GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

Day: May 29, 2023

  • Budhal residents held protest against shortage of teachers & good buildings. SED in deep slumber, playing with the future of students: Manzoor Naik

    Budhal residents held protest against shortage of teachers & good buildings. SED in deep slumber, playing with the future of students: Manzoor Naik

    GNS ONLINE RAJOURI 
    SHYAM SOOD 

    RAJOURI, MAY 29:–The government of India’s Samagra Shiksha Scheme aims to ensure that all children have access to quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment which should take care of their diverse background, multilingual needs, and different academic abilities and make them active participants in the learning process.
    School Education Department (SED) J&K claims for the availability of adequate infrastructure and required teachers, barring schools situated in urban areas, & in the government schools.
    But, the ground reality is different than that of the SED as it has failed to provide adequate infrastructure and required teachers in many government schools across Rajouri district, especially schools situated in remote areas.
    On Monday, inhabitants of Budhal town and adjoining areas in the Koteranka sub-division in Rajouri district held a protest demonstration against the School Education Department alleging an acute shortage of teachers in the schools.
    A big delegation from Bathan, Gabbar, Guleer, Dandote, Budhal, Kewal and many other areas met with a senior BJP leader from Budhal Assembly Segment, Manzoor Naik highlighted their grievances regarding shortage of staff at various schools in the educational zone Koteranka.
    People informed Naik that the government Boys Middle School Bathan, Primary School Guleer, High School Gabber, and many other such institutions are facing an acute shortage of teachers.
    “The student-teacher ratio in these schools is 80:1 which simply explains how bleak the future of these students is going to be due to the negligence of School Education Department,” said Naik.
    Naik during the protest demonstration against the School Education department alleged that the department is in deep slumber and most of the schools in education zone Koteranka are working without adequate staff, and moreover, many posts of teachers/ masters are lying vacant which is a sheer injustice with the students and people of this far-flung area.
    “Most of the sanctioned posts in these schools are lying vacant and Chief Education Officer Rajouri don’t even bother to respond to the calls of people and elected PRIs due to which the studies of the students are suffering badly”, Naik said.
    The dilapidated condition of the government school buildings in remote areas can be gauged from the fact that on May 16 when 4 students received injuries when a large steel part of the window fell on the students.
    “We won’t allow anyone to play with the future of our students who are the future of India and we are giving an ultimatum of three days to the concerned department to resolve the issue otherwise we will lock the schools and will cease all vehicular movement”, Naik further commented.
    Prominent among those who led the protest demonstration include Nazir Mohd, Mohd Shafi, Kala Khan, Mohd Latief, Mardan Ali, Badar Ali, Mohd Mushtaiq, Zaker Hussain, Faiz Mohd, and Fakeer Mohd.

  • Rajouri Administration, HEM, students & civil society join hands against drug menace.

    Rajouri Administration, HEM, students & civil society join hands against drug menace.

    GNS ONLINE RAJOURI 
    SHYAM SOOD 

    RAJOURI, MAY 29:–District Administration Rajouri in collaboration with the Himalayan Education Mission (HEM) and members of civil society on Monday joined hands to organise a mega anti-drug awareness program with the goal of making society free of drugs.
    The event was organised at HEM College at Thandikassi which was chaired b y Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Kundal, IAS, while SSP Rajouri, Amritpal Singh, IPS was the guest of honour.
    More than 1000 students, locals, PRI, Urban Local Bodies members, religious, & community leaders, and prominent citizens were present at the event, marking a significant milestone in the collective fight against substance abuse.
    Lectures were delivered on the effects of drugs on the individual and society by ward councillors, senior citizens, religious leaders, and social activists.
    The program aimed to educate and inspire the youth to reject drugs and embrace a lifestyle that promotes well-being and positivity.
    The event commenced with a keynote address by the DC, Vikas Kundal emphasizing the significance of collective responsibility in tackling the grave challenges posed by drugs.
    He underlined the pressing need to launch the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) in the district & stressed the detrimental effects on the human body, both physically and mentally.
    He also highlighted various initiatives of the District Administration took to eradicate this societal menace.
    He also shared the successful operationalization of the Advanced Treatment Facility (ATF) and Drug De-addiction Centre in Rajouri, ensuring that individuals struggling with addiction receive the necessary support and guidance on their path to recovery.
    “The District Administration is working to make maximum Panchayats drugs free and instructions were issued to constitute ward/ city/ Panchayat wise anti-drugs committee,” said the DC.
    SSP Amritpal Singh emphasized the importance of fostering a strong partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community to effectively combat drug-related crimes.
    He assured the audience of the police force’s relentless efforts to apprehend drug peddlers and bring them to justice, ensuring a safer environment for all residents of Rajouri.
    SSP emphasised the importance of sports activities in channeling youth’s energy towards constructive pursuits & elaborated the mega collaborative efforts of the police force and civil administration in launching a concerted battle against drugs.
    Additional DC Rajouri shared insights into the future plans and strategies of the Administration for eliminating the drug menace.
    “This collaborative effort between District Administration and HEM serves as a beacon of hope and unity, showcasing their unwavering commitment to building a society where individuals can thrive without the influence of drugs,” said Additional DC
    Later Deputy Commissioner and SSP led the procession that traversed the NH144A and market area of Thandikassi which served as a powerful visual representation of the community’s united stand against drug abuse, drawing attention from bystanders and reinforcing the urgency of the cause.
    A pledge was also administered among the participants & the dignitaries & HEM management also launched a visually impactful poster on hazards of drugs during the event.
    Among the others who were present at the event includes MC Rajouri President, Mohd Arif; DDC Member Rajouri, Sain Abdul Rashid; CMO, Dr. Rajinder Langeh; Sarpanch, Sanjeev Sharma; and ward councillors Sanjay Sharma, Rajesh Gupta, and Pushpinder Gupta.

