SRINAGAR: Terming the demonstrations and strikes in favour of certain assumed demands, by some employees, as ‘totally illegal’, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Power Development Department, Tuesday warned the agitating employees of ‘consequences’ as per law in case of violations'. 

Reproducing the Government instructions, J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, and ruling of the Hon'ble Supreme Court for dealing with the issue, the government in a circular detailed out that the Rule 20 (ii) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971 reads that "Demonstrations and strikes: No Government employees shall resort to, or in any way abet any form of strike in connection with any matter pertaining to his service or the service of any other Government employee".

“The (specified) provision of law is not merely declaratory, but will definitely entail consequences in case of violation, as it clearly prohibits demonstrations and strikes by the Government employees,” the circular remarked. 

“Vide SRO-160 dated 14-7-1995, the Jammu And Kashmir Civil Services (Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1995 have been issued by the General Administration Department, which shall apply to the Service Associations of all regular civil employees of the Government, except; (a) Gazetted Services; (b) Persons in industrial establishments employed mainly in managerial or administrative capacity, and those who being employed in supervisory capacity drawing salary in pay scales above Rs.3200/- per mensem; and (c) Police Personnel,” reads the circular, a copy of which lies with GNS. 

“These rules further provide, i) Service Associations already recognised: A Service Association which has been recognised by the Government before the commencement of these rules and in respect of which the recognition is subsisting at such commencement, shall continue to be so recognized for a period of one year from such commencement or till the date on which the recognition is withdrawn, whichever be earlier; ii) Rule 6(k): Conditions for continuance of recognition of Service Association:- The Service Association shall not do any act or assist in the doing of any act which, if done by a Government servant, would contravene any of the provisions of the Services (Conduct) Rules and iii) Rule 9: Withdrawal of Recognition: If in the opinion of the Government, a Service Association recognised under these rules has failed to comply with any of the conditions set out in rule-5 or rule-6 or rule-7, the Government may, after giving an opportunity to the Service Association to present its case, withdraw the recognition accorded to such Association,” reads the circular.
 
“In terms of O.M No: GAD-ADMOIII/158/2023-09-GAD dated 03.11.2023, all the Administrative Secretaries were requested to circulate the instructions to employees in their respective to desist from
Department(s) all such uncalled for demonstrations and strikes: an act of serious indiscipline and misconduct.”
“Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case Appeal (Civil) No.5556/2003 titled T.K. Rangarajan vs Government of Tamil Nadu (SC 2003) has held that the employees have fundamental, statutory or moral right to resort to strike as there is no law regarding it, and also, according to various service and conduct rules, they are prohibited to go on a strike,” reads the circular. 

The Hon'ble Apex Court, as per the Circular, further stated: 'a strike is a powerful weapon; it affects the society as a whole, and the government employees cannot go on a strike affecting society. Government employees cannot claim that they can take the Vishal society at ransom by going on strike. Even if there is injustice to some extent, as presumed by such employees, in a democratic welfare State, they have to resort to the machinery provided under different statutory provisions for redressal of their grievances. Strike as a weapon is mostly misused which results in chaos and total maladministration reads the circular.’ 

"The instructions/rules are brought to the notice of all concerned, and if any employee is found indulging in organizing, or taking part in demonstration(s) and/or strike(s) in violation of the rules and instructions mentioned above, strict action as per law shall be taken against such employee(s)," reads the circular further. 

The issuance of the circular has come after employees of Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDCL) staged a silent protest in Srinagar recently, demanding the reinstatement of their suspended colleagues. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Students of Kashmir University on Friday staged a protest against the alleged social media blasphemous post by a non-local student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), officials said.

Scores of KU students held a demonstration in the campus to register their protest against the social media post.

The protest march was not allowed outside the KU campus in Hazratbal.

A major controversy erupted Tuesday after a student of the NIT, who hails from outside J&K. posted an alleged blasphemous post on social media, triggering protests in the institute. Students of the NIT demanded action against the accused.

The protests spread to other colleges in the city on Wednesday.

In wake of the tensions the NIT was closed for winter vacation on Thursday. The degree colleges across Kashmir have also been directed by the government to begin online classes from Friday.

J&K Police has already taken cognisance of the incident at NIT and charged the student for posting sensitive content.

J&K Director General of Police, R R Swain on Thursday said that police have launched the investigation into offensive post which will be taken to a logical conclusion.

