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Govt employees to go on 3-day strike from Sept 6
Striking contractual teachers call off fast
Protests continue in city against Anna’s arrest
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Insensitive govt pushing state back into turmoil: Mufti
Kishtwar Cong seeks early start of power projects
Extend Srinagar-Dubai flight to Jeddah, demands Soz
Army’s Iftaar for nomadic Gujjars, Bakerwals
PowerGrid develops park
Minister praised for filling posts of headmaster
US Senator calls on Chief Minister
NHRM key to universalising health services: Omar
Jawan hurt as Pak violates truce again
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Govt employees to go on 3-day strike from Sept 6
Jammu, August 17 The state has over 4.5 lakh government employees. The JCC had held symbolic protests on July 17 and 18. Addressing mediapersons here today, the leader of the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), Ram Kumar Sharma, regretted the alleged callous attitude of the state government. “Under such circumstances, the JCC has been forced to give a call for a three-day statewide “Kaam Chhoro Hartal” from September 6,” Sharma said. “It is unfortunate that the state government has adopted an arrogant and anti-employee attitude,” he added. The government had so far failed to fulfil our demands, including the grant of the 6th pay panel’s arrears, framing of a policy for the regularisation of ad hoc and contractual workers and enhancement of the retirement age to 60 years, he said. He regretted that the two-day strike in July had failed to convince the government about honouring an agreement between the employees and the government. “We will march towards the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar and hold massive protests on September 8,” he said. The JCC called upon all the government employees, including workers and teachers, to participate in the proposed strike. The JCC has already rejected the roadmap of the state government on the release of the arrears as per the 6th pay panel’s recommendations and has reiterated its demand for the grant of two equal instalments on the pattern of the Centre. Besides other things, the JCC has been demanding the regularisation of daily wage workers, who have completed seven years’ service after being employed in 1994, the removal of pay anomalies of different cadres and the redressal of the grievances of the public sector employees, Rehber-e-Taleem teachers and Anganwari workers. |
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Striking contractual teachers call off fast
Srinagar, August 17 “We decided to call off the relay fast after the minister assured us that he would address all the issues, which had forced the teachers to start the protest,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a representative of the striking teachers. After holding protests for the past two months in support of their demands, the representatives of 750 teachers working in 35 government degree colleges in Kashmir division had launched the relay fast here on July 27. Meanwhile, an official spokesman quoted the minister as saying that the government was planning to constitute a committee to look into the problems of the contractual college teachers working on an academic arrangement. The minister said this while interacting with the striking teachers here today. He was accompanied by Mubarak
Gul, Adviser to the Chief Minister. The minister said the committee would deliberate on the issue of raising honorarium and other related matters and recommend measures for the consideration of the government. It would also deliberate on other issues, including the eligibility for the regularisation of services and some relaxation in the confirmation of services of those who had worked for five to seven years. The minister also agreed to reduce the number of daily periods from six to four in an effort to smoothen the academic atmosphere and de-stress the teachers. |
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Protests continue in city against Anna’s arrest
Jammu, August 17 Supporters of the anti-corruption crusader held demonstrations and rallies in various parts of the city. Last night, the temple city witnessed candle-lit vigils in various parts while hundreds of demonstrators converged on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway in the Tarore area today and held a rally. Shouting slogans against the UPA government for arresting Anna, the protesters demanded his unconditional release. Chanting slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, they also flayed the government for allegedly shielding the corrupt by preparing a weak Lokpal Bill. “We will continue the fight till Anna is released and allowed to carry out his war against corruption,” said Ravinder Singh, a supporter of the Gandhian leader. University of Jammu and city colleges are turning out to be the epicentre of protests with even teachers joining the agitation. Over 250 students boycotted classes and staged a demonstration in front of GGM Science College in support of Anna. “In a democratic country like India, every citizen is free to protest peacefully and Anna hasn’t done anything wrong. By arresting him, the UPA government is trying to stifle the voice of the common man, who wants to get rid of corruption,” said Amit Sharma, a student of GGM Science College. Shefali, another student of the college, intervened and said one man in this country had the guts to say enough was enough. |
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Tawi turning into dumping ground
Jammu, August 17 The Tawi, popularly known as ‘Surya Putri’, which flows through the winter capital, is dying, as sewage from more than 20 direct and indirect channels continues to flow into it. But the state government has failed to take any concrete steps to save the river. Though the river water is also used for drinking purpose, biomedical waste is being dumped into it in violation of the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules. The landscaping of the banks of the river by constructing walkways and an artificial lake were proposed earlier,but nothing had been done in this regard and polythene bags still choked it. Ironically, the silence maintained by the Pollution Control Board was leading to an increase in pollution. Expressing his helplessness, Lal Chand, Chairman of the board, said the people alone were responsible for the present condition of the Tawi. He said, “Yes, the pollution level in the river has been increasing. The public is responsible for it. The board has tried its best but the people are not ready to listen to us.” “Usually, it has been observed that the people, who make a hue and cry about the condition of the Tawi, first offer prayers at its banks and then throw waste material into it. What can we do in such a situation?” added Lal Chand. He said the cooperation of the people was a must for finding a permanent solution to the problem.
