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At Minister’s Doorstep
Kashmiri Muslims shopping on the eve of the Id al-Adha at the Lal Chowk
in Srinagar. — Tribune photo by Mohd Amin War
Employment Generation |
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LPG Shortage
Ex-minister shows concern over farmers’ plight
Poonch-Haveli By-poll
Members of the youth wing of the All-India Kashmiri Samaj address mediapersons in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photo
4-laning project hinders afforestation drive
IAS officer, ex-director indicted for fraud
Worst of winter yet to begin in valley
CRPF vacates varsity guest house
Yuva morcha holds protest
Govt’s gesture lauded
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Schools upgraded but no mentors to teach
Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Udhampur, December 20 Not to be surprised, an upgraded school falling within two kilometres of higher education minister’s house, face a similar crisis. Now what to say of educational institutions located at far-flung and mountainous areas. At Dharmari Higher Secondary School of Reasi district, not even a single lecturer has been appointed since its upgradation. Dharamari is the hometown of higher education minister Aijaz Ahmed Khan. Interestingly, appointment of lecturers is prerequisite for setting up a higher secondary school, as only a postgraduate teacher is eligible to teach 11th and 12th standard students. The existing high school of Dharmari was upgraded as higher secondary in the month of August last year, apparently due to political influence of the education minister. But even after 16 months, the authorities have failed to appoint a lecturer to teach students of class 11th and 12th. Over 100 students have been enrolled in class 11th and about 60 in class 12th. “No post of lecturer has been sanctioned for the school so how can we appoint a lecturer at that school,” professed Vijay Mohan Raina, chief education officer (CEO). He, however, said the education department does not have adequate number of lecturers to be appointed in these newly upgraded schools. For the last more than one year, the higher secondary school in the hometown of education minister has been functioning without principal and lecturer. Some locals told The Tribune that this school has been functioning with “internal arrangements.” Teachers, who have appointed in the school for 9th and 10th standard students, have been teaching students of 11th and 12th class. Even some teachers who themselves are 12th passed have been teaching students of higher secondary. Locals informed that situation has been further worsened during the last two months after retirement of the headmaster of the high school. Earlier the headmaster used to make some “internal arrangement” to teach class 11th and 12th students. Situation is also similar in other higher secondary schools located in the adjoining localities, which fall under the constituency of higher education minister. Higher secondary schools located at Balmatkote, Gota, Ghulabgarh, Chana, Shajoo, Arnas and Judda also confronting with the shortage of teaching staff. fIt is widely alleged that many schools were upgraded in the name of providing education to the people at that their door steps but till date authorities failed to provide even required teaching staff in these educational institutions.
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2 schools found locked, teachers’ salary withheld
Chief education officer, Udhampur, Vijay Mohan Raina today directed to withhold salaries of the teaching staff of two government schools, which were found locked during his surprise visit.
The institutions were Government Primary School Kawa and Government Primary School, Dibber, both fall under Zib educational zone. Taking serious note, the CEO directed to withhold salaries of all employees of the schools and served show cause notices of the absentees. |
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Purchasing done, now it’s Idi time
Srinagar, December 20 The preparations for the festival, celebrated on the 10th day of Zilhaj month of the Islamic calendar, have been going on throughout the state during the past many weeks. The markets have seen huge rush as shoppers went on a shopping spree purchasing mutton, poultry, fish, fresh vegetables and readymade garments, in addition to the sacrificial sheep and goat. Meanwhile, as part of the efforts of the civil administration and police to make proper arrangements on the occasion, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Shiv Murari Sahai visited Jama Masjid and Hazratbal areas here today. He took stock of the security and other necessary arrangements made by the Kashmir Police on the eve of Id. He was accompanied by other senior police officers, who briefed the IGP about various measures taken by the police for the smooth Id celebrations. Sahai paid obeisance at Hazratbal Shrine and reviewed security and traffic arrangements made by the police on the eve. He also gave some instructions regarding security and stressed that the police should lend a helping hand to the people during the Id celebrations. The IGP also extended greetings to all police personnel, their families and people of Kashmir on the eve of Id. Wishing happy festival to all, IGP wished peace and prosperity for all. He hoped that this Id would bring peace back to the valley and bring happiness for everyone. |
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Governor, CM greet people
Jammu, December 20 In his message, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said "the happiness of the day would increase if it is shared with the needy and the poor. They deserve special care and affection from affluent on such day.” Chief patron National Conference Farooq Abdullah and president Omar Abdullah have also greeted people on the occasion. |