"No one will be allowed to hurt the religious feelings of any community, and nobody will be allowed to use this incident for malicious purposes either," DGP said. (UNI)

SRINAGAR:  People's Democratic leaders and activists were detained or placed under house arrest ahead of the party’s proposed anti Israel and pro Palestine protests, the party said on Tuesday.

There was no official word on these detentions.

Iltija Mufti, who is the media advisor to PDP president and her mother Mehbooba Mufti, said the party workers and leaders were being targeted selectively on one pretext or another.

“ We had chalked out a protest programme today to express our solidarity with Palestinian people who are being targeted collectively at the hands of Israel. Since last evening several leaders including party general secretaries even DDC members have been put under house arrest and some are lodged in police stations," Iltija said during a press conference in Srinagar.

She said after 2019 , a worrying pattern had emerged where the PDP was first split at the the behest of New Delhi and now when the party want to carry out a political activity or a peaceful protest, they were not allowed to do so.

" I want to ask the local administration as to why since 2019 you are consistently cracking down on PDP. You also denounce us anti nationals and the fact is that we we want to carry activities very peacefully," she said.

She said India also stands with Palestine cause from the beginning and they were surprised as to why authorities did not allow them to protest against Israel.

“Our protest is not against our national interest. ..We believe in democracy and peace. It is our fundamental right to protest. Why is the J & K administration snatching this democratic right from us,” she said.

Earlier, PDP spokesman said the party's senior vice-president Abdul Rahman Veeri, general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura have been kept under house arrest by the police.

Last week Mehbooba Mufti led a party protest against Israel in Srinagar. The administration also disallowed the congregational prayers for the last two Fridays at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar due to fear of possible anti-Israel protests . (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday staged a protest against the union government's decision to reduce additional duty on apples imported from the United States.

The party workers called the decision by the union government as “economic terrorism” which they alleged is aimed at destroying the economy of farmers in J&K.

The party chief spokesman Suhail Bukhari who led the protest in Srinagar said that the decision to give tax waiver to apples from the US came at a time when the apple harvest season in Kashmir is at its peak .

“Horticulture is the backbone of our economy and it is being constantly targeted by the present union government,” Bukahri told reporters.

Last week the Union Finance Ministry, in a notification announced the removal of additional duties on several US products including chickpeas, lentils (masur), apples, walnuts in shells, and fresh or dried almonds, as well as shelled almonds. The notification came a day before US President Joe Biden's arrival in India for the G20 Summit.

The PDP spokesman said that the financial conditions of millions of growers associated with the apple industry are bad.

“Government should have supported them, but on the contrary, apples from abroad were made cheaper so that the price of apples from Jammu and Kashmir would go down. This is not only a matter of concern for Jammu and Kashmir but also in Himachal Pradesh where apples are grown,” he said.

Bukhari demanded that this decision by the union government be withdrawn so that the horticulture industry of Jammu and Kashmir can be saved. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Gojwara and its adjoining areas in old Srinagar city amid massive protest observed a shutdown against the installation of smart meters.

A large number of men and women hit to roads and expressed resentment against the government’s move to install smart meters which according to protesters are the source of fatty power bills.

The protesters blocked the traffic and shopkeepers downed their shutters. The protesters raised slogans against the implementation of the Smart City project and slammed the power department.

“This power is generated on our rivers. The government is sending it to outside states. Then they increase tariffs here to buy power. How can we pay Rs 3,000- 5,000 bill for smart meters,” said an angry woman protester. Another protester said that they are poor people and can’t afford to live without using electric devices in the kitchen.

The protesters said that the generation of revenue through the installation of smart meters is yet another tactic to harass people. “There is so much inflation. Youth are jobless. A cooking gas cylinder costs Rs1,250, kerosene is Rs100 per liter and there is no timber and ration at depots. We can’t afford to buy gas cylinders, from where we will bring money for huge power bills. They are killing poor people like us,” the agitated protesters said.

The protesters slammed the J&K administration officials and bureaucrats saying they can’t use fans for their children in this scorching heat and officials live lavishly in AC offices and houses.

The protesters threatened to intensify their protests on a daily basis if the Power Development Department doesn’t shelve the idea of the installation of smart meters. [KNT]

SRINAGAR: On eve of annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, a group of Kashmiri Pandits stageda  protest in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district accusing administration of making poor arrangements for the pilgrims at the temple site.

