JK : Delegation of Women and Child Development UP calls on Lt Governor Sinha

Srinagar,A delegation of Joint Committee of Women and Child Development, Uttar Pradesh called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan here on Friday.

The delegation, led by its Chairperson Neelima Katiyar, apprised the Lt Governor about the visits and activities of the panel during their study tour.

They shared their views on the ongoing development scenario and the improved Socio-economic conditions in Jammu Kashmir.

Discussion was also held on the unprecedented transformation in Jammu Kashmir over the last four years in the areas of women empowerment, Tourism Sector, economy, education, peace and prosperity and cleaning of Dal Lake.

Lt Governor shared a number of developmental steps taken in Jammu Kashmir for bringing transparency, accountability and responsibility in the governance system.

“More than 1000 Public services have been made online and many linked with auto escalation mode and financial penalty for delay of services,” the delegation was told by Sinha.

Mayor SMC, President Hindi Kashmiri Sangam call on Lt Governor

SRINAGAR : Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor, Srinagar Municipal Corporation called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, today.

Mattu discussed various developmental issues, promotion of sports and welfare of the people, especially the members of marginalised communities in Srinagar.

Dr. Beena Budki, President Hindi Kashmiri Sangam also called on the Lt Governor and apprised about the activities of the organisation including promotion of culture and literature.

She also presented her book ‘Kokh ki Peeda’ and Urdu translation of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Ji’s‘Geetanjali’.

28 JKPS officers of 99 batch inducted into IPS

Srinagar : As many as 28 police officers from Jammu & Kashmir have been inducted in the prestigious Indian Police Service (IPS).

The Union Home Ministry on Friday issued a notification regarding appointment of 28 local officers in IPS. These officers have been allotted AGMUT cadre

Those inducted include Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Mubassir Latifi Ameer, Shiv Kumar, Rashmi Wazir, Rajeshwar Singh, Sandeep Wazir, Anita Sharma, Sameer Rekhi, Jatinder Singh Johar, Anil Kumar Magotra, Swarn Singh Kotwal, Zahid Nasim Manhas, Dr. Koshal Kumar Sharma, Ashok Kumar Badwal, Showkat Ahmed Dar, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Bakar Samoon, Firdous Iqbal, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Ranjit Singh Samyal, Mohd. Yaseen Kichloo, Rajinder Kumar Gupta, Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar Khajoria, Rajesh Bali, Sanjay Kumar, Mumtaz Ahmed and Mohd. Aslam.

Dr Jitendra launches Artificial Intelligence driven Grievance Monitoring System

New Delhi : Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, today launched Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven Grievance Monitoring System, IGMS 2.0 Public Grievance portal and Automated Analysis in TREE Dashboard portal of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

The Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0 Dashboard has been implemented by IIT Kanpur following an MoU with DARPG on December 14, 2021 for upgrading DARPG Information Systems (CPGRAMS) with Artificial Intelligence capabilities. The Dashboard provides instant tabular analysis of Grievances Filed & Disposed, State-wise & District-wise Grievances Filed & Ministry-wise data. Besides, the Dashboard will also help the officials identify the root cause of the grievance.

With a ballooning caseload of problems being raised by the common man and their trust in the timebound redressal of their grievances, close to 20 lakh grievances are received annually on the CPGRAMS portal. In view of the large number of grievances, the classification and monitoring of grievances cannot be done manually. Thus, the IGMS portal will help the DARPG with creation of a draft letter for the selected scheme/ministry and expedite the grievance redressal process by the concerned ministry/department.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged again and again that Grievance Redressal is important for accountability of the Government and also for the Citizen-centric Governance. A more robust human interface mechanism including Counselling post-resolution of the grievance has also been introduced.

The Minister commended the DARPG for making the CPGRAMS portal available in 22 scheduled languages along with English so that the common man could avail of its benefits. He also underlined the need to integrate State PG portals and other government portals with CPGRAMS and name it more uniformly for seamless accessibility.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that for the first time, the average disposal time of public grievances by Central Ministries & Departments has reduced to 16 days due to reforms undertaken by DARPG in the CPGRAMS. He noted with satisfaction that there has been a decline of almost 50% in the average disposal time for Central Ministries/Departments from 32 days in 2021 to 18 days in 2023.

During his visit to DARPG Office, Dr Jitendra Singh also launched the Swachhata Special Campaign 3.0 and released the Precedent Book (e-book) prepared by the Department. He lauded DARPG for achieving a completely fileless office with all communication transferred to the eOffice portal.