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Woman found murdered, relatives stage protest
Jammu, August 17 The body of Shakuntala Devi (40), wife of Bal Krishan, was located by some villagers. The villagers said the body was half-naked while her earrings and nose pin had been removed, causing her injuries. The body,which had a head injury, was brought to the hospital for a post mortem, where the relatives of the deceased gathered in large numbers and staged a demonstration. They were demanding quick police action against the culprits. The protesters apprehended that some neighbours could possibly have committed the crime as they had threatened Shakuntala following an altercation a few days ago. Senior officers of the police and MLA, Shiv Nandan, reached the hospital and pacified the protesters, assuring them of strict action against the perpetrators of the crime. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPc and further investigation was in progress. |
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Insensitive govt pushing state back into turmoil: Mufti
Jammu, August 17 Addressing a public meeting on the Akhnoor road here today, Mufti said the brewing discontent among the people had created an explosive situation, which, if not defused by setting the things right, had the potential of degenerating into total chaos. He cautioned that the insensitiveness of the political dispensation was pushing the state back into the turmoil from which it had still to recover fully. “The governments change but the administration remains the same and the success or failure of the administrative institutions actually reflects the will and commitment of the political leadership towards its people and the direction it provides,” he said. He added that, “The failure of the administration to deliver is actually the failure of the political leadership to govern.” Mufti said the present government had made one of the finest administrative machines in the country a laughing stock and a source of discomfort for the people. Cautioning that the space of the mainstream political leadership could once again shrink in the state, he said the governance deficit and inefficiency on the part of the present dispensation was adding to the crisis the state had been thrown into.Stressing the need to investigate all graft charges, Mufti said the political leadership had the responsibility to establish probity by example, which unfortunately was not happening.
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Early restoration of public infrastructure
Jammu, August 17 He took stock of the damage caused to a bridge over the Devika nullah at Check Bhimsen in Vijaypur village. He also inspected the damage to a bridge at Uttervehini and Devikapuri Temple in Samba district. Omar interacted with affected families at Uttervehini.He announced books and school bags for the students whose educational material was washed away in the floods. He also announced Rs 5 lakh for the restoration of the high school at Uttervehini, damaged due to a flash flood. Omar directed early restoration of bridges and other affected infrastructure. He asked the engineering department concerned to assess the carriage capacity of the Uttervehini bridge and formulate a proposal for strengthening it. At Kunjwani in Jammu district, he inspected the damage to a bridge at Bandhu Rakh, linking Kunjwani with Bishnah. The flood in the Balole nullah caused damage to the bridge. Omar also inspected damaged portions of the circular road from Panjtirthi to Tehsil Office here and directed the officials concerned for formulating a project for the four-laning of the road. He also approved the Rs 60 crore four-lane circular road project along the Tawi from Panjthirthi to Gujjar Nagar to be executed in a phased manner. He directed the R&B Department to work out the execution schedule of the bridge urgently, taking into account all aspects of the importance of the road. The Chief Minister also sanctioned Rs 10 crore for restoration of flood damages in Jammu and Samba districts and payment of relief to the affected families. Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand; Minister for Industries, SS Salathia; Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla; Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo; Political Adviser to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana; Principal Secretary R&B, KB Agarwal; Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, BB Vyas; Commissioner Secretary Power, Basharat Ahmad Dar; Divisional Commissioner, Pawan Kotwal and other senior officials were present in the meeting. |
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Kishtwar Cong seeks early start of power projects
Udhampur, August 17 A deputation of Kishtwar Congress leaders comprising DCC president Pardeep Singh Parihar, vice-president Sheikh Ghulam Haider, president of the District Youth Congress Sheikh Nasir Hussain, president of INTUC Raj Kumar Badyal, Kishtwar block president Haji Ghulam Hassan Mir and Padder block president Nek Ram Manhas apprised the minister of the present situation in the area
and took up various issues with him. The demands included the starting of work on upcoming power projects without delay and preference to the local unemployed youth in jobs in these projects. The deputation alleged that the ration being supplied at the government depots in the area was of sub-standard quality. It also demanded more buses and passenger vehicles for Kishtwar. As per a press note issued by the DDC, the minister assured the delegation that all its genuine demands would be fulfilled.
