Srinagar, October 11
Unscheduled and long power cuts have become a regular feature in Srinagar. To add to the woes of residents is the fact that the Power Development Department (PDD) has failed to notify the revised schedule.

Residents are a worried lot as the winters are fast approaching. The power supply situation is bleak in both the metered and non-metered areas of the city.

The metered areas of uptown Srinagar like Chanapora, Hyderpora, Natipora and Rawalpora, go without power supply for hours against the notified schedule. “Normally our electricity supply is snapped for one day in a week and for the rest of the week the supply is generated according to the schedule. But for past one week, power cuts have become even more frequent and the PDD does not even notify the same to help us prepare accordingly," Saleema, a housewife said.

The situation is worse in the non-metered areas which already face restricted power supply for three days in a week in most parts of downtown Srinagar as well as a few uptown areas.

Residents of Peer Bagh, Shiekpora areas of Budgam district on the outskirts of Srinagar complain of lack of power supply over the past two days. "We are facing acute shortage of power and water and nobody from the administration seems to bother.

Srinagar, October 11
Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today informed the house that the Jammu and Srinagar Development Authorities have undertaken the revision of Master Plan 2000-2021.

He was replying to a short notice question by Murtaza Ahmed Khan in the Legislative Council today. He said in case of Jammu Development Authority, the draft master plan has been prepared by CEPT University, Ahmadabad, and objections and suggestions were being invited from the general public. “It will be finalised and notified in the next six months," he said. In case of Srinagar Development Authority, Chand said preparation of the revised master plan has been entrusted to the SAI Consulting and Engineering Private Limited, Ahmadabad.— TNS

Srinagar, October 11
First Lady Usha Vohra released a special cover on the International Day of the Girl Child at a function organised by the Department of Posts (DoP) at the General Post Office Complex here today.

She emphasised on the need for greater attention on education of girls and for continued efforts towards the same to educate every girl.

“The issue of dropout rate among girls needs to be seriously addressed. Besides education, girls need to be taught skills to become economically self-reliant,” she added.

Referring to the declining sex ratio, she stressed on the need for effective enforcement of the law to curb female foeticide. She said the civil society must enhance awareness against such social evils.

She complimented John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, J&K Circle, and the Department of Posts for celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child.

Ramona Samuel also presented a memento to the First Lady.

School children presented a cultural programme. A painting competition was also organised on the occasion.

Anantnag, October 11
Residents of Anantnag and its periphery are concerned over the ever increasing overloading of buses as well as school buses.

Residents complain that it has become increasingly dangerous to use public transport, especially in the rural areas.

They allege that the menace of overloading of buses is going on unchecked under the nose of the authorities.

"The buses plying in the periphery of Anantnag are always packed with thrice their capacity. A mishap is always round the corner," said a daily commuter, Ghulam Nabi.

He said they are forced to take these buses in wake of the scarcity of other means of public transport. "People take these buses even if they have to travel on the roofs of the buses as they don't have any other means of transport," said another commuter.

The residents say most of those traveling on the roofs of these buses are schoolchildren, making it even more dangerous. "My friends and I climb the roofs of the buses on a daily basis but we don't have a choice. Our school is in the periphery of the town, which lacks public transport facilities," said Zubair Ahmad, a Class XI student of a government secondary.

Locals say same is the case with the school buses, “Despite charging heavily amount from us the school buses in Anantnag ferry children like cattle. The condition of the buses is pathetic putting their lives in danger," said a parent, Ali Muhammad.

Srinagar, October 11
Work to reconstruct the historic historical Khankah-e-Faizpanah shrine in Tral pocket of south Kashmir has not been completed even after 13 years since the work began.

The shrine perished in an inferno in December 1997. The government started reconstruction work in 1999 at an estimated cost of Rs 8.57 crore.

Khankah is one of the three shrines in the Valley founded by Shah-e-Hamdan Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. The local caretakers of the shrine say that the government is not taking serious measures to complete the reconstruction work even as the annual urs of Shah-e-Hamdan falls on October 22. Thousands of devotees are likely to pay obeisance here on the occasion.

On Tuesday, a delegation led by Abdul Ahad Mujahid met Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora pleading immediate release of the outstanding amount to complete the reconstruction work. The government has so far released Rs 5.27 crore used for the construction of basic structure, development of lawns and interior decoration. The construction work has been undertaken by the Tourism department and executed through the J&K Projects Construction Corporation.

