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Doda region faces century’s worst drought
Human rights: NC, JKLF contest govt claim
Budget Session
Snowfall: Prices of essential items hit roof
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Govt to restore power supply in Kupwara
Dal Lake
Cong to take up rural power issue
Fake staff scandal rocks Doda
Fruit insurance to start from March
ITI electrician diploma holders, who have been protesting outside the office of the divisional commissioner, Jammu, for the past 281 days, demanding to be given government jobs. — A Tribune photo
Hand pumps for kandi areas
Tragedy averted at airport
Lashker hideout busted
Budget on January 16
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Doda region faces century’s worst drought
Jammu, January 9 Making this admission in the assembly, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who himself belongs to the same region, said that the government would provide free ration for three months to people in the erstwhile district of Doda and some parts of Udhampur and Kathua districts where dry spell had caused 80 per cent to 90 per cent damage to crops. Intervening during the discussion on motion of thanks on the Governor's address in the legislative assembly here today, the Chief Minister said that perhaps for the first time in the century the erstwhile district of Doda, now comprising three districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, suffered an acute dry spell this year even as other parts in Jammu and Kashmir had bumper crops. The Chief Minister said that the matter was raised by legislators who also held a sit-in to highlight the plight of the people in these areas on account of the indifference of the weather. He disclosed that the government had set up a committee to undertake a survey of the affected areas that reported 80 per cent to 85 per cent damage to crops in the Doda region. At some places, he said the damage was reported to be up to 90 per cent. He said the committee also found that some areas in Udhampur and Kathua districts bordering the un-divided Doda district had also suffered damages due to dry spell. Accordingly, the government decided to provide free ration for three months to the affected people whose crops suffered damages from 80 per cent to 90 per cent. Molvi Abdur Rashid, MLA from Banihal, expressed his thanks to the Chief Minister for announcing to provide free ration to the affected people in Banihal. Upon this, the Chief Minister rose from his seat to clarify that the succor provided by the government in the shape of free ration was not meant for Banihal alone but for the affected people in the above five districts. |
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Human rights: NC, JKLF contest govt claim
Srinagar, January 9 The APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has sharply reacted to the Governor Lt-Gen S K Sinha's (retd) address to the joint session of the State legislature in Jammu on Monday and expressed concern over the statement on human rights violations. He claimed that 14 persons had been killed in custody, 20 others in fake encounters, 12 others disappeared while five cases of rapes at the hands of security forces had taken place during the past few months. Reacting to the Governor’s speech in the Legislative Assembly in Jammu on Monday, the JKLF chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik termed it an attempt to hide atrocities and crimes allegedly perpetrated by the troops. "Ignoring a number killings of civilians and atrocities on people at various places during 2007, the Governor seems to be living in a make-believe world of dreams", Malik said. He claimed that 677 persons were killed by troops up to December 10 in 2007 and alleged that 44 persons were killed in custody. He added that 210 "residential houses were destroyed, chastity of 70 women outraged, atrocities were perpetrated on thousands of people during crackdowns and search operations", Malik stated. Malik said that during Safar-e-Azadi programme he visited 8000 villages and saw villages transformed into virtual concentration camps by the Army. Sinha had yesterday said that 2007 witnessed lowest number of militancy-related incidents and civilian killings. "We acknowledge excellent work done by the police, para-military forces and the army with the cooperation of the people", he said. Saying that the commitment of the government to the protection of human rights remains firm and unshakeable, he said, "we have practically achieved the goal of zero tolerance to violation of human rights and prompt action has been taken whenever complaints received".
