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Bijbehara residents irked over murky water supply
Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave ends
Governor NN Vohra speaks at the 1st Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph
Militancy related incidents decline by 36% in 2012
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Cable TV digitisation process stalled in summer capital
Noorani’s book released on Greater Kashmir’s silver jubilee
Political parties focusing on downtown Srinagar
PDP seeks mandate on peace, prosperity and development
At KU, girls take lead in donating blood
Girls donate blood at a blood donation camp at Kashmir University in Srinagar on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph
Reasi Zone, Arnas Zone clinch kabaddi titles
Gujjar mahasabha members detained amid protest
Revenue staff strike continues
MoS Health attaches Leh CMO
Man dies while trying to save boy
PDP protests in Srinagar
Kashmir University students at a rally organised to observe Al Nakba Day in Srinagar on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph JKABA selects women’s team Youth hit by tree branch, dies
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Bijbehara residents irked over murky water supply
Anantnag, May 15 Residents allege that the quality of water is so poor that it’s not even fit for washing purposes, leave alone drinking it. “I have developed a stomach ailment since the last four months and my doctor says it’s because of the water I drink,” said Yasir Ahmad, a resident of New Colony area of the town. “This is the condition even though we consume the water after boiling and filtering it.” Local doctors agree that continuous use of poor quality water is one of the biggest reasons for the health concerns in this town. While the doctors maintain that immediate remedies need to be put into place, the PHE has over the last year done nothing to improve the quality of water. “The health issues are not major yet, however, continuous exposure to this kind of water may lead to complicated health problems,” said Shahnawaz, a local doctor. He added that keeping in view the condition of the water, he is forced to use packaged water in household but at the same time maintains that this surely is not a way out. “I can afford packaged water but there are countless people who can’t and for them the PHE has to take immediate steps,” said the doctor. The Executive Engineer, PHE, Shahnawaz Ahmad, has been maintaining over the past one year that the quality of water is fine and no steps whatsoever need to be taken. “We have three sources of water for the town and only one of these supplies slightly contaminated water and that too when it rains,” said the Xen. Nearly three years ago, a new water filtration plant of the town was sanctioned. However, work on the plant is yet to commence. The Executive Engineer, for the past three years, has been expressing helplessness due to the lack of funds for the plant. Unfit for consumption Residents allege that the quality of water is so poor that it is not even fit for washing purposes, leave alone drinking it
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Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave ends
Srinagar, May 15 The Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir being the most preferred tourist destination is already well established. He said the difficulties faced by the state in the past years had adversely affected its economy, including tourism, adding that with the return of peace and normalcy, the tourism sector had started registering speedy progress. Referring to the scenic beauty of the state, the Governor emphasised that while creating infrastructural facilities it was vital for all the stakeholders to ensure the protection of environment. He suggested state Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who was also present on the occasion, to authorise the expansion of tourism infrastructure only after finalising Master Plans for various tourist destinations so that the natural beauty of scenic spots is preserved and environmental concerns also get appropriately addressed. The Governor congratulated the organisers of the 1st Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave, which provided an opportunity to the stakeholders to discuss varied aspects of tourism. He observed that the Vision Document, based on the deliberations of the conclave, being brought out by the organisers of the event, requires examination by a multi-disciplinary group representing all the stakeholders so that the tourism sector in the state can be developed on a sustainable basis. Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir said from the Al-Khuddam conclave and the ongoing Tourism Festival it was evident that the involvement of people at large can go a long way in the implementation of various initiatives which are being taken for the promotion of tourism in the state. He observed that the three regions of the state provide an ideal setting for the growth of this important sector of the state’s economy on a sustainable basis. He said such events should be organised more often and added that the suggestions emerged during the conclave would be given due consideration. Earlier, in his welcome address, Sheikh Feroz Ahmad, chairman, organising committee of the 1st Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave, dwelt on the aims and objects of organising this event. Five presentations on varied themes of the conclave were made on the occasion. These included tourism products, tourism services and promotion, adventure tourism, support services and requirements/expectations and current tourism scenario in the state. |