“The work is going on at a snail’s pace much to the anguish of devotees. We demand immediate release of outstanding Rs 3.30 crore so that the project is completed,” Abdul Ahad Mujahid told the Minister.

On March 8, the delegation met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu who had issued instructions for immediate completion of the project but to no avail.

“The Tourism Minister told us that he has not received any file or instruction from the CM’s office,” Mujahid said.

Mujahid castigated the government for adopting double standards. “On the one hand millions of rupees are spent on new projects but the reconstruction of gutted shrine is not on the priority list,” he said.

Director Tourism Talat Parvaiz said the construction work on the shrine would be completed by the end of this financial year. “The work is in progress and over Rs 5 crore have been spent on the project. The work would be complete by the end of this year,” Parvaiz said.

History of shrine

The shrine perished in an inferno in December 1997.

The government started reconstruction work in 1999 at an estimated cost of Rs 8.57 crore.

The government has so far released Rs 5.27 crore used for the construction of basic structure, development of lawns and interior decoration

Srinagar, October 11
The Minister of State for R&B, Javid Ahmed Dar Thursday said speed-breakers near school buildings, public offices, markets on the Handwara-Vilgam-Kralpora road would be provided with proper paintings and signage.

He was replying to a short notice question by Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah in the legislative council today regarding erection of steep and sharp speed-breakers without proper paint and signage.

He said Handwara-Vilgam road was sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase-VII, in two parts.

“As many as 18 speed-breakers were built in Magam, Neelipora, Geeripora, Shogpora, Palpora, Wagath and Tulwari villages by the residents on their own which are being removed,” Dar said. He said 16 speed breakers designed with proper paint and signage would be constructed near school buildings, hospitals, public offices and market places for the safety of the general public.

Srinagar, October 11
A colourful attestation cum-passing out parade was organised at BSF Subsidiary Training Centre, Srinagar, Humhama, today.

As many as 244 BSF trainees, who completed basic rigorous training, participated in the passing out parade.

Inspector General BSF Kashmir Frontier S S Tomar took salute at the parade. Addressing the trainees, Tomar appreciated their efforts made the training period.

The graduates include 12 SI (JE), 48 ASI (RM) and 184 head constables (RO). Among them were four postgraduates, 21 graduates and 219 senior secondary pass outs.

“Of the total trainees, 85 are from Rajasthan, 51 from Bihar, 32 from UP, 18 from Haryana, six from J&K and 52 from other states,” a BSF spokesman said. They had successfully completed 22 weeks of rigorous basic training, he added.

The spokesperson said that the trainees were put through various dimensions and aspects of training, involving physical fitness and mental robustness, effective use of arms, map reading and maintaining utmost discipline.

“Besides above, training has also been imparted in field engineering, field craft, minor tactics, anti-terrorism, counter-insurgency, commando operations and respect for human rights to become a true ‘Borderman’.

The trained BEF men must carry forward the legacy of excellence of the Border Security Force,” he said.

Srinagar, October 11
Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Rigzin Spalbar called on Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhavan here today.

Spalbar was accompanied by MLC Norbu Gyalstan. They discussed various problems being faced by LAHDC regarding the development of the Ladakh region with him, an official said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Youth Services and Sports and Medical Education R.S. Chib also met the Governor. He discussed issues pertaining to the welfare of ex-servicemen with him. He also briefed him about the initiatives being taken for the promotion of sports and the implementation of various youth welfare schemes.

In another meeting, MLC B.R. Kundal discussed the functioning of the administrative apparatus, transparency and accountability in all spheres of functioning and the need for speeding up the implementation of development programmes.

Discussing development

Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Rigzin Spalbar, MLC Norbu Gyalstan, Minister for Youth Services and Sports and Medical Education RS Chib and MLC BR Kundal call on the Governor

Srinagar, October 11
A group of physically challenged children of the Special Help Line School, functioning under the aegis of the Humanity Welfare Organisation, HelpLine, Bijbehara, Anantnag, visited Raj Bhavan here today. The visit was undertaken on the invitation of the Governor N N Vohra and First Lady Usha Vohra.

