Around 8 lakh unemployed youth registered: Labour & Employment Dept

Srinagar, Jul 15 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has roughly eight lakh unemployed youth registered with the Labour and Employment Department, officials said on Saturday.

Commissioner Secretary Labour and Employment Department Fatima Batool told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that there were roughly eight lakh people registered with them.

She said the department taking several steps to mitigate the unemployment problems. “Out of the total working force economy, and the data collected from different sources, we have roughly eight lakh unemployed people,” she said.

Batool said that as a part of their initiative to mitigate the unemployment problems, they organised a job fair in which companies of both local and national repute participated for manpower requirements.

The entire process of the job fair is on the digital lines for both job seekers and providers, she said, adding that they are going to take more measures in the future.

Earlier, Director Employment, Nisar Ahmad Wani told KNO that they were providing a single platform to both job seekers and providers.

For the job fair event, around 10,000 youth registered, he said, adding that the other line government departments have also made their participation to showcase their schemes for the unemployed.

As per a government spokesperson, 205 companies, including 25 of the national repute with more than 7000 vacancies, participated in the event—(KNO)

Protests against smart meters continue in Sgr

Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, Jul 15 (KNO): The residents of various areas of Srinagar continue to hit the roads against the installation of smart meters.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protests against smart meter installation were held in Habba Kadal, Nawabazar and Batamaloo areas of the city.

The people from these areas came on the roads all along with their children and raised slogans against the administration. They termed the smart meters as unacceptable.

“We are poor and middle-class families here; we cannot afford to pay hefty bills generated by these smart meters. It is totally unacceptable,” they said—(KNO)

DC Srinagar imposes restrictions on High Court Bar Association Srinagar elections

Cites breach of peace, disruption of public order if JKHCBA proceeds with elections

Srinagar, July 15 (KNO): Deputy Commissioner Srinagar on Saturday imposed restrictions on conduct of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Elections, citing breach of peace and disruption of public order.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that it has come to the knowledge JKHCBA has circulated a notice regarding the conduct of elections.

“I have perused the material facts of the matter placed before me and I am satisfied that there is an emergent situation which can lead to breach of peace and disruption of public order, if JKHCBA proceeds forward with the scheduled elections. Therefore, I, District Magistrate, Srinagar, by virtue of the powers vested in me u/s 144 CrPC direct that no gathering of 4 or more persons shall be allowed in the premises of District Court Complex Batamaloo or any other place for the purpose of conduct of elections till further orders,” reads the order.

It reads that SSP Srinagar has reported that during the meeting held on 13-07-2023 by Kashmir Advocates Association(KAA) at Court Complex Srinagar, members of another association under the nomenclature of JKHCBA entered into the Bar room and started shouting upon the members of KAA which led to scuffle between the two groups.

“Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar has highlighted that there is every possibility of internal rivalries between the two factions of the lawyers resulting into clashes between them. He has also cited in his report that JKHCBA is having past history of intimidation and provocation of other groups of the advocates which may lead to breach of peace in the instant matter.”

It added that SSP Srinagar has further stated that there are reports regarding activities of JKHCBA for forceful conduct of elections and the same may result into clashes between the above named groups.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has asked Senior Superintendent of Police to ensure implementation of the order and that any violation by anyone of shall invite punitive action under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1860—(KNO)

No outsider being given land under PMAY in J&K: LG Manoj Sinha

Says those who grabbed State land illegally, constructed huge houses have no right to mislead people; inaugurates multi-purpose 100 seater Cinema hall in Baramulla, Forces, police doing commendable job, but every single citizen must contribute towards peace building; open to suggestions for making J&K prosperous, won’t accept political suggestions

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, July 15 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said that no outsider was being given land under Pradhan Mantri’s Awas Yojna (PMAY) and those who grabbed state land illegally should stop misleading people.

Addressing a function at Dak Bunglow, Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the LG as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that many people came to him stating that they were eligible for the PMAY but they had no land.

“So the administration took a review and decided to give such families 5 malras land under PMAY so that they can constructed their own houses. So far, 1,99500 homes have been sanctioned for homeless families. The figure includes 46000 SC and ST category families who were eligible for the scheme besides 2711 families who had no land,” he said. “Unfortunately, some people are misleading the people by claiming that land is being given to outsiders. No outsider is being given land in J&K.”

Without naming any political party or leader, the LG said that those who grabbed state land and constructed huge houses not with their own money, should stop misleading people. “These people should stop creating confusion. I would not go into where they got money to construct huge palaces on illegally encroached state land,” the LG said as per KNO.

The LG also inaugurated a multipurpose100 seater Cinema Hall at Maqbool Sherwani Hall, Baramulla. He said after 30 years of gap, Baramulla has got a 100 seater Cinema hall. “This Cinema at Maqbool Sherwani hall Baramulla will not just be the source of entertainment but also a great source of learning for the youth who want to excel in education, technology and art,” he said.

Seeking support of people for cementing peace in J&K, the LG said that security forces and police are doing a great job but it is the collective responsibility of every single citizen to contribute towards peace building in J&K. The LG said that he was open to all suggestions regarding making J&K prosperous. “But if there are political suggestions, I was not interested in the past neither will be I interested in them in future,” he said—(KNO)