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Explore possibility of monetary policy: Azad
Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 20 “There are a number of schemes and programmes that envisage increase in employment, yet the strategic thrust and policy intervention is what is needed,” he added. In his speech at the meeting of National Development Council here yesterday, Azad said, “In the prevailing cycle of high growth and high unemployment, the RBI ought to choose employment targeting as a subject to devise a set of monetary policy instruments to achieve the target.” The single most important thing to differentiate “inclusive growth” from its earlier avatars of “growth with equity,” would be the use of monetary policy measures for creating employment, he suggested. He said, “There is an urgent need to modify the financing pattern of all centrally sponsored schemes for the special category states so that they have to provide only 10 per cent of the cost as their share.” Citing the example of Jammu and Kashmir where development of road network in far-flung and hilly areas is about 10 times higher than the plains, the chief minister said much headway could not be made under Bharat Nirman as the scheme does not provide the cost for land acquisition. “There may be a case for making a special dispensation in this regard for Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. He said the states were delighted to get substantial amount under 11th Five Year Plan, but what happens after the 11th Plan is anybody's guess as the rich schemes will be transferred to the states non-plan expenditure without a corresponding revenue resource. Therefore, Azad suggested creation of fund right now to take care of the liabilities bound to arise. He said liability arising out of the pay commission need to be addressed more directly and clearly, adding that if this issue is kept open-ended in the hope that Finance Commission will pick it up later it would amount to postponing the inevitable. Highlighting the necessity of viable public-private partnership, the chief minister said it has become imperative to use PPP model for construction and the maintenance of capital assets with the motto 'we create, you maintain'.
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LPG Shortage
Jammu, December 20 Gas distributors seem to be making easy money by selling LPG cylinders to commercial outlets. Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPDD), Mahmood Rana said steps were being taken to check the supply and use of LPG cylinders for commercial purposes, but at the ground-level, almost every house in Jammu was being provided with cylinders meant for domestic purposes. He said every restaurant-owner in Jammu was using LPG cylinders which were otherwise meant for domestic purposes, whereas according to rules, hotels had to use commercial gas cylinders. He said the use of LPG cylinders for commercial purpose was an offence, but the distributors did not bother and were openly selling them to hotel and restaurant owners. Rana added that the government provided a huge subsidy on LPG cylinders but the subsidy was being misused by hotel and restaurant owners. He said a commercial gas cylinder weighing 19 kg was being sold at Rs 1,125, whereas an LPG cylinder weighing 14.2 kg was sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 305 per cylinder. He said distributors sold these LPG cylinders for commercial purposes and took extra money for it. Residents alleged that the shortage was due to some dealers who indulged in the black-marketing of LPG cylinders. “When we come to the dealer they say that they are running out of gas cylinders, then from where they supply so many LPG cylinders to hotels and restaurant owners, who bring empty cylinders and take the refilled ones,” said Madan Lal, a resident of Jammu. He added, “A person has to spend the whole day for getting a gas cylinder refilled.” Director, Mahmood Rana, said, “We don’t have exact figures as how many commercial and how many LPG connections we have in the city. But we regularly get complaints that LPG cylinders are being used for commercial purposes. We regularly send our market checking squads and fine those who use such connections.” He added, “What you said will definitely be probed upon and necessary action would be taken. Gas cylinders meant for domestic purposes must reach the households and should not be used for commercial purposes.”
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Ex-minister shows concern over farmers’ plight
Jammu, December 20 Addressing day-long convention of party workers from Marh assembly constituency here, the former minister asked “what prompted this government to replace SRO 126 with SRO 294 reducing reservation to SC/ST employees in state government departments.” “The coalition partners are befooling SC and ST employees that the SRO 294 has been rolled back,” said Sadhotra, adding that “keeping in mind difficulties of SC/ST employees, the National Conference government had issued SRO 126 but the Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-the coalition partners passed a resolution withdrawing SRO 126 and issuing SRO 294.” The former minister also expressed grave concern over the plight of farmers, unemployed youth and poor people. “It is really unfortunate that farmers are not getting fertilisers and seeds in time and whatever they get, is of spurious quality,” he said. He added, “It seems as if the agriculture department has vanished into thin air.” Referring to rising unemployment in the state, Sadhotra sarcastically said, “Leave aside initiatives the coalition government, which boasts of tall claims, has not been able to dole out financial assistance to the unemployed so that they can go for self-employment options.”
