Srinagar, May 16
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has put a stop on the development of a housing project by a private firm along the Srinagar-Baramulla highway near Singhpora. The move is part of the campaign to check exploitation of agricultural land for other purposes.

While staying the construction of the housing colony, ‘Khushbahar’, on a paddy land by Zum Zum Constructions near Singhpora village in Baramulla district , the high court asked the Deputy Commissioner concerned to “proceed in accordance with the law” to stop further conversion of the land under question for construction purposes.

The orders were issued by a division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey on Wednesday after the activities of the firm were brought to their notice by lawyers. The court observed that Zum Zum Constructions should not indulge in any activity which misled the public.

The high court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO calling for a ban on the conversion of agrarian land into residential land. On May 2, the court had extended the deadline of the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Kulgam districts to file their status reports on steps taken by them for stopping the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in their respective areas.

The authorities in Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Kargil, Ananatnag and Ganderbal districts have already submitted their status reports to the high court.

On April 15, the high court had directed the state government to come up with a detailed report within a week on steps taken by it to stop the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in the Kashmir valley. The authorities had also been directed to inform the court about its plans to accommodate the increasing population in their respective districts on modern lines by planning innovative integrated housing projects.

In December 2012, keeping in view the population explosion and the exploitation of prime agriculture lands for construction purposes, particularly in Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had directed the state government to make plans to address the increasing demand for residential places in the city.

DECREASING AGRICULTURAL LAND HOLDINGS

As per the J&K Economic Survey 2011-12, the operational area under agriculture in the state has shrunk from 9.26 lakh hectares in 2000-01 to 9.23 lakh hectares in 2010-11. The survey stated that one of the prime reasons for the decrease in agricultural land holdings was their exploitation for construction and other purposes.x

Srinagar, May 16
A month after a senior Kashmiri bureaucrat, Farooq Renzu, retired, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) — which he once headed — has issued him a notice for violating the master plan of the city.

Renzu, who has served as Municipal Commissioner; former director, Local Bodies; and former vice-chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA); has been accused by the SMC for constructing "unauthorised commercial complex" at Jawahar Nagar locality in the city.

“I, Commissioner, SMC, hereby call upon you to stop the misuse of your aforesaid premises within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which an order under Section-8 of the Control of Building Operation Act would be passed against you for sealing your aforesaid premises,” the notice to the former bureaucrat read.

The notice said the SMC had granted permission for constructing residential rooms in the building but instead, Renzu had constructed a full-fledged commercial complex. “You have violated the master plan norms, zoning regulations and sanctioned plan parameters by constructing a full-fledged shopping complex, having shops on the ground floor and offices on the first and second floors,” it read.

Renzu retired as the sda vice-chairman in March after serving the state government for over three decades.

The timing of the show-cause notice to Renzu is, however, being questioned by local residents. “Why was the government silent for so long? This violation was made many years ago,” said a local resident, Showkat Ahmed. “This is not the only violation. There are over 2,000 violations of the Srinagar master plan, so why is only the former bureaucrat under the scanner?” he questioned.

A senior official in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation said, “There are many violations in Jawahar Nagar locality and we will issue notices to the other violators also. In the case of Farooq Renzu, we had received a complaint, which is why we issued a show-cause notice to him,” he said. 

Srinagar, May 16
Sarpanch Afzal Khan of Hardsurish village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district allegedly thrashed a teacher of a government school in the village for being late on duty. He also allegedly abused some staff members of Government High School, Hardsurish.

After the incident, which took place yesterday afternoon, the school authorities lodged a complaint at the Khag police station against the sarpanch.

However, the police did not register an FIR in this regard saying that the school teacher did not bear any injury marks.

To protest against the sarpanch and the police, the government schools of Khag tehsil remained closed today.

A teacher of Government High School, Hardsurish, on the condition of anonymity, said the sarpanch and some panches regularly visited the government schools in the area to check attendance registers.

