IS JAMMU UNIVERSITY ABOVE RAJ BHAVAN ?

JU 'undermines' Raj Bhawan?

Sits over explanation sought by Governor

1/5/2016 12:12:00 AM

Missing Books Row  Sumit Sharma Early Times Report Jammu, Jan 4: Showing disregard to Raj Bhawan, authorities of Jammu University did not reply to the explanation letter the former shot to it. The Raj Bhawan on July 15, 2015 in its communiqué number GS 719(G)/April/2015/3711 sought action taken report from the Vice Chancellor Jammu University regarding the loss of books. Raj Bhawan also sought explanation from Vice Chancellor of Jammu University that why no action was taken earlier for recovery of books. Surprisingly, the explanation letter from the constitutional body did not budge the JU authorities even after the lapse of the six months. The revelation in this connection was made by Raj Bhawan after a RTI activist sought the Xerox copy of the reply given by the JU in this context.  The Raj Bhawan shot explanation letter to the Vice Chancellor of Jammu University after RTI activist Raman Sharma made his representation after going through the publication of the news item by the Early Times in its edition 4 July 2015 titled, '6 former VCs, several bureaucrats among JU Library defaulters'. The ET in its report had said that 589 expensive books did not return to the JU library even after elapse of 5-6 years of their borrowing. The ET had also reported that several former Vice Chancellors, Senior officers of the state government, former legislators, senior administrative officers of the Jammu University and even some former staff members of the Governor's office are defaulters of Central Library of Jammu University. The list of defaulters includes several high profile people including -- former Member Legislative Council Janak Raj, former Education Commissioner SS Kapoor, ex-Vice Chancellor of the university Satya Bhushan. Besides, five former Vice Chancellors of JU fall in defaulter list including -- JN Bhan, SC Dubey, JD Sharma Pushkar Nath, ML Lakhanpal, Yog Raj Malhotra. http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=167150 To The Honourable Governor, (Chancellor, Jammu University) Jammu and Kashmir State, Srinagar.   Subject: Book Defaulters of Jammu University’s Central Library. Respected Sir, I feel it sad to inform you that recently through an application under Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information a shocking reply is being served by the Jammu University that several former Vice Chancellors, Senior officers of the state government, former legislature, senior administrative officers of the Jammu University and even some former staff members of the Governor’s office are defaulters of books there in Central Library of Jammu University. (RTI Application and Reply of JU is attached herewith) At least 6 former Vice Chancellors of the university and many heads of different departments of the university have not returned expensive books borrowed from the central library of the university. As per prescribed rules of the university, no one is permitted to keep a book with him/her for more than one month but in some cases the books are not returned back to the library after 5-6 years. The university in its reply has admitted that at least 589 books remained unreturned. I request your good self being chancellor of the university to take immediate action against the high profile defaulters and ask the VC to ensure that the books swindled by the defaulters come back to the library shelf. Shall be highly obliged for kind reply.             Thanks in anticipation!                                                                   Dated: 07/July/2015                                               Yours faithfully,                                                                                       Raman Sharma,      Address: Raman Sharma, 236-k, Mast Garh, Jammu. 180001. Mob: 9796811012, 9086232994

Activists Call on Secretary JKSSB

 Demand Appointing Vacation Officers, Strengthening Legal Team of the Board 

Jammu, 30/Dec/2015: Today, a Civil Society delegation comprising RTI Activists  Raman Sharma, Deepak Sharma, Social activists Ravi Razdan, Harasis Singh, Anil Sharma, Sarpanch Panchayat Halqa Jandrah and others called on Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board. 

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Secretary and raised their concern over the recent controversy erupted over the mass copying in several examination centers during the paper conducted by the board on 25/Dec/2015. The delegation expressed displeasure for conducting exam on holy Christmas, the sacred festival of Christian community and asked not to repeat any such blunder of conducting exam on such big festival of any community.

Among other demands in the memorandum, the JKSSB has been asked to appoint ‘Vacation Officers’ so that on Sundays and other holiday on exam days, the aggrieved candidates may meet the concerned officer and get redressal of their grievances even on holidays.

In the plea, the board has also been suggested to constitute a special examination conducting committee comprising experienced and retired educationists. 

The board has also been asked to strengthen its legal team and appoint only competent legal professionals to represent the board before the Courts to avoid  inordinate delay so that future of aspiring candidates do not suffer for years. They also urged the Secretary to fix time limit for finalising the entire recruitment process to avoid chaos and confrontations. 

The Secretary was also requested to consider the plea of giving option to the candidates to choose their own examination Center/district so that their study or other job assignments are not hurt.    

