Srinagar, June 13
Cross-Line of Control (LoC) traders held a protest here today demanding India and Pakistan to increase the number of items to be traded between occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Jammu and Kashmir. “As per the instructions issued by the government, the trade items were supposed to be reviewed every quarter. However, instead of revising the list, the governments of India and Pakistan have imposed a ban on even some of the agreed upon items,” Hilal Turki, general secretary of the Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Unions, told reporters here. He said the two governments should review the list “as early as possible”.

“A clear policy for the trade should be drafted and all items should be allowed as part of the trade across the LoC,” he said. Although 21 items were initially allowed to be exchanged between the two sides, the list had now been reduced to just 14 items.

The police, however, stopped the traders from marching out of a local hotel, where they had gathered. The cross-LoC trade, conducted on the barter system, was started on October 21, 2008, as part of the confidence building measures between India and Pakistan after its modalities were decided during the composite dialogue between the two countries.

However, the traders had since been facing difficulties due to the lack of banking and communication facilities between the PoK and Kashmir and the non-availability of a covered storage facility. They claimed that they had suffered huge losses during rains, as they had to keep the goods in the open.

Last month, the traders’ body also demanded the revocation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on the trade. — PTI 

Jammu, June 13
Aamir Khan’s movie, “3 Idiots”, has not only won accolades and awards, but has also attracted a large number of domestic tourists to Ladakh, which was devastated by a cloudburst last year.

This cold desert is attracting a large number of tourists, especially domestic, due to “Rancho (portrayed by Aamir) and his school”. The movie, the shooting for which started in 2008 and was released in 2009, is proving to be a boon for the “Land of Lamas”. It has also “carved” out new tourist places like Rancho’s school, “Druk White Lotus School”.

Though Ladakh has been a favourite destination of foreign tourists, a large number of domestic tourists have also started coming here due to the movie. And the number has almost doubled as compared to previous years.

“3 Idiots” has given an unexpected fillip to tourism in Ladakh. Earlier, the people living here were dependent on foreign tourists, but this movie has helped in attracting domestic tourists,” said Nissar Hussain, assistant director of the J&K Tourism Department, Ladakh.

He added that, “When the movie was being shot, a number of domestic tourists, especially from Delhi, started coming here, as they came to know from the movie’s trailers that this place had a number of adventurous places, including natural water lakes.”

Citing the figures of tourist arrivals, Hussain said in 2007, 50,579 tourists came to Ladakh, including 28,477 foreigners, but in 2008, when the movie was being shot here, the number of tourists increased to 72,000, including 39,000 domestic tourists. Similarly, in 2009, 48,127 domestic and 30,446 foreign tourists visited the region, he added.

“The earlier trend of more foreign tourists visiting the region has changed. It can also be supported by the figures of 2010, which was the worst period in the history of Ladakh. Still after the devastating cloudburst, 55,685 domestic tourists and 22,115 foreigners arrived here in 2010,” Hussain said, and added , “A tourist here now desires to visit all places which have been shown in the movie”.

Jigmet Takpa, conservator of forests (wildlife), Ladakh, said, “After “3 Idiots”, a number of commercial advertisements are being shot here, boosting the local economy”.

Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora, who is also the MLA from Leh, said:“The Tourism Department has been trying its best to attract more and more tourists, both domestic and foreign, especially to this place that was devastated by a cloudburst last year. We are sure that the goal set for this year will definitely be achieved”.

Besides being important for its famous monasteries, Ladakh has interesting places like Khardung La Pass, the world’s highest motorable road, the Nubra valley, the Pangong Lake, the Magnetic Point and the Zanskar valley.

Srinagar, June 13
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has decried visits by human rights activists to the Valley during the summer obliquely hinting that they were aimed at vitiating the atmosphere.

"We will do whatever is needed to be done to ensure peaceful summer this season... nobody will be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere," he said.

Defending his government's decision to bar rights activist Gautam Navlakha from entering the state recently, the Chief Minister asked: "Why do these activists remember Kashmir only in summer. Why don't they come here in winter when we need some entertainment? We have enough tourists and work during the summer. I will be happy if they come here in December, January or February," the Chief Minister said.

He said the decision was taken by the police in consultation with the Minister of State for Home after getting certain inputs "which is fine by me".

The Chief Minister said he was not answerable to either the human rights activists or the principal opposition (Peoples Democratic Party) for maintaining peace in the state.

"I have a much wider responsibility towards the people of the state...I can't allow people to come here and disturb the situation," he said.

He expressed happiness that peace was prevailing in the Valley this summer, helping businesses, tourism, educational and industrial activities thrive.

