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Jammu railway station sees heavy rush as train service to Katra begins
Cong ready to take on NC over refugees’ issue
Shutdown in Kashmir over Israeli attacks on Gaza
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Israeli embassy clarifies on Kashmir travel advisory
Panel told to submit report on Taj in two weeks
A year on, inquiry report into Gool killings not ready
Youth killed in shell explosion in Budgam
HC warns hotels without sewage treatment plant
PDP has clandestine poll plan, claims CM
PDP: Don’t compromise state’s powers under GST
Omar main accused in Yousuf’s death: PDP
Man held for selling SIM cards on fake documents in Rajouri
State cable car corporation earns Rs 27 crore this fiscal
Pakistani television serials gain popularity in Kashmir
Transport corporation staff to get 15% DA
Family planning camps in offing
Natrang honours Neelu for holding theatre workshop
LPG safety awareness camp organised
Students take part in co-curricular activities
NSS volunteers teach slum children yoga
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Jammu railway station sees heavy rush as train service to Katra begins
Jammu, July 17 Security personnel are finding it difficult to manage the heavy rush at the Jammu railway station and candidly admitted that the DMUs to Katra are overcrowded, which poses great risk to the safety of passengers. An official of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on duty at the Jammu railway station said, “The Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) to Katra from Jammu is running overcrowded carrying passengers more than double than its capacity since it started.” “It is posing threat to the lives of the passengers. Our team tries to control the crowd, but due to limited manpower the crowd cannot be controlled,” he added. Not only the trains, but also all three platforms of the Jammu Tawi railway station show a picture of mismanagement in controlling the crowd, which also poses threat to the security of the railway station. Shiv Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), GRP, Jammu, said, “Our team is vigilantly observing all the activities at the railway station, but the heavy rush always poses a security threat.” “The Railways has to do something to get rid of this problem of overcrowding. Some more DMUs need to be introduced. The manpower of the RPF should be increased and some more platforms are also required,” he added. Pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine coming from all over the state, prefer to travel to the base camp of Katra from Jammu via train, which makes their travel more convenient and cheaper. It doesn’t matters for the passengers if they have to wait for two-three hours for the DMU at the Jammu railway station, which is leading to overcrowding of the platforms at the station. Sushil Sharma, a frequent traveller to Udhampur, said, “The situation in the DMU has become worst from worse after its extension to Katra. Due to heavy rush of pilgrims, some of the frequent travellers have to miss their train and travel via bus.” “Before starting the train to Katra, some more coaches should have been added to the DMU. Some more DMU should have been started and all other trains, which go to Udhampur, should have been extended to Katra from the day of inauguration of the Katra rail line,” he added. |
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Cong ready to take on NC over refugees’ issue
Jammu, July 17 The way three Congress ministers boycotted the Cabinet meeting at Srinagar yesterday over the issue indicated the party’s tough stand on the matter. Sources in the Congress said the party high command has given nod to the local unit to take firm step on the “humanitarian issue”, which was successfully raked up by the
BJP during the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections. “Keeping in view the strength of refugees, the Congress has decided to take on the coalition partner National Conference on this issue before the forthcoming Assembly elections to counter the BJP,” a source said. Minister for Public Health and Engineering, Flood Control and Irrigation Sham Lal Sharma, who was among the three ministers who boycotted yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, argued that there should not be a “sectarian approach” on such human issues. “It is very unfortunate that such humanitarian issues were put on the
back burner due to sectarian approach of some Kashmir-centric parties,” Sharma said. He, however, asserted that the party would aggressively pursue
the issue. “No question of making a compromise on the issue,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Ravinder Sharma told The Tribune. “Due to compulsion of coalition we have to compromise on some contentious issues, but as far as solution to the problems of refugees is concerned it is the priority of our party,” Sharma said. The number of refugees from Chhamb and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir stands between 15 to 16 lakh and they are spread in majority across the Assembly constituencies of the Jammu region. The refugees of PoJK have been demanding one-time settlement of their problems, while as people, who were displaced from the Chhamb area during 1965 and 1971 wars, want adequate compensation. Unlike refugees from West Pakistan, these displaced persons are bona fide citizens of J&K. Explanation sought from Cong ministers
Jammu: The Congress high command has sought explanation from party ministers who remained present in the Cabinet meeting, even as three of their colleagues boycotted the meeting in protest of alleged dilly-dallying by the National Conference-led government in settling issues of the refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb. Sources said the Congress high command was “very serious” about the issue and party leaders were not happy the way some of its ministers had taken the issue casually during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Public Health and Engineering Sham Lal Sharma and Minister for Horticulture and Housing Raman Bhalla had boycotted Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting as a mark of protest after some National Conference ministers had raised objection over the inclusion of refugees’ issue in the agenda. |
