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Jammu & Kashmir Votes 2014
PDP to release manifesto today
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Candidates make last-ditch efforts to woo electorate
Constituency watch: Nubra
Politics over firing at Congress candidate’s residence turns murkier
BJP trying to sweeten anti-J&K agenda to deceit people, says Omar
On the frontline
Anupam Kher to campaign for newly formed JKPRP today
AAP not to contest elections
Congress vows to constitute minority panel
Family of ‘kidnapped’ girl alleges police inaction
Book released on struggle of Gujjars, Bakarwals during militancy
Rogi Kalyan Samiti fails to complete annual audit report
Sajjad woos migrant Pandits, promises them dignified return
Mehbooba asks Modi to get facts on J&K right
HC notice to 97 schools for charging Sept, Oct fee
Guv wants all facilities at Kakriyal multispeciality hospital in time
75 % water schemes non-functional in four districts, says Central report
BJP lodges complaint with EC against SMC
Release pending DA instalments: NMC
Cleanliness drive, dispensaries priorities, says BJP candidate
Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir valley, Kargil shivers at -10 °C
Jammu Military Hospital awarded
Cong election office in Indra Nagar
Industries’ assn elects office-bearers
Inter-school football tourney semi-finals today
Cable TV channel sealed JKLF leader accuses cops of detaining father Students protest absence of toilets Seminar held on sports injuries
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New govt to be saddled with battered economy
Jammu, November 23 The growth rate, at present, is 6.6 per cent. But due to weak fiscal position and separatist insurgency, the state is falling behind in various sectors. Jammu and Kashmir, which is highly dependent on the Central funds and grants for development, has even stopped investment flow in manufacturing and industry. “To tap the economic potential of the state, the government needs focused politico-economic strategies,” said former J&K Bank chairman and economist Haseeb Drabu. The new government will need to put in concerted efforts towards rehabilitation of 12.5 lakh flood-hit families and rebuilding of the damaged public and private infrastructure of various sectors, including health, power, agriculture and roads. Economic Advisor to J&K Jalil Ahmed Khan said massive devastation caused by the floods would pose a challenge to the planners. “We are focusing on rebuilding the infrastructure and rehabilitation of the people. That is important if the economy has to be put on the path of recovery.” Fiscal deficit on rise
Despite several measures to boost the revenue recovery, J&K was facing a deficit of Rs 2,975 crore for the 2012-13 fiscal, exposing the perilous economic situation of the special category state which is financially dependent on New Delhi for running even the basic social schemes. As per the 13th Finance Commission and the Amended Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act-2006, J&K had to maintain the fiscal deficit at 4.7 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product, but it failed to achieve the target during both 2011-12 and 2012-13. The fiscal deficit remained 5.9 per cent even after deferring the payment of about Rs 3, 368 crore on account of revision of pay and pension following the Sixth Pay Commission. The tax and non-tax revenue constitutes only 30.49 per cent of the revenue receipts of the state and despite steps taken in the last decade, the deficit has been increasing each year. Low on energy
The state scored the lowest in energy management efficiency with only 35.94 per cent of energy output realised during the 2012-13 fiscal. The remaining was lost in transmission and distribution. About 21 power projects on the Chenab, Ravi and Indus rivers, operated by J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited, are not following the standard operating manual necessary for energy accounting. The transmission and distribution losses are 57.40 per cent while the aggregate loss is up to 64.06 per cent. Since 2010, the transmission and distribution loses have come down by just 4 per cent while the aggregate technical and commercial losses have reduced by 9 per cent. A Central report has underlined that a lot needs to be done to reach the nationally accepted percentage. While the power production has not increased much, the energy demand during the 11th Plan period has grown at an annual rate of 5-6 per cent. To meet the growing demand, the department has enforced power cuts across the state. Lakhs face water shortage
Nearly 75 per cent of the Centrally-sponsored drinking water supply schemes in J&K are yet to complete, exposing the inefficiency of the government over spending massive funds received in the last four years. Lack of planning, corruption and inefficiency at various levels have kept lakhs of people from the direct benefit of safe drinking water. Nearly 5,150 habitations in the state are without safe drinking water, exposing thousands of lives to water-borne diseases. Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, of the 2,107 schemes taken up between 2009 and 2013, 1,405 schemes remain incomplete. Foodgrain shortfall
The state’s total foodgrain production is about 18 lakh metric tonne against the required 23 lakh metric tonne. Thousands of families living in Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Warwan, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda in the Jammu region and Kupwara, Handwara, Anantnag in Kashmir valley have been facing shortage of ration. The state gets 63,067 metric tonne of ration from the Central pool against the total requirement of 79,567 metric tonne per month. The agricultural land is shrinking fast and has been reduced to 7 lakh hectares against 10 lakh hectares in 1995-96. Of the state’s total land area of 24.16 lakh hectares, 10 lakh hectares were under agriculture production during 1995-96. It has been reduced to just around 7 lakh hectares in 2013. Education score poor