“Yesterday, the sarpanch crossed all the limits and abused female teachers when they spoke against him. He thrashed a teacher when he reported late to the school. The school teachers are scared of this hooliganism. We want stern action against the sarpanch and other panches who misuse their powers,” the teacher said.

Meanwhile, Budgam Chief Education Officer Budgam Nazir Ahmad Dar has taken cognisance of the incident and has urged the police to take action against the sarpanch.

Srinagar, May 16
Nearly 150 students, in the age group of 14 to 20, drawn from different schools, exhibited their expertise with colours to portray ‘Kashmir festival’ in the serene environs under the Chinar trees, overlooking the Nigeen lake here, today. The students portrayed their imagination of the Kashmir valley, ranging from its beautiful landscapes, lakes, gushing streams and the high mountains, to the impact of violence leading to craving for peace.

‘Let peace prevail’, commented Ayami Bilal from Iqbal Memorial School, while giving the finishing touches to her painting on the lawns of the Nigeen Club, overlooking the lake. She portrayed the landscape entitled ‘from paradise to hell’ with different colours.

As the children chose their topics under the theme, an enthusiasm for the fine arts among children was on display, along with their young minds, on the canvases.

The focus of Jasia Iqbal from Delhi Public School was on ‘Kashmir- a paradise lost’. “There is much scope for fine arts, but there is no such college”, Jasia said. She added that there was much talent for fine arts, which needed recognition and direction.

Director Tourism, Talat Parvaiz, who was also present on the conclusion of the painting event, praised the young students for their enthusiastic participation in the competition.

“This is a big initiative taken by the government. The students get a chance to display their talent”, said a private school teacher.

“Many students do not know the different facets of Kashmir. Through such events, they come to understand what Kashmir really is”, she said.

The event was a part of the two-week Kashmir Tourism Festival-2013, which began on Tuesday. The festival is being organised in collaboration with Loud.Betle.in, an event management group of young students.

“There has been immense response to the event, as nearly 150 students from different schools got registered for various events”, said Ahmar Khan, one of the organisers. The group of six members, all under-graduate students in different fields, was constituted in December last year. The group organised the first-ever cyber games championship in January earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Akber Khan of Physical Education College, Ganderbal, cruised to victory in the Kashmir Festival cycle race, organised by Directorate of Tourism in collaboration with the J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA).

In junior category, Amir Sidiq Gujree of Government High School, Narbal, finished first while Rashid of Kashmir Harvard finished second. Mansoor Ahmad of BHSS, Magam, finished third.

Earlier, the event was flagged off by Director Tourism Talat Parvez along with Director, Magpie Hydel Construction Operation Industry Pvt Ltd, Mir Mudasir, the JKSDA President Bashir Ahmad Malik and organising secretary Reyaz Wani.

Mir Mudasir said, “I have been following cycling events from the last couple of years and I can proudly say that we have got some of the most talented cyclist with us.

They have been making the whole state proud with their achievements at the National and International level”.

“Though we have talent but cycling as a sport is very expensive, which is a hinderance for our enthusiasts. The imported carbon fibre cycles come in the range of Rs 1.5 to 5 lakh, which is too expensive for our local riders,” he added.

The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the J&K Ice Skating Association, had organised roller skating competition for school students from Zabarwan Park to Nishat Garden in which 86 skaters participated.

Ashraf Dijoo, General Secretary and coach, Ice Skating and Ice Hockey association of J&K and a member of the J&K Roller Skating Association, imparted training to all the participants.

Srinagar, May 16
The handicraft artisans of Kashmir have demanded better facilities and marketing support from the Handicrafts Department.

In this regard, a delegation of artisan union leaders, representing different crafts, met Director Handicrafts, Salma Hameed, today and apprised her about the problems being faced by them, an official release said here.

There are nearly 1.2 lakh artisans associated with different trades in the handicrafts sector of the state.

“Kashmir Federation of Artisans, Alamgari Bazar, Srinagar, along with 10 other union leaders representing different crafts, lead by Hakeem Ghulam Mohd, today met Director Handicrafts and put forth the problems being faced by the grassroots level artisans”, the release said.

