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Stray incidents mar
Poonch-Haveli by-poll
No BPL hit
Weather continues to keep vehicular traffic off roads
Rain, snow affect daily life in valley
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Gujarati tourists choose to enjoy snowfall than cast votes
Buddhists from Leh and Ladakh hold a peaceful protest in Jammu on Wednesday.
— A Tribune photo
Go for ‘cooperative
security’, Mufti tells India, Pak
Ungai Fire Tragedy
Health minister’s effigy burnt
Lance Naik kills himself
Rare archives lying in unsafe building
Fate of files to be made a click away
Coming soon: ‘Smart’ driving
Official held
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Stray incidents mar
Poonch-Haveli by-poll
Rajouri, December 12 Reports from Poonch suggest that owing to overcast weather conditions, polling in most of the four sectors of Khanetar, Urban Poonch, Mandi and Loran registered a low polling percentage ranging from 8 per cent % to 15 per cent till 10 am with Urban Poonch sector registering a lowest poll percentage of 8 per cent. However, the polling gathered momentum in the afternoon and in most of the four sectors almost half of the total voters had cast their votes till 2 pm. Though the reports suggest that polling in most of the four sectors passed off peacefully except for allegations of rigging and booth capturing in about seven polling stations by the rival candidates. These polling stations included Bedar Balnoi, Dhangri, Poonch-L, Poonch-M, Poonch-N, Ajote and Kossalian. However, the authorities claimed that these allegations were found to be "baseless" after verification. There were also reports of firing at Jhullas-A polling stations. However, the authorities said that a gun went off accidentally from a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel while regulating large number of voters who had gathered to cast their votes. Here the authorities said that polling was not disrupted and went off smoothly. In the evening, Chief Electoral Officer, B.R.Sharma, told media persons in Jammu that polling in the Poonch-Haveli registered a healthy percentage of approximately 65 per cent. He said there were some complaints of booth capturing at seven polling stations, but these complaints were found to be baseless after ground verification. Sharma further said that there was reports of firing at polling stations Jhullas-A, but unconfirmed reports suggest that while regulating the large number of voters at the polling stations, a round got accidentally fired from CRPF personnel's gun. "However, the polling was not disrupted and it went on smoothly", he said. There are eight candidates in the elections fray. These include Jehangir Mir (Congress), Aijaz Jan (National Conference), Pradeep Kumar Sharma (BJP), Janak Singh (All J&K Kisan Mazdoor Party), Yashpal Sharma, Iftikhar Ahmed Bazmi, Shah Muhammad Tantrey and Nissar Hussain Shah (all independents). The pre-poll trends had indicated a triangular contest between Congress and National Conference candidates and Congress rebel-turned-Independent candidate Yashpal Sharma. The counting of votes for this assembly bye-poll will be held at Poonch on December 15. A total of 135 polling stations were set up out of which 42 were declared sensitive and 28 hyper-sensitive. |
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FM hints at imposing additional taxes
Vimal Sumbly Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 12 Interacting with a delegation of the local chapter of the Confederation of Indian industry, led by its chairman, Sanjay Puri, the minister assured that the budget would be "industry-friendly within the constraints of the state's compulsions and certain fixed parameters". Hinting at certain measures that might lead to imposition of additional taxes, Qarra pointed out since revenue generation was the key word in planning and finance sectors, all efforts needed to be made to ensure its enhancement. He, however, clarified that that the revenue generation would not mean taxing the people living below poverty line. Responding to one of the points raised by the CII, Qarra said a hydel policy had been formulated in the state which would soon be announced by the power department. The minister also said a separate budget for power was being formulated. With regards to the increase in power tariff a cabinet committee is soon going to give its recommendations. Commenting on CII's recommendation on privatisation of the power sector the minister said it was a good idea but would require the present mindset to be changed. Regarding the development of backward area in the state, Qarra said a committee had already been formulated which would specifically look into its needs. He hailed the CII's initiative in identifying and recommending to the State entrepreneurs who would adopt the six ITIs which would be upgraded in the public private partnership(PPP) mode. Qarra further said that the PPP mode was also being applied for the development of tourism sector in the state and would gradually include other sectors also.