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Militancy related incidents decline by 36% in 2012
Srinagar, May 15 “Under the amnesty scheme devised for youth involved in stone-throwing, orders for the withdrawal of 196 cases involving 1,432 persons have been issued by the government,” an official spokesman said. The meeting was informed that 86 per cent of the 1,84,330 cases received during the past three years for the issuance of passport have been cleared till March 14, 2013. The Draft Jammu and Kashmir Police Bill 2013 has been uploaded on the official website of the department in the last week of January 2013 for inviting suggestions from public. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, Minister of State for Power Viqar Rasool, Legislator Ajat Shatru Singh, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretaries Sonali Kumar, BB Vyas, Suresh Kumar, Director-General Prisons K. Rajindra, various Commissioner Secretaries, Heads of the Departments and senior officers. At the Consultative Committee meeting, for the departments under his charge, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested identification of subjects in each department and flagging these for deliberation and discussion in depth in the next meeting. “The Consultative Committee was told that the government has drawn plans for harnessing additional 9,000 MW of power during 12th and 13th Five-Year Plan. It was stated that by 2016 another 450 MW would be put into the system through Baglihar-II. As many as 13 projects of 712 MW have been awarded and approved for allotment in 2012-13,” the spokesman said.
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Cable TV digitisation process stalled in summer capital
Srinagar, May 15 The digitisation process is yet to start in majority of the areas in Srinagar city and it is the subscribers who are paying the price. The cable TV telecast has either stopped or has been restricted to a few channels or for few hours across the city. The cable TV operators have been charging the subscribers but the telecast has been partially/ completely stopped. The district administration has failed to keep a check on the digitisation process as is evident from the sluggish approach of the operators despite the subscribers’ sufferings. At many places in the city, the cable TV operators have distributed forms among the subscribers for availing the set-top box facilities, but these forms haven’t been collected, thus stalling the process. The subscribers complained that despite repeated requests the cable TV operators have not turned up for the installation of set-top boxes so that digitised cable TV services kick off. “For the last one-and-a-half months we have been suffering due to interruptions in the cable TV services although we have made regular payments. The state government should tighten noose around the cable TV operators so that they don’t indulge in money minting only and abide by the rules,” said Muzaffar Hussain, a Karan Nagar resident. Assistant District Development Commissioner Rukhsana Ganai could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
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Noorani’s book released on Greater Kashmir’s silver jubilee
Srinagar, May 15 Greater Kashmir began as a weekly in 1988 and is the leading English daily of the state. It is run by Greater Kashmir Private Limited, which also manages Urdu daily Kashmir Uzma. The silver jubilee event was held at Nigeen Club in the city here. Several state government ministers including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Mian Altaf Ahmad and Sham Lal Sharma, police officials, academicians and members of the civil society were present at the event. Separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Geelani’s representative were also present at the anniversary function. Owaisi, who was the chief guest of the event, praised Greater Kashmir for providing quality reportage from the
region. Noorani said he had dedicated the book to the people of Kashmir. He blamed Pakistani founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah for failing to settle the Kashmir issue. “The Kashmir issue would have been settled but for MA Jinnah. The tribal raid on Kashmir was done with the approval of the Pakistani leader,”
he said. Noorani said Sheikh Abdullah ‘did not want to accede to India’. “My sympathies are neither with the Government of India nor with Government of Pakistan but with the
people of Kashmir,” Noorani said. Noorani said the Kashmir ‘cause’ has suffered ‘because Kashmiris are split’. “They should
unite on three points, which included the four-point formula and right to peaceful protests,” he said. |
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Political parties focusing on downtown Srinagar
