Jammu, July 21
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target to run bullet trains across the country, children are being used to clean Jammu Railway station, one of the biggest stations in north India.

Though banned by law, several children could be seen cleaning the drains along the tracks or lifting waste left by passengers on the platforms.

Added concern is hundreds of children, as young as five-year-old, scavenging for water bottles, polythene bags and tin cans left by the passengers in trains.

Though the authorities maintain that the Railways does not engage children for work and they have their own staff, but sources said several private agencies, engaged by the Railways, are using services of children for maintaining sanitation, but this is being ignored by the authorities.

Even the police, deployed for security purpose, seem to ignore their presence at the platforms and no step is being taken for their rehabilitation or ascertaining their background as at times they are being exploited by the organised gangs.

“Children have been working at the station for several years, but no one has made any effort to discourage such thing. Its against rules, but who will tell the authorities, who seem to be not interested in stopping such a practice,” said Rakesh Sharma, a businessman and regular traveller from Jammu.

Many eateries on the station also employ children and they are forced to work for extended hours. This practice can be stoped as the permission to operate eateries is given by the railway authorities. But there is no sincerity on their part.

However, Deputy Station Superintendent, Jammu railway station, Karan Singh said the authorities will look into the issue. “We have our own staff for the purpose. Let me check,” he said.

Daily hundreds of children are exposed to hazardous waste, which can affect human health, and children are more vulnerable to these pollutants.

Jammu, July 21
The Congress high command has directed its ministers in the coalition not to avoid direct confrontation with National Conference (NC) colleagues on the issues which the party (Congress) had promised in its election manifesto in the 2008 Assembly elections.

As the Congress has already announced that it will go it alone in the coming Assembly elections, the party has decided to aggressively pursue its agenda during the remaining tenure of the present coalition so that it can face voters, say highly placed sources.

The sources said that a meeting of senior Congress leaders was held on Sunday to devise a strategy to tackle NC ministers after All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ambika Soni made the announcement that the party would contest the Assembly polls on its own.

“Party leaders present in the meeting observed that after the announcement of snapping ties, it is not possible to maintain cordial relations with NC ministers. So, the party had to devise a strategy to counter the coalition partner,” a source said, adding that the party decided to aggressively pursue its agenda instead of following the coalition plan.

Besides Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for PHE and Irrigation Sham Lal Sharma, Minister of Horticulture Raman Bhalla, Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani and Minister of State for Power Vikar Rasool Wani were also present in the meeting.

The sources said that the Congress decided at the meeting not to make any compromise on resolving the problems of refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and displaced persons from Chhamb. It was also decided that Congress ministers would aggressively pursue the case of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who have been facing discrimination due to lack of consensus between coalition partners.

The sources said the party ministers were directed at the meeting to force the government to enhance the reservation for OBCs from the present 2 per cent to at least 5 per cent.

The party also decided to take up problems of border migrants so that a comprehensive package could be announced for them before the Assembly elections.

The sources said leaders present in the meeting hit out at some Congress ministers for their failure to effectively take up the party’s agenda in the government. It was observed that barring two ministers, most of them were not aware of the promises which the party had made in the 2008 Assembly elections. “Party ministers were directed that they should look beyond their own constituencies and unitedly take up the party’s promises during the remaining tenure of the government,” the source said. 

Jammu, July 21
With Omar Abdullah announcing that his father Farooq Abdullah will not contest the Assembly elections, shocked National Conference (NC) leaders and workers have gone mum.

Farooq has been a strong motivational force behind the success of the NC and grassroots workers of the party have always identified themselves with him.

His brother Mustafa Kamal, an MLA, believes that Farooq’s absence is demoralising for the party. “People love him the most. He will be back and will guide the party to a win,” Kamal said.

NC working president Omar had said Farooq would not contest the Assembly elections, which had sent shock waves in the party.

Senior party leaders and ministers have refused to comment on the issue and termed it as a decision of the party high command.

Farooq’s presence in the elections is crucial for the party to do well after suffering its worst-ever defeat in the General Election. He has been the motivational force behind every party worker after every low.

He is the only leader of the NC who has a personal bond with the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions and in the Chenab valley and Pir Panjal sub-regions.

Farooq has been in active politics since 1977. He is a three-time Chief Minister. He was party president from 1980 to 2002 and has been holding this post since 2008.

After sitting in the opposition after the 2002 Assembly elections, the Farooq-led party emerged as the single largest party in the 2008 elections. Supporting Omar’s decision, Kamal said, “This is a decision of a son for his father, who is not well. Had I been in Omar’s place, I would have taken the same decision.”

