Srinagar, October 18
Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunshi today announced total operationalisation of Kashir channel of Doordarshan from here with functioning of its administrative set-up and selection of programmes. He said 75 per cent programmes would be allotted to the locals residing in the state and 25 per cent to migrants and others.

The Union Minister was addressing a press conference also attended by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad after launching Rainbow FM Radio channel via its seven stations in the state. These include Srinagar, Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Leh Bhaderwah and Nowshera. The channel went into programme with a message of the Union Minister and Chief Minister broadcast live from the SKICC.

Mr Dasmunshi said dedication of Kashir channel to locals and launching of the Rainbow FM station was a Divali and Eid gift to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the radio frequency transmission and expansion of Doordarshan coverage along with improvement in the production of programmes would be thrust area in next year’s annual plan of Prasar Bharti. The DD Kashir Channel was launched on June 9, 2000 and has been functioning from Delhi.

He said unprecedented installation of HPTs, LPTs and VLPTs along with other necessary paraphernalia and manpower would be put in place in every nook and corner of the state to increase viewership coverage both for audio and visual purposes. He said steps would be taken to fill the present 700 vacancies in state Doordarshan and radio.

Earlier, the Union Minister along with a team of Prasar Bharti officers deliberated upon various issues pertaining to the official media management in the state. He discussed programme-wise details and schedules of various units of Doordarshan and Radio Kashmir, Srinagar and Jammu along with functioning of Press Information Bureau in the state.

Mr Azad, speaking in the meeting, highlighted the role of Doordarshan and radio in the task of reconstruction and rebuilding of Jammu and Kashmir for which a massive development programme had been launched by the state government with liberal and unprecedented assistance of the Centre. He said instead of becoming an instrument of announcing political statements, the role of Doordarshan and radio was more stupendous social, economic and national.

The meeting among others was attended by CEO, Prasar Bharti, Mr Brijeshwar Singh, Director-General, Doordarshan, Mr L D Mandloi, engineering chief AS Goin and heads of local official media organisations.

Srinagar, October 18
One year after the devastating earthquake that shook the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, non-government organisations (NGOs) seem to have fallen in line with the government with respect to rehabilitation work. The level of activity has dipped drastically and much work yet to be done lies forgotten by the outside world.

Little NGO activity is evident in the earthquake-ravaged areas of Uri and Karnah, unlike the early months. “At present, our organisation is not working actively but we are committed to supporting the education of children”, explained Dr Rouf Mohi-ud-Din, consultant, Child Rights and You (CRY).

Mr Sajad Ahmad, coordinator, Aman Charitable Trust, admitted that currently they were not doing anything in the affected areas but were planning some activities in the field of community health. “We plan to conduct training programmes for youth in general and women in particular about first aid, hygiene and other health related issues”, he said.

Mr Reyaz Ahmad, a resident of Uri complained that while payment of the second installment for construction of houses is still pending with the government, people are yet to be completely rehabilitated in the true sense. “Basic amenities like water, electricity and roads are not adequately available. Children go to school but they have not yet got back to their routine work. They are still studying in tin sheds. Construction of school buildings is yet to take place”, he added.

Safiya, child protection coordinator, Save the Children (SC), gave details of an art competition for children organised in Uri. In addition, a cricket match was organised for children in Dangiwacha and Baramulla. Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) centres are expected to be constructed in eight select locations of Kupwara and Baramulla districts. Community mobilisation programme would also be taken up to make the community aware of the right of children.

Mr Khurram Pervez, a human right activist, opined that in order to coordinate and cooperate, groups do not necessarily have to work together. “Every organisation has its own areas of work and its objectives. To coordinate and cooperate simply means to support each other wherever required. There is no need to work jointly in the same area”, he said.

Mr Mushtaq Ahmad, coordinator, ATHROT, said the organisation had suspended their work in the adopted areas for at least this month. “We wanted to debate and discuss our strategies first before implementing them at the grass-root level”, he explained. The organisation plans to work for the rehabilitation of orphans and widows. — Charkha Features

Jammu, October 18
A Station House Officer (SHO) in Doda district was today suspended for his alleged involvement in black marketing of kerosene and diesel.

During a raid by the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG), Doda-Udhampur Range, Mr L.K. Mohanty, in the Banihal belt of Doda, where diesel and kerosene were sold on the black market yesterday. At least 700 litres of the fuel were seized and three shops sealed.

Initial investigation led the police to the involvement of the SHO, Banihal police station, Abdul Wahid Giri, in the oil scam case, Mr Mohanty said.

“We have placed the SHO, Banihal police station, under suspension, and set up a special team to investigate selling of diesel and kerosene on the black market along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway,” he said. — PTI