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Fresh snowfall in Valley, Ladakh
Rain brings down mercury in city
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101st Indian Science Congress
Celebrations, protests mark creation of new admn units
Kashmir village youth brings laurels to
state
Asif Ali will soon fly to NASA, US, to start work on his projects.
Momos make their way into Kashmiris’ hearts
Hope floats for resumption of cross-border trade
RTI activist slams SKIMS data on pellet injuries
Check goods, ensure drivers’ safety: Traders
JKFA fails to revive women football
Post Cabinet nod, Cong, NC in credit war
NRHM helpline fails to find response in Kashmir
Baramulla tense after youth’s stabbing
Fayyaz Sheheryar new DG AIR
Drug abuse on rise in Doda
Jindrah residents seek tehsil status, block highway
Flyover row: Affected traders seek relief over road closure
21 hydel projects in bad shape
NIFT not to increase seats for state
ReT forum demands regularisation orders
Delegates miss inaugural due to tight security
People disillusioned with NC, says
Mehbooba
Aiming small is a crime, Kalam tells
students
ICDS supervisors to hold protest on Feb 17
MC fails to lift garbage
Health check-up camp held
Jammu gets best district award in MGNREGA implementation
Mentally challenged woman rescued from
tree
Printing press, house damaged in fire mishaps
Man held, 71 LPG cylinders seized
Massive fire along LoC
Locals upbeat
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Fresh snowfall in Valley, Ladakh
Srinagar, February 3 No vehicle was allowed to cross Jawahar Tunnel for Jammu after 2pm following continuous snowfall on the route, they said The minimum temperature rose by several degrees bringing relief to the residents. “Many places in the higher reaches of Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Banihal and Drass, received fresh snowfall during the night," an official of the MeT Department here said. The plains of the Valley, including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, received rainfall and the overcast conditions led to an increase in the minimum temperature, he said. The weather department has predicted light to moderate rainfall in the next 24 hours. "We are not expecting heavy snowfall," said Director of Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.8 degrees Celsius, over one degree up from the previous night's 0.3 degrees Celsius, the official said. The mercury in Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir Valley, settled at 0.8 degrees Celsius, up by over six notches from minus 5.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. The town had received 3.2 mm of rainfall till 8:30am. The mercury in the tourist resort of Pahalgam increased by over three degrees to settle at a low of 0.2 degree Celsius as against minus 3.2 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said, adding that the resort recorded 2.4 mm rainfall. The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, same as the previous night. The resort received six inches of snow. The mercury in Kokernag, in south Kashmir, went up by over three degrees from the previous night's minimum of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius to settle at a low of minus 0.1 degrees Celsius last night. Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.4 degrees Celsius and received 1 cm of snow along with 12.9 mm of rainfall during the night. Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, recorded a low of minus 6.4 degrees Celsius, over three degrees up from the previous night's minus 10 degrees Celsius. The mercury in nearby Kargil town jumped by almost 10 degrees to settle at a low of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 19 degrees Celsius the previous night. The MeT Department has said light rainfall or snowfall may occur at isolated places of Kashmir division over the next 24 hours. Light rainfall, snow in next 24 hrs: MeT Dept The MeT Department has said light to moderate rainfall or snowfall may occur at isolated places of Kashmir division in the next 24 hours. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.8 °C, over one degree up from the previous night’s 0.3 °C. (With inputs from PTI) |
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Rain brings down mercury in city
Jammu, February 3 According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the rain and snowfall will continue till February 7 as strong Western Disturbance (WD) has engulfed the Himalayan state since Sunday. In Jammu, mercury plummeted to about 13°C with every likelihood that it will dip further in the next few days as there is a forecast of heavy rainfall in the plains, which were facing a long dry spell. "Weather conditions have become very cold, but they are good for people as the dry weather conditions give rise to many diseases, particularly common cold," said Dr Tanveer Ahmed. The region was reeling under a dry spell, with rain eluding the city for the last many weeks. Weathermen say that for the last five years rainfall has been irregular during the winter months affecting the rabi season. "We are expecting more rainfall in plains and snow in higher reaches in the next 48 hours, which will further decrease the maximum and minimum temperatures. The weather condition in the upper reaches influence the local conditions as more the snowfall on mountains, more coldwave conditions the city will experience," said Dr BC Sharma, senior weather scientist at SKUAST, Jammu. Though in the recent years the city is experiencing less foggy days during winter months, but dry weather conditions in the recent past have become a major issue for the residents.