Jammu and Kashmir is the least literate among the northern states and the spending on education has declined from 11.6 per cent to 10.5 per cent. The state has the sixth lowest literacy rate in India at 69 per cent. The dropout rate is 44 per cent. Majority of new degree colleges are functioning from temporary accommodations. Infrastructural deficiencies and 11,000 vacant posts of lecturer and teacher remain a challenge. Ailing health sector
Red-tapism hits tourism projects
Need for a road map
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Candidates make last-ditch efforts to woo electorate
Srinagar, November 23 A total of 123 candidates, including seven ministers, eight former ministers and legislators, are in the fray in the first phase. As many as 39 Independent candidates are contesting the elections. The political parties held rallies, door-to-door meetings, corner meetings and indoor meetings to reach out to the voters. “On the last day of campaigning, our candidates held various meeting in Bandipora and Ganderbal districts to persuade people to vote for the party,” said Peoples Democratic Party chief spokesman Naeem Akthar. Congress candidate from Bandipora Usman Majeed held a corner meeting during the day in the district. Congress leader Imran Kidwai held a rally for the party candidate in Ganderbal district. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also held rallies in the Banihal, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar Assembly constituencies, going to the polls in the first phase. The ruling National Conference candidates also made last-minute efforts to woo voters in the constituencies going to the polls on Tuesday. 2 polling stations relocated
Two polling stations, Nillgrath and Sonamarg of the Kangan Assembly constituency in Ganderbal district, have been relocated to the fisheries hut, Zairpora in Rezan. The relocation has been done as the people of the area have migrated due to inclement weather, the District Election Officer of Ganderbal said. All set for big day
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PDP to release manifesto today
Srinagar, November 23 While the Congress released its poll manifesto on Sunday in Jammu, the NC is likely to unveil its manifesto in couple of days. The BJP is also expected to release its manifesto this week. “The election manifesto will be released tomorrow at the Fair View Gupkar, the official residence of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” said PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akthar. The PDP, for the first time, is trying to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own. It will be interesting to see how the party handles the sensitive issues, including the “self-rule”, Article 370 and resolution of the Kashmir issue, in their manifesto. Sources said, the PDP manifesto is likely to seek demilitarisation and withdrawal of troops from the civilian areas, besides revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The PDP had constituted a nine-member manifesto committee headed by Lok Sabha MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig in July this year. The committee was tasked to prepare a draft manifesto for approval after consultations. Other members of the committee include Member of Parliament Tariq Hameed Kara, S Rangeel Singh, Haseeb Drabu, Rafeeq Hussain Khan, AR Veeri, Altaf Bukhari, Naeem Akhtar, Zaffar Manhas and Firdous Tak. Naeem Akthar said there was a delay in releasing the manifesto as the party was busy talking to all the stakeholders for compiling the poll agenda. “The compiling of party manifesto was delayed due to floods. We also had to take all the stakeholders on board to compile the poll agenda,” Akhtar said. Couple of days ago, the Awami Mutahida Mahaz, an amalgam of small political outfits in the state, had released its election manifesto. Party programme
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Seat with least voters sees four-cornered fight
Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 23 In Nubra, six candidates are in the fray, but the fight is expected to be four-cornered among sitting NC MLA Tsetan Namgayal, Stanzin Delik (BJP), Tashi Gyalson (PDP) and Deldan Namgail (Congress). The polling for the seat will be held on November 25, the first phase of the Assembly elections in the state. However, Independent candidates have always thrown surprise in the Nubra seat, which has the lowest number of electorates among all 87 Assembly constituencies of the seat. The seat, with the biggest segment in terms of area, has the lowest electorate of 13,053 voters comprising 6,570 male voters and 6,483 female voters. In 2008 Assembly polls, Tsetan Namgyal, an Independent candidate had defeated his rival from Congress Tsewang Rigzin with a margin of 930 votes while another Independent candidate, Sonam Wangchuk Narboo, was declared elected unopposed in the 2002 Assembly polls. In 1996 Assembly elections, Tsetan Namgyal of the National Conference had defeated his rival Stanzin Tundip of the Congress with a narrow margin of just 83 votes. In 2008, Namgayal had won the seat as an Independent, but later joined the National Conference. The Nubra Assembly seat that belongs to the Ladakh parliamentary constituency also holds a strategic importance as it shares borders with two neighbouring countries, China and Pakistan. What has made the contest more interesting is that the Leh Buddhist Association (LBA), a religious body in Leh which holds sway over Buddhist votes in the entire district, including the Nubra Assembly segment, has decided not to back any party. The total number of voters is either less than 100 or 100.
