News Kashmir Magazine

Ugly Traffic Jams in Srinagar 
Traffic jams since many years have been a curse for the Kashmir Valley especially the Summer Capital Srinagar . The historic city of Srinagar is currently after the recent heavy snowfall battling one of the worst traffic jams in its history .
 Commuters state that for completing mere five to ten kilometers journey within the Srinagar city it is taking them many hours altogether making life miserable. Media reports state that various areas of Sriningar City centre  witnessed massive traffic jams causing immense problems to commuters.
The problem was further worsened due to presence of snow mounds on roadsides.

 Grime nature of the traffic jam was such that it has taken many commuters  nearly an hour to reach LalChowk from Sonwar, Dalgate.Heavy snowfall and snow not cleared from many areas caused hardships to the masses.  causing difficulties for the commuters as it is hampering the smooth passage to them.Massive gridlocks across the City were witnessed for many days after snowfall  and it took hours for people to reach their destinations.All walks of life have been badly hit by these long and painstaking traffic jams especially the students community and office goes . One hopes in the new look Jammu and Kashmir the human resource of Traffic Department would be increased by much as the meagre human resource makes very less traffic cops visible on the streets of Sriningar and other parts of the Jammu and Kashmir.Recently, even the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) has expressed serious concern over the inconveniences the travellers faced on way to Srinagar Airport due to huge traffic jams and snow accumulation on the road.In a statement, TAAK President Farooq A Kuthoo said the logjams on way to Srinagar Airport is bringing bad name to Kashmir and may prove detrimental to tourism sector.
The hopes on ground zero are that very soon these long and tiring traffic jams would be things of past and people will get relief from same .

Controlling inflation in harsh winters 

The beginning of year 2021 in the Valley of Kashmir has been witness to heavy snowfall and infact after decades we have seen such snowfall in Kashmir .We have seen in the winter months that often snowfall results in road closures which result in often road closures especially the closure of all important Jammu Srinagar National Highway .The closure of all important Jammu Srinagar National Highway is causing discomfort to the commuters aspiring to travel to outside places of Kashmir and more than it causes shortage of essential items leading to price rise and inflation .The black marketing done by few vested interests during the long closures of the national highway causes immense hardships to the consumers . The need of the hour is to undertake more market Checks so as to keep a eagle eye on black marketing .Vegetables and non vegetarian food items is witness to much drastic price rise during these highway closures . Eggs as a commodity also see much abnormal price rise during the road blockade .The need of the hour is to meet the deadline of completion of all important Jammu Srinagar Rail link and see to it by the year end of 2022 we see fully functional train in Kashmir . The opening of train would ease the life of people of Kashmir as supplies can be arranged easily and plus rail link will remain cut off for shorter period as opposed to road link .The realities urge upon the authorities to ensure that till long lasting solution is ensured on the aspect of keeping national highway open they take all steps to weed out the menace of inflation breaking back of masses . The availability of necessary items by keeping adequate stock during winters can ensure that hyper  inflation during National Highway closure does not break back of the people of Kashmir.

Year 2021 High Hopes 

The year 2020 was a horrible year for whole world on account of ragging pandemic Coronavirus . Throughout globe millions died and crores got infected due to Coronavirus . In Kashmir too hundreds died due to pandemic and thousands got infected . Besides inflicting huge emotional wounds the pandemic Coronavirus destroyed almost all economies .In Kashmir too many jobs and ventures were lost to pandemic . Tourism industry has been worst hit .
The conflict bloodshed also marred Kashmir in 2020 with hundreds of Humanbeings across political divide getting killed . The farmers agitation in the country against newly passed farm bills aimed by Government to reform agriculture sector but it didn’t go well with many sections of farmers especially in Punjab and Haryana thus farmers agitation in different parts of country .
One hopes the new year 2021 will offer new lease of hope – first and foremost people allover the world are hoping that Coronavirus would come to end . There are high hopes on many vaccines being successful in fight against the pandemic Coronavirus throughout the world .
Kashmir valley people too hope that year 2021 would end the dark night of uncertainty and killings and peace and prosperity would be ushered in the pain hit valley .People of Kashmir are also hoping that they will get better facilities in form of Electricity and water in the year 2021.All the voices of sanity are praying for peaceful and prosperous 2021 for whole humanity.

Edit 28 December, 2020 Issue .

Media Role in Disaster Management

We live in times of Disasters when natural and man made disasters are wrecking havoc throughout the world.Media as a fourth pillar of democracy has a key role in disaster management .media assists in the management of disasters by educating the public about disasters; warning of hazards; gathering and transmitting information about affected areas; alerting government officials, relief organizations and the public to specific needs; and facilitating discussions about disaster preparedness.Recently in  a welcome development in this regard  Webinar on “Media for Disaster Risk Reduction” was jointly organised by National Institute of Disaster Management and Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre, Srinagar, today, in collaboration with J&K Information and Public Relations Department, Kashmir Editors Guild, Kashmir Press Club and J&K State Emergency Operation Centre, Srinagar. The webinar was inaugurated by Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar, Director Information and Public Relations Department.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Sehrish said media is the most effective link between the Public and the Administration, and Information Department is the link between Government and Media. She said that coordination mechanism with media needs to be further strengthened, in order to ensure that media has timely access to disaster related data, otherwise it can lead to publishing of unverified and speculative reports. She implored the concerned officers that should share relevant information about each incident promptly, otherwise reporters have to rely on information which may not be accurate.
One hopes in our part of the world media role in disaster management would be critical in coming times .