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Shutdown in Kashmir over Israeli attacks on Gaza
Srinagar, July 17 Markets and shops remained closed across the region and public transport was suspended on most inter and intradistrict routes. The separatist group led by Syed Ali Geelani had called for the shutdown in the region to protest the killing of Palestinians in Israeli attacks, terming it an “act of terrorism”. The shutdown call had also been given to mourn the death of seven civilians in the road accident on
the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. Seven people, including a pregnant woman, were killed in the accident when an Army vehicle and a taxi collided head-on, triggering protests along the highway to north Kashmir districts. The police have filed four cases into the yesterday’s incident, including two against an Army unit, stationed in the area, for opening “fire on civilians” and “obstructing” police officers, sources said. The cases (number 140 and 142) against the Army unit have been registered under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 353 of the RPC (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty) at the Parimpora police station. The case (number 139) against the driver of the Army vehicle has been registered under section 304-A of the RPC (causing death by negligence) while case (number 141) has been registered against the protesters. Several protests were held today in the city here and in parts of south and north Kashmir in solidarity with Palestinians. Anti-Israeli protests have been going on in the Valley for the past week. The seven deaths yesterday further heightened tension in the region. Ex gratia for accident victims
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today sanctioned ex gratia for the 15 people killed in the two road accidents on Wednesday. An official spokesman said Rs 1 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. The Chief Minister also sanctioned Rs 10,000 each for the injured. “The Chief Minister expressed grief over the accidents and conveyed solidarity to the bereaved families,” the spokesman said. |
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Israeli embassy clarifies on Kashmir travel advisory
Jammu, July 17 “For a few years now, there is a travel advisory issued by Israel. About a year ago, the advisory was relaxed and excluded Ladakh. We would like to stress that the advisory has nothing to do with the recent events in Israel nor has the advisory changed since then,” said Vineet George, Press and Information Officer, embassy of Israel in New Delhi. The officer said this after a report published in this newspaper on June 15 stated that Israel had issued an advisory after protests in Kashmir against Gaza killings. George said there was a recommendation by the National Security Council for the Israelis to avoid any visit to the Valley. “We were misquoted in the news report and the facts presented were not correct,” he said. — TNS
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Anti-Israel protests continue in Srinagar
Srinagar, July 17 In Pampore town, locals took out a protest rally despite the shutdown call given by the Hurriyat Conference, raising slogans against Israel and all the west and Arab countries who have remained tightlipped over the issue. Protesters also called for a total boycott of various brands like Nestle, HP and Revlon, which are imported from Israel in Kashmir. In Kulgam, the lawyers association also took out a rally in solidarity with the Gaza victims expressing rage over the ‘non-committal’ approach of the United Nations in resolving the humanitarian crisis. Srinagar city, however, observed a total shutdown in response to a call given by Hurriyat Conference (hardline) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani against the Gaza killings. |
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Pakistan Rangers shell forward posts in Jammu Jammu, July 17 Both the sides traded small arms and automatic weapons fire, including 60 mm and 50 mm mortars. The gunbattle, intense at times but largely intermittent, continued till 7.30 am today. As a result, panic-stricken villagers, who overnight bore the brunt of explosions and gunshots, stayed indoors in Kaku-de-Kothe, Chanana, Changiya, Jabowal, Kathar and Nikowal villages. The flare up on the border prompted BSF Director General, DK Pathak, to rush to Arnia this morning to take stock of the situation. Jammu and Kashmir Police has also issued an advisory for villagers living along the border belt to avoid venturing out at night. "Frightened by bullets and mortars fired by the Rangers throughout the night, villagers in Arnia area are staying indoors," said an Intelligence source. The source said that intermittent firing continued even after 7.30 am in some areas of Arnia. The firing was on even at the time of Pathak's visit. "Rangers started firing at our posts since 8.30 pm last evening and this time they targeted Pittal, Chinaj, Tent Guard, Nikowal, Jabowal and adjoining posts. They also fired 60 mm mortars,” said a senior BSF officer. “We also retaliated in equal measure,” he said. It has been learnt that the BSF responded with 50 mm mortars. Pakistan Rangers had opened fire from Iqbal, Jarwal, Imam Hussain and other posts. The officer said there were no fresh casualties or injuries on the Indian side. "Today around 11 am, the BSF DG, DK Pathak arrived in a BSF plane from Delhi and headed straightaway to Arnia forward area where he talked to the officers and men,” said the officer.
