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Employees’ Strike
Govt ropes in dept heads to woo agitators
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DCs’ squads report 80 pc attendance in govt offices
It took him 14 years to prove his innocence
Kashmiri Samaj for law to protect places of worship
Annual Workshop
Houseboats being renovated ahead of tourist season
JJSF to provide free coaching to students
‘Fix fee structure in pvt schools’
Impart quality education: Farooq
ESMA uncalled for: CPM
Give relief to fire victims, says minister
Jawan dies after falling
into gorge
Pak intruder shot dead
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Employees’ Strike
Jammu, April 12 Another group of employees locked gates of two water tanks and two offices in Shastri Nagar around noon, causing worries of disruption in water supply to many colonies in the area. Meanwhile, the police remained on its toes the whole day today as the striking government employees had announced to extend the strike and start ‘jail bharo andolan’, besides the lockout of all government offices. The city virtually looked like a police state as a huge police posse equipped with water canons ‘Varuna’ and teargassing vehicles ‘Vajra’ were deployed in every nook and corner of the city. Inside all government offices and buildings, including the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and the SMGS Hospital, a large number of policemen, including women constables, were deployed to arrest or take any other action against the striking employees if they tried to disrupt services provided through civil defence personnel and volunteers. The civil defence personnel had been manning the OPDs of both hospitals. Doctors, otherwise on strike, continued working in the emergency units. Meanwhile, Minister for Medical and Technical Education RS Chib said, “We have made foolproof arrangements to deal with the striking employees. The government has already warned the employees to join duty or their services will be terminated and the process of the termination of services has already started.” However, the offices were closed and the work was affected for the ninth consecutive day today. Leaders of all employees union, who said yesterday they would intensify their agitation, were no where to be seen in the city probably to avoid being arrested. The 4.5 lakh government employees, who are on the strike, are demanding the payment of arrears as per the Sixth Pay Commission. They are also demanding the retirement age to be increased from 58 to 60 years. A senior police officer said, “A large number of policemen were deployed to keep a strict vigil as the employees had threatened to intensify their strike and ensure lockout of all government offices.” He further said no untoward incident was reported in the city till evening. |
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Govt ropes in dept heads to woo agitators
Jammu, April 12 After invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on April 5 night and arresting employees’ leaders, the government in a fresh move has asked the heads of various departments to convince the employees so as to bring them back to work, official sources confided to The Tribune. “After Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had convened a meeting of his ministers a day before employees went on a strike on April 3, he also chaired a meeting of the two Divisional Commissioners of the state, Deputy Commissioners and heads of various departments to end the stalemate,” said sources. However, the contingency plan-- of engaging ad-hoc, daily wagers and consolidated workers to ensure hassle-free functioning-- didn’t work and hence, the government has now asked the heads of various departments to apply all possible ploys to broker peace. “The Chief Minister’s office has asked the heads to explain to the employees about the fiscal health of the state and at the same time convince them that the government is committed to its promise (of releasing the arrears of Rs 4,200 crore),” they said. However, a Civil Secretariat employee, on condition of anonymity, expressed regrets over what he claimed “lavish spending on more than 100 IAS cadre officers in the state”. “They have already been paid the arrears as per 6th Pay Panel recommendations last year in September-October by the state government, which is also bearing their expenditure on eight litre fuel a day for their official vehicle, reimbursement of telephone and cell phone bills, government accommodation, furniture and fixtures, electronic gadgets, electricity and water,” he said. “But when it comes to employees like me the government shows its empty coffers,” he added. |
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Agitating employees cane-charged