“At the same time, I am hopeful that Farooq will be available for the party and we will move under his guidance. Farooq will stay fit when he remains with the people,” Kamal added.

Jammu, July 21
A day after the Congress announced its decision to snap ties with the National Conference, it received a setback on Monday as Chowdhary Lal Singh, two-time Lok Sabha member from Udhampur-Doda, quit the party.

A group had mounted pressure on the party high command to take action against Lal Singh for working against party candidate Ghulam Nabi Azad in the recently concluded General Election.

Lal Singh resigned from the party after levelling allegations against senior leaders. “I have decided to leave the party as only sycophants and touts have a say,” he said. He announced that he would contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Basholi.

Amid reports that he had opened channels with the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, Lal Singh said he would announce his decision at an appropriate time.

“I will teach the Congress a lesson in the upcoming Assembly elections,” he asserted. He claimed that the Congress had lost in the General Election because genuine workers were ignored.

Lal Singh had won from the Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency in the General Election in both 2004 and 2009. He was denied the ticket in the General Election this year. Former Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had contested from the seat instead. — TNS

Jammu, July 21
In a bid to ensure proper implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Rural Development has decided to support the state government in conducting the social audit of the flagship programme by providing technical assistance under a special project that will be in operation till 2017.

Under this, the cost of engaging social audit resource persons at the state and district levels will be reimbursed to Jammu & Kashmir.

The Ministry has also made it clear that the other costs of conducting the social audit (apart from the cost of resource persons) have to be met by the state from within the administrative costs of the scheme.

Sources said the initiative was taken by the central ministry after reports poured in about poor compliance to the provisions of the social audit rules.

Sources also said audits were concluded in a routine manner in contravention of the rules, which has diluted the effect of this important transparency and accountability initiative. They claimed that release to the state under the project would be made in two installments for the year 2014-15, 50 per cent on constituting the social audit unit in the manner prescribed by the Centre and the remaining part on identifying and placing the district social auditors.

“For verifying the quality of social audits, the Centre for Wage Employment and Poverty Alleviation of the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) will be strengthened, for which the orders will be issued soon,” a central ministry statement said.

Under this special project of social audit, the state will have to share all the records listed in the audit of scheme rules with the social auditors. Further, the social auditors are also authorised to check all the payments and the work sites.

The findings are to be placed before the gram sabha for decision making.

It is imperative for the authorities concerned to take follow up action on the observations of social auditors.

Sources said the ministry has emphasised upon the need to establish a dedicated and an independent social audit directorate, wherein social audits need to be conducted at regular intervals in accordance with the extant rules and procedure. 

Srinagar, July 21
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has set aside the appointment of two faculty members at premier Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), who worked as assistant professor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Department of the medical institute.

Setting aside the appointment of Dr Abdul Hamid Rather and Dr Sheikh Javed Ahmad, the High Court observed that it could not afford to allow such appointments (faculty who is not qualified) to continue in prestigious medical institutes.

These observations were made by a Bench comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice DS Thakur in a writ petition by Mohammad Syed Shah and others, in which the petitioners had challenged the appointment orders of Rather and Sheikh dated October 20, 2010, by virtue of which the duo were appointed as assistant professors in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) at SKIMS.

“Any such effort to permit continuance of such doctors, notwithstanding the fact that they would have acquired some experience in the field during the course of their illegal appointment could negate the effort of specialised bodies like the Medical Council of India (MCI) at achieving academic excellence in the medical faculty, besides jeopardising the patient care in the hospitals,” the Bench observed, while holding that the appointment of the duo was contrary to the rules.

“We have, therefore, no doubt in holding that the appointment of private respondents …against the post of assistant professor, PMR, is contrary to the rules as the said respondents do not possess the requisite qualification as prescribed by the rules to hold such a post,” the Bench said, while setting aside the appointment orders dated October 20, 2010.

Pulwama, July 21
High-tension power transmission lines are posing a threat to residents of various villages in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district as they are lying just 10-ft-high from the ground.

Residents of Sanziwatroo, Manduna and Uthooora alleged that they had many a times brought the issue before the authorities, but they did not do anything to mitigate the problem of these residents and they continued to reel under threat.

The residents alleged that the high-tension power transmission line passed through trees.

“Many people have already been electrocuted and inquiries were established, but the result was zero,” said Gulam Mohammad, a resident of Manduna, adding that a 17-year-old boy was electrocuted a few days ago, who is still admitted in the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).

They said in fields the height of transmission wires was much below and a person could not swing his arms.

PDD officials said the transmission line would be cleared off and a new transmission line had been tendered by the department.

“The new transmission will be installed soon and electric poles will be established soon,” said the official.

The official said they were executing a plan in which they could install the transmission line without any passing across the trees. 