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Celebrations, protests mark creation of new admn units
Srinagar, February 3 Widespread celebrations were witnessed in north, south and central parts of Kashmir immediately after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced the formation of new units on Saturday. In a “historic decision”, the state Cabinet approved the setting up of 659 new administrative units in the state, which include
46 sub-divisions, 135 tehsils, 177 community development blocks and 301 niabats. The announcement ended days of uncertainty and protests over the creation of new units. A huge number of people from dozens of villages marched in jubilation to Wagoora in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, which has been granted a Tehsil status. As residents burst crackers, speakers addressing the elated crowd thanked the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and the coalition government for according tehsil status to Wagoora. “Earlier people had to travel 30 km to reach tehsil office. People are now very happy,” said Latief Ahmad, a resident of Wagoora. In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, residents of Yaripora and Frisal assembled at their respective villages to celebrate the newly acquired tehsil status for both the places. Celebrations were also held at Tral, Kakapora, Imam Sahib, Litter and Keegam areas of south Kashmir after these places figured in the list of new administrative units. The people of Litter, Kakapora, Keegam and Imam Sahib had held a series of protests in
the run-up to the announcement. In Kakapora, a new tehsil in Pulwama district, folk artists danced to the cheering crowd. However, all were not in celebratory mood, as people held protests against the government’s decision for excluding their respective areas from the list of new administrative units. Protests erupted in
several areas of south Kashmir with residents of Yaar, Drabgam and Lassipora in Pulwama district blocking the highway at various places to press for their demands. Protests were also
witnessed in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district where agitated residents took to streets against
the exclusion. Meanwhile in Doda, the Congress workers held a rally and expressed gratitude to Union Health
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the creation of new administrative units. Scores of party workers participated in the rally yesterday, which crossed through various place before culminating outside the house of Congress leader and Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani. The Congress activists from the district were particularly happy about the Cabinet nod for creation of 12 new tehsils in Doda. “It is a historical decision,” said Asif Jahan Gatoo, Congress leader from Doda who headed the rally. (With inputs from Suhail A Shah in Anantnag, Amin Masoodi in Kupwara, Farooz Ahmad Bhat in Pulwama and Ranjit Thakur in
Doda)
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Kashmir village youth brings laurels to
state
Srinagar, February 3 The two projects Asif will work on include those on estimation of asteroids (also called minor planets made up of rock, metal and part of the inner solar system) and the effect of gamma ray emissions ( emitted from radioactive isotopes). Asif, who has done BTech from IIST, Kerala, and is currently doing MS in astronomy from the same college, told The Tribune, “NASA supporting his project works and accepting his research idea is a major leap forward in his career.” “I will be flying to NASA, US, soon to start my project work. After I return, I have some more projects in my mind that would cater to telecommunication problems faced by our state in particular and India in general,” Asif said. Asif did his schooling from Army Public School, Mattan, Anantnag, and later Government Higher Secondary School, Mattan. His father retired as officer from the Animal Husbandry Department and his mother is a housewife. “I haven’t been to elite schools of towns and cities. I dreamt of making big in life while studying at my native place in a remote area. However, to fulfil my aspirations, I went to a good college in Kerala under the guidance of brilliant mentors. I worked hard. My core interest was always astronomy,” Asif said. His rare achievement was recently acknowledged by the Army, which felicitated him in the presence of engineering students in
Anantnag. Will work on telecommunication project’ I haven’t been to elite schools of towns and cities. I dreamt of making big in life while studying at my native place. However, to fulfil my aspirations, I went to a good college in Kerala. After coming back from US, I will work on projects that will cater to telecommunication problems in the state in particular and India in
general. Asif Ali, kashmir village youth
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Momos make their way into Kashmiris’ hearts
Srinagar, February 3 One can relish this delicious dish at Tibetan Colony in Hawal area of Srinagar. Many shops in the colony can be seen selling momos. They usually have turned one of the rooms of their homes into a small hotel. Tibetans, who migrated here, have introduced their own tastes in the Valley. Many shops present in the old city are owned by Tibetans. Although some shops are owned by Kashmiris, chefs and employees are mainly Tibetans. From the past few years, Tibetan dishes like momos, thukpa and shafali have emerged as popular street food among people in Srinagar. Its popularity has made people shift the business to the city centre’s Lal Chowk. With no more than two years of introduction among the people, more than a dozen Tibetan food outlets have come up in the city centre. One such shop “The Tibetan Momo House” at Lal Chowk has fast gained popularity and one can find the shop open since morning, but the rush picks up by the afternoon and till evening, the shop employees is busy serving people with hot momos. Shop owner Mohammad Yusuf said, “Valley people have widely accepted the Tibetan food. People mostly Kashmiris