On the occasion, the Governor discussed about the adequacy of infrastructure developed for the training and education of these children at the Special Helpline School with the chairman of the organisation. The Governor assured proper help for better facilities to these children.

Earlier, the children met the Governor who wished them a bright future ahead.

The specially-abled children presented a captivating cultural programme. — TNS

Srinagar, October 11
Terming the ongoing LPG shortage in Kashmir a social issue, the Kashmir Bar Association has supported the general shut down call on Friday against the decision to cap subsidised LPG cylinders.Owing to harsh winter conditions in the state, it has also demanded additional LPG supplies for the state.

The association called for a shutdown on Friday against the Central government’s decision to cap subsidised LPG cylinders was given first by the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgamation of various traders’ bodies on October 9.

Earlier on October 8, several employees and trade unions in Kashmir had staged a protests against the LPG crisis in Lal Chowk area.

“The Bar in its executive meeting today decided that it would support the call for general shut down on Friday. The shutdownis a mark of protest against the ongoing LPG crisis, which is also a social issue as people are facing severe hardships due to the cap on the subsidized LPG supplies,” BAR general secretary M Ashraf Bhat said.

Srinagar, October 11
A group of Haj aspirants held a protest here today against a travel agency, Hajeej India Limited, for allegedly taking money from them on the pretext of sending them to Haj.

"Hajeej India has cheated 383 local Haj aspirants. The company took crores of rupees from us as an advance payment for Haj but cancelled the pilgrimage at the eleventh hour," said Ghulam Rasool Dar, a Haj aspirant who is leading the protest.

"Since September 15, the office of the firm is closed. The whereabouts of the owner of the agency, Fabiyan Wahid Gilkar, are not known," he added.

The private company was in the news for all wrong reasons last year as well after being accused of duping Haj aspirants. Earlier also, after a series of protests, the police had started investigations and had managed to arrest Gilkar from Ajmer in December 2011. Later, he managed to get a bail.

Meanwhile, when asked why they had chosen Hajeej as it had duped people last year, Dar said they had deposited the money two to three years ago.

"Moreover, after last year's incident, the agency had promised us that there would be no fraud this time....but we were left in the lurch at the last moment," he added.

The protestors claimed that they had deposited Rs. 30,000 in addition to the amount deposited by them earlier. They had been assured that they would undertake the holy pilgrimage this year.

They sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the refund of their money. They also demanded that the government should sell the property of Hajeej to repay the aspirants. 

Srinagar, October 11
The Shromani Akali Dal Jammu and Kashmir (Komal) today urged the government to increase the number of subsidised LPG cylinders to 12 per year.

In a statement issued here, president of the Sikh unit Gyani Surjeet Singh Badal said we are demanding 12 LPG cylinders in a year because people in the Kashmir and Ladakh division have to face extreme winter conditions.

“Weather conditions are bad in winter. Moreover, the region is reeling under power cuts. For cooking, mostly LPG is used as the supply of kerosene is limited in the division,” he added.

Badal also extended his support to the bandh call given by traders. Traders are protesting against the Government’s move to put a cap on subsidised LPG cylinders. He appealed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to oppose the pension bill passed by the Union cabinet.

Srinagar, October 11
The Directorate of Lifelong Learning, (DLL) University of Kashmir, in association with Department of Social Work & Indo Global Social Society (IGSSS), organised a capacity building programme on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the interiors of Mir Behri area of Dal Lake. Director DLL Dr.Ghulam Hassan Mir has declared the programme open.

The CPR is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing. It is necessary in emergency incidents, including accidents, near drowning, suffocation, poisoning, electrocution etc.

The event was arranged in a line of the follow-up programme of adoption of Mir Behri Dal Lake under an “area based community based” approach. Earlier this year, the Vice Chancellor,University of Kashmir, had initiated this approach.

Speaking on the occasion, Director DLL Dr G H Mir said, other stakeholders of the society must come forward to initiate such programmes in the area.

The programme evoked warm response many people, including students, children, participated in it. Demos and mock drills about the CPR were performed in light of the emergencies. Participants appreciated the efforts made by the DLL and other organisers. 

Srinagar, October 11
Kashmir University, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, is organising a three-day national workshop from October 13. The workshop will deliberate on measures for urban earthquake disaster risk reduction in the Kashmir valley.