Jammu, July 21
The official apathy is quite visible at Transport Nagar, the trade hub of Jammu, as damaged roads and poor facilities have turned the area into a filthy place. Roads at Transport Nagar have not been repaired for more than a decade, while basic facilities of drinking water and power supply are erratic.

The roads at Transport Nagar and adjoining areas of Narwal were converted into a slush pond after a little spell of rain a few days back. Shopkeepers and transporters alleged that the authorities are taking this trade hub for granted and even after requesting them so many times, they have not repaired the roads.

Chowdhary Jagar Singh, a showroom owner at Transport Nagar, said, “This road has been lying damaged for more than a decade. Hundreds of minor and major accidents have taken place and we are facing losses due to this, but the authorities do not bother to repair it.”

“We have requested the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) as well as Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) so many times, but none of them are serious about our problem,” he added.

New Intra-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) has also been made near Transport Nagar at Narwal, but the bad condition of the road is giving bad impression of the state to the pilgrims and tourists.

“Flooding leads to diseases in the locality during monsoon. The potholes and slush ponds have become death trap for bikers, but the authorities seem to be sleeping,” said Dildar Singh, a transporter.

“We were expecting some development of Transport Nagar after coming up of the ISBT at Narwal, but the situation has become worse,” he added.

Jammu, July 21
The management and inmates of Home for Aged and Infirm at Ambphalla celebrated the golden jubilee year of the Home as well as 114th birth anniversary of its founder late Ram Nath Prabhakar.

A havan was performed. Clothes and cash incentives were distributed among the inmates and workers of the Home. President of the Home Dr Vidya Nath Gupta and state Commissioner for Scouts and Guides ID Soni paid tribute to Ram Nath Prabhakar, who retired as an headmaster and devoted his life serving the poor, aged, destitute and infirm members of the society.

While paying tribute, Dr Ved Ghai, a renowned academician and social activist, described Prabhakar as a great visionary. The function was also attended by Jyoti Bhalla, granddaughter of Prabhakar, and representatives of various social organisations.

These included the representatives of the All J&K Senior Citizens Welfare Council, State Retired Officers Forum, Central Pensioners Welfare Association, Association for Welfare of Senior Citizens, Vivekananda Charitable Mission Hospital, J&K Arya Samaj Kalyan Kendra, Bal Balika Niketan Ved Mandir, Dharmarth Trust J&K and Indian Red Cross Society.

The Home for Aged and Infirm was established on June 8, 1964, with a mere one room on a piece of land obtained on lease from the Shri Ved Mandir Committee. The Home, registered as a society on February 20, 1965, now has two full-fledged buildings facing each other across the road link from Ambphalla Chowk to Goshala with a capacity to accommodate around 90 aged persons comfortably. — TNS

Jammu, July 21
Externally funded research projects worth Rs 8 crore and the All-India Coordinated Research Programme to the tune of Rs 2.32 crore per annum are going on for development of technologies in agriculture, veterinary and allied sciences at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu.

Giving information during a press conference, Vice Chancellor Prof PK Sharma said the university offers professional courses in the disciplines of agricultural sciences, veterinary sciences and biotechnology at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. MSc and doctoral programmes are course work and research based. He said the university is becoming hub of research and in coming years it will become one of the finest agricultural university in the country.

Prof Sharma said the counselling for admission to undergraduate programmes was in progress and there is a heavy rush of students for admission. Last year one foreign national was admitted to the undergraduate programme and this year two foreign national will be joining the course.

The Vice Chancellor said in the last 13 years, 800 undergraduates, 500 master’s and 100 PhD scholars have passed out from the university.

The students pursuing master’s and PhD programme at the university have to undergo course research work while pursuing these programmes.

The university at present has six Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and three more are likely to be established this year. The university provides agro-advisory services based on weather forecast to Agriculture Department officials, print and electronic media and to farmers using SMS.

Jammu, July 21
As many as 34 students of JK Public School Kunjwani, won positions in different categories in the second round of the Olympiad of the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF).

They were felicitated with medals, DVDs, magazine subscription, merit certificates and cash awards by the SOF.

Sarthak Gupta of class VIII bagged the first rank in the 16th National Science Olympiad. Arpit Gupta of class X stood second in the 13th National Cyber Olympiad.

Ridham Kohli and Shubham Kumar Khanna of class XI secured third rank in the International Mathematical Olympiad and International English Olympiad, respectively. The winners were applauded in the school assembly by everyone for bringing laurels to the school.

Srinagar, July 21
The Amarnath yatra is going on in full swing with the number of pilgrims having darshan at the holy cave crossing the three lakh mark. An official said 11,095 devotees offered prayers at the shrine on Monday.