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Plea to frame delimitation panel
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 9 Accusing the Congress-led coalition government of meting out step-motherly treatment to Jammu region, Panthers Party legislators Harsh Dev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Faqir Nath and Yashpal Kundal besides, BJP legislator Jugal Kishore stormed the well during the Zero Hour. Harsh Dev Singh said, “With the 84th Amendment in the Indian Constitution last year, delimitation of the Legislative Assemblies in other states and parliament was done. However, the state government under the garb of Article 370 denied legitimate right to the people of Jammu region.” “It is grave injustice with Jammu,” he said. Amidst the uproar, health minister Mangat Ram Sharma said, “We too are concerned but since the law minister is indisposed he has not come to the house. He would furnish the reply after he resumes.” Mankotia on the top of his voice said, “How the government can decide to delimit constituencies by 25 per cent each in both the regions.” Standing in the well, Harsh and other legislators shouted slogans like “Regional imbalances ko khatam karo (remove regional disparities)” and “Delimitation Commission lagu karo (Frame Delimitation Commission)”. To counter the onslaught, PDP legislator Syed Bashir shouted, “We won’t let it happen unless and until non-state subjects were moved out of this state.” Perturbed over ruckus in the house, leader of the opposition, Abdul Rahim Rather requested the agitating legislators to bring a Bill. “Wasting time of the house by indulging in sloganeering is not the way. Better bring a Bill in the House,” he said. Harsh Dev promptly returned, “I had moved the Bill in the last session but may I remind you that the National Conference and other parties in the ruling alliance had defeated it. I have moved it in this session as well.” Thereafter, the protesting legislators staged a walkout. Later talking to The Tribune, Harsh said, “In the 87 member legislative Assembly, Kashmir valley has 46 Assembly seats, while Jammu has 37 and if the government goes ahead with 25 per cent increase in both the regions, the figure would go up to 58 in Kashmir and 46 in Jammu despite the fact that Jammu region has a vast territory and population compared to Kashmir.”
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Snowfall: Prices of essential items hit roof
Srinagar, January 9 The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, experienced fresh snowfall during the past 24 hours. About 1 to 5 feet of snow had accumulated on the ski slopes at Gulmarg, Affarwat and Khilanmarg.
Reports of heavy snowfall were also received from Kupwara and Baramula, resulting in the closure of about a dozen of roads to far-flung and remote areas.
Srinagar city and the adjoining areas also experienced snowfall for about half an hour in the morning. A number of areas, including Budshah Nagar, Natipora, Bemina and Azadbasti, where the authorities had constructed deep drains were under water, making the movement almost impossible for the locals. The prices of essential commodities, particularly being imported from other states, have also increased though district authorities conducted market checking at some places. Official sources said prices of almost all essential commodities, including fresh vegetables, including onion, potato and peas, and other items being imported from northern states and Jammu, had increased. They said a dozen eggs cost Rs 30, while there was no change in the prices of meat, which was being sold at Rs 160 per kg against the government rate of Rs 130. The prices of chicken, which was Rs 60 last week, was being sold at Rs 65 per kg. The customers said there was no justification for such an increase of prices of essential commodities. However, locally available firewood, which was Rs 120 per quintal, costs Rs 250 to Rs 300 now, they disagreed, adding that coal for Kashmiri kangri (firepot) costs Rs 350 per bag against Rs 120 in December last year. One kg of local small dry fish costs Rs 400, while prices of other dry vegetables have also increased after the snowfall in the valley. The Kashmir valley was also facing acute power curtailment as power generation in the local hydel projects dropped considerably, because of low water level in rivers. The Power
Development Department (PDD) also imports power from different states to meet the requirement in the valley. People at different places took to streets in protest against frequent power cuts without any prior
information. The non-metered areas are already facing four hour power cut twice in a week during evening hours, besides the daily sufferings of eight to 10-hour
power cut. However, to check the misuse of power, the PDD has launched a massive drive against the consumers who are stealing electricity or using excess load against agreement. A PDD spokesman said thousands of rupees were recovered from more than 250 consumers, who were found stealing the electricity in different parts of the valley during the past
few months. The spokesman also said besides fine, those found stealing the energy would have to face a jail term of six months to three years in the event of second conviction under J&K Electricity Act, 1997. People also complained that after 7.30 in the evening, only few vehicles ply on city routes, forcing passengers to hire three-wheelers whose owners charge high rates.