Srinagar, April 12 Over six leaders of the striking employees were detained after the police resorted to a cane-charge to chase them away, they added. Groups of employees made five or more attempts to reach Lal Chowk from the nearby Abi Guzar, Court Road and Koker Bazaar but were chased away by the police who had been deployed in strength, the sources said. The employees were chanting slogans demanding that their long-pending demands be met and arrested leaders released. They also demanded the revocation of ESMA invoked by the state government against their leaders. Meanwhile, even as the authorities claimed that all essential services here, including hospitals and educational institutions, functioned normally, state government employees continued the strike,paralysing the functioning of offices for the ninth consecutive day today. Most of the government offices and OPDs in major hospitals were closed. Even as some of the schools in Baramulla district were open, most of the government schools in the valley were cloased. At least 7.58 lakh students in Kashmir division which include the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region, have been hit by the employees’strike. Over 3 lakh students are enrolled in private institutions in the division. An official spokesman said all essential services like the hospitals and educational institutions functioned normally today. School Education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and the Minister of State for Health, Floriculture and Horticulture reviewed the functioning of their departments today. The Education Minister visited various schools and directed the authorities to take action against the striking employees. The spokesman added that 1391 patients were provided with medical facilities at OPDs at the main hospitals, SMHS, Bone and Joints , G B Panth (Children), LD hospital (Maternity) and Chest Diseases Hospital and out of these 253 were admitted. Meanwhile, the striking employees’ leaders have announced that normal work in schools would be resumed from tomorrow, but the teachers would not mark their attendance as a mark of protest. There would be a one-hour power cut on April 17 and in case no decision was taken on their demands by then, a day-long power cut would be affected during the coming days. |
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DCs’ squads report 80 pc attendance in govt offices
Jammu April 12 He said special squads consisting of Deputy Commissioners and other officials reported 80 per cent staff attendance in various government departments on the ninth day of the strike today. Kotwal added that there were apprehensions of some kind of rally by the employees today, so the administration was geared up to tackle any untoward incident. “Only emergency services in the Government Medical College and Hospital remained affected for about two minutes, but were resumed thereafter,” said Kotwal. “Even services at both hospitals -- GMCH and SMGS -- improved today as compared to Saturday,” he added. He said there were no employee gatherings anywhere in the city. Since it became unavoidable to tell some of the employees that they were government servants, 50 show cause notices were issued to as many striking employees. These employees were inciting other employees to abstain from duty, he added. “We have also recommended administrative action against 26 employees and hitherto around 50 employees have been arrested by the police,” said Kotwal. He said the government had plans in the form of more stringent actions against the striking employees. “If they didn’t resume duty, they will invite stringent action,” he added. He also made it clear that there would be no change in the school timings of 9 am to 3 pm in government schools. |
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It took him 14 years to prove his innocence
Srinagar, April 12 Shah was a student of Class X when he went to Delhi 14 years ago on vacation. On May 21, 1996, a car laden with explosives blew up in the Lajpat Nagar area, killing 13 persons. On June 17, 1996, he was arrested by the Delhi police in connection with the blast and remained in jail for nearly 14 years. However, a Delhi court recently acquitted him. Though he is happy that he has finally been proved innocent, things have not been the same for him all these years. His father could not bear the trauma of his arrest and died. His 24- year- old sister who went to see him in Tihar jail had a brain haemorrhage and later died. “The biggest regret of my life is that I could not attend the funerals of my father and sister”,” said Shah, and added,” They both died due to the shock of my arrest”. Now, his future is in jeopardy as he has no means to earn his livelihood. “Had justice been delivered at the right time, my career would not have been ruined”, Shah said. His relatives, neighbours, well-wishers and people from different walks of life have visited his house to congratulate the family on his acquittal. “He has undergone a major trauma. Despite being innocent, he had to spend 14 years behind bars.Now, it is for the government to decide his fate”, Syed Dilawar, his brother, told The Tribune. “Who will compensate for what he went through.His studies, his career and his family- everything is gone. He had to spend 14 years with hardened criminals in the jail even though he was innocent,” regretted Khalid Ahmed, a neighbour. |
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Light showers in city, mercury dips by 17°C
