J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

19 injured during protest
Srinagar, April 5
At least 19 persons were injured today when protesters demanding the removal of a garbage dump from Eidgah in downtown city clashed with the police.

State to purchase 150 new buses
Jammu, April 5
The government has decided to purchase 150 new buses costing Rs.15 crore for the J&K State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC).

2-year jail for carrying weapon
Jammu, April 5
Chief judicial magistrate, Kathua, V.S.Bhau, today sentenced Balbir Singh to two years imprisonment and fine of Rs 2000 under the Arms Act for carrying a sharp-edged weapon.

Plan to expand meal scheme
Jammu, April 5
The government is planning to extend the mid-day meal scheme to the upper primary level to cover around 14.43 lakh children studying in government schools up to the eighth standard.

Labourer killed
Srinagar, April 5
A labourer died in an accident in Kashmir valley , the police said. The labourer, Abdul Rashid Shah, was wounded critically after being hit by a stone at a quarry.Shah was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The police has initiated proceedings in the case. — UNI

19 injured during protest

Srinagar, April 5
At least 19 persons were injured today when protesters demanding the removal of a garbage dump from Eidgah in downtown city clashed with the police.

Residents of Eidgah and adjoining areas took to streets against the alleged inaction of the government for the past two years on their demand to remove the garbage dump fromthe area, officials said.

The police used batons and fired several rounds into the air to control the protesters, who refused to disperse and threw stones at the personnel.

The protesters also smashed window panes and damaged two vehicles belonging to mediapersons who were covering the protest, they said.

About 12 protesters and seven police personnel, including DSP Farooq Ahmad, a sub-inspector and an ASI, were injured in the clash, officials said.

The injured police personnel and protesters were admitted to separate hospitals at Soura and Karan Nagar respectively, officials said adding the situation was under control. — PTI

State to purchase 150 new buses
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 5
The government has decided to purchase 150 new buses costing Rs.15 crore for the J&K State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC).

This was stated by the Minister for Transport Hakim Mohammad Yaseen here today at a high level meeting of that stock of various matters pertaining to transport sector.

Yaseen said new buses would be operated in the hilly and in accident-prone areas like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and other places in the state. Various measures are under way to make the corporation profitable and extend its service to more villages and areas.

The minister directed the Transport Commissioner to submit a detailed report with regard to the appointment of drivers made in the SRTC during last four years.

2-year jail for carrying weapon
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 5
Chief judicial magistrate, Kathua, V.S.Bhau, today sentenced Balbir Singh to two years imprisonment and fine of Rs 2000 under the Arms Act for carrying a sharp-edged weapon. Balbir Singh, a resident of Kathua, was arrested by police in February 1994 while he was carrying a “khokhri”.

Plan to expand meal scheme
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 5
The government is planning to extend the mid-day meal scheme to the upper primary level to cover around 14.43 lakh children studying in government schools up to the eighth standard.

This was disclosed here today by education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed while reviewing the implementation of various centrally-sponsored schemes.

The mid-day meal scheme is at present being implemented up to the primary school level. The scheme envisages provision for nutritious food of 450 calories and about 12 gm of proteins to be served to children in government schools.

The minister said the scheme aimed at attracting maximum enrolment of students, particularly from deprived sections of society.

He said the scheme had not only helped in arresting the dropout rate in schools but also helped in containing malnutrition that lead to anemia, a problem common among poor children.

Calling for effective implementation of the scheme, the minister said close monitoring was required to ensure that the benefits percolated to the targeted section.