Legislatorspeak
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Tsetan Namgyal, nc Oppositionspeak
The people of the constituency are not happy with the approach of the sitting MLA. His development activities remained confined to certain pockets, while the poor people have been neglected. He failed to take up tourism projects as he utilised only Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for development activities and did not convince the state government for more funding in the constituency. We have been getting good response from the public and hopeful of winning the seat
comfortably. — Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, bjp |
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Politics over firing at Congress candidate’s residence turns murkier
Jammu, November 23 The police, however, have arrested accused Nitin Sharma, alias Sharru, under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of the RPC and Sections 3/25 of the Arms Act. Sharru is the son of PDP candidate from the Kathua constituency Subash Sharma, while the Congress has fielded former minister and senior leader Babu Singh from the seat. Both the families are neighbours and share a common boundary wall in Kathua, ward number 1 of Kathua town. “Babu Singh and his supporters entered our residence and misbehaved with women. They damaged the property and threatened the family members of dire consequences. We lodged a complaint with the police, but no action was initiated against the accused. Our supporters will come on roads if the police did not take action against the culprits within 12 hours,” Subash Sharma told mediapersons in Kathua today. He was flanked by his father Mangat Ram Sharma, district president PDP Gurprasad Verma and other senior functionaries of the party. Subash Sharma along with his father had recently shifted the loyalties from the Congress to the PDP and was given the ticket from the Kathua Assembly seat. Meanwhile, Babu Singh, who was a MoS in the PDP-Congress coalition from 2002-2008, expressed his displeasure over the incident and accused the PDP candidate of resorting to “cheap politics”. Singh while addressing a series of election-related public meetings in the constituency said the PDP should refrain from such incidents in future saying it was “a reflection of sheer frustration” in the PDP camp. He alleged that the accused made a murderous attack on his brother Satinder Singh and abused the women inside the house. Around 9.30 pm last night, Nitin Sharma allegedly entered the residence of the Congress candidate and had a verbal spat with the latter’s brother. He also opened some rounds of fire. Later, the police arrested Nitin Sharma and seized the weapon. The Congress workers had also staged a protest after the incident. Meanwhile, JKPCC spokesman YV Sharma condemned the “distortedly act” of unprovoked firing at the residence of the Congress candidate by the son of PDP candidate from Kathua constituency. The Congress spokesman termed the incident “most unfortunate”, especially because Nitin Sharma is the grandson of Mangat Ram Sharma and son of the PDP candidate fighting election against the Congress candidate. He felt the frustration of “disgruntled elements” were compelling to vitiate the democratic process and appealed to all political parties to keep their flock under restrain and fight elections on the basis of their achievements and merit. |
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BJP trying to sweeten anti-J&K agenda to deceit people, says Omar
Jammu, November 23 “The BJP is totally confused how to sell its known anti-Jammu and Kashmir policy in the state and as such indulges in making contradictory statements and misleading people by misrepresenting facts,” Omar said while addressing political rallies in parts of Kishtwar and Doda districts. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are well-versed with the divisive, sectarian and regional bias nurtured by the BJP since its inception,” Omar said while cautioning people against getting “astray” by the BJP’s tactical strategy. Nearly six months ago the BJP fought parliamentary elections in Jammu on the abrogation of Article 370 and its policy of “one flag, one constitution and one president (Eak nishan, eak vidaan, eak pradhaan)” and today BJP leaders are saying these are not the issues they were fighting for in the state election, Omar said. “This is only to fool people for vote bank politics.” “Their anti-government and anti-NC propaganda is nothing but a poll plank to make inroads into the secular and pluralistic ethos of the state,” the NC leader said. He said the National Conference represented the aspirations of people of all the regions, sub-regions and all sections of society and it did not require any certificate from the BJP or any other political party on this count. Omar said the BJP and the Peoples Democratic Party cannot belittle the “historic and path-breaking” achievements of the NC-led government in empowering common people. He criticised the PDP for its “deceitful policies” and “trading interests” of Jammu and Kashmir for personal ends. The Chief Minister alleged the PDP nurtured corruption, nepotism and misappropriation of public money during its tenure. “The PDP, in order to quench its thirst for power, tried to utilise all opportunities and mislead people by its known propagandists approach, falsehood and sloganeering,” Omar said. |
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Omar Abdullah struggling to retain his turf
Arun Joshi The veil of fear is gone. The state Assembly elections 2014 are neither about bringing peace to the state – it is already there, barring negligible incidents of violence in parts of south Kashmir and occasional tension on borders —- nor are they about the political resolution of Kashmir. This time around the boycott call will have less effect. If the voters will choose to stay indoors, it will be because of their disillusionment with the political system that has made them believe that nothing changes. Those who will queue up before the polling booth will do so because of personal reasons, ranging from loyalty to the party to hoping against hope that something might come out better through the ballot in 2014. Omar Abdullah, the man gifted with extraordinary intelligence and unique understanding of the issues confronting this complex state, is struggling to retain his turf because he was indecisive when he should have been decisive. He had the chance and the time to transform J&K into a model state. Had he acted as his own man with precision and decisiveness, today J&K would have become a modern state, a land of opportunities and he would have been sitting pretty with a second consecutive term in his lap. Two opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators had visited him in his early days as Chief Minister. He listened to them, took notes, and offered them a cup of tea. And, the courteous man that he is, he politely but firmly assured that he would act on their demands. That was Omar Abdullah, who sincerely believed that he had to do something for his people. The PDP MLAs said, “Omar is the best thing to happen to the state,” but soon after they realised that they were wrong because the Chief Minister had shut his doors. At the moment, the state is unstable. Regionalism on rise
