Nitesh Sangral

Irrelevant equipment installed in Critical Care Ambulances 1/25/2017  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report   Jammu, Jan 24: Comprising on quality of critical care equipment, the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) allegedly got irrelevant equipment installed in 21 Critical Care Ambulances.  The charges however have been refuted by Managing Director JKMSCL Dr Yashpal Sharma who said that prior to the approval of rate contract; the corporation had verified details of all the equipment. "So far, the company has delivered three CCAs fitted with the equipment, which had been verified by team of experts" he said. As per documents in possession of Early Times, tender for procurement of Critical Care Ambulances was secured by Delhi based company vide Nit no JKMSCL/CCA/108 Dated 27-11-2015/. "Equipment installed in the ambulances has been imported, but several companies provided/installed the equipment in violations of guidelines. ...

1/22/2017 11:58:00 PM Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report  JAMMU, Jan 22: Bitten by 'self-praise' bug, the Minister for health and Medical Education can be heard singing in praise of his department for irrelevant achievements in the state Assembly as well as on public platforms, while the fact remains the health units in the state, especially in peripheral areas are fighting "The health sector is ailing for years due to the shortage of staff, medicines and the modern diagnostic gadgets but the things have not improved on the ground till date despite tall claims from the concerned Minister," sources said. Self praise won't help In sharp contrast to ground situation, Health Minister has been counting a few achievements of the department for the past one year. His self praise is not taking the Health department anywhere "In sharp contrast to ground situation, Minister for H&ME Department has been counting few achievement...

1/20/2017 Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report  Jammu, Jan 20: Faulty planning of Industries and Commerce Department has virtually sabotaged the Magnasite Unit at Panthal Katra in-spite of spending Rs 60 crore on project started 30 years ago simply because the department failed to ascertain the viability of the project now the pointed out by the Shrine Board which can cause irreparable damage to the sacred cave. "Industries and Commerce deparrment vide Government order No. 398_MNG of 1998 dated 30-12-1998 granted lease of Mangnesite/ Dolomite in favour of National Mineral Development Corporation in the Panthal area over and area of 485.3 hectares, "Minister in-charge Industries and Commerce Department informed through a written reply to MLC Jugal Kishore Sharma question in Legislative Council. Minister also informed that J&K Mineral Development Corporation Limited (JKMDC) a Navratna Company under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India) and J&K Minera...

1/20/2017  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report    Jammu, Jan 20: Notwithstanding the claims of State Government of retrieving forest land under the control of influential land grabbers, politicians and others , a reply filed by the government in the Upper House reveals that 12,919.1 hectares of forest land encroached in the state in which 9274.12 hectares is in Jammu province and the remaining 3644.89 hectares forest land is the Kashmir province. Minister in-charge Forest, Environment and Ecology informed through a written reply to BJP MLC Surinder Mohan Ambardar question in Legislative Council that total 12,919 hectares of forest land encroached throughout the state till April 1, 2015 and only 2,501.5 hectares of land had been retrieved during last 2 years out of the old recorded encroachments. In addition unrecorded/ fresh attempts of encroachment to the tune of 2977.35 have been evicted till December 31, 2016. The reply revealed that of 12,919 hectares o...

1/20/2017  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report    Jammu, Jan 20: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council unanimously passed a resolution for creating conducive atmosphere for return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley with dignity. On Thursday, the Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution for the return of KPs to the valley.Today, Education Minister Naeem Akhter also favoured the passage of resolution unanimously and said he strongly believed that Kashmir today needs displaced Pandits back to restore the composite culture in Valley.  "This is an important issue and we want to send a message from this House to them as a message in this regard has already been sent from the Lower House," he told the Council.  Terming Kashmiri Pandits as inseparable part of Kashmir, Minister said they have reached to different parts of the world and are on the top positions in the corporate sector, but Kashmir is feeling a huge va...

Shall resign if proved wrong: Gupta 1/20/2017 Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report  Jammu, Jan 20: Allegations of nepotism and favouritism in the distribution of solar lights triggered a walk out by the opposition in the Upper House on Friday. Dissatisfied by the reply of the minister, MLC Naresh Kumar Gupta alleged that Government had adopted discriminatory approach in distribution of the lights which led to exchange exchanges between treasury and opposition benches. Responding to supplementary question, Congress MLC from Bhaderwah Naresh Kumar Gupta, Minister Sajjad Lone replied that the JAKEDA under Science and Technology Department has not processed any project/DPR for solar energy under PPP mode. Raising his question, Naresh Gupta stood up and said that the distribution of solar lights was not done on merit and needy and poor people were ignored to extend benefits to political workers. The Minister Sajjad Lone, taken aback by the allegations accused previous ...

