Fake job racket busted

Police today busted a racket engaged in making fake appointment orders in Northern Railways, National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and other Central Government Departments by cheating the unemployed youths and charging Rs 3 lakh from them including Rs 90,000 advance.

Police said one of the accused has been arrested by Bishnah police while two others were absconding. A large number of fake appointment letters on the name of unemployed youth of different parts of Jammu were recovered from the arrested accused.

Mukesh Kumar son of Karan Kumar R/o Kandoli, Nagrota has been arrested by police while Pushpinder Singh Manhas of Krishna Nagar and Som Raj of Ghagwal were absconding.

Police said the accused had been issuing fake appointment letters to unemployed youth in Northern Railways, NHPC and other departments. They had been charging Rs 3 lakh for the appointments including Rs 90,000 in advance from the youth.

On a tip off from some youth, police today arrested Mukesh Kumar. A search was on for two absconders. A number of fake appointment letters seized from the accused were being examined. A case against the accused has been registered at Bishnah police station.

Police parties, which made the arrests, were headed by SHO Bishnah Jaipal Sharma under the supervision of SSP Jammu Prabhat Singh, SP Headquarters Shailender Singh and SDPO RS Pura SS Samyal.

Sanskrit Vidyarthi Parishad strike continues

Gandhian Studies Centre of MAM College organises workshop

Regularization policy for daily wagers be announced

J&K Daily Wagers Joint Action Forum (Province Jammu) has demanded that as agreed by the Government, the policy for the regularization of daily rated workers of all the departments be announced. 

Addressing a press conference here today, Gurnam Slathia and Rajan Sharma senior representatives of the Forum expressed serious concern over the attitude of the Government. They said on 15-9-2011, the Government representatives including Devinder Singh Rana Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Principal Secy Home, Commissioner Secretaries GAD, PDD and Finance entered into a written agreement with the leaders of the JCC at Srinagar for making a list if all the daily wagers and framing of policy for their regularization within three months. But now even March 31 was also over, but no such policy has been declared by the Government.

JULY 2011 Jammu News 

Strong resentment was brewing among the daily rated workers of the State over the attitude of the Government. It has been proved that this Government has never honoured its commitment and the employees have lost trust on its agreements. The only option left with the employees has been to resort to the agitation. It appears that some elements within the Government want to create such situation. It shows anti-worker attitude of the Government. The workers are being forced to adopt the path of confrontation, the Forum leaders said and demanded that all the daily rated workers who have completed seven years services or more be regularized and the daily rate be enhanced to Rs 250 per day to remove disparity among the daily rated workers. 

Under such circumstances, the Forum unanimously resolved to resume agitation from April 10 against the policies of the Government. In this regard, initially, one day protest will be held near Press Club of Jammu on April 10. They appealed all the daily rated workers to assemble in large number at 10 am on the proposed date for protest dharna. Kamal Verma and Surjeet Khajuria also spoke on the occasion.

Rehber e Ziraats demand regularization

Hunger strike launched by Rehbar-E-Ziraat technocrats today entered 38th day at Mubarak Mandi, Jammu in support of their long pending genuine demands.

They are demanding amendment of cabinet decision on pattern of Rehber -e- Taleem in which the State Govt has announced that the Rehbar-E-Ziraat would be regularized & that too in the years 2014, 2015, 2016 which is 7yrs, 8yrs, 9yrs of the services as Rehbar-E-Ziraat were employed in Agriculture Production Department in 2007 and there after.

Dr. Surinder Radotra, president of association said that during this month they have completed 5years as Rehbar-E-Ziraat and were hoping to be regularized on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem, but despite being technically highly qualified, the Government policy has sealed their fate by bringing out controversial cabinet decision regarding regularization of their cadre after nine years.

Dr. Khurshid, President of Kashmir province said that all Rehbar-E-Ziraat engaged in Agriculture Production Department are getting a step-motherly treatment from State Government. The association approached the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and President of India Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil for the redressal of Technocrats’ grievances. He said despite the State Chief Secretary having been directed (Ref. No.Vide Govt. Order No. Sl. No. P2/G/1905110108 dt. 19 May 2011) for the redressal of the Agriculture Technocrats’ genuine grievances, nothing has been done till date. "We request the State Government and all concerned authorities to pay heed towards our genuine demands", said Dr Khurshid.

Those present on the occasion were Dr Maneet Singh (Jammu), Dr Yasir (Doda), Dr Jyoti (Jammu), Dr Vinod (Kathua), Dr Jai (Samba), Dr Anil Gupta (Udhampur), Dr Sanjay Puri (Reasi), Dr Pawan Bali (Rajouri), Dr Ishrat (Kishtwar), Dr Riyaz Rather (Kashmir), Dr Arshad Turay (Shopian), Dr Ishrat (Ramban), Dr Sharan (Baramulla), Dr Shakeel (Anantnag) and Dr Ejaz (Bandipora).

Tribals demand ban on Aarakshan

55064 posts vacant in 28 Govt Deptts

Despite the availability of manpower of over five lakh educated unemployed youth in the State, more than 55,064 posts of Gazetted, Non-gazetted and Class-IV cadre are lying vacant in twenty-eight (28) Government departments. Out of the total posts available at present, 37390 are of Non-gazetted cadre, 6107 of Gazetted rank while over 11568 of Class–IV.

