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Govt to facilitate talks with separatists: Omar
Set tone for good governance
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Bhim Singh quits legislative council
Wary of LS polls, Congress unwilling to act against rebels
Jammu varsity website needs to be updated
Shahida takes charge as medical supdt
Kotwal put forward demands of ex-servicemen
Leopard found dead in Pahalgam
Youth’s body found
Never used air power in anti-terror ops: Army
Leh coldest at - 16.2°C
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Govt to facilitate talks with separatists: Omar
Jammu, January 9 Addressing the mediapersons after taking the guard of honour on his first day in office, Omar said: "Our enemy is not Pakistan but it is the forces within Pakistan that are inimical to friendship between the two countries. To say that entire Pakistan is adverse to good relations with India would be unfair." On talks with separatists, Omar said he would like to create conditions conducive for talks between the Centre and the separatists. However, he said the people should not expect overnight developments on this front as with the Lok Sabha poll round the corner, any big initiative would not be possible. About different positions of the coalition partners on issues like delimitation and autonomy, he said it should not be a problem as they have enough space to work together. "We agree that there are some points on which we agree to disagree and we have no problem with that," he added. On bridging the divide between the Jammu and Kashmir regions, Omar said: "This government is made up of parties having equal stakes in all three regions of the state. We are as much concerned about Ladakh and Kashmir as about Jammu. It is a government that bridges the regional divide and will continue to do so." He said his government would also look into the complaints of regional bias and, if found true, systemic changes would be put in place to ensure that it is not repeated. Regarding clean governance and tackling corruption, he said he would make the government more accountable to the people by bringing the state's RTI Act at par with the Central one, besides giving more teeth to Accountability Commission and the Vigilance Organisation. The CM said unemployment was not as much a problem as unemployability. "Our system gives youth education and not the skill set that they can take to the job market. There is no point inviting Tata or Wipro if they have to employ people from outside the state. We will put in place infrastructure for skill development that will make youth more attractive to the job market. I'm looking at a situation where the private sector is the first choice," he averred. Regarding the 6th Pay Commission, Omar said though the state government didn't have any problem with it in principle, it would first have to address serious financial implications that the move entailed. He refuted the talk of setting up a commission against former PDP ministers, stating that he didn't believe in the politics of revenge. "I have neither announced any commission nor have any intention to constitute one," he added. |
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Set tone for good governance
Rana is Omar's political
adviser The government today appointed Devender Singh Rana, MLC, as the political adviser to the Chief Minister. He will have the rank and status of a minister of state. However, he shall not draw any salary/remuneration for the said assignment. An engineer, Rana has been a director of J&K Bank for seven years and the media adviser to Omar Abdullah for six-and-a-half years.
Jammu, January 9 Addressing a meeting of administrative secretaries here today, the Chief Minister said "Everyone has to work hard and ensure best possible governance and delivery to match the expectations of the people." The Chief Minister said he would fix the priorities and the administration had to implement these in a time-bound manner. "Because of generation shift and I being the youngest Chief Minister of the state, people are looking at the government with high expectations", he added. He told the participants that it was not for him to tell them what to do and how to do it. "You have a wealth of experience and I want to tap it. Pick up the ball and get started. It is a fresh beginning and all of us have to rise to the occasion and serve the people," said the Chief Minister. Omar said he was not looking for loyalty for any particular political party from the officers who, he said, would be judged by their performance, adding that he would not be vindictive as he was not carrying any baggage. Welcoming the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary SS Kapur assured that the administration would do its best to ensure good governance. |
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Bhim Singh quits legislative council
