Srinagar, October 25
Sensing trouble ahead of Eid due to LPG shortage, the state government today asked oil companies to ensure availability of non-subsidised LPG cylinders to consumers without any “stipulation or pre-conditions”.

There will be no change in the earlier policy of cap on subsidised LPG cylinders and the consumers will be supplied the remaining three subsidised LPG cylinders from the quota of six fixed by the Centre earlier.

The meeting was also attended by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Qamar Ali Akhoon and chief secretary Madav Lal and other officers of the state.

The directions were issued by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today during a meeting with representatives of various oil companies in view of the prevailing LPG crisis, which has enraged consumers in Kashmir.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed the oil companies to ensure time-bound completion of gas connection papers and take urgent steps to supply cylinders to people at their homes,” a spokesman said.

However, sources said the government wanted to ensure supply of LPG to households to ease the pressure which is building up due to non-availability of LPG, both subsidised and non-subsidised.

In fact, the state government had last week dispatched a team led by CA&PD Minister to New Delhi to urge the Centre to announce “special gas package” for J-K. However, the team returned empty-handed.

“During the meeting, the Chief Minister asked representatives of oil companies to ensure home delivery of LPG cylinders within the shortest time possible,” sources said.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister said it should be the prerogative of the consumer to obtain either subsidised or non-subsidised LPG cylinders.

“LPG companies should not put any condition on this count on the supply of these cylinders,” Omar is reported to have said, adding that any false scarcity or black-marketing of LPG cylinders won’t be tolerated.

Later, after the meeting with the Chief Minister, the representatives had a separate meeting with the CA&PD Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon.

“After the meeting with the Chief Minister, we discussed the modalities to be adopted for distribution of the LPG cylinders. A four-point mechanism was agreed upon during this meeting,” Akhoon said.

He refused to share the details of this four-point mechanism to be adopted by the oil companies while distributing LPG in Valley.

“The flow of gas supply will improve. The meeting has cleared confusion as far as policy matters are concerned. However, we have been directed to supply gas in accordance with the earlier policy. The dealers will now be issuing three remaining cylinders from the subsidised quota. Consumers can buy the rest from non-subsidised quota,” general secretary of J&K Gas Dealers Association, Jagmohan Singh Raina, told The Tribune. The oil companies also had a meeting with the gas dealers of the Valley after meeting the Chief Minister.

On the other hand, after the CM’s meeting was over, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Asghar Samoon, who was also present at the meeting, issued an order to the oil companies, asking them to issue instructions to all the LPG dealers to immediately resume home delivery of LPG cylinders in Kashmir.

Anantnag, October 25
People in rural areas here in South Kashmir have been left high and dry without cooking gas.

Reports said the people living in the rural areas of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts don’t have any cooking gas. People of these villages say they have been cooking using kerosene stoves and traditional ovens for quite some time now.

“We have been without any cooking gas for almost two months now. Even kerosene supply is very hard to lay one’s hands on,” said Abdul Majeed, a resident of Kokernag area.

Locals say the gas agencies are busy collecting papers for connection renewals and have almost forgotten they have got to deliver gas too.

“Makeshift counters have been erected all through South Kashmir to collect the papers; however, with each passing day, the people are getting annoyed without any supply of the gas,” reports said.

People living in rural areas allege that the towns are getting a good, if not regular, supply of cooking gas and rural areas are being neglected.

“The towns too are facing difficulties; however, not to the extent that we have been made to put up with. At least they get the supply at irregular intervals and will have some gas on the festive occasion,” said a resident of Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district.

People say they are being made to wait endlessly in queues, only for them to hear at the end of the day that there is no more gas available.

“I have purchased some litres of kerosene oil in black and I hope it will suffice at least for some days,” said a local.

Srinagar, October 25
Muzammil, Arfa and Saima, halted for a brief prayer while walking through the busy Gonikhan market here that has been bustling with Eid shopping for the past few days. The three sisters had got a call from their brother, who was about to circumambulate the holy Kaaba.