The problem today is that regionalism and communalism are on the rise. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is gasping for development and reeling under corruption because Omar condoned corruption, and there is a complete collapse of institutions because he thought that indecision was the best decision. The Assembly lost its relevance and the less said the better about the other institutions as well. When he should have been focusing on “sadak,
bijli, pani”, the thrust areas of his 2008 election campaign, he veered. He takes misplaced pride in the fact that he raised the issue of political solution of Kashmir before the Prime Minister in October 2009 and, a year later, he challenged the accession of the state to India on the floor of the Assembly. Stability at stake
The BJP as a political party has every right to make its presence felt in Kashmir, and the PDP, which is a major opposition party as of today, has the inherent right to expose the things that went wrong. The Congress should not be complaining about anything because it was party to all the good or bad things that happened to the state in the past six years. It may be too late in the day for Omar to change the course in his favour, but he should realise that 2014 is not the end of the road. He is just 44. Someone has to anchor stability of the state, where people will find that the communal and regional fissures are not allowed to hurt the unity of the state. The Kashmir solution is a must, but there should be a road map for that. Since there is no universally acceptable roadmap, Omar should set a new discourse. It may be anyone’s government after December 23 (when the results will be out), but Omar will be a factor if he chooses to be one. |
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Anupam Kher to campaign for newly formed JKPRP today
Srinagar, November 23 The JKPRP said Kher had promised to make Kashmir a ‘destination for new Bollywood actors’. “He (Kher) also is a staunch supporter of development and economic well-being of the people of the state. He has agreed to be a part of an election campaign of the J&K People’s Republican Party as a commitment to end the exploitative
and power politics in the state. The JKPRP welcomes the support extended by Bollywood,” the statement said. Kher will be the second Bollywood actor to visit the Valley to campaign for a party ahead of the elections. Veteran actor Raj Babbar was seen campaigning for the Congress last week. Popular local actor Nazir Josh (Ahad Raza) will also address the JKPRP rally. |
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AAP not to contest elections
Srinagar, November 23 However, the AAP was seen actively campaigning in the Valley during the recent parliamentary polls. The party had unsuccessfully contested from the Srinagar and Anantnag constituencies. Bhat said the party workers would instead work towards the rehabilitation of the flood affected that was their priority. “We are here to work for the people. Contesting the elections is not a priority. The AAP is the only political party in the country whose 27 MLAs donated Rs 20 lakh each from their MLA Constituency Development fund and four MPs donated Rs 15 lakh each from their MPLAD fund,” he said. |
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Congress vows to constitute minority panel
Jammu, November 23 The only new thing in the document is the promise of constituting the Minority Commission in the state. “The Congress remains fully committed to comprehensive devolution of power to all three regions of the state so that people will be free to realise their full potential,” the document said, adding, “When elected to serve, the party will constitute two fully empowered Regional Councils, one each for Jammu and Kashmir. Also, separate Development Councils operating under the umbrella of the Regional Councils, for the China valley and the Pir Panjal valley, will be set up.” |
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Family of ‘kidnapped’ girl alleges police inaction
Jammu, November 23 All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) chairman Vinod Pandit alleged that the police was not doing enough to recover the missing girl and the family members of the boy know where the girl had been kept. “The police are being misled by the boy’s parents saying she has married their son and efforts have been made to convert her,” Pandit said. While lashing out at the administration, APMCC spokesperson King Bharati said it was strange that a young girl was missing for the last so many days and the police was still groping in the dark. “We firmly believe that it was being done with some ulterior motive to force the girl to convert or marry under pressure,” he alleged. Advocate Arun Kandroo said if all was well why the girl was not being produced before the magistrate and the parents so that the actual position comes to the fore. |
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Book released on struggle of Gujjars, Bakarwals during militancy
Jammu, November 23 The book entitled “Gujjars and Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir- In the Shadows of Conflict” is an effort to narrate the trials and tribulations of Gujjars and Bakarwals during the period of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. The two authors of the book are Kavita Suri, Associate Professor, Department of Lifelong Learning, Jammu University and Deepshikha Hooda, alumni of Asian College of Journalism and Cardiff University. Speaking at the function, Professor Sharma complimented both the authors for writing the book on an important theme, as conflict was often overlooked when talking about these tribes. He added that the book was an impressive venture as it was difficult to
