TOP STORY OF THE DAY |
|
|
| Crime and no punishment: 29 yrs on, probe into corruption case reaches nowhere | | | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: Want to know why people of J&K take official claims of fighting corruption with a pinch of salt? Read on:
In 1986, a case of corruption was registered by the Vigilance Organisation (under FIR No. 9/1886 VOJ) against Mohammad Aslam Qureshi, IAS, the then Custodian Jammu and Asgar Ali, then Assistant Custodian Jammu, for allegedly misusing official position by preparing fictitious records.
Ironically, since then the case has failed to make any headway and is still under investigation even as the accused have retired from the service.
In 1994, a case was registered (FIR No. 78/1994-VOJ) against Khurshid Manhas, (now retired), the then Range Officer Mendhar, for misappropriation of funds drawn on account of execution of works in forest range Surankote as well as misappropriation of timber.
The Vigilance also registrered a case in 1999 (FIR No. 16-1999-VOJ) against Dr. M.P Gupta, (now retired), the then Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. MK Batyal, (now retired), Dr. Abdul Majid, the then CMO Jammu (now retired), Sham Lal Sharma, th... | |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FRONT PAGE STORIES |
|
|
| 3 J&K Police men killed like lame ducks in Shopian | | |  Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: Suspected militants on Monday gunned down three unarmed Police personnel in Shopian while simultaneously attacking a Sub Inspector of high operational profile in Pattan and a released militant in Tral areas of Kashmir valley. The fresh spell of violence---first in the valley since Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's PDP-BJP government assumed office on March 1st---ran parallel to Chief Minister's throwing open Asia's largest tulip garden in Srinagar where... | |
| | | | Had Sheikh Abdullah acted in 1975, Kashmir would have been saved from 2014 floods | | | | Peerzada Ummer
ET Report
srinagar, Apr 6: Had former Chief Minister of J&K Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah acted upon repeated warnings by the Central Flood Committee (CFC) in 1975, Kashmir would not have been prone to devastating floods.
A letter shot in August 1975 by the CFC to Sheikh had warned him of devastating floods that would occur in the Valley anytime in future and and suggested measures to tackle the same. Sheikh, however, ignored the warnings of experts.
Early Times is in possession of the letter that was sent to Sheikh on August 12, 1975. The letter mentions in detail the ground research conducted by a team of engineers about flood-prone areas and suggested necessary measures to... | |
| | | | Vinod, Nehru, Renzu in SVO net: Govt | | | |
Bivek Mathur
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: Vinod Sharma, former Vice-Chairman (VC) of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Satish Nehru, then Director Land Management (DLM) JDA are among the top bureaucrats against whom the Sate Vigilance Organization (SVO) has registered cases under various sections.
In a reply to a question of Choudhary Qamar Hussain in the Legislative Assembly the government said: " Six cases, 3 each with Vigilance Organization Kashmir (VoK) and Vigilance Organization Jammu (VOJ) have been registered by Vigilance Organization against HODs of autonomous bodies during past three years as on 19/03/2015."
Among the accused are Gul Mohammad Hajam, son of Mohammad ... | |
| | | | No end to private schools' greed and gluttony! | | Missionary school targets poor student for no purchasing books from school stationery shop | | | Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The Holy Cross Convent School RS Pura has reportedly targeted a student of 9th standard, directing his parents to take him away, on the pretext that the student asked too many questions, thus disturbing the class. But the student on the contrary alleged that he was being targeted for refusing to purchase books and note books from school, on his promotion to 9th standard.
The student has reportedly lodged a complaint before Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) RS Pura against his harassment, but the school administration is reportedly adamant to throw him out.
According to complaint lodged by Shikhar Sharma, son of late Raj Kumar and Neelam Sh... | |
| | | | 99 selected candidates await probation since 2013 | | PSC craves for staff | | | Arun Singh
ET Report
Jammu, Apr 6: As they said nearer the church farther from God, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Commissioner (JKPSC) the nodal government recruitment agency itself is facing acute shortage of human resources which in return is taking toll of its smooth functioning.
Ironically the nodal agency is without Chairman and Members virtually has spoiled an indispensable one year of the 99 candidates of selected through Combined Competitive Examination of 2013 who still are awaiting for their probation yet to be started.
Sources told Early Times that the 99 selected candidates of Combined Competitive Examination of 2013 batch are sitting idle even after the one year of their s... | |
| | | | LC berths: Constitutional norms being thrown to winds by BJP | | Ajatshatru's 'parachuted' entry on anvil | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: In what can be seen as fresh dimension to already hot and hugely debated issue of nominations to be made by BJP for the Upper House, Ajatshatru Singh's name has given impetus to controversies already over probable names for consideration by the party leadership. BJP which is the alliance partner in PDP led coalition is also throwing constitutional norms which are required to be kept in mind in making nominations to the Upper House this time.
