Srinagar, October 22
As substandard fungicides and pesticides were believed to be among the reasons for damage to fruit production in the Valley this season, the government has decided to strengthen flying squads to check sale of substandard insecticides.

Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Peerzada Mushtaq said the flying squads were already in place but they would be strengthened and made functional in every district of the Valley for checking pesticides and fungicides sold in the open market.

An official said to check the menace of substandard pesticides, the Agriculture Production Department was in the process of suspending or cancelling the licences of the dealers whose products were found misbranded while adding that 17 licences had been suspended so far.

While the issue of substandard fungicides, insecticides and pesticides having caused damage to fruits, especially apples, was vociferously raised by several legislators in the recently concluded autumn session of the state legislature Assembly, the government had also blamed inclement weather conditions.

A survey conducted by the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Horticulture Department, and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, had stated that alternaria disease in apples was caused by high temperatures followed by three to four days of incessant rain in mid August earlier this year. The findings also stated that about 10 to 12 per cent orchards were found affected this year and the extent of leaf fall was to the tune of 70 to 80 per cent in some cases. The situation as per the report induced fruit drop resulting into poor quality during the last phase of development.

However, the government had maintained 
that there was no loss in terms of quantity of production and the quality of apples had only been affected that also caused price drop.

Srinagar, October 22
Minister of State for Technical Education and Power Vikar Rasool today directed the officers of the Power Development Department (PDD) to put in place a mechanism for ensuring adequate power supply to the people during winters.

The minister passed directions during a review meeting to discuss the measures put in place for the ensuing winter in the Valley. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the PDD.

Rasool said, “The officers should work in close co-ordination to ensure that a fool-proof mechanism is put in place so that the consumers get adequate supply of power during winters.”

He said the load-shedding and the power cuts should be minimised and whenever necessary, they should properly notified so that the people do not face any inconvenience.

The minister also asked the officers to ensure that the transformer damages were minimised and they should ensure that a system was put in place by which the damage could be controlled.

Srinagar, October 22
Tanvir Sadiq, Political Secretary to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, today advocated dialogue with Pakistan as well as with separatists to resolve political issues facing the state. “The Kashmir issue has to be addressed politically,” he said.

Talking to US Embassy’s Senior Consul Officer and American Citizen Services head Sarah A Duffy at his residence here, Sadiq underlined the need of “sustained internal and external dialogue” between the Centre and the separatists and between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

“Jammu and Kashmir is a political problem and can be resolved only through a process of dialogue. We have to start the dialogue process both internally as well as bilaterally (with Pakistan) for addressing this issue,” Sadiq said.

“If it was only an internal matter, then Shimla, Lahore and Agra talks would not have been held,” he said.

Sadiq strongly advocated relaxation in negative travel advisory against the state.

“Keeping in view the peace, progress and security situation in the Valley, the US should reconsider its negative travel advisory against the state and especially places like Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and other tourist destinations,” Tanvir said.

Sadiq said the reluctance of the separatists to get engaged in dialogue is a stumbling block in finding the roadmap. “The Omar-led government is strongly convincing the Centre to be in dialogue with separatists and also engage Pakistan in an external dialogue so that the long-pending political issues of JK are settled,” he said.

The Political Secretary said the Chief Minister was committed to facilitate dialogue process.

Srinagar, October 22
Minister of State for Irrigation and Flood Control Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today directed the district administration, Bandipora, to verify 210 families dislocated due to construction of the Kishan Ganga Hydel Electric Project (KGHEP) within a fortnight and asked them to identify about 300 kanals of land in Srinagar required for their rehabilitation.

The directions were issued by the minister during a review meeting convened to discuss the pace of progress of all projects sanctioned under the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan (RRP) for dislocated families of Gurez and Bandipora.