conduct research-based on primary sources, essentially interviews and interactions. He also commented that the University of Jammu, which was opening up Gojri Research Centre in its Poonch campus, would now have a rich reference due to this book. Lt General KH Singh in his address said that the Army had been interacting with these tribes for long time but there was need to understand more about them. He added that this book could be insightful for those wishing to understand the tribes better, including the Army and could even help the security forces in dealing with these communities better. Speaking to the audience, K Rajendra said his experience in the state with members of these tribes had shown him their reliability and stated that they had contributed greatly in countering militancy in the region. The event also included a detailed review of the book by Mahesh Kaul, a well-known columnist. He explained how the Gujjars and Bakkarwals form an integral part of the state and had a key role to play in the national security debate. He also cited that this was the first attempt at highlighting the impact of militancy on their lives. Another prominent Gujjar activist Javaid Rahi, chief editor, Gojri, J&K Cultural Academy, shared his views on the strength of the community and urged the audience to ensure they were rightly acknowledged for their efforts during the insurgency. The two authors of the book also spoke about their experiences while working on the book. The authors also acknowledged the contribution of SN Acharya, photo officer, Ministry of Defence, for providing a great collection of photographs for the book. The publisher of the book, Sanjay Arya, of Shubhi Publications, New Delhi, was present at the release and expressed interest in publishing more works on Jammu and Kashmir. Those who were present on the occasion included Lt General DS Hooda, GoC-in-C, Northen Command, Kuldeep Khoda, Chief Vigilance Commissioner, J&K, Ashok Bhan, former DGP, J&K, MM Khajooria, former DGP, Prof Zahuruddin, former registrar, Jammu University, Jitendra Udhampuri, Padamshri and CM Seth, former chairman, J&K Pollution Control Board. |
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Rogi Kalyan Samiti fails to complete annual audit report
Jammu, November 23 It was informed that the District Health Society, Samba, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kargil and Kupwara were yet to audit Rogi Kalyan
Samiti accounts for the financial year 2012-13 and 2013-14. This was revealed at the recently held meeting of the state-level audit committee under the chairmanship of Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department. Sources said these district health societies had been asked to submit the audit report along with duly signed utilisation certificates to the State Health Society, Jammu & Kashmir, as early as possible. The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) / Hospital Management Society is a management structure that acts as a group of trustees for the hospitals to manage the affairs of the hospital. Financial assistance is provided to these
committees through untied fund to under-take activities for patient welfare. The National Rural Health Mission is providing health care contractors to underserved areas and has been involved in training to expand the skill set of doctors at strategically located facilities identified by the state. Similarly, due importance is given to capacity-building of nursing staff and auxiliary workers. The sources added that the crucial meeting started with a brief introduction of the audit procedure in the state health society and district health societies by the statutory/concurrent auditors and steps taken during the last two years to improve the financial and accounting system. Thereafter, status of the statutory audit for the financial year 2013-14 and key findings of Concurrent Audit Report of 4th quarter 2013-14 of the
district health societies/state health society were discussed. “The state health society shall ensure that the financial guidelines/codal formalities are adhered to by all the drawing and disbursing officers and shall report the names of drawing and disbursing officers, who are not adhering to the codal
formalities, against whom the department shall proceed administratively by divesting him/her of DDO powers,” a statement said. |
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Sajjad woos migrant Pandits, promises them dignified return
Jammu, November 23 Although Sajjad was not available for comment after his interaction with the community, Pandits were satisfied with their meeting as the ex-separatist leader has promised to solve their problems. On the one hand, Sajjad has enhanced his acceptability among Kashmiri Pandits after his meeting with the Prime Minister and on the other hand, he tried to invoke his late father, Abdul Gani Lone, moderate separatist leader, to mobilise support for members of the displaced community in the Assembly elections. Sajjad promised to the Pandits that he would carry forward the legacy of his father, for whom the community has high regard. Chuni Lal Raina, a migrant Pandit from the Handwara Assembly constituency from where Sajjad is contesting, told The Tribune that the Pandits had decided to wholeheartedly support Lone for his moderate approach. Raina said the Kashmiri Pandits were a deciding factor in the Handwara segment so their support was crucial. “There are nearly 3,500 registered Kashmiri Pandits votes in the Handwara Assembly segment,” he said and it was all due to Abdul Gani Lone’s moderate approach that the Kashmiri Pandits had decided to support Sajjad this time. Sajjad, while interacting with people, said the Pandits were a part and parcel of the culture of Kashmir and promised the return of the migrants to their native places with dignity and honour. He said Kashmir was incomplete without the Pandits so it was necessary to create an atmosphere for their return to strengthen the composite culture of ‘Kashmiriyat’. During the meeting, PC leader said his aim to meet Modi was to accelerate the process of peace and development in Kashmir. |
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Mehbooba asks Modi to get facts on J&K right
Srinagar, November 23 “When the Prime Minister speaks on serious matters, one would ordinarily expect him to be correct on facts whatever his opinion on different issues be. Even election time rhetoric should be restricted to decent levels. When the Prime Minister of the country speaks, he should not allow it to look ridiculous as his comments about the PDP in Kishtwar address sounded,” Mehbooba said, referring to Modi’s remarks about “Muftis being corrupt”. Stating that everybody was aware about the integrity of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, she said: “The three years that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led coalition served the state are still remembered as a reference point for good governance and political maturity, which changed the scenario not just in J&K but in the entire region.” She pointed out that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had “publically acknowledged the positive change that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had brought on the ground”. “The Prime Minister forgot that his party has had an alliance with the National Conference both at the Centre and in the state and the BJP has continued its covert relationship with the party at all crucial points, especially when its legislators voted for the victory of NC candidates (in the 2011 Legislative Council election) reportedly against monetary considerations…. If BJP legislators could sell even their vote, its leaders are in no position to sermonise on morality,” she added. |
