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Omar offers to amend RPC to bring Army around
Cabinet nod to food Bill draft
Snow season to make late entry in state this year, says Met
CM calls for all-out efforts to address climate change
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1,500 backdoor appointments made in local bodies
Interrogation
in amandeep murder case
Religious functions promote goodwill: Usha Vohra
Stock position of essential goods for winter reviewed
Noted Gojri poet Bhatti dead
Eight to get Dogra Rattan Award
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Omar offers to amend RPC to bring Army around
Jammu, November 24 Omar is trying to bring the Army around on the issue by discussing the ‘option’ of modifying the relevant sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) for providing protection to security forces in counter-terrorism operations. Omar briefed ministers belonging to the coalition partner Congress on the issue today. He also briefed the Cabinet informally on the whole controversy, legalities of the issue and the assessment of the ground situation. “We have an option of amending the RPC. The RPC is different in this aspect from other parts of the country. We are trying, as far as possible, to bring our laws on a par with the rest of the country. This is an option which we can consider because this law (AFSPA) is also applicable to Rajasthan and Delhi and is not subject to abuse. I don’t see why we should have any reservation over it. Let us see, but, as I said, it is not a decision, it is an option, something we can consider,” he told The Tribune this morning. In a chat with mediapersons on the sidelines of a dinner hosted by him last night, Omar had said the Army need not be concerned as an amendment to the RPC would provide it legal immunity for carrying out operations. The Army had argued that the CrPC in other states provided relief to the security forces, but as the RPC in Jammu and Kashmir did not provide any such protection, the AFSPA could not be revoked. The RPC, named after Maharaja Ranbir Singh and applicable to the state since 1932, does not have Section 45 of the CrPC that protects the security forces from prosecution for operations against criminals or terrorists. The Cabinet meeting had not listed the AFSPA on its agenda. Sources said the Chief Minister especially briefed the coalition partner Congress on the issue by addressing the Cabinet. Of the 17 ministers in the Cabinet, the Congress has seven while the National Democratic Party has one minister. The sources said the briefing went off peacefully. State Congress chief Saifuddin Soz had opposed the revocation of the AFSPA saying such matters should be first discussed in the Cabinet and with the coalition partner. Omar’s briefing of the Cabinet on the issue is seen as an attempt to bring the Congress around. During the chat yesterday, the Chief Minister had said the Governor could take the final decision on the revocation of the
AFSPA.
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Cabinet nod to food Bill draft
Jammu, November 24 It also approved the payment of compensation to the Rakh and Farm wing of the Agriculture Production Department for its land being used for the establishment of the Central University of Kashmir at Ganderbal. The grant of ex-gratia relief to employees of the Power Development Department (PDD) and others, who were killed or grievously incapacitated in electricity-related accidents, was also approved. It also cleared the promotion of selection grade officers to the special scale of Rs 37,400-67,000 with grade pay of Rs 8,700 of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service with effect from November 19, 2011. The officers benefited are Atta-ur-Rehman Natnoo, Mohammad Akbar Ganai, Peerzada Hafiz-ullah Shah, Arif-Ullah, Mir Tariq Ali, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Ghulam Rasool Khan, Gulzar Hussain and Sheela Bhagat. The Cabinet sanctioned the promotion of T. Angchook, Director, Fisheries, to a common pool post in the pay scale of Rs 18,400-500-22,400 (pre-revised), now revised to the pay band-4 of Rs 37,400-67,000 with grade pay of Rs 10,000 with immediate effect. It also gave nod to the creation of two posts of helicopter pilots on deputation from the IAF on terms and conditions applicable to the helicopter pilots, who were on deputation with the state Civil Aviation Department. The implementation of the State Data Centre Project in the Information and Technology Department and the filling of the post of Chief Engineer, Roads and Buildings, Kashmir, were also approved.
