The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Health cover for over 66,000 BPL families Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 14 Achieving another milestone in the history of the State Health Department, Minister for Health & Family Welfare Sham Lal Sharma recently launched a prestigious Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme would benefit around 66,000 BPL families of two capital districts, Srinagar and Jammu initially. Expressing happiness after launching the scheme in the presence of a team of the Central government and senior officers of the state government at a one-day workshop held here recently, the Minister said poor people of the state, who could not afford treatment in hospitals, would receive the benefits under this specially designed scheme. He hoped that the scheme would be implemented in letter and in spirit by the concerned displaying missionary zeal and spirit. The scheme had been launched in the state after giving due thought on its various aspects and benefits for the poor population. Initially, it would be implemented in Jammu and Srinagar district and gradually extended to all districts of the state. He expressed optimism that the scheme would prove useful and the distressed section of society would be benefited in a big way. Anil Swarup, director-general, Labour Welfare, Government of India, who was the special guest on the occasion, gave a detailed presentation highlighting the objectives of this centrally sponsored scheme, which has been successfully implemented in most of the states. He informed that the objective of the scheme was to provide protection to the BPL families and labour class from financial liabilities arising out of health dangers that involve hospitalisation. He said over 19 million people had so far been covered under the Yojna and successfully implemented in the country. Elaborating, he said the beneficiaries under the RSBY would be entitled to cashless hospitalisation coverage for most of the diseases through the network of identified hospitals up to expenditure of Rs 30,000 per family per annum. This would cover five members of a family which include the head of the household, spouse and up to three dependents. The Central and the state governments would pay the premium to the health care providers (insurance companies) being selected by the state government. The contribution would be on a 90-10 basis annually and the beneficiary family had to pay only registration fee of Rs 30, Swarup added. Later, an MoU was signed between the Ministry of Labour Welfare, Government of India, and the State Government for the implementation of the scheme. GA Peer, Commissioner-Secretary, Health & Medical Education, said the scheme was useful for the poor section of society and missionary efforts were required for its successful implementation at the ground level. In his welcome address, Rakesh Khajuria, Director, Family Welfare, who is also the state nodal officer, RSBY, highlighted the features of the scheme. He said the data of every family would be stored in the computer and the head of the family would be provided with smart cards which would enable their admission to the designated hospitals. The cost of per card was Rs 60 which would also be borne by the Central government. He said approximately there were 66,000 families in the two districts who would avail the benefits of this scheme. A proper mass awareness would be created amongst the deserving families so that 100 per cent coverage could be ensured, he added.
	Panchayats told to monitor development projects Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, October 14 Even as no official order has been issued regarding the delegation of powers to the panchayat members, the authorities have started involving panchayats in development projects to keep a check on the quality of work and to ensure timely completion of various projects at the ground level. GA Khawja, Rajouri deputy commissioner, while addressing a public darbar in Kotranka teshil, called upon the panches and sarpanches to monitor development works in their respective areas to ensure quality control. As it is widely alleged that quality work is not done in remote areas, the authorities have decided to involve panchayat members. Secondly, there are also complaints that works are completed only on paper, especially in the far-flung areas, so the involvement of panchayats would ensure the execution of all such projects on the ground. Khawaja asked the panchayat members to monitor various development works being executed in their respective areas. He also stressed the need for generating mass awareness about the rural job scheme and asked the people to come forward to avail the benefits under the scheme which aims at developing the rural areas. He asked the people to avail benefits of schemes like MNREGA, IAY etc. He also directed the Public Health Engineer (PHE) Department to ensure adequate water supply to the people of the rural areas. During the event, a large number of people from different areas participated and apprised the deputy commissioner of their grievances and demands. The people put forth their demands which included regular supply of fertilisers, adequate teaching staff in schools, bus services, regular ration supply, uninterrupted electricity, better health facilities, safe drinking water supply, upgrading and construction of roads and link roads, upgrading of schools etc. Responding to their demands, the deputy commissioner assured them that all genuine demands would be redressed in a phased manner. He also directed the officers concerned to monitor the functioning of their respective departments at the ground level and stressed on regular field visits.
