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HC bans construction at Gulmarg
Lashkar top militant arrested, another killed in Sopore
Mufti calls on PM, appeals for fair elections in J&K
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Omar’s chopper makes emergency landing
Omar wants NHPC to return power projects to state
MHA ropes in corporate sector to employ J-K youth
Government to ensure security of panchayat members: Minister
Governor reviews development schemes of Vaishno Devi board
Differences in coalition: Cong MLA not invited
to function
Impart vocational training
to jobless youth: Nair
Cameras get rolling at Tulip Garden
PM’s Adviser calls on
Guv, CM
Apex court modifies guidelines on amenities for Amarnath yatris
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HC bans construction at Gulmarg
Srinagar, April 18 The court has also banned grant of any fresh land lease in Gulmarg till the completion of the Master Plan. These directions were issued by a division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magery this week in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Mohammad Rafiq Zargar through his counsel advocate Mian Qayoom, wherein he had sought indulgence of the High Court in safeguarding eco-sensitive areas of Gulmarg and Tangmarg from illegal constructions. Earlier on April 8, while taking note of the “illegal constructions” in eco-sensitive areas of Tangmarg and Gulmarg in north Kashmir, the J&K High Court had sought the personal appearance of the Chief Secretary with all details on the “We deem it proper to direct the respondents to ensure formulation of the (Gulmarg) Master Plan as expeditiously as possible, preferably within three months from today. The Chief Town Planner shall keep this court posted with the progress thereof by filing fortnightly status reports”, the HC division bench observed in its eight-page detailed orders in the PIL. In his status report to the Court filed on April 15, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday had submitted that during a “high-level meeting” chaired by him on April 10, 2013, the matter related to illegal constructions and violation at Gulmarg and its adjoining eco-sensitive areas (Tangmarg) was discussed and it was decided that the Chief Town Planner, Kashmir, should start the exercise for formulation of Gulmarg Master Plan and complete it within a year. “Given the urgency involved in the matter and the need to take urgent steps to preserve the hill station from degradation, we feel that the period of one year is too long a period, particularly in view of the fact that it is admitted that the illegal occupation of land and illegal constructions thereon have been undergoing under the very nose of the local authorities without serious and meaningful demur from them,” the HC observed. In its orders, the High Court has also said that till the formulation of the Master Plan, no fresh (land) holding lease(s) be granted by the authorities in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA). “The respondent (authorities) are also directed not to grant fresh permission for raising any new constructions (at Gulmarg),” it has said. The court also directed that the committees constituted by the Chief Secretary for considering cases for extension or renewal of leases in respect of live and expired leases should file fortnightly status reports before the High Court to indicate the progress made in its field of responsibility. The Chief Secretary in his status report had submitted that a decision to constitute two committees under the Chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, had been taken to consider the cases of lease extension or renewal. The High Court also asked the Chief Secretary to keep the bench posted with the information sought by him from the GDA about the cases filed in various courts and the steps taken by the GDA to defend these cases. The High Court has also asked the authorities to file detailed status report about the land under Army possession in Gulmarg, as the Chief Secretary in his previous status report had submitted that the Army has also raised constructions on the land under its possession. The PIL is listed for further consideration on May 1, 2013. |
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Lashkar top militant arrested, another killed in Sopore
