Srinagar, September 30
In a major decision, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the government to seal all illegal structures in Srinagar city within three days against whom demolition orders and show-cause notices have already been issued by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

These directions were issued today by a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice AM Magray in a public interest litigation (PIL).

The SMC had informed the court that it had issued demolition orders and show-cause notices to 42 violators for sealing the structures raised in violation of the norms.

Earlier on May 8, the High Court had directed the authorities concerned to furnish details of all unauthorised constructions that had taken place in the city in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan over the years and file a status report in this regard.

The petitioners had prayed that the High Court take “strong note” of the constructions made illegally without permission from the SMC and in violation of the Master Plan in the city and pass directions to the authorities concerned to demolish such structures in the interests of the public.

“We fail to understand as to why after passing orders of demolitions on March 16, 2009, and show-cause notices on June 22, 2013, why action has not been taken (against the violators) under the scheme of the J&K Control of Building Operations Act, 1988, by the respondents (SMC)”, the Division Bench observed in its orders after counsel representing SMC submitted that the corporation had already issued demolition orders and show-case notices in 42 cases of violations.

“Therefore, we direct the corporation (SMC) to swing into action and take appropriate steps for sealing of the buildings belonging to any violators as per the show-cause notices and the demolition orders passed on March 16, 2009, or thereafter,” the court further observed, while asking the authorities concerned to “do the needful within three days.”

It also asked the authorities concerned to file status report in this regard within four days, while posting the matter for further consideration next week.

While the orders were being dictated by the Bench, government counsel Shah Aamir sought further time from the court while submitting that “sealing/demolition” of the structures involves would require appropriate security measures. He also submitted that sealing may also create law and order problem.

The court, however, did not pay any heed to his submission and went ahead with its orders.

Kupwara, September 30
Future of 60 children enroled in Government Primary School, Sinja Kalaroos, 13-km from Kupwara, is at stake due to alleged mismanagement of the teaching staff. For the past five days, parents have barred their wards from attending the school.

They alleged that the three teachers posted in the school were attending to their duties on rotation basis, putting the career of their children at stake. They said out of the five subjects, only three were taught in the school. They demanded that stern action should be taken against the erring teachers and they should be transferred to some other schools.

“For the past five days, we have stopped our children from going to the school. Teachers attend their duties on rotation and on a particular day, only one teacher attends the school. We have approached the ZEO and then CEO pleading action against the erring teachers but nothing has been done so far,” said Kalaroos sarpanch Manzoor Ahmad. “We will be forced to take to the streets if problems of the students are not addressed at the earliest,” he added.

Another parent alleged that mathematics and English were not taught to the children in the school. “Far from the eyes of the administration, the teachers work under their own norms. Our children do not know anything about mathematics and English as if these subjects are not part of the curriculum. Without any sense of accountability, the teachers attend to their duties according to their own will. If the problems are not solved, we will be forced to take transfer certificates from the school and admit our children to some other schools,” he said.

Refuting the allegations, a teacher said, “A majority of the parents is happy with the education scenario in the school, but only a few are creating trouble for their own vested interests.”

Chief Education Officer, Kupwara, Ashok Sharma said, “I will ask the ZEO to visit the school to ascertain the facts. The teachers will face action if they are found guilty.”

Srinagar, September 30
The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various employee unions of the state, has decided to go ahead with its protest progamme from October 1 to 5 despite the government warning of no work-no pay for the protesting employees.

In a meeting held here yesterday under the JCC leader and Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) president, Abdul Qayum Wani, it was decided that the employees would hold six separate protests and they would not succumb to the government pressure and tactics.

However, the protest programme will coincide with the ongoing Legislative Assembly session.

“It was decided to make the protest programme successful at all cost. The entire leadership is determined to face the undue and unjustified threat from the state government,” Wani said.

The JCC and EJAC leaders alleged that the government had failed abide by the agreement reached with the employees on September 15, 2011, and again ratified on July 8, 2012. “The employees have been waiting and believing the government since 2011,” Wani said.

