The government’s policy of encouraging a cashless economy seems to have been adopted by criminal elements also. The Latur unit of Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau has arrested a medical officer who allegedly accepted bribe in the form of liquor instead of cash. According to ACB officers, the accused, Bhalchandra Chakurkar, was posted as a Medical Officer with the Primary Health Care centre in Nivli taluka in Latur. Officers said the complainant is his subordinate, who had recently submitted his Self Assessment Report. “Mr Chakurkar gave a B+ remark to the report, and when the complainant asked him to justify it, he demanded a bribe for upgrading it to A+,” Police Inspector K.B. Darade, Latur ACB said. Mr. Darade added that Mr. Chakurkar demanded a 750 ml bottle of Imperial Blue whisky and three cans of Tuborg beer, after which the complainant approached the ACB. After verifying the claims, the ACB registered an offence against Mr. Chakurkar and set a trap. Acting on the ACB’s instructions, the complainant contacted Mr. Chakurkar and said he was willing to pay the bribe, after which a meeting was fixed at Hotel Kashmir on the Latur-Ausa road on Friday. Mr. Chakurkar was arrested on Friday afternoon, after he was caught red handed while accepting the liquor bottle, and charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act. “Mr. Chakurkar was produced in the Latur Special Districts Court on Saturday and granted bail. We will soon file a charge sheet in the case,” Mr. Darade said. read more
“We are having a serious problem of Jamaicans moving with fraudulent documents. Many persons do not realise that when somebody approaches you on the street that is not the process. All applications must be submitted at 1F North Street… not our offices around the island,” she pointed out. Story Highlights Jamaicans seeking skills certificates to work in another Caribbean territory are advised to submit applications to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Director of the Work Permit Department, Lisa-Ann Grant, said that legitimate, bonafide skills certificates can only be issued by a competent authority. Jamaicans seeking skills certificates to work in another Caribbean territory are advised to submit applications to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Director of the Work Permit Department, Lisa-Ann Grant, said that legitimate, bonafide skills certificates can only be issued by a competent authority.For Jamaica, this is the Ministry’s 1F North Street location only.“We are having a serious problem of Jamaicans moving with fraudulent documents. Many persons do not realise that when somebody approaches you on the street that is not the process. All applications must be submitted at 1F North Street… not our offices around the island,” she pointed out.The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) provides for the free movement of 10 categories of skilled workers.These are university graduates, artistes, musicians, sportspersons, media workers, registered nurses with diplomas or degrees, teachers with diplomas, artisans with at least level 2 CARICOM Vocational Qualification (CVQ), holders of associate degrees, and household domestics with a CVQ level 2. The National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is also accepted in Jamaica.Explaining the process of obtaining the CARICOM skills certificate, Ms. Grant informed that interested nationals will first need to contact the Ministry’s 1F North Street location and indicate their intention to apply.Once the Ministry determines that such a person is eligible, he or she will be sent an application form by email. The applicant is required to submit the completed form along with the following documents:• A certified copy of the birth certificate.• A copy of the biodata page on the applicant’s passport, which should be signed by a Justice of the Peace.(more)• A police report from the country in which the applicant has resided for the last three years.• Three certified passport-sized photographs.• Documents indicating a name change (marriage certificate or deed poll documents), if applicable.• A certified copy of university degree, associate degree, diploma, professional qualifications.• For employed or self-employed persons, a cover letter detailing the purpose for application.All applications must be submitted to the Work Permit Department of the Ministry, along with a processing fee of $2,000.Processing is carried out within eight weeks, following which the applicant or a representative may collect the certificate after paying a fee of $8,000. A further $2,000 is charged for each dependent.To have certificates amended, persons will have to pay $2,000, and in the event that a certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, applicants will be required to pay $3,000 to replace the document.Once the certificate is issued, CARICOM nationals are granted a stay of six months in another country, and during that period, they are required to submit their skills certificate to the competent authority of the host country for acceptance.“The competent authority may verify the validity of the certificate and the documentation on which it has been issued. During the period of consideration by the competent authority, the CARICOM national can work,” Ms Grant noted.For Jamaica, she informed that the verification process involves persons taking in a certified copy of the skills certificate, a certified copy of the biodata page of their passport, three passport-sized pictures, and completing a simple information-gathering form at the Ministry.“Once that is done, I will contact the member state. Once it is verified, then we will give you a letter to take to the immigration department where you will be given an unconditional stamp,” she explained.For more information, please contact: Ministry of Labour and Social Security 1F North Street Kingston. Phone: (876) 922-9500-14; Email: prunit@mlss.gov.jmWebsite: mlss.gov.jm. read more