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Panel told to submit report on Taj in two weeks
Srinagar, July 17 Two privilege motions against Taj are pending before the privilege committee and a sub-committee headed by Peoples Democratic Party leader Naeem Akther has been given the responsibility to investigate the allegations. “I had constituted the sub-committee last week to probe allegations against Minister Taj Mohiuddin. The panel has been given two weeks to submit its report,” said chairman of the privilege committee Mohammad Rafiq Shah. “The government officials have been asked to provide all records relating to the allegations to the sub-committee so that it can investigate the case thoroughly,” he said. The privilege motions were moved against the minister by former PDP legislator Murtaza Khan and Mohammad Rafiq Shah, who is also the chairman of the privilege committee. The sources said the sub-committee was constituted as Rafiq Shah was himself a complainant in one of the cases. Murtaza in his complaint had accused the Minister of using “indecent and unparliamentarily” comments against Chairman of the Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra, while Rafiq Shah had alleged that Taj humiliated a Member of the Legislative Council during a board meeting in frontier Kupwara district in 2012. The privilege committee which met here today, meanwhile, also examined other breach of privileges received by the Council Secretariat. “The committee has also received a reply from the officials against whom the privilege motions have been moved and will examine them to take a final decision,” an official spokesman said. The committee dropped the privilege motion moved by NC legislator Vijay Bakaya against former MLC Murtaza Ahmad Khan, the spokesman said. Director Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Dr Showkat Ahmad Zargar gave a detailed explanation of the facts to the committee on the privilege motion moved by Aga Syed Ahmad Rizvi against him. However, the panel could not take a decision in this regard in the absence of Rizvi, he said. The spokesperson also said regarding the privilege motion moved by Dr Shehnaz Ganai against Executive Engineer R&B, Poonch, the committee asked the Council Secretariat to ensure that the official was present in person during its next meeting. |
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A year on, inquiry report into Gool killings not ready
Jammu, July 17 After a one-month extension, he will submit his report to the Chief Secretary by the end of July. “It took time to get the version of the BSF personnel involved as they were posted at different places. I am compiling the report, which will be submitted to the Chief Secretary by the end of this month,” Shantmanu said. All seven accused BSF personnel are still with the force. No action has been taken against them despite the police challan against them in a local court. The case had later been shifted to the BSF court, but no action had been initiated against the BSF personnel. On July 18 last year, the BSF personnel allegedly fired on people outside the camp at Dharam village of Gool tehsil in Ramban district when they were protesting desecration of the Qoran by BSF men. The internal inquiry, conducted by Special Director General Dilip Trivedi, had given a clean chit to the BSF men and said they fired in self-defence. Local residents had rejected this report and demanded action against the accused. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had subsequently arrested the seven BSF personnel. “We arrested seven BSF men and presented a challan in court. The case was later shifted to the BSF court,” said Ramban Senior Superintendent of Police Javed Mattoo. The police had arrested a local imam and his brother on the charge of inciting the people and presented a challan against them in court. Both of them had
later got bail. |
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Youth killed in shell explosion in Budgam
Srinagar, July 17 “Injured Parray was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on the way,” a police officer said. Parray was the lone bread earner of his family and is survived by wife and month-old baby. The victim had gone to the forest to collect wood, the police said. The Army, meanwhile, has regretted the loss of human life. “An unfortunate accident occurred in Tosamaidan wherein Bilal Ahmed Parry of Cherhar Beerwah died due to an explosion,” the Army said in statement issued here. “The Army troops on ground assisted in evacuating the injured to the nearest medical facility at Drang village. The Army expresses profound grief on loss of precious life and conveys deepest condolence to the bereaved family,” it added. The Tosamaidan firing range has remained in controversy over the past year after locals began to campaign against the extension of its lease. The lease with the Army ended in April this year and the government has not so far taken a decision on its extension. The Army is demanding alternate space for the practice range in case the government decides against extending the Tosamaidan lease. The expansive meadow in the central district remains with the Army since 1965. |
