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Release power reform grant, Azad urges PM
Parties optimistic about Pak post-poll scenario
Micro-hydel projects lying defunct
Challan against patwari and SRTC employee
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‘Bring horticulture under debt waiver scheme’
Theatre during time of war
NGO rally against drug menace
A woman holds a placard against drugs in Srinagar on Saturday. AFP
Train makes 1st trial run in valley
Kishtwar village gutted, 6 hurt
Peerzada offers support to Soz
BJP terms budget unrealistic
Ahluwalia assumes command of 14 Corps
Youth killed in marriage party
Minor sodomised
Two killed
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Release power reform grant, Azad urges PM
Jammu, March 1 The Chief Minister had a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister on political situation. They also discussed implementation of the recommendations of Working Groups on Jammu and Kashmir and the recent elections held in Pakistan. The Chief Minister took up with the PM the issue of power reform grant for 2007-08, the release of which has been delayed so far to the state. The Prime Minister assured him that the grant would be released within next two to three days. The whole issue of Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan
(PMRP), Phase II, based on the report of the high-level task force set up by the PM under Dr C.
Rangarajan, was also discussed in detail. The meeting deliberated on how to operationalise and implement the report of the Rangarajan Committee as Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan, Phase II. The Prime Minister asked the state government to take up the matter with the Planning Commission for working out its implementation. In the course of two to three months the government would start working on the implementation of the Rangarajan Committee report as
PMRP, Phase II. The meeting also reviewed the ongoing PMRP, Phase I. The state government sought some restructuring of resources earmarked for power sector. It may be recalled that out of the total Rs 24,000 crore
PMRP, Rs. 18,000 crore were earmarked for power. The Chief Minister sought to restructure the
Rs. 18,000 crore allocation to make it more suitable for J&K. The Prime Minister asked state officials to sit with the Planning Commission and the PMO and see how it could be done. The setting up of a 1000 MW thermal power project at Udhampur was also discussed. The project, moved by the state government, has already received the nod from the union ministry for power. The Prime Minister liked the idea and said he would like to see the work on the project started soon. The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to formally inaugurate the Dul-Hasti hydroelectric project. Dr Singh assured him that he would be visiting the state at the earliest convenience for the inauguration of the 390 MW project. The meeting was also attended by the Economic Adviser to the Jammu and Kashmir Government, Dr Haseeb
Drabu, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, B. B. Vyas and Joint Secretary in Prime Minister's Office, Sanjay
Mitra. |
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Parties optimistic about Pak post-poll scenario
Srinagar, March 1 The separatist Hurriyat Conference (moderate) leaders, during Friday congregations across Kashmir yesterday, had the post-election scenario on top of their agenda. Describing the "restoration of democracy and political stability" in Pakistan as encouraging for an everlasting resolution of the Kashmir issue, the APHC leaders held that it would be a good omen for stability in South Asia. They said that participation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in any talks between India and Pakistan on resolving Kashmir was unavoidable, as any move to avoid it would not be in the interest of the two neighbouring countries. The issue figured even during discussions among top leaders of the Congress party, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at their meeting last evening. The PDP hopes that the post-election scenario in Pakistan would unfold new political dynamics between India and Pakistan and people of Kashmir would be direct beneficiary of the irreversible peace process, which would get momentum after the new government take reigns in the neighbouring country. Party general secretary and MLC Nizam-u-Din Bhat here today observed that the peace process between India and Pakistan was irretrievable, as there was a consensus in both countries that dialogue is the only way to settle differences. Bhat added that even though a brief let-up in Indo-Pak composite dialogue might emerge, the PDP strongly believes that the Indian leadership is sincere in moving ahead with the settlement of the Kashmir issue through dialogue and reconciliation. He observed that the PDP aspires for the strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan, and that the post-election scenario would have a positive impact on the resolution of the Kashmir issue in the long run. |
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Micro-hydel projects lying defunct
Rajouri, March 1 Most of these projects were rendered non-functional within a couple of days of their inauguration. The micro-hydel project at Fatehpur, constructed by 48 RR (Garh Rifles), was inaugurated by Major-Gen A.C.Soneja, GOC, CIF (R), in February 2005. The motive behind the project was to supply electricity to 24 houses of Fatehpur village. The project on Rajouri Nullah, which has been constructed on the water mill (Gharath), has one-room accommodation, a water chamber, turbine, alternator and cables. But, the one-room shed and the water collection chamber have been damaged, its turbine and alternator are defunct and cables are cut. Residents of Fatehpur say that the project couldn't supply electricity, as it stopped functioning the day after it was inaugurated. "The Army authorities created much hype about the project. They told us that it will bring light in our lives and will supply round-the-clock electricity. But day after it was inaugurated, it never supplied electricity and most of the machinery is lying defunct," said a resident, who was to be one of the beneficiaries of the ambitious project. "We have heard that they have claimed that the project was constructed at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, but I don't think that the machinery and the cost of constructing the chamber would be more than Rs 50,000. They have plundered precious government money." The project constructed at Mangota in Thanamandi by 43 RR shares the same fate, with residents complaining that the project, inaugurated in January 2005, never functioned after being thrown open. "The Army authorities constructed this project in January 2005. We were told that it will supply uninterrupted power, but it never worked after its inauguration," said a resident, asking not to be named. "You can see the machinery is locked in the room and the cables are not there and have been stolen." Defence sources revealed that of more than 60 such projects constructed by the Army in the frontier districts, a majority stopped functioning within days of their inauguration. They said that in December last year, the Army, in order to hide this “scam”, had organised the visit of Governor Lt-Gen S.K.Sinha (retd) to one of the few functional projects in Azmatabad, who lauded the efforts of the Army in lighting the lives of the villagers.
