Saroori’s concern over recurring fire incidents in Bhalessa

Lashes on government for not opening the fire service stations at tehsil level in Doda and Kishtwar

KISHTWAR, APRIL 20: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President and MLA Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori has expressed regret and serious concern after being informed about the unfortunate fire incident which took place today at Bhatyas area of sub-division Gandoh in which property worth crores of rupees, including the 2 dozens shops and eight houses were completely gutted.

Saroori expressed concern over the non-preparedness of the government to meet emergent situations in the far flung areas. He said that the government must come out with contingency plan so that no more property is lost in these districts.

Sounding serious concern over such repeated incidents in the area, Saroori has urged the District administration Doda to urgently commence enquiry in this tragic incident and put the culprits behind the bars. He assured every possible help to the victims and assured the general public that a thorough probe will be conducted to know the exact cause of fire and directed the district administration to carry out relief and rehabilitation measures for the fire incidents.

Saroori also lambasted on the government for not opening the well equipped fire service stations at tehsil level in hilly districts of Doda and Kishtwar. He said government is not paying any heed to the general public demands for opening new fire service station which will cater the need of the people in the area. Being a remote and far flung area, people suffer due to sudden break out of fire or man-made follies. He said that in recent year major incidents like in Gandoh, Malikpura, Bhatyas, Thathri, Keshwan, Chatroo, Bunjwah, Warwan, Marwah, Dachhan, Padder, Nagsini, Drabshala, Chingam and other parts of the districts have raised a question mark on preparedness of Fire Service Department and Government in tackling the increasing fire incidents in Kishtwar and Doda districts.

Being a concern MLA, Saroori also met Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Abdul Rehman Veeri in the secretariat and asked him to ensure ample and immediate relief measures. He has also wrote a letter to Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir who is in Srinagar these days and demanded proper and timely compensation, relief for the affected families, Saroori said that the government instead of issuing press statement showing sorrow with the victims of Bhatyas fire incident, should immediate release Rs. 10 lakhs each in favour of the victims as compensation so that they could not face any problem in the prevailing situation.

Congress expresses grief over loss of property in fire incident at Gandoh Bhalessa

Asked administration to carry out relief and rehabilitation measures

JAMMU, APRIL 15: - Former Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed shock and grief over the tragic fire incident in Gandoh Bhalessa of district Doda in which a large number of shops were gutted.

The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, has expressed sympathy towards the affected families and instructed the divisional & district administration to provide immediate help and support to all those affected due the devastating blaze.

Vice President JKPCC and MLA Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, Former MLA Bhaderwah, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Former MLA Doda, Abdul Majeed Wani, President DCC Doda, MLC, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Senior Congress leader from Doda, Mohd Aslam Goni and Ghulam Mustafa Azad have also expressed deep sorrow over the huge loss of property in the tragic fire incident today at Gandoh area of Bhalessa.

Expressing their deep sympathies with the families who lost their shops in the tragic fire accident, Congress leaders have asked District Development Commissioner (DDC) Doda to carry out relief and rehabilitation measures including provide free ration, tin sheets, blankets and others for the Bhalessa fire incident victims. Urged administration for proper and timely compensation, relief for the affected families, Congress leaders said the government should provide every possible support to the victims so that they could not face any problem in the prevailing cold conditions

PCC delegation meets Governor

Seeks Guv rule to ensure Free, Fair elections

JAMMU, APRIL 14: Describing the lowest ever voter turnout of nearly 2 per cent during repolling at 38 polling stations in Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, as state government’s failure on all fronts and its losing confidence of the people, opposition Congress demanded that any future elections in Jammu and Kashmir shall be held under Governor’s rule in order to ensure free, fair and successful conduct of electoral process.

Submitting a memorandum to State Governor at Raj Bhawan here, a Congress delegation led by its state president G A Mir demanding imposition of Governor’s rule in view of state government’s total failure on all fronts. It apprised the Governor of worsening situation, saying that it has been evident from large scale violence and unprecedented lowest ever poll percentage and security environment to ensure successful conduct of elections.

The delegation comprised of senior leaders of PCC and Legislators including Sham Lal Sharma, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, Haji Rasheed, Ch Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Mula Ram, Mohd Amin Bhat MLA, Usman Majid-MLA and Gulzar Wani- MLA and chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma.