— UNI |
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Govt to restore power supply in Kupwara
Jammu, January 9 Health and medical education minister Mangat Ram Sharma was responding to demands to restore power and water supply by Mir Saifullah and Q.J. Lone of the National Conference (NC) during the Zero Hour. He said the divisional commissioner (Kashmir) would be asked to visit Kupwara and assess the situation there after the heavy snowfall. In response to an issue raised by M.A. Bukhari of the NC, he informed the House that the proposal regarding conferring the Scheduled Tribe status to Pahari-speaking people had been submitted to the Centre for consideration. Other members also raised separate issues during the Zero Hour. Mustafa Kamal (NC) invited the government’s attention to the frequent blockade of the national highway on account of rain and snow, while Suman Bhagat (Congress) demanded introduction of Urdu language in educational institutions of Jammu division. M.Y. Tarigami (CPM) stressed on the formulation of a comprehensive employment policy and called for a strategy to absorb engineering and agriculture graduates among others. Nazir Ahmed Gurezi (NC) demanded helicopter service from Bandipore to Gurez, while Mohammad Aslam Khan (NC) demanded a helicopter service for shifting stranded Haj pilgrims from Srinagar to Rajouri. JKNPP members and Jugal Kishore of the BJP demanded a Constitution of the Delimitation Commission.
— PTI |
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NC leaders bat for evicted families
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 9 Responding to a question, finance minister Karra said, “Fiftyfive structures have been removed from Mati Mohalla (Dal Lake), while 193 structures are likely to be removed for which the government requires 300 plots to rehabilitate the families.” “At present no plots are available and the remaining families will be rehabilitated when we get the land,” he said, adding, “The government has notified 7,500 kanals to construct houses for the evicted families.” Asking a supplementary question, fiery NC legislator Ali Mohammed Sagar, who didn’t subscribe to the minister’s reply, said, “On wetland, there are strict instructions from the Government of India not to undertake constructions.” Without naming anyone he said, “To appease a political leader, the coalition government doled out an amnesty of Rs 70 crore to him.” “The minister is misleading the House. It is a wrong reply. There are 1,800 plots where evicted families can be rehabilitated,” he said. “During the NC government, we rehabilitated 1,500 families in Chandpora. Why can’t this government rehabilitate the remaining families,” he said. Sagar added “To please a political leader an amnesty of Rs 70 crore was given to him by the government.” Karra, too, retaliated by saying, “Don’t sensationalise the House. Be specific and spell out those political pressures.” He added, “As far as 7,500 kanals is concerned the environment ministry has cleared the project.” NC legislator M.S. Akhoon asked the government to do justice with people living around the Dal Lake.
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Cong to take up rural power issue
Udhampur, January 9 While addressing series of public meetings in Udhampur district, senior Congress leader R.S. Pathania assured the workers that he would take up the matter with Babu Singh. In these meetings, villagers pointed that private companies engaged in providing power connection to the poor families have been ignoring genuine and deserving BPL families. They alleged that instead of covering all BPL families these private players have been concentrating only on those hamlets from where they can make huge estimates. Villagers repeatedly approached offices of the Power Development Department (PDD), but the authorities expressed their helplessness to solve this problem. Jammu and Kashmir Government has formulated a comprehensive plan to provide power connection to all BPL families. Under this scheme every house of all BPL families would be electrified with power connection along with one bulb free of cost. State government has engaged some private companies to fulfil this task. Other problems like shortage of teaching staff in schools were also discussed in these meetings.
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Fake staff scandal rocks Doda
Udhampur, January 9 This scandal of fake employees was detected when the Doda police conducted raids on the premises of the divisional office of the Public Heath Engineering (PHE) at Doda, two days back. The raids were conducted, following complaints by some people, regarding the enrolment of fake candidates as daily wagers and casual labourers. Although the police authorities are tightlipped over the outcome of the record seized from the premises of the PHE division in Doda, sources said initial investigations had established the enrolment of fake employees. “We are verifying the credentials of over 2,500 to 3,000 daily wagers and casual labourers appointed by the department for the last ten years,” senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manohar Singh told the Tribune. Singh had led the team which conducted the raids and searched the office for more than five hours.