	Deer Park upgrade fails to take off Archit Watts Tribune News Service Jammu, October 14 Though the Deer Park at Manda Hills on the outskirts of the city has become a favourite picnic spot for the locals and tourists, the expansion of this park is yet to see the light of day. This is the only park of its kind in the region where a number of wild animals and birds are kept in cages. In the past one year, the park has attracted 89,000 people. With the overwhelming response of visitors to the park, the Wildlife Protection Department has requested a number of times to the authorities concerned to allot some land to upgrade this park to a zoo, but so far nothing has been done. “The space available with us is very less, but the number of visitors has been on the rise. So, we have requested higher-ups to either grant us permission to upgrade the existing Deer Park or allot any land near the city to make a zoo,” said Tahir Shawl, Wildlife Department, Jammu. He further said the efforts of their staff, in association with the officials of the Tourism Department, had brought good results. “The place attracts a large number of people as the entry fee is nominal,” said Tahir. Abdul Wahid, in charge, Deer Park, said: “If the government sanctions this project, the number of visitors will increase manifold. The upgardation of this park will definitely give a boost to the tourism sector”.
	At Bal Ashram, inmates live the hard way Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, October 14 Deepika Singh Rajawat, a rights activist and a member of the Juvenile Welfare Board, Jammu, has sought immediate attention of the government towards the shoddy arrangements at Bal Ashram, RS Pura. In a report submitted to the government recently, the activist has claimed that immediate action is warranted to improve the living standard of the inmates at the ashram which houses a Nari Niketan and an observation home. Presently, at least 32 inmates aged 5 to 15 years are living in the ashram being run by the Department of Social Welfare. “The ashram is understaffed. There are only five employees, besides a security guard, who is a government employee. The ashram is not having any fulltime caretaker/warden for the inmates, who are looked after by cooks and a chokidar. Amir Chand, superintendent, leaves Bal Ashram at around 2 pm, leaving the children to cooks who have no experience of taking care of them,” the report highlights. It further states that all inmates are having only one set of uniform for school. “The sweeper is paid only Rs 350 per month, which does not suit her and she has time and again requested the authorities to increase her salary,” it says. “The diet given by the department is quite insufficient and even does not serve the basic nutritional requirement. It will be advisable that on expert advice a fresh look is to be taken on the quality and quantity of food and drinks of the inmates,” the report says. Depika, in her report, further sates that all inmates go to nearby government schools, but after going through the record, it has been noted that none of the inmates have ever scored good marks. “There is a part time teacher at the ashram, Ram Pal, who teaches all 32 inmates irrespective of their classes. Ram Pal, too, has been demanding a rise in the salary, which at present is Rs 1,000 per month. There is no library facility for the inmates. Besides, no reading material, including newspapers, is supplied to the ashram,” the report reads. The report further points out lack of co-curricular activities in the ashram. “The inmates are never taken out for picnic. They are not involved in any type of sports activity or physical training programme,” it says and adds: “They are never taken for regular medical checkups. It has been observed that most of the children are suffering from sort of blood infection. Inmates are not sent for immunisation. Moreover, the ashram is not having a vehicle of its own”. “The inmates do not have any means of entertainment. The only TV set, which was donated to the home by a philanthropist, has been lying defunct. In winters, inmates are not provided any heating arrangements due to which most of the inmates remain sick and are not taken care of. “To improve the lives of inmates, attention should be given to inmates’ access to their right to protection, basic education, healthcare, a healthy environment and livelihood opportunities,” Depika recommends in her report. Mehmood Rana, director, social welfare, says, “Funds are no constraint. We have gone through the report and taken up many issues raised by the activist with the state government”. “The department is soon going to take many initiatives at its own whereas for improvements in rest of the areas, we have sought an approval from the authorities,” he added.
	Mujahid Manzil to be restored Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 14 The gvernment is contemplating to restore the historic Mujahid Manzil complex worth its repute and make it a heritage site. The complex was gutted in a fire incident a few years ago. Mujahid Manzil has remained the epicentre of Kashmiri ethos, culture and history and it was visited by veteran leaders of their times like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. It was from here that people of the state fought against the autocratic rule in 1940. After 1947, it became the abode of late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah till his demise. Mubarak Gul, adviser to the Chief Minister, visited the site and took stock of the development initiative at the complex in downtown recently. Gul said a multi-storeyed complex would be constructed at the site with the modern facilities. He directed the managing director, JK Housing Board, to prepare the site plan and submit the detailed project report so that funds could be arranged for the purpose. He said the members of the State Legislature from Srinagar would provide sufficient funds out of their constituency development funds. While visiting the nearby historic bridge of Zaina Kadal, Gul instructed the authorities to develop a park on the land which was available near the matador stand. He said Vakil House situated on the right side of the Jhelum and Radha Krishen House situated on the left side would be renovated to be used as community centres.
