Ensure portable drinking water at the tail end of Srinagar city: Nasir asks PHE authority

SRINAGAR, JULY 08:-Showing his Concern on low discharge of Portable drinking water at the tail end of different parts of the city during these hot days, Minister Of State for PHE, Home, Housing and Urban Development, Tourism and Revenue, Mr Nasir Aslam Wani this evening asked to PHE authorities to ensure adequate drinking water supply to these areas during peak hours.

The Minister said this while reviewing the progress of developmental works of Amirakadal Constituency of the Srinagar city here today. He asked  PHE authorities to also press the water tanker services in these areas so that people would not face any inconvenience during this summer. He also gave direction to start a vigorous drive against those who misuses the portable water for Kitchen gardens and their lawns.

Mr Nasir asked SMC commissioner Srinagar to beautify the Regal Chowk upto Polo View on the pattern of Lal Chowk for which funds at tune RS 2 cr. would be released soon. He also asked SMC to complete the pending work of Lal Chowk at the earliest and also install lights on Ghanta Garh.

The Minister directed the ERA and UEED to complete all the ongoing drainage projects within the shortest possible time including the consolidation of the roads and lanes damaged due to lying of drainage system.

Regarding  the progress of Multi-facility centre (GINDUN), The Minister was informed    that most of the work is under completion under Ist phase and  the  work on swimming pool be started in 2^nd phase. About change of worn-out electric poles, Rs 34 lakh out CDF have been spent on the project in the constituency. The PDD were asked to restore old and damaged transmission lines near sariabala immediately and install 100kv transformer at Joggers Park.

Mr Nasir was further informed all the roads of Mehjoor Nagar would be blacktopped shortly.

The Meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mr Basser Ahmad Khan, Srinagar Municipal Commissioner, Dr G.N Qasba, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mr Talat parvez and senior officers of other departments.

Rather refutes Mufti’s assertion

          SRINAGAR, JULY 8:- Strongly refuting the assertion of the PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that Rs. 268 crores earmarked for the Mughal Road has been surrendered, the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said that the statement is factually incorrect.

            Rather said that for the Rs. 639.87 crore Mughal Road project actual release of funds by the Planning Commission is Rs. 546.79 crores against which an amount of Rs. 529.27 crores has already been utilized that is 97% utilization of the allocated funds.

            The Finance Minister said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who has been the Chief Minister of the state knows that funds under PMRP never get surrendered but instead they get revalidated from year to year so there is no question of any amount getting surrendered.

            He said construction of Mughal Road is moving as per schedule and 85% of the work has been completed and the balance allocation for the project that is Rs. 93.08 crore is provisioned for in this year’s plan so to suggest that Rs. 268.00 crores has been surrendered is a blatant lie.

            Rather said Mughal Road which is funded under PMRP was estimated at Rs. 159 crores by the RITES report of 1999 but the current revised cost (2007-2008) was estimated at Rs. 639.87 crores which stands accepted by the Government of India for funding.

            The senior Minister said that he is surprised that a person who has been the Chief Minister of the state as also the Union Home Minister has made a statement which is baseless just to play to the gallery. He said it is sad that PDP is in a habit of making false allegations just to sensationalize matters and get cheap publicity.

Water supply affected in some parts of Srinagar city

 from July 09 to July 10

            SRINAGAR, JULY 08: According to Executive Engineer, Water Works Division, Srinagar due to repairs and replacement of pipe lines near Zaina Kadal, the water supply for Zaina Kadal, Gurgari Mohalla, Nawab Bazar, Urdu Bazar, Kalamdanpora, Habba Kadal, Dal Hassanyar, Kani Kadal, Zaindar Mohalla, Karan Nagar and other areas would remain affected from July 09 to July 10, 2012.

            The consumers of the areas are advised to store the drinking water before the repairs of the concerned pipe lines.

            In case of shortage of water, please contact the departmental Phone Nos. 2452047 and 2477207.

Retrieve or face the brunt: DM Budgam to brick kiln owners

20 tippers loaded with illegally purchased bricks seized

                BUDGAM, JULY 08: In a major offensive launched against the brick kiln owners and their associates particularly tipper operator who are very much involved in black marketing of bricks and illegally selling them to the customers without furnishing a proper receipt and cash memo obtained from the concerned brick kilns. 

            In today’s swift action, a special squad comprising of Police and Revenue officials led by District Magistrate, Budgam, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Shah seized 20 tippers carrying loads of bricks from different areas of Budgam district as they were carrying the loads without having proper receipt/cash memo and other required documents, some were apprehended as they produced the fraudulent receipts/challans. Pending action under rules, all 20 loaded tippers were put under Police custody.

            Today’s offensive by administration was hailed by all walks of life particularly the needy consumers. They hope that offenders would not be allowed to succeed in their obnoxious designs.

            On this occasion, the District Magistrate, Budgam gave a final warning to those brick kiln owners who despite being warned several times to adhere the already issued guidelines and rates prescribed by the Government, but they are deliberately and constantly ignoring the guidelines issued by the administration thus putting general public in chaos and inconveniences.  

            The District Magistrate, Budgam reiterated his commitment that administration will gather all efforts to derail the evil designs of profiteers and black marketers of bricks in future. He appealed the general public to envisage their cooperation so that the ongoing drive against brick kiln owners will show results as desired.