Omar was addressing a gathering of Sikhs after laying the foundation stone for the construction of the second phase of a building complex for Khalsa school here.— PTI

Srinagar, June 13
The Department-Related Committee (DRC) of the Legislative Council on Tourism today recommended the formulation of a coordination committee of its sister departments at the Chief Secretary-level which would monitor better roads, drinking water, power, communication, accommodation and other facilities at all tourist resorts for the promotion of tourism in the state.

The committee meeting held under the chairmanship of B. R. Kundal suggested the opening of adventure tourism in new areas, including Poonch, Rajouri and Ladakh, to boost tourism in the state. The committee also suggested the opening of original tracking spots like PaniKhar to Mati Gowran, Mati Gowran to Panikhar and Mati Gowran to Nunkhon. The committee also discussed the opening of forest tracking and pathways.

It also discussed the progress and achievements of the Tourism Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation (JKTDC) and expressed satisfaction over the working of these departments. However,

the committee took serious note of the non-communication and the residential infrastructure in some tourist resorts, an official spokesman said.

Legislators Ali Mohammad Bhat and Niza-mu-Din Khatana gave suggestions for the promotion of the tourism sector.

Earlier, Commissioner-Secretary, Tourism, Attal Dulloo gave a presentation of the Tourism Department. Later,the Managing Director,JKTDC, Satish Nehru, briefed the committee about the corporation.The committee recommended early clearance of outstanding dues to the corporation.

Jammu, June 13
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Samba police, will soon visit Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan in connection with the rape and suicide of a college girl in 2007.

Lance Naik Abdul Gaffar, posing as Capt Aman Kumar, had allegedly raped the girl, belonging to Rajasthan, who later committed suicide in her hostel room in the Bari Brahmana area of Samba district on September 20, 2007.Gaffar is now posted with the Southern Command.

“We have constituted an SIT headed by Inspector Devinder Singh, who will soon leave for Himachal Pradesh to record the
statements of two classmates of the victim ,” Samba district SSP Israr Khan told The Tribune.

The police had already got in touch with the college authorities to seek the addresses of the two girls, who were close to the victim.

Thereafter, the SIT would go to Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan to record the statements of Prof Umed, the victim’s father, and other family members, said Khan, and added that since the police had re-opened the case, the statements of all those who mattered in the probe would be recorded again.

A perusal of the case diary revealed that after the girl committed suicide, her mother, sister and brother came here to take custody of the body.

The Samba police expected some vital clues from the victim’s family in general and the mother in particular, said the SSP.

The police had also decided to question the college warden and the hostel watchman.

Meanwhile,the Northern Command has already requested the Southern Command to bring the accused to the Army’s Station Headquarters at Bari Brahmana and produce him before the SSP, Samba.

Srinagar, June 13
The Ambassador of Finland to India, Terhi Hakala,called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here yesterday and discussed various matters relating to the socio-economic development of the state.

The focus of the discussion was the utilisation of the biomass potential of Jammu and Kashmir for the generation of energy to supplement the production of hydroelectric energy in the state and reduce the gap between its availability and demand.

The Finnish Ambassador apprised the Chief Minister of the expertise of his country in this field and offered assistance to the state in harnessing bioenergy.

The Chief Minister apprised the Ambassador of the initiatives taken by the state government to utilise various resources to generate energy and give a boost to the industrialisation and overall economic growth of the state.

Terhi showed keen interest in the innovative measures taken by the government for holistic and equitable development in the state, particularly in the field of power development and utilisation of new and renewable energy resources.

Srinagar, June 13
The Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha on the Wakf Amendment Bill, 2011, today discussed various issues pertaining to the functioning of the State Wakf Board and received suggestions on the protection and safety of Wakf property to make it more profitable.

Giving this information, Congress MP and PCC president Saifuddin Soz said here the purpose of the Bill was to ensure the protection and proper utilisation of Wakf property in the country. He said more than 100 persons participated in the interaction with the Select Committee.

He laid emphasis on close coordination between the board and the Wakf Council and underscored the need for developing better infrastructure by the board which would help increase revenue and facilities for deserving people. Soz said the board should also work for providing quality education and coaching for civil services and other competitive examinations.

The other members of the committee,who attended the interaction included BJP MP Prakash Javdekar and Rashid Alvi.

The meeting was informed that the Wakf Board looked after 93 shrines, 109 land properties and 28 buildings.

Giving the details,the Commissioner-Secretary, Revenue Department, revealed that 88 dargahs were being run by the board where Islamic education was also being imparted to the students. In addition, 17,00 deserving families were being provided financial assistance, besides four ambulance services being placed at the disposal of the needy. The board had also provided employment to 1121 persons and advanced Rs 2 crore as financial assistance to the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora. A nursing college, Bibi Haleema Nursing College, had also been set up for imparting training to 203 female students.

Regarding the expansion of the Dastgir Sahib shrine in Srinagar and the beautification of the Chrar-e-Sharief premises, the meeting was informed that work had been started and would be completed soon.

