Srinagar, May 9
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Dr D Subbarao, today said setting up of Islamic banks in the country was a political decision and that the RBI was studying the proposals received in this regard. He also dismissed a notion that the RBI was creating hurdles in the introduction of Islamic banking in the country.

“It is not the RBI which is standing in the way of starting Islamic banking….the government has to decide whether or not to allow Islamic banking. We have received many proposals including ones from MPs that it should be started…RBI is studying the same,” Subbarao said while addressing a press conference here.

Stating that they would have to frame new laws if the government gave nod to starting Islamic banking as Sharia (Islamic law) was not compatible with the RBI guidelines, he said: “Our banks functions under the rate of interest system while under Sharia, there is no rate of interest system. Different countries have adopted the Sharia system but Indian banking system is working under the RBI regulations.”

Subbarao said time was right to introduce plastic currency in the country as it had not been accepted by the people when introduced around 15 years ago. “Printing paper currency is costly and has less life. RBI will soon introduce plastic money on trial basis and see if it is successful,” he added.

He said the RBI had set a target that every household should have at least one bank account.

Earlier, a meeting of the Central Board of Directors was convened here today under the chairmanship of Subbarao.

During a meeting of the J&K State Level Bankers’ Committee held here yesterday, the RBI Governor had fixed a target of achieving 4 per cent growth in credit deposit ratio (CDR) across the state during the current financial year raising the present percentage from 36 per cent to 40 per cent by the end of March, 2014.

Srinagar, May 9
DK Pathak, Special Director General, CRPF, J&K Zone, called on Governor NN Vohra here today.

An official spokesman said the Special Director General was accompanied by VS Yadav, Inspector General, CRPF, Srinagar, during his meeting with the Governor. The Governor discussed several issues relating to the present and future internal security management of the state.

Pathak also briefed the Governor about security situations in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, in a separate meeting, briefed the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the Kashmir University, about the successful completion of the admissions to various courses and about the commencement of teaching schedules.

The Governor also discussed the functioning of the main campus and off-the-site campuses of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor also briefed the Governor about the day-to-day status of various ongoing research projects undertaken by the university and those in the pipeline. He informed the Governor about the eminent persons, who shall be visiting the university in the coming weeks for professional consultations to address students on important themes. 

Srinagar, May 9
Kashmir University will start specialised courses in nanotechnology, energy resources, environmental sciences, bio-sciences on its satellite campuses in Leh, Kargil and Ladakh regions. The state government has given a nod to 41 teaching positions on these campuses.

In an exclusive interview with Kashmir Tribune, Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said the locations for the satellite campuses had been approved by the state government.

“We are trying to make these campuses operational this year only,” said Prof Talat.

“We will introduce some specialised courses at each one of these campuses, including nanotechnology, energy resources, environmental science, bio-sciences. We will have full-fledged Arabic and Persian departments on the Kargil campus and School of Earth Sciences and Buddhist studies on the Leh campus,” Ahmad said.

The new courses, which have been started in the university, include tourism management, agricultural management, spoken English and disaster management.

The University of Kashmir has clinched a multi-institute project costing Rs 18 crore for specialised working on the glaciers of Himalayas in coordination with Jammu University, Jawahralal Nehru University and Sikkim University.

A study on the growth of Kashmir saffron is also in the offing in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K).

Prof Ahmad said a proposal was pending with the Ministry of Earth Sciences for starting courses in atmospheric sciences in the university.

“There are scientists coming from other national universities who in collaboration with experts from this university have put seismometers for earthquake studies in Kashmir,” he added.

Earlier, experts from Russian Academy of Science flew in to the university for training students in mathematical crystallography which is an upcoming subject in earth sciences and physics, the Vice-Chancellor said.

The Vice-Chancellor said MoUs had been signed with various national and foreign universities last year. By dint of these MoUs, students would be able to avail laboratory and library facilities at these universities and vice-versa. These universities include Delhi University, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Applications (CMMACA), Bangalore, National Geo-Physical Research Institute, Hyderabad etc. Foreign universities which have entered into memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kashmir University include National University of Tajikistan and Thailand University, the Vice-Chancellor said.

As a result of the international collaborations, the students in Kashmir would also be granted fellowships.

Srinagar, May 9
The J&K Hoteliers Club (JKHC) has urged the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Dr D Subba Rao, to grant sops for the benefit of Valley’s tourism sector.

“Sectors affiliated to the tourism industry in the state need to be re-categorised and re-classified as infrastructure/priority sector. The loans offered by the banks and financial institutions for revival of the industry in the state are sanctioned with a payback period of five to seven years. Keeping in view that some disturbances continue to take place in the state, the payback period of existing and new loans should be revisited to 15 to 20 years as is being permitted in infrastructure project-loans,” JKHC joint secretary general Tariq Rashid Ghani said while welcoming Rao, who is currently on a visit here.