Jammu, January 9 In his resignation letter to Governor NN Vohra, Bhim Singh cited various reasons behind his decision to quit the council. He said, “The reason behind my decision to resign from the legislative council is injustice that the people of Jammu province have been facing for the past more than 60 years.” He said the new coalition government in the state was not in the best interests of the people. He termed the NC being the “mother of ongoing terrorism” in the state. “It was the NC that rigged elections in 1987 and formed a coalition with the Congress. This led to resentment among people in Kashmir, who then took to weapons,” Bhim Singh said. He held the NC responsible for the plight of refugees from west Pakistan, who despite living in the state for more than 60 years had not been granted citizenship rights. In his three-page letter to the Governor, Bhim Singh also raised questions over transparency in the elections and alleged rigging took place at various polling stations in the Jammu region. |
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Wary of LS polls, Congress unwilling to act against rebels
Udhampur, January 9 The Congress leadership has reasons to adopt delay tactics as these rebels have polled a good number of votes as compared to the party candidates. Even in some places, Congress’ nominees lost their deposits, while the rebels secured the second position in more than six seats. Keeping in view the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leadership seems to be not interested in taking action against those rebels who have proved their potential as well as popularity in the elections. “Before taking any action against popular rebel leaders, the party has to think over pros and cons, as these dissidents have the potential to spoil the prospects of Congress candidates in the Lok Sabha elections”, observed a senior party leader, pleading anonymity. He added that the leadership should admit that they had committed a blunder by fielding weak candidates by ignoring popular leaders. Besides Jammu district, the rebels have proved their popularity in Reasi and Udhampur districts, especially in Ramnagar and Gulabgarh segments, where the party gave ticket to weak candidates. Rejecting repeated representations of grass-roots level workers, the party fielded Thakur Dass, who was considered close to Lok Sabha member Lal Singh. Out of the total 64,871 votes polled, Thakur Dass secured only 1,491 votes, while general secretary of the Youth Congress Ranbir Singh Pathania, who contested the elections as an Independent candidate, got 9,285 votes. Similarly, the Congress rebel from Gulabgarh, Mumtaz Ahmed, was the runner up securing 11,020 votes, while party candidate Shafiq ul-Reham got only 3,280 votes. “It is high time for the Congress leadership to realise its mistake”, said a prominent leader of Udhampur, who regretted that the party lost Udhampur and Ramban seats due to the wrong selection of candidates. Party sources disclosed that the Congress leadership was in a dilemma regarding these rebels. On the one hand, the defeated Congress candidates are exerting pressure on the party to take action against the rebels, on the other the party leadership is focused on the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. |
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Petrol stations go dry in valley
Srinagar, January 9 Most of the petrol pumps ran dry here today due to suspension in the supply of enough stock, while those with supplies from the HPCL had long queues of vehicles in many parts of the city and elsewhere in the valley. Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Masood Samoon has directed the HPCL petrol pumps to remain open round-the-clock, Aamir Ali, PRO at the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, said. The PRO said the HPCL had enough stocks in the valley and it was continuing to pour in. The BPCL and the IOCL stocks were also available in the valley but the distribution was not presently made due to the strike by the oil companies, he said. In case the strike continued, the LPG supply would last only a couple of days more in the valley as these winter stocks were being exhausted to overcome the rising demand. There has been a rise in demand for LPG at the domestic level in view of the winter conditions presently in Kashmir where the Chillai Kalan, the coldest period of winter, is already at its peak. The strike had adversely affected the trade and business in Kashmir as the valley was totally dependent on the surface transport, Mubeen Shah, president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. “We are dependent on the road transport only unlike many other states,” Shah said. An office-bearer of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry lamented that the announcement of the Petroleum Minister to reduce the oil prices was not proper. It would have been better if the announcement was made only after a decision to this effect was taken, he added. JAMMU: Long queues of vehicles were witnessed outside the HPCL filling stations in Jammu as people lined up for replenishing their fuel tanks. The All-Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tankers Association president Anan Sharma said all 31 filling stations of the HPCL, including eight in Jammu city, had been providing fuel to the customers. He said around 80 BPC pumps would also soon resume their operations in the state. He said the IOC had also given supply to the police today. The fuel shortage also affected the public transport as there were a few number of mini-buses and matadors on the city roads. |
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Jammu varsity website needs to be updated
