Move aimed to ensure that these workers are formally brought from the other states with their consent & are not Bonded Labours

SRINAGAR,: The Labour Department, Kashmir today started a campaign in all the districts to have checks on the Placement Agencies, who usually get their workers from other states and deploy them for the domestic purposes at various residential homes of the Kashmir Valley.

The aim of this campaign is only to ensure that these workers are formally brought from the other states with their consent and are not Bonded Labours. Further, it is also to ensure that these workers/domestic helpers are insured under various schemes of the department so that during any untoward incident the house owner, the worker and the establishment owner remain secured, so far as the health or any accident is concerned.

Accordingly, it was found that 40 number of Placement Agencies are registered with the Labour Department of Kashmir who have been deploying 2000 (approx.) number of workers as domestic helpers to the various sites.

Today 40 Placement Agencies were inspected in the districts of Kashmir Division in which compulsory registrations of the Labour Department were obtained from the establishment owners, the details of the workers was also obtained from the establishment owners in which first of all it was ensured that no worker was below the age of 14 years deployed for this purpose.

 Secondly, it was also ensured that every worker has come with his consent and payment is made in the bank accounts of the respective worker.

The workers were personally interacted by the teams at various offices of these Placement Agencies and confirmed from them the living conditions, wages, their age and other necessary help provided to them during their stay and transport from their homes to the final destinations.

During the inspections each and every Placement Agency was informed to have each worker registered under Employees State Insurance Scheme so that everybody in the chain remains secured, particularly the labourer and the house owner.

It is also requested of the general public to ascertain the ESIC registration of these workers before getting them for any kind of help so that in case of any untoward incident, with this helper, both the helper and the owner remain secured.

The campaign was launched under the guidance of Deputy Labour Commissioner, Kashmir who along with Assistant Labour Commissioner, Srinagar and other Labour Officers/Labour Inspectors inspected various placement agencies of Srinagar District.

SRINAGAR: In a significant effort to promote river conservation and environmental sustainability, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), in collaboration with the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, organized a series of public awareness programs across the city.

The events included a Walkathon, Plog Run, Plantation Drive, Cleanliness Drives for Water Bodies, Quiz Competition, Essay Writing and Slogan Competition, all aimed at educating and engaging the public in the preservation of water resources.

The activities witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, environmentalists, volunteers, and local citizens, underscoring the collective responsibility to protect the region’s vital water bodies.

Commissioner SMC, Dr. Owais Ahmed actively participated in the Plog Run, Plantation Drive, and Walkathon, setting an example for citizens and emphasizing the importance of collective action.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Owais highlighted the critical role of sustainable water management and urged citizens to adopt eco-friendly practices.

“Rivers are the lifelines of our ecosystem, and it is our duty to conserve them for future generations. Through these awareness programs, we aim to instill a sense of responsibility among the public. I urge everyone to join hands in protecting our water bodies and ensuring a greener, cleaner environment,” Dr. Owais said.

The Plog Run combined fitness with environmental action, as participants collected plastic waste along riverbanks. The Plantation Drive focused on enhancing green cover along water bodies to prevent soil erosion and improve water quality.

Meanwhile, the Cleanliness Drive targeted the removal of pollutants and the restoration of the natural flow of water channels.

The Quiz Competition, Essay Writing, and Slogan Competition provided a platform for young minds to showcase their knowledge and creativity on the theme of river conservation. Winners were felicitated with certificates and awards to encourage their continued efforts in environmental protection.

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation reaffirmed its commitment in preserving natural resources and called upon the community to actively participate in such initiatives. Citizens were encouraged to avoid littering, reduce plastic usage, and support local conservation efforts to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.

All Departments directed to ensure availability of essential services, supplies; stresses intensified market checking

SRINAGAR: In the wake of forthcoming holy month of Ramadan, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat on Thursday chaired a meeting at DC Office Complex here in order to take review of the preparations/ arrangements being made by the line departments for ensuring all basic amenities and essential supplies during the blessed month.

At the outset, the DC sought a detailed action plan from concerned departments regarding the arrangements being put in place during the holy month of Ramadan related to availability of essential commodities, supply of electricity & water, sanitation & cleanliness measures, transport facilities, etc.

On the occasion, the DC directed KPDCL to ensure scheduled power supply in the month, particularly during Sehri and Iftari times. He asked the PHE Department to make proactive arrangements for adequate supply of drinking water in all areas of the district.

Similarly, the Department of FCS&CA was asked to ensure adequate supply of essentials including Ration, LPG and distribute monthly ration to the consumers well in advance.

He also stressed on deploying joint market checking teams under the supervision of SDM, East and SDM West from tomorrow to carry out market checking in order to curb profiteering, hoarding of essentials in the market, in addition to maintain quality and standard of the food items.

The DC also directed Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, AD FCS&CA/ Food Safety Officer/ Tehsildars/ BDOs to check quality of chicken/ meat and other daily consumable food items so that no adulteration exists in the markets of Srinagar.

The SMC authorities were directed to conduct sanitation and cleanliness drives in all areas to ensure proper cleanliness, besides instructions were given that all defunct street lights be restored on war footing in all areas.

Besides, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Khalid Hussain Malik and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Syed Ahmad Kataria, the meeting was attended by Superintendent of Police, Chief Planning Officer, SDM East, SDM West, Tehsildars, BDOs, Senior Officers from all concerned Departments and representatives from J&K Wakf Board.