“It was informed in the meeting that an amount of Rs 253.75 crore has been sanctioned under the RRP for different developmental works and rehabilitation of project dislocated families of Gurez and Bandipora,” an official spokesman said. “It was also informed that the construction work on maternity hospital costing Rs 18 crore at Bandipora, improvement of LT and HT network costing Rs 11 crore are apace,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said a threadbare discussion was also held on development of infrastructure in terms of roads, lanes, drains, parks, streetlights and revision of extension of PHE network in and around th Kralpora area.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Revenue, Vinod Koul, District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, MY Zargar, Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Peerzada Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Additional District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, representatives of KGHEP and other officers.

Srinagar, October 22
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar today directed the officers to ensure the beautification of Brari-Nambal lagoon and its catchment areas on war footing besides undertaking it’s de-weeding.

The minister was speaking at a high-level meeting convened to discuss the status of various beautification and developmental projects undertaken for ensuring the development of Srinagar city.

“The minister asked the Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, to take immediate measures for the de-weeding of the Brari-Nambal lagoon besides, ensuring the fencing of the leftover portion. He said the water body has a prime importance viz-a-viz ecology of the old city and we have to ensure that every measure is put in place for ensuring its preservation and beautification,” an official spokesman said.

The lagoon in the past was facilitating regulation of Dal waters which has been marred by extensive pollution and obnoxious weeds. The stagnation of its waters has affected the health of the Dal Lake.

“While asking for ensuring that the proper repair of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of the lagoon, if needed, is also done, the Minister said the requisite funds have also been released and engineers should ensure that it is done within the shortest possible time,” the spokesman added.

He said the officers of different departments like Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Irrigation and Flood Control Department should work in complete co-ordination for ensuring that the Brari-Nambal lagoon was preserved so that it could be developed as one of the major tourist attractions of the old city.

Sagar also directed the officers of LAWDA for ensuring the timely completion of various connecting bridges being constructed in the catchment areas of Bagh Roop Singh and other areas so that the people living in these areas get proper connecting facilities with the main land.

Srinagar, October 22
Eleven persons, including three children, were injured in different road accidents across the Valley, a police spokesman said here today.

A brother-sister duo identified as Anam Maqbool (13) and Subi Maqbool (7), residents of Drumgam, were injured when a load carrier hit them near their village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Both the injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

A cab hit and injured a six-year-old girl identified as Falaq Shiraz, a resident of Brakpora, near her home in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the spokesman said. The injured girl was shifted to a hospital for treatment.

In another accident in Anantnag district, a car hit and injured Sher Ali, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, near Sherpora. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

A tractor skidded off the road near Budugam in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district resulting in injuries to three persons, all of whom were shifted to hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a car hit and injured Basher Ahmad Dar, a resident of Pazipora Vilgam, near Kupwara hospital. The injured was shifted to the Bone and Joint Hospital in the city here, the police said.

On the city outskirts, a load carrier hit and injured Iram Ahmad Khan, a resident of Hardoo Abar village of Magam, near JVC Hospital, the spokesman said. The injured was shifted to SKIMS hospital.

In another accident, a scooter hit and injured a woman identified as Aisha, a resident of Samarbugh, at Kanipora on the city outskirts. Scooterist Mohammad Ahsan, a resident of Chanapora, was also injured in the mishap and both were shifted to hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

Srinagar, October 22
The Burnhall School today defeated DPS Football Club 3-0 to lift the J&K State Power Development Corporation (PDC) Annual ‘B’ Division Football League title.

Burnhall boys displayed great skills as they completely dominated the proceedings at the Bakshi Stadium here.

For Burnhall, Dawar Masood scored a brace while Shahrukh Khan found the back of the net once to help his team lift the title.

With this win the Burnhall School also qualified for the next season’s 'A' Division League Pool, alongside the finalist’s DPS. In the Super Division League, J&K Forest defeated JK State Road Transport Corporation 2-0.

Kupwara, October 22
Residents of Shanu village, 10 km from Handwara, are facing immense problems due to lack of water supply and dilapidated road leading to the village. They said in the absence of water supply, they were forced to consume contaminated water from an open nallah.