The State Education department tops the list of available vacancies with total 14,336 posts, followed by Health and Medical Education department where number of vacancies at present is 8,837. In School Education department only, out of the total 14336, 1853 posts available are of Gazetted cadre, 11051 Non-gazetted including majority of them of teachers whereas, 1432 of Class-IV cadre. In Higher Education the total number of posts available are 1393, out of which 736 are of Gazetted cadre, 657 non-Gazetted while 590 are Class-IV.

Official sources disclosed that in Health and Medical Education department, out of the total 8837 posts falling vacant, 1494 are of Gazetted rank, 5532 Non-gazetted whereas and 1761 vacancies of Class-IV cadre. Under Home department, 6413 posts are lying vacant and out of the total available vacancies, 6080 posts are of Non-gazetted cadre. In Forest department over 2840 posts of Non-Gazetted cadre, 118 of Gazetted rank and nearly 200 of Class-IV rank are lying vacant. Over 1500 posts of the same department are said to be referred to the recruiting agencies like SSRB and PSC.

In Power Development Department (PDD) also a large number 4090 posts are falling vacant. They included 1807 posts of Non-gazetted cadre, 160 Gazetted while 2123 of Class-IV employees. In Public Health Engineering (PHE) department the number of posts available are 3230, of which 1482 posts are of Non-Gazetted cadre, 155 Gazetted while over 1593 of Class-IV cadre.

In Finance department, the total number of posts available are 2104, out of which 1804 are of Non-Gazetted cadre, 40 of Gazetted cadre whereas, 260 vacancies of Class-IV workers. In Technical education the number of Non-gazetted posts lying vacant are 1213, Gazetted 601 while those of class IV workers are 301.

In State Information department also the picture is grim. Out of the total 277 posts lying vacant, 198 posts are of Non-gazetted cadre, whereas, 37 posts are of Class-IV cadre. In Industries and Commerce department the total number of vacant posts available are 1542, out of which 1145 are of Non-gazetted cadre and 227 of Gazetted rank. In Cooperative department 129 posts of Gazetted, 217 Non-Gazetted and 117 of Class-IV cadre are falling vacant whereas, in GAD the number of Gazetted posts available are 65, Non-gazetted 190 and 42 of Class-IV cadre. In Estates, 207 posts of Class-IV, 64 of Non-Gazetted and one of Gazetted cadre are available.

Similarly, in Department of CAPD the total number of available posts are 963. Out of the total 363 posts are of Non-gazetted cadre, 25 Gazetted while 575 are of Class-IV cadre. Against many posts of Non-Gazetted cadre, a large number of Class-IV workers are performing duty in CAPD to run the affairs.

In Department of Culture total 197 posts were presently lying vacant, in Science and Technology the number is 144, in Social Welfare department 87, Revenue 448, in Housing and Urban Development 72, Law and Parliamentary Affairs 37 including 27 Gazetted cadre, in R&B 173 of Class-IV, Hospitality and Protocol 95, Civil Aviation 17, Transport Deptt 387 including 308 Non-Gazetted, ARI & Trainings 111 while in Department of Elections 103. No post has been shown available in RDD, Printing and Stationery and Animal & Sheep Husbandry departments. Besides these, many posts were also vacant in sixteen PSUs, the sources added.

Newly appointed migrant employees without salaries

survey on employment

Employees to get Insurance Cover

4404 posts vacant in Forests

A total 4044 posts were lying vacant in the Forest department while the posts of Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs) and Range Officers were filled up recently after a long gap of over 28 years.

Minister of Forests Mian Altaf while responding to short notice question of PDP member Murtaza Khan said that out of the total sanctioned strength of 19533 posts in the Forests department including SFC, at present 4404 posts were lying vacant. He said out of this figure, 1560 posts have been referred to recruiting agencies and they are likely to be filled up shortly. 2844 posts are yet to be filled up and sent for the recruitment.

Mr Altaf claimed that against the posts of FPF Guards, 682 watchers and 46 other Class IV are working. The recruitment process of these posts has been put on hold. As regards Forest Guards, 841 posts have been advertised by SSRB. The selection process for the posts of Foresters and FPF inspectors has been stayed by the Court.

Out of the total vacant posts, 1304 are in Teritorial Forest, 1173 in FPF, 221 in SFC, 68 in Wild Life department, 23 in Forest Research Institute, 30 in Soil Conservation, 16 in Environment and Remote Sensing, and nine in Social Forestry. These posts are yet to be referred to the recruiting agencies.

The minister said there was need to make amendment in recruitment rules, Forestry graduates and PGs are needed to be given preference. He said recruitment of ACFs and ROs was made in the department recently after 28 years. While responding to recruitment made in SFC in last two-three years, minister admitted that some people were engaged as casual labourers and workers on need basis to safeguard the forest property as well as other activities.

Replying to a question regarding names and parents of people engaged since 2009, the minister said since the persons have to be temporarily engaged on work basis, the issuance of formal engagement orders does not arise. He also avoided to give vacancy position of the casual and need basis workers.

