5.50 Lakhs, 19 Smart Phones worth three lakhs, recovered in online financial frauds in Bandipora: Police

Bandipora, Jan 15 : Bandipora Police had received multiple complaints from the general public regarding various financial frauds, missing/stolen mobile phones and other social media crimes.

Police spokesperaon in a statement isaued here to JKNS reads, Acting on these complaints, Bandipora police achieved a significant breakthrough by recovering an amount of Rs 5.50 Lakhs from the fraudsters’ accounts, and the same was refunded to the victims’ Bank Accounts after completion of all legal formalities.

Moreover, 19 missing/ stolen smartphones worth 03 lakhs were also recovered and handed over to their owners after the completion of necessary legal formalities. Recipients expressed their gratitude & appreciation to Bandipora police’s relentless efforts in recovering their hard-earned money and mobile phones, it reads.

Bandipora police advise the general public to use their mobile phones and other electronic media gadgets with precaution to safeguard themselves from cyber-related frauds and crimes.

Statement further reads, If anyone becomes the victim of any cyber-related crime /Fraud, he should immediately register a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in or Call Toll-Free No.1930 or the nearest police unit /Cyber Crime cell DPO Bandipora.

Also, citizens should report missing/stolen mobile phones on the CEIR Portal online on www.ceir.gov.in, a dedicated online Portal on lost /stolen mobile phones by (the Dept. of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications GOI), reads the statement. (JKNS)

SHA suspends empanelment of twin private Sgr hospitals for 6 months

Imposes penalty of over Rs 26 lakh on Shifa hospital, around Rs 3 lakh on Florence hospital

Srinagar, Jan 14 (KNO): The State Health Agency (SHA) in Jammu and Kashmir has suspended the empanelment of Shifa hospital, Srinagar and Florence Hospital Srinagar for violating the guidelines issued by National Health Authority (NHA).

As per an order issued by SHA, a copy of which lies with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a penalty of over Rs 26 lakh has been imposed on Shifa hospital and around Rs 3 lakh on Florence hospital for the illegal payments collected from aggrieved beneficiaries.

“State Health Agency (SHA), J&K received a number of grievances/complaints against Empaneled Health Care Provider Shifa Medical Centre, Srinagar for violating the guidelines issued by the National Health Authority, New Delhi. Show Cause Notices were issued to the hospital for all such cases and the hospital did not reply to them within the timeframe as mentioned in the guidelines. On the basis numerous grievances/complaints registered against the hospital, a team of officers/officials conducted a surprise visit to the hospital on 23/11/2024 and during interaction with the beneficiaries/patients it was observed that the hospital is flagrantly violating the guidelines of the scheme including coercing the patients to incur out of pocket expenditure, denial of treatment to the patients,” reads an order.

“Again a Show Cause Notice was served upon the hospital on 18/12/2024 to explain their stand with regard to cases highlighted during the surprise visit to the hospital, however, the hospital again did not reply to the said Show Cause Notice within mandated five working days, as Hospital Empanelment and De- Empanelment Guidelines,” it reads.

“The case of the hospital along with all the relevant documents was placed before the State Empanelment Committee during it meeting on 26/12/2024 for deliberation/decision,” it reads.

“It was decided, in accordance with the Hospital Empanelment Guidelines, that the hospital be immediately suspended for a period of 6 months and a penalty of Rs 2615000/- would be imposed for the illegal payments collected from the aggrieved beneficiaries,” reads the order.

“However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital may continue providing dialysis treatment to the existing patients under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT,” it reads further.

“Now, therefore, Shifa Medical Centre, Magarmal Bagh Srinagar is hereby suspended for a period 6 months from the date of issuance of this order. However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital shall continue to provide treatment to the existing dialysis patients under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT. Also, penalty to the tune of Rs 2615000/- (Twenty-Six Lac Fifteen Thousand only) is imposed on the hospital for the illegal payments collected from the aggrieved beneficiaries. The said penalty amount shall be deposited by the hospital within 5 working days. In case the hospital fails to deposit the penalty/fine amount within the stipulated time same shall be adjusted with the pending payment to the EHCP without any further notice,” the order reads further

“Florence Hospital, Srinagar is hereby suspended for a period 6 months from the date of issuance of this order. However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital shall continue to provide treatment to the existing dialysis patients under AB PM- JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT. Also, penalty to the tune of Rs 297000/- (Two Lac Ninety Seven Thousand) is imposed on the hospital for the illegal payments collected from the aggrieved beneficiaries. The said penalty amount shall be deposited by the hospital within 5 working days. In case the hospital fails to deposit the penalty/fine amount within the stipulated time same shall be adjusted with the pending payment to the EHCP without any further notice,” reads a separate order—(KNO)

CEO stops salaries of teachers, seeks explanation

RAJOURI, Jan 14: Chief Education Officer Rajouri, Bishamber Dass, conducted surprise visit to Government Middle School (GMS) Mera in Zone Rajouri and GMS Chowkian in Zone Baljarralan and withheld the salaries of absentee teachers. He also sought explanations from erring staff for negligence and poor performance.