“In view of the exorbitant interest charged by the banks for financing of tourism industry, a minimum incentive of rebate of 2 % in the interest percentage charged by the banks needs to be considered by the RBI. The reduction in the base rate is suggested,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries-Kashmir (CCIK) said the Valley’s trade and commerce industry had been facing several issues that needed attention of the RBI.

“Keeping in view the conditions prevailing over here, it is requested that banks be directed to renew sanctioned loans to its borrowers with minimum formalities,” CCIK secretary general Rafi Ahmad said in an appeal addressed to Rao.

“Kashmir is at a disadvantage because of its geographical conditions. We have a harsh winter, which leaves us inactive for about four months in a year. In view of this and also because of the prevailing economic conditions, we suggest some reduction in the interest rate,” he added. 

Srinagar, May 9
Ever since the ban on polythene and polybags was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, a whopping 40,000-kg of polythene and polybags have been seized by the authorities in the state.

This was revealed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today, which has now directed the authorities to “explore” the disposal of the seized (non-biodegradable) material by incineration followed by deep burial as envisaged under the rules in this regard.

The court has also directed the authorities concerned to finalise an environment friendly sample of the carrybag, which is to provide an alternative to the people following the ban on use of polythene carrybags.

These directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the preservation and conservation of the Dal Lake.

On December 10, 2012, while taking note of the violation of the ban on the use of polythene in the state, the high court had directed all the district magistrates to implement the ban in their respective districts and file status reports. It had also asked the police to check the entry of polythene into the state at entry points, including the Lakhanpur toll plaza in Jammu.

While hearing the matter today, senior high court lawyer and amicus curie in the PIL, advocate Zaffar Shah pointed out that the authorities in their status report had submitted that so for 40,000-kg of polythene and polybags had been seized by the authorities.

On this, the Bench observed that use of polythene is a big and important issue, adding that from the perusal of the status reports before it, it has emerged that on an average 1.5 tonne non-biodegradable material (mostly polythene) is retrieved from the Dal Lake alone.

During the proceedings, the whole focus was on plugging in the loopholes in implementing the ban on the polythene and its use in the state and the subsequent disposal of the seized non-biodegradable polythene material.

Subsequently, the Bench while ruling out the auction of the seized polythene, instead suggested that the authorities concerned should explore the option of disposal of the material seized by incineration method followed by the deep burial of the incinerated material at an appropriate site identified for the purpose.

It also directed the authorities concerned (Pollution Control Board) to finalise the sample of the environment friendly carrybags, to be popularised and used by the people in the state in place of the polybags, which have been banned in the state.

Srinagar, May 9
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cavalcade was today stopped by volunteers of the National Youth Corps (NYC) while he was on his way to Ganderbal district of central Kashmir for the inauguration of the Sher-e-Kashmir T-20 cricket championship.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Higher Education Minister Akbar Lone, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and National Conference provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani when the youth stopped their cavalcade.

An NYC delegation said the police reacted instantly and pushed them away while paving way for the Chief Minister and other ministers.

Volunteers said the Chief Minister had been repeatedly turning down their request of meeting for the past some time due to which they were forced to stop the cavalcade.

“The Chief Minister should listen to our concerns, we have been raising the issue of re-adjustment of 8,000 NYC youth in various public departments for the past one year. Earlier, we all got assurances from the authorities that a rehabilitation policy will be framed for us which we are awaiting for,” said Mudassir Hassan, president, NYC delegation.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Sher-i- Kashmir T-20 Cricket Tournament here by filliping the coin for the two teams participating in the inaugural match. He did some batting on the pitch. Team members were introduced to the Chief Minister, who wished them good luck and success. He told them to uphold the sportsmanspirit under all circumstances and exhibit highest degree of discipline. “Losing or winning a game is immaterial, but participating as worthy sportspersons, performing to ones best capacity and maintaining quality of conduct while plying, is counted a lot at the end of the day,” he told the players.

The tournament, in which 40 cricket teams from all across the state are participating, is being organised by the National Youth Conference.

Anantnag, May 9
Official neglect has turned the Pampore sports stadium into a cesspool, local residents rue.

The stadium, because of its pathetic condition, has remained devoid of any sports activity for the past four years.

“Four years ago, a local Youth Sports Association cleared the stadium by removing the stagnant water. However, no further action by the authorities concerned have rendered the stadium useless since then,” said Muneer Ahmad Lone, president, Sports Association.

He said members of the association, along with other Civil Society members, have been knocking every office concerned to highlight the issue, but to no avail.