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HC notice to 97 schools for charging Sept, Oct fee
Srinagar, November 23 Earlier on October 30, the High Court had directed private schools not to charge tuition fees and bus fare for September and October, the period during which most of the schools in flood-hit areas of Kashmir remained inundated and did not function. The court further observed that if any school has already charged for these months and money deposited by the students, that shall be adjusted by the school management for the future months. Subsequently, it had served notice to 59 schools, who were asked to present their view on the matter. Later, the court granted these 59 schools further time to present their stand regarding the matter and to explain the reasons for charging the fees from students for September and October. Now, the High Court registry has issued fresh notices to 38 schools after Amicus Curie GA Lone provided a new list this week, thus taking the total number of such educational institutions on court notice to 97 (59+38). During previous hearing on November 17, the High Court had asked the Amicus Curie to furnish a list of schools “so that notice is served upon them through the (court) registry.” Many of the 38 schools which figure in the new list provided by the amicus to High Court include Delhi Public School (DPS), Anantnag; Tibetan Public School, Badamwari, Srinagar; Iqbal Mission, Saraf Kadal, Srinagar; Shaheen Public School, Eidgah, Srinagar; Bijbehera Public School; Whiz Kids (Naibasti Anantnag); and Rozy Wits School, Anantnag. Among other schools, Delhi Public School, Srinagar, has already been directed by the High Court not to charge tuition fee as well as bus fare from students for September and October. On the other hand, many schools, including Malllison (Sheikh Bagh), Tyndale Biscoe, Burn Hall, New Era, Presentation Convent and Srinagar British, have already made a statement before the High Court that they would not charge the tuition fee and the bus fare for the two months. On High Court radar
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Guv wants all facilities at Kakriyal multispeciality hospital in time
Jammu, November 23 The Governor inspected the hospital and the under-construction residential complex adjacent to it. He was accompanied by his Principal Secretary RK Gupta and MK
Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SMVDSB, MK Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Subhash Gupta, Superintending Engineer, Vinod Gupta, Director, Medical, and other officers and engineers of the Shrine Board. The residential complex will have accommodation facilities for doctors, paramedical staff and nurses, an inn for attendants of patients and a guest house for the visiting doctors. The CEO said all these buildings would be completed by June next year, well before the commissioning of the hospital. The Governor took a round of various buildings and asked the CEO and the accompanying engineers to undertake timely landscaping of the area along with plantation of flowering bushes and other ornamental plants,
construction of internal roads and other required facilities. He directed the CEO to ensure that
future use of the entire area was harmonised with its surroundings. During a meeting at the hospital to review the positioning of its various components, the Governor was briefed by MK Bhandari about various diagnostic facilities and departments being set up on each floor. The CEO, in his presentation, informed the Governor about the micro-level planning put in place for medical equipment procurement, undertaking fire safety measures, hospital waste management, water and power supply, installation of CCTV Cameras and provision of sewage treatment plant. The Governor observed that all these facilities need to be put in place within envisaged timelines. He also discussed the modalities for a
nursing college being early set up in the hospital complex. The SMVDSB recently executed a Concession Agreement with Narayana Hrudayalaya Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, for operation of the multispeciality hospital, planned to be commissioned in October 2015. B Mohan Daas, Pankaj Sharma and Devinder Singh Bhau, Deputy CEOs, Rajinder Singh, Officer on Special Duty (Revenue), Rajan Gupta, Executive Engineer of the Shrine Board, and Gourav Misra, Project Manager, Narayana Hrudayalaya, were present. |
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75 % water schemes non-functional in four districts, says Central report
Jammu, November 23 The team visited 12 districts, 34 blocks and 120 villages of J&K in phase-I. The survey further said hand pumps were functional in only 54 per cent of the visited villages. Symptoms of water-borne disease such as frequent cases of loose motions, diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid were reported in 6 per cent of the villages visited. The survey said though the field testing kits were made available at the gram panchayat level to be used for primary detection of chemical and biological contamination of all drinking water sources but the kit was available in only 10 per cent of the visited villages. It added that of the 120 villages visited by the Union Ministry team, in none of the villages, the operations and maintenance cost of the water supply scheme was being provided by the village water and sanitation committee. The Water Supply Department/Physical Health Engineering Department is bearing the cost in 97 per cent of the villages. In 38 per cent of the villages, quality testing is done in laboratories. “Adoption of appropriate technology, revival of traditional systems, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, conservation, rainwater harvesting and recharging of drinking water sources have been emphasised in 78 per cent of the sample villages,” the survey said. The rural drinking water supply sector started in 1972-73 with the launch of the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme by the Centre. The second generation programme was launched in 1991-92 as the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission. With the involvement of community in planning, implementation and management of drinking water supply schemes, the sector reform projects came up in 1999-2000 as third generation programme which later turned to Swajaldhara 2002. To ensure sustainability of water availability in terms of potability, adequacy, convenience, affordability and equity with a decentralised approach, the fourth generation programme, the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, had came into force in April 1, 2009, with a vision “safe drinking water for all, at all times in rural areas”. |