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Snow season to make late entry in state this year, says Met
Jammu, November 23 Last year, the snowfall came almost a month in advance to the scheduled time, and this year it is expected after mid-December. Last year, the first major snowfall was witnessed on October 22 in some parts of the Kashmir valley. This year, the current temperature in all three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — is two to three degrees above normal. Officials in the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said currently the minimum and maximum temperature in the Jammu region was between 14 and 25°Celsius. Similarly, in the Kashmir valley the temperature was between 2 and 16°Celsius. In Ladakh also, which is a cold desert, the trend remained similar with the maximum temperature recorded at 11°Celsius. Sonam Lotus, Director, IMD, Jammu and Kashmir, said: “The temperature is two to three degrees above normal this year. There are bleak chances of snowfall before mid-December. However, a few higher reaches may witness snowfall before this period.” “So far, only Gulmarg and Sonamarg witnessed one-inch snow on November 10. But, this was not enough to attract tourists.” About the forecast of the department, he said there was hardly any possibility of rain in the next 10 days. “The temperature will remain almost similar in the coming few days. Once there will be rainfall, only then there is the possibility of snowfall,” maintained Lotus. As per the IMD, the snow season in J&K starts from November 15, which lasts till March 15.
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CM calls for all-out efforts to address climate change
Jammu, November 24 “We all are equal stakeholders in maintaining, preserving and conserving our ecosystem as our future is directly related to this phenomenon,” he said and asked the departments concerned to create a massive public awareness on the issue. “The youth, particularly students, at all levels have to be involved in a campaign in this direction,” he added. Chairing the first meeting of the State Governing Council on climate change here, the Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the Council, said the erratic weather conditions, cooler summers and warmer winters were the outcome of climate change and “we were witness and victims of it”. “The climate change in the state is visible by the change in our snowfall and rainfall pattern, depletion of water resources, melting of glaciers and many other things,” he said, adding that agriculture and tourism had also been affected by the change. Earthquakes, flash floods, tsunamis, landslides, droughts, untimely rains and snowfalls are largely associated with climate change and global warming, he said.
— TNS
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President in Jammu on three-day visit
Jammu, November 24 She was given a rousing reception at Jammu airport. Governor NN Vora, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports R S Chib, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda and other senior civil and police officers received her at the airport. She was accompanied by the President House staff, Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh among others. She reached Raj Bhawan in the evening in a cavalcade of over 50 vehicles that presented quite a spectacle in the city. The President will address the third convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) at Kakryal in Katra tomorrow. The President will be the first head of the country to address the convocation of the university since its first academic session in 2004. After the convocation, the President will inaugurate the Spiritual Growth Centre set up at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at Katra, the base camp of the Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta Hills. Tight security arrangements have been made at the university and in Katra town. However, there was no report of inconvenience caused to pilgrims due to tight security. |
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1,500 backdoor appointments made in local bodies
Jammu, November 24 In the local bodies of Jammu province, more than 1,500 people have been recruited through the backdoor in utter violation of the existing recruitment rules. In response to a query by eminent lawyer RS Pathania under the Right to Information Act to the Housing and Urban Development Department, the authorities concerned admitted that 1,531 persons had been appointed in local bodies (municipal committees, councils) without advertising the posts. The Department of Housing and Urban Development in its letter dated November 18, 2011, in response to the RTI query stated that 1,487 casual workers and 44 skilled and unskilled workers had been engaged by various local bodies of Jammu province since 2002. Although the department concerned claimed that these appointments were made to ensure functioning of the local bodies yet as per the existing recruitment rules the government is bound to refer all non-gazetted posts to the State Service Recruitment Board (SSRB) and gazetted posts to the Public Service Commission (PSC). The department claimed that these casual workers were not working against the substantive posts, therefore there was no reason to advertise such posts. “Even with regard to ad hoc appointments, there is an exhaustive set of directions to effectuate them. Yet the explicit guidelines are flayed and flouted and appointments through the backdoor are still being made,” stated Pathania. In response to the query, the government also said that it had set up a committee to streamline the process of selection in the Housing and Urban Development Department. “The fact remains that law as settled by the various high courts and reiterated by the Supreme Court remains that appointments made without advertisements and proper procedure of law are backdoor appointments,” Pathania argued, adding that