Srinagar, May 14 After the creation of eight new districts in the state in 2007, four in the Kashmir valley, the new district of Ganderbal was carved out of Srinagar. That left Srinagar with eight Assembly constituencies, most of these falling in the densely populated urban locales of downtown. These have been in focus of attention for the major political parties during the past two Assembly elections. Even as the voter turnout in the post-militancy era has been the lowest from downtown, the area has always been in focus for the political parties. As the political heat ahead of the next year’s Assembly elections is soaring, various parties show a keen interest in the downtown, once considered to be the separatist bastion and centre of the trouble during the recent years. The National Conference has been representing all the eight constituencies in the last three elections, with certain exceptions. One of the seats,
Batamaloo, was bagged by the ruling PDP in the 2004 byelections, after the death of the NC stalwart, Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah. The PDP and the NC have been raising their voice over the development of Srinagar, while others have joined in the midst of election mode. Responding to the issues raised by others, senior National Conference leader and Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad
Sagar, representing Khanyar, said the “people are well aware of the steps initiated by the government for ensuring the sustained development of Srinagar”. He asked the people not to “pay any heed to the parties who believe in telling lies and hypocrisy”. He said a comprehensive plan has been taken for developing the areas of the city as a main hub of tourism which would go a long way in boosting the trade and economic activities of the area. With an eye on the voters, its coalition partner, the Congress, organised a rally of Artisan Organization at Idgah on the occasion of May Day, with the state PCC president Saifuddin Soz assuring the General Run of Artisans that “they must struggle for their genuine demands and their demands will certainly be fulfilled”. PoliticianSpeak The historic city of Srinagar needs futuristic, heritage-sensitive and modern vision for its composite development. Unfortunately, till now all the so called master plans have resulted in destroying its historical image and creation of more problems than any solution for its increasing population and expanding dimensions. — Muzaffar Hussain Beigh PDP’s The party will work towards the end of freeing the historic and beautiful city of Srinagar from both the political and economic tyranny and oppression of the National Conference. The NC has converted Srinagar into a virtual slum. Be it town planning or municipal laws, these laws have been used to harass and economically persecute the people of Srinagar under the fig leaf of conservation. There is a crying need to change these archaic laws and replace them with progressive, rational and liberal laws that facilitate the nascent private sector in Srinagar. — Sajad Lone, Peoples Conference chairman
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PDP seeks mandate on peace, prosperity and development
Srinagar, May 15 “Despite getting a short span of three
years in power from 2002 to 2005, the PDP set into motion a comprehensive process of economic empowerment and infrastructural development in the state which is to be taken to its logical conclusion,” Mehbooba said while addressing a PDP workers’ convention in Wachi
Shopian. Senior PDP leaders Tariq Hameed Karra, Abdul Razaq Zawoora, zone president, Ghulam Hassan
Bhat, Ghulam Mohiudin Wani, Mohammad Khalil Naik, Zaffar Manhas, Yawar
Bandey, Yasir Wani and Mohsin Ahmed were also present on the occasion to address the convention. The PDP president said there has been a complete freeze on the development during the last five
years as not a single project of significance was executed in any part of the state by the present dispensation. “ Some key projects taken up by the previous
PDP-Congress coalition government in crucial sectors like roads, communication, horticulture, agriculture, industry, power, education, health and social security were shelved on narrow-minded political considerations,” she said
. Mehbooba expressed dismay over the complete lack of concern in the government over the immense loss caused to the fruit crops by hailstorm in various fruit belts of the state. She demanded immediate relief to the affected farmers. |
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At KU, girls take lead in donating blood
Srinagar, May 15 As many as 80 units of blood were collected at the camp. “A majority of the blood donors were girls,” Shahid Ali Khan, event coordinator said. Health experts, based in the Valley, have expressed concern over reluctance on part of the people here to donate blood assuming it to be dangerous for their health. “Blood donation is basically essential to maintain a healthy life style. It has no side affects on a normal body,” Dr Javaid, a hematologist said. He said People are not aware bout the concept of blood donation and due to this ignorance, they think that blood donation would have an adverse effect on their health. He described the girls taking the lead in blood donation as a positive step and hoped that the boys will follow the suit. “I would say that women in Kashmir are usually anaemic, hence men should be active blood donors,” he added. |