“The EJAC leadership has been compelled to protest due to delaying and prevaricating tactics of the government. Since government jobs are the mainstay of economy in the state, inflicting injustice on the employees shows the anti-employee face of the government,” he said.

In the last meeting with members oft the Sub-Cabinet Committee, Wani and other JCC leaders impressed upon them to fulfil the agreement of September 15, 2011, in letter and spirit.

“Instead of meeting our demands, the government has now issued threats. We have decided to face these threats with full determination and expose the government before the nation,” said Nissar Ahmad, spokesperson, EJAC.

Wani appealed the general public to support the employees and show their solidarity by coming out on roads during the protest calendar.

Kupwara, September 30
Poor BSNL services have irked mobile subscribers in Kupwara district. Subscribers said even under BSNL towers in the town, they were unable to make or receive calls.

Broadband service of BSNL is also no better. The subscribers said either the Internet speed was slow or there was no service at all. They said in spite of repeated requests to the officials concerned in the town, the services had not improved.

“The service is so poor that we are not able to make or receive calls even under the same roof. We will be forced to surrender the SIM cards, if the company does not improve its services” said Mohd Amin, a mobile user.

Latif Ahmad, a teacher, said, “Subscriber is not reachable’ is often heard when one attempts to make a call. Even under mobile towers, the cell phone flashes ‘no network coverage’ on its screen.”

Many subscribers said mobile towers disappeared from the mobile screens for hours and ‘network busy’ was often displayed when they attempted to make calls.

“The mobile towers often disappear for hours together leaving subscribers high and dry. The service is so erratic that one has to make many attempts to make a call,” said Javid Ahmad. “The mobile towers go down when the electricity supply is snapped. Employees do not run generators for continuation of mobile signals. Cross-connection has become a routine matter with BSNL in the district,” said Shabir Rizvi.

Srinagar, September 30
The five-day-long 59th National School Games (cricket) in which 21 states of the country are participating will start from tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference here, Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohi-ud-din said the Department of Youth Services and Sports will be organising the 59th National School Games (U-14 boys cricket) from October 1 to 6 under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India.

He said teams from 21 states have confirmed their participation. The minister said the opening ceremony would take place at Bakshi Stadium tomorrow and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the chief guest on the occasion.

“The matches will be played on league-cum-knock-out basis at University of Kashmir, NIT, Islamia College, Srinagar, Government Higher Secondary School Bijbehara and Government Degree College Baramulla grounds. About 41 matches will be played in the championship, including semifinals and finals,” he added.

Leh, September 30
The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) recently held a meeting of heads and representatives of all communities of Ladakh to revive the demand for the Union Territory status for the region.

The meeting was convened to have a consensus on the revival of the movement at the community level, keeping the political parties out of it.

It was the first joint meeting of all communities of Ladakh in recent times on the demand for a UT status.

The meeting was attended by presidents and executive members of the LBA, Moin-ul Islam, Anjuman Imamia, Christian Community Association and All Ladakh Gonpa Association.

In a press statement issued by the vice-president of the LBA, Tsewang Thinless, has said, “The meeting resolved to have more deliberations on the issue and formulate a framework with the inclusion of the concern and apprehension of every group and community and all aspects of the UT.”

President of the Anjuman Imamai Asharaf Ali Barcha said, “The issue of starting the movement in support of the UT status jointly by all communities of Ladakh is in the discussion stage.”

President of the LBA Tundup Tsewang said, “For more deliberations and discussions on the issue, the heads and representatives of all communities have decided to meet on October 10.”

Sonam from the LBA said, “The first joint meeting of all community leaders have stressed the grass-roots level awareness among the public in Leh and Kargil districts about the merits and demerits of the UT.”

Srinagar, September 30
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz today said remote Tangdhar area near the Line of Control (LoC) would soon get a mobile tower.

As the areas close to the LoC do not have mobile connectivity, Soz said the Union Telecom Ministry had confirmed that Tangdhar would get a mobile tower within a week.