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BJP lodges complaint with EC against SMC
Srinagar, November 23 “I want to bring to your kind attention a serious problem which is created by the SMC commissioner regarding permission of hoardings and other election related materials,” the complaint to the ECI said. The complaint said hoardings and election-related material of the ruling party were visible everywhere in the city. “It is a humble request to look into the matter and take serious note of that,” the in charge of the Election Grievance Cell said. The SMC Commissioner, however, said he had nothing to do with granting permission for installing the hoardings in the city. “It is my Chief Revenue Officer, who issues permissions. I had received their letter and have forwarded it to the officer,” Qasba said. Chief Revenue Officer, SMC, Nissar Ahmed, said the BJP had applied for the permission to install the hoardings and the letter was marked six days back by the Commissioner. “Since then they (BJP officials) did not turn up at the office to do the necessary formalities which include depositing of fee. I personally called them to complete the formalities, but they never came to the office,” Ahmed said. The BJP is planning to install big hoardings with pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kashmir as part of the party’s campaign to woo votes on Modi’s development agenda. Allegations and counter-allegations The Srinagar Municipal Corporation commissioner has been creating hurdles regarding permission to put up hoardings and other election related material of the BJP. However, hoardings of the ruling party are visible in the entire
city. My Chief Revenue Officer issues permissions for putting up hoardings. I had received the BJP’s letter and forwarded it to the
officer. The BJP had applied for permission to install hoardings and the letter was marked six days back by the Commissioner. Since then the BJP officials did not turn up at the office to do the necessary formalities which include depositing of fee.
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Release pending DA instalments: NMC
Jammu November 23 Subash Shastri, president, NMC, said in 2009, the state government had given approval on communication of then Chief Electoral Officer after which 7% DA was released. Now the state government should not take the model code of conduct as an excuse to not release DA instalments in favour of 4.5 lakh employees and 1 lakh pensioners, he added. He said in view of the in-built provisions in the annual budget, there should not be any hitch for the state government in releasing these instalments of DA to its employees and pensioners, more so when almost all state governments except Jammu & Kashmir had already released the DA instalments, there was no justification on the part of the state government to delay it. He hoped that the state government should take positive decision in this regard and release both instalments of DA at the earliest, so that salaried class and pensioners get relief in view of the increase in prices of essential commodities. Those who spoke on the occasion included Rajan Babu Khajuria, Sunil Kochhar, Surrinder Kumar, Darshan Lal, Bhopinder Singh, Barkat Ram, Sudesh Kumar, Parmjit, Vijay Kumar, Sukhdev Singh, Karan Singh and Ravinder Kumar. |
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Cleanliness drive, dispensaries priorities, says BJP candidate
Jammu, November 23 Addressing the meeting, Sharma said the enthusiasm among the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the Prime Minister had shown that public wanted a change in the state and this time they would definitely vote for development in the state. He also urged the masses to vote for the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls so that a stable government could be formed in the state. He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation had excelled to great heights in just a stipulated period of time and it would definitely reach the heights of development in Jammu and Kashmir as well if the public of the state gives a chance to the BJP of forming a government with full majority. He also blamed the NC-Congress coalition government in the state for the sufferings of the common masses. Ayodhya Gupta, mandal president, Talab Tillo, Kuldeep Magotra, state convener, BJP, Cow Development Cell, Shilpi Verma, Sat Pal Singh, Lovekesh Gondi and others were also present on the occasion. |
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Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir valley, Kargil shivers at -10 °C
Srinagar, November 23 The city had witnessed the same temperature on Friday when it registered the coldest night of the season. The mercury in the tourist resort of Pahalgam, which serves as a base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra, dropped by a degree to -4.2 °C, the spokesperson said. Qazigund, in south Kashmir, recorded a low of -2.3 °C, a drop of almost one degree from the last night's -1.4 °C, he said. The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg registered a low of -1.4 °C. The minimum in Kokernag, in south Kashmir, settled at -0.1 °C, while Kupwara in north registered a low of - 2.4 °C. The mercury in Leh recorded a low of -9.3°C, a drop of over two degrees, while Kargil registered a low of -10 °C, making it the coldest place in the state. — PTI |
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Jammu Military Hospital awarded
Jammu, November 23 The hospital has witnessed and actively participated in 1971 War and has always responded actively whenever militant attacks have taken place at Jammu. The hospital had also been an active participant during the Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2002. It acts as a referral hospital for patients of
Poonch, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Samba. The hospital also provides cover as garrison hospital for troops and families of the Army, the Air Force and the General Reserve Engineer Force located in and around Jammu and
Nagrota. Recently, the hospital played an active role in the Operation Megh
Rahat. |
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Cong election office in Indra Nagar
Jammu, November
23 Speaking on the occasion, Bhagat said for the integrated development of the constituency, people should vote for the Congress and make her win so that she could get the opportunity to represent them in the legislature. She thanked people of Indra Nagar for the love and support provided to her. She added that she expected the same from them in the upcoming elections also. While addressing the gathering on the occasion, Uday Bhanu Chib added the youth and students were with her and they would try their level best to make her win in the elections.
