Baramulla, January 24
A building housing Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Diwan Bagh of Baramulla district was partially damaged in fire this morning. Reports said the fire broke out in the building around 7:40 am and damaged its rooftop partially.

Fire tenders were pressed into service and it was brought under control after half an hour but the rooftop of the multi-storey building was partially damaged.

The cause of fire was being ascertained. The school management is accused of selling scores of poplar trees without following proper procedure and purchasing furniture worth lakhs without forming a purchase committee. The management is already under the scanner.

The District Magistrate, Baramulla, and Director, School Education, Kashmir, have already ordered probe separately into complaints by locals against the school management. Residents of Diwan Bagh in their complaint in August last year had accused the school management of selling poplar trees worth lakhs. They had also accused the management of violating norms by not forming a purchase committee for buying furniture.

Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Ahmad Khawaja said the probe was almost complete and it would be made public soon. “I am not aware of contents of the inquiry report. It will be made public soon. I visited the spot and the police is ascertaining the cause of the fire,” he said.

He informed that school records in the basement of the building were safe. “School records are intact. The fire tenders did a good job by dousing the flames in time,” he added.

Baramulla Additional Deputy Commissioner was heading the committee that conducted the probe. A separate probe into the alleged sale of poplar trees and buying of furniture has also been ordered by the school education department. “The probe has indicted the management of making undue profits out of sale of poplar trees illegally. It has also indicted the management of violating rules by not setting up a purchase committee for the purchase of furniture,” sources said. 

Kupwara, January 24
Newly inducted cabinet ministers from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district were welcomed by their supporters in their respective constituencies.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mir Saifullah and Minister for Food and Supplies and Transport Chowdary Ramzan were received amid pro-NC slogans by their supporters in Kupwara and Handwara. The newly inducted ministers were accompanying Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to Handwara and Kupwara, where they addressed public gatherings.

The supporters were carrying placards which greeted the Chief Minister and thanked him for fulfilling their long-pending demand. “We are thankful to Omar for fulfilling the long-pending demand of people of the backward district. We hope that the ministers will spare no efforts in bringing about significant development of the district and fighting for the rights of people,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer and NC supporter in Handwara.

Some supporters broke the barricades in Handwara and Kupwara to greet these ministers with garlands. The supporters distributed sweets as women sang folk songs. Earlier, people danced to the drum beats to welcome the ministers. “It is a historic day today for the people of Kupwara. We are here to celebrate the arrival of our ministers, who will lead this backward district to prosperity,” said Mohd Afzal.

The traffic movement at Kupwara bypass was affected due to the celebrations here. The police had a tough time in in clearing the road for the traffic.

In Handwara, the ministers accompanying the Chief Minister walked from Khundbal Handwara to Chinar Park, to address a gathering of supporters.

Ramzan in his address vowed to work harder for the development of Kupwara district.

Omar while addressing people at the Tourist Reception Centre, Kupwara, promised people of the district that he would induct two more ministers from Langate and Lolab constituencies, if they voted the party candidates to victory in the upcoming elections.

“I promise you people to send two more cars with two flags each in Kupwara district, if you vote the party candidates in Lolab and Langate constituencies of the district to power in the upcoming elections. Kupwara constituency is the stronghold of the NC after Srinagar and I hope with my former Home Minister holding the position of provincial president, the party base will be strengthened in the district,” Omar said.

Srinagar, January 24
Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir today said maintenance of peace was imperative to the development of Kashmir’s tourism sector.

“We are making every effort to promote J&K as the best tourist destination not only in India but in the world. If we have peace here, we can be in a position to spread a good word and attract tourists. This will also help us to lift travel advisories,” said Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

He said this during a meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) with stakeholders of the Valley’s tourism sector.

During the meeting, the Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Association (KHARA) sought the upgrade of existing infrastructure in the state to cater to the growing rush of tourists.

“The state has been witnessing good rush of tourists for the past couple of years which is a healthy sign. New hotels are coming up in the state, especially in Kashmir, which will take a couple of years more. But before they come up, we have to accommodate the visitors in the existing infrastructure which needs to be given a facelift,” KHARA president Showkat Chowdhary said.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvez and other hoteliers and travel agents were also present on the occasion. 

Srinagar, January 24
In a significant development, Kashmir University is mulling over introducing a one man, one post system in the university. As per the new system, one official (teaching/non-teaching) will hold only one position at a time. Sources said over the past few weeks, during several rounds of meetings held under the aegis of Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, the authorities have decided to recruit new people for the posts of Head of Department (HoD), Media Education Research Centre (MERC), Director Information Technology (IT), Chief Proctor and Director, Landscape division.

All these positions are being currently occupied by senior faculty members, who are also holding other posts.

Sources said a final decision would be taken soon to ensure accountability of top-rung officials and effective management.

Of late, there was abuzz in the university that since senior faculty members (HoDs) were handling extra management responsibilities and their departmental work was suffering. The realignment of posts and new recruitments come as a result of these contemplations.

Under the process, many officials will be relieved of some duties which they were performing while occupying different positions.

