Jammu, June 4
The decision of the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) to renovate the historic Mubarak Mandi complex is now posing serious traffic problems in the area, which already lacks adequate parking space.

Already the slow pace of the ongoing renovation of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, former residence of the erstwhile Dogra rulers, has raised doubts over the completion of the renovation of the historic complex, the paid parking has compound the miseries of the residents of the area.

"The renovation work of the Mubarak Mandi complex was started by the authorities concerned without executing their plans properly, which has resulted into various hardships for the residents. Now, the decision of the MMJHS for a paid parking has worsen the prevailing situation," said Anmol, a resident of the area.

"The irony is that the paid parking is allowed to a handful of local people from certain areas, while others are being deprived of this privilege," he claimed.

"It is the wish of every resident of the state that the renovation of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex be done as early as possible because it is the pride of the Duggar culture. But at the same time the authorities should also take into account all aspects, including the vehicle parking, so that general public do not suffer," another resident said.

"It is not fair on the part of the authorities to allow paid parking around the complex when they are aware of the fact that there is already lack of space. Moreover, traffic chaos has now become a routine feature. In fact, it is an attempt to sell off the Dogra heritage and it is not possible with the connivance of officials at the helm of affairs," he maintained.

When contacted, Soujanya Sharma, Executive Director, MMJHS, said the society is likely to get orders from the Registrar General to demolish the chamber inside the complex to create more space for parking.

"The MMJHS is expecting an order from the Registrar General shortly to start demolition drive of lawyers' chamber inside the Mubarak Mandi complex in a bid to make more space for parking of vehicles. We are sure that the traffic situation being faced by the residents of the area would improve with that initiative," Soujanya opined.

When asked about the progress of the renovation work of the historic complex, Soujanya Sharma said, "The Arecheological Survey of India (ASI) is presently renovating three complexes, including the main deodi."

The renovation work

* The Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society was constituted on December 28, 2006, under the Societies Act and the renovation of the Mubarak Mandi complex began in 2008 when former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Chief Minister of the state

* The Mubarak Mandi Complex, spread over 14 acres, has a history of 187 years. The oldest building in the palace complex dates back to as long as 1824

* The Centre had announced ~296 crore, including ~52 crore under the 13th Finance Commission, to renovate the complex after the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage submitted a detailed project report on the complex

Jammu, June 4
A 17-year-old girl of a government school in the city is all set to hit the silver screen with the lead role in Punjabi movie "Tu Ki Jaane Sajna", which is scheduled to be released in Jammu on June 13.

Tavleen Kour Risam, a Class XII student of Government Girls Higher Secondary, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu, feels proud of herself when her friends and relatives ask her for autographs and photographs.

Tavleen was just 14 years' old when she won "Jammu Got Talent, Season- II" and got offer from Jai Maa Productions, which produced the movie, "Tu Ki Jaane Sajna".

"I was surprised and so excited when Ram Dhan Dhiman sir (producer of the movie) offered me the movie. I asked my parents, my father was quite hesitant to send me outside the state as I was very young, but when my mother supported me and promised to go with me, then dad agreed for the movie," said Tavleen Kour.

Sharing the experience of shooting, Tavleen said, "It was a wonderful experience, I was very nervous on my first shoot, which was a sad song, but my team made me so comfortable to perform and after that it become so easy."

"The production crew was very cooperative and most of them treat me like their daughter," she added.

Tavleen belongs to a middle class family of Jammu city. Her father Sardeep Singh is working in the Power Development Department (PDD) and her mother Kulwant Kour is a teacher in a private school. Tavleen studied in KC Public School till Class VIII and her name was Mehek Kour. In Class IX she changed her name to Tavleen Kour and shifted to GD Goenka School and studied till Class X.

"My Name Tavleen is so lucky for me that when I changed my name I started getting offers for acting and modelling from different production houses. I also got an offer for the movie, 'Agnipath', in which I had to play the role of Hrithik Roshan's sister, but due to the pressure of studies, I had to refuse it," said Tavleen.

Now she is a star student of her school. In the medical wing of Class XII of the school, her teachers, classmates always treat her as a star.