 In other demands put forth by the delegation include allowing aspiring candidates to  submit their forms through offline mode understanding the demography of the state as even there are many areas where candidates do not have internet facility. 

They also demanded that admit card to the candidates should be made available on the website at least a week before the exam and the board should also own more websites to avoid website jamming due to congestion on last day. 

The activists also submiited that at  present the exam fees is accepted only through challan printout of JK Banks, the board been asked to consider other options and also to opt for post offices. 

The Secretary gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured to them to consider them accordingly. Demand of Installing CCTVs at all exam-centre was also made by the delegation.

Published in The Northlines: 
http://thenorthlines.com/readMore.aspx?nid=69490   

members of the visiting delegation left to right: Ravi Razdan, Harasis Singh, Deepak Sharma, Raman Sharma and Anil Sharma

copy of petition submitted to JKSSB:

------------------------------------------------------------

To

The Honourable Chairperson,

Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board,

Jammu.

Subject: Petition of Civil Society Members for smooth Conduct of Exams.

Respected Madam,

We the following members of the Civil Society group through this petition wish to make following submissions/suggestions for further improving the functioning of the Board more specifically for the smooth conduct of Exams.

1.    We acknowledge the fact that JKSSB have very responsible task of selection of candidates for all Non-Gazetted posts of the government of Jammu and Kashmir and it is  not easy task altogether and it requires lot of expertise and proficiency, we also understand that despite limited resources and counted manpower the board finalises  several recruitments.

2.    As per the Mission/Vision Statement of the Board : the board selects the most capable and deserving persons manning the civil services and posts, the board exercise utmost impartiality, objectivity and efficiency its task of recruitment in a time bound manner and transparently and making use of technological innovations.

3.    The Goal of the board as stated by the board itself is Being fair and Being seen as Such.

4.    But it is unfortunate that despite such a righteous mission and goal statement of the Board, many a times there are allegations from different sections of the society against the board therefore  we are compelled to bring certain shortcomings to your kind notice, it is not to blame anyone but we hope you would appreciate it and take the corrective measure.

5.    You might be well aware of the often controversies of  written exam conducted  by the board  and latest on 25^th of Dec/2015 and the media reports in this regards thereafter, it would be futile to repeat them again.

6.    The examination was conducted on 25th of Dec , despite knowing the very fact that 25^th Dec is holy festival of Christian Community, the religious feelings of the community were hurt, the people who fixed such a date for the exam should have been careful, the board being a public authority cannot and should never discriminate with any community.

7.    In future, utmost care may be taken so that no such date is fixed on any day of festival.

8.    The board should fix time limit for completion of the recruitment process and submit the list of successful candidate to the concerned department. The participating candidates should be kept informed about the process, in case of any Court Case also, the board should also at least inform the candidates.

9.    The board should also hire the services of only senior and competent lawyers so that he/she may present the case of the board before the honourable courts and articulate the fact so that precious time of the candidates is not wasted in long legal battles.

10.  Though it is welcome step that the board has switched to electronic and digital mode but even today we have many areas of our state where there is no electricity forget the internet connection, therefore we suggest that the candidates may also be given option to submit ‘offline’ forms, hard copy. It would be grave injustice to the candidates living in far off places of the state if the option to submit and obtain form in the physical mode.

11.  The candidates who can avail internet and can manage internet facility may be provided additional facilities , e.g there must be more option for submitting bank fees which at present is only available as bank challan from Jammu and Kashmir Bank, more banks may be included other than the JK Bank. If possible the Board should strive to avail the facility of Post Offices for selling of forms and fees submission. The online fees facilities may also be made available like credit card and debit card, online banking.

12.  As per the available resources, the board can also consider providing additional option to candidates to appear  in examination through online mode. It will save valuable  resources and time of the board and consequently will be a step ahead in digital India mission of the Government of India.

13. As most of the time the board conducts exam on Sundays or holidays therefore it would be of great help to the aspiring candidates the board nominates/designate some competent officers as “Vacation Officers” who may be assigned the task to listen the grievances of the candidates. For example many a time there are complaints from the candidates that they are unable to get their admit card, website not working or any other complaint. These nodal officers/vacation officers may be authorised to allow the candidates an ‘ Interim admit Card’  to allow the candidate to sit in exam even if there is some error in website or a eligible candidate is unable to download his/her admit card. Though the final decision may be taken after verifying the facts of the case.

14. The aspiring candidates may be allowed to choose their own centre/district, so that the candidates do not suffer and need not to move from one district to another for exam, this causes lot of hardship to the candidates who are pursuing their studies.  