He said a total of 3,04,876 pilgrims had paid obeisance at the holy cave since the yatra via the Baltal route began on June 28. The pilgrimage via the Chandanwari route began on July 2 as accumulation of snow postponed the start.

The steeper Baltal route is preferred by those who wish to return to the base camp in a day. The longer Chandanwari route is preferred by the elderly and devotees who believe that Lord Shiva took this route to the holy cave.

The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 10 (Raksha Bandhan) when ‘chharhi mubarak’ (holy mace of Lord Shiva) will be brought to the shrine.

‘Chharhi mubarak’ rituals began on July 12 with ‘bhoomi pujan’ and ‘dhwajarohan’ on the occasion of ‘Vyas Purnima’ at Pahalgam.

Anantnag, July 21
Clashes amid a complete shutdown continued for the third consecutive day today after a 14-year-old boy was killed when the security forces fired on an anti-Israel protest march on Saturday in the Qaimoh area of Kulgam district near here.

However, normalcy returned to the main town of Kulgam and Anantnag district today.

The police and the CRPF were deployed in a huge number across the Qaimoh-Khodweni area of Kulgam district. The deployment, however, did not deter youth from coming out and fighting pitched battles with the security forces.

Clashes continued throughout the day, while some people on both sides received minor injuries. "None of the injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. They were given first-aid," a source said.

Shops and other commercial establishments in the area remained closed. Clashes and a huge deployment of forces rendered the Anantnag-Kulgam road link closed for the third consecutive day today.

"Though Kulgam town remained open today, the business was not usual. The only road link remained blocked," shopkeepers in Kulgam said.

Suhail Ahmad Mir, 14, was killed on Saturday afternoon after the security forces fired on an anti-Israel protest. "We are trying to ascertain the facts," Kulgam SP Mumtaz Ahmad said.

Meanwhile, the CRPF have denied any part in the firing incident. "None of our boys opened fire," a CRPF spokesperson said.

Following the killing, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and the Additional Development Commissioner, Kulgam, has been appointed the inquiry officer.

Meanwhile, a youth injured in an alleged CRPF firing in Anantnag on Sunday has been stated to be out of danger. He was injured in Dehruna village of Anantnag after some youth threw stones at CRPF vehicles and the paramilitary men fired in retaliation.

While things remained normal in Anantnag district, the police in main town Anantnag have been carrying out nocturnal raids. "Half a dozen boys have been arrested for being a part of anti-Israel protests," the sources said.

Srinagar, July 21
Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar on Monday called upon police officers to chalk out a comprehensive plan for requirements and deployment for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The officers were asked to do an exercise on requirements and told that modalities needed to be finalised by the end of this month for the elections scheduled later this year.

The DGP was addressing a high-level meeting of police officers at the Police Headquarters. The meeting was convened to review the law and order scenario, election preparedness and security arrangements for Eid.

An official spokesman said the meeting discussed various aspects of law and order in the state, besides security measures for the upcoming Assembly elections.

“The DGP called for maintenance strict surveillance to maintain peace and order so that bad elements did not succeed in their designs,” he said.

The DGP emphasised on better coordination among agencies to ensure free and fair elections. He said joint efforts by stakeholders should be put in place for timely action to deal with any situation.

“The DGP asked the officers to chalk out a comprehensive deployment plan for the personnel being deployed for election duty across the state,” the spokesman said.

“Additional manpower for their deployment could be arranged by squeezing personnel from other places without endangering any installation or dignitary,” the spokesman said.

He said additional companies of paramilitary forces would be deployed and efficient arrangements for their mobility and accommodation made to ensure peaceful elections.

“The DGP has said an exercise to chalk out the requirements and modalities needs to be finalised by the end of this month,” the spokesman said.

The DGP stressed upon officers to keep a vigil on the situation to make the elections free and fair so that people of the state could exercise their franchise freely.

“The DGP was briefed by officers present in the meeting about steps taken by them to maintain peace. They gave their assessment on the prevailing situation in the state,” the spokesman said.

“The overall security scenario in the state, the Amarnath yatra and the Eid festival came up for discussion during the meeting,” the spokesman said.

Kashmir IGP Abdul Gani Mir, who was present in the meeting, and the Jammu IGP, who attended it through video-conferencing, gave a detailed briefing on security and law and order scenario in their respective zones.

Srinagar, July 21
With the ruling coalition partners, the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, having parted ways, the next Assembly elections will pit the two parties face to face and the elections will be a litmus test for both parties.

Not only will the two coalition partners be pitted against each other, but will be face to face with their respective political rivals, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kashmir and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu.