  • Rajouri police nab notorious drug peddler ; Drugs, cash, mobile phones among recovery: DSP HQ.

    Rajouri police nab notorious drug peddler ; Drugs, cash, mobile phones among recovery: DSP HQ.

    GNS ONLINE RAJOURI 
    SHYAM SOOD 

    RAJOURI, MAY 29:–On specific intelligence inputs, Rajouri police in the presence of the Executive Magistrate conducted a search in a house of a notorious drug peddler in ward No.10 near CEO Office and recovered a large number of mobiles, cash, drugs, and stolen items.
    The raid was conducted in the late evening hours on Monday & the police also arrested the drug peddler.
    A police team accompanied by the Executive Magistrate and headed by SHO, Showkat Chowdhary under the supervision of Deputy SP HQ, Mudassir Hussain, conducted the raid.
    The recoveries include drugs, more than Rs 1 lakh cash, 3 weighting machines and stolen items including 31 mobile phones, water motors, electronic items etc.
    Deputy SP Mudassir Hussain said that the notorious drug peddler was already under the surveillance of Rajouri police and after specific inputs, the search was conducted in the evening today.
    “The recovery includes drugs, cash, weighing machines, stolen items etc. The drug peddler has been arrested and the police will investigate his backward and forward contacts,” said Mudassir Hussain.
    The arrested drug peddlers was providing drugs to the addicts, especially those involved in burglaries as many stolen items were also recovered during the raid.
    The police have started further investigation into this matter.

  • Indian Army Facilitates Paragliding Association Birbiling Kangra, HP To Inaugurate Adventurous Paragliding Sport At  Remote Area Of Kaloroos Kupwara 

    Indian Army Facilitates Paragliding Association Birbiling Kangra, HP To Inaugurate Adventurous Paragliding Sport At  Remote Area Of Kaloroos Kupwara 

    Indian Army Facilitates Paragliding Association Birbiling Kangra, HP To Inaugurate Adventurous Paragliding Sport At  Remote Area Of Kaloroos Kupwara

    GNS ONLINE KASHMIR

    KUPWARA MAY 29:– In an initiative to promote tourism in Kupwara Indian Army’s Kupwara Terriers in collaboration with Paragliding Association Birbiling Kangra HP inaugurated an adventurous sports activity at Kalaroos Kupwara on 29 May 23.

    The event was kick started by DC Kupwara Dr Doifode Sagar along with Army officials from Vajr Division and Kupwara Terriers.

    The activity is aimed to empower the youth of Kupwara to inspire them and explore employment opportunities in adventure. This will promote adventure tourism and improve economic conditions through these activities in the region.

    Kupwara Dist has vast untapped potential for adventure tourism that can help sustain local economy and boost local employment by building an ecosystem of tourism-associated economic activities.

    The event saw a positive response from the local youth. 30 youth including boys and girls have participated on inaugural day. This number is expected to increase in comming days as the event will continue for 3 more days. The local youth were very excited to participate as this is the first adventurous activity of its kind conducted there.

    The participants thanked Indian Army for providing the youth of Kupwara this opportunity to boost their adventurous sports talent .

    Indian Army is commited to engage, encourage, educate and empower the youth of Kupwara by supporting their endeavours to provide them with an opportunity to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves, their community and state.