come here and love to eat this dish. Momo is a favourite among most of them.” Momos are now popular in all seasons of Kashmir. “We get a lot of customers in summer as well as in winter. In winter people come and at the end they always ask for thukpa. We want to keep the tradition of Tibet alive in Kashmir,” says Yusuf. From a four-table shop at Regal Lane, “Tibetan Momo House” turned into a full-fledged restaurant at Bakhtawar Plaza within a year with more space for consumers. Other shops at Lal Chowk like Ying-Yang, which is one of the oldest momo shops in the Valley, also serve people with momos, noodles and thupka. There are two basic varieties of momos - fried and steamed. Traditionally, momos are steamed in a container called mokto, in many places they are being prepared in microwave ovens as well. Momos are stuffed with minced beef and onions. The process is very simple - hot steam is passed through cooking trays of mokto which warms the hollow space between the trays. Momos are made with dough made of flour and water and sometimes yeast is added to give a doughier texture to the finished product. Kashmiris say the food also fits their pocket. “Whenever I visit Srinagar, I like to eat momos. I like steamed momos and here we get them at a reasonable rate,” says a resident of Sopore. “It’s cheap and tasty. Besides, meat and spices add up to its taste,” says a student, Zuha Jan. Apart from momos, fried rice served with Schezwan Sauce and other spicy sauces is also relished by Tibetan food lovers. A new trend
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Hope floats for resumption of cross-border trade
Srinagar, February 3 Pakistan, which had been insisting on the release of trucker Mohammad Shafiq Awan of Sirad Muzafarabad, who was caught smuggling in narcotics, had reportedly given up the demand of his release to end the standoff that erupted on January 17. They have asked Indian officials to release him on bail. Awan is currently lodged in Central Jail Srinagar. “During previous meetings, Pakistan was adamant on the release of its truck driver who was arrested for trafficking narcotics. Now, the Pakistani officials also say the law of the land should apply. In our meeting last week, they suggested that the driver be released on bail and sent back,” said Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja. “This is, however, up to the courts to decide on whether or not to grant him bail.” However, legal experts said it was difficult to secure bail for the driver booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. “The driver has been booked under Section 8/21 of the NDPS Act. Besides, huge quantity of brown sugar was recovered from his truck. In normal circumstances, bail is not possible in such a case. The case registered under NDPS Act carries a rigorous imprisonment sentence of 10 to 14 years. Besides bail cannot be granted till police files a report in the court,” said a legal expert. “There are many other complicacies in this case,” he added. Cross-LoC trade and travel was suspended after the recovery of brown sugar worth over Rs 100 crore from a truck in Uri on January 17. Following the arrest of the truck driver, truckers have been held up on both sides ever since. “As the peace bus rolled today, we expect a breakthrough in cross-LoC trade,” said a senior official of the Industries and Commerce department. He said J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure resumption of stalled trade. Won’t be easy
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RTI activist slams SKIMS data on pellet injuries
Srinagar, February 3 Abdul Manan Bukhari in his application on November 29 last year had sought information regarding the total number of patients admitted to the SKIMS with pellet gun injuries from 2010 to October 2013. While the authorities had earlier submitted that over 100 people with pellet gun injuries underwent different types of surgical procedures, in its response to an appeal for providing additional information, the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the SKIMS negated any such surgeries were performed at the institute. Pellet guns were introduced in the Valley during the 2010 civil unrest as part of the non-lethal mob control weapon by the security forces, but their use has come under attack following its side effects and lethal nature of injuries. Bukhari in his appeal before the SIC on January 29, stated that as per the figures of a research study by the SKIMS doctors, published in an international journal in 2012 , 198 patients with pellet gun injuries were admitted in the accidents and emergency department of the institute within a four month period from June 2010 to September 2010. He also mentioned that the SKIMS authorities, in response to an RTI application, had earlier revealed that 103 patients underwent different types of surgical procedures, among which one injured patient was shown to have lost his eye. Not satisfied with the reply from the institute, Bukhari filed a first appeal before the First Appellant Authority of the SKIMS on December 26 last year. However, the subsequent information provided by the PIO on January 3, 2014, was allegedly “contradictory and vague in nature”. “The additional information provided by the PIO was in total contradiction to the information revealed in the first instance…It is totally vague, false, frivolous and groundless in nature,” Bukhari stated in his appeal to the State Information Commission. “As per the additional information in response to the first appeal, the number of patients with pellet injuries admitted in the institute has been shown as just 71, while as the patients that underwent surgery (for these injuries) have been shown as nil. Besides, the number of deaths due to pellets injuries has also been shown as nil,” the RTI activist said. Under attack
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Check goods, ensure drivers’ safety: Traders