The Congress leaders also complained about the partisan role of the present dispensation in the conduct of elections, saying that there has been large scale resentment against the present ruling coalition. The present government should step down as it has no moral authority to remain in power otherwise the situation would further worsen which would be difficult to retrieve, they added.

The party delegation also demanded that any future election in the state should be conducted under governor rule in order to ensure free, fair and successful conduct of the electoral exercise. The election commission also should take on board the opposition to assure the free, fair and transparent conduct of elections.

SSA teachers without salaries for 6 months: G. M Saroori

Ensure Aadhaar cards to every citizen on war-footing basis in hilly and rural areas of Doda and Kishtwar

KISHTWAR, APRIL 13: - Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Vice President, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori today said that Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers recruited under centrally sponsored Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme are without their salaries for the past more than six months.

"Every month they are made to beg for the release of their own salaries. The government has miserably failed to maintain uniformity in release of funds from the State Project Director (SPD) of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to the respective districts." Saroori said in a statement.

“Teachers are going through tough times given the delay in their salaries. They are subjected to mental torture as their whole family suffers due to the delay in release of their salary,” Saroori said and added that the teachers in hilly twin districts of Kishtwar and Doda are worst hit as the government has denied their salaries from November month while as in other districts the government has withhold the salaries of teachers since December and January months.

Saroori requested Education Minister Altaf Bukhari to take up the matter with the authorities concerned for releasing the all pending salaries.

On Aadhaar card enrollment issue, Saroori questioned the purpose of linking various utility services with Aadhaar, as most of the people in Jammu and Kashmir were yet to get the cards due to non-payment of dues and by the PDP-BJP government to the agency designated to issue unique identification numbers and half of the population in hilly and rural areas are left out. "It is intriguing to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits of various schemes notwithstanding the fact that a sizable segment of population is yet to be covered under Aadhaar programme," senior Congress leader said.

Saroori said such a decision reflects the disconnect of the insensitive coalition government with the people. He said the non-seriousness of the government in bringing the entire population under the Aadhaar net is "deplorable". "Linking Aadhaar with supply of rations will deprive people, especially those living in rural and far-flung areas, from the food support due to unrealistic policies and poor governance," Senior Congress leader said.

He urged the government either to withdraw this rider or ensure Aadhaar cards to every citizen on war-footing basis before the deadline of June 2017 to all the left persons in hilly and rural areas including Tanta, Gugara, Batogra, Kahara, Chabba, Goila, Drought, Kansoo, Kencha, Bathri, Bhatyas, Jakyas, Bitola, Thathri, Phagsoo, Inderala, Kandoth, Pernote, Cheera, Bunjwah, Patnazi, Kither, Burdhar, Nali, Tipri Patshalla, Jawalapur, Binoon, Drabshalla, Badhat, Bugrana, Tatani, Saroor, Kukerwas, Dugga, Lass, Nagbatna, Kandani, Sarthal, Moharwari, Angara, Poora Chandali, Bhagra, Keshwan, Sarawan, Sirgwari, Thakrie, Kuirya, Mangthalla, Dadpeth, Sigdi, Pahalgam, Bhata, Kuchal, Simbole, Basha, Mugalmaidan, Chatroo, Guninal, Chingam, Passerkote, Singpora, Kakerwagan, Bonda, Batwari areas of Doda and Kishtwar districts.

G. M Saroori expressed concern over damage caused by hailstorm to Horticulture and Agriculture sectors in Kishtwar and Doda

Directed DC Kishtwar and Doda to assess the vast damage caused

KISHTWAR, APRIL 09: Calling for a comprehensive compensation for the farmers and orchardists who suffered extensive damages due to incessant rains, hailstorm and the cloud bursts, in various parts of Kishtwar and Doda districts, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori has urged the state government to go for immediate assessment of damages to horticulture sector and disburse financial relief to the affected families without any delay.

Saroori said that the torrential rains and hail storm caused massive damage to horticulture sector especially in Kishtwar and Doda district where the farmers and orchardists have been hit the worst.

