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Akhnoor takes the lead
Minister calls for realistic power purchase plan
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CCI apprises ministers of grievances of people
‘Sunlight vitamin’ helps check diabetes: Expert
Tourist guest house at Gangabal inaugurated
Autumn knocks at the door
KPs to celebrate ‘Veth
Truyaha’ today
Now, enjoy cycling at Dachigam park
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Revision of BPL list
Jammu, September 9 Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma, who represents the Akhnoor Assembly segment, has asked the members of 51 panchayats of Akhnoor to prepare a list of the total population in their respective areas with record of the economic condition of all families. A large number of discrepancies have been reported in the existing BPL lists. Some influential persons, with political patronage, have managed to get themselves enrolled in the lists while a large number of deserving families have been left out. Sharma has asked the panchayats members to make it sure that only deserving families get the benefits of the schemes meant for their uplift. He also asked the panchayats to strictly monitor the implementation of such schemes in their respective areas. He said justice to all was the standard of the National Conference-Congress coalition government and every action in the process of development was being based on the principle of social, political and economic justice. Sharma said the government was keen to reach out to the people in every area, address their grievances and accommodate their demands under a phased manner to ensure holistic and integrated development of every region of the state. He said panchayats would prove an important tool in this regard. “Panchayats would determine the schemes, formulate plans and execute works as per the requirements of the areas under their jurisdiction,” he added. He directed the officers to put in their sincere efforts to implement various development schemes in letter and spirit to meet the aspirations of the people. He said the government was keen to extend every basic facility to the people in the rural and remote areas and bring these on a par with cities. Sharma said massive development activities had been launched across the state to make provisions for safe drinking water, power supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education and other facilities. He asked the offices concerned to use funds judiciously and complete the ongoing development works within the stipulated time frame. He said the government was aware of the problems of the people of the state who had suffered losses due to natural calamities and assured that every possible help would be extended for their rehabilitation. Sharma said a division-level camp would be organised soon where free Jaipur Foot for amputees, calipers for polio victims, knee guards for elderly, ear aids for deaf, appliances for disabled, wheelchairs, tricycles for crippled, would be provided to the deserving people. He said such type of camps would also be organised in Kashmir province soon. |
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Minister calls for realistic power purchase plan
Srinagar, September 9 Rather was speaking at a high-level meeting convened here recently to workout modalities for evolving a realistic power purchase management plan in the state. He called for regular monitoring of power purchase and consumption, adding that reduction in power purchase and increasing revenue on account of power tariff is primarily required to keep check on the power budget. He stressed on strengthening of the State Power Development Corporation (SPDC), which is emerging as a major power corporation with the near completion Karthai, Sawlakote and Baglihar-II power projects. The corporation at present manages about 20 power projects in the state. He said various central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) have hiked the cost by about 50 paisa per unit which has affected the power budget. Rather exhorted the Power Department to conduct special awareness campaigns to educate people about importance of conservation of power. Moreover, he said, those who are involved in the theft of power |
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CCI apprises ministers of grievances of people
Jammu, September 9 Minister of State for Cooperative Manohar Lal Sharma was also present on the occasion. The objective of the programme was to apprise the ministers of the problems confronting the people of the Jammu region. Speaking on the occasion, Malik lauded the role of the Chamber of Commerce for its support and cooperation in maintaining peace and harmony, besides participating in development issues. He assured them that all issues highlighted by them would be looked into for an immediate
redressal. Malik said the government was initiating various steps to promote the tourism sector in the state and asked the chamber to extend its vital contribution in this regard. Dr Manohar Lal appreciated the chamber for launching the vigorous platform where development and other issues of Jammu region would get the required exposure for
redressal. He said the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was determined for the equitable development of every part of the state with a special focus on rural and far-off pockets. President, Chamber of Commerce, YV Sharma presented a charter of demands to the ministers, which mainly included the modernisation of the Jammu Airport to international standards, completion of the artificial lake, creation of new business
centres, development of warehouse and industrial estates with modern facilities, adequate drinking water availability by lifting water from the Chenab and uninterrupted power supply. Sharma said, “We don’t believe in strikes and agitations, which affect the normal life and disturb peace and tranquility. We have firm faith in the efforts of the government in meeting the demands and grievances of traders.” On the occasion, three entrepreneurs were honoured by the ministers for getting national awards for their outstanding performance in entrepreneurship.
