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‘Substandard’ ration in mid-day meals
Gool-Arnas Segment |
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Farooq files nomination from Hazratbal
Khalida Shah’s Candidature
Terrorism: UPA taken to task
People want ceasefire to continue
Mumbai attacks: Official held
1 lakh cops may miss franchise
Crack down on AIDS: Chief secy
Residents of ‘Suicide Colony’ pin hope on new govt
13 candidates file nominations
PDP fields Karra from Batmaloo
Staff plea to Governor
Army wives organise health exhibition
Valley sees increase in
HIV cases
Cross LoC bus plies as usual
Appointment of committee hailed
Khajuria files papers from Jammu East
Mayawati coming
Social worker in fray
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‘Substandard’ ration in mid-day meals
Jammu, December 1 However, school education director Zahida Khan denied the charge. Some school authorities disclosed that concerned authorities have been providing substandard ration to them. “The rice, which we receive from the FCI is of substandard quality,” said one of the teachers of the government school. Though village level education committees have been framed to monitor quality of food being served to the children but the malpractice goes on at the cost of children’s health. These children come from weaker sections of the society. Official sources said in the dearth of adequate funds, the government has been giving a paltry sum of Rs1 to Rs. 2 per children per day as against Rs 3. They said, this delay in releasing funds has forced the school authorities to obtain loans from banks or to utilise school-development funds for running the scheme. We receive money after six months, whereas, we have to provide food to the children every day and to keep the scheme going we obtain loan every month, said Ajit Singh, a teacher of Government Higher Secondary School, Paloura. Begum Maqsooda, principal, Government Girls High School, Gandhi Nagar, echoed similar views. Lack of proper infrastructure for implementing this scheme has also created a messy situation for other students in many schools.These students have been assigned the duty of serving food to the children but there is no provision for kitchen in the school premises and food is served to the children in the open ground, she said. Meanwhile, some students alleged that the food, which they eat, is not fit for human consumption, as they feel unwell occasionally after consuming a school meal. One of the girl students said, “I fell ill several times after consuming food in the school. Though I go to the school but now I have stopped eating food there”. However, Khan claimed that she personally visited the schools to check functioning of the mid-day meal scheme. According to her it was running properly. “We are providing quality basmati rice to every school and funds are being released on time through the ZEOs”, she said. |
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Gool-Arnas Segment
Gool (Reasi), December 1 Former union minister specially addressed meetings in the Muslim-dominated areas and tried to remove, what he called, misconception created by certain political groups against the BJP. In every public meeting, he tried to give impression to the public that the BJP was not a communal party. Apart from highlighting other pro-minorities decision taken by the previous NDA regime, Hussain gave all credit to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for prevailing peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Senior party leader Kabla Singh is contesting election from the Gool-Arnas assembly segment where the Muslims constitutes over 60 per cent of the total votes. Kabla Singh has unsuccessfully contested two successive assembly elections from this Muslims-dominated constituency. Keeping in view the population composition, the BJP candidate is concentrating on the Muslim areas and visit of Hussain was planned on the request of the candidate. Furthermore, unlike other parts of the state where the party is trying to cash in on the Amarnath land agitation, the BJP, in this belt, has adopted different means of canvassing. Instead of using photographs of senior BJP leaders, the party has printed posters carrying pictures of only former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpyee and Hussain in these two constituencies. These posters are printed in Urdu only. In the neighbouring Gulabgarh segment, the BJP has fielded a Muslim candidate, who has resigned from the government service to contest election on the mandate of the saffron party. Mohammed Isrial is a party nominee from the Gulabgarh segment. By fielding two Muslim candidates in the Jammu region, the BJP is also trying to give an impression that party is not against any religion. Similarly in the Doda assembly segment, the BJP has given mandate to Ishtaq Wani, who is the national secretary of the Minority Morcha. |
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Farooq files nomination from Hazratbal