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HC wants info on land grabbers at all tourist spots in state
Srinagar, July 17 So far, the government has provided information to the court about land grabbers and encroachers with regard to Gulmarg only. The direction of the court follows perusal of the status report, which states that notices have been issued to 31 such persons who are occupying land in access of the leased area at the Gulmarg tourist resort. One such land grabber, says the report, is Hotel Nedous, which was initially allotted 2 kanals and 13 marlas at Gulmarg, but has currently encroached upon over 98 kanals. These observations were passed by a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi. The court is hearing a PIL wherein its intervention has been sought to safeguard eco-sensitive areas of Gulmarg and Tangmarg from illegal constructions. In its earlier direction on March 20, the court had came down heavily on officials and the authorities after finding out that so far no action had been taken by them on the recommendations of a panel headed by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, regarding unauthorised occupation of land at Gulmarg. “Our attention has been drawn to paras 21 & 22 (of the order dated March 20, 2014). However, a perusal of various other paras shows that there are persons who have no allotment in their favour and they are in possession of hundreds of kanals of land without any authority of law,” the High Court observed in its orders passed today while referring to land grabbers at Gulmarg. “The other category of persons are those who are allotted a small portion of land but they have encroached upon hundreds of kanals of land,” the court observed while quoting a few examples from the status report by the Gulmarg Development Authority to “disclose the blatant disregard” for law of the land. “One Shri Umer Khaled c/o Hotel Nedous, Gulmarg, was initially allotted land measuring 2 kanals and 13 marlas but he has encroached upon land to the extent of 98 kanals and 11 marlas,” the court said, adding that notices had been issued to 31 such persons who are occupying land in excess of the leased area. Out of these, 20 violators replied back, while 11 violators have been issued eviction notices under Section 5 of the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, it said. As regard to another category of persons, namely those who were given land on lease at Gulmarg but their lease period has expired, the Advocate General assured the court that information about this category of persons would be furnished to the court in a tabulated form. Observing that grabbers must also be elsewhere in the state of J&K, the court directed the Advocate General to collect the information about them from other parts of the state to enable the court to appreciate the order passed and action taken with regard to such cases as well. |
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HC warns hotels without sewage treatment plant
Srinagar, July 17 The orders were passed by a Division Bench of the court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Masoodi, in a PIL calling for preservation of the eco-sensitive areas of Gulmarg and Tangmarg. “The status report (by the Pollution Control Board) also talks about the consent accorded by the J&K PCB in Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The places which have been covered are Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Patnitop, Katra, Jammu, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar,” the Bench said in its orders while referring to the consents given by the hotel owners to install STPs as envisaged under the pollution control norms. “There are hotels which are running without the consent and the STPs. Then there are hotels which are multi-storied that have been permitted to operate only in respect of 19 rooms in pursuance to the concession given by this court vide order dated 24/12/2012,” the court said while referring to the concession given to the hotels without the STPs, which were allowed to operate only 19 rooms to cater to the heavy rush of tourists. “The aforesaid order apparently was passed to surmount the situation of tourist rush and heavy booking in hotels. It did not, however, mean that the hotels are not required to install the STPs,” the court said while showing its displeasure with the hotels taking the concession for granted. “We wish to clarify that the aforesaid order was passed to give respite to such hotels and it may not last for all times to come. In other words, such an order may have to be withdrawn,” the High Court said in its orders while warning that the concession to operate 19 rooms by these hotels may be withdrawn by the court. On being informed and assured by Advocate General M Ishaq Qadri that unfinished work (on installation of STPs by hotels) shall be completed before the next hearing, the High court observed: “In other words, where the consent has not been obtained or the STP has not been installed or there is any other violation of law, the hotel violating the provisions of law and the orders of this court would be suitably dealt with by sealing the same so that their commercial operation is effectively suspended.” The court has further directed the respondents, including the PCB authorities, to file a status report in respect of the items within two weeks. |