Jammu, April 12 Till this morning, a feeble western disturbance persisted over Jammu and Kashmir and that is why the state witnessed light to moderate rain, director of the Indian Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus told The Tribune. Due to moisture in the air, the temperature in and around Jammu may hover between 37°C to 39°C for the next one week, added Lotus. However, the Met official said the temperature around 40°C in Jammu in the month of April was not an unusual thing. The heat wave conditions had already started giving a tough time to the people, particularly schoolchildren and office-goers. The rising temperature had also started causing water scarcity in the city. He said the Met office expects another western disturbance around April 17 that may again bring in a spell of light rain. |
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Kashmiri Samaj for law to protect places of worship
Srinagar, April 12 Referring to the alleged illegal encroachment on the land of many temples and shrines in the valley, he said he visited two religious places at Safekadal and was disappointed to see their condition. “Besides, some vested interests are trying to grab the land around these places," Kaul said, adding a little amount could be spared by the government for their protection. To a question that security forces had occupied many temples, he said once such a Bill was passed, the protection of the shrines and temples would become imperative. He said "migrants are keen to return to Kashmir, but it depends on the government's steps to facilitate that". Kaul said the migrants had formed a body which had put forth certain suggestions before the government to create a conducive atmosphere for their return, but "unfortunately, no action is being taken in this regard. There were 10,000 Kashmiri Pandits living in the valley a few years ago. Today, the approximate number is around
3,500 only". On a separate homeland demand put forth by an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, he said "We do not want a repetition of such conditions that we had to leave our homes after coming back to Kashmir. We want steps for rehabilitation...". He demanded that migrant Kashmiri Pandits be accorded suitable accommodation till conditions become conducive for their return. The other important issue facing the Kashmiri Pandits is the increasing unemployment among the youth. "There is a growing frustration...There is no alternate source of income available to them other than government jobs," Kaul said.
— PTI |
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Annual Workshop
Srinagar, April 12 “Maize is grown traditionally in the rain-fed areas. I have taken an initiative by directing the Extension Department to grow maize in certain irrigated and tourist places. Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Tangmarg and Shopian are tourist places and people will get better prices. It will boost tourism in the valley,” said the minister, during a valedictory session of 53rd annual maize workshop organised by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and the Directorate of Maize Research (DMR), New Delhi. He added that hybrid seeds should be provided to farmers, so that they get maximum benefits. Mir added, “We can’t survive until our farmers grow and prosper.” He informed that 3 lakh hectares of land was under the cultivation of maize in state, but the productivity (1.57 tonne per hectare) was far below the national level. Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Anwar Alam said this was a crop that needs special attention. “In our state, maize is widely grown. It covers largest area, but productivity level is low. This is the cause of concern for all.” The Vice-Chancellor added that a shift was noticed across the country, wherein maize was replacing the area under wheat and rice. Quoting an example, he said maize replaced rice in Andhra Pradesh and achieved high-productivity levels. |
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Houseboats being renovated ahead of tourist season
Srinagar, April 12 The first houseboat named ‘Victory’ was designed by MT Kenhard in 1888, as the then Maharaja did not permit the English to possess immovable property in the valley, but allowed them to live in the thatched Doonga boats that the English renovated. Nowadays, as the Kashmir valley is bracing to welcome tourists from across the globe, the houseboat owners are busy renovating and repairing their houseboats to attract more tourists. “We want to provide one of the best accommodation to the tourists who want to stay in houseboats to enjoy the amazing ambiance of the Dal Lake. So, we have started renovating our houseboats,” said Mohammad Ramzan, a houseboat owner. Hundreds of houseboats in the lake are ready to welcome tourists and most of them have already received advance bookings, both from domestic and foreign tourists. “We have our tie ups with a multi-national tour operator and we are booked for the entire season from next month. We have started renovation work so that tourists don’t face any problem,” said Toufail Ahmed, owner of another houseboat. A century ago what started with a Doonga boat, the city is now full of many luxurious hotels. Even houseboats have continuously improved and now the cost of a houseboat, which runs into half a crore rupees, has a verandah, a luxurious living room, an elaborate dining room, three to four comfortable bedrooms with attached bathrooms and an upper sun