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Challan against patwari and SRTC employee
Srinagar, March 1 According to a spokesman, the VO in the first challan said a patwari of halqa Koshipora-Zainakote was arrested red-handed, while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 from a complainant for mutation of land in favour of his cousins on April 1, 2007. The money was recovered from the accused patwari in the presence of independent witnesses at his residence. The blank mutation form signed by the cousins of the complainant and other witnesses was recovered from the accused and his hand wash tested positive. In another challan it said the mechanical inspector of SRTC had misappropriated Rs 1,26,800 received on account of vehicle inspection fee from the owners of the accidental vehicles in 1998. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir police Crime Branch (CB) has presented charge sheets in a local court here against a salesman of super bazar and a woman employee for committing fraud. Giving details about the cases, a spokesman of the CB said a tip-off was received that a salesman Ghulam Rasool sheikh of Mini Super Bazar, Kaimero, in Chadoora tehsil had fraudulently withdrawn insurance money released by an insurance company in favour of the super bazar. He said during the investigation, the CB learned that the super bazar was gutted in a fire incident and the matter was taken up with the National Insurance company. — UNI
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‘Bring horticulture under debt waiver scheme’
Jammu, March 1 While interacting with representatives of fruit growers and dealers in Jammu, Mir said that the fruit growers and dealers of the state deserve benefits of the loan waiver scheme announced by the union finance minister, as the fruit industry has been badly hit by weather vagaries and turmoil. "The Centre should come to the rescue of the fruit industry of the state and provide succour to the fruit growers to enable them clear their accumulated interests and outstanding loan," Mir said. "The extension of loan waiver scheme to horticulture sector of the state is the need of the hour. I personally urge the Centre to bring the fruit growers and traders under the proposed one-time settlement scheme also." Representatives of fruit growers and traders apprised the minister of various problems confronting the horticulture sector in the state. Responding to the demands of the fruit growers and traders, the minister announced that the allotment of shop sites in fruit mandi at Sopore would be completed within a month. "Fruit Mandi Sopore would be developed as a modern fruit market in North Kashmir. In addition, one terminal fruit market in South Kashmir and one terminal market between Vijaypur and Samba in Jammu is also proposed to be developed shortly. The establishment of these fruit markets would provide marketing facilities to the fruit growers and traders of the state,”he said. Mir said the government purposes to construct additional 100 rooms in the kisan ghar near fruit mandi Azadpur Delhi to provide adequate accommodation facilities to the fruit growers and traders of the state during their stay in Delhi in connection with their fruit business. He said a modern kisan ghar near fruit mandi Narwal Jammu would also be completed soon.
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Theatre during time of war
Jammu, March 1 No wonder Nighat’s name was shortlisted for the Nobel Peace Prize last year for working in the violence-hit areas. The foundation organised a cultural programme involving the school children from the Kashmir valley. Spelling out the theme of the programme, Nighat said the purpose was to provide a forum to the children of the violence-hit valley to express their talent. The programme involved song and dance numbers, besides three plays enacted by the students of different schools from the valley. Nighat said she thought working for peace also includes providing some entertaining relief to the people and theatre was the best medium. In fact today’s programme was the conclusion of a long series of competitions first involving about 50 schools from across the valley. From here 13 qualified for the final rounds. And last three were given a chance to perform before the public. It is something unusual to ask children from different schools to participate in theatre workshops and competitions, she told The Tribune, while adding, but this was certainly not difficult. People, particularly the youth want to give vent to their creative talent and Help Foundation has been helping them to do that. Appreciating the efforts of Help Foundation, director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police Kuldeep Khoda said the state needed non-government organisations like Help, which would help people to come out from the fear psychosis. He pointed out too much blood had been shed and now was the time to think and introspect. He congratulated Nighat for taking novel initiatives, which provide a forum to the youth to explore their talent and exploit their energies. The three plays enacted during the programme reflected the true human spirit that looks beyond sectarian and parochial considerations.
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NGO rally against drug menace
Srinagar, March 1 The activists of the NGO JKL Charitable organisation led by its president Dr Syed Shabir were joined by others to raise their voice against the use of drugs by the youths. The activists, holding banner appealed to the youth to stay away from drugs, marched through different streets in the uptown. Dr Shabir alleged that the number of youths taking drugs has increased in the Kashmir valley. Even students were taking drugs, he said and alleged that government agencies have failed to control the menace. Dr Shabir said he has treated number of drug addicts during the past one year. A drug addict, who also joined the rally, said he was smoking brown sugar for the past 12 years. However, for the past three months he was under the treatment of Dr Shabir and feeling much better. He said because of easy availability of drugs in most of the places in the city, a number of youths, including students, are taking drugs. However, majority of youths who are taking drugs for the past few years, wanted to get rid of drug intake, he added.