"I am enjoying VIP treatment in my school these days. All teachers love me a lot and all my friend tease me by asking for autographs, but they all are very excited for my movie and they have already booked tickets for the movie," said Tavleen.

Kulwant Kour, mother of Tavleen, who also played the role of her mother-in-law in the movie, is very excited about the movie. She always stayed with her daughter during her shoot and use to inspire her all the time.

"She always participated in cultural activities during her childhood, but we never thought that she could be an actress one day. It was all because of her dedication and hard work. She managed to score well in academics as well as done the movie. We all are feeling very proud of her," she added.

Srinagar, June 4
For the first time, the authorities in Kashmir have admitted that in the absence of proper drainage and sewer system, almost all untreated sewage, filth and drainage generated from all major townships of the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar city, finds its way into the Jhelum, the region’s lone river body, once famous for its pristine waters.

The 813-km-long Jhelum originates from Verinag, a fresh water spring in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. Throughout its long journey from Kashmir up to Pakistan and before flowing into the Arabian Sea, the river passes through several villages, towns and cities such as Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.

“Most of the major population concentrations of the Valley are situated on the banks of the Jhelum. In the absence of any proper drainage and sewerage system, all untreated sewage and drainage of these towns and Srinagar city find its way to the Jhelum,” the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), Kashmir, revealed in his two compliance reports to the J&K High Court, one of which was submitted before the court today.

A Division Bench of the High Court, which is hearing a PIL (public interest litigation) by one Qazi Rahid Shams, calling for preservation and conservation of the Sindh river, in its recent orders had asked the Chief Engineer, I&FC, to file a comprehensive statement of the facts indicating all sources of pollution to the Jhelum

Through its journey, the Chief Engineer said, the Jhelum receives untreated drainage and sewage of every settlement through countless drains, constructed by people individually and those constructed by various government agencies such as the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), and the Local Bodies and Rural Development Department.

“There is only one STP (sewage treatment plant) at Brari Nambal (in Srinagar), which treats sewage and drainage of a small portion of Srinagar city before it is drained into the Jhelum. This plant is run by the UEED,” the Chief Engineer said.

“The magnitude of the treatment of sewage and drainage is very huge in comparison to the efforts of the government to tackle this problem,” he said, adding that his department had taken up the matter with the government departments and agencies concerned which have become major contributors to the pollution of the Jhelum. These departments have also been asked to submit details of plans to treat sewage before its drainage into the Jhelum, he said.

Meanwhile, before issuing any further directions, the High Court, clubbed the PIL on Sindh conservation with the PIL by an NGO, Kashmir Environment Protection, calling for conservation and preservation of the Wular Lake. The court directed the government to take into account a suggestion by amicus curie Zaffar Ahmad Shah that there should be one unified preservation and conservation plan to utilise and beautify all water bodies of Kashmir.

Sullied waters

The Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Kashmir, has revealed to the J&K High Court that in the absence of proper drainage and sewerage, almost all untreated sewage from all major townships of the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar city, finds its way into the Jhelum

Doda, June 4
Kashmir-born Dr Anil Koul has done his country and state proud by being part of a group that discovered and developed Sirturo (generically known as bedaquiline). There are indications that the medicine treats multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The Scientific Director at the pharmaceutical unit of Johnson and Johnson was recently awarded the Johnson Medal for his contribution. He was earlier awarded the Swiss TB prize for his research on the disease.

Speaking from Belgium, the 42-year-old scientist said Sirturo was the first drug in the last 40 years to be conditionally approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MDR-TB. He added that the European Commission’s drug agency had recently approved Sirturo.

“It is a proud moment for me to be part of the team,” he said. He had been working on the Sirturo project for the last 10 years.

“We have confidence that the world will see the benefits of Sirturo,” hoped Dr Koul. Regulatory filings about Sirturo had been submitted in India, South Africa, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Colombia as well, he added.

Dr Koul had to leave his homeland in 1990. “I was born in a Kashmiri Pandit family in 1972 and completed my early schooling in Srinagar. I had just finished my schooling when Kashmiri Pandits started migrating. It was a challenging time for us as we lost our homes and moorings in a few weeks,” he said.