The BJP has rolled out “Mission 44 plus” to form the next government, but others seem to be keeping their fingers crossed. The intentions of all parties make it clear that each has its own “Mission 44 plus” to form the next government in the state.

This is mainly because of the coalition experiences of the three main players during the last two terms of the Assembly. All four parties have decided to contest 87 Assembly seats. The PDP, which had a coalition with the Congress in the past, will not like to go in for a repeat in the backdrop of the past experience. Things have not been in favour of any party getting a majority in the last two elections.

The NC has virtually admitted that it will go in for another coalition as its working president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pointed to a possible future alliance depending on the numbers in the next Assembly. Compared the mass support in earlier elections, the NC has not been able to make a mark in the last two elections.

Over the years, the PDP and the BJP have taken centre stage in the state, particularly aftermath of the recent General Election. Since its formation in 1999, the PDP has been increasing its numbers in the Assembly from the Valley and extending its influence to the Jammu region. While the PDP has shown an upward trend in the Valley, the BJP has been performing on similar lines in the Jammu region.

Jammu, July 21
A day after Pakistan Rangers shelled Indian forward posts and villages in the 30-km stretch along the international border in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district, uneasy calm prevails in the area but farmers are still shying away from going to their agricultural fields close to the Zero Line.

In the interest of peace on the border, the BSF on Sunday afternoon took the initiative of reaching out to the Pakistan Rangers. The Jammu Sector Commander, DIG BS Kasana, telephonically contacted the Pakistan Rangers Sialkot Sector Commander, Brigadier Mateen, asking the latter for ceasefire.

Brigadier Mateen, after denying unprovoked firing by the Rangers, promised that they would not initiate any fire.

“Though there has been no fresh firing since 6 am yesterday but farming activity has not started full throttle and farmers are still reluctant to go to their fields, which are close to the Zero Line,” said Satish Gupta, a resident of Arnia border town.

He informed that intense Pak shelling and firing since July 16 had instilled fear among the farmers, especially after three labourers were injured in the Pakistani firing in Arnia.

“They want the situation to normalise completely before going to their fields. Only 10-odd days are left with them to sow paddy, including basmati,” said Gupta.

Baljeet Singh, a resident of RS Pura, said that though the situation had been gradually improving yet the farmers were reluctant to go to fields close to the Zero Line.

“People in forward villages are still afraid after what they witnessed in the past three-four days. A BSF jawan was killed, four civilians were injured and two cows were killed in the Pakistani firing and shelling. Therefore, villagers are still not mentally prepared to go to their fields,” said Singh.

“It will take some time for villagers in forward villages like Gharana, Gharani, Jeora Farm, Rakh Jeora Nikowal, Sai Khurd, Sai Kalan, Sai Kalan Fagla, Trewa, Pindi, Pittal, Chanana, Changiya, Jabowal, Kathar and Kaku-de-Kothay to get back to their normal routine, he said.

However, farmers are going to the fields which are located at a distance away from the Zero Line, he added.

On July 16, Pakistani firing in the Arnia area had left one BSF constable dead and four others, including three migrant labourers from Bihar, injured.

Srinagar, July 21
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that there was a need to develop educational facilities in state universities on par with national universities, especially for attracting students who wished to study science and technology.

“These subjects have high market prospects. The modern requirements are that our universities should be developed on par with the reputed educational institutions of the country,” Omar said while reviewing the annual report of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, in Srinagar today.

The Chief Minister said the focus of his government during the last five years had been on the expansion and consolidation of educational sector in the state, which resulted in the establishment of new universities and strengthening the existing ones.

Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone; Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed; Vice Chancellor of BGSBU IA Hamal; Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, BR Sharma; Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Mushtaq Ahmad; Registrar MR Chowdhary and other officials were present.

The meeting was informed that various postgraduate courses including MSc, mathematics, botany, zoology and computer aciences-Integrated, MA, English and economics and MEd will be introduced in the university this year.

The meeting was informed that a community college had been established in the university to impart job-oriented certificate courses in travel and tourism to undergraduate students during which a stipend of Rs 1,000 per month was being paid to them. The course has been sanctioned by the UGC.

It was said the university this year produced first PhD scholar in bio-sciences, while 59 students were pursuing PhD and 12 MPhil in various subjects. 

Srinagar, July 21
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday announced the names of four candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Former minister Ghulam Mohideen Sofi is the PDP candidate from Handwara in north Kashmir. He will face senior National Conference leader and minister Mohammad Ramzan Chaudhary.