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Reasi Zone, Arnas Zone clinch kabaddi titles
Jammu, May 15 In the U-14 kho-kho summit clash, the Reasi Zone overwhelmed the Arnas Zone by 10 points while in the U-17 summit showdown, the Reasi Zone again emerged victorious against the Arnas Zone by eight points. Earlier, the competition was inagurated by Palwinder Kour, District Information Officer Reasi and Megha, Assistant Director, Planning, Reasi. They boosted morale of the women participants and stressed upon them the need to work hard in life despite all odds as it is the only key to success. The matches were officiated by the technical committee comprised Reasi District Youth Services and Sports Officer Dr Swaran Singh Chib. He also presented mementoes to the special invitees. Later on, MM Khajuria, Principal Boys Higher Secondary School, Reasi, presented the vote of thanks. |
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Gujjar mahasabha members detained amid protest
Srinagar, May 15 Several protesting members of the Mahasabha were detained by the police when they were trying to march towards the civil secretariat. Poswal said the Gujjar and Bakarwal-dominated areas have been neglected in every aspect “such as electricity, water supply, horticulture, agriculture, education and employment.” Poswal said if the state government remains silent on the demands of the Mahasabha, they would start a march to New Delhi. He also demanded that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs should be created in the state.
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Revenue staff strike continues
Srinagar, May 15 “After discussion in the cabinet on the issue, the revenue minister will meet the striking employees on Thursday, after which a final decision on their demands would be taken,” said government sources. “ The issue is likely to come again for discussion in the next cabinet meeting,” they said. Over 3,000 patwaris and girdawars are on an indefinite strike in the state since April 7. The striking employees are demanding removal of pay anomalies and also seeking a ban on direct recruitment for naib tehsildars. The striking employee are adamant unless the government issues a formal order, they would not call off their strike. 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. |
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MoS Health attaches Leh CMO
Srinagar, May 15 “Minister for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan today ordered attachment of the Chief Medical Officer,
Leh, with the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, with an immediate effect for non-compliance of government instructions,” the spokesman said. The direction was passed by the minister while reviewing the functioning of health institutions in the Kashmir region. Khan took ‘serious note’ of absence of the CMO concerned from the review meetings even after repeated communications from the government, the spokesman said. “Therefore, the minister directed action against the officer,” the spokesman said. The minister also sought explanations from the Chief Medical Officer, Kargil and Medical Superintendent SNN Hospital,
Leh, for the lapses. — TNS |
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Man dies while trying to save boy
Anantnag, May 15 As per reports, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohammad Ramzan and a resident of Lalipora, jumped into the nullah to the save the boy. However, Fayaz drowned and lost his life. The boy was, however, saved by the people in the vicinity. The body was later fished out from the nullah and handed over to his relatives for last rites. |
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PDP protests in Srinagar
Srinagar, May 15 “The present government has failed even to provide electricity to the people. Protest is the only option available to raise voices,” said Manzoor Ahmed, a PDP worker. The protesters also raised slogans against the government for failing to implement a scholarship scheme for Kashmiri students in various parts of the country. The protesters later dispersed peacefully. |
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KU students observe Al Nakba Day
Srinagar, May 15 Students took out a rally from Allama Iqbal Library and raised slogans against Israeli occupation and the state. Students held posters of a ‘key’ which signifies the Nakba and right of Palestinians to return their homes. They are currently under the Israeli occupation. Students raised slogans against the United States and Israel for not giving Palestinians their due rights. |
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Governor NN Vohra has stressed for more effective coordination among all the stakeholders to establish Jammu and Kashmir as the leading tourist destination in the country.
Girl students of the University of Kashmir (KU) turned out in large numbers for donating blood at Blood Donation Camp held at the Health
Centre, KU campus, here today.
The camp was organised by the Department of Student’s Welfare, in collaboration with the Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Government Medical College Srinagar.