“The Union Ministry of Telecom has informed me that the mobile tower at Tangdhar would be inaugurated soon. RK Koul, Chief General Manager, Telecommunication, J&K Circle, has also confirmed that the tower at Tangdhar would be inaugurated within seven days,” Soz said in a statement. — TNS

Srinagar, September 30
The Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC), University of Kashmir, Srinagar, organised a one-day “Orientation programme on Development and Utilisation of e-Resources” for teachers and students of Degree College, Kargil, on September 25 and at Degree College, Leh, on September 28.

About 30 teachers and 60 students participated in the orientation programmes. Principals, teachers and students of both the colleges liked the idea of orientation programme and appreciated the efforts of the EMMRC Srinagar for organising the event in far-flung mountainous colleges of the state.

Amina Qari, principal, Govt Degree College, Kargil, stressed upon the need that such activities should be a regular feature in the college that would go a long way to help and sensitise teachers and students of far-flung areas, where technology is just taking its roots. Suresh Kumar Sharma, principal, Govt Degree College, Leh, stressed upon the need for creation of ICT infrastructure and providing proper internet connectivity in educational institutions in far-flung areas of Ladakh.

University of Kashmir EMMRC director Shahid Rasool, while underlining the aims and objectives of the orientation programme stressed upon the teachers to reinvent their teaching pedagogy for making best use of Information and Communication Technology in the classroom. In a detailed powerpoint presentation, while demonstrating how technology is being used across the globe for teaching and learning, he impressed upon the teachers and students to make best use of e-resources available on the click of the button. “We must not to shy away from using technology, but make its judicious use for teaching and learning an enriching and loving experience,” he said. He explained in detail various endeavours of the CEC and media centres in promoting the use of television and ICT in teaching and learning and taking knowledge to the doorsteps of students across the country irrespective of their geographical location,” he said.

During the hour-long presentation, he projected VYAS- the 24-hour higher education channel of UGC, demonstrating e-contents, LORs, screening clips from various kinds of ETV programmes, Edusat operations, online courses and other educational activities of the organisation. Stressing upon the need for packaging of knowledge, he invited teachers to contribute in the creation of knowledge in various e-forms and take full advantage of the e-resources created by the CEC and the media centres. The presentation was followed by a lively interaction with the participants discussing various issues, concerns and prospects of using ICT for education.

In the technical session, various enrichment ETV programmes and e-contents produced by EMMRC, Srinagar, and other media centres were screened. The CEC show reel was also shown at both colleges. The screening was followed by an interactive session between teachers, students and the EMMRC faculty. Participants appreciated the films and the contribution of CEC and media centres.

EMMRC, University of Kashmir, Srinagar will organise more orientation programmes in the Degree Colleges across the state. The beginning was made from Ladakh province, which remains cut-off from rest of the world for around five months in a year.

Besides the orientation programmes, EMMRC team is also shooting some educational documentaries on various aspects of Ladakh. 

Anantnag, September 30
Much to the inconvenience of tourist and locals, the Circuit road which is the only motorable link to the hutment area of Pahalgam, is in a dilapidated condition.

According to sources, a number of huts belonging to the Department of Tourism, Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), Power Development Department (PDD) and others are located along the Circuit road and beyond it.

“Despite being of huge importance, the road has not been macadamised since past five years,” locals said. The locals said the road was completely damaged and dotted with potholes, adding that, “The slightest rain or snow makes the road waterlogged.”

“The road does not remain fit for pedestrian movement in case of slightest downpour,” said Farooq Ahmad, a local resident. He said during the dry season, dust emanates from it, adding to woes of passengers and pedestrians. The condition of the road is taking a toll on the business of the hut owners as no tourist prefers using the area.

“Tourists stay away from the area due to health hazards posed by the dilapidated condition of the road,” the locals said, adding that, “We don’t have an option as we have to live here and bear all this.”

Pertinently, this road is an alternate link to Pahalgam town and could ease the traffic mess in the market if macadamised, the locals say. Locals said they had been pleading the authorities to macadamise the road, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, other villages in Pahalgam, like Larkipora Pora, Poshwan Mohalla and Manzim Pora have been facing the same difficulty, with their roads left un-macadamised.

Larkipora Pora and Manzim Pora have been the preferred destination for foreign tourists, but now they stay away from the area due to pathetic condition of the roads, locals added.