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Fruit insurance to start from March
Jammu, January 9 However, the insurance cover would be provided only to those orchardists who had taken a loan from the bank. Under the scheme, fruit produce of every orchardist, who had taken a loan, would be covered under insurance cover against risk of draught, hailstorm and market fluctuation. Decision to this effect was taken at a high-level joint meeting of higher authorities of J&K Bank, representatives of the All-Valley Fruit Growers Association and officers of the Horticulture and Agriculture Departments under the chairmanship of minister for horticulture, Mohammad Dilawar Mir. Economic Adviser to the state and chairman J&K Bank Ltd, Haseeb Drabu, executive director, J&K Bank, Mushtaq Ahmed, secretary agriculture production, Tanveer Jehan and director horticulture (P&M), Showkat Ahmed Zargar were present at the meeting. The deputation of fruit growers and dealers was led by Ghulam Mustafa, president, All-Valley Fruit Growers Association. Mir asked the J&K Bank to devise a comprehensive Horticulture Insurance Scheme where under fruit produce of all the orchardists would be covered for insurance. He asked the fruit growers and traders to adopt latest cold chain techniques to improve the quality and shelf life of their horticulture produce. He added that in WTO regime, the fruit industry of the state has to face stiff market competition with the countries world over. Giving details of the scheme, Drabu said the proposed insurance scheme would automatically cover the horticulture produce of an orchardist acquiring loan from the J&K Bank as the insurance scheme is inbuilt component of the credit facility. He urged for making the horticulture commercially viable and profitable.
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ITI diploma holders’ struggle sees no end
Jammu, January 9 Diploma holders from various industrial training institutes (ITI) have been protesting and demanding absorption in government job, but instead of addressing their grievances, force is used to gag their voice. “At many occasions, police force was used to curb our voice. There are 1,510 electrician diploma holders in the state who are protesting for not being absorbed in government jobs,” said Rakesh Sharma, an electrician diploma holder who has also been protesting. Despite repeated assurances given by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, no steps have been taken to adjust these unemployed diploma holders. “Since we started protesting, we were called on by the Chief Minister four times, but despite his repeated assurances, no steps have been taken to adjust us anywhere,” he said. Though in the state, 4,500 various posts of electricians in various departments are vacant and need to be fulfilled with the ITI diploma holders, the power department has no funds for the wages of these electricians. “During one of our meeting with the Chief Minister, the power minister asked the CM to sanction funds for the department to absorb the diploma holders. Azad instructed the finance minister to do the same, but nothing in this regard happened,” Rakesh said. Braving the chill and the harsh winter in Kashmir valley a group of 200 ITI electrician diploma holders have joined the protest by their counterparts in Jammu. The minister concerned Babu Singh could not be contacted as he was busy with the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly.
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Hand pumps for kandi areas
Jammu, January 9 Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly by Rashpal Singh of the National Conference, public health minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir said that initially 20 pumps each would be installed in kandi belts of Rajouri, Poonch and other districts of the state. Mir said the department has launched new schemes for providing drinking water to uncovered areas of the state. He also said several such schemes have been taken up in Kalakote constituency during 2007-08, involving a cost of Rs 617 lakh. In reply to another question, he said irrigation canals were being regularly desilted. The desilting of minor irrigation canals is carried out within available budgetary resources, he said. He further added the department had sought additional funds from the Planning and Development Department for the purpose and once these are made available, desilting of all canals would be taken up wherever necessary.
— PTI |
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Tragedy averted at airport
Srinagar, January 9 SP, anti-hijacking, Bashir Ahmad Dar told The Tribune that there was no visible damage to the Delhi-bound Jet flight but it had been asked to postpone its journey till tomorrow when engineers would check it. Dar said passengers had boarded an Air-Deccan flight and its ladder was being moved out when it hit the left wing of the Jet flight. “Passengers were boarding the Jet flight but now it will most likely take off tomorrow,” Dar said. All passengers were safe, he added. |
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Lashker hideout busted
Udhampur, January 9 In the past 24 hours security forces have so far busted two hideouts of militants in the Bhaderwah area. The STF conducted a search operation in the Sartingal area in Jai valley, about 35 km from Bhaderwah. During the operation the STF team busted a hideout of militants which was located deep in the forest. It is believed that some militants were hiding there but they fled away before the police reached there. The hideout belongs to the LeT as some documents of this outfit were recovered from the site.
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Budget on January 16
Jammu, January 9 The legislative Assembly today adopted the Business Advisory Committee’s recommendations for extending the budget session sittings up to February 9. As per the new calendar, discussions on the motion of thanks will continue up to January 11 and reply from the government will be given on the same day.
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Severe cold due to snowfall and rains, coupled with acute power shortage, increase in the prices of essential commodities and non-availability of transport service in the evening affected normal life in the Kashmir valley.