The Union Minister was informed that close to 90 lakh square feet of prime office space has been cleared during the last two Swachhata campaigns and put into productive usage. Besides, the Government generated a revenue of Rs. 370.83 crores from disposal of scrap, 64.92 lakh files were reviewed, 4.56 lakh Public Grievances Redressed and 8,998 MPs’ references replied. Swachhata campaign also spurred eOffice work culture in the Government and now over 90% file work has been made online.

The Government of India has announced Special campaign 3.0 from 2nd October, 2023, coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, till 31st October, 2023. The Campaign is a sequel of the Special campaigns conducted in the last two years.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi transformed the Swachhata campaign into a Jan Andolan within a few months. He said, the DARPG has launched a compendium of 300 Best Practices which will be implemented by all Government Ministries and Departments and published widely through media, highlighting ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Science’ approach”.

Special Campaign 3.0 will focus on field/outstation offices responsible for service delivery or having public interface, in addition to the Ministries/Departments and their attached/subordinate offices. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances is the Nodal Department for implementation of Special Campaign 3.0.

The Cabinet Secretary had addressed all Secretaries of Government of India on 25th August, 2023 and DARPG guidelines for the same were issued on 1st September, 2023.

Three arrested in rape case in J&K’s Samba

Jammu, Police on Friday have arrested three persons in connection with a rape case in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Police said that three accused persons have been arrested in the rape case.

The arrested persons have been identified as Rohit Kumar and Rohit Saini, both residents of Arnia, district Jammu and Romi Kumar, resident of Samba.

Senior Superintendent of Police Samba Benam Tosh said, “crime against women is being sternly dealt with and Police is sensitively investigating cases relating to crime against women in Samba district.”

“Perpetrators of crime against whom serious allegations of rape, molestation, domestic violence and assault are levelled and proved by police, are being arrested under law,” said the SSP.

Farmers’ stir in Punjab: Passengers stranded at Jammu, Katra stations as 7 trains cancelled, 13 diverted

Jammu : A large number of passengers, many of them pilgrims, were stranded at Jammu and Katra railway stations on Friday as seven trains were cancelled and 13 diverted due to a “rail roko” agitation by farmers in different parts of Punjab.

Members of several farmers’ bodies began their three-day agitation on Thursday to press their demands such as a financial package for losses caused by recent floods, legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) and debt waiver.

As part of the protest, farmers squatted on train tracks in many places, including Moga, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Amritsar.

“Due to this agitation, some trains have been affected but 60 to 70 per cent of trains are being run through diverted routes. Officials have been put on duty round the clock to monitor train traffic and ensure minimum inconvenience to passengers,” senior railway official Prateek Shrivastav said.

Railway officials said 13 trains have so far been diverted and seven cancelled due to the agitation.

Shrivastav said the agitation has directly affected Ambala and Firozpur railway divisions.

“The trains have been diverted from here via the Nakodar area (in Punjab). Major affected area is Jalandhar. Two special trains to Katra have been cancelled. Shiv Shakti train has also been cancelled,” he said.

The official said that every day, 15,000 to 20,000 people arrive at the Katra railway station. “Of them, 70 per cent are pilgrims. Due to this agitation, some trains have been affected and the majority of trains are being diverted to ferry them,” he said.

However, the number of stranded passengers at Jammu and Katra railway stations are increasing causing them inconvenience due to the cancellation and diversion of trains.

“We are stranded at the railway station. we don’t know what to do. We would have reached home. But now they are saying that trains will be diverted…. It is a problem for us,” Arvind Kumar of Gorakhpur said.

Bihari Lal of Chhattisgarh, returning home after paying obeisance at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, remained stranded at the railway station.

“We have been stranded here since yesterday after the train was cancelled. We don’t know what to do. No one is listening to us. We are a group of eight people, including children,” Lal said.

Suraj Singh of Ahmedabad, who along with 11 people returned from a Kashmir visit and were to take a train back home, was told that the train had been cancelled.

“They told us to come tomorrow. Where will we stay? It means Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for staying in a hotel. Taxi operators demanded Rs 35,000 for a trip to Delhi,” he said.

Two Punjab residents arrested with drugs in J&K’s Kulgam

Kulgam : Police on Friday arrested two Punjab residents and recovered a large quantity of contraband substances from them in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

A police party of police station Qazigund during patrolling noticed two persons roaming in suspicious condition carrying luggage bags and were intercepted.

Police said after noticing the police party, both tried to flee the spot but were chased and apprehended tactfully.

During the checking of their luggage bags, 19 kg of poppy straw-like contraband substances were recovered from them.