15. The download of the admit cards may be made available on the website at least a week before the exam. The board may also allow download of admit card and submission of online form on different websites because only one website caused congestion on the website and candidates suffer due to last minute rush.

16.  The examination may be conducted in such a way that it is not only transparent but the candidates should also feel that the board is transparent in its functioning.

17.  The board may constitute a special examination committee to advise  the board to conduct exam, to hire the services exam-paper setting members, hiring the services of  invigilators, choosing exam centres, hiring the services of other experts.

18. . The exam scheduled to be held on 26^th was postponed and it is not 1^st time that an exam is postponed, we understand that there may be circumstances where there is no other option but to postpone the exam date but utmost care may be taken because delayed actions do not restore confidence among stake holders (candidates ,parents teachers & others), expeditious arrangements and a mechanism may be adopted and the next date of exam must be announce without further delay, the board meeting to finalise next date be held as soon as possible,  as Credibility of such an esteemed organization  depends on quick action, prompt response and transparency .In this era of Tech. when social media is so much active & everything true or false is in quick circulation,  JKSSB has to move with greater speed to win hearts of all stake holders as expectations are very high.

19.  The job of recruitment boards/organization in other states may not be under so much public scrutiny as of ours in Jammu and Kashmir because of higher rate of un-employbility, therefore keeping the aspirations of the educated job-seekers into consideration, the board has to make its outreach more interactive, pro-active, transparent and accountable. Though we appreciate the board has displayed certain important information on its website (as per the provisions of JK RTI Act 2009, section 4, pro active disclosure), that may also be updated from time to time.

20. If possible and the funds available with the board there may be CCTV-installed in every the examination centre to monitor and record the entire examination process. 

21. Basic facilities like clean drinking water, toilet and temperature moderating equipments/ material may be made available in all the examinations centres. (Coal/firewood/heaters in Kashmir and extreme cold regions of Jammu in Winter and proper fans or ACs in summer in exam centers of Jammu region).

22.  Invigilators of high morality and integrity, with specific criteria may be appointed by the board on exam duty.

23. Last but not the least, the board may also make such a mechanism that the aspiring candidates are given    one time registration number so that they need not to submit their details again and again for different posts, however the board may charge the examination fees from them. One time registration number will help the candidates and it would also save precious time of the board.

We hope that the board may subject to the availability of funds, shall consider the above made submissions. Thanks in anticipation !

Date: 29/Dec/2015                                                         

Submitted by following members.

Deepak Sharma              Raman Sharma         Ravi Razdan   

                  

 Harasis Singh,                  Anil Sharma

J & K Government has no Information about any ‘ Sher-e-Kashmir

Shiekh Abduallh, Former Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Govt. says no information available who is ‘ Sher-e-Kashmir ’

’

Jammu, 04/Dec/2015: In reply to an RTI application, the General Administration Department of the state government has said that it has no record available to say who is ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ in the State of J&K.

RTI activist Deepak Sharma had filed an RTI with the PIO of Governor’s Secretariat , seekinginformation regarding title  ‘ Sher –e-Kashmir ’  if conferred upon by government  to any person in the State of Jammu and Kashmir .  

The query in the RTI include to provide the name of the person given/conferred with the title of ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ in the State of J&k .

The PIO, Raj Bhawan , transferred the RTI application to the PIO General Administration Department, who vide his reply no. GAD/RTI(Adm.)/1553/2015 informed the RTI applicant that there is no information available on the records of the General Administration Department to the query asked by the applicant. .

Expressing surprise over the reply of the PIO, Deepak said that on one side there are several institutes and establishments  in the state with name ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’  and on the other side Government has   no record regarding who  ‘Sher-e-Kashmir ‘ is ?  

“More surprising is that even in some Government  establishments, the name of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah is attached with the title of ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ “  he added. There are universities, bridges, conference halls, police training institutes and several other public buildings and schemes  having this nomenclature.

It is pertinent to mention here that article 19 of constitution of Indian(also applicable to J & K State)  debars state and  union government to  confer any tile  to persons other than academic and military distinction. 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rti-reveals-j-k-government-has-no-record-of-who-s-sher-e-kashmir/story-Ejb4a1tvIXzU27Bdr6Xc0O.html

http://www.earlytimes.in/m/newsdet.aspx?q=164901 

http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/govt-doesnt-know-who-is-sherekashmir-/

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/coalition-govt-has-no-information-on-sher-e-kashmir/166734.html

Copy of RTI Reply Served by JKGAD

Copy of RTI Application submitted by Deepak




on 05/Dec/2015: published in Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Life, State Times, EarlyTimes, Kashmir Reader, the Tribune and many other leading newspapers of Jammu and Srinagar.