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Poonch-Haveli By-poll
Jammu, December 20 Sources close to Omar said, “Introspection was done by him trying to trace the reasons responsible for the party’s defeat.” It may be mentioned that the party’s arch-rival, the Congress, was able to grab the seat from the National Conference after a gap of 35 years. “Omar instructed party leaders of Poonch that they must retrieve the Poonch-Haveli seat in next Assembly elections, which are going to be held next year,” sources added. A senior party leader said, “Omar does not believe in the blame game and has made it clear that the NC should win the seat back in the next Assembly elections.” “He took the defeat very seriously and has asked the party leaders to evolve a foolproof strategy to ensure better results in the next elections,” he added. Doctor turned politician and daughter of former minister Ghulam Ahmed Ganai, Dr Shehnaz Ganai, who was also in the fray for the party ticket said, “Apart from analysing weaknesses that resulted into our defeat, the party president also asked us to explore possibilities so as to strengthen the party.” Shehnaz further said, “Omar also asked us to ensure victory for the National Conference in the 2008 Assembly elections.” “We will certainly live up to Omar’s expectations and will give a befitting reply to the Congress in the next elections,” she added. Shehnaz said, “We would try our best to secure all the seats from Poonch district.” Another leader said, “Omar analysed the 135 booths set up for the by-election and compared it with the results of the 2002 elections,” he added.
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Govt, militants cause for our misery: Kashmiri Pandits
Jammu, December 20 “We were forced to leave the valley by terrorists, but after 17 years of exodus, we are continuously being marginalised by the state government,” said R.K. Bhat, chief, Youth Wing All-India Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS). He said the community migrated to Jammu and left behind all their movable and immovable property in the hope that the state and the Central government would take necessary steps to provide them with their dues. “But it is very unfortunate that we are being denied of our basic rites to survive,” he said. He blamed the successive state governments and the state bureaucracy for being “militant sympathisers” and for ignoring the problems of Kashmiri Pandits who had been living in exile for the past 17 years. “Lord Rama had to stay in exile for 14 years, but Kashmiri Pandits are here for past 17 yeas, but nobody seems to bother to redress the genuine demands of the community,” he said. He also blamed politicians and bureaucrats in the state for thwarting the attempts for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley. “Lots of announcements are made by the government from time to time, but in reality nothing concrete is being done to elevate the sufferings of displaced refugees. The worst sufferer is the youth who comes from the economically weaker sections,” he said. Chief of the Youth Wing All-India Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS) who has been on a hunger strike for the past 10 days, as part of the chain-hunger strike organised by the YWAIKS in protest of the government orders of not providing relief benefits to the bifurcated ration card holders whose parents fell under the non-relief benefit category, said, “We would continue our hunger strike and if the government provides no heed to us then we would further take up the issue as our demands are genuine and it is the duty of the state and the Central government to provide us with relief benefits.” Various other Kashmiri Pandit organisations have come forward in support of the
YWAIKS.
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4-laning project hinders afforestation drive
Jammu, December 20 Talking to The Tribune, forest, housing and urban development minister Qazi Mohammed Afzal said, “Under norms, afforestation should be double compared to the number of trees uprooted or cut down for various developmental works.” “I resumed office just a couple of days back but certainly will get feedback from the officials. Afforestation must be done to save the environment,” the minister said. However, chief conservator of forests, Jammu, Abhay Kumar said only eucalyptus trees along the Jammu-Pathankot and the Jammu-Sidhra bypass road had been cut down. He said, “No plantation drive has been undertaken as yet because the road construction work has to be completed first.” He added, “Thousands of trees were cut down but all of them were eucalyptus. The NHAI after taking due permission from us, cut down the trees, for which they have already remitted compensatory money to us.” “We are acquiring new land to plant saplings but the drive can be undertaken only after NHAI’s job is over,” he added. A senior official in the State Forest Corporation said, “So far over 15,000 green trees have been cut down to convert the Kunjwani-Sidhra bypass road into a four-lane road.” The State Forest Corporation had submitted an afforestation scheme to the NHAI and the latter in turn had also sanctioned compensation amount for the purpose. “Plantation has to be done by the roadside and it is possible only after the widening work is over, but going by the slow pace of work by the NHAI, afforestation may take few more years”, he said.