Kashmir Valley plunged into darkness

Dal Lake other water bodies freeze

Army saves life of pregnant woman

Backdoor appointment in SKUAST

HC directs Vigilance to produce selection record

 Justice JP Singh of Jammu & Kashmir High Court Jammu Wing in a petition filed by Shabnam Sheikh challenging the appointment of Legal Supt SKUAST, has directed Vigilance Commissioner J&K, to produce the selection records pertaining to the selection of respondent No 11 (Vinayak Vikram).

Court after hearing Adv SS Ahmed for the petitioner whereas Advocates SK Shukla and others for the respondents, issued notice to Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences Technology through its Registrar, Vice Chancellor & Vinayak Vikram private respondent.

This direction was issued in a petition filed by Shabnam Sheikh challenging the appointment of Supt Legal Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences Technology in which it has been alleged that role played by respondent No 9 who happens to be standing legal counsel for SKUAST and was a Co-Opted Member of Selection Committee which screened the candidature and backdoor appointment of respondent No 11, alleged that he become a rubber stamp having expertise on constitution and selection matter and prefered to toe the line of other members of the selection committee solely to appease the Vice Chancellor of the University. It was further said that it is quite unfortunate that respondent No 9 who belongs to an institution of law and justice allegedly become hand-in-glove with the other members of the selection committee to pave way for the backdoor appointment of respondent No 11 (Vinayak Vikram) instead of acting as sentinel of role of law. It was prayed by the petitioner for quashing the order dated April 11, 2007 whereby respondent No 11 (Vinayak Vikram) was appointed illegally through backdoor as Supt Legal.

A K Thatai new IT Commissioner

Governor CM greet people on Lohri

Omar Abdullah enjoying PDPs frustration

45426 ReTs Engaged 25054 Regularized

Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib informed the Legislative Council today that 45426 ReTs were engaged in the State since the inception of the scheme. He said of them, 25054 ReTs have been regularized so far.

Replying to a question of Jehangir Hussain Mir, the Minister said the proposal for enhancement of honorarium of ReTs has been submitted to Finance Department for consideration.

Replying to a question of Dr. S. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, the Minister told the House that in respect of administrative posts and non-clinical teaching and tenure posts of Medical Education Department and rest of the doctors have not been banned for practicing in the interest of general public.

The Minister said setting aside the circular instructions of Education Department, the High Court has also imposed ban on private practice by the doctors and adding that Government would take a decision soon in this regard.

Meanwhile, Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo told the House today that a joint representation of 32 villages of Mohar Garh Panchayat has been received by the backward commission.

Replying to a question of Master Noor Hussain, the Minister said the matter has been referred to the concerned Deputy Commissioner for details on socio-economic position of the area. She said as and when, the information is received, the cases would be placed before the commission for consideration.

Shiv Sena condemns Drama by MLAs

Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations 

Modernization of Jammu Rly Station

1802 Adhoc Contractual Workers Regularised

Minister of State for Finance Dr. Manohar Lal informed the Upper House that till date the Empowered Committee (EC) has recommended 1802 cases out of 6850 to different Administrative Departments for their regularization.

He said 6850 cases of employees of Adhoc, contractual, consolidated basis were recorded by the Finance Department as per the information received from various departments for their regularization under Special Provision Act 2010.

The Minister was replying to a clubbed question of Javid Ahmad Rana and Syed Asgar Ali in the Legislative Council today.

Regarding casual labourers, the minister said the information received from various departments, 19384 casual labours were reported to be existing in different department upto ending December 2011. He said in this respect, the Government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee. He said the concerned health departments were advised to furnished full details of these engagements so as to enable the committee to go into the extent/magnitude of the problems relating to the casual workers i.e financial, legal and administrative that may arise in the regularization of such temporary workers and workout an appropriate policy in this regard.

He said since the departments furnished inadequate information, they were again requested to furnish the references of officers who engaged these casual labourers which is still awaited. He said as soon as, the relevant information is received on the subject, the Cabinet Sub-Committee is expected to deliberate upon the issue and finalize its recommendations. He said against the total number of 59105 daily wagers, a balance of 3501 daily wagers still exists in the records of the Finance Department as un-regularized.

Dr. Manohar Lal also informed the House that 457 industrial units have been identified as sick in the State which includes 368 units indentified in Kashmir region and 89 in Jammu.

Replying to a question of Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, the Minister said under Rehabilitation Policy for sick industrial units, the industrial units which have been declared sick by State Level Rehabilitation Committee (SLRC) and are potentially education viable have been given soft loan at the rate of 1% interest per annum subject to maximum of ` 30 lakh. He said ` 69.42 lakh have been sanctioned for Jammu region under the scheme out of which ` 5.50 lakh have been disbursed till ending January 2012. Similarly, ` 801.31 Lakhs have been sanctioned for Kashmir region out of which ` 364.07 lakh stands disbursed during the same period, he added.

To revitalize industrial activities in the State, Dr Lal said that Prime Minister's Task Force on MSME has recommended setting up of a fund of ` 100 crore by the Government of India for implementing a special rehabilitation package for identified sick units in J&K.