Despite all odds, Dr Koul chose a different and unconventional path to pursue his childhood dream of studying genetic engineering. “The words genetic engineering fascinated me when I was a boy even though I did not properly understand its context and full meaning,” he stated.

“Tuberculosis is a big challenge for India and other Asian countries. If patients get proper access to this drug, it will benefit them and society in general,” he said. No other new drug had been discovered for the treatment of TB in the last 40 years.

“You can make a lot of difference in your lifetime as long as you follow your passion with sincerity and focus. Individuals never attain success by doing what is required of them. Excellence always demands some extra effort and a degree of sacrifice. Trust your heart and intuition,” he added.

A fruitful journey

* Dr Anil Koul born in a Kashmiri Pandit family in 1972

* Had to leave his homeland in 1990, now based in Belgium

* Part of group that discovered and developed Sirturo. Generic name bedaquiline, treats multi-drug-resistant TB

* Recently awarded Johnson Medal. Previously awarded Swiss TB prize for his research

Srinagar, June 4
Nearly four months after setting up of 659 new administrative units in the state, the government has constituted an expert committee to examine the feasibility and demands for creation of more such segments in the left-out areas.

“The four-member committee will be headed by Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce Department, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai. It has been asked to submit its report within two months,” a senior government official said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in February, had announced in the Legislative Assembly that an expert committee would be constituted to examine the demands for creation of more administrative units in the left-out areas of the state after protest from the opposition parties in the House.

The constitution of the expert committee, the official said, was delayed due the enforcement of model code of conduct during the recently concluded LoK Sabha polls.

“The committee will be meeting shortly and discuss the feasibility of the creation of new administrative units. We have already received representations from various law makers about creating new units in their Assembly segments,” the official added.

In January, the government had approved creation of 659 administrative units on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand.

The creation of new administrative units, however, had triggered protests in various parts of the Valley with people from different areas alleging discrimination in the sanction of these segments. 

Srinagar, June 4
Kashmiri Pandit bodies today held a protest at the Lal Chowk here and urged both the state and the Centre to address the issues concerning the community at the earliest.

A Kashmiri Pandit protests in support of the community’s demands in Srinagar on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Amin War

Pandits said the government was only giving them false hopes and warned to go on fast unto death if the ruling dispensation continued to cold shoulder their demands.

The Centre and state governments should address issues concerning the Pandit community at the earliest to avoid an “ugly situation” where Kashmiri Pandits will be forced to go on “fast unto death”, said Sanjay Tickoo, president, Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti.

All Parties Migrants Co-ordination Committee (APMCC) chairman Vinod Pandit regretted that the government was only making “false promises” and warned of intensifying protests in case it continued to “cold shoulder its charter of demands”.

The APMCC has been asking for passage of the pending Kashmir Temples and Shrines Bill, probe into cases of encroachments of temples/shrines in the Valley, dialogue with Pakistan for facilitating visit to Shardha Peeth in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, establishment of Sharda Peeth University in the state, one-time compensation for over-aged migrant Kashmiri Hindu youth and special employment package for non-migrant Hindus of the Valley.

Pandit, who had earlier twice sat on hunger strike in support of these demands, said the next fast unto death would begin on August 17.

The protesters, meanwhile, also demanded minority status for the community and removal of nomenclature like migrants or non-migrants from the official communication.

Kupwara, June 4
The police on Tuesday arrested eight more accused in connection with the murder of a National Conference (NC) worker in Kalaroos village of Kupwara district. So far 15 persons have been arrested in the case.

Mohammad Shafi Ganie, 31, was injured in a clash between supporters of the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party on May 17. He died at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar on May 25.

“The police arrested eight more accused persons in the case. Two more persons involved in the murder case are still at large. We have intensified searches to nab them,” said Fayaz Ahmad, Officiating Superintendent of Police, Kupwara.

Meanwhile, relatives of the victim hailed the police action. “We are hopeful that the police will make a strong case against the accused persons so that they are given stern punishment under law,” said the victim’s relative. — OC

Srinagar, June 4
Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), had an interactive session with about two dozen state civil and police officers, being deployed as camp directors and additional camp directors.

Twentyfour civil and police officers will be deployed at the base and forward camp locations for managing the pilgrimage.