  • NGT panel suggests banning civil construction in subsidence-hit area of Doda

    NGT panel suggests banning civil construction in subsidence-hit area of Doda

    GNS ONLINE DELHI

    NEW DELHI, MAY 29:–A National Green Tribunal panel has recommended banning civil construction in the land subsidence-hit area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, and rehabilitating the affected families to a safer location.

    In February, the authorities evacuated several families from their homes after they developed cracks and declared unsafe a mosque and a religious school for girls in the Nai Basti hamlet of Thathri town.

    The situation had drawn similarities with Joshimath, the gateway to famous pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib and international skiing destination Auli, which is facing a major challenge due to land subsidence.

    The authorities, however, refused to compare the two.

    The nine-member panel headed by the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary submitted its report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last week. In the report, it suggested that people outside the affected area be immediately moved if major cracks emerge in their homes.

    “No further civil construction within the affected area of Nai Basti may be allowed. In view of the coming monsoon season, the affected area needs to be under observation of the district administration. In case of any new sign of major cracks in houses outside the affected area, residents (are) to be evacuated immediately.

    “As a precautionary measure, people living in houses outside the affected area and adjoining houses/structures not yet affected may also be asked to relocate to a safer place,” the report stated.

    The experts in the panel recommended filling up the cracks with cement slurry well before the onset of monsoon to control the percolation of rainwater/surface water.

    “The natural diversion and drainage channels within the area may be restored or renovated immediately so that the surface run-off could be diverted. Proper drainage and sewer plan for the entire area to be developed and implemented,” they said.

    The committee said construction outside the affected area can be allowed only after geo-technical assessments such as soil bearing tests.

    “No subsurface engineering activity may be allowed within an area circumscribing 500 metres of the affected location,” it said.

    Since the affected area is situated just above the Chenab river channel, it suggested constructing a gabion wall of suitable dimension on the riverside to stop erosion.

    The panel said a retention wall of around 400 metres with weep holes can be constructed near the base of the landslide area (at the toe of the slope) at the road level to stop further slope failures.

    The affected settlement came up majorly on village pasture land prior to 2014 when Thathri became a municipality, the report stated.

    The panel said in its report that it did not observe any “extant construction by-laws applicable”.

    “…no retaining wall with weep holes, or planned drainage or sewage disposal structures were observed in the affected area”, except unplanned PVC pipes for sewerage disposal, it said.

    Soil bearing capacity assessment and other feasibility studies “also would not have been carried out” prior to their construction, according to local officials.

    The experts said a physical inspection of cracks revealed horizontal, lateral and vertical displacements of up to 50 cm, affecting a total area of 8,000 metre square.

    They recommended that a detailed landslide hazard zonation of the entire town be conducted, preferably by the Geological Survey of India, in view of its similar geological and geomorphologic set-up.

    The committee also said heavy rainfall (201.2 mm) between January 20 and January 31 might have resulted in saturation of the soil and triggered landslides.–(PTI)

  • BADC Alleges Corruption in Construction of PWD Roads in border town Mendhar : Dr Shazad Demands ACB Probe against PWD Engineers posted in Mendhar

    BADC Alleges Corruption in Construction of PWD Roads in border town Mendhar : Dr Shazad Demands ACB Probe against PWD Engineers posted in Mendhar

    GNS ONLINE JAMMU 

    JAMMU MAY, 29 :–Alleging massive and repetitive corruption in construction and repair works of Jugal to Kullian Galli Road in Mendhar block of border district Poonch,(JK_BADC), Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference, a registered organization working for welfare of border residents has accused the local engineers of PWD and contractors for causing loss to the state exchequer.

    The organization in a complaint forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and copied to Deputy Commissioner, Poonch has demanded probe by Anti Corruption Bureau against the officers of the Public Works Department (PWD) Mendhar including the local Junior Engineer and AEE of Public Works department stating that on the name of construction and repair of this road, funds have been repeatedly withdrawn from one scheme to another during last 3-4 years but yet the construction material used there is of sub-standard quality, nor the other guidelines , specifications as mentioned in the bid and contract are complied . “

    There is definitely a nexus between the officers of the PWD and Contractors otherwise this loss to state exchequer could have not been possible”, the complaint reads.

    The Complaint Submitted by Dr Shazad Ahmed Malik, Chairman of BADC and former Vice Chancellor has further urged the government to immediately seize all the records related to payment of construction of this road including the signed contract , bills, vouchers, measurement register, payment register.

    In the complaint, the BADC Chairman has also asked for a third party forensic audit of records and material used in construction of this road.

    Earlier during meetings of Dr Shazad and Locals this issue was deliberated at length and people had called for strong action.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the portion of the same road that is built by PMGSY is comparatively much better than which constructed by PWD.