“Our brother, who has gone to perform Haj, called us as he was about to circumambulate the holy Kaaba. Therefore, we stopped for a dua (prayer) for a while as we could hear ‘Labaik Allahuma Labaik’ through the mobile,” said Muzammil with tears in her eyes.

Arabic words “Labaik Allahuma Labaik” meaning “Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am” are recited by pilgrims as they circumambulate the holy Kaaba during the annual pilgrimage that is nearing completion.

While over 9,000 persons from the state had gone to undertake the Haj this year, their kith and kin have regularly been getting updates over the phone.

“Technology has brought the world closer. Not just our family but others too have been getting regular phone calls from Hajis as they carry out religious duties. Because of the cellphone, we were able to do a virtual tawaaf (circumambulation),” said Arfa.

While the kith and kin of those who have gone to perform the Haj have been following the ‘pilgrim’s progress’ through the mobile phone, others are glued to the television sets as a few cable channels have been telecasting Haj proceedings live.

“It is the dream and also the duty of every Muslim to perform Haj at least once in a lifetime. I never miss the live telecast of Haj on the television with hopes that one day I too would go the holy place for the pilgrimage,” said Syed Tariq, a local.

Another local, Amir Ahmad, said, “Even though the television has been blamed for spreading immorality in the society, it has enabled people like me, who are yet to perform Haj, to see live the proceedings at Mecca.”

The first batch of Haj pilgrims had left the summer capital on September 17. Air India is operating direct Haj flights this year as pilgrims will start returning after the Eid-ul-Adha festival.

Srinagar, Oct 25
In the Valley, housewives are hitting the road, thanks to LPG cap, kerosene shortage, frequent power cuts and rising prices.

Dozens of women from Rambagh, Solina and Tulsi Bagh areas of uptown Srinagar today formed a human chain at Rambagh Bridge today, blocking the traffic for several hours, raising slogans against the state government’s failure in addressing their concerns.

“Where is the cooking gas available for us to cook? Wherever it is available, it is being sold at exorbitant rates which are not within our budget. We are left with no option but to sit on roads and protest,” Ameena, a housewife, said.

Similar reports came in from many pockets of downtown Srinagar including Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Khanyar and Rainawari, with people complaining of acute shortage of cooking gas and kerosene supply.

“Despite tall claims by the government, not enough measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth supply of essential commodities. We are paying our taxes duly and this is what we gain out of performing our duties,” Shameema, an agitated government employee, opined.

People have been queueing up outside various Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) outlets for getting their LPG, kerosene and rice rations.

“I have been waiting for the last three hours but the Munshi (local CAPD official) finally denied availability of LPG. Where do we go now? What is this government doing for people?” says Rizwan Muhammad, a banker.

Srinagar, October 25
Two persons, including an 11-year-old-girl died and four others were injured in road accidents across the Valley.

Police said an elderly person died and two others were injured in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district when a bus collided with a Wagon-R at Matipora, Drugmulla, Kupwara.

The deceased has been identified as Sharief-u-Din Bukhari, 70, resident of Kreeri Pattan. The two injured have been identified as Naseer-u-Din Bukhari, 32, and Sawha-ud-Din Bukhari, 43.

In another accident, a Ford Figo hit and injured three children, Gousia, 12, Uzma, 11 and Yawar Wani, 10, at general road, village Sail, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district yesterday. The three were rushed to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar where Uzma succumbed to her injuries. The two others are under treatment. — TNS

Srinagar, October 25
As the momentum is picking up in Kashmir’s cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, it is the imported sacrificial animals from Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, which are in huge demand almost everywhere in the Valley and have turned the markets diverse.

The reason being their affordability, especially when the local Kashmiri and Bakerwal breeds of sheep and goats have touched sky high process ranging between Rs 8,000 and Rs 50,000.

In contrast, one could purchase a Himachali, Punjabi or Rajasthani breed of the equally weighted sacrificial animal for Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000.

“Around 40 per cent of the livestock consumption on Eid is brought from states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, mainly by the private livestock traders which have put the government agencies on the back foot, said official sources, Sheep Husbandry Department, Kashmir division.

Meanwhile, the estimated profits this year for cattle dealers in the Valley is expected to surpass Rs 100 crore mark.