Expressing grief over the massive damages caused to households, fruits, standing crop, Agriculture and Horticulture sectors due to devastating rainfall, hailstorm and windstorm that struck across the Chenab valley particularly in Chingam, Phalgwara, Passerkote, Singpora, Chatroo, Gorinallah, Malinar, Kakerwagan, Mugalmaidan, Kuchal, Sigdi, Tagood, Durbeel, Hurna, Kuriya, Thakrie, Keshwan, Sarawan, Sarthal, Saroor, Bugrana, Drabshalla, Bunjwah, Patnazi, Thathri, Phagsoo, Kahara, Gugara, Bitola, Tanta, Jakyas, Bhatyas, Manoie, Bathri, Kandoth, Kontwara, Nagbatna, Marwah, Warwan, Dacchan areas, Saroori called upon the government to depute teams to assess the losses in the affected villages so that they are compensated forthwith.

Mr. Saroori telephonically asked DC Kishtwar and Doda that revenue and other relevant agencies be geared for accurate, fair and timely assessment of losses with a financial provision for adequate support. He also directed R&B, PMGSY and JKPCC departments to immediate clear the landslides on Dunadi-Gandoh road, Thathri-Bunjwah road, Kuriya-Keshwan road, Shanna Mangthalla road, Kuchal road, Chatroo road, Sigdi road, Tagood road, Durbeel road, Drabshallah-Saroor road, Phagsoo road, Thathri-Cheera road, Kahara-Tanta road road and other roads on war footing bases.

Congress state Vice President also hoped that state government will meet the losses arising in hilly districts Kishtwar and Doda, out of calamities like rains, windstorm and hailstorm.

G. M Saroori expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life in a tragic incident at Kuligad Drabshalla

KISHTWAR, APRIL 03: - PCC Vice President and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life in a tragic incident at Kuligad Drabshalla in Kishtwar District in which three persons namely Chowdhary Farooq Ahmed son of Chowdhary Abdul Wahid resident of Bhagra Nallah, Sarthal, 3 months old baby girl Insha Imtiyaz daughter of Imtiyaz Ahmed resident of Saroor died and Chander Prakash son of Paras Ram resident of Balgran Drabshalla when a landslide hit them.

Conveying his sympathies to the bereaved families, Saroori said that he feel very sad after losing three persons from Kishtwar district. “My heart goes out to the families of Chowdhary Farooq, Chander Prakash and a little baby girl. I share their grief and sorrow.”

Mr. Saroori prayed to Almighty Allah for granting solace to the departed souls and courage to the family of the deceased to bear with the loss. He has also urged the State Government to provide Rs. 10 lakhs each adequate ex-gratia relief to the family members of the deceased.

MLA Inderwal also took up the matter with district administration Kishtwar and has directed DC Kishtwar with regard for providing all possible help to the four (4) injured in the tragic incident at Drabshalla Kishtwar. He wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Balbir Singh files nomination for MLC seat from Congress Party

Jammu, March 29: Congress nominee for the seat of legislative council in Jammu Province Th. Balbir Singh today filed his nomination papers before the returning officer, Secretary legislative Assembly, here in Jammu.

Balbir Singh (Ex-MLA) filed his nomination papers in the presence of Senior leaders of Congress and National Conference in the legislature complex Jammu.

Earlier Th. Balbir Singh former MLA from Billawar, was declared as the candidate for the legislative council election by the AICC yesterday. He will be candidate of joint opposition led by Congress-NC against the two seats in Jammu province, while another seat in Kashmir province has been allotted to the National conference, which has also fielded its Candidate Aga Syed Mehmood today in the presence of Senior Congress leaders. Both the candidates of Congress and NC filed their nomination papers today here in Jammu almost at the same time in the presence of Senior leaders of both parties.

Senior Congress Leaders Sh. G. M Saroori, Sham Lal Sharma, Rigzin Jora CLP Leader, Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Vikram Malhotra, Mumtaz Khan-MLA, Rani Bloria-MLC, Shiv Dev Singh, G.L. Chalotra, Y.B. Sharma, K.K. Pangotra, Pawan Raina besides Senior NC Leaders including Davinder Singh Rana, Ajay Sadhotra, Peer Mushtaq Bukhari, Rattan Lal Gupta, Javed Rana-MLA, Kamal Arora-MLA, Shahnaz Ganai-MLC, Ram Paul, Brij Mohan Sharma, were amongst those present on the occassion.