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IAS officer, ex-director indicted for fraud
Jammu, December 20 In an order issued today, the commission recommended action against Dr Mohammad Din, former commissioner secretary Animal Husbandry and Dr Satvir Gupta, former director Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir and ordered that their pension benefits be forfeited. While both of them have already retired, Dr Din was reemployed and is currently the secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir State Finance Commission. The two officers had in September 2005 went to Australia for getting 60 Marino rams for the breeding purposes. However, once they reached Australia they were told there that the rams could not be exported since a disease had spread at that time among the sheep in Australia. The two officers had spent about Rs five lakh on the tour. The commission found them guilty of not having followed the mandatory health protocol before going abroad. However, they had allegedly submitted to the central and the state governments that they had already complied with the protocol and also completed all the formalities, which actually they had not.
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Worst of winter yet to begin in valley
Srinagar, December 20 In fact, the coldest season is about to begin, if one goes by the traditional calendar of the local culture. “Chillai Kalan”, considered as the “coldest 40 days in the valley”, starts from December 22. The people seem to be looking forward to spend this period with anticipation. “I wonder how the tourists coming from outside will prepare for such cold days. But we are already prepared to face the weather,” Abdul Qayum, a bookseller, said. Robed in flowing phirens and holding a smouldering kangri (fire-pot), people seem ready to face the coldest part of the season. The minimum temperature has already dipped to -5°C and the Met department believes that the cold period would continue. Chillai Kalan is also the period when the chances of snowfall are maximum and the most frequent as well. The winter games at the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg is timed with it. Traditionally, Kashmiris used to dry vegetables and used them during this time of the year, when roads were blocked and movement was restricted due to snowfall. It is not that the Chillai Kalan is associated with freezing weather, but a treasure of Kashmiri literature and folk is also woven around it, much like Lohri in Punjab. The bare trees, snowfall and winter chill of this period have combined to give birth to many folk songs and poems. Towards the end of January, the Chillai Kalan comes to an end. But this is not the end of chill in Kashmir. It is followed by a 20-day long “Chialli Khurd” (small cold) and a 10-day long “Chillai Bachh” (baby cold), but with lesser severity of winter as the names suggest.
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CRPF vacates varsity guest house
Srinagar, December 20 A Company of the 137 Battalion of the CRPF, which had been camping in the guest house, was vacated by the troops on Monday last. Spokesman of the CRPF, Prabhakar Tripathy, told the Tribune that the CRPF had also vacated from the premises of the Nageen Club near Hazratbal and the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium at Sonwar, last month. This had been part of the steps taken by the government to vacate all educational institutions and health centres by the security forces, he added. The spokesman said though the deadline was set for November 30 last, it was later decided for December 17. Senior PDP leader and minister for forest and environment, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, while appreciating the move said it would usher a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere in the campus. He said the PDP's demand of troop reduction envisaged the same atmosphere for the entire state. Qazi said the presence of troopers in the university had been a cause of concern for students and faculty members for the past two decades. Qazi said the Central government by acknowledging the long-pending demand had helped in the restoration of a tranquil environment needed in the university. Qazi said the guest house would fulfil the accommodation needs of students and the varsity playground would be utilised for curricular activities. He said by raising the demand for troops reduction in the campus, the PDP had not only represented the public sentiments but the long-pending demand of the masses.
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Yuva morcha holds protest
Udhampur, December 20 The protest was held under the leadership of the state president of BJYM, Pawan Khajuria, in which large number party activists participated. The demonstration started from Salian Talab and passed through different areas. Speaking on the occasion, Khajuria alleged that Udhampur has been facing shortage of ration, but the authorities do not appear to be concerned. He further charged the authorities for involvement with businessmen to sell the ration in black market. He also pointed out that ration meant for poor was sold in the market. The BJYM activists announced to organise similar type of protest in other parts of Jammu region.
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Govt’s gesture lauded
Jammu, December 20 In a meeting held here today to discuss problems being faced by the community, sabha president Kuldeep Chhetri invited the attention of the community members towards government relaxation to Gorkhas in physical measurements for jobs in the state police. He said the government had reduced the minimum height of male and female candidates of the community to 5’4” and 5’2”, respectively, for appointment in the state police.
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