GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

Day: April 2, 2019

  • Government Hands over investigation of major JKPCC Scams to Crime Branch of J&K Police; FIR to be lodged*

    Government Hands over investigation of major JKPCC Scams to Crime Branch of J&K Police; FIR to be lodged*

    The Government today decided to hand over the investigation of major scams in Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corp (JKPCC) to the Crime branch of JK Police. This is a major step towards eradication of corruption in the organisation, stopping and eliminating backdoor appointments and bringing in a culture of transparency, probity and efficiency in the organisation.

    After receiving numerous complaints from many quarters about the functioning of JKPCC, particularly relating to corruption in civil contracts, illegality in appointments at multiple levels including at very senior positions, and excessive cost and time overruns, the government appointed a Fact Finding Committee to look into all these complaints. The Fact Finding Committee was chaired by the Principal Secretary (Planning), and had the Divisional Commissioner (Jammu), Commissioner/ secretary (revenue) and MD, JKPCC as members.

    The mandate of the Committee was to look into:

    i) Manner of awarding contracts to contractors often on a nomination basis without following transparent tendering procedures.

    ii) Diverting funds from one project to another leading to a large number of incomplete projects whose funds have been received but diverted elsewhere.

    iii) Irregularities in appointments at various levels, including that of the Managing Director.

    iv) Inefficiency in functioning and huge time and cost overruns in project implementation.

    v) Reasons for estimates for construction being much higher than those of PWD.

    The Fact Finding Committee submitted a voluminous report bringing out in detail large irregularities in the operation of JKPCC. The Committee also gave recommendations on improving the organisation.

    There are many elements in the findings and observations in the report which are quite alarming and a cause of serious concern. For an organisation which is over 50 years old, its operations seem to be riddled with ad-hoc functioning, absence of rules and a lack of systematic procedures. These have given rise to irregularities, which is a serious concern, and necessary measures for correcting these have to be taken to bring some order in the Corporation for its own health and long term welfare.

    Keeping in view the seriousness of the matter and the findings of the Committee, the Government has decided on the following:

    a) Execution of Construction Works: The report clearly brings out that construction works have been executed by giving contracts on nomination basis, whereas JKPCC should have executed works in a departmental mode. This is a clear violation of a Government Order of November, 2015 which was adopted by the Board of Directors in February, 2016. Irregular procedures in violation of government orders and BoD laid down SoPs are also noticed in engagement of consultants and nomination of piece workers. The Government has decided to hand over the investigation of all works executed or contracted out by the JKPCC after the issuance of the GovernmentOrder of November, 2015 to the Crime Branchof Police (Srinagar) to identify any irregularities in award of contracts in violation of prescribed SOP / procedures and take necessary action as per law. Based on the enquiry of the Crime Branch, further action against individuals will be taken.

    b) Irregularity in appointments including of MD: For an Organization which is in existence for the last 50 years, it has no Recruitment Rules. It is not clear whether there was adequate funding for this or whether this was done with proper authorisation/ competence. Further, the appointment of Mr. Vikar Mustafa Shonthu as Managing Director seems to have been done in clear violation of Government instructions and the Articles of Association of the Company. The appointment of the Chairman, any Director or the Managing Director is to be done by the Government, viz, either by the Cabinet or the Chief Minister in co-ordination. It appears that this appointment was done by the Chairman (who was the then Minister), who was not competent to do so. The appouintment was ab initio illegal.The Government has decided that the irregularity in the appointment of Mr. Vikar Mustafa Shonthu as Managing Director be referred to the Crime Branch of Police, Srinagar immediately for lodging an FIR and taking further action. Crime Branch would examine the role of the Chairman,the Board of Directors, the Administrative Secretary and the Company Secretary in this matter and take action as per law.

    c) The Fact Finding Committee will also look into all appointments made by JKPCC and ensure that all irregular appointments are terminated and action taken against those responsible. This will be done in three months, by 30.6.2019. Principal Secretary (Planning), as Chairman of the Committee shall oversee this entire process.