The meeting was informed that a comprehensive plan for Jamia Masjid,Jammu, costing Rs 17 crore had been formulated and a Hajj House had been constructed at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

The meeting was also informed that Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University had been established at a cost of Rs 30 crore and Rs 4 crore had been incurred on various works so far. 

Srinagar, June 13
Even as senior Congress leader ML Fotedar made it clear this morning that the Congress high command wanted Omar Abdullah to remain Chief Minister for the full six-year term, some Congress leaders later created a controversy by demanding that the chief ministership be given to the party for three years on rotation.

Though Omar had asserted yesterday that he would remain Chief Minister for the full term, some middle-rung Congress leaders today raised the demand.

Two senior vice-presidents of the Pradesh Congress Committee, Abdul Majeed Padder and Ghulam Nabi Monga, during a convention at the party office in Srinagar appealed to the high command to press for the rotation of chief ministership for three years to the Congress.

PCC chief Saifuddin Soz and Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh were also present on the occasion when the demand was made. “We want our honour. We want our share in the coalition. We want three years,” Padder and Monga said while addressing the function.

Soz urged party activists not to raise these issues as the high command was to take a decision on such matters. “I value your sentiments but you should understand the compulsions of a coalition government and it has to work despite these compulsions. The decision about the rotation of chief ministership will have to be taken by the Congress high command,” Soz said.

Former Sadar-e-Riyasat and senior congress leader Karan Singh said he would convey the message to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. “I have come to know about your sentiments and there should be equality in the coalition. I assure you that your sentiments and opinions will be conveyed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi,” Karan Singh said.

Srinagar, June 13
Senior BJP leader and party spokesman Prakash Javdekar here today blamed the Congress for adopting undemocratic ways and not listening to “voices against corruption” across the country.

Replying to questions on the sidelines of a meeting of MPs, Javdekar said Baba Ramdev had the support of people across the country on the issue of corruption. He took exception to the police action in Delhi’s Ramlila Ground on Ramdev’s supporters.

“Corruption is a big issue all over the country,” Javdekar said. “The Congress does not want to do anything against corruption….. it wants to muzzle the rising voice of masses against corruption,” he said.

Regarding the Lokpal Bill, the BJP leader pointed out that the Congress was “speaking” in many voices. Referring to the talk about the inclusion of the Prime Minister or the higher judiciary in the Lokpal, Javdekar said senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh was speaking differently on the issue. “We want the government draft to come in, but there is no development in this direction,” he said, adding that the Congress wanted to “derail the campaign against corruption”.

However, Javdekar evaded questions regarding the demand of some Jammu-based parties for beginning the Amarnath yatra from June 16, about two weeks before the official date of June 29. He added that it was the responsibility of the government and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) to provide all requisite facilities to the pilgrims. “We want all facilities in place well in time so that all intending pilgrims have the darshan of the Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva,” he said.

The SASB managing the affairs of the annual yatra on the upper reaches of Pahalgam has fixed June 29 as the date for the commencement of the Amarnath yatra via both routes, the traditional route of Pahalgam and the shorter route of Baltal on the Srinagar-Sonmarg axis. The registration of yatris has already started on May 10 and the pilgrimage will conclude on Shrawan Poornima.

Srinagar, June 13
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has expressed concern over the damage to fruit crops caused by the recent hailstorm in various parts of the Valley, particularly in the rural areas like Dara, Saidapora, Chaterhama and Khimber of the Sonwar constituency.

In a statement , PDP district president and MLC Mohd Ashraf Mir said the recent hailstorm had caused severe damage to the crops, resulting in huge losses to the farmers and fruit growers.

He demanded immediate assessment of the losses and adequate compensation for the affected farmers.

Jammu, June 13
A power station of the Power Development Department (PDD) sustained extensive damage in a fire incident in Rajouri district last night. Though the loss due to the fire has been estimated at a whopping Rs 2 crore, the Army’s quick response prevented a possible tragedy. The incident took place when a transformer installed at a PDD station in Kalakote caught fire. Subsequently, the fire spread to three adjoining transformers, officials said.

However, Army jawans from a nearby unit, personnel of the Fire Department and the police contained the fire and launched a rescue operation, they said. The PDD officials put the loss of property around Rs 2 crore.
Meanwhile, the Army in a press note issued here today stated that efforts by its jawans and the civil administration prevented a catastrophe, which could have resulted into one of the most devastating accidents in Rajouri district.

Transformers in the Kalakote-based electric power station caught fire around midnight and within no time three to four transformers got engulfed in flames. A large number of Army, police and Fire Department personnel, besides civilians came together to control the fire, it said. A team of engineers, including two Chief Engineers and a few Executive Engineers, reached the accident site this morning.

The local people as well as the civil administration expressed their gratefulness to the Army for helping avert a tragedy, the press note stated.