Prof Mufeed, who is currently Director, Information Technology (IT) Department, is also the Head of Department, Media Education Research Centre (MERC).

Prof Muhammad Afzal Zargar, who is the head coordinator of clinical biochemistry, is also chief proctor of the university. Prof Irshad Ahmad Nowchoo, HoD, Botany Department, is also discharging duty as the Director, Landscape Division.

Sources said the faculty members would be re-assigned teaching jobs in their respective departments.

“As for the posts of HoD, MERC, Director, IT, and Director, Landscape, it is being deliberated that specialists from outside the campus will be considered for these posts,” a senior professor said on the condition of anonymity.

The university authorities have also dissolved the Watch and Ward Wing of the university. Students and teachers have welcomed the move and described the move as an essential step in improving academic environment of the university by restricting subject specialists to the teaching jobs.

“Both students and teachers suffer a lot when teachers have to do managerial jobs instead of teaching. While teachers get overworked, students don’t get quality education. I think the authorities should go ahead with this move,” said Sameer Ali, an MSc (Botany) student.

Srinagar, January 24
Highlighting the importance of greater coordination among different agencies, Director General of Police (DGP)

Ashok Prasad today asked policemen to work with added discipline and dedication for providing better policing to people.

Prasad was speaking at a meeting of senior officers of the police, para-military and civil administration held at the Police Control Room, Srinagar, today. The meeting was aimed at finalising the security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations. The meeting also discussed the law and order scenario in Kashmir province.

Expressing satisfaction over law and order situation in the Valley, the DGP said a comprehensive mechanism was being evolved to mount pressure on anti-social elements and to sustain peace.

He said greater synergy among different agencies could yield better results on this front. “People’s cooperation will help the forces to achieve the desired goal,” he said.

Besides the main function at the Bakshi Stadium, functions will be held at all district and tehsil headquarters.

The DGP asked the officers to deploy sufficient manpower in and around the venues to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations.

Prasad told traffic officials to make arrangements such that the common man does not face any inconvenience in reaching the venues.

Srinagar, January 24
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday demanded a thorough inquiry into the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gaurantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme.

The PDP alleged that the scheme had led to a big scam in the state.

Responding to the claims of the Minister for Rural Development on the success of the scheme, PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said the government claims were completely baseless and the figures quoted by the minister were misleading.

In a statement, he said the huge funds received from the Government of India in the past four years in this regard had not been utilised properly. “We demand a thorough inquiry into the implementation of the MGNREGA in the state,” he said.

Srinagar, January 24
Day temperatures in the Kashmir valley shot up by a few notches after witnessing sunshine today afternoon. However, there was no let-up in intense cold wave conditions in the morning due to plummeting night temperatures.

Minimum temperature dropped to -6.4 degrees Celsius at Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, as compared to -4 degrees Celsius the night before, an official of the Meteorological Department said. Similarly, tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir saw a low of -11.6 degrees Celsius as compared to -7 degrees Celsius the night before.

The minimum temperature at ski resort of Gulmarg fell by a degree to -10.6 degrees Celsius. Srinagar and border town of Kupwara recorded minimum temperature of -1.8 and -0.9 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Kupwara town had recorded 2.5mm rain/ snowfall yesterday and there were reports of snowfall on the higher reaches at several places in the Valley.

While Srinagar had witnessed the coldest day of the season yesterday by recording maximum temperature of 1 degree Celsius, the summer capital today recorded maximum temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature increased in the afternoon as chilly weather conditions were witnessed in the morning.

Qazigund, Kupwara and Pahalgam recorded maximum temperatures of 5.9, 7.4 and 2.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The MeT office has forecast dry weather conditions across the Valley during the next 24 hours.

Srinagar, January 24
Eid-e-Milad will be observed with traditional fervour across the Kashmir valley tomorrow as devotees have been thronging the revered Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake for the past 11 days.

The devotees here observe Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, for 12 days beginning 1st Rabiul-Awwal of the Islamic calendar (January 14).

Even as Milad is not observed in countries like Saudi Arabia and orthodox Muslim groups have opposed observing the day, devotees from across the Valley have been paying obeisance at the Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy relic (hair strand) of Prophet Muhammad, for centuries during the Milad days.

While a huge rush of devotees is witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine for 11 days, around two lakhs pilgrims usually gather for prayers and supplications at the shrine on 12th Rabiul-Awwal (tomorrow). The most distinctive feature of Milad here is the public display of the holy relic each time after five prayers. ‘Shab Khawani’ (night-long prayer) is also held at the shrine on 11th Rabiul-Awwal. A whole lot of residential houses, shops and many other business establishments remain covered with buntings and colourful lights ahead of Eid-e-Milad while the Hazratbal shrine wears a festive look. Eid-e-Milad is also observed with fervour in other parts of the Valley but Hazratbal has remained the main centre for religious functions for centuries.

Milad celebrations in the Valley had begun in the 18th century after the holy relic arrived here. Bagh-i-Sadiqabad, where the holy relic was placed, came to be known as Hazratbal i.e. the Abode of the Prophet.

