KU shunts out Director, faculty at DDU Kausal Kendra after B.Voc course fiasco

Shifts 2 programmes to MERC, IOT Zakura as degrees overrun deadlines

Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): After facing major embarrassment amid allegations of large-scale academic and financial irregularities, the Kashmir University (KU) Vice Chancellor has sacked Director and contractual faculty of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushal Kendra after two of its B.Voc courses overran deadlines by a huge margin, leaving the students in a state of shock and dismay.

According to official documents in possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director of DDU Kaushal Kendra, Dr Ghulam Hassan Mir along with three contractual staff members were relieved “with immediate effect” owing to closure of the project, which was launched by KU in 2019 with much fanfare only to be left embarrassed three years later.

Notably, the B.Voc course in Automotive Technology and B.Voc course in Electronic Media overran completion deadlines, with students of one batch left with incomplete syllabus and without examinations for more than a year.

Surprisingly, while the Central project, worth Rs 3 crore, was closed almost a year ago, it is only this month that the KU acted to shunt out the contractual faculty and Director after academic and financial irregularities in the programme implementation surfaced in the media.

“Now that DDU Kaushal Kendra failed to complete the courses, the remaining part of the two courses has now been handed over to Media Education Research Centre in case of Electronic Media, and to Institute of Technology Zakura Campus in case of Automotive Technology,” according to the available documents.

According to many students pursuing these courses, the Directorate of Kaushal Kendra fared poorly from day one on the implementation front.

From engaging local roadside mechanics for otherwise professional training in automotive technology to delayed classes in Electronic Media, complaints continued to pour in with KU authorities looking the other way, the students said.

“These courses were supposed to complete in 2022 with the whole project coming to an end, but one full batch is yet to complete the syllabus while another is yet to appear in final examinations,” the students said, regretting having joined the courses which “failed to yield the desired outcomes”.

With KU now belatedly acting against Director and Contractual faculty, who overran contract period and thus drew salary and emoluments in excess, cry for a formal probe into the DDU Kaushal Kendra functioning by state investigating agencies has gained steam.

“Removing the director is not enough. We want a full probe into financial and academic irregularities in implementation of the Central scheme which has failed to prove beneficial to the students,” the aggrieved students demand, seeking personal intervention of LG and VC.

“There have been serious deviations in recruitments made in DDU Kaushal Kendra which need to be probed. Furthermore, some staff have still been retained despite the project’s closure which is a scam,” the insiders said.

Many students are also dismayed at shifting courses to MERC and IOT Zakuraz, saying these departments have their own courses to handle and “will pay least attention to our courses”.

“We have been betrayed in a big way despite paying huge money. This delayed degrees and delayed examinations are true for the University which is grappling with decline in student strength in almost all courses now,” the aggrieved students rued—(KNO)

Centre orders premature repatriation of Atul Dullo to J&K on MHA request, Likely to be new CS

Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): In a significant development, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) Monday ordered premature repatriation of Atul Dulloo, an IAS officer of 1989 batch, on the request of the Union Home Ministry.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved premature repatriation of Atul Dulloo, an IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, to his parent cadre on the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Dulloo was presently posted as Secretary, Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

His premature repatriation to J&K is seen as a precursor to his appointment as Chief Secretary of the UT.

The incumbent Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta is attaining superannuation later this month—(KNO)

Jammu-Srinagar Rail likely to start in next year

We are hopeful to run it in next 4 to 5 months: Railway officials

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, Nov 20: The Jammu-Srinagar rail link is expected to become operational from early next year, marking a significant milestone in the transportation infrastructure of the region.

This railway project, aimed at enhancing connectivity and accessibility between Jammu and Srinagar, is poised to bring about transformative changes in the transportation landscape.

A high-ranking official from the Railways, speaking on the progress, expressed satisfaction, stating, “The USBRL project is a testament to the engineering prowess and determination of the team involved. We have overcome numerous challenges, including adverse weather conditions and difficult terrains, to bring this dream to fruition. The completion of this project will be a game-changer for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are hopeful that in the next four to five months, the rail will reach Srinagar from Jammu,” the official told KNS, insisting not to be named.