deck. “I have stayed in many five star hotels across the country, but the pleasure that I draw while staying in a houseboat is hard to express,” said Lalit Kumar, a businessman from Mumbai. People associated with the houseboat industry had to face a lot of hardships due to the two decades of turmoil driving away tourists. But now with the situation fast retuning to ‘normal’ a large number of tourists have already started arriving in the valley. One has to shell out Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 for one night stay in a houseboat without meals. Besides, there are also floating markets, hotels for other needs. “We take our dinner in the houseboat, which is mostly cooked by the family of the boat owner, and we have our lunch either in floating hotels or in Srinagar city,” said Teesta, a tourist from West Bengal. |
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JJSF to provide free coaching to students
Jammu, April 12 Pushvinder said the classes would be conducted at All Saints’ Public High School, Paloura Top, after 2 pm. Besides the teachers of the school, the JJSF president would take the classes. “Some postgraduate students have also shown willingness to teach the students without charging any fee,” said Pushvinder while talking to The Tribune. He added, “Our motive is to provide an opportunity to the needy students to have tuitions free of cost. This will help those students who could not afford high fees in private coaching centres.” Pushpinder said the state government had not been able to provide such a facility to the students while taking into consideration the present competitive scenario. “The parents of these children were either rehariwalas or labourers who could not devote time to the education of their children or guide them,” said the JJSF president. Besides the poor students, other students could also avail of the opportunity. Pushpinder said they had taken the step on an experiment basis and if they succeed, the JJSF would provide coaching free of cost to higher and primary classes as well. |
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‘Fix fee structure in pvt schools’
Jammu, April 12 Addressing a press conference here, Vikas Sharma, president of the NSF, criticised the government for its failure in keeping control over the hefty amounts being charged by the private schools operating in the state. He said with the beginning of admissions for the new session, the private schools had started charging a heavy amount from the parents for the admission of their wards. Sharma said the students were being forced by the school administration to purchase their books and uniforms from the school itself and not from any other place. Sharma appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to form a committee to inquire into the issue of charging of hefty fees by the private schools. |
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Impart quality education: Farooq
Srinagar, April 12 The minister was addressing Founders Day of Tender Ones School, Balgarden,at Government College of Education
here. Farooq said it was the duty of teachers to guide the students in every field to make their future bright for the welfare of the society and the state. |
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ESMA uncalled for: CPM
Srinagar, April 12 In a statement here today, Tarigami stressed upon the government to find out an amicable solution to the issues and address the genuine demands of the employees. Tarigami has also appealed to the employee unions to shun the path of rigidity and be concerned about their duties. “Both the sides should understand that it is the common man that suffers and both should find out a settlement in order to mitigate the sufferings of people,” the Kulgam MLA commented. He added that the government and its functionaries should realise the agony of the people. |
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Give relief to fire victims, says minister
Jammu, April 12 He asked the Kathua Deputy Commissioner to process the case of the victims for the relief as per the rules. The minister also addressed a public meeting at Billawar and said the state government was committed to providing better facilities to the people of the rural and the far-flung areas. |
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Jawan dies after falling
into gorge
Jammu, April 12 Lance Naik Virender Singh of the 39 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) fell into the gorge late last night, the police said. Manmohan Singh, SSP, Poonch said:”The jawan who sustained severe head injuries later died”. Meanwhile, the family of deceased was informed about the tragic incident.
— TNS |
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Pak intruder shot dead
Jammu, April 12 “The Pak intruder was hiding behind thick growth of Sarkanda between Bhallarh and Maluchak border outposts
(BOPs), when a BSF patrol party of 59 battalion noticed him,” said sources in the
BSF. The intruder ignored the warnings, forcing the jawans to open fire, they added. A search has been launched in the area. However, identity of the slain intruder has not been ascertained so far, said a BSF spokesperson. |
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