Srinagar, December 1 Abdulla expressed optimism over his party’s chances and said the people would defeat the PDP for its un-kept promises and divisive policies. Surrounded by a bevy of supporters, the former state Chief Minister filed his papers at Tourist Reception Centre. Srinagar is going to poll in the seventh and last phase on December 24. His estranged sister Khalida Shah, wife of former Chief Minister G.M Shah, has been publicised by his party as a probable candidate from Hazratbal, throwing the seat into limelight, but they have yet to take a final decision. Abdullah also said terrorism was a world threat and all countries, including India and Pakistan, should fight it together. He had yesterday ruled out the possibility of the Pakistan government’s involvement in devastating terror siege in Mumabi and said both the governments should cooperate in fighting a common enemy. He said Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism. In the past when he was the Chief Minister, the mercurial but charismatic politician had advocated bombing terror camps in Pakistan to rid Kashmir and India of continual threat from terrorists. |
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Khalida Shah’s Candidature
Chadoora, December 1 Khalida Shah today addressed her first public rally and reminded the small crowd in Chadoora, a constituency in Budgam, which is going to polls on December 7, of the “efficient administration” provided by her husband in mid 80s. “I am not here to ask for your vote. I want you to keep your welfare in mind while choosing your candidate,” she said as her supporters responded with “Shah, Shah… badshah” in support of her ageing husband. Her son Muzaffar Shah, who manages the party affairs for all practical purposes, remained ambivalent when asked if she would fight the elections. He said she might contest from one of the two constituencies, Hazratbal and Sanawar, both in Srinagar. Abdullah has already announced his candidature from Hazratbal. Many say the ANC may decide against it if they believe she would not have much of a chance, as is likely, with her party in most of the 71-odd seats fighting across the state. Party leaders say they are relying upon the goodwill of G.M. Shah, fondly called Gul Shah, enjoys upon a section of old-timers and even some separatists’ sympathisers, who appreciate his decisions not contest elections after 1987 polls due to internal turmoil in Kashmir. Muzaffar Shah, who will contest from Amira Kadal seat in Srinagar, said the PDP-Congress government failed in equitable distribution of developmental funds and places like Chadoora were totally left out. “They promised jobs to Kashmiri youths but thousands remain unemployed. If given a chance, we will cut down expenditure on security by Rs 300 crore and use it to provide jobs to every family,” he told the people. He said his party would bring in legislation to prohibit more than two terms for chief ministers and MLAs to give fresh ideas a chance.
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Terrorism: UPA taken to task
Jammu, December 1 Not only in Jammu the Lotus would also bloom in the Kashmir valley, said Muslim face of the BJP Shahnawaz Hussain here today. The BJP leader attributed his confidence to the “wrong policies” of the UPA government vis-à-vis yearn among the people for peace. Claiming the BJP to be a true nationalist party, Shahnawaz said the party today was waging an ideological war with other political outfits, whether at New Delhi or in the restive state. After the Mumbai terror attacks the UPA government, in a bid to salvage its image, removed Shivraj Patil as the Union Home Minister. Removing one individual and replacing him with another would not make any difference. Shahnawaz maintained the BJP had never played politics over terrorism but it wanted a clear-cut policy to deal with the menace. That is why the BJP-led NDA government had brought POTA. However, the Congress revoked it on flimsy grounds that eventually saw terrorism raising its ugly head in the entire country, he added. |
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People want ceasefire to continue
Tangdhar (JK), December 1 The ceasefire, which came into being in 2003, has given the families in Kupwara district a ray of hope in terms of peace and livelihood as there is no shelling from either side of the border. “Tension in ties between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks is a cause of concern for us. We want continuation of the ceasefire and pray for peace in the region,” the residents told reporters here. The locals hoped that leaders in New Delhi along with their counterparts in Islamabad could short out differences over the issue and work for strengthening the ties. The district lost 50 persons on November 2, 1998 in the shelling from across the border. “We do not want this tragedy to happen again,” Bashir Ahmad Lone, a farmer, said. “Since 2003 we are sleeping well during the nights and also working hard for our livelihood. There is no shelling from across the border on our homes since then,” 20-year-old Zameer Ahmed said.