The railway line, one of the most challenging and ambitious railway projects in the country, traverses through the picturesque terrains of the Jammu and Kashmir mountain range.

The route includes numerous tunnels, bridges, and challenging topography, making it an engineering marvel.

Once operational, the railway link is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, offering a more convenient and efficient mode of transportation for commuters and cargo alike.

The Jammu-Srinagar rail link is also poised to have far-reaching implications for tourism in the region, making it more accessible for both domestic and international travelers.

The scenic route is expected to attract tourists who wish to experience the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayan region while enjoying the comfort and convenience of rail travel.

Speaking about the development, one of the local BJP leaders expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “This railway link has been a long-awaited dream for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Its operationalization will not only make our journeys more comfortable but will also open up new avenues for trade and tourism.”

Authorities involved in the project have assured that the necessary infrastructure and safety measures are being put in place to ensure a smooth and secure operation of the railway link.

Encompassing a sprawling 345-mile stretch, the USBRL project is intricately designed to connect the scenic towns of Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla, navigating through formidable terrains and challenging geographic obstacles.

Despite these obstacles, the unwavering dedication of the project team has propelled construction forward, with recent developments indicating that the final stages are well underway.

Anticipation is palpable among the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the inauguration of the USBRL project, slated to be a momentous occasion for the region.

It is noteworthy that regular train services already operate between Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in the Jammu region and Baramulla-Banihal in Kashmir.

The Railway ministry has previously affirmed that a Vande Bharat Metro train will ply between Jammu and Srinagar once the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) becomes fully operational.

Two remarkable bridges on the section contribute to the project’s engineering marvels. The Chenab Railway Bridge, one of the highest globally, defies gravity as it stands tall over the Chenab River, presenting a breathtaking spectacle against the backdrop of the Pir Panjal mountain range.

While not as towering as the Chenab Railway Bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge holds its own significance. Spanning the Anji Khad River, this bridge showcases intricate design and meticulous planning, representing a critical link in the overall connectivity of the USBRL project.–(KNS)

Power crisis chokes Industrial Sector in Kashmir; Production Plummets by 75%. From hospitality to cottage industries, power shortage has deeply affected service sector: KCCI; over 500 sawmill units affected, says FCIK

Mubashir Aalam Wanni

Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): The escalation of the power crisis continues hitting the industrial sector of the valley, leading to a staggering 75% decline in production, claimed industrialists.

The valley for more than a month has been witnessing power crisis, which has affected both domestic as well as commercial consumers.

Shahid Kamili, president Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the current power scenario has escalated the loss of industrialists.

“The impact of the current power scenario on the industrial sector is beyond imagination. We have limited hours of work during winter seasons and the absence of electricity is complicating our problems,” he said.

While Kamli said that 75 percent decline in production is reported by the industrial sector, he added many industries are on the verge of turning into Non-Performing Assets.

“When there is no output, the industries won’t bear the shock of reporting spontaneous losses. The industrialists are working on cost-competitiveness. The industrialists are failing to manage installments for loans,” he said.

Giving an example of sawmills, Kamli said more than 500 such units are currently affected in the valley. “We have almost 500 sawmills registered with the federation. We often hear about the losses being faced by them. Apart from these industries, we have many units including cold storage, diagnostics and others which also report heavy losses,” he said.

The industries that, as per Kamli are majorly hit include cold storage, apple grading and packaging industries and furniture industries.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) said they regularly get SoS calls from various industries that suffer due to the lack of proper power supply.

“From hospitality to cottage industries, the power situation has deeply affected the service sector. Neither industrialists nor small traders are able to manage their business due to the unscheduled power cuts,” said Secretary General KCCI Faiz Ahmad Bakshi.

He said they are now seeking intervention from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha regarding the issue.

“Every sector is suffering. We seek the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha to improve the power situation in Kashmir,” Bakshi said—(KNO)