Jammu, February 3 The traders also wanted New Delhi to ensure that once an outgoing consignment is duly cleared by the authorities, there should be no wrongdoing in the PoK and Indian drivers should not be harassed or detained there on false pretext. “After putting in place foolproof security measures, Indian traders should not be held responsible for anything found objectionable in the consignment other than merchandise exported and imported under the Standard Operating Procedure agreed between the two countries,” Pawan Anand, president of the Chamber of LoC Trade, J&K, said. Forty eight truckers from PoK have been left stranded on this side of the fence ever since a drug seizure worth Rs 114 crore was made and a Pakistani truck driver was arrested by the Indian authorities on the LoC on January 17. Following the incident, the Pakistani authorities had closed the LoC crossing and detained 27 Indian trucks along with their drivers that had crossed over to the PoK to deliver goods at the Chakoti trade facilitation centre. “Going by what happened on January 17 we have strong apprehension that once the trade resumes our drivers may be falsely implicated and detained in PoK. So, we demand the Government of India to put foolproof security measures in place at Salamabad and Chakan da Bagh trade centres,” Anand said. He insisted that before the resumption of trade, the Indian authorities should install full body truck scanners at both the trade centres. “Had the full body truck scanners been installed in 2009, the rogue elements in PoK would never have attempted to push narcotics and other contraband to J&K,” Anand said. “In the present imbroglio the Indian drivers, who ferry merchandise to PoK, are a panicked lot. They fear that once the trade resumes they might be implicated in false cases,” he added. “We strongly appeal to the government in the state and at the Centre to install the full body truck scanners at the two trade centres and at the same time ensure safety
of our drivers, who ferry merchandise to PoK,” said Anand. Of late, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had strongly endorsed full body truck scanners at the two trade centres
at the LoC.
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JKFA fails to revive women football
Jammu, February 3 The sources claimed that the football association in the recent past had decided to take several steps, like special coaching camps, talent hunt, etc, to uplift the standard of women football, especially in the state. “The ongoing blame game between the J&K State Sports Council and J&K Football Association has been the major cause for the pathetic state of affairs of women football as both are blaming each other for the prevailing chaos,” sources maintained. “What to talk of participating in competitions, we are not even attending coaching camps because the association is more inclined towards men. They do not bother to listen to our grievances,” a women footballer told The Tribune. “In fact, we were informed that the association would try to to revive the game, but the ground reality is entirely different,” she claimed. “This is the height of non-seriousness and we will not tolerate this stepmotherly treatment and will fight for justice. We hardly remember when our team participated in any national tournament outside the state. What to talk of participation, the association has failed to conduct domestic activities which is our long-pending demand,” another player said. When contacted, Zameer Ahmad Thakur, president, JKFA, said, “Unfortunately we have not been able to make any progress in reviving the game.” He, however, exuded confidence that the vexed issue would be sorted out soon. “Though, there is some improvement in the Jammu region as far as the standard of women football is concerned but there is an urgent need to devise a concrete strategy for the uplift of this famous game for women in the state," he said.
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Post Cabinet nod, Cong, NC in credit war
Jammu, February 3 Instead of projecting the decision as a joint exercise, the coalition partners are desperately trying to give an impression that it was all due to their exclusive effort that the new administrative units were sanctioned. Fearing that the NC would aggressively try to take credit for the decision, the Congress leaders have devised a strategy to counter the game plan of its coalition partner. According to sources, during a meeting on Saturday evening Congress leaders discussed the strategy to take the political mileage of the exercise and it was only after the meeting that party directed its workers to reach out to the masses to take credit for the “historic” move. The way Congress leaders presented a united face after the Cabinet approved recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) to create 659 new administrative units, was a clear indication that the party would not allow the NC to individually take credit for the entire exercise, a source said. As NC termed the creation of new units a “historic step”, the Congress leaders tried to convince people that it was all due their tough stand that the regions of Jammu and Ladakh got equitable share. “To counter NC’s attempt to take political mileage, the Congress asked its workers to educate masses that NC was adamant on implementing the recommendations made by the Ganie Committee,” the source said. Congress leaders tried to convince people that recommendations made by the Ganie Committee were “discriminatory” so party took a tough stand to get equal share for the Jammu and Ladakh regions. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Ravinder Sharma while lauding the CSC for accepting the genuine demands of the people of Nowshere-Sunderbani, said the Ganie Committee had suggested only one niabat for Nowshere segment, but the panel did justice with the people. He, however, expressed anger over neglecting Devak area, which deserved the tehsil status. “It was a joint effort of both the coalition partners, but one thing is clear that it was all due to the stand taken by the Congress that the CSC was constituted to do justice with all the regions and sub-regions of the state,” Sharma said.
