Even critics of the security forces feel amazed when they see kids and other relations of militants, who are still active in Doda district, learning nursery rhymes. The school has been set up in Arnora village in Doda district by the Rashtriya Rifles and with the cooperation of the local people the school, Army Nursery School, has attracted a large number of kids.

Children of militants, those who have surrendered, and of those who have been affected or are victims of militancy, have been enrolled.

Children of families which have borne the brunt of subversive violence have been lodged in a hostel where they get facilities which are unknown to them in their homes. They are provided free lodging, boarding, clothing and other amenities. More than 40 children belonging to very poor families and from remote areas attend the school as day scholars.

Irrespective of caste and creed, children in the age group of four to eight study in classes from kindergarten to third standard. It has become a co-educational institution and the Rashtriya Rifles have a plan to expand the school premises and upgrade it first to the primary level and then to the high school.

Besides Doda district, the Army has taken in hand a series of activities connected with road development, renovation and rebuilding of schools, development of backward hamlets into model villages and holding medical camps for the benefit of the civilians in Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur districts.

The matter is presently under consideration of the Union Ministry for the Civil Aviation, he said.

Mr Ganai, who represented the state at the recently concluded All-India Haj Conference, said Union Minister of State for External Affairs U.V. Krishnam Raju assured him of exploring the possibility of operating direct chartered flights from Jeddah to Srinagar.

Mr Ganai told the conference that as two airlines were carrying the pilgrims, there was a problem of coordination resulting in inconvenience to pilgrims, he said.

He said in the absence of direct flights, the pilgrims of the state were put to a lot of inconvenience and reports of misplacing or loss of luggage were commonplace.

Stating that the facility of direct Haj flights had been extended to cities like Cochin, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai, Mr Ganai said it was high time that Srinagar was added to this list.

Various anti-flood measures approved included setting-up of a flood control room at the Police Lines and a sub control room in the office of the Executive Engineer, Flood Control, Kathua. Besides, five sub-control rooms would also be set-up at Panj Terithi in Billawar Tehsil, Jakhol, Makindpur, Keeria Gandyal and Kore Punnu for proper monitoring of the flood situation and to take remedial measures.

It was also decided that 15,000 empty cement bags, 10,000 cft of sand, torches and woven crates would be kept ready by the Flood Control Department. All control rooms would be equipped with wireless sets and which would function round-the-clock. It was also decided that the services of the Home Guards, paramilitary forces, members of the village defence committees and the volunteers of the affected areas would be utilised during the flash floods.

The District Development Commissioner issued instructions for the setting up of an observation post near Old Bridge, Kathua Khad. The Health Department was directed to stock adequate anti snake bite vaccines and chlorine tablets in the flood-prone areas in particular and other localities in general.

The Health Department would also make arrangements for first aid, besides keeping first aid boxes ready at District Hospital, Kathua, and Sub District Hospital, Hiranagar, for meeting immediate requirement.

The Town Area Committee, Kathua was directed to ensure clearing of blockages of all nullahs within its jurisdiction by the end of this month. Mr Iqbal also directed the taking of anti-flood measures in the Dhanore area, Keerian Gandiyal, Maichack, Shabechack, Sahar Khad, Kore Punnu, Kathua Khad and Bairal village.

Tehsildars of Hiranagar and Kathua were directed to make advance arrangements of accommodation in educational institutions and other government buildings for temporarily accommodating the evacuated families during the floods. They were also directed to ensure sufficient stocks of ration and kerosene oil.

It was also decided that mechanical irrigation division, Jammu would ensure the installation of two dewatering pumpsets in Kathua town before June 29.

Addressing a joint meeting of various head of agriculture and allied departments, district officials, farmers and prominent citizens here today the minister highlighted the importance of horticulture in the state.

He said the industry alone earned a revenue of Rs 1,100 crore annually for the state from the export of dry and fresh fruits.

In view of the drought conditions in the state for the past three years, he advised farmers diversify and go in for horticulture and sericulture which had a good market, both at national and the international level.

The minister reviewed the performance of the departments and called for greater transparency and accountability at every level. He directed the officials concerned to be available at thier district headquarters for mitigating the grievances of the people.

Mr Ramzan said the state government had formulated an ambitious plan of Rs 1860-crore drought package, which was awaiting sanction from the Centre.

The District Development Commissioner, Mr Mehboob Iqbal, briefed the minister about the progress registered in agriculture and its allied sectors in the district last year.