— PTI |
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Mumbai attacks: Official held
Jammu, December 1 Showkat, who is working as a junior assistant in the Municipal Committee in Doda town, was picked up by the police along with his wife from the town on Saturday after he was found to have made several calls to Mumbai during and after the attack in financial capital, police sources said here today. His wife was let off after preliminary questioning. So far, the police is yet to establish his links with the Mumbai terror attacks but the phone calls he made were being verified, the sources said adding he was being subjected to sustained questioning. Showkat along with his wife was picked up after security agencies intercepted his alleged conversation with one suspected Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant identified as G. Mamnoo asking him to watch television and see what was happening in Mumbai, they said. He also received a call asking for information about the welfare of Abdul Majid, the brother of his wife, living in Mumbai. Majid was working in Mumbai for the past few years, the sources said adding that no team had come from Mumbai to take custody of Showkat as of yet.
— PTI |
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1 lakh cops may miss franchise
Jammu, December 1 Senior police officers today confirmed that despite their request for extending the postal ballot facilities to the men in khaki, the state authorities did not take up the matter with the Election Commission. They said the commission also did not take notice of it. One officer said even those in the IPS cadre may not be able to vote like other members of the force because the postal ballot scheme had not been introduced in the police. He said majority of the policemen and officers had been deployed in areas, which were outside their constituencies. He said since the policemen could not go on leave for casting their votes, their right to vote stood jeopardised. Another explained that those who were on duty within their constituencies too could not leave the place of posting for casting their votes. He said the government should have taken up the matter with the Election Commission in advance. He said the postal ballot facilities had been introduced for the police in Delhi, where the polling ended recently. He wanted the same system to be introduced in Jammu and Kashmir. The officer said on one hand, the men in khaki had been deployed to ensure incident-free polling on the other hand, these very men had been deprived of the right to vote. The officers said when the commission had introduced the postal ballot scheme for the Army and paramilitary forces there should have been no problem in extending the same facility to the Jammu and Kashmir police. |
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PF malaria claims 2 BSF jawans
Srinagar, December 1 Constable Devinder Singh and washerman Mohammad Shamshuddin died after
battling debilitating symptoms of this particular type of malaria. They were a part of 40 companies, which were asked to move to Kashmir valley for the conduct of polls after doing similar duties in Chhattisgarh, which went to polls in two phases recently. Official sources said a large number of jawans, whose numbers are not definite yet due to continual mobility of their companies and their ad-hoc administrative set-up, have been admitted to hospitals in different places as they began showing symptoms of the disease on their way to Kashmir from Chhattisgarh. Many are getting treatment in hospitals in Delhi and Jammu, while conditions of Devinder and Shamshuddin deteriorated in Samba and they later died in a Jammu hospital. Though PF malaria, which affects the brain, is by no means incurable, its late diagnosis among BSF jawans due to apparent absence of proper internal medical facility has thrown up these deadly consequences. Devinder and Shamshuddin were from 195 and 85 battalions respectively, both originally deployed in Rajasthan. Due to elections in five states, different paramilitary forces were asked by the government to provide definite number of companies for poll duties and close to 60 additional BSF companies have been deployed in the valley so far. 40 more are on their way from Chhattisgarh and many of their jawans in all likelihood contracted PF malaria there, where it is quite prevalent. An officer said jawans, when mobile, one hardly gets any basic comfort, ranging from sleeping, sanitation to travelling arrangements. “They are basically tough and the job gives them no scope of complaint. But when they suffer from diseases like these then their poor living conditions only aggravate matters,” he said. |
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Crack down on AIDS: Chief secy
Jammu, December 1 Addressing a seminar organised by the State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (SAPCS) at government women college parade here today Kapur felt that the challenge could be tackled by putting our heads together and devise ways and means for effective propagation of eradication and prevention of this disease. He said it spread geometrically and the Sub-Saharan region of Botswana was an indicator in this regard where AIDS afflicts every third individual. “Our state is lucky in this regard as we have already initiated effective measures and the prevalence rate is quite minimal,” he maintained. He further said communication should be focused on low prevalence and sustainability of the same. Calling for coordinated efforts for systematic eradication, Kapur said for the same active support of all stakeholders was essential. Complimenting the SAPCS for evolving an effective strategy he said the organisation had developed state-wise, community-wise and group specific AIDS studies. |