Srinagar, April 18 Twentytwo-year-old Fahadullah, who belongs to Multan in Pakistan, was active in north Kashmir from 2009 and had taken over the LeT command after Abdullah Uni, again a Pakistani militant, was killed by the security forces during an operation in Sopore town in 2011. “In the scheme of things, Fahadullah was the most important militant commander of the LeT in Kashmir who was in touch with commanders across the border and planning attacks on the security forces,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Abdul Ghani Mir told reporters in Srinagar today. The LeT commander was involved in many attacks during the past three years. “Fahadullah along with another militant Urfi Dar (now killed), alias Husham, of Sopore was involved in the killing of Special Police Officer Riyaz Ahmad at Brathkalan in Sopore in September 2012. He also masterminded a series of grenade attacks in Sopore in the months of July, August and September of 2012 injuring many civilians and security force personnel. Further investigation with regard to involvement of the terrorist is on,” Mir said while terming his arrest as a major success for the security forces. Mir, who was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding of the Kilo Force, Major General Sarath Chand, said the Fahadullah was arrested last night from Bahramapora village near Sopore town after specific information was received about him. “A joint team of the police and 22 Rashtriya Rifles arrested him. Fahadullah, who was carrying an assault rifle, was taken by surprise and was overpowered by security men” the IGP said. He said a joint team of the Army, police and the CRPF launched another operation on receiving information about the presence of two more militants in the orchard area of Wagub village in Sopore. “Two terrorists hiding in the orchards upon seeing the security personnel fired upon the security forces. In the retaliatory fire, Shabir Ahmad Sheikh of Palhalan in Baramulla was killed,” Mir said. “The second terrorist Hilal Molvi of Palhalan escaped from the area.” Arms and ammunition were recovered from the arrested as well as the killed militant. |
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Mufti calls on PM, appeals for fair elections in J&K
Jammu, April 18 According to a handout issued by the party, in an hour-long meeting here today the two leaders discussed a wide range of subjects to review the situation in the state and developments in the region that could have a bearing on it. The meeting was held at the instance of Singh, who had invited Mufti for discussions in response to a letter the latter had written to the Prime Minister in the aftermath of the hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guru. Mufti apprised the Prime Minister of the highly negative fallout of Afzal’s hanging and the insensitive manner in which he was sent to the gallows without even letting his family have a mandatory last meeting with him. He told Singh how the entire issue had adversely impacted the people and added to the trust deficit between Kashmir and the rest of the country that had painstakingly been reduced to some extent after 2002. Mufti told the Prime Minister it was important that the electoral process in the state not only remained clean and unbiased but that it should look so as well. He told Singh that while Atal Bihari Vajpayee had ensured that his commitment to hold free and fair elections in 2002 was fulfilled but the same could unfortunately not be said about the 2008 elections when manipulations in many constituencies affected the results and clouded the credibility of the electoral process. Mufti urged the Prime Minister to ensure free and fair elections for taking forward the peace process. Restoration of faith in democratic institutions was essential for any initiatives on the internal front to succeed, he added. |
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Omar’s chopper makes emergency landing
Jammu, April 18 The ASP, Kishtwar, Kulbeer Singh, said the chopper carrying the Chief Minister landed shortly after taking off from Kishtwar as it had developed some technical snag. The Chief Minister later left by road for Srinagar, Singh added. Omar Abdullah had flown in to Kishtwar town this afternoon to address a public rally and lay the foundation stone of the administrative block of the new campus of Jammu University there. He was accompanied by Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kichloo and National Conference provincial chief and MLA Devender
Rana.
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Omar wants NHPC to return power projects to state
Jammu, April 18 “Crying hoarse is something else and taking action when in power is something different,” he said and added that irrespective of any political mileage his government has created a history by launching dozens of mega, small and micro projects through the State Power Development Corporation in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, joint ventures and Independent Power Producer (IPP) pattern. Addressing a public gathering at Kishtwar today, the Chief Minister said injustice was meted out to state by granting rights on the waters of J&K rivers to Pakistan without consulting the state and without giving compensation during the time when Sheikh Abdullah was in prison. “We are vehemently advocating return of Uri, Salal and Dulhasti Power Projects back to the state by the NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) to compensate the losses we are incurring due to the Indus Water Treaty,” he said. He added that the NHPC was putting hurdles in our efforts but “let me tell them categorically that we will not give any project to the NHPC in future to be executed by it individually