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PDP has clandestine poll plan, claims CM
Srinagar, July 17 “The PDP had received huge sums from its mentors to buy the support of the people in the Lok Sabha elections,” Omar claimed. Addressing a party workers’ convention in Budgam district of central Kashmir, he said, “The party plans to apply same tactics in the Assembly elections.” The working president of National Conference alleged that the PDP had been attempting to tilt the upcoming elections in its favour by “applying corrupt means”. “The PDP has a clandestine plan to utilise ill-gotten money to buy the support of the people like it did in the recent General Election,” he said. The Chief Minister asked party workers to make the people aware of the “unfair and corrupt means” with which the PDP wanted to grab power in the state. “The PDP has always nurtured corruption, misappropriation and falsehood to mislead the common man. It is out to utilise the same tactics in the Assembly elections,” Omar claimed. He asked party workers to disseminate details of the huge development process initiated and completed by his government in the last five years. “Tell the people that this government is the only one since 1947 to initiate power projects of 1,500 MW capacity in five years,” Omar said. National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Kashmir provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani and Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather also addressed the party workers’ convention. |
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PDP: Don’t compromise state’s powers under GST
Srinagar, July 17 “J&K is bound to lose heavily from the imposition of GST regime,” senior PDP leader and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Tariq Hameed Karra said during a discussion on the Budget in the Lok Sabha. He said if the GST regime was implemented in its present form, neither the state legislature nor the Cabinet would have an “unfettered say on taxation”. “The proposed framework the Union Finance Minister can shoot down any proposal coming from the state on tax rates and goods to be left out of GST. It will be an irreparable loss for Jammu and Kashmir, which is the only state in the country that has the power to tax services,” Karra said. Reiterating the party’s demand for setting up an IIM and an AIIMS in Srinagar, Karra said J&K should be included in various flagship initiatives announced by the Government of India in the Budget. |
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Omar main accused in Yousuf’s death: PDP
Srinagar, July 17 “Is it not a fact that Haji Yousuf was summoned by Omar Abdullah himself to his Gupkar residence to settle some murky money dealings involving the first family,” Peoples Democratic Party general secretary Mohammad Dilawar Mir said here in a statement. He alleged that Omar Abdullah by acting as judge and jury in a case involving serious corruption charges against former Union Minister Farooq Abdullah had led everyone to believe that he had acted as the “proverbial hangman” as within hours of his “inquest” the family confidant Haji Yusuf was
found dead. Mir said by all accounts the death of Haji Yousuf was linked to money and serves as the worst example of “political corruption patronised by the NC leadership” from the last eight decades in the state. |
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Man held for selling SIM cards on fake documents in Rajouri
Rajouri, July 17 Mubassir Latifi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, said the vendor, identified as Waqar Ahmed Bhatti, was involved in selling more than 1,000 SIM cards which were issued on fake documents prepared by him. The accused was reportedly selling the SIM cards on higher rates, ranging between Rs 1,000 and
Rs 2,000. Latifi said after specific inputs about sale of fake SIM cards, the accused was under surveillance. He said on Wednesday, a police team lead by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Operations, raided the shop and arrested the accused. The police also recovered a number of SIMs cards of various telecom service providers, two stamps of the J&K Bank branch at Behrote, details of SIM cards issued on fake identity proofs, two mobile phones and a computer from the shop. “During preliminary investigation, the accused disclosed that he had sold thousands of SIM cards on fake identity proofs and on higher prices to unknown persons. A case under Sections 467, 468, 471, 472 and 420 of the RPC has been registered against the accused,” said the SSP. He added the investigation in the case was on to find out whether the accused was selling the SIMs only for monitory benefits or had sold them to some anti-national or anti-social elements. He further said the role of the telecom service providers, the recipients of the SIM cards and their subsequent use would be probed. |