    d) Improving Control over JKPCC: In order to ensure that there is adequate oversight over the affairs of the corporation, a number of administrative steps will be taken including all powers of appointment to be removed from the Managing Director,the Administrative Secretary being made Vice Chairman of the Board, and all proposals made by the MD to the Chairman or to the Board to be routed through the Vice Chairman necessarily.

    e) Excessively High Estimates of JKPCC: JKPCC’s estimates should be either based on actual costs plus an overhead or based on PWDs Schedule of Rates which have an inbuilt overhead. The cost estimation procedure of JKPCC will be reformed through a Committee to be proposed by Administrative Secretary, PWD.

    f) Cost Overruns and Diversion of funds: The Committee reveals shocking details regarding diversion of funds by JKPCC from one project to another. This indicates poor control systems and absence of proper accounting procedures. The Committee also finds that there are large cost and time over-runs in projects. This is an indication of poor project management skills and weak controls.Government is taking steps to improve the controls and project management systems in JKPCC۔

  • Lok sabha Elections-2019: second randomization for polling personnel held in Rajouri .*

    Lok sabha Elections-2019: second randomization for polling personnel held in Rajouri .*

    Rajouri, Apri,02::–The 2nd phase of randomization of polling staff (P0, P1, P2, P3) for Lok Sabha Elections was done here today in presence of General Observers, Subey Singh Yadav, and Andra Vamsi, and representatives of political parties. District Election Officer Rajouri chaired the randomisation session.

    While highlighting the importance of randomization, DEO said that the process is to ensure free and fair polls with no human intervention as the randomization is being done by dedicated software for the purpose.

    DEO also briefed the political representatives about the randomization process and assured them that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure free and fair polls. He also highlighted that all the AROs as well as polling staff were apprised of their responsibilities for the smooth and fair conduct of general elections and were impressed upon to strictly follow the guidelines of the Election Commission of India and work in coordination for free and fair conduct of elections through series of training conducted exclusively to train them about the election-related issues.

    Regarding EVM he added that 20% of the total EVMs allocated to each polling station will be kept a reserve to meet any contingency during the polling day.

    The general observer for the Rajouri-Darhal constituency advised the election authorities to decentralize the distribution of EVMs. He said the reserved polling parties should be stationed at the nearest tehsil or naib tehsil headquarter so that during any contingency there would no time lapse.

    They also held a threadbare discussion with the District Election Officer reading arrangement to be made on the dispatch day and during the collection of EVMs at the strong rooms.

    DEO assured the general observers and the representative of the political parties that district administration is committed to conducting free and fair election with the maximum turn out.

  • BJP is playing Hindu Muslim politics for vote. Ghulam Nabi Azad.

    BJP is playing Hindu Muslim politics for vote. Ghulam Nabi Azad.

    SAJJAD IQBAL

    KOTRANKA : Today Congress Senior leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad addressed a series of public meeting in Rajouri and Poonch District’s. While addressing a public meeting in kotranka Sub district of Rajouri District Azad levelled series of allegations on BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said BJP always try to play religion politics for votes. BJP is playing Hindu Muslim politics in country for power.

    He further said that current Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only for BJP’S people’s. He works only for BJP people and never did any work for other partys people or common people. He also said that i have never seen any prime minister who only works for his own party’s people.

    Narendra Modi did not fulfill any of his promises that he promised with people of country before 2014 general elections. He asked prime minister to fullfill his promises first than go for new election. Azad said that congress party never played any religion politics ever for congress all religions are equall.

    Azad appealed people of Rajouri poonch to cast vote for congress candidate in upcoming LS elections. He also thanked National Conference for making alliance in LS election. Azad thanked Mehbooba Mufti for not felding any candidate from Jammu Division in upcoming election, this decision will help in defeating communal forces.