The locals say the chunk of land at entrance of the stadium, used as the make shift bus stand, remains waterlogged throughout the year. However, now the whole stadium has turned into a pool of murky water.

“The condition of the stadium is becoming a health threat for residents,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, a local resident, adding that, “One can see what a mess the whole place has become. The stench emanating from this contaminated water is hard to withstand.”

Adding to the stadiums’ filthy state, its fencing has been curtailed by some people on one side illegally to make way for dumper trucks. Hundreds of trucks carrying soil leave hollow marks of tyres causing damage to turf of the stadium.

Pertinently on April 18, 2010, RS Chib, the then Minister of Medical and Technical Education, had laid the foundation stone of the playing field and announced that 44 lakh rupees would be allotted for it.

However, three years down the line the only work that stands done is the erection of a black granite plaque with the J&K State Sports Council carved in bold.

“Where did the funds, granted for the stadium, vanish remains a mystery to all of us,” said another local resident. Ironically, officials of the state sports council (SSC) blame urbanisation for the dreadful conditions of the sports stadium.

"Residential structures have drastically come up in the vicinity of the stadium and have directed their drainage to the ground, filling it with water," said a senior official at the SSC wishing anonymity.

He, however, maintained that something would be done to make the condition of the stadium better. 

Srinagar, May 9
The deadlock between the striking revenue employees and state government continued even today despite the fact that both the sides held talks in Srinagar on Thursday.

The striking patwaris and girdawars were adamant that they would call off their strike once the government issues formal orders for the removal of pay anomaly.

“We were called by officials of the government this morning and they have informed us that our demands have been fulfilled. We requested them that unless a written order was issued by the government, we would not call off the strike,” said a representative of the J&K Patwar Association, which is spearheading the protest of over 3,000 patwaris and girdawars, who are on an indefinite strike that began on April 7.

The employees are demanding removal of pay anomalies and also seeking ban on direct recruitment of naib tehsildar. “In the past, we have seen that government has befooled us many a time and that is why we are adamant that unless an formal order is issued, we will not call off the strike,” he added.

On the first day of the Durbar re-opening, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had issued directions to the Finance Ministry to sought issues of the striking revenue employees.

“We had agreed to their demands. Three government departments are involved in issuing the order and hopefully by Friday, it will be done,” said Vinod Kaul, J&K Secretary Revenue.

The worst sufferers of the ongoing strike of revenue employees are the local residents, who had applied for ration cards, state subject and category certificates. 

Srinagar, May 9
The Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today organised a protest demonstration in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district against the government’s failure to address problems of the local residents.

The protest was led by senior PDP leader and Lolab MLA Abdul Haq Khan and it covered a distance of nearly 2-km in Kupwara town. The protesters shouted slogans against the government.

“During this government, power woes of the people have worsened and there is no end to the power crisis that is being faced by the people on day to day basis,” said Khan, while addressing the rally at the Kupwara bus stand. “There is a frequent hike in electricity tariff and we demand an immediate roll back,” he added.

The PDP leader also lashed out at the government for its failure to stop corrupt practices in the state. “Honest officers in the state are now a day’s punished while the corrupt ones get the plumb postings and this shows the government has miserably failed to stop corrupt practices,” Khan said. “The rampant corruption in the state and names of some higher ups in the government has been figured in a number of corruption cases. The government has completely failed on these governance issues,” he added.

The MLA said if the corrupt practices continue in coming days his party would launch a massive campaign against the government. — TNS

Srinagar, May 9
Jammu and Kashmir has produced 22 lakh metric tonnes of apples in 2012 which necessitates the adoption of post harvest technologies by local farmers so as to ensure long-term preservation of apples for such a huge production.

This was stated by State Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir while addressing an international conference on the theme, “Post-Harvest Management of Apples”, at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUS), Awantipora, today.

The conference was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Kashmir Chapter.

The minister said utilising the modern post harvest technology would enable Kashmiri apples to tap international markets.

Sheikh Imran, chairman, CII Kashmir, while welcoming the guests said the growers had to be assisted at different stages of cultivation along with the provision of state of art grading, packing, pre-cooling and transporting infrastructure.

Mir Khuram, proprietor, Harshna Naturals, explained the benefits of post-harvest management of apples in Kashmir.

In the technical session, Dr Luca Montanari from Italy shared a power point presentation in which he explained the process of post-harvest management in Italy. He said Kashmir produces an equal amount of apples as Italy.

The minister informed the CII members and scientists that the Horticulture Department had already launched various schemes for setting up of post-harvest projects for which subsidy was being provided to the entrepreneurs.

He called upon the youth to come forward and set up cold storages and take benefit of these schemes.

He said our farmers had to compete with international market which had already knocked our doors, adding that introduction of post-harvest technology in a big way was the only answer.