2 Day Employment fair from March 14

To bring awareness among the people especially UN-employed youth about Self Employment Schemes and programmes being implemented, the department of Employment and Counseling Centre, Anantnag is organizing two days “Employment Fair” from March 14, 2012 at Sports Stadium, Anantnag.This was revealed at a meeting of officers convened by District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Syed Kifayat Hussain Rizvi here today.

The meeting was told that during the fair, besides disseminating information to the general public about the Employment Schemes being implemented by various departments, the unemployed youth will be provided counselling, motivation in order to take up entrepreneurship as a carrier option outside government jobs.

The departments of Horticulture, Agriculture, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, District Industries Centre, Fisheries and Sericulture will establish their stalls at the Fair, the meeting was informed. The District Development Commissioner stressed upon the concerned officers to ensure the participation of farming community and other unemployed youth in the fair enabling the participants to take full advantages of the self employment schemes and programmes

Govt sits on inquiry report of illegal appointments

An appointment scandal has surfaced in the Urban Local Bodies of Kashmir where non-existent employees are shown transferred from one Municipal Committee to other in order to facilitate their employment.

In one such order issued by the then Director Local Bodies Kashmir, 12 non-existent employees have been shown transferred from one Municipal Committee to other just to facilitate their employment.

An order (No. DULB/KIPS/36/09 dated 07-11-09) issued by the Director Local Bodies, Kashmir, in 2009 under subject "Utilization of Services" addressed to The I/C Executive Officer/Secretary MC Bandipora has directed him to ask the 12 "employees" to report to the new place of postings.

The non-existent employees who have been transferred are Rayees Ahmad Magray, Khilafwarzi Assistant, from Bandipora to Sumbal; Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Khilafwarzi Assistant, from Hajin to Bandipora; Imtiaz Hassan Wani, demolition guard, from Bandipora to Sumbal; Fayaz Ahmad Rather, tax guard, from Sumbal to Bandipora; Sameer Ahsan Shah, Junior Assistant, from Bandipora to Hajan; Tanvir Ahmad Lone, demolition guard, from Bandipora to Hajin; Ghulam Hassan Mir, plantation helper, from Hajin to Bandipora; Jan Mohammad Wani, driver, from Bandipora to Hajan; Nazir Ahmad Bhat, demolition guard, from Bandipora to Hajan; Hilal Ahmad Bhat, Death and Birth Reporter, from Hajin to Bandipora; Manzoor Ahmad Kaloo, Plantation helper, from Hajan to Bandipora and Bilal Ahmad Joo, tax guard, from Sumbal to Bandipora.

The order further said that their basic appointment orders be verified and till then their services be utilized without prejudice to the status of their basic appointment. One of them, Samir Ahsan Shah, is close relative of the then Executive Officer Sumbal, Hajan and Bandipora Municipal Committees, Abdul Rashid Shah.

Sources said that around 1600 such and other illegal appointments have been made in the Municipal Committees of the State for past several years with majority of these appointments made since 2009.

The Director Local Bodies Kashmir, Shameem Leharwal, told Excelsior that such illegal appointments have taken place in the Municipal Committees and a high level inquiry committee formed by the Government has submitted its report to the Government some 7 months ago. The report is with the Government for consideration, he added.

These appointments have been made by the presidents and Executive Members of these Municipal Committees. According to records of the Municipal Committee, recruitment norms like calling for applications and holding interviews for various posts were not adhered to.

It may be mentioned here that 84 Regular and temporary appointments were made by the Executive Officer, Abdul Rashid Shah and then president of the Municipal Committee Sumbal.

In Sumbal, Bandipora, Sopore and Ganderbal 84, 160, 30 and 50 illegal appointments were made respectively by Executive Officers and Presidents of the Municipal Committees.

The Executive Officer of Sumbal and Hajan Municipal Committees Abdul Rashid Shah who has made several such appointments said that there was nothing wrong with the appointments made by him or the Municipal Committees.

"The Committee is an autonomous body and is exempt from referring the appointments to the recruitment bodies. The persons I have appointed were not permanent and only on temporary basis."

The Vigilance Organization is also probing these illegal appointments in Municipal Committees across Kashmir. Last year (Letter No. VOK-BKB-536 dated 31 March, 2011) Vigilance Organization sought records of the municipal bodies of Bandipora, Sumbal, Hajin, Baramulla, Sopore, Kunzar, Tangmarg, Watergam, Pattan, Uri, Handwara, Kupwara and Langate in this regard.

451 posts created for 22 new degree colleges

Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik in reply to a question of Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy informed the Legislative Council that the Government has sent a proposal to the Union Government for opening of Women’s Degree College at uncovered district headquarters of the State.

He said there is a pressing demand from the people all over the State for Women Degree Colleges.

Mr Malik said at present there are 95 degree colleges sanctioned in the State out of which 73 degree colleges are functional and the recently sanctioned 22 degree colleges including one degree college at Thathri and Doda district are likely to be made functional during the ensuing Academic session.