Samba Police Constitutes Panel to Probe Unsuccessful Prosecution, Shoddy Investigation of Criminal Cases

In Compliance of Apex Court Judgement 

Jammu, 24/Nov/2015: In compliance of directions passed by the Honourable Supreme Court of India in case titled ‘State of Gujarat Vs Kishanbhai and others’ Senior Superintendent of District Police Samba has constituted a standing committee wherein Additional Superintendent of district Police Samba, Faisel Qureshi shall be the chairman of the said committee having  Chief Prosecuting Officer, DYSP and Senior Prosecuting Officer as its members. This information is being provided by the Public Information Officer of the Samba Police to information seeker activist Raman Sharma.

Earlier applicant Sharma had filed a complaint before the Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission against the department of Home, J & K Home government alleging that the PIO of the home department had denied him the information related to steps being taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government and police authorities for compliance of the Supreme Court Judgement in case of State of Gujarat Vs Kishanbhai, in this important case the apex court had asked for identification of officer(s) responsible for acquittal of an accused in a criminal case and a finding must be recorded to trace the lapse whether it was innocent or blameworthy and the erring officer if any must face the consequences. Depending upon the seriousness of the case the erring officer may be withdrawn permanently or temporarily from the investigating responsibilities. The court had also noted  “Accordingly we direct, the Home Department of every State Government, to formulate a procedure for taking action against all erring investigating/prosecuting officials/officers”.

After a long course of hearing before the State Information Commission, the Chief Information Commissioner GR Sufi directed the J & K Police Headquarters and Home Department to release this important information and also recommended implementation of the direction of the apex court order in letter and spirit .

In his reply to the applicant,  Virender Singh (DySP Hqrs) and Public Information Officer, DPO Samba vide his office letter no Hqrs/RTI/19^th/2015/6370 dated 21/11/2015 has informed that directions issued by the Honourable Supreme Court of India in the matter of State of Gujarat  Vs Kishanbhai has been shared with the subordinate units and a standing committee vide order no  Legal/2015/2662-69 dated 30/10/2015 has also been constituted by the Sr. Superintendent  of the district Police samba. This committee will arrange training programmes as well was refresher courses for the investigating/prosecuting officers and  will also examine all orders of acquittals and record reasons for the failure of prosecution and investigating officers.

Add caption

J & K : Petition Demanding Cleanliness Itself Gathers Dust in CM’s Office

Is Swatch Bharat Abhiyan a Farce in J & K ? 

Jammu, 13/Nov/2015: A complaint cum representation demanding cleanliness of the Jammu Haat, commonly called as Exhibition Ground near Jewel Chowk Jammu is itself gathering dust there at the Chief Minister’s office for the last over 2 months.

A petition seeking intervention of the Chief Minister towards the plight of the Jammu Haat venue which is under the administrative control of Directorate of Industries and Commerce Department (J & K Government) was submitted to the  Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell on 15/Sept/2015 vide no. 56610.

The complainant RTI activist Raman Sharma who is also founder of Save ‘My Tawi Campaign’  in his petition has urged the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to intervene in this important  issue regarding cleanliness of the Exhibition ground and submitted    “ It is really apathetic that at one side honourable Prime Minister of the Country and Honourable Chief Minister of the state are asking for totally cleanliness for good health but this department (Industry and Commerce) is totally negligent to this important issue.

Sharma has also offered to take the responsibility of cleaning this important site if the concerned department does not have the requisite funds to do so, “  If the department does not have the funds to maintain this and clean the site, I as a responsible citizen willing to contribute for its cleanliness, I shall be offering my free services at least once in a month to clean it and if allowed I will also seek the cooperation of the other responsible citizens to offer their services and funds for the cleanliness of this important site” his petition further states.

He complained that millions of rupees had been spent by the government on building infrastructure there but no maintenance and the infrastructure is left without any care.

There are several fountains installed in the exhibition ground but all of them in poor state, the water pool of these fountains are filled with dirt and garbage. The costly fountains are broken and they are not working. But till date no intimation has been given to the complainant about this important issue and the status shown there on the website  http://jkgrievance.nic.in/  remains  ‘ under process ’.

It is pertinent to mention here that hundreds of shops are housed in this complex of Jammu Haat besides a few government offices but  most of the shops remain closed throughout the year. 