Sources said the name of Ajatshatru Singh , a known name in political circles who until last year was a 'leader' of National Conference , the then ruling party, is being seriously considered as one of the names to ... | |
| | | | Govt spent Rs 500 Cr in 5 yrs to keep separatists, anti-nationals elements happy | | | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: State Government has revealed that it has spent over Rs 500 Crore for providing security to separatists and ant-national elements during the past five years.
In a reply to a question in the Legislative Assembly the state government said: "More than Rs 560 crore have been spent on security and for providing VIP accommodation to separatists."
More than the State's budget (Rs 484.42 crore) proposed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan last year.
The reply stated that since 2010-11 an average of Rs 4 crore per year has been spent on the hotel accommodation alone, raising the question as to why the separatists - who are anti national elements we... | |
| | | | HC reprimands govt for failing to frame rules, regulations for establishment of new paramedical institutes in J&K | | | | Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
srinagar, Apr 6: The Jammu & Kashmir High Court has directed the state government to formulate a scheme and fix norms for the establishment of new paramedical institutes in the state according to the ordinance passed in this regard in 2013.
Acting on a petition of some of the paramedical institutes, Justice Tashi Rabstan on April 3, 2015, directed the respondents (government) to formulate a scheme and fix norms for the establishment of new paramedical institutes in the state strictly in terms of Section 18 of Jammu & Kashmir Paramedical Council Ordinance, 2013.
The respondents in the case are Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education departm... | |
| | | | Govt Engineers flout financial norms with impunity | | Daily wagers turned into domestic helps; allowed to make double drawls | | | Vigilance sleeps over cases of established misappropriation
Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: Breaching the provision J&K Government Employees Conduct Rules 1991, Executive Engineers of two different departments, drawn salary on name daily wager, using latter's services for domestic purposes.
Moreover, to hide their misconduct the engineer also altered service record of the daily wager, which had also been established by the state vigilance organization in its verification submitted to PHE department in 2012.
Official documents in the possession of Early Times reveal that Jugal Sharma, the then in-charge Executive Engineer, Local bodies Division 1st, employed one Jeet Sing... | |
| | | | Veterans explore options, Omar's close aides spend time with rivals | | NC top brass fails to mend its ways even after losing power | | | Fazal Khan
Early Times Report
srinagar, Apr 6: National Conference after losing power is grappling with number of issues and its working president Omar Abdullah is finding it hard to keep his flock together.
Sources told Early Times close aides of the former Chief Minister and NC veterans are looking towards greener pastures and want to say goodbye to NC. "Most NC leaders believe that party's future is bleak and a few close confidants of Omar these days are spending lot of time with the people from rival camps," they added.
An insider claimed that despite NC facing a humiliating defeat in the 2014 assembly elections, party leadership seems to have not learnt any lessons. "It has been ... | |
| | | | 19 Docs against sanctioned 47 posts in Ramnagar | | Ailing Health Sector in JK | | |
Bivek Mathur
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The hollow claims of providing best health care facilities in the state fall flat with reports from Ramnagar where only 19 doctors work against sanctioned staff strength of 47 posts.
In a tabled reply to an un-starred question of RS Pathania in the lower house of the legislature, Health Department, Jammu and Kashmir disclosed that 47 posts of doctors and 162 posts of paramedics are sanctioned in the Ramnagar constituency out of which 19 doctors and 109 paramedics are providing health care facilities in the Ramnagar constituency.
Government however said that the posts of different categories both gazzeted and non-gazzeted stands ref... | |
| | | | 192 posts vacant in Ramban Health Department | | 79 posts vacant in DH Ramban, 34 in emergency hospital Batote | | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The poor health services in hilly and backward Ramban constituency of Chenab valley could be judged from the fact that there are 192 posts lying vacant in District Hospital Ramban, Emergency Hospital Batote, PHCs Rajgarh, Bathni and Assar, beside in 7 NTPHCs of Ramban constituency.
In reply to Question of MLA Ramban Neelam Langeh, the government of Jammu and Kashmir in its reply the ministry of Health and Medical Education through Assistant Director (P&S) Health and Medical Education stated that all the health institutions of District Ramban have been provided with requisite Machinary/Equipments as per their status and agreed in princ... | |
| | | | Corruption a Major Challenge in Jammu and Kashmir: Mufti Mohammed Sayeed | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 6: Jammu and Kashmir government today admitted that corruption was a major challenge in the state with various anti-graft agencies having received more than 5,000 complaints in this regard.
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed attributed the pile-up of large number of cases to various processes which 'take a lot of time'.
In a written reply in the Legislative Assembly to a question by Qamar Hussain on whether the state government plans to review the procedure for obtaining sanction for prosecution of guilty former ministers, ex-legislators, bureaucrats, ex-police officers, Mr Sayeed said, "No such proposal is under consideration of the government."
"Corru... | |
| | | | Can't deny prime posting to officials with VO cases: CM | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The government has said it can't deny prime postings to even official against whom cases of corruption have been registered or are under investigation. The government said officials against whom cases are pending are given postings in the interest of the administration as an accused can't be held guilty before conviction by the court of the law and there is nothing in the rules to deny them the posting.