The authorities have made adequate arrangements and prepared a traffic route plan to cater to the expected rush of devotees at the Hazratbal shrine.

An official said one-way traffic will ply to Hazratbal in view of Eid-e-Milad. He said: “The traffic police will provide buses from SRTC bridge to Hazratbal via Ikhwan Crossing, police station Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Gojwara Chowk, Hawal, Shree Bhat, Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan and Lal Bazar.”

“Similarly, devotees of various districts of the Valley, which include Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara, Bandipora and Budgam, will be provided the route passing through Tengpora Bypass, Bemina Bypass, Qamarwari, Cement Bridge, Noor Bagh, Eidgah Crossing, Alamgari Bazar, Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan, Lal Bazar and finally the Dargah Hazratbal, while the devotees of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Awantipora will proceed to Dargah Hazratbal via Pantha Chowk, Sonwar, Gupkar, Foreshore and Nishat,” the official added. 

Srinagar, January 24
A high court lawyer was thrashed by a shopkeeper and his salesmen here today following an argument that started between them over the price of a certain sports item.

The argument began after the lawyer objected to the shopkeeper’s demand for an amount more than maximum retail price (MRP) of a particular item.

The police has registered an FIR after the lawyer, BA Misri, lodged a complaint alleging that he was severely beaten up and injured by the shopkeeper and his salesmen.

The incident occurred in the Sarai Bala locality of the city. Misri had gone to the shop to buy some sports goods.

He alleged that the shopkeeper had charged him certain items exorbitantly even as their maximum retail price (MRP) was much lower.

Misri alleged that when he objected to this, the shopkeeper and his men pounced upon him and thrashed severely.

“I had gone to Tantray Sports Store in the Sarai Balal market to purchase an ankle guard yesterday. Though its MRP was Rs 86, the shopkeeper charged me Rs 100”, Misri told The Tribune.

“When I objected to paying him more than the MRP, he refused to relent. I then paid him Rs 100 and asked for a bill, which he refused to give,” Misri said.

“As I was leaving his shop, the salesmen snatched the purchased item from me and the shop owner along with his men started beating me up”, Misri said while narrating the incident.

“Acting on my complaint, the police has registered an FIR 06/2013 at Shergarhi police station against the accused,” he said.

“I hope the police will take action against the culprits,” he said. 

Jammu, January 24
The PG Arts Department beat the Government Degree College (GDC), Kathua, by a comfortable margin of 63 runs today in the Inter-Collegiate (Men) Cricket Tournament being played at the University of Jammu here.

Batting first, the PG Arts accumulated 160 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted quota of 20 overs. Taqdir Singh was the top scorer with 38 runs while Sunil Sharma contributed with 37 runs. Sukhwinder and Rahul Sharma scored 31 and 28 runs, respectively.

For the GDC Kathua, Arjun Singh and Vikrant took three and two wickets, respectively. In reply, the GDC, Kathua, was skittled out for 97 runs in 19.3 overrs. Arjun Singh and Arun Singh made 35 and 23 runs, respectively. For the PG Arts, Sukhvinder took four wickets while Dilawar Singh, Rajinder Sharma and Kulwinder took one wicket each. The match was officiated by Raman Kumar, Vijay Dogra and Manu Khajuria.

In another match, the GDC, Reasi, notched up a convincing four-wicket win over the GDC, Billawar, with utmost ease. Batting first, the GDC, Billawar, scored 108 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted overs. Shewaz Bhatt (19), Banu Partap (16), Rahul (15) and Muneesh (14) were the notable performers.

For the GDC, Reasi, Rakesh and Kulbushan took two wickets each while Jaswant scalped a wicket. The team chased the score in 16.4 overs losing six wickets in the process.

Jammu, January 24
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the president of the J&K State Sports Council, will chair the 58th general council meeting on February 7 at the Secretariat. Important matters pertaining to regularisation of contractual coaches, strengthening of infrastructural facilities, review of overall working of the council are likely to be taken up during the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting was finalised today.

Sources said the Chief Minister would review the overall functioning of the department besides taking major decisions for strengthening infrastructural facilities for sports persons of the state.

“The decisions taken in the recently concluded standing council meeting such as regularisation of the contractual coaches/instructors on permanent basis is likely to be discussed in the general council meeting. The construction of a multi-purpose sports complex at the MA Stadium and expansion of the Skating Rink besides the review of projects are likely to be taken up during the meeting. It will be attended by Minister for Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohiuddin and other senior officers from the Sports Department,” said a source in the State Sports Council.

“Threadbare discussion will be held on the issuance of a letter by the Union Sports Ministry recently to all the sports federations and sports councils across the country to adopt the age and tenure provisions of the sports code. The meeting will also try to build a consensus on making necessary amendments in the constitution of sports associations,” the source said.

J&K State Sports Council Administrative Officer Mohammad Afzal Malik while confirming the development said, “Yes, the agenda for the forthcoming general council meeting has been almost finalised. I am not in a position to disclose the details of the agenda because it is confidential but it contains all important matters pertaining to the betterment of sports in the state.”

The last general council meeting was held in April 2011.