The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — In an open violation of government advertisement policy 2012 and COTPA-2003, Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses in Kashmir can be seen pasted with advertisement of pan masala while the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has shot a letter to the corporation, seeking immediate action against the agency and removal of the advertisements on buses.

The people stated that the advertisement of ‘Vimal Elaichi’ can be seen pasted on the JKRTC buses here, saying that it is a surrogate advertisement for tobacco and demanding it to be pulled down immediately.

They said that as advertisements of tobacco and alcohol products are banned in India, manufacturers are resorting to creative modes of advertising like surrogate products that are clear-cut violations of different acts.

An official said that the advertisements in the guise of selling ‘elaichi’ are aimed at marketing Vimal’s chewing tobacco products.

"Direct and indirect advertisements of cigarette and tobacco products are prohibited under Section 5 of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA)," the official explained.

He said that JKRTC buses are used and seen by thousands of people on a daily basis and youth especially school-going children are 24x7 getting exposed to these surrogate advertisements.

The official said that tobacco is the base of drug addiction and “it is our responsibility to save our people from tobacco initiation as once addicted, it is difficult to bring them out of the vicious cycle.”

Meanwhile, Srinagar Municipal Corporation has taken cognizance of the issue and has written to JKRTC authorities to take action against the advertising agency and issued orders to lift the advertisements from buses.

"In connection to the subject captioned above, in this regard, it has been observed that an advertisement of pan masala (Vimal) on the Buses of JKRTC operational across the Srinagar city and other districts of Kashmir Division for promotional purposes of Vimal Pan Masala and Chaini Chaini which is brand promotions of Tabacco Product and is an indirect advertisement under section 05 of Cigratte and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA-2003) and simultaneously is in violation of section 85, 115 and 116 of Municipal Corporation Act-2000, & violation of government advertisement policy 2011 which prohibits any kind of advertisement, brand promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products," reads the official communiqué of SMC to JKRTC.

It adds, "The said advertisement glamorizes and promotes the use of tobacco products among young generations which is badly affecting the public health initiatives of government.”

“Therefore, you are requested to please take appropriate necessary action against the advertising agency and issue orders for removing/lifting of advertisement on JKRTC buses immediately in order to curb the advertisement of banned product which conflicts with the section 05 of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA-2003) and in violation of Municipal Corporation Act 2000,” it reads further.

Meanwhile, an official of JKRTC in Srinagar, when contacted, said that in the first instance, they didn't allow the concerned agency to paste such advertisements, however, later they were directed by General Manager to allow them to paste it as there is no violation in it following which the advertisement was pasted.

AHMEDABAD — In Ahmedabad, the two days Urban-20 (U-20) meet has begun which has the participation of delegations from as many as 33 international cities. The goal of the meeting is to offer perspectives, ideas, and concerns from cities to enhance and inform the overall negotiations of the bigger forum of G20, while the Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Joint Commissioner Planning is part of the meeting.

Union Minister Hardeep S Puri, according to the news agency KDC, while addressing the U-20 Inception meeting highlighted the potential for global peer learning and creating a bold, visionary roadmap for G20 countries.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “Urban-20 is an initiative for G20 cities to tackle current urban issues and find solutions to create inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities."

Srinagar Mayor, Mr Junaid Azim Mattu and Joint Commissioner Planning SMC, Ghulam Hassan are also present in the U-20 Conclave organized by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

Ahmedabad, being a fast-paced metropolitan city in the country, is chairing the 6th edition of U-20 this year. U20 is an engagement group under G20 and a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries. It is bringing together mayors of leading cities in the G20.

The itinerary for the delegates incorporates a visit to the Adalaj Step Well, a networking dinner, an excursion to Sabarmati Ashram and Atal Bridge, Sabarmati Riverfront, a gala cuisine, cultural programmes, a Plenary Session with Gujarat CM and an address on ‘G20 - Call for Action’.

There would also be a session on 'U-20 2023 Cycle: Context Setting' with presentations by Ahmedabad's and Jakarta's Sherpas (representatives), besides other discussions and sessions.

The meeting is expected to expedite a productive dialogue between national and local governments, discuss major urban development issues in the G20 agenda, converse about crucial issues of climate change, promotion of social inclusion, provision of affordable housing, and emphasize on coming up with collective solutions.

The overall aim is to promote solidarity in the cities and discuss vital urban development concerns. Taking the sustainable development agenda forward is also one objective. Standing in sync with India’s G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the U-20 meet will be focussing on actions at the city level that can engender positive global outcomes.