1/19/2017 10:33:21 PM Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report  JAMMU, Jan 19: State Government has earned 10276.73 crores excise revenue from liquor sale in the State through wine shops and bars in the three regions, viz, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh during the last two years. Replying to a question by MLC BJP , Minister concerned informed that during 2014-15, the Revenue department collected revenue worth Rs 3592.15 cr from Jammu division and Rs 1168.62 from Kashmir region and in 2015-16, Rs 4126.89 revenue was generated by Excise Department from Jammu division and Rs. 1389.07 from Kashmir division. "Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) 37.61 lakhs bottles were consumed for last 2 years, 698.511 lakhs bottles of JK Special Whisky were consumed, 5.73 lakhs bottles of RTD and 454.47 lakhs bottles of beer were consumed in last two years, "Minister informed. Press Club Jammu highest liquor consuming club in J&K JAMMU, Jan 19: Press Club Jammu (PCJ) ha...

'Female teachers forced play chowkidars' 1/19/2017 Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report Jammu, Jan 19: Once again legislators exchanged heated arguments between treasury benches and opposition staged walk out over the issue of turning school teachers into chowkidars and deploying female teachers for watch and ward purpose of the school buildings. The house proceedings begun peacefully but when MoS Education gave reply of the question of Bashir Ahmad Veeri and Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, the opposition legislators and others stood from their seats and amid sloganeering they come trooped into the well of the house and created ruckus for few minutes. Replying to a questions posed by National Conference MLCs regarding gutted schools in valley, Minister of State for education informed the house that total 32 schools have burnt and 47 miscreants have been arrested in the cases. Regarding safety of the schools, Minister informed that Director School Education, Kashmir issued C...

1/18/2017  Early Times Report    Jammu, Jan 18: Over 8407 posts of doctors and paramedical staff are vacant in various health institutes of the State adversely affecting healthcare across J&K. Replying to a question by MLA, Minister for Health and Medical Education Department informed house that of 5222 faculty positions in GMC Jammu, 3375 are filed and 1847 are still vacant. Of the 95 posts in Indira Gandhi Government Dental College Jammu, 68 have been filled and 27 posts are vacant.  In GMC Srinagar, out of 5668 posts, 3845 are in position and 1823 are still vacant and 486 are on Academic/ Arrangement Deputation. Projecting shortage of manpower in Kashmir it was informed to the house that of 11810 sanctioned posts of doctors , 9412 were vacant and 4273 doctors were provided under NHM. In Jammu, out of 9907 posts, 7532 were in position and 2375 posts were still vacant in various health institutes under Directorate of Health Services Jammu. "...

1/17/2017 Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report     JAMMU, Jan 17:Two privilege motions were moved by the members in the State Legislative Council on Tuesday and admitted by the Chairman for taking suitable action on them. A breach of privilege motions were moved against Sub-judge who had directed SHO city to register an FIR against National Conference's Member Legislative Council (MLC), Showkat Ganai the previous day and two ministers of the State Government for misleading the house over number of families in the state. Pertinently, during the ongoing budget session, Finance Minister mentioned in the power budget that there were only 23 lac families in the state and government had provided electricity to 20 lac and three lac still remained un-electrified. Contradicting the Finance Minister announcement, today another Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (CAPD) informed house that they are providing rations to 28 lac families in the State which reflected...

Chairman quashes Court's direction to lodge FIR 1/16/2017 Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report    Jammu, Jan 16: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir legislative Council quashed the direction of the Jammu Court to lodge FIR against National Conference's Member Legislative Council (MLC) Showkat Ganai the previous day, who reportedly called Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani as a freedom fighter and a martyr while speaking in the Upper House of the J&K Legislature. Ganai had stated that the Kashmiri Youth had picked up guns and will continue to do so in future asserting that the HM Commander Burhan Wani was a 'Martyr'. MLCs demanded FIR against MLC Ganie for his remarks and on the basis of newspaper item, the Court directed the police to lodge FIR and investigate the matter. Pertinently, Sub Judge of Jammu Court passed directions, on an application that was filed seeking registration of FIR under section 109, 115, 121, 124A, 504,506 RPC against the NC MLC. ...