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NRHM helpline fails to find response in Kashmir
Srinagar, February 3 “We don’t know about the helpline. Where is it and where does it function from. We are not aware of it,” said a resident of central Kashmir. The NRHM helpline was started with its toll free number –1800 1800 102. It was meant for various stakeholders - NRHM staff, ASHAs, ANMs, paramedics and medical officers as well as patients. However, a majority of people lament that the helpline is of no help. Even some doctors are of the view that the helpline is not helping people to the level it should. “The NRHM helpline is just a half-hearted attempt by the authorities concerned. The overall functioning of the mission is a major discouragement and the helpline is not helping to the level it should,” said a senior NRHM doctor. Another NRHM employee said the helpline was aimed bring respite to the people who were directly or indirectly involved with the scheme, especially at the grassroots levels, but that was not happening as the grievances were not being sorted. “The callers continue to register their complaints regarding health services, but the issues continue to hang. We hardly find anyone benefited by the helpline since its establishment,” the employee claimed. Director of NRHM, J&K, Dr Yashpal Sharma, however, said, “They are trying their level best to address the grievances of people and calls are being followed-up on regular basis. We are addressing the problems of people. We give them information about different health schemes and 7,000 people are working under NRHM in the state,” Sharma said. “We received 600 complaints in 900 months. We also record them to keep the system transparent and try to make people aware through advertisements,” he added. The helpline in Kashmir is located at the divisional office at Chanapora, Srinagar, and was launched on May 31, last year. Jammu.
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Baramulla tense after youth’s stabbing
Srinagar, February 3 “There was a scuffle between two groups of youth outside a tuition centre in the town after which Gani was stabbed by a youth. Gani’s friend Muzamil was also hit in the scuffle,” said eyewitnesses. Both were rushed to hospital where Gani succumbed to his injuries. However, there are also reports that Gani was hit by an iron rod. Soon after the incident, panic gripped the entire town and youths came on the roads demanding immediate arrest of the accused. The protesters also tried to attack the shop of the accused youth’s father, which was prevented by the police. The protesters also accused the hospital authorities of delaying treatment. Senior police and civil officials rushed to the spot and assured the protesters that the guilty would be punished. Reports said the accused later surrendered before the police. A case has been registered in the Baramulla police station. “We are investigating as to what led to the scuffle,” Zabair Khan, SSP, Baramulla, said. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, has ordered closure of tuition centres in the town. Tuition centres have been asked to suspend work till further orders.
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Fayyaz Sheheryar new DG AIR
Sheheryar remained Zonal Head of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, in 1999 when militancy was at its peak. He also served as Director Doordarshan, Jammu, from 2001 to 2003. He was also entrusted with the responsibility of launching local radio station in Poonch, along the Line of Control. Sheheryar has served people in diverse ethno-linguistic zones through Akashvani and Doordarshan since 1981 in different consequential capacities. He competed successfully for the second time through the Union Public Service Commission in 1991 and was directly inducted into the Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service in the Senior Time Scale. Sheheryar is credited for documentaries like “Why do beggars seek alms: A Psycho-economic Perspective”, “Demise of language and emergence of tongue: In aspect and retrospect” and “Religion as a cementing force rather than a schism”, that won him accolades.