“backdoor appointments are a crime against society and a blatant abrogation of Article 14 and Article 16 of the Constitution. They tend to take away the constitutional right of the general public to apply for government jobs.” |
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Interrogation
in amandeep murder case
Jammu, November 24 Rath was the SSP, Jammu, at the time of the interrogation and Latifee was head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which was constituted to investigate the murder of Amandeep Singh, son of former legislator Deepinder Kour. Nagar Singh’s son Jatinder Singh, alias Raja, was the prime accused in the case. Nagar Singh was accused of destroying the weapon used in the murder. At present, Rath is the SSP, Vigilance, and Mubassar Latifee is the SP, Kulgam. In the leaked video, which has been widely circulated in the city, the police officers have been shown using “foul” and “derogatory” language against some prominent politicians of the state. The decision on the officers was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here today. The video, showing that some officers were using derogatory language against some politicians during the interrogation of Nagar Singh at Gandhi Nagar police station, surfaced on social networking sites in October this year. The leaked video has already created a furore in political circles. Although senior police officers are tight-lipped about the attachment of the two officers, a Cabinet minister confirmed that the decision to attach both officers was approved by the Cabinet. Meanwhile, the Cabinet also ordered a major shake-up in the police department. Ram Lubhaya, ADGP, HG / CD and Auxiliary, has been transferred and posted as the ADGP, Security; and SP Vaid has been posted as the ADGP, Headquarters, police control room. DR Doley, ADGP, has been transferred and posted as the ADGP, HG / CD and Auxiliary. ZH Chisti, IGP Vigilance, has been transferred and posted as the IGP Railways, J&K. He will take over the charge on the superannuation of Farooq Ahmad on November 30. |
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Religious functions promote goodwill: Usha Vohra
Jammu, November 24 She was the chief guest at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Jain Taruni Mandal at the Abhinav Theatre here this evening. Vohra praised the mandal for organising various social activities and helping those who were not so lucky. While wishing the mandal all success in its endeavours, she hoped that it would continue to support the needy. Referring to Jainism, the First Lady said, “It is an ancient religion which has spread the message of non-violence, truth, harmony and the virtues of leading a pious life.” She honoured former presidents of the mandal by presenting awards to them. She also interacted with the awardees. Vohra was also presented a memento by the mandal. In her welcome address, Savita Jain, president of the mandal, spoke about the activities of the organisation, its history, evolution and future action plan. A musical concert, “Atam Jeevan Darshan”, depicting the life of Jain Acharya Atma Ramji Maharaj, his spiritual achievements and contribution to society through his preachings, was also presented on the occasion to observe his death anniversary. Other highlights of the programme included a folk dance, “Dharti ki Pukar”. Monika Jain, general secretary of the mandal, presented a vote of thanks. |
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Stock position of essential goods for winter reviewed
Srinagar, November 24 He was chairing a meeting of officers concerned held here yesterday to review the stock and supply positions of essential commodities in the Valley.
— TNS
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Noted Gojri poet Bhatti dead
Jammu, November 24 His funeral was attended by a number of people, including writers, poets and artists of Poonch district, at his native village Hari Mehrote, 7 km from Surankote town. Tributes were paid to the departed soul at a condolence meeting held by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages here. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Javaid Rahi, chief editor and head of the Gojri wing of the academy, said Bhatti was a leading short story writer and reputed poet, who contributed immensely to the Gojri language.
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Eight to get Dogra Rattan Award
Jammu, November 24 The award will be presented to Prof Nilembar Dev Sharma, Dhan Raj Badgotra, Rangil Singh, Heera Lal Verma, Prof Reeta Jatinder, Sohail Kazmi, Jagdish Singh Jamwal and Satpal Sahni (posthumously) at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium of the University of Jammu. The award was constituted two years ago to honour distinguished persons for their contributions to various fields. A committee comprising Prof MR Puri (chairman), Govardhan Singh Jamwal, Abdul Gani Goni, Prof Champa Sharma, Prof DL Choudhary, Balwant Tahkur, Jitendra Udhampuri and Prof Bhim Singh (convener) recommended the names for the award.
— TNS
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Jammu, November 24