While some Kashmiri Pandits arrived last evening at the Tullamulla shrine, a large number of Kashmiri Pandits are expected to converge at the Tullamulla for the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani festival on Sunday.

Located at Tullamulla, 27 km from Srinagar, the shrine of Ragnya Devi has for years been hosting
the annual mela attracting devotees especially Kashmiri Pandits from all over.

“After we reached here last evening, we saw inadequate facilities for the pilgrims,” said a Kashmiri pandit who was part of the protest. “There were no facilities of drinking water and accommodation
for pilgrims.”

The protesting Pandits said that it was strange that the government knew that they were coming
here and proper arrangements should have been made.

“Last night, after seeing poor arrangements we thought of returning,” a woman protester said.

The protesters shouted slogans against the authorities.

Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shyambir, said last night pilgrims reached Kheer Bhawani Mela and some "anti-social elements were spreading misinformation".

“ We had made arrangements for food and their stay , but due to inclement weather, water
penetrated in some tents. We had a meeting with all pilgrims and we are resolving their issues
along with volunteers,” Shyambir told reporters at the shrine complex.

He said some anti-social elements were spreading misinformation.

“We had adequate accommodation last night and 12 rooms of a school were vacant and still a protest was held here. We should understand that there were 2400 people (pilgrims) here and the number of those who held protests was 12,” DC said. (UNI)

      As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, is facing a severe shortage of water. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the region and the mismanagement of resources by the local authorities.

Water is a vital resource for human survival, and its shortage can have dire consequences, particularly in a month where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The availability of water during this period is of utmost importance, as it is needed for both consumption and purification. However, in Srinagar, the situation is dire, with residents facing long hours without access to clean water.

The primary reason for the water shortage in Srinagar is the mismanagement of resources by the local authorities. The government has failed to adequately address the issue of water scarcity, despite being aware of it for years. Instead, they have focused their attention on other issues, leaving the water crisis to worsen.

In a recent event, the female protesters displaying empty buckets and pitchers blocked the road and disrupted traffic to attract the attention of the concerned authorities in the Batamaloo area of Srinagar city. The scarcity of water in the area is making it difficult for them to get on with their life.

There has been an increase in the events like these that came in the forefront in last couple of months with the difficulties being increased in the Holy month of Ramadan.

The lack of water has severe consequences for the people of Srinagar, especially during Ramadan. The fast is a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion to Allah, but it is also a time of physical deprivation. Without access to water, Muslims in Srinagar will face increased difficulty in completing their fasts, which can lead to dehydration and other health issues. Moreover, the lack of water also limits their ability to perform ablution, a necessary ritual before prayers.

The situation in Srinagar requires urgent attention from the government and other relevant stakeholders. First, the government must prioritize the provision of clean water to its citizens, especially during Ramadan. This can be achieved by investing in infrastructure and improving the management of water resources. The government should also work with humanitarian organizations to ensure that water is distributed fairly and efficiently.

Finally, it is crucial that the people of Srinagar also take steps to conserve water. Water conservation measures such as fixing leaks, reducing water usage, and recycling wastewater can go a long way in reducing water scarcity. Furthermore, it is essential that people come together to share resources, such as wells and tanks, to ensure that everyone has access to water.

In conclusion, the water shortage in Srinagar during Ramadan is a severe problem that requires urgent attention. The government must prioritize the provision of water to its citizens, work towards resolving the ongoing conflict, and encourage water conservation. Moreover, the people of Srinagar must come together to support one another and ensure that everyone has access to this vital resource. By working together, we can overcome this crisis and ensure that everyone in Srinagar has access to clean water, especially during Ramadan.

SRINAGAR: People from all walks of life held a protest rally in Leh Division of Ladakh demanding fast-track justice for the minor rape victim.

   The rally was attended by political leaders, civil society, school children, government employees, and traders.

    KNT correspondent from Leh reported that all shops and business establishments remained shut against the gruesome incident that rocked Ladakh two weeks ago.

   Notably, a 52-year-old man Sayyad Zulfikar Ali Shah is under police custody on rape charges. The 12-year-old schoolgirl was raped by the culprit on 29 March while giving her a lift in his vehicle when the girl was on her way to school.

   Thousands of people participated in the protest rally. The protesters amid sloganeering demanded stern punishment for the accused. They said there should be an investigation on a fast-track basis and the accused should be punished under the law without wasting time. (KNT)