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Industries’ assn elects office-bearers
Srinagar, November 23 Similarly, Bashir Ahmad
Beigh, Tariq Rashid Ghani, Haseeb Renzu and Showkat Hussain were elected junior vice-president, secretary general, joint secretary general and treasurer, respectively. The CCIK also elected its executive committee members that include Abdul Majeed
Chaku, Asif Iqbal Burza, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Hamid Mufti, M Afzal Bulbul, M Anwar
Ashai, Naseer Ahmad, Ritu Kapoor, Riyaz Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad Shahdad, Shiekh
Imran, Urfi Mustaf Shountu, Waseem Ahmad Tramboo and Jameel Naqash. Special invitees that attended the AGM included Mustaq Ahmad
Chaya, Chairman J&K Hoteliers Club, and Jan Mohammad Koul, Chairman Traders Federation, among others.
— TNS |
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Inter-school football tourney semi-finals today
Srinagar, November 23 In the first match between Burn Hall School and Shining Moon P School,
Eidgah, full-time ended with 1:1 goal draw. In the tie-breaker, Burn Hall school won by 3:2. With this win, Burn Hall School qualified for semi-final against Greenland School to be played tomorrow. In the second match, in a tough fight between Tyndale Biscoe and Elleen Convent,
Chanpora, Tyndale Biscoe won the match by performing one goal in the match which was hit by their player Moin
Altaf. The semi-finals of the tournament will be held tomorrow. The first match will be played between Burn Hall School and Green Land School, while the second match will be played between Tyndale Biscoe School and Algazali School,
Chanpora. |
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On the last day of campaigning for the first phase of elections, candidates of various political parties left no stone unturned to woo voters.
Fifteen Assembly constituencies in J&K are going to the polls in the first phase on November 25.
over selling its real political ideology and the contradictory statements made by its leaders suggest that the party wants to “sweeten its poisonous political agenda to deceit people”.
As the campaign for the first phase of Assembly elections ended this evening, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad along with Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz released the election manifesto. In the 38-page document, the Congress repeated the promises which the party had made to the people of J&K in the 2002 and 2008 Assembly elections.
Family members of a girl, who is missing for the last one week, today alleged that she was kidnapped by a youth, but the police was not doing enough to recover her.
They held a protest and blocked the Tawi bridge for more than 30 minutes which led to a minor scuffle between the police and the protesters.
A new book on Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes was released here today.
Former separatist leader and Peoples Conference (PC) chairman Sajjad Lone is all out to woo the Kashmiri Pandit
(KPs) community living in the Jammu region.
Sajjad interacted with members of the displaced community today at the Bohri area on the outskirts of Jammu city. The dialogue was held in a conducive and cordial atmosphere.
Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
(SMVDSB), visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) at Kakriyal and reviewed the to-date status of various works for the upcoming multispecialty hospital.
The Jammu Military Hospital was today awarded the best Zonal Military Hospital trophy.
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda awarded the trophy to Brigadier MM
Harjai, Commandant, Military Hospital Jammu, during a function in Udhampur.
Jammu and Kashmir is still short of 1,757 health institutions, leaving lakhs of people from the ambit of the health delivery system. Health spending has dipped from 5.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent. There is a total requirement of 4,747 health institutions, including district hospitals, community health centers, primary health centers and health sub-centers. The state has only 2,990 health institutions thus falling short of 1,757 at various levels.
Despite hostile weather conditions and short working period, I have been able to fulfil nearly 70 per cent of promises which I made to the people during the last Assembly elections. I am confidant that people will vote for me in view of development activities undertaken by me. Apart from development of roads, upgrade of health centres and schools, we granted new administrative units. The people judge a candidate purely on the basis of merit. There is no Modi wave in any part of Ladakh and the BJP will not be able to win even a single seat. ~