The duo was identified as Balwinder Singh, a resident of Shairiwala Ludhiana, Punjab, and Harvinder Singh, of Walipor Khurad Ludhiana, Punjab.

A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered at police station Qazigund, and an investigation has been taken up, police added.

Police have urged the masses to, if they witness drug peddling or any other crime anywhere near, contact the nearest police establishment or dial 112 to curb the menace of drugs in society.

DG CRPF visits Kashmir to assess operational readiness

Srinagar, The Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sujoy Lal Thaosen, undertook a visit to Kashmir to assess operational readiness and boost the morale of personnel stationed in the region, a spokesman of the Force said on Friday.

The visit of DG CRPF comes almost two weeks after a deadly gun battle in a forest area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district that left two decorated Army officers, a deputy superintendent of police, and a jawan dead. Two militants, including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander who was behind the killing of the officers, were also shot dead in the operations that lasted for a week.

A CRPF spokesman said the visit of the DG was aimed at assessing operational readiness and boosting the morale of CRPF personnel stationed in the region.

The DG CRPF visited the Recruit Training Centre (RTC) in Srinagar, now based at Lethpora Pulwama, and a CRPF battalion in south Kashmir.

DG Thaosen was accompanied by Additional Director General (ADG) of Jammu and Kashmir Zone CRPF, Nalin Prabhat, Inspector General (IG) of Kashmir Operations Sector CRPF, Gyanendra Kumar Verma and IG of Srinagar Sector CRPF, Ajay Yadav.

The visit commenced at RTC, where DG meticulously inspected the facilities and engaged in meaningful interactions with the trainees.

The DG shared profound words of inspiration and motivation, reaffirming the CRPF’s commitment to excellence in training and operational preparedness.

Subsequently, they proceeded to 180 battalion in Tral Pulwama, where a guard of honour was accorded to DG Thaosen by the CRPF personnel.

DG also inaugurated the “Shaheed Mukesh Lal Meena Barrack”, a solemn tribute to the brave heroes who have made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.

During an insightful “Sainik Sammelan”, he applauded the unwavering dedication of CRPF officers and Jawans, commending their steadfast commitment to the nation’s security, the spokesman said.

The visit culminated on a warm note as Thaosen joined the personnel for a convivial meal at Badakhana in 180 Bn.

“Such moments of camaraderie reinforce the bonds that define the strength and unity of the CRPF.

Thaosen’s visit reaffirmed the CRPF’s unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of the nation. It also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of the CRPF personnel stationed in the region, the spokesman said.

Northern Army commander visits forward areas along Siachen, Ladakh

Leh : The Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi visited forward areas and reviewed the operational preparedness of troops in the Siachen and Ladakh sectors of the union territory.

This is the second day of his visit to the Ladakh region to interact with troops on ground zero and review the security and operational preparedness of the troops.

“Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army Commander Northern Command, visited forward areas of Ladakh to review operational preparedness and witnessed integrated training,” the Northern Command said on X.

Lt Gen Dwivedi accompanied by GOC Fire Fury Corps and Commander Siachen Brigade visited the forward areas along LoC in Siachen to review the operational preparedness, the Northern Command said on X.

The Army commander appreciated the professionalism exhibited by the troops and complimented them for their relentless efforts in maintaining the highest standards of operational effectiveness under challenging conditions.

Lt Gen Dwivedi felicitated the troops deployed in remote frontline areas for their excellent standards of combat readiness despite inhospitable terrain and exhorted them to continue to strive for excellence.

On Tuesday, the Northern Army commander reviewed infrastructure development projects, which will enhance the operational capabilities of forces in Shyok Valley in Ladakh.

Canada should share evidence of Nijjar’s killing with India: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar 28 Sept 23: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday said Canada should share the evidence about killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar with India to prove its allegations and enable New Delhi to take “corrective measures”, if needed.

“Canada is alleging that India did some incident in that country. They should share the evidence with India,” Abdullah told reporters here.

He said Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar has said India will take action if Ottawa shares its evidence with New Delhi.

“India has said the same thing at the UN as well. The foreign minister said if there is any evidence, share it. If there is a need for taking any corrective measures after that, India will do it. Only verbal claims would not work, the evidence should be shared with India,” Abdullah, who was Minister of State for External Affairs in the Vajpayee-led government, said.

On the friction in relations between India and Canada, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said, “It was unfortunate”.

“The two countries had good relations, be it in terms of trade or people to people contact. Our students would go there to study,” he added.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar in June.

India has rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.