Regarding Degree College Doda, the Minister said that the infrastructure like the administrative block including library, science block, 8 lecturers halls, BCA Lab and Chowkidars hut are in place in the said college. He said that in addition to this construction of examination hall and lecture theater have been taken at an estimated cost of ` 113.50 lakh, besides the boundary wall of the college is likely to be completed during the current financial year at an estimated cost of ` 43.13 lakh.

In reply to another question by Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, Mr Malik said that sufficient staff has been provided as per student roll requirement in Degree College Ganderbal. He said out of 11 sanctioned posts 7 are filled on regular basis and against remaining 4 posts, candidates have been engaged on academic arrangements.

He said the vacant posts of the college have been referred to the recruiting agencies and will be filled on receipt of selections.

In reply to yet another question of Ravinder Kumar Sharma, he said that 451 posts both teaching and non-teaching have been created for all the newly sanctioned 22 degree colleges of the State for making them fully functional.

Regarding status of Degree College Nowshera and Sunderbani, the Minister said that both the colleges are presently functioning in Higher Secondary School Nowshera and Govt Middle School, Sunderbani.

Mr Malik said the land measuring 99 kanals and 16 marals for Degree College at Nowshera has already been identified and funds to the tune of ` 50 lakh have been released in favour of concerned Deputy Commissioner. He said for the construction of Government Degree College, Nowshera ` 1.33 crore have been released in favour of constructing agency during current financial year while as ` 85 lakh have been approved under annual plan 2011-12 for construction of GDC Sunderbani.

Tourist rush in Kashmir
Scholar alleges harassment by KU

3 days Employment fair at Hiranagar

A 3-day employment fair was inaugurated by the Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment Abdul Gani Malik at Hiranagar today.

Member Parliament, Ch. Lal Singh, Member Legislative Assembly, Hiranagar, Durga Dass, District Development Commissioner, Kathua Zahida Khan, Deputy Director Employment, Natasha Kalsotra, Sectoral officers and large number of unemployed youth were present on the occasion.

The dignitaries went round various stalls set up by the various departments to provide information to aspiring youth about various self-employment schemes. They interacted with the stall holders and enquired about the facilities being provided to youth.

Addressing the function, the Minister Mr. Malik appealed youth to take up self-employment ventures under various schemes launched by several departments. He said that Government cannot provide job to all, hence self-employment is the best solution of unemployment crisis.

Mr. Malik while apprising the youth about the steps being taken by the Government for betterment of youth asked the officers to ameliorate the lot of people in general and educated unemployed youth in particular.

Member Parliament Ch. Lal Singh impressed upon officers to work for welfare of youth and extend hassle free awareness, guidance and counseling to them so that the young unemployed persons would feel comfortable in taking up a particular scheme for setting up of a unit under self-employment programme.

He said Central Government is committed to extend all possible help to State Government for the purpose and it is the duty of State functionaries to make judicious use of funds being provided by the Centre.

MLA Hiranagar also addressed the function.

Earlier, District Development Commissioner Kathua apprised the dignitaries about the steps taken by the district administration for organizing employment fair.

Progress of Islamic University in jk
15th August arrangements reviewed
Yatris leave for Buddha Amarnath

HC stays selection list of AIOs

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has stayed the provisional selection list of Assistant Information Officers, released by the Services Selection Board (SSB) on January 31. The Court also issued notices to the official respondents and private respondents. Responding to a petition filed by Ashfaq Ahmad Tantray and Ashiq Hussain, Justice Hasnain Masoodi directed that the selection list shall not be acted upon. He issued notices to respondents including Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Information, Secretary Services Selection Board and order private respondents.

The petitioners had prayed that the SSB authorities adopting a 'faulty' criteria and meritorious and deserving candidates have been left out in the selection list. They said candidates were selected by giving preference and consideration to the points scored in the interview and the aptitude test rather than considering the academic merit, which has been rendered meaningless by giving weight-age across the board.

"The settled proposition and norm adopted by the SSB with respect to the criteria is that the points are allotted on pro-rata basis, by which due credence and reward is given to the merit obtained by the candidates in the academic qualifications", the petitioners submitted.

Seeking quashing of the provisional selection list and the reframing of the list on pro-rata basis on the marks obtained in the post graduate degree/diploma examination in Mass Communication and Journalism, the petitioners prayed that the court should come to their rescue so that deserving candidates are selected.

Fake appointments multi crore scam busted

Police has busted a major recruitment racket involving transactions worth crores of rupees for fictitious appointment orders including computer generated forged approvals of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office.
In this connection, so far, three persons--Tahir Farooq Sheikh a resident of Munawarabad Barbarshah, Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh son of Habibullah Sheikh a resident of Harinow Budgam and Mohammad Younis Dar son of Ghulam Mohi-u-Din a resident of Bagawanpora Barbarshah have been arrested by police and all of them are lodged at central jail Srinagar.

Sources in police said that a laptop, a desktop and two Santro cars besides around 60 fake appointment orders and their Xerox copies have been seized from the possession of the three accused.