While interacting with the camp directors, the Governor told them to inspect each arrangement being made at their camp locations and the related yatra routes. He told them to ensure sanitary arrangements, collection and removal of garbage, adequate water and electricity supply and round-the-clock healthcare facilities for the pilgrims.

He emphasised the need for coordination among all departments and agencies concerned for ensuring a smooth yatra.

The Governor directed all officers to provide required assistance to the pilgrims so that they do not have to face any inconvenience.

He reiterated that yatris without valid registration should not be allowed to cross the access control gates at Chandanwari and Domail.

The Governor urged the camp directors to maintain round-the-clock contact with the Shrine Board control room and with other camps to ensure that any arising problem was resolved without any delay.

Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SASB, PP Singh, Additional CEO, SASB, Verinder Slathia and Parshotam Kumar Sharma, Deputy CEOs, SASB, BD Mengi, camp director, shrine area, and Jalid Riyaz Banday, sanitation in charge, yatra camps, were present.

Jammu, June 4
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has failed to implement the project of setting up 50 tourist villages in the state under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP).

The state government had to utilise Rs 31.5 crore to implement the project and boost tourism in villages.

“I can’t tell you where these villages are coming up. But so far, we have received the approval for setting up 43 tourist villages from the Central government and work on most of the villages has been completed,” said Parvez Handoo, Joint Director, Planning, Tourism Department, J&K.

However, he didn’t disclose how many tourist villages had been set up in the Kashmir valley and in the Jammu region.

In November 2004, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced a reconstruction plan for the state involving an outlay of Rs 24,000 crore. The setting up of 50 tourist villages was a part of the project.

The project was sanctioned by the Centre in 2004-05 and then state Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had given approval to it.

Tourism officials say the detailed project report was submitted to the Central government in the same year and the government had to spend around Rs 70 lakh per village to uplift their tourism potential.

Sources said instead of deciding on merit, the then government had asked its legislators to identify the villages in their constituencies and set up tourist villages.

The PMRP for J&K is directly being monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and from time to time, the ministry seeks detailed reports of the projects being executed under the PMRP. The detail provided by the J&K Government to the MHA has said that 27 tourist villages have been set up and work on other villages on.

However, there is no record of the tourist villages established. The website of the Tourism Department also does not mention about the project. Despite repeated calls, Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir was not available for comments.

Jammu, June 4
Aggrieved by the alleged callous and indifferent approach of the management towards the drivers of the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC), the drivers organised a meeting under the chairmanship of Didar Singh, president, SRTC Drivers Association.

The association highlighted its pending demands, which included cancellation of any type of claim against various drivers with immediate effect, release of pay to the drivers put on off duty, promotion of experienced drivers having completed 25 years of services as inspectors, upgrading of drivers regularised in 2009, setting of fixed working hours for drivers with incentives for overtime duty, fixation of minimum consolidated pay at Rs 12,000 per month, regularisation of drivers who have completed eight years of service and incentive for night stay.

During the meeting, the office-bearers of the Tourist Fleet of the JKSRTC were elected. They are Mohinder Singh - president, Gurdeep Singh - vice president, Surinder Singh and Manjeet Singh - general secretaries, Omkar Singh - secretary, Davinder Singh - chief organiser, and Amarjeet Singh and Jagdish Singh - cashiers.

Samba, June 4
Villagers held a protest against the Education Department and state government for lack of teachers in schools in the district, particularly at Dhergarh village, despite assurances by the government that teachers would be posted in the area.

Led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Sunny Sangral, the villagers staged a protest outside the office of District Development Commissioner (DDC), Samba. It was only after assurances by officials that the protesters lifted the dharna, with warning that if teachers were not provided people would again start an agitation.

Speaking on the occasion, Sangral expressed dismay over the poor infrastructure in the schools of Samba district and lack of teaching staff, which had forced many students to leave their studies.

"A primary school was opened in Dhergarh. Two ReT teachers were posted there, but one of the two teachers Surinder Singh got himself relieved from Dhergarh and is now enjoying attachment in the office of District Development Commissioner for the last six years," Sangral alleged. He alleged that Surinder, who was resident of Bari Brahmana, had requested the village people in 2002 to refer his case for ReT recruitment as his family had links with Dhergarh.