unless it agrees to give back the projects we have asked for.” He said NHPC has taken advantage of these projects and it was now their duty to return these projects for the economic betterment of the state without any further delay. The Chief Minister said the Rangarajan Committee and the Working Group constituted by Prime Minister and interlocutors have recommended the return of power projects back to the state by the NHPC, adding that he would continue to work tirelessly to make it happen. “I am hopeful that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who are friends of the state and keen to see all round development here, will use their offices to make the NHPC return the power projects to the state as early as possible,” he added and highlighted the potential of the state to produce substantial quantity of hydro electricity and provide strong edifice to its economy. He said the economic prosperity of the state lies in harnessing of hydro energy and utilising it for industrial, agricultural and other purposes besides selling the surplus. The meeting was also addressed by Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and provincial president of the National Conference, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana. Many former legislators and local leaders were also present on the occasion. Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation of
new university campus at Kishtwar. |
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MHA ropes in corporate sector to employ J-K youth
New Delhi, April 18 The project will be a joint venture of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the corporate sector in a public-private partnership mode for which the Central government has earmarked Rs 750 crore. Termed Udaan, it is a special industry initiative for Jammu and Kashmir. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today, “The project appraisal committee at its 16th meeting held on March 15 approved the proposals of entrepreneurs to train youth.” The scheme has the approval of the Union Cabinet. The project will run for five years and top companies have been roped in. More than 17,000 youth will be selected for training in the first phase. Over the next five years, the programme will cover 40,000 youth. Eleven companies are visiting J&K for selection of candidates from April 19 to May 4. These companies include Religare, TCS, 247inc, Accenture, Infosys, Bajaj Alliance, Learning Links, Canara Bank, ONGC, I-yogi and Rooman Technologies. Udaan intends to provide the youth of the state exposure to the corporate world and also provide access to the corporate India. Identified companies will screen and select students from the state. After assessing the skill gap of the trainees, a training module will be finalised. The duration and nature of training would be decided by the companies. The scheme covers graduates, postgraduates, three-year engineering diploma holders and youth with professional degrees. The scheme will facilitate gainful employment to the youth of the state. By providing them jobs, the scheme proposes to channelise their energies into creative pursuits. Public Sector Undertakings have now been allowed to participate in the scheme and will meet the expenses under their Corporate Social Responsibility head. It allows inclusion of three-year engineering diploma holders in the scheme, reimbursement of fixed training cost after minimum three months employment, instead of one-year employment, provision of medical, accident insurance. Some 5 lakh youth in the state are unemployed as per the latest estimates. Job opportunities Project Udaan intends to provide youth of J&K exposure to the corporate world More than 17,000 youth will be selected for training in the first phase. Over the next five years, the programme will cover 40,000 youth Eleven companies are visiting the state for selection of candidates from April 19 to May 4. These companies include Religare, TCS, 247inc, Accenture, Infosys, Bajaj Alliance, Learning Links, Canara Bank, ONGC, I-yogi and Rooman Technologies The scheme covers graduates, postgraduates, three-year engineering diploma holders and youth with professional degrees |
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Government to ensure security of panchayat members: Minister
Katra, April 18 The minister was addressing a rally of sarpanches and panches of Reasi district at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here. “The government is