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Extend Srinagar-Dubai flight to Jeddah, demands Soz
Srinagar, August 17 According to a statement issued here, Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Civil Aviation had stated that Air India had no plan to resume the Srinagar-Dubai flight since it was not financially viable. Responding to it, Soz pointed out that the flight was started four years ago and its suspension had dismayed people of Kashmir. “I suggested to the minister that the flight can be a lucrative proposition for Air India, if it is extended to Jeddah as a sizable number of people from Kashmir will take it for Umrah in that country,” Soz said. The MP said after the installation of the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) at Srinagar airport, it was now possible to operate flights in the evening. Referring to the takeover of Centaur Lake View Hotel, Srinagar, by the state government, Soz said since the privatisation of the complex would not have been proper, it was decided to hand over its infrastructure and management to the state authorities. |
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Army’s Iftaar for nomadic Gujjars, Bakerwals
Jammu, August 17 The clusters move annually to their traditional grazing grounds and spend a major portion of the year on the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal ranges under extremely harsh climatic conditions. Owing to the remoteness and hostile surroundings, they are deprived of basic amenities and observe Ramzan with frugal resources and amenities. In order to extend a sense of reverence to the deras during the month, the Army organised the Iftaar in a joyful environment at one of its high altitude posts at a height of 11,200 feet.It was attended by 55 persons consisting of children, women and men of the nomadic tribes. The families were delighted to attend the Iftaar in such a desolate and far-flung area and wholeheartedly appreciated the gesture of goodwill extended by the Army. The Army also distributed gifts and medicines among women and children and interacted wholeheartedly with the locals in the course of the celebrations.
— TNS |
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PowerGrid develops park
Jammu, August 17 SK Sharma, General Manager (Projects), and Stanley Mathews, Chief Manager (HR), PowerGrid Corporation, Northern Region-II, were approached by the office-bearers of the village welfare committee for the development of a park.
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Minister praised for filling posts of headmaster
Udhampur, August 17 In a joint statement issued here today, MLAs GM Saroori, Abdul Majeed Wani and Naresh Kumar Gupta said the Education Department under Peerzada’s stewardship was progressing well to universalise education. “In fact, the department has registered a phenomenal growth both in terms of infrastructure and quality over the years, with the literacy rate reaching an all-time high of 68.74 per cent in the state,” they added. The legislators said Peerzada had the distinction of being the first minister to bring innovations in the education system and pay due attention to the promotion of education activities and the service interests of teachers. |
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US Senator calls on Chief Minister
Srinagar, August 17 McCain is the vice-chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee and was the Republican Presidential candidate against US President Barack Obama in the last US Presidential elections. McCain was assisted by his two advisers, Christian Brose and Vance Serchuk, and the First Secretary (Political), Paul Narian, at the meeting. The Chief Minister was assisted by Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Political Adviser to the Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana and Principal Secretary, Home, BR Sharma. |
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Separatist leader Shabir Shah, supporters detained
Srinagar, August 17 Carrying placards and photographs of political prisoners, Shah and his supporters gathered on the Exchange Road in Lal Chowk and tried to march towards the Maulana Azad Road, officials said. They added that the police swung into action and detained 11 persons, including Shah, while the others were chased away. A police officer said the action against the protesters was taken as they had violated the prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, which were in place in the city.
— PTI |
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NHRM key to universalising health services: Omar
Srinagar, August 17 This information was given at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the performance under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the state here yesterday. Omar stressed the importance of the NRHM, terming it a core programme to universalise health care facilities for women and children. He said the NRHM was aimed at reducing the maternal and child mortality rates, providing universal access to public service with emphasis on women and child health, preventing and controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases, population stabilisation and a gender and demographic balance with the revitalisation of the local health traditions and the mainstream AYUSH. This would help in a big way to address the health care needs of the people, thus enhancing the health graph of the state, he added.
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Jawan hurt as Pak violates truce again
Jammu, August 17 An Army official said a patrolling party came under fire from Pakistan troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in the forward belt of the Keri area in Rajouri sector,resulting in injuries to an Army jawan. The injured was hospitalised, he said. "It is a clear case of ceasefire violation. We have lodged a protest with the Pak authorities," he said. Earlier,the Pakistan Rangers had violated the ceasefire on Independence Day by firing at an Indian post along the border in Samba district. Meanwhile, the police today claimed to have thwarted a plot of militants to carry out strikes by recovering an Improvised Explosive Device, besides arms and ammunition from a hideout during a search operation in the Khanter area of Poonch district. Reports said acting on a tip-off, the police launched a search operation in the area and recovered the arms and ammunition.
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TNS/PTI
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Srinagar, August 17
Jammu, August 17
Early restoration of public infrastructure
