J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Board for disabled set up
SRINAGAR, July 5 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has recently constituted a medical board at the district level to grant disability certificates. An order to this effect was issued by the Social Welfare Department nearly two weeks before a disability camp began at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here on June 28. The camp was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Social Welfare Department of the state.

Pilot, ITBP official killed in helicopter crash
CHANDIGARH, July 5 — An Assistant Commandant of the ITBP and a pilot of the IAF died when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the forward area of Leh-Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday.

18210 hectares to be covered under IWDP in valley
SRINAGAR, July 5 — More than 18,210 hectares of agricultural and forest land would be covered under the Integrated Watershed Development Project (IWDP) Hills-II in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 60.60 crore during the current financial year.

4 securitymen shot in encounter

SRINAGAR, July 5 (UNI) — Four security personnel and two militants were killed in a nightlong encounter at Maidana Top. Elsewhere in the state, five militants and an special police officer were killed since yesterday.

An official spokesman said an encounter ensued between militants and security forces at Maidana Top last night during a search operation.

During the nightlong clash two dreaded militants and four securitymen were killed. At the site 20 grenades, 15 kg of RDX, a pistol and a wireless set were found.

Pakistani troops fired from across the border in Akhnoor sector at military and civilian installations.

A 12-year-old girl was seriously wounded in the firing. She was immediately shifted to sub-district hospital in Akhnoor where her condition was reported to be critical.

Indian troops retaliated.

Militants fired upon a patrol party at Pathrara last night, causing injuries to three security personnel. Forces also retaliated and killed one militant. a rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds, four grenades and a wireless set were seized.

Forces shot and killed two militants at Dandi Dhara sector last night during a search operation. Some arms and ammunition were also seized.

The spokesman said militants shot at and critically wounded two counter-insurgents Nisar Ahmad Dar and Mohammad Maqbool at Seingam Kulgam in south Kashmir this afternoon. 

Board for disabled set up
From Tripti Nath
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 5 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has recently constituted a medical board at the district level to grant disability certificates. An order to this effect was issued by the Social Welfare Department nearly two weeks before a disability camp began at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here on June 28. The camp was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Social Welfare Department of the state.

Sources in the Social Welfare Department said the board would grant disability certificates to persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir, Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1998.

According to the order, the Chief Medical Officer would act as the district convener. The board would also have two medical specialists nominated by the Director, Health Services (with at least one specialist from the field of the impairment concerned).

Mr S.D. Singh, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, told The Tribune that disability certificates help the disabled get concessions and loans under various schemes. It also helps them seek reservations in job.

Mr S.D. Singh agreed that there had been a delay in setting up the board in the state. Asked if disability certificates were being issued before the constitution of the board, he said, “These were being issued by a competent authority.”

He said the state government would follow the pattern in other states by having a board in all six districts.

Mr Javed Abidi, convener of the Disabled Rights Group, hailed the constitution of the board. He said most disabled persons have to make several rounds of hospitals authorised to issue such certificates. “The procedure should be smooth, simple and less bureaucratic. Getting a disability certificate is a project for the disabled in India. I find it horrifying when disabled persons come and tell me that they need a recommendation to get a certificate. A disabled person has to make several rounds to collect the form, submit it and then to appear before the board. And, if the board does not meet, he has to make another visit to the hospital,” he rued.

Mr S.C. Ranga, Director, National Institute of Physically Handicapped, Delhi, who attended the camp in Srinagar said 5,700 persons with various kinds of disabilities registered themselves for the camp. Of these, 1989 had orthopaedic/locomotor disabilities.

Pilot, ITBP official killed in helicopter crash
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — An Assistant Commandant of the ITBP and a pilot of the IAF died when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the forward area of Leh-Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday.

According to Mr A. S. Chhina, Commandant of the Transport Battalion here, Pawan Chaudhury of the 20th Battalion of the ITBP and an IAF pilot died when they were going on operational duty yesterday.

However, another pilot of the ill-fated helicopter survived the crash and was evacuated by the helicopter to the base and by an AN-32 to the Command Hospital, Chandimandir, near here.

The body of the officer which was brought by an AN-32 aircraft to the Air Force Station here, was received by Mr Chinna and senior officers of the ITBP. After a post-mortem examination, the body will be sent to his native place — Harsar village, in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. He joined the ITBP as an Assistant Commandant in 1997.

Pawan had been working in Leh-Ladakh in counter-insurgency operations since 1998. A qualified skier, Pawan is survived by his wife, Ms Annu Chaudhary. 

18210 hectares to be covered under IWDP in valley

SRINAGAR, July 5 (PTI) — More than 18,210 hectares of agricultural and forest land would be covered under the Integrated Watershed Development Project (IWDP) Hills-II in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 60.60 crore during the current financial year.

Last year, 11,155 hectares were covered under the project at the cost of Rs 25 crore, official sources said.

Sub-watersheds would be constructed in Rambieria and Rajwar in the Kashmir valley and Ramnagar and Akhnoor in Jammu division.

In the agricultural sector 840 quintals of wheat seed, 267 quintals of oats seed and 2323 quintals of fertilisers were distributed among 5155 beneficiaries during the last fiscal year.

Similarly, in the horticulture sector 1550 hectares of land were covered under orchards. As many as 2.98 lakh fruit plants were distributed among 10473 beneficiaries during the period, the sources said.

They said more than 19 lakh plants of various species were planted in the village common land and forest lands during the period.