J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Names of well-off people on BPL list
Udhampur, June 8
Contrary to the government’s claims, majority of the population living in the far-flung areas is not aware of the welfare schemes launched by the Centre and state government for the uplifitment of common masses.

Engineer killed in rock blast
Udhampur, June 8
An engineer was killed and five others were seriously injured in an explosion that took place near Thathri in Doda district. One of the injured belongs to Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

Rs 2.5-crore heroin seized
Jammu, June 8
The police today seized 2 kg of purest form of heroin, worth Rs 2.5 crore in the international market, during a raid in Kathua today.

Gang of medicinal herb smugglers busted
Udhampur, June 8
The local forest department has busted a gang of medicinal herbs smugglers with the arrest of its kingpin.

Goldsmiths on strike for OBC status
Udhampur, June 8
Goldsmiths of the region today went on three days strike in support of their demand for including their community in the list of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). On the first day of the strike, all goldsmith shops remained closed.

Preparations on for Khir Bhawani mela
Srinagar, June 8
Arrangements are being made to provide better facilities to the pilgrims visiting the Khir Bhawani mela that commences from June 23 at Tulamulla in Ganderbal district,near here.

Names of well-off people on BPL list
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, June 8
Contrary to the government’s claims, majority of the population living in the far-flung areas is not aware of the welfare schemes launched by the Centre and state government for the uplifitment of common masses.

Ironically, needy persons for whom these types of schemes were formulated on papers are ignored and major chunk of the population is not taking benefits of these policies.

Although many “revolutionary” schemes being launched successive governments have been implemented, benefits of these have reached only those who have political patronage. Names of a few well-off persons, who have political connections, are incorporated in list of the BPL category.

These hard realities came to light when deputy commissioner O.P. Kalandharia held a public darbar at far-flung areas of the district. When he enquired about these schemes, people expressed their ignorance and demanded that such schemes should be popularised at the village level so that needy could take its benefit.

This is first time in the history of the state that deputy commissioners have decided to organise public darbar at the village level to take stock of the problems faced by people and find their on-spot solution. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has directed all deputy commissioners to hold public darbars to educate people about the schemes. For the past three days, the deputy commissioner has been organising such meetings at Mansar, Majalata, Ramnagar and Dodu Bastangarh.

Interestingly, majority of villagers demanded that fresh survey should be conducted to incorporate genuine families in the BPL category.

  Engineer killed in rock blast
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, June 8
An engineer was killed and five others were seriously injured in an explosion that took place near Thathri in Doda district. One of the injured belongs to Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

According to the police, the engineer was killed while he along with five others was trying to blast a rock during the road-widening process at Thatri.

The engineer identified as Ikhlaq Ahmed died on the spot while the junior engineer and four labourers were injured in the explosion that took place on the Thathri-Gandoh road yesterday evening.

Reports said workers had planted a few detonators beneath the rocks but one of it failed to explode. 

Rs 2.5-crore heroin seized
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 8
The police today seized 2 kg of purest form of heroin, worth Rs 2.5 crore in the international market, during a raid in Kathua today.

Besides heroin, the police also recovered 300 kg poppy husk, a rifle, a country-made pistol and some ammunition during the raid at the residence of narcotics smuggler Harpal Singh, who was arrested on the spot, a police spokesman said.

A case under various Sections 8, 15 and 121 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the arrested man, who was hiding in the basement of his premises during the raid, the spokesman added. 

Gang of medicinal herb smugglers busted
Tribune News Service

Goldsmiths on strike for OBC status
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, June 8
Goldsmiths of the region today went on three days strike in support of their demand for including their community in the list of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). On the first day of the strike, all goldsmith shops remained closed.

Later in the evening, they took out a procession from the Dabbar Chowk which passed through different areas of city before reaching the deputy commissioner’s office. They submitted a memorandum, listing their demands, to him.

Addressing the gathering, president of the swarankar sangh Joginder Verma stated that the OBC status should be given to them since their community was socially and educationally backward. 

Preparations on for Khir Bhawani mela