J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

J&K to formulate population policy
Srinagar, August 16
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to formulate a policy to check population growth in the state. Prelude to the policy, district action plans would be prepared within a month.

Farooq for action against ultras
Srinagar, August 16
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today called upon the people to rise against militancy collectively with courage and fortitude and said the government was contemplating new measures for rushing the security forces for rapid action against militants on specific information.

3 J&K ministers allocated portfolios
Srinagar, August 16
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has allotted portfolios to the newly inducted three Ministers of State.

J&K to formulate population policy
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 16
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to formulate a policy to check population growth in the state. Prelude to the policy, district action plans would be prepared within a month.

This decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, convened here today to take stock of the data collected after completion of the census operations conducted in the state after 20 years, an official spokesman said here today.

The census report has revealed that the state has registered a less than 1 per cent decline in the population growth rate since 1981-91. Against the 30.34 per cent growth rate during 1981-91, it has now come down to 29.04 per cent, which is still among the highest in the country after some north-eastern states, Sikkim and Delhi. The average population growth rate for the country has been assessed at 21.34 per cent.

While Kathua is the only district which has recorded the lowest 21 per cent growth rate, Pulwama ranks second with 25 per cent growth rate. In the six districts of Rajouri, Budgam, Doda, Udhampur, Poonch and Jammu, the growth rate is between 25 per cent and 30 per cent. In the remaining six districts of Leh, Kargil, Baramula, Srinagar, Anantnag and Kupwara, the growth rate is more than 30 per cent.

The Chief Secretary called for all-out efforts to check the population graph as it negated the impact of development endeavour on the one hand and put immense biotic pressure on environment, land and natural resources, including forests.

While there were no apparent religious or social constraints, people had to be made conscious of the adverse effects of population explosion. He said to begin with, an action plan at the district level would be made and put before the Cabinet for approval of a comprehensive population policy.

The policy paper would cover all aspects, including legal issues, relating to conducting tests for determining sex of foetus and abortion.

The strategy, he said, would have a link with problem-specific, area and target groups with reference to special factors, if any, responsible for the alarming growth rate.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of the existing family welfare programme and directed the Family Welfare Department to adopt a two-pronged strategy to meet the demand for contraceptives.

Central Government agencies responsible for their supplies would be persuaded for increased supply of condoms and shortfall, if any, would be met from the open market.

Farooq for action against ultras

Srinagar, August 16
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today called upon the people to rise against militancy collectively with courage and fortitude and said the government was contemplating new measures for rushing the security forces for rapid action against militants on specific information.

The Chief Minister, who along with Director-General of Police, A.K. Suri visited Sarh village near Mahore in Udhampur district, where ultras massacred seven persons on Tuesday night, said the government was taking all possible measures to flush out militants especially from far-flung areas and Army presence has been strengthened.

Dr Abdullah said these steps would yield greater dividends only if local population extended full cooperation and provided information about the presence of militants in the area or the militancy incidents. Delayed information enabled militants to escape after committing the crime, he added.

“What is the fun of deploying the Army and security forces in the mountainous regions the if people do not make optimum use of their services by providing them timely information,’’ he said.

There was no reason why the people do not come forward with immediate information to enable the security forces to eliminate the militants, Dr Abdullah said.

The Chief Minister advised the majority community in every area to ensure protection of their brethren belonging to the minority community. He said “This is not a war of Hindus or Muslims, but our collective war against Pakistan’’. UNI

3 J&K ministers allocated portfolios
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 16
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has allotted portfolios to the newly inducted three Ministers of State.

Mr Khalid Najeeb Soharwardy will be the Minister of State for Home while Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Shah Bukhari has been given the charge of Social Welfare. Choudhary Mohammad Hussain will be the Minister of State for Revenue.

The three ministers were administered the oath of office on Tuesday.