Earlier also a similar petition seeking cleanliness of the Exhibition ground  was made through the JK Grievance Cell of the Chief Minister (vide  no 55517) in the months of July 2015 which was then forwarded to the Jammu Municipal Corporation that after a delay of over 50 days informed that the concerned area does not belong to it and the case may be taken up with the Directorate of Industries and Commerce.  

धूल चाट रही है स्वच्छता को लेकर शिकायत

राज्य ब्यूरो, जम्मू : राज्य में स्वच्छता अभियान को लेकर सरकार कितनी गंभीर है। यह प्रदर्शनी मैदान में सफाई करने को लेकर दायर शिकायत से पता चलता है। मुख्यमंत्री कार्यालय में इस शिकायत पर कोई गौर करने को तैयार नहीं है। याचिका आरटीआई कार्यकर्ता रमन शर्मा ने दायर की है। इसमें उन्होंने कहा कि जम्मू हाट जिसे प्रदर्शनी मैदान भी कहा जाता है, यह उद्योग एवं वाणिज्य विभाग के अधीन आता है, लेकिन इसकी सफाई की ओर कोई भी ध्यान नहीं दे रहा है। एक ओर प्रधानमंत्री स्वयं स्वच्छता अभियान पर जोर दे रहे हैं, वहीं इस मैदान की सफाई को लेकर विभाग पूरी तरह चुप है। उन्होंने लिखा है कि अगर विभाग के पास सफाई के लिए फंड नहीं है तो वह स्वयं भी सफाई करवा सकते हैं। इसके लिए उन्हें इजाजत दी जाए। उन्होंने मुख्यमंत्री से इस मामले पर हस्तक्षेप करने को कहा। इससे पहले भी उन्होंने शिकायत सेल में शिकायत दर्ज करवाई थी, लेकिन जम्मू नगर निगम ने यह कहते हुए अपना पल्ला झाड़ लिया था कि यह उसके अधिकार क्षेत्र में नहीं ...

http://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-13160566.html 

Early Times, 14/Nov/2015

JOURNEY LINES 14/NOV/2015

ALSO PUBLISHED IN KASHMIR OBSERVER, STATE TIMES, DAINIK JAGRAN, Early Times, Kashmir Times

http://news.statetimes.in/no-takers-for-swachh-bharat-abhiyan-in-j-k-petition-demanding-cleanliness-gathering-dust-in-cms-office/

http://www.kashmirobserver.net/news/local-news/swatch-bharat-abhiyan-farce-j-k

http://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-13160566.html

Successful Candidates of District Jammu Not Given Sufficient Time to Submit Formalities

Civil  Society Opposes CEO’s Diktat

Successful Candidates of District Jammu Not Given Sufficient Time to Submit Formalities 

Jammu, Nov-5, 2015: The member of Civil Society of Jammu has opposed and condemned the order of the Education department issued by Chief Education Officer of district Jammu, whereas directions have been issued to the successful candidates (for the posts of teachers ) belonging to district Jammu to submit all their documents and formalities within 2 days including Sunday, the order of the CEO is being published in some newspapers on 6^th of November    ( Notice no CEOJ/21320-22 Dated 05/11/2015 ) and the Candidates  are being directed to complete all their formalities and report to him on 9^th of November at  Government Higher Secondary School, Jammu. Though other candidates are asked to report on later dates.

The activists raised question mark over the intention of the office of Education department for not giving sufficient time to the candidates to complete all formalities and they called it as a conspiracy to harass the candidates belonging to rural and far flung areas of district Jammu. They cautioned the officers of the education department not to play with the emotions of the successful candidates whose result is declared  by JKSSB after such a long gap.

“How it is possible that candidates residing in far off places and the female candidates would be able to prepare and present all their formalities like, Character Certificate issued by competent authority, Medical fitness Certificate to be issued by CMO, NoC from DIC, NoC from department of employment, Affidavit sworn before a 1^st Class Judicial Magistrate and various other documents within such a short span of time “ They asked.

The Civil Society members also sought the intervention of the Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar and Priya Sethi MoS Department of Education to extend the time limit for completing all formalities.  

The Joint  statement condemning the officers of the education department and appeal to the education minister and Mos is being endorsed by Deeepak Sharma Raman Sharma, RTI activists, Dewaker Sharma, Advocate J & K High Court, Harasis Singh social activist and Anil Sharma, President All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference .            

               

 It is pertinent to mention here that JKSSB has recently released the list of successful candidates of district Jammu after a period of almost 30 months due to pending court cases.

Published in Early times and State Times on 08/Nov/2015

http://www.earlytimes.in/m/newsdet.aspx?q=162740