Doda, June 4
Two schoolteachers have been arrested on the charge of molesting a 14-year-old girl in a car in the Khelani area of Doda district last evening. The accused were travelling in an Alto car from Doda to Jammu when they offered a lift to three girls. Two of them got down on the way.

The police said they started molesting the girl en route. The girl raised an alarm when they reached Malhori, drawing the attention of villagers.

The villagers forced the teachers to disembark. They were handed over to the police, who registered a case. They were identified as Nasir Ahmed, posted in Ramnagar, and Anil Kumar, posted in Thathri. 

Jammu, June 4
The state government and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have reportedly been hiding facts about the Batote-Kishtwar national highway, declared unsafe by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 2010.

The highway can collapse anytime due to loose rock formation. The Baghliar hydroelectricity project reservoir has made the highway more volatile.

Sources said a GSI team led by Tirlochan Singh prepared a report in 2010, recommending construction of an alternative road for Doda and Kishtwar districts after declaring as unsafe the 110-km stretch of the Batote-Kishtwar highway.

The report was circulated at every forum concerned, but was gathering dust in offices as no headway was made. The Centre was reportedly aware of this fact, but no action had been taken so far, the sources said.

The Batote-Kishtwar highway is the only road link to Doda and Kishtwar districts beyond Batote, 120 km from Jammu. More than six lakh residents of the two districts are facing a threat without knowing the gravity of the situation.

The threat of the sinking of the national highway had increased tremendously after the reservoir of the Baghliar hydroelectricity project was set up.

The GSI report pointed out that reservoir water was making inroads into the area and was increasing the threat of sinking. The sources said the stretch from Batote to Kishtwar collapse anytime due to loose rock formation.

The highway is being maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The BRO has cleared the road after more than 100 landslides on the highway so far this year. It took two or three days to clear the road after some landslides.

Men and machinery were being pressed into service on this stretch, the Bani-Bhaderwah road, the Ramban-Gool road and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, said Brigadier RK Sharma, Chief Engineer of the BRO.

In 2010, the GSI had recommended in its report that an alternative road should be constructed immediately, but the government seemed to be in slumber.

The Roads and Buildings Department was reportedly not willing to accept responsibility and was of the opinion that it was not in possession of the GSI report.

Tanveer Jahan, Commissioner Secretary of the department, said he did not have the report and could not comment without seeing it. The sources said both the state government and the Centre were in possession of the report. 

Pulwama, June 4
The Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, Pulwama, has failed to mitigate the suffering of commuters as it has missed another deadline to complete the main bridge on the 14-kilometre Pulwama-Awantipora road at Tengpona village.

The deadline, stipulated in December last year by Executive Engineer Mohammad Ayoub, ended two months back. He had ordered that the bridge should be completed by March, but there has been no progress on it so far.

Commuters had repeatedly been demanding resumption of construction work on the bridge as the diversion constructed had been washed away in floods twice this year.

“The government has been apathetic to our woes and has failed to mitigate our problems,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident of Koil, Pulwama.

The engineer concerned expressed his inability in this regard. He said the government had released only Rs 29 lakh compared to an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore, leading to the delay.

The bridge was partially damaged in 2009 due to floods, but the authorities remained lax about repairs even though frequent requests were made.

This resulted in complete destruction as the bridge was washed away in fresh floods. Work was started early in 2012 and a diversion constructed so that transport was not halted.

The bridge, locally called “Darbal Kaddal”, was located on a road which was the shortest link from the district headquarters to the national highway, the Awantipora Air Force station and the railway station.

Jammu, June 4
General Officer Commanding of the Yol Cantonment based 9 Corps Lt Gen Praveeen Bakshi today reviewed the overall security scenario along the 198-km long international border in the Jammu region.

Lieutenant General Bakshi’s visit comes close on the heels of an infiltration bid in the Hiranagar sector.

Official sources confided to The Tribune that this morning Lieutenant General Bakshi flew over the Hiranagar sector from where a group of four armed ultras had tried to intrude last night.