The party has named three candidates from the Jammu region. They are Dr Harmesh Salathia from Vijaypur, Daman Bhasin from Jammu West and Shafiq-ur Rehman from Majored.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee held under the chairmanship of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The party is yet to take a decision on many seats, including those vacated by MPs Mehbooba Mufti and Muzzaffar Hussain Baig.

Mehbooba Mufti, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Tariq Hameed Karra, S Rangeel Singh, Mohammad Dilawar Mir, S Rafeeq Hussain Khan, Yashpal Sharma, Syed Altaf Bukhari, Haseeb Drabu, S Tarlok Singh Bajwa and Naeem Akhtar attended the meeting.

The PDP constituted a manifesto committee for the upcoming elections. The committee, with Muzaffar Hussain Baig as chairman, has been tasked with preparing a draft manifesto for the party.

Srinagar, July 21
The PDP on Sunday launched its updated official website and online membership drive. Party president Mehbooba Mufti launched the website during a function at her official Gupkar residence, a spokesman said.

He said the main feature of the website was that it was responsive and mobile compatible. A person visiting the website could register himself by filling an online form or give a missed call on a toll-free number, he added.

He said the person who would get registered would be tracked, networked within the party fold and updated with information about the party’s policies and programmes. — TNS

Pulwama, July 21
Bestowed with lush meadows, forests and enriched by the Romush rivulet, one of the main tributaries of the Jhelum, several villages in Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir crave for government’s attention to attract tourists.

The area, which includes several villages like Kehrut, Namlan and Shidak, is located to the west and south west of Pulwama and Shopian districts and has everything that a nature-loving person would wish to see and enjoy. These places can also become the best tracking spots in the state as there are a number of lakes and springs in these forests.

The beauty of these places can also be judged by their location as they are in the Pirpanjal mountain range and fall in the vicinity of the newly developed tourist resort of Yusmarg in the north and Mughal road in the south.

“These potential tourist destinations are located between world-known health resort Yusmarg in the north and the historic Mughal Road in the south and can become an important link for two different areas for trekkers,” said Mohammad Jamaal Gorsi, a resident of Sigharwani.

The place, Shidak, is also a known destination of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities and can attract a large number of religious tourists from across south Asia.

Most of the meadows in these forests have become an abode of seasonal migrants who along with their families migrate to these meadows for about six months and return only when the winter sets in.

“The seasonal migration has proven detrimental for the forests as most of these people indulge in timber smuggling as they indiscriminately cut down trees during their period of stay,” said a teacher from the area. However, Talat Parvez, Director, Tourism, Kashmir, said the government had sanctioned Rs 8 crore for the development of the places falling in the Mughal road circuit.

“We have started construction of tourist bungalows in Dubjan (on Mughal road) and have notified two camping sites in the area,” he said.

He said, “We are yet to get permission from the wildlife authorities for constructions at seven other places, which will be taken up soon and the areas will be soon on the tourist map.” 

Srinagar, July 21
The call for boycott of Israel products in Kashmir by separatist parties as well as various trader groups will affect the Eid sales if traders adhere to the boycott call.

Imports from Israel include apparels, mobile accessories, daily hygiene and cosmetics are widely used in Kashmir and are particularly in demand during Eid.

These include Hewlett Packard, Motorola, Loreal, Pampers and other products. However, since the Israel attacks began on the Gaza strip of Palestine, various political, religious, trade organisations and the civil society in Kashmir unanimously called for boycott of Israeli goods as a mark of resentment against the killing of civilians in Gaza.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (moderate), Jamaat-e-Islami, Kashmir Economic Alliance and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries have given separate calls for a total boycott of Israel-made products.

With a surge in street protests and killing of a south Kashmir boy in anti-Israel protests in the Valley, anger against Israel is brewing and the boycott call is likely to hit the business.

The youth that forms a large buyer group of some famous brands from Israel are particularly furious over the increasing atrocities in Gaza by Israel.

Traders in the Valley have predicted a decline in sales as a result of these developments.

“A huge discount is put up on products as Eid approaches, therefore the sales also increase. However, this time around we aren’t enthused of high sales particularly among the youth who are fond of buying branded products with Israel make,” Tanveer Hussain, owner of an apparel store in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, said.

Youth say the Eid celebrations will be dampened due to Gaza protests and the shopping will also remain a low-key affair.

“At a time when the pictures of grief and mourning are floating on social media, it is painful to imagine the celebrations. Eid and Ramadan shopping will not be as fun as last year. I am definitely not in support of buying Israel-manufactured products and so are many of my friends,” said Ahtesham, a Kashmir University student.

Srinagar, July 21
The Roads and Buildings Department handed over the building of Noorbagh Hospital to the Health Department in presence of the Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul here today.

The building has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 11.54 crore.