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Weather continues to keep vehicular traffic off roads
Udhampur, December 12 Drivers of load carriers and passengers stranded on the road have been left with no option but to brave the chilly weather. Hostile weather hampered all operations launched by the civil and traffic departments. Ramban deputy commissioner A D Shahnaz told the Tribune that the civil administration has taken affective steps to provide shelter and food to the stranded passengers. "As far as our area is concerned over 200 passengers have been stranded at Banihal. We provided them shelter, blankets and food besides a team of medical department has also deputed there", he said. Higher reaches near Banihal, Ramban and Ramsoo experienced heavy snowfall during the last 24 hours which led to further worsening of the situation of the road-which is the only surface link of Kashmir with rest of the country. Layers of about one and half feet snow have been frozen near Jawahar Tunnel on this side of the road so agencies engaged in clearing the road finding it difficult to continue their job. While as upper reaches experienced heavy snowfall, there were reports of land sliding at Panthal this afternoon due to incessant rains in the area. “Over 1,000 vehicles including some passengers vehicles have been stranded on the highway,” SSP National Highway Traffic Danish Rana told the Tribune. He said movement of vehicles has been stopped at Chanderkote, Ramban, Manwal, Udhampur and Nagrota. This morning workers of Border Roads Organisation started operation to clear the snow with heavy machinery but due to bad weather and incessant rains and snowfall their operation was hampered. As reported earlier continued rains since Tuesday had made the entire highway slippery, which forced the authorities to suspend vehicular movement on the highway. Since today morning Patnitop and other higher reaches are witnessing heavy snowfall, which further compounded woes of the authorities engaged in clearing the road. SSP said that authorities have been trying their best to clear the road but it is snowing there. “Our first priority is to move the stranded vehicles as early as possible but the resumption of vehicular movement on the national highway depends on the weather,” he said.
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Rain, snow affect daily life in valley
Srinagar, December 12 A traffic official said the highway, which was closed yesterday afternoon after the first fall of snow in higher reaches, remains so as further snow and rains have aggravated the matters. "I can't give the exact number of vehicles or people stranded on the highway as any figure is not with me yet. But opening the road may take time as first, snow will have to stop and then we will have to clear the road," Traffic SSP Abdul Hamid Bhat said. There was no better news coming from the met department. Its scientific adviser Yashpal Sharms predicted more rains and snow in next 24 hours, while adding that the rains received in the valley since 8.30 in the morning is the maximum Kashmir has seen since the onset of winter in November this year. However, frequent rains in winter months are not a novelty in Kashmir and western disturbances often cause them annually and this year, in fact, official sources said had been on drier side. The administration has assured people that they have enough stock of essential goods, whose supply is stopped whenever the highway is closed. The early-risers in Srinagar saw glimpses of snow in the morning but it fell for too short a period to register. "This was our first snow here. It was negligible and I believe omens are for heavier snow in coming days," Abdul Gani Peer, a businessman on Residency Road, said. The minimum temperature in the valley during the day time fell to a new low. It touched 0.6 degree Celsius in Srinagar, but in most parts it went sub-zero levels. The Met department said it recorded a minimum of 0 degree in Qajikund, -2.7 in Pehalgam and -0.5 in border distirct of Kupwara. The rainfall in Srinagar was 6 mm, Qajikund 29 mm and Kokernag 8 mm. |
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Gujarati tourists choose to enjoy snowfall than cast votes
Patnitop(Udhampur), December 12 Instead of joining the "war" to protect "Hinduism" or to "save secularism" in Gujarat, these voters are apparently more particular about going to Nathatop to spend some nights until election process will be completed in their home state. "After having a darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi, we were on our way to Ahmedabad so as to reach there before December 16 to cast our votes in the second phase of polling," said Govind Dass Patel, leader of the Gujarati tourists who were enjoying every moment of snowfall at Patnitop. "As our tourist guide informed us about snowfall at Patnitop, we diverted our cavalcade towards this hilly resort and after reaching there it was unanimously decided to skip polling to enjoy nature's beauty", he remarked, adding, "for us elections are not so important as we have participated in polls a number of time. As far as snowfall is concerned it is our first experience in life." Interestingly some Gujarati tourists, who were enjoying snowfall, were hardcore BJP men but they seemed to