprecedented milestones have been achieved to ensure last mile connectivity and 100% saturation of Central Sector Scheme of Universal Household Electrification. More than 6500 new distribution transformers have been installed and reliability of power distribution has been ensured in both rural and urban areas.

Transmission and distribution capacity has been increased. More power has been supplied even during peak days. Important power projects which were hanging in balance for decades are now being executed. In next three years, J&K is set to generate the capacity equivalent to what was achieved in 70 years.

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