Kashmir Train hopes 
A train link from Kashmir to Jammu has always been high hope for the masses of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the project commenced few decades back only Baramulla to Banihal , Udhampur to Jammu has been completed .The Banihal Katra section is yet to be completed ,which once completed will directly connected Srinagar with Jammu. Now in a good news the Northern Railway will be completing the most difficult 111-kilometre long section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link by December 2022 that would connect Kashmir to the rest of India through the railway network, a senior official said recently .
“The work is going on in full swing. The prestigious project will be completed by the end of 2022”, Northern Railway General Manager Ashutosh Gangal told reporters.According to the officials of Northern Railways, perhaps, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project is the most difficult new rail line project undertaken by the national transporter. The project has been divided into three sub-sections for execution purposes. The most difficult stretch of this rail line project, Katra-Qazigund leg, and its alignment which is 129 km long, passes through the ranges of Patni and Pir Panjal.
One hopes train hopes of Jammu to Srinagar which would give great boost to economy of Jammu and Kashmir would help in economic boom and ease to commuters once completed .

Editorial 14 December, 2020 Issue

Insaaf Ki Dastak : A Ray of Hope
Justice is the paramount need of every society and to run society in peaceful and progressive manner delivery of Justice is a must. 
Former Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Patron-in-Chief J&K State Legal Services Authority, Gita Mittal, who retired few days back but before that  launched an ambitious legal outreach programme “Insaf Ki Dastak”.

A statement stated  that the programme aims at providing access to justice at the door steps of people living in far-flung and inaccessible areas of the UTs of J&K and Ladakh who face severe hardships in reaching the courts for their legal issues.

The project “Insaaf ki Dastak” (Access to Justice for inaccessible areas) was envisioned by former Chief Justice, Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal, Executive Chairman of J&K SLSA to ensure that no person is deprived of their constitutional rights enshrined in Article 39-A of the Constitution of India which provides that the State shall secure that the operation of legal system promotes justice, on the basis of equal opportunity and to ensure that  the opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of any disability.Pertinently, the rules governing the filing of suits, appeals and petition by the persons residing in remote areas were framed and by virtue of Notification no. 1617 dated: 07.03.2019, the High Court of J&K made necessary amendments to J&K General Rules (Civil) of 1978 svt. The High Court in Sch. (Schedule) A Chapter 8 of the J&K General Rules (Civil) of 1978 Svt. has notified certain areas of UTs of J&K and Ladakh as remote areas.One hopes wheels of Justice run smoothly in Jammu and Kashmir in favour of justice starved masses .

For achieving the target of the Project, the assistance of department of posts and certain government approved agencies providing public services (Common Services Centres) was also sought. The Para Legal Volunteers who form an important area of Legal Services Authorities would bridge the gap between the people living in inaccessible areas with Court and other Legal Services Authorities by facilitating filing of cases as per rules through the CSC’s /Post office located in their area.One hopes this programme changes dynamics of justice in Jammu and Kashmir towards betterment.

Positive figures on JK Unemployment levels 
The problem of unemployment has been plaguing the present and future of Jammu and Kashmir youth since long . High percentage of unemployment among educated youth has been a much severe problem for Jammu and Kashmir.During Covid Pandemic and  past Upheaval situation on this front had gone worse .
Now in a ray of hope ,The rate of unemployment has fallen to 8.6% in the month of November from 16.1% in October in Jammu and Kashmir, as per the data given by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). 

In July, Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) published the recruitment notification for 8575 Class 4 for District/ Divisional / Union Territory (UT) Cadre.
Pertinent to mention here according to  official reports, A total of 1,35,590 registrations took place for the total vacancies of 8575; which depicts the inside picture of the employment crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. As per The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) figures, India’s unemployment rate is 6.7 per cent which means J&K has a higher unemployment rate than the national average. Among the states 
Haryana tops the list with 25.6 per cent of unemployment rate, followed by Rajasthan with 18.6 per cent. 

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries in its preliminary report suggested that five lakh job losses were recorded in Kashmir region only post abrogation of Article 370 last August which was followed by lockdown to combat Covid-19 pandemic.One hopes we continue to witness positive developments on unemployment front .