be disenchanted with the on- going electoral battle in their home state. Neelkanth of Ahmadabad admitted without any hesitation that he is a hardcore BJP man. "Despite my party affiliation I have lost interest in this battle and have no concern as to who is going to form the government in Gujarat", he said and added that most of tourists staying at Patnitop belonged to those areas where polling will be held in the second phase "Nor Hindutava nor secularism is going to solve our basic issues", rued Pardeep Bhai of Baroda and opined that real problems have been sidelined as most of the political groups have been raking up emotive issues. Disillusionment of Gujarati tourists towards electoral battle in their home state was evident from the fact that majority of them have decided to spend at least some days at Patnitop and Nathatop to enjoy snowfall. "Elections are not going to change our fate. It is just a battle for attaining power, not to ameliorate lot of the masses so there is no reason for us to waste such a life-time opportunity to enjoy snowfall at Patnitop", argued S. D. Bhat of Anand. Unconcerned about what is going on in their home state, these Gujarati tourists were dancing on the roads amidst snowfall. As most of them have first time experienced snowfall in their life they were finding it difficult to control their emotions. What to say of young people even aged person like S.D. Patel, who was a retired government servant, was roaming on roads, braving freezing climate. Not only tourists from Gujarat, people from different parts of the country rushed to Patnitop this afternoon to enjoy heavy snowfall. Hundreds of tourists have reached this famous hill station. Most of the hotels are already booked and people find it difficult to get accommodation. Dara Singh, a local tourist guide, said during the last 24 hours large number of people have reached this picnic spot as incessant snowfall has been attracting the tourists.
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‘Open Leh-Mansarovar route’
Jammu, December 12 To press their demand, residents of Ladakh region today held a peaceful demonstration in Jammu in which they demanded opening of the Leh Mansarovar route for the pilgrims and inclusion of Boti language in eighth schedule of the Indian constitution. “Being a motorable route the government of India and China should show no reluctance in opening of that route for pilgrims,” said a resident of Leh, who had come a long way to take part in the demonstration. Adding he said, “Opening of that route would have a financial implication for the region as it would help in increasing the tourist inflow to the region and would help in generating employment for the people there.” The peace march that started from Parade Ground and concluded at Shailmar Chowk here this afternoon was held under the banner of Himalayan Parivar an umbrella organisation of the countries and states connected with the mountainous belt of Himalayas. Bikram Singh, general secretary of the Himalayan Parivar said, “Every year we hold Sindhu Darshan festival in which thousand of tourists come to visit Leh, our organisation want that the Government of India and China should decide to open the route for pilgrims and to include Boti language in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.” Adding he said, “We want peace in the Himalayan region especially India and China to come up with a mechanism to open the Leh Mansarovar route to help people move freely and increase.” Opening of the Kailash Mansarovar route through Leh would help the pilgrims to save lot of money and time and would also save them from treacherous journey of days to reach Kailash from the present route. The motorable road between the two places extends up to Demchok in Leh the last pillar of the border between India and China.
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Go for ‘cooperative
security’, Mufti tells India, Pak
Jammu, December 12 Addressing a party meeting here today, the Mufti said, "Given the emerging global and regional equations, the leadership of India and Pakistan must act in their own enlightened self-interest to resolve the problems confronting Jammu and Kashmir." He suggested, "The two countries must look beyond the traditional notions of security and instead focus on cooperative security.” He observed, the people, who have suffered immensely because of the region's hostilities, would benefit the most from such a cooperative mechanism. He said, while vacation of schools and hospitals, is a welcome step in the right direction it must mark the beginning of a larger process of thinning the troops from the civilian areas in a phased manner. "Thinning the deployment of troops in the state would not only signal a commitment to carrying forward the peace process, but would be a significant goodwill message to the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said and added that the time has come for the leadership of the state and the country to act with courage and determination to lay the strong foundations for peace in the state and the region. Sayeed said the PDP welcomes the supportive voices emerging from various quarters on the crucial political and economic issues raised by the party to facilitate peaceful resolution of the state's problems.