The Army officer received a detailed feedback on security scenario along the border from GOC of the Tiger Division Maj Gen Dushyant Singh and other top officers, sources said. 

Jammu, June 4
Clamour over the rape of a minor followed by “harassment” meted out to her at government hospitals in Nowshera and Rajouri today grew louder with the BJP demanding removal of the health minister and a CBI probe into the matter.

The youth wing of the party, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), held a protest here and burnt the effigy of Health Minister Taj Mohiuddin.

Led by state president of the BJYM Ravinder Raina and party in charge Yudhvir Sethi, a large number of party workers raised slogans against the government and criticised the state government for its failure to provide justice to the rape victim.

“When the family members of the victim went to Sub-District Hospital, Nowshera, doctors did not pay any heed to them and referred the minor to District Hospital, Rajouri. No medical treatment was given to the victim. Some doctors misbehaved with the parents of the victim and demanded Rs 5,000 for the ambulance to shift the victim to Jammu,” Raina said.

The BJYM leader held the minister responsible for the failure of the Health Department to provide healthcare facilities to the needy and the poor in the state. He requested the chief minister to sack the health minister and order a CBI probe into the matter.

The girl was allegedly raped on June 1 by a youth in Dhanaka village, falling under the jurisdiction of the Nowshera police station.

Meanwhile, women BJP leaders expressed anger and resentment against the authorities of Nowshera and Rajouri hospitals where the rape victim and her father were allegedly harassed by the hospital staff.

Talking to mediapersons here, BJP state secretary Rajni Sethi demanded action against the hospital staff. She said the CM should intervene and ensure a speedy trial under a fast-track court to punish the rapist.

Baljeet Pathania, Director, Health Services, Jammu, said they had ordered an inquiry into the matter. “I am not in town but we have received the inquiry committee report. We will go through the report and necessary action will be taken in the case, accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sub-divisional Magistrate, Nowshera, Deepti Uppal initiated a magisterial inquiry into the matter and has constituted a three-member team comprising tehsildar Nowshera Mohammad Nawaz, block Medical Officer Dr Govind Sharma and gynecologist Dr S Raina to look into matter. The panel has been asked to submit its report within three days.

Jammu, June 4
Senior National Conference leaders of Jammu province on Tuesday decided to launch a mass contact programme and apprise the people of achievements of the Omar Abdullah government.

“The report card of the government is envious,” the leaders said at a meeting, hoping that the odyssey would continue with renewed vigour.

NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana, Harbans Singh, Surjit Singh Slathia and others were present. The meeting took stock of the overall political scenario in the region, especially in the backdrop of the poll outcome of recent elections. The meeting discussed party affairs and felt the need for mobilising basic units at block and district levels for the Assembly poll.

The leaders lauded the role of grassroot-level functionaries and workers and acknowledged their tireless efforts in carrying forward the party agenda.

Rana said history was testimony to the fact that the NC had emerged with much more strength amid challenges. “We have to gear up for the big democratic exercise in the coming months and are confident of steering the legacy of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to massive success,” he asserted.

Srinagar, June 4
The Governor, NN Vohra, handed over a Silver Rolling Trophy to Prof Shaheen Altaf, Principal, Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, at Raj Bhavan here today.

Three years ago, the Governor had presented Silver Trophy to the Principal, Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, at Jammu with the objective of providing a platform for students from across the state as well as neighbouring states to participate in annual inter-college declamation contests and enhance their power of expression and confidence in public speaking.

However, because of varying examination periods in Jammu and Kashmir regions, the annual contests in Jammu could not secure the maximum participation of colleges in the Valley. The Governor decided that the Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, should be enabled to organise inter-college debates. Rakesh K Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, and Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary, Higher Education, were present.

The Governor urged Sheikh Mushtaq to provide the required logistic support to the Principal, Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, for organising the event on a proper scale and ensuring appropriate board and lodging and other facilities for participants.

The Governor announced Rs 2 lakh for the college and urged the Principal to attempt securing the maximum possible participation of contestants from difficult areas of the state and from other states.

Anantnag, June 4
A filling station of the Indian Oil Corporation in the Mattan area of Anantnag district was partially sealed by the authorities on Tuesday after it was found selling adulterated fuel.