committed to ensuring their (panches and sarpanches) security. The Chief Minister has asked the DGP to ensure the security of panchayat members after assessing the requirements in this regard,” Sagar told mediapersons. The minister said the government was committed to empowering the grass-roots level institutions in the state. “We are committed to a three-tier Panchayati Raj system at the village, block and district levels. The Chief Minister is keen towards strengthening the grassroot institutions,” he said. Sagar said, “Some elements in the state are creating malicious propaganda against the government as far as the empowerment and security of panchayat members is concerned.” He added that the panches and sarpanches who were apprehensive about their empowerment or security must pinpoint specific issues or cases where the government could do more for them. While telling the officials to create awareness among the people about various rural development schemes, the minister said the same was essential for their proper and fair implementation. Sagar asked the officials to effectively involve the recently elected panchayat representatives in the policy formulation and implementation of schemes. “By doing the same the funds earmarked for various programmes will be properly utilised and required feedback obtained,” he said. Reasi MLA Baldev Raj Sharma spoke on the occasion and highlighted the progress registered by the department vis-a-vis various schemes. Former minister Jag Jeevan Lal; Director, Rural Development, Jahangir
Mir and senior officials were present. |
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Governor reviews development schemes of Vaishno Devi board
Katra, April 18 The Governor was accompanied by HL Maini, Board member and Technical Consultant; Navin
K Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer; and Mandeep K Bhandari, Additional CEO. Vohra has been giving priority to enlarging the logistic framework to meet the needs of pilgrims who visit the shrine. He inaugurated Shailputri Bhawan at Adhkuwari this afternoon. The dormitory complex has been constructed by the Shrine Board to augment the accommodation facilities for the pilgrims, particularly those who visit Adhkuwari for darshan of Garab Joon and wait for hours for their turn to pay obeisance. The five-storied building comprises 17 dormitories and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 3.46 crore. He went around Shailputri Bhawan and took stock of the facilities. He issued instructions to officials concerned for ensuring the upkeep of the facility. He also laid the foundation stones of the Bhairon Ghati passenger ropeway and the Trikuta Hills material ropeway. The Bhairon Ghati passenger ropeway is being constructed to facilitate the pilgrims who have to undertake an arduous climb from Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati. The project will be completed within two years at an estimated cost of Rs. 54.67 crore. The Trikuta Hills material ropeway is being installed between Siar Dabri near Katra and Bhawan to facilitate carriage of material from Katra to Bhawan. It
will also be completed within two years. He also inaugurated the yatra exit route at Bhawan which has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 39.94 lakh. The Governor, who is on a two-day visit of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine area to undertake a spot review of facilities for the pilgrims, inspected various development works en route Sanjichhat to Bhawan and from Bhawan to Adhkuwari. He issued instructions to the officials concerned for bringing improvements in the facilities for the
pilgrims. |
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Differences in coalition: Cong MLA not invited
to function
Jammu, April 18 “Being an elected representative of Kishtwar district, the protocol demands that I should be invited to the function and my name should be on the invitation card,” said Saroori. He said he was deliberately ignored by the local administration due to the pressure of National Conference leaders. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was in Kishtwar today to lay the foundation stone of infrastructure for the new campus of the University of Jammu. “National Conference leaders should keep in mind that it was during the regime of Ghulam Nabi Azad that the campus of the University of Jammu was opened at Kishtwar,” he said and regretted that it was unfortunate that the official function was hijacked by the National Conference (NC). Saroori reminded the NC leadership that the coalition government in the state was functioning due to the support of the Congress. “We are very much a part of the government,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister today hinted that the Assembly elections would be held on time. Omar said though there was no representation for Kishtwar in the Council of Ministers yet the progress and comprehensive development of the area never lost the sight of his government or his party. Kishtwar got its representation after Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo was made the Minister of State in the Cabinet reshuffle on January 15. “Your representative is dynamic and in over one and a half years he will revolutionise the development process in the area,” Omar told the gathering. He was mentioning about Kichloo and reposed confidence in his working. He said the NC would continue to render selfless service to the people for their welfare and prosperity. He said all efforts would be made for restoring peace in the state and giving a fillip to the development process.