The emerging outcomes from the meeting will culminate in the U-20 Mayors Summit coming up in July 2023.

SRINAGAR — Police on Tuesday arrested three employees of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for allegedly assaulting traffic policemen who had issued a challan for violating the Motor Vehicle Act. The Corporation has also suspended two employees, calling their behavior unbecoming on part of a civil servant and ordered a time-bound inquiry into the incident.

“An incident has come to notice wherein one SMC employee aggrieved by challan on not having HSRP, came back and broke a traffic booth with others, later assaulted traffic personnel on duty. In this regard, FIR has been registered in Shergari Police Station against three delinquent SMC employees," the Srinagar Police tweeted.

All three accused employees, the police said, were formally arrested after following legal formalities. “The three had also kidnapped the traffic personnel in a car after creating a ruckus. FIR No. 06/2023 stands registered in Shergari Police Station,” it added.

Meanwhile, SMC placed the two employees under suspension. “It has come to the notice of competent authority that Mr. Niyaz Ahmad Gabroo I/C Ward Officer, Ward No. 30 and Ovais Farooq Khan, Tax Assistant, Ward 30 have indulged in conduct, which is unbecoming on part of a civil servant. Pending inquiry into the matter, Mr. Niyaz Ahmad Gabroo I/C Ward Officer, Ward No. 30 and Mr. Ovais Farooq Khan, Tax Assistant, Ward 30 are put under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain attached in the office of Secretary, Srinagar Municipal Corporation," reads a suspension order issued by Joint Commissioner SMC.

The police as well as SMC’s action followed as videos of a heated argument between the traffic police personnel and the Corporation employees have been widely circulated on social media here.

“Ghulam Hassan Mir, Joint commissioner Planning SMC, shall do the detailed inquiry and submit a report within seven days,” the order added.

In the videos, the traffic cops can be seen asking the SMC employees for the notice of demolition before they remove the purported encroachment.

SRINAGAR — A land of around 1 kanal recorded in the possession of SMC (State land) under Khasra No. 437 Min in Estate Rampora in Tehsil Shalteng in summer capital Srinagar, that was transferred in favour of a private individual through auction notice, was sealed by Srinagar administration on Saturday.

Reports said that the plot is State land and is located at a prime location on Batamaloo-Qamarwari road worth several crores, but the same was allotted at a petty nominal rate through auction notice.

The Revenue Department Srinagar had taken cognizance of the matter and sought details from SMC, but the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has not replied to the verifications and inquiries of the Revenue Department so far.

Presently, a shopping complex was being constructed on the same land with permission from SMC.

On Saturday, acting on the news report carried by Srinagar-based news agency KDC, a team of the Srinagar administration sealed the complex and said the trespasser shall be dealt with seriously under the law as it is the government property.

SRINAGAR — After a fresh western disturbance affected Jammu and Kashmir, most parts of the Valley received fresh snowfall on Thursday, bringing down the temperature further in Kashmir while the weatherman here has predicted improvement in weather conditions from tomorrow till January 7, 2023.

The fresh snowfall has put an end to the prolonged dry spell in the Valley that led to the plummeting of minimum temperature in the last over one week. Most of the stations across Kashmir are recording sub-zero temperatures every night, thus intensifying the cold wave in the Valley.

According to the news agency KNO, the Meteorological department (MeT) officials said that the plains in the south and north other than higher reaches of Kashmir would receive light to moderate snowfall till tomorrow.

Reports said that Gulmarg, a famous ski resort, Pahalgam & Sonamarg, famous tourist destinations, Gurez and other areas received fresh snowfall today.

Almost three inches of snow accumulated in Gulmarg while two inches of snowfall has accumulated in higher reaches of the north including Gurez, Sadhna Top and others.

Four inches of snowfall accumulated in Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and Margan Top while Pahalgam received light snowfall and in Sonamarg, two inches of snowfall accumulated when the report was last filed.

Moreover, Deputy Director MeT, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that there is a possibility of light snowfall in the plains of Kashmir while the plains in the southern and northern districts may receive light to moderate snowfall till tomorrow. He added that the higher reaches of Kashmir would also receive light to moderate snowfall.

He also said that the night temperature would plummet further across Kashmir in the coming days as there is no forecast of any major wet spell till January 7 next year.