	State asks Centre to extend industrial policy Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 14 The state government has approached the Centre to extend the existing industrial policy which is scheduled to expire next year for further few years as industrialists of the state could not get benefits of the package fully so far. Announcing this at the inaugural function of the 56th Industrial and Handicrafts Exhibition at Kashmir Haat here recently, Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia said a large number of industrialists had represented for the extension of the existing industrial policy beyond 2012 so that its benefits could be availed fully. The Minister, while underscoring the significance of industries in employment generation, said the government would organise national-level Handloom Expos and Buyer-Seller meets to provide better marketing channels to the artisans to sell their products. Slathia said the state had better potential for industrial growth, particularly in fruit, mineral, wood and leather industries, which had raw material available in abundance locally. He said the government endeavoured to provide platform to artisans and industrialists to sell their products at better remunerative price. He called upon the entrepreneurs to come forward in a big way to venture in industrial sector, adding that a hassle-free mechanism had been put in place to provide them industrial plots in various industrial estates of the state. He said a number of plots were available for allotment in Industrial Growth Centre (IGC), Lassipora, adding that the Growth Centre was being connected to the National Highway through an easy approach road. In addition, the work on the IIIrd phase of the Industrial Estate, Khanmoh, had also been taken up to accommodate more entrepreneurs. The Minister also called upon all the stakeholders to contribute in maintaining peace in the state which was imperative for inviting big investments from the industrialists of the country. He said the government had planned to organise an International Handloom Expo in May next, adding that the annual Industrial and Handicrafts Exhibitions in the Kashmir Haat would henceforth be organised in May every year to dovetail it with the peak tourist season in Kashmir. He said these events would provide an opportunity to artisans and industrialists to interact with each other and share experience to boost the sale of their products. Meraj-Ud-Din Kenu, Director, Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, said about 853 incoming-generating units had been set-up in Kashmir during the past two years providing employment to about 5,761 youths directly. An investment to the tune of Rs 106.72 crore had been made in these industries. He said the entrepreneurs had been provided 353 kanals of land for setting up of their units. He said under the PMREGP, 1,315 youths were provided jobs. They were provided Rs 84.42 crore by various banks. He said the industrialists of Kashmir were provided incentives amounting to Rs 11.87 crore under the Central and state industrial policies. Kenu said LoC trade from Salamabad Uri was picking up, adding that trade worth Rs 572.12 crore was undertaken during the past two years from both the sides. He said the Trade Facilitation Centre was under-construction at a cost of Rs 10 crore to boost the LoC trade.
	srinagar DIARY Kashmir Haat vs industrial exhibition A number of years have passed since the last industrial exhibition was organised at the Exhibition Grounds around this time of the season in the heart of the city. The place used to be among the very few other spots like the famous Mughal Gardens, flocked by people from all walks of life, ranging from peasants with their small household produce to big business houses. Before the onset of winter, this exhibition on the sprawling lawns near the Civil Secretariat had been a popular event for the people of the city as well before the Darbar move to the winter capital. Having remained closed for several years in the event of militancy in Kashmir, the practice has now been restored after the reconstruction of the complex on modern lines. The old complex was damaged due to a fire incident. Now, since the Industrial Exhibition has attained the new name of “Kashmir Haat”, the locale gives a different look, failing to enthuse visitors. There are various events for the entertainment of the visitors, which, however, do not match the kind of enthusiasm which used to be witnessed during the early years. The opening event of the Haat was more of a political affair. A similar event was organised when the 56th annual industrial and handicrafts exhibition was opened last week (see photo). The opening ceremony included a cultural programme which was witnessed by a minister and senior officers of the department concerned. (Contributed by Ehsan Fazili)