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Impart vocational training to jobless youth: Nair
Jammu, April 18 The number of educated unemployed youth in the state was nearly six lakh till 2011. Nair reiterated the importance to provide training, financial assistance and support to the youth to help them establish their own businesses. Nair was speaking at a meeting to review the status of skill development and special scholarship schemes in the state. Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Union Joint Secretary Skills Santosh Mathur, Director PMO, Raju Topno, Economic Advisor, RC Meena, Joint Secretary (K) RK Shrivastava, Vice Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education, Dr Avinash Pant, Principal Secretary Planning, BR Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, BB Vyas, State Commissioner Secretaries and other senior officers were also present in the meeting. During the meeting, various elements of state policy on skill development were reviewed, including initiatives in various sectors like micro and small scale industry, vocational and technical education, agriculture, information technology, tourism and job schemes such as Udaan, Himayat and SKEWPY. Nair emphasised on the need to create a mechanism to address the problems budding entrepreneurs face while dealing with financial institutions and other agencies. Regarding special scholarship scheme, Nair said that workshops will be held one each in Jammu and Srinagar soon to spread awareness about such schemes. It was further informed that Taj Group had agreed for knowledge partnerships with the state government in the field of vocational education, for which ITI, Udhampur, in Jammu, and ITI, Pampore, in Kashmir, had been identified to train the youth in hospitality related trades. The course is expected to start from the current academic session. — TNS |
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Cameras get rolling at Tulip Garden
Srinagar, April 18 Sheikh, who was shooting for television serial “Adaa”, said he would like to come to the garden as well as Kashmir “again and again”. “Kashmir is a paradise on earth, it’s God’s gift. We would love to come here again and again,” he told reporters. A member of the shooting crew said they would be shooting at different locations across the Valley. “This is our sixth day in Kashmir and the first day of shooting at Tulip Garden. We are here for 20 days and will shoot at different locations,” he said. Scenes of the TV serial were shot at the garden a day after popular stars of the Kannada film industry Aditya and Radhika were seen shooting for a song sequence of the movie “Sweety” there. Tulip Garden in charge Javed Ahmad Shah said the coming of the film crew was a “good sign” and they were hopeful that more crew would come for shooting at the garden. “It is a good sign… those who shot here loved the garden and they promised us that more crews would be coming here in the future, especially next year,” he said. Shah said the tulip beds at the garden this year were laid on the “Silsila pattern”. He said visitors to the garden expected to see tulips just like they were seen in the famous Bollywood “Dekha ek khwab” number of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha in “Silsila”. Earlier this year in January, Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone had shot for Ayan Mukherji’s film “Yeh Jawani Hai Deewan” at tourist spots — Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Dal Lake. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan along with Anushka Sharma had shot for Yash Chopra’s last flick “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” last year. However, shooting for Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif-starrer “Big Bang” was cancelled last month due to the situation in the Valley. No shooting took place here in the aftermath of
the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in February. Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan had shot a song sequence for the movie “Kaash Tum Hote” at Tulip Garden last year. In 2008, a song of the Bollywood movie Sadiyaan was shot at the garden while a
few scenes of a Tamil movie were also shot at the picturesque garden in the same year. |
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PM’s Adviser calls on
Guv, CM
Jammu, April 18 Nair briefed the Governor about his various visits and meetings in the Valley in the past two days. He also informed
the Governor about the matters which were scheduled to be reviewed at a meeting at the Secretariat in the day today with
the Chief Secretary and the administrative secretaries concerned. The Governor reviewed issues relating to the security management. Nair also called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here this morning. Matters pertaining to development schemes particularly those being implemented under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan and Central packages were discussed in detail.
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Apex court modifies guidelines on amenities for Amarnath yatris New Delhi, April 18 Modifying the order, a bench headed by BS Chauhan said the registration of yatris would be done only in Jammu and Srinagar while its earlier order had allowed registration also in Baltal and Panchtarni. The bench also modified its order that the gap between iron grills installed near the cave should not be less than 12 inches, saying it is for the Special High Power Committee appointed by it to take a decision on the issue. The apex court had on December 13, 2012, directed the Centre and J&K Government to ensure proper facilities to the Amarnath yatris, saying it is the government’s constitutional obligation to provide basic facilities to the pilgrims who visit religious places. Observing that arrangements for the pilgrims near the holy shrine are “pathetic”, the apex court had issued a slew of directions to the governments and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for widening the tracks to the holy cave which may be covered by pre-fabricated tiles. — PTI
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the authorities not to grant permission for raising any new constructions at Gulmarg and has asked them to expedite the Gulmarg Master Plan and complete it within three months.
Jammu, April 18
Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar today said the state government was committed to ensuring the security of panches and sarpanches in the state.
Governor NN Vohra, who is the Chairman of te Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, visited the Vaishno Devi shrine today and reviewed various ongoing development schemes of the Shrine Board.
The picturesque Tulip Garden, the largest of its kind in Asia, has become a hotspot for film and TV serial shooting crew. A day after a song sequence of a Kollywood flick was shot at the garden that is located in the foothills of the Zabarwan range here, veteran Bollywood star Farooq Sheikh was spotted shooting there today.