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Ungai Fire Tragedy
Udhampur, December 12 Earlier, the authorities concerned had not initiated any steps to rehabilitate the victims. The victims earlier alleged that no wood and CGI sheets had been provided to them and
they were forced to spend their nights out in the chilly weather. Although the authorities concerned were tight-lipped over the delay in the sanctioning of materials for the construction of houses, it was widely alleged that the delaying tactics were adopted as the victims were poor. Initially the authorities concerned did sanction ration and cash as immediate relief for a couple of months, but soon this
practise stopped. No officers visited the victims thereafter. “I have given Rs 1 lakh from my own salary to the victims to protect them from starvation,” Sajjad Kitchloo, an MLA from Kishtwar, said. “I fail to understand why the authorities have taken so much time to sanction materials to victims for constructing houses,” he said. Kitchloo pointed out that he had repeatedly taken up the matter with the authorities concerned to provide materials to the victims so that they could construct their houses. He said the victims had lost all hopes as the authorities concerned did nothing for them. Some political organisations had highlighted woes of the Ungai victims and demanded compensation, he added.
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Health minister’s effigy burnt
Jammu, December 12 Several BSP workers gathered outside the court complex and raised slogans against the health minister. Led by party’s district vice-president Kamal Kishore, general secretary Raj Kumar Raja and senior leader T.R. Khullar, the activists alleged that Sharma had deliberately turned a blind-eye to the mess prevailing in the Health Department. “The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) does not provide medicines and patients return empty-handed,” they said. “Nepotism in blood banks rule the roost where the poor have no say,” they rued. Addressing workers, Kishore said, “The behaviour of junior doctors with patients and their attendants at the GMC Hospital is deplorable.” “The GMCH has poor infrastructure where machines and other equipments remain out of order,” he said. He added that patients at the hospital were often advised to get their tests done from private clinics, which indicated that there was a nexus between the hospital staff and clinic owners.
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Lance Naik kills himself
Jammu, December 12 Lance Naik L.P. Sahu (26), a resident of Bilaspur Chattisgarh, committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan inside his barrack. Defence sources said the soldier was declared unfit for field posting and further promotions as he was suffering from hypertension. “On November 21 he was admitted in military hospital where he was declared a case of hypertension, only yesterday he was discharged from the hospital.” A source informed, “He was placed under medical category two, where certain restrictions on his field posting and promotions were imposed on him.” Jammu-based Defence spokesman Lt. Colonel S.D. Goswami said, “A court of enquiry has been ordered to ascertain the caused of suicide, however a case has been registered in Gangyal police station.”
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Rare archives lying in unsafe building
Jammu, December 12 The archival treasure of the state with a written history of more than 5000 years is lying in a building, which was declared unsafe by the estates department way back in 1994. But when contacted, director of the state archives department, A.Q. Qadri, told The Tribune, “No doubt the building had been declared unsafe by the estates department, but we have been renovating it to make it safer. A society headed by Chief Minister of the state is looking after the building complex
(Mubarakh Mandi) in which archival record of the state is placed.” Qadri blamed lack of awareness amongst masses about the importance of the archival treasure of the state and says that steps need to be taken to educate people about the importance of archival records of the state. Though the importance of preserving the archival records were realised in as early as 15 century by the then king of Kashmir, Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin
(Budshah), who had established two repositories in Kashmir valley to preserve archival records of the state. After his death, very little was done in the successive years, till 1928 Maharaja Hari Singh established an archival repository named as central record office, after the accession of J&K with India, the department was named as archives department.
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Fate of files to be made a click away
Jammu, December 12 The secretariat authorities have initiated a programme, in collaboration with information technology experts, for computerising the entire record. Initially the government had decided to install boards outside the office chambers of each minister on which was to be inscribed details about each file that had been received and the date of its clearance and dispatch. When this correspondent visited the civil secretariat today all these blackboards carried no information. Enquiries made from the office of chief secretary B.R.Kundal, revealed that the blackboard system had been discarded as it was found to be cumbersome by the officials of the general administration department.
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Coming soon: ‘Smart’ driving
Jammu, December 12 State transport minister Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen during a high-level meeting of transport officials discussed various aspects for the implementation of the new project of issuing smart cards. He said with the implementation of the project, the government was hopeful of generating a revenue of Rs 2 crore. He also informed that the government had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for the project.
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Official held
Jammu, December 12 The charge sheet had been lodged in a corruption case in which Rafiq was caught accepting bribe from a complainant.
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Jammu, December 12