The chief minister in reply to a question by Qamar Hussain in the Assembly on Monday said there is no categorization of the posts as key posts or the plum posts in the administration and posting are ordered in the interests of the administration based on ... | |
| | | | DB issues notice to CS over release of funds for Hemophilia Center | | PIL over Hemophilia Center Jammu | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: In a Public Interest Litigation filed by Society for Hemophilia Care seeking status of Hemophilia Center in GMC Jammu under health sector for procurement of Hemophilic, Drugs, a Division Bench (DB) of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur issued notice to State through its Commissioner Secretary Health and directed him to file response.
After hearing Adv Adv Deepika Singh Rajawat for the PIL, the Division Bench issued notice to State through its Commissioner Secretary Health and directed him to file response in this regard.
The petitioner through PIL has sought status about 300 patients who have b... | |
| | | | DB grants four weeks' time to VOJ for completing investigation | | PIL over MNERGA Scam | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: In a Public Interest Litigation filed by Ashiq Hussain & ors regarding issuance of Job card to Govt Employees, students that minor and dead person under MNREGA Scheme in connivance with revenue officials, the Division Bench (DB) of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasantha Kumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur granted four weeks time to Vigilance Organization to complete the investigation against the accused and directed to file report after four weeks. After hearing Adv SK Puri appearing for the PIL, the Division Bench of State High Court granted four weeks time to Vigilance Organization to complete the investigation against the accused a... | |
| | | | Partap Singh wanted to connect JK capitals through a 290 km ropeway | | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 6: The problems faced by the people of the state by frequent blockade of Srinagar-Jammu highway can b solved if the present day authorities appreciate the wisdom of the Dogra rulers and implement their plans to connect two capitals of the state throughout the year.
Maharaja Partap Singh executed an agreement with a British Company Forbes and Forbes in 1912 based in Karachi in undivided India to connect Srinagar and Jammu through a 390 kilometer ropeway.
The document reflects the keenness of the Maharaja to get the project completed in just four years. The agreement gave the Company just one year to undertake and complete the survey in Shivalik and Pir... | |
| | | | Shortage of IAS officers to affect governance | | 9 officers to retire by year end | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 6: Shortage of IAS officers is likely to have an adverse effect on governance. The shortage is created by deputation of JK cadre officers to various states across India.
Reliable sources said the state is short of 37 officers. This, however, does not include the 19 officers who are on central deputation.
They include Ashok Angurana, K B Aggarwal, Pramod Jain, Lokesh Dutt Jha, Sudhanshu Panday, Arun Mehta, R K Goyal, Dheeraj Gupta, Naveen Choudhary, M K Dwivedi, Hridesh Kumar, Mandeep Kaur, Pandurang Pole, M Raju and Shyam Vinod Meena.
The governance will suffer a lot if government of India does not relieve the 19 officers from central deputation. I... | |
| | | | Cabinet gives nod to holding of ULB polls | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The state cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, approved holding of elections to the Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees in the State.
The Cabinet decided that the electoral process would be set into motion at the earliest in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
Allots 80 kanals of land for Bio-tech park at Kathua
The Cabinet also approved allotment of 10 acres (80 kanals) of land at Industrial Estate, Ghatti, Kathua to the J&K Science and Technology Department for setting up of a Bio-Technology Park.
The Cabinet also accorded sanction to the extens... | |
| | | | Five out of six commissions 'headless' in Jammu and Kashmir | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: Five out of six commissions set up by the Jammu and Kashmir government are "headless" as the post of chairman in these commissions is lying vacant, while all positions were vacant in four of these commissions.
In a written reply to a question by Sat Paul Sharma in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said, "All positions in the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Commission, Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission, Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women, including that of the chairman are vacant." He said that in Jammu and Kashmir state commission for Backward Classes, est... | |
| | | | Rehab Policy: 453 arrived in state with families through illegal route; Over 4000 still camping in Pakistan | | | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 6: The National Conference leader and member Legislative Council Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri today stage walkout from the Legislative Council over the issue of allowing the youths who had crossed over to Pakistan or Pakistan Occupied Kashmir for arms training and waging war against the country through Nepal route under Rehabilitation policy and termed the government decision of allowing these youths to return through non designated route as a grave security threat.
While talking to media persons, Dr. Bashir Veeri said that in a reply to question, the Minister In charge Home in his reply confirmed that over 4000 youths hailing from different a... | |
| | | | IGNOU harasses students through wrong information | | | | Shiv Dev Thakur
Early Times Report
Jammu,Apr 6 : The IGNOU centres at Jammu have been accused of harassing the students seeking study material. The concerned have assured proper action.
Many of the students of IGNOU suffered loss because of the wrong information provided regarding the study materials, enrollment cards etc.
A student seeking degree from IGNOU University, Jammu branch told Early Times that the Jammu centres of IGNOU are providing wrong information to the students which harass them. Sharing his problems he said that on reaching the office of IGNOU for picking up Study Material, he was suggested to pick up the same from other centre at Shakti Nagar. He again said that ... | |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|