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Ensuring safe drinking water
Srinagar, September 9 Reviewing the flagship programmes under execution in PHE and Irrigation sectors in the state at a meeting here recently, he said numerous schemes launched in these sectors had started yielding encouraging results. “While we are concentrating on universalising drinking water supply facility across the state, the focus is on upgrading and improving the irrigation potential to make new strides in agricultural production,” he added. Speaking in the meeting, Minister for PHE and Irrigation Taj Mohi-ud-Din gave details of the schemes and measures taken in these sectors. The Minister said various flagship programmes under implementation in the state with Central funding would give considerable flip to the efforts of the government in covering all habitations and entire population under protected drinking water supply
programme. Taj said under a comprehensive programme, all water supply schemes in the state would be fitted with filtration plants. He said filtration plants had been installed in 400 water supply schemes out of 900 such schemes. The facility for the rest would be completed within the next two years. Commissioner/secretary, PHE and Irrigation, Mehboob
Iqbal, stated that under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme launched in the state in April 2009, an amount of over Rs 1,047 crore had been spent so far under it to cover 903 habitations for providing drinking water. He said as many as 9,536 schools housed in government buildings had been provided drinking water connections, while 2,000 schools were being given this facility during this year. He said 2,295 water supply schemes had been taken up for the execution, of which 1,257 had been completed and the rest were on various stages of execution. He said out of the 534 minor irrigation projects taken up for implementation under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit
Programme, as many as 317 had been completed by March 2011 and 204 schemes were being completed in 2011-12. He said a comprehensive food management project for the Jhelum had been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore and out of it, priority works involving Rs 97 crore had been approved by the
Centre.
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Rays of hope
Jammu, September 9 “The latest scientific evidence suggests that staying indoors and remaining confined to air-conditioned rooms are aggravating the risk of getting diabetes and deteriorating the level of existing diabetes,” says Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also an author. Dr Singh says vitamin D, also called sunshine vitamin, is primarily provided by the sunlight and is not only essential for the strength and well-being of bones but also plays a vital role in the metabolism of glucose and maintenance of blood sugar levels in the body. Dr Singh explains that while in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus, sufficient amount of vitamin D helps in improving insulin sensitivity. Similarly, in type 1 diabetes, it helps by acting as an immunomodulator, he adds. “Even in pregnancy, the deficiency of vitamin D can lead to increase in the risk of gestational diabetes as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes,” he maintains, adding that the deficiency of vitamin D also increases the risk of diabetic complications on heart, kidneys and other parts of the body. Informing about the common causes of vitamin D deficiency, he says in modern times, less sun exposure, changing lifestyle and diet, staying mostly indoors, formal dress codes, certain medicines and drugs are the major reasons behind it. To overcome this problem, he recommends the use of vitamin D supplement tablets and sachets wherever required.
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Tourist guest house at Gangabal inaugurated
Srinagar, September 9 Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said Gangabal would be developed as a major eco-tourism destination which would attract tourists towards this picturesque hill station paying way for generating economic activities in the area. The Minister said the government had initiated several measures for the promotion of tourism in the Valley, which formed the mainstay of the economy of the state, adding that this year had witnessed a good flow of tourists to the
state. Mian Altaf instructed the forest officers to work with added zeal for the conservation of the green gold and check forest smuggling effectively, adding that the natural beauty of Kashmir was subservient to the forest conservation and preservation of varied greenery, lakes and springs.
