The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked the State Government to submit a report about the adhoc promotions of employees and delay in the regularization of the same for years.

“The Government is not expected to deal with its employees, particularly the employees who have retired from service in this fashion. Government cannot wait for a person to die after his retirement and expect his children to fight for the benefits the employee had earned”, the SHRC maintained while hearing a case titled “Dharam Paul Sharma (Retired) Principal of Hira Nagar Kathua.

The case with regard to streamlining the cadre management of Gazetted and Non-Gazetted service in the State was listed before the Division Bench comprising Justice Bilal Nazki, Chairperson of the Commission and Mr. Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal, Member of the Commission.

The order passed by the Division bench maintained that “Prima-facie it appears, to be a very serious violation of Human Rights of lot of people. Therefore, the report is sought from the Chief Secretary in four weeks. The matter shall be taken up on the next date and the Commission expects that those who are aggrieved and whose benefits have been withheld and all those similarly situated shall be taken care of before next date. Similarly placed persons can approach this Commission for redressal of their grievances. Put up on April 18, 2017”.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Armed, Mr L Mohanti, today chaired a senior police officers meeting to discuss and finalize the arrangements for State Level Marathon “Run for Fun”, being held in Jammu City on March 19, 2017 (Sunday).

The meeting was held at Armed Police Headquarters (APHQ) here and was attended by various police officers.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Mohanti disclosed that the event is being organised by Jammu and Kashmir Police under its Civic Action Programme and a large number of people of different age groups are expected to participate in the Marathon. He said that people from all walks of life including the school children from educational institutions of various districts of Jammu, sports associations, private institutions, retired police personnel, members from media and   civil society groups would also be participating in different categories.

Mr. Mohanti further said that having different categories, the Run would start from Police Sports Stadium Gulshan Ground. Full Marathon open male category would start their Run with first flag off ceremony at 6.30 a.m. and would return after covering a distance of more than 42 kms via Sidhra Bridge Crossing. Half Marathon for males and females would have to run a distance of 21 kms, which would start at 6.40 a.m. from the venue up to Bajalta Crossing and back. Similarly under-14 boys and girls category would start the run from the venue and cover a distance of 6 and 8 kms, respectively,  Mohanti  added.

Mr. Mohanti said that orchestra, cultural programme, band display, musical chair for women and spoon race for kids would be the main attractions of rally. He said that all required arrangements including accommodation, boarding and lodging, security, traffic, police bandubast have been made and traffic movement on the routes of marathon would be diverted to other sides to make the event convenient and successful. Arrangements for refreshment to the participants were also discussed in the meeting. Different committees constituted for smooth conduct of the event briefed the meeting about the arrangement made by the concerned wings.

Earlier, IGP Armed/IRP Jammu, Mr. S. A. Watali apprised the meeting about the arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of the event. He informed that prize distribution ceremony would be held on the conclusion of the rally at the venue and cash prizes would be distributed among the winners of different categories, besides consolation prizes and merit certificate of participation would be distributed by the Chief Guest.

Among others, the meeting was attended by DIG IR Jammu,  Vijay Kumar, SSP Jammu, Sunil Kumar, SO to ADGP, Mohammad Yasin Kitchloo, SSP Traffic Nisha Nithyal, Commandants of Armed/IRP Bns. and other police officers.

British Deputy High Commissioner to India, Dr Alexander Evans called on the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti here last evening.

During the meeting, they discussed emerging political and socio economic developments in the State.

The Deputy High Commissioner was accompanied by Alex Pykett, First Secretary and Deepjyoti Barman, Senior Political Advisor (Foreign Policy & Security) in British High Commission, New Delhi.

The Chief Minister informed the visiting envoy of her Government’s keenness to initiate political process alongwith aggressive developmental governance in the State. She said it is her firm belief that good governance and political dialogue together can get the State out of the difficulties it is presently in.

The Chief Minister said opening of more routes, particularly the traditional ones, across the LoC would ensure more people to people contact and economic activity on the two sides. She said the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads to traffic and trade has enhanced the stakes of local people on the two sides in peace and good relations and the tempo has to be maintained with the opening of more such routes.

On the Indo-Pak relations, Mehbooba Mufti stressed on taking forward the vision of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee adding the similarities and commonalities on the two sides need to be focused and considered rather than the differences. She hoped the present Government at the Centre would carry forward this mission.

The Deputy High Commissioner appreciated the vision of the Chief Minister for the State. He evinced keen interest in the steps being taken by the Government in sectors like horticulture, infrastructure, handicrafts and tourism.

The Chief Minister told Dr. Evans that many mega connectivity projects besides Srinagar-Jammu rail link are under execution in the State which would not only connect the regions to each other but also help in exploiting the untapped economic potential of these areas as well. She also informed him about the High Density Apple plantation schemes launched recently by the Government which is expected to give a turnaround to horticulture industry in the State.