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Residents of ‘Suicide Colony’ pin hope on new govt
Rajouri, December 1 In fact, this colony, also known as Bela Colony, came up because of migration of people from the semi-urban areas after the beginning of militancy in 1990s. Migrants from Thanamandi, Darhal, Chandi-marh and Bufliaz built up the houses that later took the form of a colony. However, this unplanned colony didn’t get its name because of this factor. “The colony comprising about 400 houses and inhabited by more than 3,000 persons is located in the middle of the riverbed of Rajouri Nullah. “It can be washed away by floods of even moderate intensity. Of late there have been huge loss to the people living here as our cattle and valuable commodities got washed away. The successive government didn’t take flood control measures to save us,” said Azhar Ahmed, resident of the colony who along with his family migrated from Thannamandi on the outskirts here. “Now that the new government is likely to be in place by this month end we are expecting it taking concrete flood control measures to save the inhabitants here.” Social worker and businessman Farooq Ahmed Dar said, “This colony is highly flood prone. In every monsoon water enters the houses of these hapless people who are living on the edge.” “While this unplanned colony was coming up, the government didn’t prevent them from constructing houses. Now that their survival has become difficult, I reckon it is the duty of the government to save these people. I hope that the new government, which is likely to be in place by this month end, will definitely take solid steps for the safety of these people.” Deputy commissioner, Rajouri, Sheikh Rafiq said the district administration had proposed a project for three areas. |
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Kuldeep’s widow ‘under threat’ to pull out of contest
Jammu, December 1 Shilpi's husband, Kuldeep Verma, had committed suicide in support of the Amarnath land transfer agitation in August. Shilpi told The Tribune that certain persons had been intimidating my old and ailing mother, Kanta Devi, and brother Sanjeev for the past few days, warning them of serious repercussions if “I contest the elections.” Shilpi's parental house is situated in Resham Ghar colony here. " Some people yesterday came to my parental house under the influence of liquor yesterday and threatened my mother of dire consequences, using filthy language, " she said. She suspected that police officers against whom a case had been registered for showing disrespect to my husband's mortal remains were behind these threats. It may be stated that after Kuldeep's suicide the police had allegedly removed his body from Parade Ground and tried to burn it with petrol, tyres and liquor in the dead of night at Bishnah against Hindu rituals. “Not only will I contest the elections but also emerge victorious to fulfil the dreams of my husband and other martyrs, who gave up their lives for the cause of Jammu,” Shilpi said. Jammu SSP Manohar Singh assured a thorough probe if Shilpi lodged a complaint with the police in this connection. |
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13 candidates file nominations
Jammu, December 1 For the RS Pura Assembly constituency, six candidates who filed their nomination papers include Suman Bhagat of the Congress, Karan Kumar of the Panthers Party, Tilak Raj of the National Bahujan Party, Azab Singh Motton of the BSP, Ravi Dass covering candidate of the BSP and Romesh Motton of the NC. For the Suchetgarh Assembly constituency, the seven candidates who filed their nomination papers are Paramjeet Singh Toni of the NC, Ashok Kumar of the JKNPP, Hari Singh of the NBP, Mohan Singh of the BSP, Ravi Kumar as covering candidate of the BSP, and Krishan Lal and Girdhari Lal, both independents. Congress nominee for the Jammu East Narinder Singh today filed his nomination papers before the Returning officer here today. |
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PDP fields Karra from Batmaloo
Srinagar, December 1 Karra had wrested the seat from the NC in a bypoll held in 2004. Earlier, Karra suffered defeat at the hands of NC stalwart Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah in the 2002 polls. The NC has fielded Karra's daughter, Asifa Tariq Karra, from Eidgah and Showkat Ahmed Hafiz from Khanyar. Meanwhile, demanding a speedy judicial probe into the death of a man allegedly in the custody of the Army in Shopian, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said today that the guilty should be punished as per the law of the land. Addressing election roadshow meetings in south Kashmir, she demanded stern action against those involved in the custodial killing of an innocent 35-year-old Ghulam Hassan Malla at Chotipora-Manihal in Shopian. Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family she demanded immediate relief for next of kin.