Giving details of the case, reliable sources said that on a tip off received by police station Kralkhud Srinagar, on December 20, last year police swung into action and arrested Younis red handed while copying the fake orders at Barbarshah. The seized orders were screened by police and later forwarded to the respective departments. “The departments later confirmed that these orders are fake and have not been issued by the department heads,” sources in police told said.
Later on December 26, 2011, the police arrested Tahir and Manzoor and two Santro cars were seized from their possession at Barbarshah. Police registered an FIR number 53/2011 into the matter under offences like 420, 467, 471 and 120 B RPC.

Investigations into the matter have revealed that the three accused would dupe people in different villages of Budgam assuring government jobs to the qualified unemployed youth. “The three accused persons have duped over a hundred people including well educated unemployed youth. Manzoor would project Tahir as assistant public relations officer and Younis as Public Relation Officer (PRO) of MLA Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous and collect money ranging from three to four lakh rupees from each person. Younis has reportedly taken active part in her political campaign in 2002 elections,” source privy to police investigation said.

The three accused would purchase and dispose off different cars at Karangar. “They have purchased Santro, Wagon R, Ritz, Ford Fiesta, I 20 and Tata Safari   and later disposed off in Karangar. They would visit the villages like Khan Saheb, Krimshore, Yachigam, Harinow, Chadoora and other villages of Budgam in different cars to impress the gullible targets,” sources disclosed.
However, Shameema Firdous, MLA Habba Kadal when contacted told JK News that she does not know Tahir and Manzoor but Younis would come to her to seek help. “Younis would come here as he belonged to a poor family of my constituency. He would seek help from me but he had nothing to do with my public relations. Nazir Ahmad Bhat is my PRO. Younis has nothing to do with my political campaigning. I heard about the case and inquired about the same form police station Kralkhud,” Firdous added.
Showing fake orders issued by commissioner secretary PDD, PHE, Tourism, CAPD, chief engineer PHE, PDD, PWD, DG Northern Railways, Director General of Police, IGP Kashmir, DC and ADC Srinagar, the three accused would cheat innocent youth of rural areas of Budgam charging money from them on the pretext of providing them jobs.
The three accused would manage computer generated approvals from the chief minister’s office on the recommendations made by various MLAs for police recruitment and other jobs to dupe the youth in Budgam and Srinagar, sources added.
“They (three accused) would use state emblem on the CM’s approvals using their laptop as Tahir is a computer knowing person. And they would also take along the innocent unemployed youth to civil secretariat and other department directorates   where they would handover the fake order and get money from them,” informed sources disclosed.
Through these means, sources said, they (three accused) have collected 1.5 Crore rupees. “And even we have checked the transactions carried out by Younis which shows he had deposited 75 lakh rupees in his account number SB-15711 Air Cargo JK Bank Raj Bagh branch. The money amounting one and half crores has circulated in three accounts of these three accused. They would deposit cheques, cash and TTs.  But the money has been withdrawn using ATMS and other means,” police sources revealed.  
SHO Kralkhud, Aftab Ahmad says that the police is investigating the matter. However, he confirmed that the police has seized fictitious approvals of Chief Minister’s office from the three caused. “We have seized many fictitious orders which include fictitious approvals from the chief minister’s office,” Aftab said.
Asked if the police has found any nexus between the three accused and any senior government officers, the SHO Kralkhud said the police is investigating the matter but so far, no such links have been found.
Meanwhile, Tahir and Manzoor had applied for bail which was rejected by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) on Monday. After hectic arguments made by the Chief Prosecuting Officer (CPO) Afaq Ahmad, the CJM Rajeev Gupta has rejected their bail plea.
The CPO Srinagar had submitted that since the police have foolproof evidence against the accused and the investigation being in the initial stage, the bail to the accused would definitely hamper the investigations.
Afaq Ahmad, also prayed that the accused have not only committed an anti social offence but have maligned the image of state government and created a dent in the credibility of the state machinery and the bail at this stage can dilute the case. Later the court rejected the bail plea of the two accused, sources in the court said.
The CPO also informed the court that so far 82 witnesses have recorded their statements before police and the more witnesses are expected to record their versions. Younis has applied for bail today.
The police have sent the seized items including laptop and computer to the Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical analysis.

Zulfikar Ahmad, SP West, when contacted told JK News, that investigations was on and he was scheduled to convene a meeting in this regard in the evening. “We have arrested few people and the police is ascertaining the facts,” he added.

Embezzlement in NREGA projects

Falsifying the much hyped claims of the government that Centrally sponsored schemes are properly implemented there has been reports of huge embezzlement in projects undertaken by National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and Total Sanitary Campaign (TSC) in Bandipora district of north Kashmir.

The embezzlement came to the fore after Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora ordered an inquiry. The inquiry was ordered by DC after he received bulk of complaints from the residents of the district. The inquiry was ordered vide order number  ADF/Bpr/11/E-R/835 Dated 25-11-2011 by DC Bandipora and the inquiry has been completed.

The inquiry report reveals violation of norms in utilisation of schemes. The funds meant for rural development to handle the NREGA operations in various Panchayat blocks of Bandipora including Mantrgam, Pazalpora, Kralpora and Chandaji have been withdrawn in lakhs without proper work done by the concerned officers. Even the funds, the reports adds, meant for paying dues to NERGA labourers have not been paid despite passage of several months.

