Day: August 19, 2024

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

RAJOURI, AUGUST 19:– District Election Officer (DEO) Abhishek Sharma, today presided over an important meeting with media persons from across the district at Dak Bungalow Rajouri which was centered on ensuring a transparent and impartial Assembly Elections 2024 in the district.

During the session, DEO Rajouri highlighted the crucial role of the media in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. He emphasized the need for objective reporting and urged media outlets to deliver balanced and accurate coverage throughout the election period. Additionally, he stressed the responsibilities of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) in overseeing election-related content to prevent misinformation and ensure compliance with the guidelines established by the Election Commission of India.

The media persons in attendance assured the DEO of their commitment to fair and responsible journalism during the elections.

The meeting also underscored the importance of covering events related to the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative.
Active participation was observed from the ADC Rajouri, Rajiv Khajuria, Deputy DEO Shakeel Malik, DIO Ashiq Rafiq Malik, and media persons from various outlets across the district.

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RAJOURI AUGUST 19:–District Election Officer (DEO) Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting with District Nodal Officers at Dak Bungalow Rajouri to assess and advance the preparations for the upcoming elections in the district.

The meeting focused on a wide range of critical issues, including the number of polling stations, the recent visits of RO’s to polling stations, vulnerability mapping, and the status of counting and strong rooms. DEO, Sharma also reviewed the Elector Population (EP) ratio, the plan for home voting, transport logistics, and the communication plan to ensure smooth election conduct.

DEO Sharma issued specific instructions for conducting mock drills in vulnerable polling stations, particularly those near the Line of Control (LOC). Emphasizing the importance of security and transparency, he directed the installation of two cameras—one inside and one outside each polling station. Additionally, he called for the training of videographers who will be assigned to home voting operations.

The DEO also instructed Returning Officers (ROs) to hold meetings with sector officers and representatives of political parties. He emphasized the need to designate intermediate strong rooms at select locations to address any potential security issues during the elections.

A significant directive was given to identify polling stations with a history of ceasefire violations or clashes to ensure enhanced security and vigilance in those areas. DEO Sharma stressed the importance of ensuring free and fair elections across the district.

He urged all officers to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to avoid any lapses. Special emphasis was placed on the strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) protocols, and expenditure management.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Raj kumar Thapa, ADC Rajouri, Rajeev Kumar Khajuria; ADC Sunderbani, Rajeev Magotra; ADC Nowshera, Babu Ram Tandan; ADC Kalakote, Mohd Tanveer; ADC Kotranka, Dilmir; Deputy DEO, Shakeel Malik; along with all other ROs, Nodal Officers, and concerned officials.

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BY AYAZ MUGHAL 

POONCH AUGUST 19:–A school, which is supposed to be the very foundation of our nation, is itself crumbling. The walls and roof are so dilapidated that a strong gust of wind could bring it down, endangering the lives of students. I am referring to Primary School Kalas Barwalan in Hari, Zone Surankote (Poonch).

Currently, with only two teachers and around sixty students, the school has been temporarily shifted to a #private building, the rent of which seems to be paid out of the teachers’ own pockets. I truly appreciate their dedication to educating the children despite these challenges.

However, the real questions are: why is the department ignoring this situation? Are they unable or unwilling to see the problem, or is there a deliberate attempt to let these schools close down, depriving children of education?

And what about the #contractors responsible for the school’s construction? How is it that buildings they have constructed fall apart so quickly, while their own homes remain intact? Did these contractors give any thought to the safety of innocent children, or were they only focused on cutting corners?

It is high time the department realizes the urgency of this matter and promptly undertakes the necessary repairs for the school.

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SHYAM SOOD

==Rules made for Works Department not applicable on Waqf Board: Alleged Association.

==Work allotted by Waqf Board stopped midway: Contractor approach J&K Grievance Cell

RAJOURI, AUGUST 18 :–Members of Pir Panjal Contractor Association (Rajouri) have castigated Kashmir based engineers and Administration of J&K Waqf Board for alleged discrimination with local contractors of Rajouri district.

Contractors said that on Friday Chairperson JK Waqf Board, also MoS, inaugurated two newly constructed guest houses-named Hazrat Fatima-tu-Zehra (AS) & Baba Ghulaam Shah Badshah (RA)-at the complex of Ziarat Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (R.A) at Shahdara Sharief.
Contractor alleged that both the projects were executed by the Waqf Board unit Rajouri without calling any tenders which is a violation of norms & rules of J&K Govt order of 2019 (by Lt Governor).
Contractors also alleged that at present several developmental projects are under execution without calling any tenders at Shahdara Sharief being taken up by J&K Waqf Board under the supervision of Ex En Tariq Kallu and under the direction /approval of Chairperson Waqf Board.
Contractors alleged that in the past two tenders were allotted to the contractors through the tendering process.
One project was stopped by the Waqf Board authorities midway and remaining work was taken up by the department and was given to blue eyed contractors against the laws & norms.
The contractor (Shafqat Wani) alleged that the Administrator stopped the allotted work midway due to landslides and vide letter No JKWB-UR dt 12/2023 he approached Ex En for the change of the execution site but till date no response was received.
He alleged when the Chairperson was approached for an allotted contract which was stopped midway by the Administrator due to landslides, she said: “Waqf Board is not bound to any law/rule. The Waqf Board can cancel and call a fresh tender as it has separate laws/rules.”
“This attitude of the Chairperson with the contractors has put a question mark on the government’s claims of transparency and good governance,” he said.
Shafqat alleged the tenders were allotted to him under rules, but Chairperson, Ex En, and Administrator have no respect for rules and without calling any fresh tender(s) and by violating Govt order of 2019 are executing remaining work through the department.
All claims of transparency of BJP led/NDA government in construction line are totally false and baseless, alleged President Contractors Association.
“ Waqf Board Shahdara purchasing material/items worth crores of rupees from the market-including tiles, marbles, doors, windows, air conditioners, invertors, batteries etc-without following rules of tenders/quotations, which is matter of investigation by competent authorities to break the nexus,” said Gen Secretary of Contractor Association.

Pir Panjal Contractor Association has appealed to Director vigilance ,ADGP Crime J&K, and CBI to investigate the misappropriation of public funds and check mismanagement of Waqf Board which has crossed all limits of corruption.
Shafqat Wani vide his Grievance ID 999005176776 dt 1/7/2024 has also approached J&K online grievance cell and requested to resolve the issue.
Shafqat was allotted construction of police post at Shahdra Sharief vide allotment No.JKWB/JMU/ENGG/WORK/24-29 dt 29/7/2023 by Administrative Approval accorded by J&K Waqf Board Unit Jammu.
After execution of some initial work the work was stopped due to landslides and Wani requested the concerned engineering wing of Waqf Board & Administrator Shahdra Sharief for change in drawing or provide new land.
Wani alleged the manager Waqf Board Unit Rajouri playing foul play and pursuing higher authorities for re-tendering so that work can be allotted to his blue eyed.
To get justice, Wani has approached the J&K Grievance cell.
(Inputs by Shafqat Wani).