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Drug abuse on rise in Doda
Doda, February 3 Addressing mediapersons after the recovery of over 1 kg of cannabis on Saturday, SP, Doda, Mohammed Sharif Chouhan, said: “Drugs are more dangerous than militancy. It spoils the whole generation.” “Two decades of militancy in the erstwhile Doda district has consumed a generation and now drug abuse is taking a heavy toll of the budding youth,” he said. The police yesterday arrested Fayez Ahmed, a resident of Shaitran Dhar in Doda, and recovered over 1 kg and 260 gm of cannabis from him. “Despite strict policing and everyday recoveries, situation has reached an alarming level. About 20 to 25 per cent of youth are involved in drugs. Moreover, women have been found involved in drug trafficking and enticing youth into drug consumption in Bhaderwah and Doda,” the SP said. “We have registered 12 cases in the month of January and arrested 13 people and recovered 163 litres of illicit liquor from their procession in Doda district. Four cases were also registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in which eight accused have been booked. We have recovered 3 Kg and 130 grams of cannabis from their possession. Besides, seizing 189 bottles of Rexcof from them,” he said. The officer, meanwhile, urged the civil society to shoulder the responsibility and fight the increasing menace. “Police will keep a vigil on such menace and any one found involved in any such act will be dealt strictly. However, the society must come out from the denial mode and should accept its responsibility to combat the threat,” Chouhan said. He said the police was going to organise an anti-drug week with slogan of “Run for Life” in collaboration with the civil society Doda, the Army, the CRPF and the NGO’s. Chouhan said pamphlets will be distributed among youth to guide and motivate them to channelise their energy.
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101st Indian Science Congress
“While patents on innovations may give a sense of ownership to the innovation and science entrepreneur, the benefits of science should not be exclusive,” Omar said, while addressing a gathering of around 7,000 delegates, including top scientists, Nobel laureates and foreign dignitaries during the inauguration of the Indian Science Congress. The Chief Minister said he was in favour of “open science” which calls for liberal dissemination of knowledge. “Open science is more conducive to the rate of growth of society’s stock of knowledge. I, therefore, call for an approach that aligns befitting returns from science and knowledge. While the scientific quest is an elitist endeavour and enterprise, its diffusion and beneficiaries should be non-elitist,” Omar said. Underscoring the need for synthesising science, technology and innovation for maximum benefit, the Chief Minister said all should have universal implications and consequences with regard to innovations that would lead to the uplift of human conditions. Global public good, such as a cure for AIDS or cancer, and diffusion of technologies to improve services and systems for mankind cannot be patented, he said. Omar said governments had a role to play to make innovative quests profitable. This, he said could be done by encouraging research and development by subsidising aspects involved in the process and by making innovation in science and technology the centrepiece of public policy. He emphasised the need for a vigorous and robust framework and the appropriate environment for harnessing talent and directing it to scientific quest in the country. “The underlining motto and promise has to be inclusive, sustainable, equitable and dynamic growth of the country. This calls for an electric multi-pronged policy mix which nurtures the young scientific talent in the country and provides support to science, technology and innovation,” he said and called for creating laboratories and institutions with the motto of shattering and penetrating the frontiers of knowledge, science and technology. Union Minister for Science and Technology S Jaipal Reddy and the general president of the Indian Science Congress, RC Sobti, also spoke on the occasion. He highlighted the efficacy and importance of the Indian Science Congress for the growth and development of science and technology in the country. Prominent dignitaries on the occasion were Governor NN Vohra, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, members of the state council of ministers and Parliament members and legislators. |
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Jindrah residents seek tehsil status, block highway
Jammu, February 3 The Jandrah area of Jammu district where Niabat has been existing for the past 37 years and there was a long-pending demand of the residents for the tehsil status for the area, but the Cabinet Sub-Committee
(CSC) ignored their demand and instead gave the tehsil status to Nagrota and
Dansal. “More than thousand residents of Jandrah today protested and blocked the Kishenpur-Domail highway for hours together. We will not move back as the government has discriminated against us,” said Ranjeet Singh Jamwal,a resident of
Jindrah. “Jindrah was recommended by the Mushtaq Committee as well as the Baloria Committee, but it was later removed and the tehsil status was given to
Dansal,” he added. Residents said if the government did not give them the due share, they might block the Jammu- Srinagar national
highway. Jandrah falls under the Nagrota Assembly constituency of Jammu district, which is being represented by Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) state president Jugal Kishore Sharma in state Assembly. Sharma has strong vote base in the Jandrah area and the CSC didn’t consider it for the tehsil status.