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House panel seeks record on VK Singh
Srinagar, July 17 The privilege committee, which met here under the chairmanship of Mohammad Rafiq Shah, wrote a letter to Chairman of the House Amrit Mahlotra seeking all the records pertaining to the proceedings against the former Army Chief. “I wrote to the Chairman of the House for all the records and proceedings that were conducted by the previous committee. I have also requested that Chairman’s comment on the issue should be made available to the privilege committee for further proceedings,” privilege committee chairman Mohammad Rafiq Shah told The Tribune. VK Singh, who was inducted in the Narendra Modi-led NDA government as the Minister of State for Development of the North Eastern Region in May, had kicked off a storm after he reportedly told a news channel that certain J&K ministers were “paid by the Army to keep Kashmir integrated with India.” Following the allegations, ruling National Conference members Ajay Sadhotra, Devender Singh Rana and Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy had jointly moved a privilege motion against Singh. The newly-constituted privilege committee, which was formed after the expiry of previous panel’s term, has so far met thrice but it has not taken up the motion for discussion. Few members of the previous panel, which submitted its report to the Legislative Council Chairman last month, had disagreed on the legality of the committee. |
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State cable car corporation earns Rs 27 crore this fiscal
Srinagar, July 17 Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Hassan Mir was also present at the meeting. The meeting was informed that Rs 40.13 crore had been realised while over six lakh persons enjoyed the Gulmarg Gandola ride during 2013-14. Moreover, as many as 11,133 passengers were ferried at Makhdoom Sahib Ropeway here earning Rs 8.42 lakh from April to June, 2014. The official said issues related to the maintenance of sanitation, provision of financial, technical assistance and issuance of snow-bike and excursion vehicles licences to new beneficiaries at Gulmarg tourist spot, parking of vehicles at proper places, safety and security of tourists at different tourist destinations were also came up for discussion during the meeting. The meeting also reviewed the pace of progress on various ongoing development works being carried out at various other tourist destinations, including at Veerinag, Cheshmashahi, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and Jammu. |
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Pakistani television serials gain popularity in Kashmir
Srinagar, July 17 With the recent introduction of Pakistani serials on Zee entertainment’s channel, Zindagi TV, these are turning to be a craze among fans across the border. Zindagi TV — ‘Jodey Dilon Ke’, which started a new offering stories from across the border to Indian viewers by telecasting some of Pakistan’s best shows. ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, one of the most popular Pakistani shows, has already found a fan following in Kashmir. Due to a huge response from the audience, another Pakistani show, ‘Noorpur Ki Rani’, an adaptation of the English novel ‘Rebecca’, is also being telecast on the channel. Though Pakistani shows are not directly available from Pakistani channels in Kashmir, viewers rely on pirated recordings of some popular soap operas. Also, the internet has allowed people access to Pakistani shows via online video-sharing platforms like YouTube “The stories are very different and emotional. They depict the real society,” said a student of postgraduation from the Islamic University of Science and Technology, whose favorite drama is ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ and ‘Mere Zaat Zarre Benishan’. Another viewer said she was attracted towards the serials due to their simplicity and realistic approach to characters. “The productions are more realistic than usual serials. The women do not wear too much make-up or are weighed down by jewellery or costumes. Most characters speak and behave in a realistic way,” said Sana Iqbal Khan. Some of the more recent serials from Pakistani TV, which are being telecast in Kashmir via Zindagi channel, are ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, ‘Aunn Zara’, ‘Kash Mein Teri Beti Na Hoti’, and ‘Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain’ and these are being keenly watched by the people. Many serials which are not yet being telecast on any channels are being downloaded by youths. The youngsters who watch these serials not only praised the story
but also said that the content was such that it left an emotional impact on them. Entertainment from across the border
Though Pakistani shows are not directly available from Pakistani channels in Kashmir, viewers rely on pirated recordings of some popular soap operas. Also, the internet has allowed people access to Pakistani shows via online video-sharing platforms like
YouTube. |
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Transport corporation staff to get 15% DA
