The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Tuesday convened a meeting to review the arrangements at Asia's largest Tulip Garden for visitors.

The meeting was attended by Director Floriculture, SSP Traffic Srinagar, Joint Commissioner SMC, officers of the Tourism department and Srinagar Smart City Limited.

The meeting held a threadbare discussion regarding the opening of the garden for visitors, traffic management, parking space, sanitation, cleanliness drive, fixing of potholes, online ticketing and other arrangements.

Asia's largest Tulip Garden at the foothills of Zabarwan Hills will bloom with 17 lakh flowers of different varieties this year and will be thrown open for visitors on March 23.

Addressing the officers, the Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned officer of Floriculture to facilitate online ticketing and put QR Code scanning facilities at different locations for the convenience of tourists.

He also enjoined the operation of colourful lights to enhance the visual vibrancy of the place. Moreover, he directed SMC to conduct a sanitation and cleanliness drive at the garden besides ensuring the availability of a separate mobile toilet facility for ladies and gents at the venue.

Further, he directed the concerned to repair potholes on the roads leading to the garden.

The meeting was informed that the department has added four kanals of additional parking space in the garden for the convenience of visitors.

SRINAGAR — Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, announced on Saturday that all preparations have been finalized for the upcoming elections in the region, expressing confidence in achieving a record-breaking voter turnout.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Kumar highlighted the readiness for the impending electoral process. According to a local news agency, Kumar stated, "All the preparations for the upcoming elections are in place. The Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation, following its recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, has also expressed satisfaction with the preparations made."

Kumar reassured the media that the elections would be conducted with transparency and fairness, stating, "Once any directive is received, the elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner."

Responding to queries regarding security arrangements for candidates, Kumar mentioned, "Once the schedule is announced, due security will be provided to the candidates."

With anticipation mounting, Kumar expressed optimism, saying, "We are expecting a record-breaking voter turnout in the upcoming elections."

SRINAGAR — Cyber Police Kashmir initiated action against a purportedly fraudulent company, 'Curative Survey Private Limited,' accused of scamming individuals with false promises of exorbitant returns on investments. The company hoodwinked investors by doubling their money within 15 days, subsequently causing distress among the duped.

According to an FIR filed against the alleged company, it misleadingly lured individuals, primarily students and homemakers, into investing their savings. Initially receiving returns as promised, investors were later met with silence from the company, raising suspicions.

The FIR, invoking sections under the IT Act and IPC, outlined how the company deceived subscribers by abruptly disconnecting communication, triggering anguish and protests. Law enforcement took cognizance, filing FIR No. 39/2023 and initiating a probe led by an Inspector-rank officer.

Conducting searches and sealing the office at Karanagar, the cyber police raided five locations, confiscating electronic devices and crucial documents relevant to the financial scam. The total amount invested remains under investigation.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, assured stringent action against the culprits, emphasizing the need for cautious dealings in the era of rising online fraud. He affirmed that those involved in the deception will face legal consequences, urging vigilance before engaging in financial transactions to thwart potential scams.

SRINAGAR — The government on Friday ordered the transfer and posting of 15 officers, seven of them IAS, in the interest of administration with immediate effect.

According to an order, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, IAS (AGMUT:2005) Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department, holding additional charge of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi, has been transferred and posted as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

The order states Dheeraj Gupta, IAS (AGMUT: 1993), Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, holding additional charge of smart Cities and proposed new Jammu/Srinagar Metropolitan Regional Development, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.

"H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS (AGMUT:1995), Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department, shall hold the charge of the post of Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, in addition to his own duties, till further orders," reads the order.

It reads that Sanjeev Verma, IAS (AGMUT:2001), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department.

"Sarmad Hafeez, IAS (AGMUT:2009), Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department, holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, on a full-time basis," it added.

As per the order, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, IAS (AGMUT:2012), Special Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, holding additional charge of CEO, ERA & Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, Culture Department, relieving Zubair Ahmad, JKAS, of the additional charge of the post. "He shall hold the charge of the post of Chief Executive Officer, Economic Reconstruction Agency, in addition to his own duties, till further orders."

It added that Dr. Piyush Singla, IAS (AGMUT:2012), Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, Revenue Department.

"Rakesh Minhas, IAS (AGMUT:2016), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Managing Director, SIDCO. He shall also hold the charge of the post of Managing Director, SICOP, in addition to his own duties, till further orders," the order said.

It further reads that Raman Kumar Kesar, JKAS, Managing Director, SIDCO, holding additional charge of Managing Director, SICOP, has been transferred and posted Secretary in the Power Development Department.

"Deepika Kumari Sharma, JKAS, Chief Operating Officer, Himayat, holding additional charge of Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, has been transferred and posted as Secretary in the Jal Shakti Department. She shall also hold the charge of the post of Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, in addition to her own duties, till further orders," the order states.

It added that Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo, JKAS, Special Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, has been transferred and posted as Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission.

"Shabir Hussain Bhat, JKAS, Special Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Director, Rural Development, Kashmir. Imam Din, JKAS, Director, Rural Development, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Managing Director, J&K Horticulture, Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation," the order further said.

It reads Rajneesh Gupta, JKAS, Additional Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, has been transferred and posted as Chief Operating Officer, Himayat.

"Shafat Sultan, Managing Director, J&K Horticulture, Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation, has been transferred and shall await further orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department for further posting. Amit Vermani, JKAS, Member, J&K Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department," it reads.