The union leaders demanded better facilities in terms of marketing support from the department, both at state and national level. They also demanded holding of exhibitions at different places of the Kashmir valley, the statement added.

“The Director Handicrafts issued instructions for conducting handicraft exhibitions at Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Baltal, Boulevard and other tourist places of significance” it said, adding that the director also assured the artisans all possible help for the betterment of their community.

Srinagar, May 16
Chief Vigilance Commissioner of the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) Kuldeep Khoda called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

Khoda briefed the Governor about the steps which had been taken to start the commision’s functioning, an official said.

The Governor stressed the importance of the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) and the SVC working in close convergence, within their legal mandates, for effective outcomes. He said the SVO and the SVC should ensure that there is no delay due to the want of sanction to investigate a case or to initiate prosecution wherever required.

Vohra pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the time limits within which the requisite sanctions were required to be issued, failing which these were to be presumed.

The Governor urged the Chief Vigilance Commissioner to keep in mind that the effective functioning of the SVC would contribute directly towards effective governance and checking of corruption. 

Srinagar, May 16
Jammu and Kashmir bank has surpassed its benchmark target for the financial year 2012-13.

The bank has posted net profit of Rs 1,055.10 crore against the net profit of Rs 803.25 crore for the previous year, registering year-on-year growth of 31.35%.

In its platinum jubilee year celebrations, the bank’s Board of Directors, as a goodwill gesture, recommended dividend of 500%, Rs 50 per share (previous 335%), subject to the approval of shareholders, at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.

“The bank posted a net profit of Rs 250.08 crore for Quarter 4, ending March 2013, which is up by 20.16 % from Rs 208.12 crore recorded for the corresponding period of the previous financial year,” a spokesman for the bank said.

The audited financial results for the fourth quarter, ended March 2013, were announced folowing the approval of bank’s Board of Directors in their meeting held here at Corporate Headquarters.

The business of the bank registered an increase of Rs 16,998 crore during 2012-13, reaching Rs 10,3421 crore, thereby recording a growth of 19.67%. Deposits during the period were up by 20.38%, reaching Rs 64,220 crore.

The loans and advances of the bank stood at Rs 39,200 crore, registering growth of 18.51% in comparison to Rs 33,077 crore at the end of March 2012.

All key ratios have registered improvement during the year. The net worth is at Rs 4864.69 crore (up by 18.85%), earnings per share at Rs 217.65 (up by 31.35%) and net interest margin (NIM) at 3.97% against 3.84%, return on assets has improved from 1.56% to 1.70% reflecting strong fundamentals of the bank.

Mushtaq Ahmad, Chairman and CEO of the bank, said “We are satisfied with the results. It has been made possible by our consistent and sustained efforts, a fruition of our long-lasting commitment to our customers, stakeholders and society. In the platinum jubilee year of the bank’s journey, it gives me great pleasure to announce that we have surpassed our target of Rs 1,00,000 crore business and Rs 1,000 crore net profit.”

Srinagar, May 16
The police today distributed cheques among the families of cops who were killed in a militant attack in north Kashmir recently. The money was raised by the officers and jawans of Baramulla range by contributing from their salaries.

A police spokesman said Deputy Inspector General of Police, North, JP Singh alongwith Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Zubair Ahmad Khan and Superintendent of Police, Sopore, Imtiyaz Hussain visited the families of the Special Police Officers who were killed in a militant attack at Hygam, Sopore, on April 26 and distributed cheques among the families.

“An amount of Rs 4,87,860 was raised by the officers and jawans of Baramulla range to show their solidarity and concern with the bereaved families,” the spokesman said.

“Besides consoling the families, the officers conveyed the messages of J&K DGP Ashok Prasad and Kashmir IGP Abdul Ghani Mir, that the whole force was indebted to these martyrs and their families who had made the supreme sacrifice of their lives for the pious and noble cause of safety and integrity of the country,” the spokesman said.