Srinagar, July 17 Minister of State for Transport Manohar Lal Sharma was also present at the meeting. Reviewing the performance of the corporation, it was informed that the corporation has earned a revenue of Rs 99.84 crore during 2013-14 , compared to Rs 89.96 crore during the previous financial year, thereby registering a growth of 11 per cent. In view of the better performance and encouraging revenue generation, the board released 15 per cent DA instalment in favour of the employees from this month. The meeting also adopted the constitution of establishment and finance committee for regularisation of establishment and finance matters of the corporation, constitution of sub-committee of board under the chairmanship of Economic Adviser, J&K government, to examine release of COLA/6th Pay arrears in favour of SRTC/erstwhile GTU employees and constitution of committee to examine proposed revision of delegation of powers. The board also approved the budget estimate of the corporation for the year 2014-15 while the revised estimate for the year 2013-14 were also approved. |
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Family planning camps in offing
Srinagar, July 17 He said the camps would be held in connection with the ‘population stabilisation fortnight’ being held from July 11 to 24. Meanwhile, the DHSK official said in today’s camp, all the stakeholders participated in large number, especially accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and female multi-purpose health workers and other paramedical staff along with senior officials of the Health Department. He said the senior officials also delivered lectures on the importance of population stabilisation, use of permanent and temporary methods of family planning. |
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Natrang honours Neelu for holding theatre workshop
Jammu, July 17 She was honoured by founder of Natrang Balwant Thakur during an exclusive function organised at the end of the workshop. Currently working in Singapore, Neelu Dogra started her career in acting from Natrang. After completing her professional education, she joined the National School of Drama Repertory Company and did major lead roles in repertory productions under the direction of eminent theatre directors. In the film and television world, she performed in Star Plus’ “Kasauti Zindagi Ki” and “Kumkum”, in Sahara’s “Raat Hone Ko Hai” and in Sony’s “Crime Patrol”. In films, in she appeared in “Bombay Central” by Kaizad Gustad, “Perzinia” by Rahul Dholakia, “Dreams Unlimited” by Vimukth Singh, “1972” by Amrit Sagar, “Music Meri Jaan” by Tanuja Shankar Khan and a Singapore-based short film “Honor Bound” by Warren Tessler. She also has the distinction of having played a lead role in most celebrated Dogri film “Bobo Kadun Aoug”, directed by Ved Rahi. |
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LPG safety awareness camp organised
Jammu, July 17 Air Commodore PE Patange, Air-Officer-Commanding, Air Force Station, Jammu, addressed the gathering and gave his advice on LPG safety measures. The camp was attended by all “Sanginis” of the Air Force Station, Jammu and customers from other sister services. During the awareness programme, lectures were conducted on safety measures to be followed while using LPG cylinders, precautions to be taken during LPG emergencies and how to ensure maximum utilisation of LPG cylinders. |
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Students take part in co-curricular activities
Jammu, July 17 The students of the kindergarten wing participated in the activity which taught them good hygiene manners and importance of cleanliness in daily life. The primary wing students of classes I and II were involved in “show and tell” activity, wherein they were made to speak a few words on various items that they brought from their homes. Students of classes III to V participated in a “Spell-Bee” activity, wherein they were given words and asked to spell them. Students of classes VI to VIII presented extempore speeches on various topics for 3 minutes each. It involved students from four different houses — Darwin, Edison, Einstein and Newton. The first prize was won by Raghav (Darwin House) of class VI, second by Kanika (Newton House) of class VIII and the third prize by Gurpreet (Einstein House) of class VIII. In the outdoor activity, the boy students of class IX to XII took part in the inter house football match, which was played at the mini-stadium. The girls of higher classes participated in the rangoli competition. The first prize was bagged by Darwin House, while Einstein and Edison Houses finished second and third, respectively. |
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NSS volunteers teach slum children yoga
Jammu, July 17 During the camp, the volunteers educated children, made them aware of importance of hygiene and sanitation. Volunteers also taught the children yoga and meditation. Refreshments and clothes were distributed among needy children. In the valedictory function, college Principal Dr Kaushal Smotra appreciated the efforts of the volunteers and motivated them for doing such kind of services in future also. |
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