“The road is full of pits and potholes and a stretch of about 3 km has become non-motorable. It takes about an hour to reach Handwara town. The travel to the town can be covered in just 20 minutes if the road is metalled,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local resident.

Students and employees said they were the worst sufferers. “We have to leave our homes early in the morning to reach schools in time. The road leading to Handwara is in a bad condition and the authorities are doing nothing of its repair,” said Reyaz Ahmad Malik, a Class XII student.

“Most of the drivers have suspended transport service on the road as the 10 km stretch has become non-motorable,” he added.

The local residents said despite repeated requests, the department of Public Health Engineering (PHE) had not provided clean water to the village.

“In the absence of clean water facility, we are forced to consume contaminated water, which has led to outbreak of jaundice and cholera. We requested the concerned officials of the division to provide the facility but nothing has been done so far and we continue to suffer,” said Abdul Rehman Sheikh, a local resident.

The residents appealed the concerned minister to intervene and provide water supply to the village. “We make a fervent appeal to the minister to use his personal influence and provide us with the much awaited water supply. Far-off villages in Kashmir have been provided with the facility but our village, which is just 10 km from Kupwara has been ignored,” said Naseer Ahmad.

Srinagar, October 22
Jammu and Kashmir today defeated Bihar and Odisha to register three consecutive wins in the ongoing All India Postal Cricket Tournament. On the second day of the tournament, J&K defeated Bihar by 105 before thumping Odisha in the next encounter.

Electing to bat first, J&K rode on a brilliant unbeaten ton by Asif and a well compiled 66 by Ubair to pose a challenging total of 201 runs against Bihar.

Required to score at over 10 runs per over, Bihar batsmen crumbled under pressure as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

The team managed to score just 95 runs from their stipulated quota of overs to hand J&K a massive 105 run victory.

Anil Khanna was the pick of the bowlers for J&K as he dismissed four of the opposition batsmen.

In the second match, J&K set a victory target of 149 against Odisha after electing to bat first.

Ubair continued to impress with the bat, as he notched up a quick fire 39 to help his team pose a decent target. Manzoor (28) and Asif (26) also made a significant contribution to the total.

In reply, Odisha lost early wickets and could not get the momentum going as they were restricted to 99 for the loss of eight wickets.

In the other matches of the day, Andhra Pradesh beat Gujarat by 47 runs, while West Bengal got better of Delhi by 29 runs.

Rajasthan on the other hand lost both its matches to Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh respectively.

Srinagar, October 22
Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) president and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid today strongly reacted to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement, saying that his comments might escalate the tension between the two neighbouring countries.

“Though, the Chief Minister has every right and is duty-bound to ensure safety of the people of his state, he should think ten times before commenting on serious issues, which may result in further escalation of tension between India and Pakistan,” Rashid said while addressing the party workers at Sopore in north Kashmir today.

Omar had yesterday urged New Delhi to explore options other than dialogue with Islamabad, if its forces continue to target villages in Jammu.

“Before abusing Pakistan, Omar Abdullah should have tried to find the facts. War is no solutions to the problems and he should behave 
in a responsible and mature manner,” the AIP chief said.

Srinagar, October 22
Noted academician and head of Kashmir University’s centre for career planning and counselling, Prof Shabir A Bhat has been conferred the National Education Leadership (NEL) Award.

The award was announced jointly by the Stars of the Industry Group and Dainik Bhaskar today, a Kashmir University spokesman said.

He added that Stars of the Industry Group founder, Jonathan Peters informed Prof Shabir about the award.

“I am pleased to share with you that the jury has decided to honor you with the ‘Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education’,” the spokesman while quoting the communication said.

“The award is in recognition of leadership, development and industry interface. These awards are well researched and chosen by an independent jury and a panel of professionals, who believe in nurturing talent and recognising the best of the best,” he added.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on October 23 at Mumbai.

Expressing happiness on being conferred the NEL award, Prof Shabir said it is indeed a great pleasure and honour that our efforts are being recognised by the industry leaders, the spokesman said.