Deptt says degree not valid for Govt jobs in State 1/14/2017  Nitesh Sangral   Early Times Report    Jammu, Jan 14: Number of Junior Engineers, having AMICE degrees, working in Public Health Engineering (PHE) Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Departments of Jammu and Kashmir State are running from pillar to post to get promotions since 2010 till date and files are pending for disposal of the same. However, Commissioner, Secretary of PHE Department Sanjeev Verma said department has already examined the said degree two times but both times the degree has been rejected. A group of JEs stated that the PWD (R&B) Department of J&K state have accepted the above said qualification and included the concerned Junior Engineers in the seniority list of JE (civil) degree holders and also have promoted vide Govt. order No. 362 PW(R&B) of 2014 Dated 14-08-2014 various junior engineers to the post of Assistant Engineers but PHE, I&FC Department...

BJP MLC dares Health Minister 1/12/2017 Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report JAMMU, Jan 12: Accusing Minister for Health and Medical Education (M&HE) Department, Bali Bhagat of misleading the House by providing wrong information, BJP MLC Ramesh Arora has threatened to quit from his post if his assertions about deteriorating condition of Health sector in Jammu were not taken a note of. Responding to the written reply to a question raised by the MLC on number of machines and equipments including platelet making machine worth crores being not operational at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) hospital Jammu and SMHS Srinagar and CT Scan machine lying in CD Hospital Jammu being defunct for years, Health Minister Bali Bhagat informed that the machine and equipment including platelet making machine are operational in the said hospitals. Prove me wrong A BJP MLC has accused the Health Minister of misleading the House about infrastructure in JK hospitals. He has...

Diversion of Rs 1.53 cr in GMC Jammu 1/8/2017  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report    JAMMU, Jan 8: Much hyped case of diversion of Rs 1.53 Crores in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu is still waiting for State Government and Health Ministry's attention to conduct inquiry into alleged irregularity despite assurances in last session of State Legislative Assembly by Health Minister. Pertinently, in the month of June 2016, the matter of diversion crores of rupees was taken up in State Legislative Assembly in last year session and then the Minister for Health and Medical Education Department Bali Bhagat assured the House that a panel would be formed within two days to scrutinize each bill and examine the utilisation of funds but no inquiry order has been issued by Minister till date. Official Sources told early Times that the funds meant for purchase of medicines and other medical equipment which was sought from the State Government to m...

1/5/2017  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report  JAMMU, Jan 5: Following an alleged molestation case in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu, the administration will install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras in sensitive areas of its premises and associated hospitals in two phases to prevent crimes especially against women and keep vigil on inappropriate activities. Official Sources within Hospital told Early Times that keeping in view of an allegedly molestation case has reported in a department of GMC&H and continue protest held by medical students on the issue of safety of female medical students, a meeting of Academic Council was held and the meeting was attendant by medical students, H Pertinently, nearly 64 CCTV cameras have been installed in the premises of GMC&H and its associated hospitals to mentor the activities of officials and others but they are not enough to fulfill the requirements and the demands of the Cameras r...

Outsider holds important post in District Congress Committee 1/2/2017  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report   jammu, Jan 2: Poster and hoarding glorifying former Congress Minister in Gandhi Nagar constituency along with photograph and name of a non- Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) holder have raised question mark over the intent behind the move. Outsider in Congress A non-state subject making all efforts to appease a former Congress minister has drawn flak. Party leaders and activists have asked top leadership to take a note of it or face the music . Seeking anonymity, a senior leader of Congress informed Early Times that these days a non- state subject businessman has become an important office bearer in District Congress Jammu and has been appeasing a former Congress Minister since last many months. "Openly appeasing ex-minister by wishing Happy Diwali, New Year beside other occasions, has raised many eye brows with some serious ...

12/31/2016  Nitesh Sangral Early Times Report JAMMU, Dec 30: Despite an established private medical shop in the premises of Indira Gandhi Government Dental College Jammu, the influential lobby is working over night to get prime location inside the new constructed building of IGGDC Jammu to shift the shop at there. Moreover, the official of IGGDC claimed that the space would be provided to establish medical shop which has been identified by the Committee but as the new building is functional, the lobby is eying on it to occupied space by hook or by crook reportedly.   "A private medical shop is already running inside IGGDC but some influential persons are trying to get a prime space in the newly constructed building of the hospital". Pertinently, since the shops reopen in Government Medical College and Hospital and its associated hospitals at prime locations, now influential persons are leaving no stone unturned to appease politicians, bureaucrats as wel...