  • NC and PDP have lost the regional character:Er. Rasheed* Addresses gathering in MANDI during campaign for AIP Candidate*

    BY ADIL HAMDANI
    Poonch Mandi 02 April::–Accusing NC and PDP of leaving Muslim community of Jammu at the mercy of Congress and BJP, AIP President Er. Rasheed has said that both the parties have lost regional character and have no moral authority to claim even to be the regional parties. While campaigning for party candidate Shahzad Shabnum Deewan in Ponch and Rajouri areas at various places, Er. Rasheed said that the fact is that as on date no regional voice except AIP is existing on the ground as NC, PDP and PC have either surrendered their conscience or have become concubines of BJP and Congress. While addressing public gatherings at Mandi, Poonch and other places Er. Rasheed said one has a right to ask Omer Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti if they could mislead masses by not fielding any candidate on two seats of Jammu province, why could they not enter into alliance in Kashmir. How can something be unholy in Kashmir but much holier in Jammu at the same time. The regional parties are not interested in protecting the Muslim dominated character of the state, to protect the lives, property, dignity and honor of Jammu Muslims but are trying to play politics of vote Bank to keep both BJP and Congress in good humor. The fact of the matter is that Jammu Muslims feel completely isolated, let down and congress and BJP both have become untouchable for them under current circumstances”. Er. Rasheed thanked masses for listening him and appealed them to vote for AIP candidate. Er. Rasheed lashed out at successive governments for ignoring the genuine rights of people of Pir Panchal valley. He asked Mehbooba Mufti and Omer Abdullah to answer if they could not provide a connectivity between Mandi Poonch and Kashmir valley which is just having a few kilometers distance between them, how can they claim to be taking care of rights and aspirations of people of Pir Panchal. It is a proven fact that both parties have cheated the people of Pir Pnachal region and are feeling scared of asking them to vote for their candidates and have thus preferred to surrender to congress and BJP and have thus lost the regional character. Later talking to media persons on the sidelines of public meet Er. Rasheed rejected the claims that AIP’s candidate will divide the secular votes. Er. Rasheed said “Isn’t it strange that those who claim AIP will divide so called secular votes, the same forces would beg AIP to support for Gh. Nabi Azad in 2015 Rajya Sabha elections. If these elements praised AIP for ensuring Azad Sahab’s victory in Rajya Sabha now why should they feel jealousy and try to chock AIP’s political space in Jammu region. One should not forget that now when PDP and NC have made a total shameless surrender the need to support and built a genuine regional force arises much more than before to get Muslim community in Jammu out of sense of defeat and AIP is the best and only option to fill the vacuum”“`

  • Dr Shazad Demands Women College in Mendhar Dr Shazad Demands Women College and Hostels in Mendhar

    Dr Shazad Demands Women College in Mendhar Dr Shazad Demands Women College and Hostels in Mendhar

    Jammu, Apr 02 ; Strongly condemning the incumbent  political leadership and former elected representatives of the border town Mendhar, Dr Shazad Malik a renowned educationist and social activist of the area today alleged that under a well planned conspiracy to deprive half of the population [ Women]  of their right to education,  even after 72 years of independence of the country, there is no separate women college in the town .

    He said these politicians for decades made fake promises with the innocent people but never turned them into action.

    Dr. Shazad said that during the last almost one year,  several delegations  of farmers, legal professionals, senior citizens, social activists, retired professors, teachers and students met him and apprised of different issues of their areas, he said all the delegations appeared unanimous in their demand of establishing an exclusive women degree college in Mendhar and construction of hostel facilities for girl students and working women. Dr shazad said in this age of transformation, no society can oppress and suppress the rights of the women and as a responsible society we must strive together to ensure that our half population gets its due share without any further delay

  • Padma Shri Ashok Chakardhar inspires voters ; Mega event on SVEEP organised at Rajouri* District Election Officer,Rajouri Mohammad Aijaz Asad,

    Padma Shri Ashok Chakardhar inspires voters ; Mega event on SVEEP organised at Rajouri* District Election Officer,Rajouri Mohammad Aijaz Asad,

    Rajouri, April 02: Under the comprehensive Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) “Shaan –e Jamuriyat, District election authorities today invited Padma Shree Ashok Chakradhar to motivate the young voters in particular and the public in general, to participate in the greatest festival of democracy, during Lok Sabha Elections -2019. The event was held at Auditorium of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University.
    In this event District officers faculty members, students and young voters along with media representatives participated.