Eminent earth scientists and seismologists from various institutes of the country will attend the workshop.

Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, said the workshop is in continuation to our efforts on understanding the mechanism of the earthquake and other disasters in Kashmir Himalayas so that we can suggest measures for reducing the risk of the people to various disasters. Many technical sessions and keynote speeches are scheduled on various aspects of the earthquakes. Besides this, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) shall make a live demonstration of the search and rescue operation.

Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, head of the department of earth science, said the workshop should build the capacity of various segments of the society to make a safer and disaster resilient state.

Governor N N Vohra will inaugurate the workshop and the inaugural function would be attended by Viceb Chairman of the NDMA and its members.

The workshop shall deliberate on scientific findings and suggest a roadmap for disaster management in the urban centres of the state. Prof. Nilofer Khan, Dean Student’s Welfare said the workshop is targeted at all sections of the society, including schoolchildren. 

Srinagar, October 11
Mohammad Latif Khatana, 32, a native of Tulli Banna village, Resi district, suffering from a rarest genetic disorder, human papillomavirus, has developed many thick skin layers on his face that rendered him partial blindness. The State Health Department has finally come to his rescue and offered him a free of cost surgery after he was spotted begging on Srinagar streets.

His vision is fast blurring. He fears of complete blindness, but the brave man doesn't stop thanking almighty and his parents.

He has been devout to his parents while his siblings had left them in their old age. He is happily married now.

“My two brothers and three sisters left my parents because of me .They do want to associate with me. Everywhere I walked, I invited unwanted stares with people used to show sympathy at my condition. But my parents pulled me up and never made me realise that I am a burden on them,” Khatana said.

“We went to see a doctor in nearby village. The doctor said this condition might have happened because my mother might be looking at a solar escape when she was pregnant,” he said.

Khatana has been aware of his parents’ old age and limited financial resources, resorted to begging for two months in a year since nobody is willing to give him somework.

He comes all the way to Srinagar from his home village for two months to beg.

He collected a hefty amount of Rs 24,000 averaging Rs 400 per day.

“I want to work like a normal person, but nobody like to give me work. I have to support my family anyways,” Khatana says.

In 2008, his parents managed to find a suitable match for him. For Khatana, he could not have found a better life partner than Salema, 25, who had lost her one foot in her childhood.

“She is a loving wife. Since she has underwent a tragedy in her life. She can understand my pains very well,” he adds.

Khatana has stopped taking medications as he finds them useless and expensive.

“My parents sold a piece of land for paying my medical bills. Now, we do not have any money for the treatment. Now, I am just trying to live a normal life,” he shares.

Jammu, October 11
Hosts J&K handball teams have entered into the final of the ongoing 29th Sub Junior boys and 14th Mini Girls Handball Championships being organised by J&K Handball Association at Indoor Stadium and Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar.

In the sub-junior boys’ section, J&K toppled West Bengal in the semifinal match by 27-20 goals in a tough contest. Virender scored 10 goals for the winning team.

In the mini girls’ section, J&K girls notched up a narrow win over Delhi by 10-8 to secure a berth in the finals. Reshika Khajuria was the top scorer with six goals.

In other matches of sub-junior boys’ section, UP beat AP by 4 goals (21-17), Bihar beat Maharashtra by 4 goals (33-29) and Delhi beat Rajasthan by 15 goals (23-8). In another match of mini girls’, Haryana beat Kerala by 9 goals (24-15).

Jaipal Singh, Director Youth Services and Sports, was the chief guest in today’s matches. He also interacted with the players on the occasion.

He was accompanied by SM Bali, Secretary General, Handball Federation of India; and Ashok Kumar, Vice-President, School Games Federation of India (SGFI).

Jammu, October 11
Government Degree College (GDC), Poonch, and Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, were declared joint winners in the Inter-Collegiate Hockey Championship played at University of Jammu here today.

Both teams failed to score a goal in the stipulated time and after the request of managers of both teams, the teams were declared joint winners. Lida Singh, wife of Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, was the chief guest who was also introduced with the players and officials before the start of the match. — TNS

Srinagar, October 11
The mother of J&K Forest Minister Mian Altaf passed this evening after a brief illness at her home in Ganderbal district.

In a condolence message issued here, the J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. He also conveyed his sympathy and prayed for peace to the departed soul. — TNS