Reports said officials of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD)accompanied by the police raided the Lidder Valley Filling Station and seized diesel samples.

“Samples (of diesel) were taken from various fuel dispensers and during preliminary tests, a large quantity of water was found in them,” said a senior CAPD official.

He said the diesel dispensers were seized and the samples sent to a laboratory for testing.

The raid was conducted after some public transport owners complained to the police about impure fuel being sold at the filling station. They had complained to the police a couple of times, alleging that their vehicles developed technical snag after they refilled at the station.

While the earlier complaints were ignored, the authorities on Tuesday swung into action and found impurity in the fuel.

Sources said the filling station belonged to an influential person and alleged that the police and the CAPD officials had earlier been reluctant to conduct a raid.

Srinagar, June 4
Even as the government employee leaders today thanked the coalition government for enhancement in retirement age, they remained non-committal on support to the National Conference (NC) and the Congress in the coming Assembly election.

Addressing a press conference here, Abdul Qayoom Wani, a leader of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), which is an amalgam of several employees’ bodies, thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his personal intervention. He was referring to the enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years in yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

Without naming anybody, he also commended the chief minister for defeating those elements that were engaged in playing politics over the employees’ demands.

When asked whether the employees would support the NC or the Congress during the Assembly elections, Wani remained non-committal. He said they had got what was due to them while adding that they, however, gave credit to the coalition government.

The JCC also thanked the separatist leaders for their moral support during their years of protests in the past.

After a series of protests, the government had reached an agreement with the JCC wherein the employees were assured that a decision on their demands would be announced by September 30, 2012.

The other employees’ demands included release of arrears recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission, removal of pay anomalies and regularisation of daily wagers and casual workers working in various government departments among others.

Wani said they government had promised them that the remaining demands would be looked into in a month’s time

Srinagar, June 4
Valley-based Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers have been urged to remain in contact with the common people so that the party put up a good show during the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The workers were told this by state general secretary Ashok Koul during a series of meetings across the Valley with the office-bearers, party leaders, constituency presidents and party workers in the past three days, a BJP spokesman said.

Stating that the present coalition government had failed miserably in mitigating the problems of the common people, Koul said: “The failure of the coalition to even open its account in the Lok Sabha elections is a clear indication that the corrupt regime has lost faith of the people and those who are ruling the state have no moral authority to govern.”

He said the common man was looking for an opportunity to get rid of “this corrupt regime which has crossed all limits of atrocities on people”. “Legalising corruption and nepotism is the only noticeable achievement of this regime…. from top to bottom,” Koul added.

Srinagar, June 4
A scientific programme on “Capacity building for clinical research in India” was today organised by the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sher-i-Kasmir Institute of Medical Sciences, (SKIMS-Soura), in coordination with the with the Programme for Appropriate Technologies in Health.

Director, SKIMS, Dr Showkat A Zargar said the pharmaceutical industry in India had been witnessing expansion along with challenges. He stressed on stakeholders to safeguard interests and ensure safety of people in clinical trials. He said research in medical sciences was critical and medical sciences had been revolutionised.

Dr YK Gupta, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS, New Delhi, who was also the guest of honour, discussed in detail the capacity building for safety reporting. He added that a pharmacovigilance centre would be set up at SKIMS. — TNS

Srinagar, June 4
A pickpocket was caught by passengers inside a bus at Shaheed Gunj in the city here when he was attempting to steal a wallet, the police said today.

The pickpocket identified as Rashid Guro, a resident of Mehjoor Nagar, was caught hold by passengers while stealing a wallet in a bus at Shaheed Gunj.

The accused was booked and sent behind bars, the spokesman said. The accused was booked and jailed, the spokesman said. An amount of Rs 15,000 was handed over to the victim against proper receipt. — TNS

Pulwama, June 4
The police, the NCB and the Excise Department destroyed the poppy crop in villages of Pulwama district on Wednesday.

“We destroyed poppy on about 23 kanals in Gangoo, Uthoora and Pinglena villages,” said Kaushal Kumar, intelligence officer, NCB.

Mudasir Ahmad, inspector, Excise Department, said, “The menace is increasing at an alarming rate and stopping production of the material has become essential.” — OC