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PM presents ISCA Awards
Jammu, February 3 The awarded scientists include Dr Rajendra Laxman Karandikar (PC Mahalanobis Birth Centenary award), SM Paul Khurana
(JC Bose Memorial Award), Dr G Satheesh Reddy received (HJ Bhabha Memorial Award), Prof PC Trivedi (BP Pal Memorial Award) and Prof Avijit Banerjee (Prof RC Mehrotra Memorial Life Time Achievement Award). Mementos were also presented to the scientists and science propagators, including Nobel laureate Dr YT Lee, Prof Yash Paul, Prof RP
Bambah, Prof Krishan Lal, Prof NS Dhalla, Prof Avtar Krishnan, Prof SK
Sarin, Dr T Ramasami, Prof AK Sood, Prof Avinash Chander, Prof VP
Kambhoj, Prof IJS Bansal, Prof Ashok Saxena, Prof SS Katujar, VM Trehan and Goverdhan
Mehta. Tight security
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Flyover row: Affected traders seek relief over road closure
Srinagar, February 3 “If the road would remain closed for three years and traffic diverted, we will lose business and customers won’t come to our shops. Therefore, we have written to ADB and other concerned, seeking compensation,” said Traders Federation Exhibition Road Magarmal Crossing
(TFERMC) general secretary Abdul Rauf. He said they were hopeful that
ADB, which was funding the flyover project, would consider their demands as they had given a positive response earlier as well. “Last year, an ADB team had flown in here to meet us after we had written to them over our rehabilitation concerns,” he added. However, their meeting with ADB and the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), which is executing the project, had failed to bear fruit. The shopkeepers, whose shops would be demolished due to the flyover construction, had then moved court seeking proper rehabilitation. The much touted flyover project was announced in July 2009 and was to be completed in three years, but the construction works could not take off due to various issues, including rehabilitation of affected shopkeepers. Finally, the work started in September last year and the fresh deadline for its completion is 2016.
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21 hydel projects in bad shape
Jammu, February 3 As per the report, there are no laid down procedures to ensure the reliability of sophisticated meters installed for recording the energy outflow, which tracks the generation of each unit. The report says there is no system of comparison between the readings of the main meter and the check meters at most of the power houses, which has adversely affected the functioning of these projects. “No system of periodical testing and recalibration of recording instruments are in place and in some cases meters have not been tested since their installation,” the report said. Lower Jhelum, Upper Sindh I, Ganderbal, Upper Sindh II, Karnah, Pahalgam, Chenani I, Chenani II, Chenani III, Baderwah, Baglihar, Sewa III, Iqbal Bridge, Hunder, Sumoor, Bazgo, Igo-Mercellong, Marpachoo, Haftal, Stakna and Sanjak projects are managed by the JKSPDC. The estimated hydro power potential of the state is 20,000 MW, out of which about 16,697 MW have been identified by the government. On the other hand, a total potential of 2,457.96 MW has been harnessed so far which comprise 760.46 MW in the state sector, 1,680 MW in the central sector and 17.5 MW in the private sector. JKPDC Managing Director Mehraj Kakroo, however, declined to comment on the matter and said that it was a technical issue and involves several mechanisms to understand the functioning of the hydro project. “The matter is purely technical in nature. I can’t comment over it. But we have established proper guidelines to run the power projects,” Kakroo said. Norms violated
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NIFT not to increase seats for state
Jammu, February 3 Sources said the board had decided that it would request the Ministry of Textiles to persuade the state government not to press for 50 per cent reservation. The meeting was held at Udhyog Bhawan, New Delhi, recently. Prem Kumar Gera, director general, NIFT, briefed the Board of Governors that in the 19th meeting, the board considered the request of the J&K government for allowing reservation of 35 per cent seats for the state. He added that seats had been increased in each batch to 36 from the usual 30 and the board had allowed 13 seats out of 36 seats to be reserved as a special case for J&K. The sources said the board was of the view that if it agreed to 50 per cent seats being reserved for the applicants domiciled in J&K, NIFT would attract similar demands from other states as well. The seats per reservation category was analysed and it was concluded that for reservations not to exceed 50 per cent of the seats, it would be necessary to increase the size of the class. The decision
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ReT forum demands regularisation orders
Jammu, February 3 Speaking on the occasion, Vinod Sharma regretted that though the education volunteers had completed their required service for regularisation in June, 2013, and thereafter regularised by the Director, School Education, Jammu, in November, 2013, no regularisation orders had been issued so far. The forum members also accused the government of not fulfilling their other long-pending demands, including inclusion of five-year ReT period for seniority benefits, suitable transfer policy, SRO- 43 benefit, besides release of pending salary of SSA and KGBV teachers. The forum warned that it would hold statewide protests during the Budget session if regularisation orders of the education volunteers were not issued by February 10.
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Delegates miss inaugural due to tight security
Jammu, February 3 People alleged that the police did not allow them to move towards the venue despite showing them special passes issued by the university for the function. Police and security forces personnel had cordoned off roads with concertina wires, particularly at Jewel Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Gujjar Nagar bridge and Panama Chowk leading to the railway station, to allow free movement of the PM’s cavalcade and other high-profile dignitaries. “I showed my delegate card to a police officer, but still he did not allow me to proceed towards the university saying that no movement is allowed. It was quite annoying that even the entry card, which was specially provided to us to attend the ceremony, was not accepted,” said Ashwani Jogra, a social
worker.
