The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha (JKAS), accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr S.M. Ashraf, conducted a night inspection of the Snow Control Rooms and Emergency Control Rooms established across Pulwama district to review their preparedness and functioning in view of the prevailing weather advisory.

During the inspection, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the availability of staff, emergency response arrangements and coordination among the concerned departments.

He directed all concerned officers and officials to remain alert and ensure round-the-clock functioning of the control rooms to facilitate quick response to any emergency arising due to adverse weather conditions.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for close inter-departmental coordination and timely assistance to the public, particularly in areas that may be affected by snowfall or other weather-related disruptions.

He instructed the concerned teams to remain fully prepared to deal with any eventuality and ensure the safety and convenience of the people.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted Departmental Grievance Redressal Committees in all Administrative Departments for expeditious redressal of grievances of employees and workers in the Union Territory.

According to a Government Order issued by the General Administration Department, sanction has been accorded to the constitution of the committees for examination and disposal of grievances of employees/workers under their administrative control.

Each committee, as per the news agency GNS, will be headed by the Administrative Secretary of the concerned Department as Chairman. The other members will include Director Finance/Financial Advisor & CAO, Additional/Special Secretary to the Government of the Department, and Law Officer not below the rank of Deputy Legal Remembrancer of the Department.

As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee shall examine grievances relating to service matters and other employment-related issues of employees/workers of the Department and its subordinate/field offices.

It shall examine the grievances in the light of the applicable statutory rules, regulations, Government instructions, Recruitment Rules, sanctioned cadre structure and other relevant provisions.

The Committee shall identify grievances which can be resolved at the departmental level and take appropriate action for their expeditious disposal.

It shall also examine cases involving policy, inter-departmental consultation, financial implications or amendment of rules and, wherever required, initiate action for obtaining the approval/concurrence of the competent authority in accordance with the applicable procedure.

The Committee has been tasked to ensure that genuine and admissible grievances are not kept pending for want of examination at the appropriate level and to prescribe, wherever feasible, a time-bound mechanism for their disposal.

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday slammed the Centre over continued terror attacks, asking what had changed on the ground since the 2019 revocation of the erstwhile state’s special status and its “downgrade” to a Union Territory.

Choudhary’s attack at the Centre came against the backdrop of two terror incidents in Kulgam and Kishtwar within a span of 24 hours, which claimed the lives of two special police officers and left three CRPF personnel injured.

“Militancy was there before 2019, and it is still happening today. There was an attack yesterday (in Kulgam), and there was another militant attack today (in Kishtwar). If people were getting martyred then and are still losing their lives today, what has actually changed?” The National Conference leader said.

The deputy chief minister said Rajouri, Poonch and the entire Jammu and Kashmir region suffered immense losses due to violence.

He said that the biggest setback for the people of Jammu and Kashmir came on August 5, 2019, when its special status was revoked, and its statehood was taken away.

“Since 2019, what militancy have they managed to stop? What corruption have they eliminated? What has Jammu and Kashmir gained from these decisions? The BJP leaders must answer,” Choudhary said, and reiterated his party’s demand for the restoration of statehood.

“Our statehood must be restored. No matter how much you try to suppress the people of Jammu and Kashmir, you cannot take away their right to their identity. We must get back what was taken away from us,” he said.