“The cattle prices have jumped very high this year and this could be attributed to no price fixing by the state government as a result of which the prices are going haywire and the private dealers are quoting any desirable price. It has become almost impossible to purchase the local breeds of sheep and goats for slaughtering purposes,” Ishtiyaq Beigh, an official from the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) told The Tribune.

The local livestock sellers from the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir like Kupwara, Gurez, Reasi, Poonch and Rajouri, who come to Srinagar on such occasions, have their own reasons of quoting high prices.

Amin Khan, a cattle trader, who displays his collection of seven well built Bakerwal sheep says, “I have reared them for one year like my own children and incurred expenses of about Rs 50,000 on them, while taking care of their dietary and hygienic requirements. That is why they are in such a good shape.”

“If I do not get my money back, including the profits, then I might not sell them. I love them and have given a separate name to each one of them,” Khan said.

Srinagar, October 25
Union Minister of State and for Communication and Information Technology Sachin pilot is scheduled to launch a nationwide rural outreach programme through Common Service Centres (CSCs) from Kashmir on October 26.

While flagging off the campaign from Ganderbal district in north Kashmir, Sachin would be accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Ganderbal, wherefrom the campaign is being flagged off is also the constituency of Omar Abdullah.

As part of deepening citizen engagement and to spread awareness about e-governance at village-level, Department of Electronics and Information Technology is undertaking an outreach campaign through Common Services Centres (CSCs) across the country.

The campaign will be rolled out in 11 states, including J&K, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Goa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, covering a total of 1,343 community centres.

Common service centres, which are part of National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), are currently providing various government services to people like certificates (birth, death, domicile, caste and income) the MNREGA payments, and non-government services, bank account opening, withdrawal/ deposit, loan document, online railways, airline ticket booking and DTH recharge.

Anantnag, October 25
The traders union of Kulgam in a meeting with the district administration today decided to reduce the rates on some eatable items to keep a check on the market, on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.

Sources said the trader’s federation has decided to give a special discount to the consumers for a day before Eid.

“We have decided to slash the rates of meat by Rs five per kg for a day before the Eid. This is a goodwill gesture and it will also ensure that the market remains in check,” said a member of the traders’ union.

He said the rates of chicken will be slashed by Rs two for a day and many other items have been included in the list. The people of the district called it a welcome step that would help to curb the menace of illegal profiteering on the festive occasion to some extent.

“Illegal profiteering has been rampant on festivals throughout the Valley. I am happy that the traders of our district have taken a decision for the convenience of the locals,” said a local resident.

The district administration too is happy with the decision of the traders, “We held a meeting with them and it was a decision voluntarily taken by the traders of the district,” said Jahangir Mir Deputy Commissioner.

He said the district administration had been very active in market checks to curb illegal profiteering.

“This decision taken by the traders will prove to be very helpful for us to keep a check on the market and make sure that the black marketers are not let to take consumers for a ride,” said the Deputy Commissioner.

Srinagar, October 25
Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma today said many states of the country were interested to adopt the health models of state.

“There was a time when we were looking at Tamil Nadu and Kerala as health models but the time has changed and now they are interested to adopt J&K health model which is a great achievement of the state,” Sharma said during an award function in Srinagar.

About 350 doctors and paramedics were awarded by the state government during a function at Government Dental College, Srinagar.

“The change, where people are coming from outside, has happened only by the team work and dedication,” he said. The function, which was of its first kind, was held to acknowledge the hard work of the health employees and dedication towards serving people.

The awards were presented by the minister at an annual award ceremony. The awards were presented to the employees for providing best health services, especially during the Haj. The awardees included chief medical officers, block medical officers, para-medical staff members, safai karamcharies and ambulance drivers.

“The awards are the acknowledgement of the hard work of the employees and dedication towards serving people particularly,” the Minister said.

The function was attended by health secretary, Government Dental College principal, Health Services director , Mission director, NRHM, Dr Yashpal Sharma, Family Planning director, Dr TK Moza, director, ISM, Dr Kabir and AIDS Control Programme project director.