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People disillusioned with NC, says
Mehbooba
Srinagar, February 3 PDP spokesman said party president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed him into the party fold at her Gupkar residence. Senior PDP leader and former finance minister Tariq Hameed Karra was also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mehbooba claimed that the people were disillusioned with the National Conference and the ruling coalition and the PDP was becoming a natural choice of political workers, intellectuals, professionals, youth and the educated people. “The PDP will provide them space, rights and respect so that they can contribute to the resolution of the Kashmir issue and good governance in the state,” she said.
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Aiming small is a crime, Kalam tells
students
Jammu, February 3 Kalam asked students to think big and think for the better future of the country. “A small aim is a crime. Innovation of comes from creative minds and students have to think for big and aim for a better tomorrow,”€¯ the former President told students of various schools and colleges of the Jammu region gathered at the Police Auditorium at the Police Headquarters here. Kalam administered an oath to students that they will aim big and give to society rather than take from it. A student said Kalam was an inspiration for many and wanted to know who had inspired him. My teacher Sivasubramania Iyer, who taught me in Class V when I was 10 years old, inspired me, the ex-President said.
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ICDS supervisors to hold protest on Feb 17
Jammu, February 3 This was stated by Ashok Dev Singh, general secretary of the union. Mohammad Gafoor Dar, State president, J&K National Trade Union, was also present. The union demanded separate ICDS mission directors, replacement of SRO 223 by fresh recruitment rules by providing 50 per cent promotion quota from supervisor to CDPO, re-designation of the posts of ACDPO as senior supervisor, enhancement of the honorarium of workers to Rs 9,000 per month, release of pending honorarium and salary without further delay, removal of pay anomalies of ICDS supervisors and make it at par with other states of the country and finalisation of the seniority list of ICDS supervisors. Gafoor Dar appealed to all the supervisors and workers of ICDS to participate in the protest for immediate settlement of their demands.
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MC fails to lift garbage
Jammu, February 3 Residents claim that for the last over a week the corporation has not lifted the garbage from many localities, which is attracting stray dogs and cattle. A local resident, Sunil Sharma, said, "Safai karamcharies are nowhere in sight and despite our pleas to MC officials nothing has been done to remove the garbage." Residents say that at times municipal workers visit the area and burn the waste material, which also create nauseating smell for the residents whose houses are close to these dumps. "For the last one year, the MC has forgotten the area and no measure is being taken to dispose of the solid waste. Even whenever trucks visit the localities to lift the waste, they do it during the day hours, which is against the norms," said Gopal Gupta, a trader.
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Health check-up camp held
Jammu, February 3 A team of specialist doctors, comprising Dr VK Gupta, physician, Dr BL Pandita, paediatrician, and Dr AK Kaul, dental surgeon, examined the children, besides distributing free medicines among them. Free tests were also conducted by a team of lab technicians and paramedics, including Pran Krishan Pandita, Dileep Raina, Ramesh Pandita, Ramesh Bhat Reeta and Ravinder Kour. The function was attended by vice-chairman of the Sansthan SL Bhan, MK Pandita, Arvind Padroo, Ravi Kalposhu and ML Bhat. The vote of thanks was proposed by Rajni, a trustee of the Borderless World Foundation.
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Jammu gets best district award in MGNREGA implementation
Jammu, February 3 The award was received by KK Sidha, Assistant Commissioner, Development, and District Programme Coordinator, Jammu, whose initiative in improving the implementation of MGNREGA in the district bore fruit. The district was shortlisted after scrutiny and inspection by the Award Committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The district has involved the representatives of panchayats in the implementation and supervision of the scheme by duly establishing the procedures and processes involved, the review of which is held at the panchayat level, block level and district level.
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Mentally challenged woman rescued from
tree
Jammu, February 3 It was later revealed that the woman was a relative of a police personnel, who is under treatment. The police later handed over the woman to her relatives. No case was registered.
Policemen rescue a woman from a tree near the Press Club in Jammu on Monday.
Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh |
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The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway was today closed for traffic because of snowfall and slippery road conditions at Patnitop and Jawahar Tunnel, the police said.
Srinagar, February 3
Srinagar, February 3
Jammu, February 3
Jammu, February 3