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srinagar DIARY With the weather conditions changing during the past few days, the Valley is set to welcome the autumn season. The main paddy crop, after growing through the peak summer months, has changed its colour to brown and golden while the lush green trees have started shedding off the rich greenery. At this time, the king of Kashmir fruit, apple has also started its journey through the plucking basket to the markets and Kashmir homes (see photo). Most of the fresh and dry fruit in the Valley has turned up at their respective points of time, mainly beginning with cherry in early summer. Among the dry fruits, walnut is also acquired during this month. Yet another novelty, saffron, which is known world over as the costliest spice, would also be harvested during the next couple of months. It is again the hay time for labourers who had been waiting for this period for long. The couple of months ahead would be busy for the farmers, orchard owners and the labourers of all kinds to accomplish the tasks well in time before the onset of winter. Another change would be the shifting of the political and administrative seat from Kashmir to Jammu for the winter months. Marriages galore After more than a month of the fasting holy month of Ramzan, marriage ceremonies have now started taking place in the summer capital. Not many marriages take place during July and August. It is during this period that most marriages take place in the urban areas while in the rural areas, mainly among the peasant class, marriages usually take place during the winter months when the farming and harvesting activities are almost over. With an increase in the number of marriages and other social functions here following Eid-ul-Fitr, there has been a dearth of Kashmiri chefs or “wazwan” makers. This become evident during a few Eid Milans organised here after several Iftar parties by prominent political figures or administrative officials. (Contributed by |
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KPs to celebrate ‘Veth
Truyaha’ today
Jammu, September 9 Prior to their mass migration, Kashmiri Pandits used to organise celebrations at Om Vethvathur village, Verinag in Anantnag district. However, during the past over two decades, the community has been organising a function at Rajinder Park here on the banks of the Ranbir Canal to share their nostalgic moments back home. Dr Khema
Kaul, a spokesperson for the Kashmira Vahini, which is organising this year’s function, said the celebrations would begin tomorrow afternoon. The celebrations include the puja of the Vitasta and cultural
programmes, besides immersion of earthen lamps, Kaul said. She said: “The gathering will pay gratitude to the
Vitasta, which is considered as a symbol of cultural renaissance of the Kashmiri Pandit
civilisation”. Kaul said eminent educationist Meena Kak, who bagged this year’s President’s Award, would also be felicitated on the occasion. According to the Hindu mythology, goddess Parvati appeared as the Vitasta river on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad after sage Kashyap prayed for the safety of the people of Kashmir. This also has a mention in the Nilamata Purana and the
Mahabharata. Shamboo Nath of Verinag recalled those days when people from various parts of Kashmir used to assemble in his town, from where the river originates. “Even though I am away from Kashmir, I religiously celebrate the birthday of the river,” he added.
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Now, enjoy cycling at Dachigam park
Srinagar, September 9 Visitors can now enjoy the scenic beauty of the national park and wildlife during the course of their visit. The Minister, while inaugurating the activity, said this would be a different experience for the tourists, particularly nature lovers interested in nature adventure, and a first-of-its-kind activity in the state. It was a matrix of health and expedition and also a step towards promoting nature and eco-tourism in the state, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Altaf said this activity was eco-friendly and suited to the environs of the park, besides visitors would also get acquainted with the rich biodiversity of the park. Altaf added that a guided track pathway for cyclists would take the nature lovers through various places inside the park and would cover a total length of 6 km in two hours. “One counter has been opened by the Department of Wildlife Protection at the Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar, for advance booking and the cost of the ticket has been fixed to Rs 300/per cyclist excluding the entrance fee. The time has been fixed between 6.30 am and 8.30 am except Sundays,” an official spokesperson said.
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Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and stress have been contributing tremendously to the rise in diseases like diabetes mellitus in Jammu and Kashmir, which has recorded over 15 per cent diabetes prevalence.
“The latest scientific evidence suggests that staying indoors and remaining confined to air-conditioned rooms are aggravating the risk of getting diabetes and deteriorating the level of existing diabetes,” says Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also an author.
With the weather conditions changing during the past few days, the Valley is set to welcome the autumn season. The main paddy crop, after growing through the peak summer months, has changed its colour to brown and golden while the lush green trees have started shedding off the rich greenery. At this time, the king of Kashmir fruit, apple has also started its journey through the plucking basket to the markets and Kashmir homes (see photo).
The Dachigam National Park was declared open for nature lovers and adventure skits interested in mountain cycling by Minister for Forest and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmed near here recently.
Visitors can now enjoy the scenic beauty of the national park and wildlife during the course of their visit.
The Minister, while inaugurating the activity, said this would be a different experience for the tourists, particularly nature lovers interested in nature adventure, and a first-of-its-kind activity in the state.