Mayorship Hopes In a significant development,  The former Mayor and ex-Peoples Conference leader, Junaid Azim Mattu was  elected Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for the second term.Mattu, won 44 votes while Imran has got 7 votes. 26 members walked out during the election process.
Pertinent to mention here that Mattu, who does not have any known party affiliation currently, defeated Sheikh Imran, a former deputy mayor who was removed from office last year through a no-confidence motion. Imran also did not represent any party in the mayoral polls.
Mattu tweeted on micro blogging website Twitter : “What a humbling, emphatic verdict! We have touched the 2/3rd majority mark! 
Thank You to my fellow Hon’ble Corporators and the people of Srinagar for your trust and faith again. 
Together we will all serve Srinagar and take it to new heights!
In recent memories ugly politics has hit hard the SMC functioning hard .
Masses are expecting now with some sort of semblance will be seen in the functioning of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Junaid Mattu will take all steps for betterment of the Srinagar city .

23 November,2020 .

Walnut Sector in Kashmir Deserves Promotion

Walnut sector used to be bulwark of rural economy of Kashmir .A village in Kashmir used to be incomplete without presence of Walnut tree.But over the decades due to rapid conversion of land into apple orchards,Jungle of construction the walnut trees have been worst hit as a result walnut sector has suffered .Now some good developments have taken in recent times . Farmers residing in remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, who are solely dependent on agriculture to earn their livelihood are now changing the trend of farming by adapting walnut farming on a large scale.Pertinent to mention here that Farmers here are now engaged in walnut farming along with other crops like maize and rice. The farmers are focused on horticulture farming of cash crops.Now the walnut crops are ready for sale in areas like Kotranka, Budhal. 

In another optimistic development, Director Horticulture recently visited the fruit plant nursery Tral where the Director was appraised that 20000 walnut seedlings have been produced during this year, which shall be grafted during coming season for production of quality planting material.
The demand for walnut plants is quite high in the Valley and no stone should remain unturned in producing the quality walnut plants. Recently,Director Horticulture was appraised that at this nursery around 25000 clonal root stock is being multiplied which shall augment the availability of plant material. Director Horticulture directed to establish small model high density orchard which shall serve as a demonstration plot. 

The hope is that all important walnut sector is given due attention so that it becomes a major source of our income and employment.

Srinagar Smart City Projects Raise Optimism

Srinagar ,the city having centuries old rich history is the heart of beautiful Kashmir Valley .It is dream of every Kashmiri to see Srinagar developing into a full fledged smart city soon.Recently it was learnt that ,  The Srinagar Smart City Ltd convened 6th meeting of Board of Directors which reviewed the progress on various projects approved during previous meetings and also approved a host of new projects in various sectors aimed at key infrastructure interventions and developmental initiatives in city.Pertinent to mention,Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang Pole, Chief Executive Officer SSCL / Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director SSCL Naveen Aggraval, VC SDA Dr Bashir Ahmed, Commissioner SMC, Director Archives and other members were present.On the occasion, CEO Smart City (DC Srinagar) briefed the board about progress on various projects which include initiative for Smart Power metering, smart water metering under which DPRs have been formulated and funds to the tune of Rs 17 Cr and Rs 45 Cr earmarked to Power and Jal Shakti Departments; city beautification, 5KM long cycle track initiated along 90Ft road soura, underground cabling in various parts of city, release of funds to Tourism department for revitalisation of Yarkhand Sarai, tendering of project for conservation and beautification of Maharajganj Market, Variable Message Display screens installed at 10 locations, work on Smart Vending Zones under progress, conservation of shrines including Imambada Hassanabad, Raghunath Temple, St Louis Church; establishment of Smart Health Centres and Smart Classrooms, tendering of bio-toilets project, completion of civil work of Integrated Command and Control Centre at Bemina, completion of Fire Safety infrastructure project including procurement of boats and fire tenders, installation of Reverse Vending Machines at 10 locations completed, process initiated for procurement of 20 electric buses through SRTC and installation of air, noise and water quality monitoring systems at various places in city. The CEO also informed that 73KM road has been re-developed under Smart City and PWD has been entrusted with installation of signage and street furniture; establishment of Disaster Relief Shelters and emergency evacuation has also been completed.
The BoD meeting approved several new projects which include cycle sharing scheme involving procurement of 500 cycles and installation of cycle stands in central business area, a joint initiative of Smart City and District Administration; additional Smart Class Rooms, formulation of DPR for Bohrikadal and Zainakadal market beautification, Kawdara Craft Exhibition Centre, development of 26KM pedestrian pathways in various areas of old city using local devri stone, heritage walkways, conservation of hertage network, social protection plan, community based trained task force linked to schools, adaptive reuse of lower court, re-development of FCI godown as commercial district, smart advertisement panels and display boards at road intersections, green spaces, wall paintings, community engagement initiatives and other projects related to drainage, road development and junction improvement. The board was informed that with initiatives of several new projects the ranking of Srinagar Smart City improved from 96 in March 2019 to 72 in June 2020 which further slated to be around 50th rank once approved projects are initiated and ongoing projects are completed in next two months.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir asked the officer for effective and concerted efforts for inter-sectoral convergence for best possible results and also laying focus on quality and timely completion of projects. One hopes Srinagar City as a complete Smart City will be a reality soon.