The inquiry report has brought Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Village Level Workers (VLW) of these blocks under the scanner for violating the norms. The inquiry team was headed by assistant director fisheries. After completing the inquiry, he submitted the report to DC.

The report mentions that most of the works executed under such schemes during the year 2010-2011 are only in papers while the funds have been withdrawn from the government exchequer. It reveals that there is embezzlement worth lakhs in 11 works in Kralpora, Chandaji, Chek, Pazzalpora, Mantrigam, Sheikhpora and Brarpora under NREGA scheme.

Report further reveals that the construction of Khol (Nallah)  with footpath and retaining wall from house of Ahad Mir to Chek Kralpora is only on papers while an amount of Rs 6 lakhs have been withdrawn after shown expended.

Same is the case with the construction of road with retaining wall from Ismail Najar towards Pazalpora Kralpora, an amount of 1.90 lakhs has been withdrawn. Further the construction of link road from Wahab Malik towards Aziz Sheikh at the cost of Rs 2 lakhs  has shown no progress after being taken over by NERGA. Report mentions that about 11 construction works are only limited to papers while the funds have been withdrawn against the construction.

In four villages of district Kralpora,Pazalpora,Mantrigam and Shiekhpora, the report reveals hundreds of villagers have been shown as labourers while the names on muster sheets are different. Even  the payment has been made to the labourers who have not received a penny besides working in the executed works.

Report further reveals that the hundreds of labourers have not been provided the job cards while most of the labourers engaged for the execution of developmental works have not been paid.

The information reveals that 98 percent of laborers worked for the Chandaji road construction has not been enlisted in muster rolls instead others have been enlisted who have not worked under the programme. Even persons close to officials from other areas have been shown as laboures, flouting the standing rule of NERGA that labourers are to be engaged within five kilometers radius.

The report further reveals that the Rs 4.56 lakh has been embezzled among expended 6 lakhs, it says that only 1.43 lakhs have been entered in the muster sheets among the 6.00 lakhs shown as expended.

The report also revealed that there is huge misappropriation of funds while implementing the TSC scheme in Mantrigam and Kralpora villages, it says that the in gross violation of rules several members of a single family have been benefited instead of benefiting one member from a single family.

Interestingly, a female Panch Mugli Begum has managed to get three latrines one for herself, One for her husband Muhammad Maqool and one for her daughter Shahnaza Bano, figuring respectively at serial number 97,224 and 228.

Similarly Kralpora village head Ghulam Mahi-ud-Din Tantray has managed to get three latrines, one  for himself, one for his wife Rafiqa and one for his son Ashiq Hussain, figuring at serial number 132,173 and 249.

Confirming that he has ordered an inquiry and received the inquiry report  deputy commissioner (DC) Bandipora Manzoor Ahmad Lone said some employees have been charge sheeted after the inquiry report was submitted. “Let the employees reply. We will act further against them people after we examine their replies,”   DC said.

Employment fair in Kashmir

3-day employment fair inaugurated at Poshkar Khag

Under the new initiative of state government to organize employment fairs in all districts of the state. The district employment and counseling centre Budgam in collaboration with district administration organized 3 day employment fair from November 2 to 24, 2011 at Poshkar Khag. The aim of conducting this employment fair is to make aware common masses articularly the employees educated youth about various self employment schemes and programmes launched by the state government. The employment fair inaugurated by District Development Commissioner, Budgam who was the chief guest on the occasion and was accompanied by concerned heads of the participating offices. As many as 20 departments financial institutions have established their stalls in the fair demonstrating and depicting their productions, incentives and programmes. In his welcome address, the District Employment Officer, Budgam said that during the fair unemployed youths of the  surrounding areas would be encouraged to set up income generating units under various SES programmes. In addition, employment departments will also register the eligible candidate under VSA scheme besides other departments/institutions have also been asked to carryout the same in the intent of minimizing the unemployment menace. The DDC Budgam on the occasion, said that this is the fourth such kind of employment fair organized since last year in the  district. He said there are opportunities in offing were from alternative employment opportunities can be created government jobs are not only source of employment available. He appealed the youth to participate in the 3 day event and make themselves aware about these schemes and opportunities.Later, the DDC distributed cheques worth Rs. 40 lakh among 70 beneficiaries sponsored by J&K Bank and other financial institutions for establishing their own income generating units under various SES particularly SHG, SGSY.

Protests continue on recruitment policy

While the chief minister was defending the new recruitment policy inside the civil secretariat on the first day of the opening of the darbar in the winter capital today, the undercurrent of resentment against the policy was apparently visible in the city till late evening in the form of street protests.

Although, the protests were marred and foiled by the heavy deployment of security personnel, yet the protesters in small groups made three different attempts to march towards the civil secretariat but were arrested.    

Atleast 50 protesting students including girls were detained by the police in this process.

However, despite few protest demonstrations at Shalamar Chowk and City Chowk, civil secretariat opened in the winter capital amid stringent security arrangements.

There was tight security cover in and around the secretariat. Barricades were erected and passenger and private vehicles were being searched at several places in the city.