    District Election Officer, Rajouri, Mohammad Aijaz Asad in his welcome address deliberated on the importance of voting rights and said that people should participate in the great democratic process. He reminded the people of their rights and responsibilities with regard to society and advised them to participate in the election for strengthening of democracy.

    While speaking on the Occasion Padma Shree Ashok Chakradhar through his Kavitas/poems said the vote is an important weapon in the hands of common man, using which they can dictate terms of engagement with the government of the day. So, every citizen must utilize this opportunity and play a key role in strengthening of democracy by casting their votes. While addressing the students he said that future of country is in the hands of youth, and therefore, the youth must come forward and take the responsibility to impress upon the large sections of the society. He also said many times we have seen people not giving much importance to voting and they prefer to ignore to cast their vote on Election Day, this kind of attitude must change.

    He said if we look back the past data of elections the voter turnout was not so good that’s why the election commission of India has called this election as the greatest festival of democracy and everyone has to celebrate it irrespective of caste, color, religion, region, and age so that the voter turnout could be increased which would a sign of healthy democracy.

    He very handsomely interlinked the happiness index of our country with the participation in the election process and said we should vote in favor of the right person for the strengthening of the democracy.

    Padma Shree Ashok Chakradhar motivated the students by reciting some poems and his greatest couplets on elections.
    District Election Officer,Rajouri Mohammad Aijaz Asad,

    Vice Chancellor BGSBU University, Prof. Javed Musarrat, Registrar BGSBU, District Panchayat Officer (Nodal Officer SVEEP) and other District officers were present on the occassion.

  • Thanna Mandi Ignored by Congress High Command Workers Allege Discrimination by DCC

    Thanna Mandi Ignored by Congress High Command Workers Allege Discrimination by DCC

    The senior and dedicated workers of Congress Party from Thanna Mandi have alleged gross discrimination and disparity being done by District Congress Committe and high command as no public meeting of Star Campaigner like Ghulam Nabi Azad and G.A Mir has been fixed for Thanna Mandi. The senior workers alleged that it’s beyond their imagination that Manjakote which has less than 25000 Voters has the privilege to host all star campaigners of Indian National Congress whereas Thanna Mandi which has about 50000 Voters is ignored by Congress High Command. Another Senior Congress worker on the condition of anonymity said that the Thanna Mandi belt is deliberately ignored by senior congress leaders who have an ill intention against this area. Another worker said that it is very sad and pathetic for the people of thanna mandi and especially workers or Congress party that they have been used as a Vote Bank since long and are deprived of listening their Star Campaigners and Senior Leaders. They further said that when the rallies of G N Azad & G.A Mir can be arranged at Kotranka, Lam, Manjakote, Surankote, Poonch then what is wrong in arranging public meet at Thanna Mandi.

    Few other senior workers from various quarters of Thanna Mandi have alleged discrimination by congress high command and have said that it’s very unfortunate that congress workers from Thanna Mandi who have a historic association with congress party are being treated like this. They have warned the Party leadership that if this type of treatment is continued with them they will have to think about their future surely

    With Regards
    Senior Workers & Delegates of Indian National Congress
    from Thanna Mandi

  • DFO Rajouri organizes function in honour of Forester Mohd Iqbal.

    DFO Rajouri organizes function in honour of Forester Mohd Iqbal.

    SAJJAD IQBAL

    KOTRANKA : After serving 39 years of service with exemplary and meritorious as a forester in j&k forest department Forester Mohd Iqbal retired from his service. DFO Rajouri organised a function in honour of Mohd Iqbal.

    Mohd Iqbal belongs to Mohra village of sub district Kotranka he served 39 years in forest department of Division Rajouri Range kandi. DFO Rajouri praised his work for department that he did in his service and also pray for better future.

    While addressing department officials Iqbal told that i will continue my service for betterment of my people and state. He also appealed people to save forest and save environment. People of Mohra village also organised a function in honor of forester where people give him roses welcome.