JU 'undermines' Raj Bhawan? | ||
Sits over explanation sought by Governor | ||
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Missing Books RowSumit SharmaEarly 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
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This Blog is Common platform for publishing news, opinions, data , research, surveys and latest reports about issues related to citizens of India in general and residents of Jammu and Kashmir in Particular. The more specific Subjects include RTI Act, Citizen Centric Governance & Public Friendly Laws like Public Services Guarantee Act, Human Rights. The blog also have published news issues about Governance and Administration of J & K.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
IS JAMMU UNIVERSITY ABOVE RAJ BHAVAN ?

Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Activists Call on Secretary JKSSB
Demand Appointing Vacation Officers, Strengthening Legal Team of the Board
Published in The Northlines:
http://thenorthlines.com/readMore.aspx?nid=69490
copy of petition submitted to JKSSB:
------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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 25th 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 25th
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 26th was postponed and it is not 1st
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

Saturday, December 5, 2015
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.hindustantimes.com/india/rti-reveals-j-k-government-has-no-record-of-who-s-sher-e-kashmir/story-Ejb4a1tvIXzU27Bdr6Xc0O.html
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 |

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
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/19th/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.

Friday, November 13, 2015
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.
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

Sunday, November 8, 2015
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 6th 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 9th 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 1st
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

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