The Speaker directed the Health Department to provide adequate staff, both medical and paramedical for Mother and Child Maternity Hospital, Noorbagh. He said, “The hospital’s upgrade to the level of Mother and Child Care Hospital along with creation of additional 38 posts of various categories has been taken up with the Planning and Development Department.”

The Speaker said to make the hospital functional Rs 2 crore has been approved under NRHM for procurement of machinery and equipment. Gul said a Rs 17 lakh project for provision of adequate drinking water facilities for the hospital has been prepared and submitted to the quarter concerned for early sanction.

Referring to the overall development of the Eidgah constituency, the Speaker said the construction work on the Eidgah project was going rapidly. He said the Eidgah prayer ground was nearing completion and hoped that the Eid prayers would be offered there. He announced that a modern marriage hall would be constructed at Noorbagh, on completion of which residents of Noorbagh and Bhagwanpora villages would be benefited. 

Srinagar, July 21
Valley traders today alleged that they were facing harassment during physical verification by the Commercial Tax Department at the Lakhanpur check post on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

“A meeting was held at our head office in which all members and taxpaying traders were present. The members showed anguish over the enforcement of their power in the name of physical verification at the Lakhanpur check post by the Commercial Tax Department,” publicity chief of the Kashmir Traders Federation (KTF) Ajaz Shahdhar said in a statement.

Alleging that a few commercial tax officers due to personal rivalry were harassing the traders by making them wait for long in front of their “luxurious offices”, the statement said they were being fined “extra amount”.

“They are fining the traders of Kashmir almost daily by which they are weakening the economy. Besides, they are hurting the culture and tradition of Kashmir,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, president of the KTF Haji Jan Mohammad Koul appealed to Additional Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Shameem Ahmad to use his powers and ensure that traders were not harassed.

The KTF also demanded extension of 10 days in the date for filing quarterly returns and depositing Value Added Tax (VAT) in view of the ongoing fasting month and ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr.

The traders sought extension till August 10 as there are five holidays by month-end.

Srinagar, July 21
The National Conference is confident that it will get enough votes in the forthcoming Assembly elections to make the government in the state.

Party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar claimed this while addressing delegates and senior activists from the Sopore constituency at the party headquarters, a statement said.

In his address, Sagar said the National Conference (NC) would fight the Assembly elections on the proven track record of infrastructural growth and economic development, which he said, had been witnessed in all three regions of the state.

The ruling alliance partners in the state, National Conference and Congress, have severed their ties and decided to go it alone in the Assembly elections.

Sagar claimed that his party had deep and perennial ideological roots in the state, based on non-negotiable principles of safeguarding the state's dignity, regional character and special status and leading it towards equitable socio-economic development.

"The National Conference has been the bulwark that has protected the state's interests for the last eight decades and faced numerous political challenges," he said, adding that the NC relinquished power when others clung to it.

"Our party chose prison cells at a time when Peoples Democratic Party's Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was busy eroding Article 370 with GM Sadiq. History bears testimony to the fact that the National Conference has always upheld the regional aspirations of our people by striving for the restoration of internal autonomy and seeking restoration of Article 370 to its original form," Sagar said.

During his address, Sagar also lauded the Omar Abdullah government's performance in the field of health care.

Srinagar, July 21
To ensure smooth conduct of objective type written test to be conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board in Srinagar district, which is to be held on August 3, and to curb the menace of copying and unfair means besides upholding the sanctity of the examination, the Srinagar District Magistrate has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC around a radius of 200 m of the examination centres in the city.

Any congregation of five or more people and copying material around these centres have been banned. This order will remain in force till examinations are over in the district.

“However, the order shall not apply to the security forces and the 
police personnel deployed for the purpose of maintaining law and order in nominated examination centres,” an official handout read. 

Srinagar, July 21
Hardline separatist leader and Hurriyat Conference chief Syed Ali Geelani has condemned the killing of over 100 Palestinians by Israeli forces in Gaza on Sunday.

Geelani has called for observing Friday as ‘Youm-ul-Qudus’ to show solidarity with the Palestinians.

In a statement here, the separatist leader said the “world community has failed in ending bloodshed of innocent people of Palestine” by Israel.

Youm-ul-Qudus or Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) is an annual event held on the last Friday of Ramadan by Muslims the world over to express solidarity with the Palestinians.

“Israel on the basis of its power is brutally killing children, women and aged people in Palestine and no one is there to support them (people in Gaza),” Geelani said. He told the people to hold peaceful protests to oppose Israel’s offensive against Gaza.

The Hurriyat chairman regretted that the state government was not allowing people to express their sympathy with their Palestinian brethren. He termed the government action “unwanted and unjustified.”

Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned government action against anti-Israel protesters in Kashmir and termed it “aggression”.

“The use of firepower against peaceful protesters and murdering young Kashmiris has become an inalienable part of the duty of police and other government forces stationed in Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said in a statement, condemning the killing of a youth by security forces in Kulgam on Saturday.

Rajouri, July 21
The Rajouri-based Ace of Spades Division organised an ‘iftaar’ function at Rane Hawai Patti here yesterday for people of Rajouri city and its adjoining areas.

The event was attended by a large number of eminent citizens and civil dignitaries, including Gulzar Ahmed Choudhary, former MLC, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, senior citizen, heads of various religious units, AK Attri, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mubassir Latifi, Senior Superintendent of Police, and officials of the civil administration of Rajouri.

Some school and madrassa students were also invited to the function and given gifts by Maj Gen Saranjeet Singh, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Ace of Spades Division.

He announced Rs 20,000 for the welfare of the madrassa students.

Brigadier Satinder Singh, Deputy GOC, was also present on the occasion along with senior officers of the Division and the Brigade.

The occasion provided an opportunity to locals and the men in uniform to get together and exchange greetings in Ramadan.

The function was marked by ending the fast at iftaar.

All those present at the function wished each other good health, happiness and prosperity.

All officers later had dinner with the soldiers and invitees organised by the Artillery Brigade under the command of Brigadier Anand Saxena. 

Srinagar, July 21
The last session of the state legislature, elected in 2008, is likely to be held in August. The last session in the winter capital concluded on March 4 this year.

As per norms, the next session must be held within six months or conclude before September 4.

Sources said the state Assembly officials had informed the J&K Law Department, which in turn would take the issue to the Cabinet, followed by a communication to the Governor for summoning the Assembly.

J&K Law Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Mir said there was a possibility of conducting the session in August.

“The Assembly session has to be conducted before September and I think it will be held in August,” Mir told The Tribune.

Samba, July 21
Two persons, including a student, died instantly and five others were injured in a road accident at Kamala Morh in Vijaypur here today.

A police officer said two passengers were killed while five others were seriously injured when a passenger auto overturned near Kamala Morh in Vijaypur.

The vehicle was on its way to Abtal from Vijaypur.

The police with the help of locals shifted the injured to Accidental Hospital, Vijaypur, where two persons were declared dead by the doctors.

Three seriously injured passengers were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, by local doctors after providing them first aid.

The slain persons have been identified as Romi Choudhary of Chak Balotra in Vijaypur and Ashok Kumar of Chataka Chak in Vijaypur.

The injured have been identified as Sahil Choudhary, a resident of Chataka Chak, Ankush Kumar, a resident of Vijaypur, Ritu devi, a resident of Chak Balotra, Sapna Devi, a resident of Mehrajpur, and Ritu Thapa, a resident of Vijaypur.

The driver of the auto fled from the spot. The police have registered a case and started investigation.

Jammu, July 21
Exhorting party workers to expose failures of the National Conference (NC)-led coalition regime among the masses, vice-president of the youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rajender Manhas said today that the performance of the state government in five years was a big zero and the regime had nothing to exhibit in the name of its achievements.

Addressing a function to welcome a number of youth from the Bishnah area, who joined the PDP here today, Manhas said the performance of the state government appeared only on the papers. “During the last five years, this regime has done nothing to solve problems of the people,” he said, adding, “Not even a single achievement goes to the credit of this government during its five-year tenure.”

Manhas observed that in its tenure, the regime has systematically kept youth away from employment.

Jammu, July 21
The J&K State Women Development Corporation (WDC) organised an awareness camp at Valmiki Colony, Gandhi Nagar.

About 120 women, including ward pradhan Jang Bahadur, Neelam and Kiran, attended the camp and were informed about Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) for their uplift.

In charge Development Officer Nasreen Gull in her address explained benefits of schemes and stressed upon women to take advantage of the state/Centrally sponsored schemes and establish their own income generation units by loans available at nominal interest rates and become self-reliant.

The representative of the Primary Health Centre said all women should be aware of healthcare in particular during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. The field supervisor told women to become self-reliant by taking help of government beneficial schemes as the JKWDC provides loan on nominal rate of interest. — TNS

Srinagar, July 21
Two persons drowned in separate incidents in north Kashmir, the police said today. Imtiyaz Ahmad Gunjal of Nagranar area of Handwara in Kupwara district drowned while bathing in an artificial dam, a police spokesman said. Gunjal’s body was fished out from the dam and handed over to his relatives.

In another similar incident, Mustafa Lone of Churwan area of Gurez in Bandipora district slipped into the Kishen Ganga river and drowned, the spokesman said.