— PTI |
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Staff plea to Governor
Jammu, December 1 Responding to the concerns of the employees, the Governor informed them that the chairperson of the pay committee recently established by the state government to examine various issues relating the revision of the pay scales shall be asked to complete its task by the year end and, further, all necessary procedural requirements shall also be completed within that period. He observed that a similar direction would also be given to the chairperson of the committee set up to review issues relating to the employees of the State Public Sector Undertakings. The Governor noted that both these committees would also particularly address the existing anomalies while finalising their recommendations. Appreciating the work of the employees in regard to the efficient conduct of the ongoing electoral process in the state, the Governor exhorted the representatives of the Employees Associations to meaningfully support the work of the two committees so that they can accomplish their assigned tasks with the envisaged time frame. |
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Army wives organise health exhibition
Udhampur, December 1 The events were aimed to increase awareness about the diseases among various target groups. The target groups identified were religious teachers and peer group leaders. A seminar was conducted for all these target groups in the 121 Field Health Organisation. Health on wheels (mobile health exhibition) was introduced to provide information at the doorstep to the families. The seminar organised centrally at the Dhruva auditorium was attended by 800 troops and families. The chief guest on the occasion was Deepa Bhardwaj, president AWWA Northern Command. The seminar commenced with inauguration of the health exhibition by the chief guest. The seminar included talks covering medical, preventive and humanitarian aspect of HIV/AIDS by three different speakers. The health exhibition organised on the venue was later visited by troops and families and various posters, pamphlets and booklets were distributed among the audiences. |
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Valley sees increase in
HIV cases
Srinagar, December 1 The Department of Immunology at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, has registered 49 per cent more HIV patients this year when compared to last year. Same is viewed enough to raise an alarm bell. Since 1997, when Anti-Retro Viral Treatment started in SKIMS, 193 patients tested positive for Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV), out of which 85 cases have been detected this year. “Going by figures 193 is not a big number as compared to 2.5 million HIV positive patients found in India. The existence of the virus is enough to cause devastation and it is important that necessary measures are taken to prevent its spread,” said a doctor at SKIMS. |
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Cross LoC bus plies as usual
Rajouri, December 1 However, unlike the previous bus service the number of visitors from Pakistan this time around was quite less. Sources in the district administration divulged that this morning 70 visitors, 35 Indians and equal number of Pakistani visitors on their way back, travelled from Poonch to Rawlakote through the LoC point at Chakan-da-Bagh. They added that 14 visitors from PoK also crossed over into India in the evening hours. But the number of Indians, who came back from PoK, was not known, they added. “It is good that despite terror attack in Mumbai, bus service didn’t stop and shouldn’t stop. It is no ordinary bus service since it unites the divided families,” said Muhammad Ashraf from Rajouri while boarding the bus from Poonch towards Rawlakote. He added that he was going to meet his cousin in PoK and would see him first time after their families were divided in 1965. |
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Appointment of committee hailed
Jammu, December 1 The committee headed by financial commissioner (Planning) S.L Bhat includes secretary higher education K.M Wani, Professor, JU Lalit Mangotra (retd), head of the Political Science Department, Kulwant Kour and Registrar G.S Sambyal.
— TNS |
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Khajuria files papers from Jammu East
Jammu, December 1 Khajuria filed his papers in the presence of former union minister Chaman Lal Gupta, member national executive Nirmal Singh, spokesperson Ramesh Arora and election management vice-chairman Lalit Moza. Meanwhile, BJP candidate from Marh Assembly Constituency Sukhnandan also filed his nomination papers. |
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Jammu, December 1 “Mayawati is visiting on December 10 and will address a public gathering besides convening a meeting with the party senior leaders of the state,” party sources said. — UNI
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Social worker in fray
Jammu, December 1 Speaking to mediapersons here today, Gupta said he took decision after insisted by the people of the area. He assured, if given a chance, to work with honesty, integrity and dedication for the overall development of his constituency.
— TNS |
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The BJP has ultimately realised that without support of the Muslims, it is difficult rather impossible for the party to open its account in the Gool-Arnas, Gulabgarh, Doda and Ramban assembly segments. To woo the Muslim voters, the BJP has pressed into service Shah Nawaz
Hussain-the Muslim face of the party in these segments.