— UNI |
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Train makes 1st trial run in valley
Srinagar, March 1 The run was completed with eight coaches and was supervised by an eight-member team of the railways headed by Ankush Krishnan, the managing director of the Indian Railway Construction Company
(IRCON). Krishnan is also the member secretary of the Railway Board. The multi-million-rupee Kashmir rail project is being commissioned in two phases. By the end of this year, the rail link between south Kashmir's Anantnag district and north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is expected to be ready. In the second phase, railway operations between the valley and the rest of the country will begin. The rail service is expected to give a tremendous boost to trade and industries in the valley besides making |
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Kishtwar village gutted, 6 hurt
Jammu, March 1 Reports reaching here said, the entire village was engulfed in flames and the fire continued for quite some time. Due to the inaccessibility of the area, no fire tenders machine could reach there on time. Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party has demanded immediate financial help to the victims of devastating fire. In a joint statement here today, the PDP (Youth) leaders, including district president Ishtiyaq Hussain Waza, said the valuable property worth crores of rupees has been reduced to ashes in the devastating fire in Bonjwa area. Seeking the personnel intervention of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the statement demanded immediate financial help to the fire victims. “Till the houses are reconstructed the villager should be adjusted in temporary accommodations,” the party leaders demanded.
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Peerzada offers support to Soz
Srinagar, March 1 Sayeed said his decision to quit offices was his own, as he wanted to set an example at a time when clinging to chair at any cost was the motto of politicians. "Even those occupying low posts in public life will die but not demit their office whatever be allegations against them. I followed the moral path," he claimed before his supporters. He also tried to scotch speculations of his going against his party after what many believed his forced ouster from the party president's post. He said he would offer his full support to newly appointed party president Saifuddin Soz, also a cabinet minister in the UPA government in Delhi, and he would ever remain a Congressman. Independent MLA Shoaib Lone, whose MLA father was shot dead before he contested his seat and won, had claimed that he was asked a bribe of Rs 40,000 on behalf of Sayeed for his work in his ministry. The police had later arrested a driver of Sayeed for making threatening calls to Lone's mother, telling her to ask her son to withdraw the corruption charges. Sayeed had been claiming that he was a victim of conspiracy hatched by his enemies within and outside the Congress.
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BJP terms budget unrealistic
Jammu, March 1 Gupta, however, welcomed waiving of the loans of farmers and raising the income tax limit but questioned why this was not done earlier and the Congress owed an explanation as to who was responsible for the death of so many farmers under strains of debts. He said the situation needed long term policy to sort out the problems of the peasants and only one time action would be meaningless as was proved earlier also when the then Prime Minister,
H.D. Deve Gowda’s time similar relief was announced. About Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP leader said many problems facing the people of border areas as also those of the migrants had been overlooked in the budget. |
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Ahluwalia assumes command of 14 Corps
Jammu, March 1 A defence spokesman said here that Lt-Gen Ahluwalia, commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery on November 14, 1971, has held a large number of important command, instructional and staff appointments. He has a vast and varied experience of operations in Jammu and Kashmir where he commanded his unit in the Rajouri sector. Thereafter, he was commander of a brigade on the Line of Control in Uri and General Officer Commanding of a division in the Kargil sector in
Ladakh. |
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Youth killed in marriage party
Jammu, March 1 The police said the deceased, identified as Ashok Kumar (25), a resident of Manwal, was objected to consumption of liquor by his associates when they were accompanying the marriage party from Saruinsar to
Kangrail. “The youths had a scuffle over an issue and the deceased was attacked with wood logs and beaten to death,” the police said. Kumar died on the spot. The police rushed to the spot and arrested all the accused while they were trying to flee. The accused have been identified as Anil Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Kaka Ram (groom’s cousin), Kishore and Shoka. A murder case has been registered against them.
— UNI |
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Minor sodomised
Rajouri, March 1 Family sources said 25-year-old Sanjay Kumar, son of Des
Raj, of Kangri, an employee with the local tent house, took the boy to a secluded place at a marriage function in Kul
Dabbi, where the former's company had erected tent. After taking him to an isolated place, Kumar sexually assaulted him. |
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Two killed
Srinagar, March 1 They said a car collided with load carrier at Khani Bugh Lethpora on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, resulting in on the spot death of driver Mohammad Shaban Wagay and injuries to five passengers. Meanwhile, the body was today recovered in Anantnag district.
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Concerned over use of drugs by the youths, including girls, a local NGO organised a rally against drug menace here today.
The activists of the NGO JKL Charitable organisation led by its president Dr Syed Shabir were joined by others to raise their voice against the use of drugs by the youths.
The activists, holding banner appealed to the youth to stay away from drugs, marched through different streets in the uptown. Dr Shabir alleged that the number of youths taking drugs has increased in the Kashmir valley.