Srinagar, October 25
University Grants Commission (UGC) today approved the provision of two seats for the students of Jammu and Kashmir, under supernumerary quota, in the universities and colleges outside the state.

Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), is implementing a special scholarship scheme for the students of the state. The main objective of the scheme is to encourage students to pursue higher studies in institutions of higher learning located outside the state.

The matter was taken up by the UGC on September 6 and after due deliberations, the Commission accorded its approval for creation of two seats in all institutions, which are recognised under Section 2 (f) and 12 B of the UGC Act, for the general courses.

This was conveyed to Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Wahid in a communiqué from the UGC.

“Under the scheme, students from the state, who secure admission in the recognised institution of higher learning, will be provided scholarship to cover tuition fees, hostel fees, cost of books and other incidental charges,” the communique said.

Abdul Wahid said the decision would provide an ample opportunity to our students to get quality education in reputed institutions of their choice. Prof Wahid, however, advised the students to directly contact and approach the authorities of the respective institutions for securing their admission.

Srinagar, October 25
Professor Mohi-ud-Din Sangmi has taken over as the head of Department of Business and Financial Studies (DBFS) as per a notification issued by the University of Kashmir.

Sangmi earlier held positions of the Head of Department of Commerce and Dean of Faculty of Management Studies.

An alumnus of US Department of state’s IVL P Washington, Sangmi is the author of four books and about fifty research papers, published in International and national journals.

“He is also the member of the State Audit Advisory Board, under the auspices of Comptroller and Auditor General of India,” a spokesman of the Kashmir University said.

As a researcher and academician in the area of finance, banking and accounting, he has been conferred best citizen of India and Bharat Joyoti Awards by IPH and IFS, Delhi.

Sangmi is also the pioneer of professional Finance education in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and started Masters in Finance and Control (MFC)in 2005 which is presently run in the DBFS.

Srinagar, October 25
The Jammu and Kashmir Punjabi Sahit Sabha (JKPSS) celebrated its 45th anniversary by conferring literary awards during a function held here. The function was presided over by additional secretary, Cultural Academy Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, wherein five literary awards were conferred.

Gunwant Singh Award was conferred to Ichpal while Mahinder Singh received Mohan Singh Mohan Award, JKPSS general secretary Harpal Singh Pal said.

Principal Niranjan Singh, Dr MP Singh and Suraj Singh too received awards on the occasion. Jagjit Singh received a special award for the promotion of Punjabi language, he said.

Jammu, October 25
Chhatral team defeated the Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Mendhar, by 31 runs in the final to clinch the T20 tournament organised by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under the aegis of Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) at Mendhar today.

A total of four local teams participated in the tournament which was played on knock-out basis. The teams were Ari, Chhatral, Degree College and Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Mendhar.

Iqbal Singh, Tehsildar, Mendhar, was the chief guest who distributed prizes to the winner and runners-up teams. While speaking on the occasion, Iqbal Singh said the Army was working positively to give direction to the youth for achieving excellence in sports.

The local populace had appreciated the initiative undertaken by the Army to promote T20 cricket among the youth. The aim of the tournament was to provide the budding cricketers a platform to display their cricketing skills.

Srinagar, October 25
J&K Forest XI team defeated formidable J&K Bank team by a solitary goal in a thrilling final to clinch the JK Bank super league football tournament played at the Polo ground, Srinagar.

Both the teams played well throughout the match. The first half remained goalless as none of the teams showed any aggression. In the second half, Mushtaq scored the all important goal for the J&K Forest in the 65th minute to give his side a decisive lead that was maintained till the end.

The J&K Forest team dominated the proceedings while the J&K Bank forwards, on the other hand, were on the slower side. The strikers of the J&K Forest team missed a few chances they got in the first half. Had they capitalised on the chances, the score line would have been different.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Armed, Kashmir Range, Rouf-ul-Hassan was the chief guest. JK Bank executive president Taffazul Hussain, JK Bank Sports Board secretary MA Khan, JKFA former general secretary BA Malik, former international footballers Abdul Majeed Kakroo, Muhammad Yousuf Dar and Muhammad Shafi Nari were also present on the occasion.