Activists of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Youth of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Movement (YJKLM) made few bids to proceed towards civil secretariat from Shalamar Chowk and City Chowk in small groups amid raising slogans against the state government but their attempts were foiled by police contingents deployed there.  

Near about 45 students of ABVP assembled at Shalamar Chowk and City Chowk early in the morning at 10:45 am carrying banners and placards depicting slogans “Taanashahi Nahi Chalegi”, ‘Revoke Job Policy Or Face Hate’, ‘Omar Abdullah, Hai-Hai,’. The protestors staged a massive protest and tried to proceed towards the secretariat, demanding revocation of new job policy introduced by the state government in three different groups.

One of the ABVP groups showed black flags as mark of their resentment against state government. They held a protest demonstration for half an hour; later the police arrested all the activists when they tried to proceed towards secretariat and they were sent to the local police station in police jeep and bus. The agitating students including six girls were  detained by the police under preventive measures and were shifted to the District Police Lines. However, all the activists who were detained were later released in the evening.

Meanwhile, in a similar way, over a hundred students and activists of various student organisations mainly Progressive Students Association (PSA) and Gujjar Bakerwal Students Welfare Association (GBSWA) gathered in front of Central Library of Jammu University at 11 am and held a strong protest demonstration and raised slogans against the state government and the new recruitment policy.  

Later, police personnel resorted to mild lathicharge at demonstrators to disperse them when they made an attempt to cross the university gate amid sloganeering. The protest demonstration continued for one and a half hour. Police arrested two activists of the said organisations as a preventive measure and later released them at 3 pm. However, no one was injured in the scuffle.

In the evening, five activists of PSA and GBSWA were detained by police when they were protesting at Gole Market at 5 pm. They were distributing pamphlets and were asking the passersby to deposit the same with the state exchequer. The activists arrested included MS Bhatti, Manik, Rohit Bharti, Talib Hussain and Azhar.

SHO Gandhi Nagar, Sajjad Khan said, “Police has arrested 5 activists of PSA and GBSWA at Gole Market when they were protesting.” They have been detained as a preventive measure and no case has been registered so far. It will be decided later, he added.

22000 teachers posts vacant in jammu kashmir

National Panthers Party MLA from Ramnagar and working chairman of the party Harshdev Singh today claimed that over 22,000 posts of teachers were lying vacant in the State and School Education authorities have failed to take cognizance of the matter.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Singh alleged a break down in the Educational set up in the State. He said that thousands of Government schools were facing acute deficiency of teaching staff with Government maintaining a criminal silence over the issue. Mr Singh said remote area schools were the major sufferers and had almost become defunct due to staff paucity and non-availability of teaching faculty.

The NPP leader pointed the State Government itself admitted in the meeting of Project Appraisal Board held in Delhi in June this year that 13020 posts of teachers were vacant at the Elementary level, with 8014 vacancies in Upper Primary schools and 4916 vacancies in Primary schools. Apart from this, more than 8000 vacancies of Masters, Headmasters and Lecturers were available at Secondary level including High and Higher Secondary schools. The figures provided that schools are facing overall shortage of nearly 40 % teachers, Mr Singh added.

Mr Singh alleged that Government has failed to create posts of teachers/ lecturers and provide adequate staff in schools. He also alleged that Government has failed to launch RMSA (Rashtriya Madhamik Shiksha Abhiyan) in the State though it was started in the country in 2008. He sought immediate intervention of Chief Minister into the matter and said that studies of the students has been badly hit in the State.

survey on employment

Sample survey on employment, unemployment to begin on July 1

Secretary, Planning and Development Department G R Bhagat today inaugurated 4-day training programme in the conference hall of Directorate of Economics and Statistics.

The Jammu Regional Office of NSSO (FOD) in collaboration with Directorate of Economics and Statistics is organizing the programme from June 21 to 24 on 68th Round of NSS, which has been earmarked for surveys on ‘Household Consumer Expenditure’ and ‘Employment, Unemployment’ in Jammu and Kashmir.

The sample survey will start from July 1, 2011 and will continue up to June 30, 2012.

The workshop was attended by Sher Singh, DDG, NSSO (FOD) Jammu, B R. Lachotra, Director E&S, J&K and Kishore Kumar, Director, National Sample Survey.

Regional Joint Director, Kashmir M. Ismail Teli welcomed the Central/State dignitaries and other participants. F. A. Yasvi, Joint Director (E&S), Altaf Hussain Haji, Deputy Director, NSSO and DSEO’s of Kashmir Province also participated in the training programme. G. A. Qureshi, Ex. DG E&S also participated in the workshop.

The basic objective of the employment unemployment survey is to get estimates of the employment and unemployment characteristics at State/National level. The statistical indicators on labour market are required for planning, policy and decision making at various levels both within State and outside. Another main objective of consumer expenditure is to find out Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) which acts as an indicator of living.

While speaking on the occasion, the Director DES appealed the public of Sample villages/Urban areas to come forward and provide the actual data. He advised the field investigators/Statistical Officers to take the training programme seriously and build an authentic data base which is very important for economic well being of the State.

The dignitaries of NSSO discussed the technicalities involved in filling up of schedules devised for the purpose. They advised the participants to carry out the survey with dedication and devotion.