During the visit to GMS Mera, it was found that students were left at 1:00 pm without any valid reason, reflecting a lack of seriousness on the part of the school head and staff. Furthermore, the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) was not served as per the prescribed menu, highlighting gross negligence.

At GMS Chowkian in Zone Baljarralan, while the overall functioning of the school was satisfactory, the academic performance of students in the Urdu subject was alarmingly poor. It was also found that Urdu teacher Jannat Begum had left the school at 12 noon without prior permission or a leave application.

Taking strict action, CEO Rajouri withheld the salaries of the staff of GMS Mera and Jannat Begum of GMS Chowkian, till further orders.

Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) of Rajouri and Baljarralan were directed to seek written explanations from the erring officials and submit their reports within three days.

To address staffing inefficiencies, CEO Rajouri also directed ZEO Rajouri to rationalize the staff of GMS Mera as per Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) norms.

Traffic Update: Advisory for Jammu-Srinagar NHW and Other Routes in J&K

Jammu/Srinagar, January 14, 2025: The Traffic Police Headquarters, J&K, has issued an important advisory for vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and other key routes in the Union Territory.

Traffic Observations:

Slow traffic movement was reported on NH-44 due to vehicle breakdowns and single-lane operations at Dalwas, Mehad, and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather.

Travel Recommendations:

• LMVs and passenger vehicles should travel during the daytime to avoid risks of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.
• HMV and LMV operators carrying perishable goods or livestock must load their vehicles as per advisories.
• HMVs with six and ten tyres are allowed through Dhar road.
• Operators must ensure vehicles are fit, carry sufficient fuel, and avoid overloading.

Traffic Plan for January 15, 2025:

Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44):
LMVs, passenger cars, and HMVs will be allowed to travel from Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa, subject to weather and road conditions. TCUs will provide updates on road status.

Security Forces Movement:
Security Forces vehicles are permitted in both directions on NH-44, weather permitting.

Status of Other Roads:

• Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244: Closed due to snow.
• Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG Road): One-way traffic from Srinagar to Kargil will be allowed between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, with anti-skid chains mandatory.
• Mughal Road: Closed due to snow.
• Bhaderwah-Chamba Road: Closed due to snow.

Advisory:

Travelers should confirm road conditions before starting their journey. Helpline numbers for Traffic Control Units:

• Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
• Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 0194-2485396, 18001807091, 103
• Ramban: 9419993745, 1800-180-7043
• Udhampur: 8491928625
• PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100
• PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331

Travelers are urged to follow advisories and ensure their safety.

ACB Registers Enquiries into Misuse of Materials in Srinagar Smart City Project

Srinagar, 14 Jan (JKNS): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K has registered two Preliminary Enquiries (PEs) in connection with the misappropriation of materials and the use of substandard materials in the ongoing Srinagar Smart City Project.

In a statement issued here to news agency JKNS reads, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) N0.01/2025 in Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar following reliable inputs indicating the misappropriation of materials, including Devari Stones, Path Tiles, Iron Grills etc in Srinagar City.

Statement further reads, the material is suspected to have been either unaccounted for or allegedly sold in the open market for personal gains, during the revamp and beautification under the Srinagar Smart City Ltd. project rather than being retained in the stores of the concerned Engineering Division.

The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) also registered 2nd Preliminary Enquiry (PE) N0.02/2025 in Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar with regard to use of substandard material in ongoing development work at Foreshore Road Nishat in Srinagar City for Cycle Track, Footpath facing Dal Lake & viewing decks etc from Nishat upto Naseem Bagh PHC (Public Health Centre), it reads.

The officers/officials of Srinagar Smart City Ltd. in connivance with beneficiary contractor also deliberately avoided the mandatory procedures thereby compromising the quality of works.

Probe of both Preliminary Enquiries is in progress, reads the statement. (JKNS)