The snowfall has led to the closure of major roads in Kashmir including the Srinagar-Jammu highway, Srinagar-Leh highway, Bandipora-Gurez road, Mughal road, and others.

Jammu-Srinagar highway has been closed due to heavy rainfall at Cafeteria Morh, near Ramban, while higher reaches of the Pir Panjal mountain range received heavy snowfall, resulting in the closure of Mughal road, officials said.

Officials said that due to fresh snowfall, Karnah-Kupwara, Gurez-Bandipora roads and Srinagar-Leh highway have been closed as precautionary measures. Moreover, Sonamarg-Zojjila road was also closed after fresh snowfall at Zojila in Ganderbal district.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has issued helpline numbers, asking the general public to contact the officers mentioned in case of any assistance. The district administration Ganderbal has also issued an advisory, asking people to avoid venturing out into landslide-prone areas.

“In view of the weather advisory issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, general public of Kangan Sub-Division and those living in higher reaches of the district are advised to remain cautious and not to venture out in slopes, hilly areas or flood/landslide prone areas till weather improves,” the advisory reads.

Municipal Council, Baramulla and Sopore in north Kashmir also issued helpline numbers for the general public, requiring assistance in view of the prevalent weather situation and to facilitate the movement of the public.

The general public has been asked to contact the following numbers in case of eventualities. For Baramulla, the helpline numbers are: 9469099988, 9419405699, 7006830599, 6005838686,9419046071 and 70062 82550. Similarly, for Sopore, the numbers are: 7006409155, 7006960388, 7006616552, 7780815655 and 7006104721.

SRINAGAR — 40 corporators on Wednesday met Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Athar Amir and presented various demands to streamline the working of the Corporation.

In a statement to the news agency KDC, Srinagar Corporators Front said, “40 corporators today called upon Commissioner SMC, Athar Aamir Khan and presented a charter of demands to streamline the working of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Commissioner SMC assured that all issues brought to his notice will be resolved in a time-bound manner."

President of the front, Danish Bhat, said that all the 40 corporators under the banner of Srinagar Corporators Front (SCF) after holding various meetings today met the Commissioner. "SCF will take every possible step towards the empowerment of all the elected representatives of the corporation," he said.

SCF today held a detailed meeting with the SMC Commissioner and various issues concerning the functioning of SMC were also discussed.

"SMC will see a new dawn of proper functioning which will take the city towards development and progress," he said, adding that our fight is to streamline the working of SMC and end the misery of the people of Srinagar by ensuring development at the grassroots level.

SRINAGAR — Srinagar Mayor, Junaid Azim Mattu, on Wednesday said that the city will get rid of the stray dog population within 6 to 7 years as the corporation is set to kick-start a sterilization process at a large scale very shortly.

He also announced that the macadamization of Srinagar roads will be completed within a period of one month.

Addressing a presser here, Mattu, as per the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has been taken to new heights in the last couple of years.

“The corporators have been elected to serve people of Srinagar after a gap of 10 years. We will meet all the challenges and have met many challenges so far which has helped in taking Srinagar to 10th rank, which is a proud moment for all the residents here,” he said.

Mattu further said that in the last few years, he tried to take the SMC ahead of other civic bodies in the country. However, he said, the corporation couldn’t deal with some major issues including stray dog menace and the macadamization process.

“The dog bite cases deeply pains me. I have taken a decision to form a multi-agency consultative board to deal with the stray dog menace and initiate its final report within three months. It would be the biggest programme,” he said, adding that he has invited SKUAST scientists and veterinary experts to start the process within a month to ensure that the people in Srinagar could heave a sigh of relief from the menace.

He added that the consultative board will meet next week and two meetings will be conducted in one week and he will personally monitor the progress. “If this programme succeeds, within six to seven years, we will get rid of the stray dogs' population in Srinagar.”

He also termed the allegations of relocation of dogs from Srinagar to villages as baseless.

“The Corporation is facing macadamization challenge, the roads are in shambles and there is no doubt over it. We had started a process of macadamization in lanes and bylanes at large scale in March but the hot mix plants and contractors have decided not to bid for these tenders at the current rates. I have spoken to the Chief Secretary personally and macadamization rates are being revised in two to three days. We are keen to resolve this issue and start macadamization of lanes and bylanes within the period of a month,” he said.

About the enforcement, he said that there is no double standard in enforcement and no interference will be allowed. “We will try to ensure transparency and accountable governance,” he said.