Jammu, January 9 Interestingly, the website (www.jammuuniversity.in) is the last year winner of the best website award among the commonwealth universities. Though Prof Varun Sahni joined as the new Vice-Chancellor of the university in place of Prof Amitabh Matto on December 8 last year, in certain links Prof Matto is being stated to be the VC of the varsity. On the welcome page, one can find the photograph of the new VC, Prof Sahni, but he is yet to leave his ceremonial message for the faculty and students. In some other links, former VC Prof Amitabh Matto is still stated to be head of several committees, study centre and councils on account of being the VC of the university. As per the website, the UGC Centre for Nehru Studies established under its scheme EPOCH, former Vice-chancellor of JU Prof Amitabh Mattoo is said to be the acting VC and holds the post of chairman of its advisory committee. Although there is mention that teaching departments and students will observe winter break with effect from January 1 to 10, there is no mention of datesheet for the ongoing and ensuing exams. Similarly, the links
to the present event, upcoming event and past events have no mention while
the events mentioned were last time updated on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. The students aspiring for admission or admission related information feel cheated as there is no provision for downloading application forms or admission brochure despite the fact that website displays such options. Apart from it, among other centres there has been no display of activities held by the faculty or committee for the human genetic research-cum-counselling centre. For Distant Education also, there are no updates of academic activities and faculty achievements. Also, there is no new notification regarding exams or
datesheet. |
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20 hurt as cops burst tear gas shells
Srinagar, January 9 The trouble started after the Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid this afternoon in Nowhatta area with the people agitating against attacks on Palestine. The protest demonstrations led to clashes between the protesters and the police on the occasion prompting the police to the use of force. Protests were also held in north Kashmir towns of Sopore, Kupwara and Handwara. An official spokesman here said the police exercised maximum restraint in chasing away some miscreants at Nowhatta who indulged in stone pelting in which 10 persons sustained injuries. Those injured included a CRPF officer, four CRPF jawans, three policemen, one of whom is serious, and two civilians. |
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‘Munna Bhai’ in Kashmir
Srinagar, January 9 It began with the resumption of the shooting for Rahul Dholakia’s “Lamha” here today starring Sanjay Dutt and others, who arrived in the valley yesterday. The residents in posh Rajbagh and along the old zero bridge witnessed shooting of the film on Kashmir as movement on the link roads to the site was restricted. The shooting of the film was suspended in October last following objections of traders at the local Fruit
Mandi. Besides, disturbance over the Amaranth land row had also led to disruption in the film shooting in October. During its stay in the valley, the film crew is expected to shoot in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The scenic spots have always been the prime locations for Hindi movies from the sixties to the late eighties Sanjay Dutt, a frequent visitor to Kashmir, interacted with onlookers here today. He said his parents had been great lovers of Kashmir who had been frequently visiting the valley for
their films. |
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Shahida takes charge as medical supdt
Srinagar, January 9 Shahida will hold the charge of medical superintendent of the hospital in addition to her own duties till further orders, a government order said. It said Nazir Ahmad Choudhary, deputy medical superintendent, Chest Diseases Hospital, Srinagar, had been transferred and posted as deputy medical superintendent, Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar. Omar visited the hospital yesterday and found medical superintendent Latief Ahmad and his deputy Mushtaq Ahmad Rather absent and ordered their replacement. Rather had been transferred and posted as deputy medical superintendent, Chest Diseases Hospital, Srinagar. He would hold the additional charge of the Maternity Home, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, till any alternative arrangement was made, the order said. Latief had gone back as the head of the ENT Department in Government Medical College, Srinagar, it said.
— PTI |
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Kotwal put forward demands of ex-servicemen
Jammu, January 9 While addressing media persons, he said: “Jammu and Kashmir is the only state where the armed forces have fought all wars the country was forced upon and given the maximum sacrifices for the state. It has helped the state administration to counter insurgency and natural calamities, besides taking care of internal security. Yet, in spite of enormous contribution, the armed forces in our state have not been given their due share.” He sought exemption of VAT on all CSD items and payment of wages to the Village Defence Committees equivalent to the SPOs. He also demanded that the police should recruit 20 per cent ex-servicemen as SPOs with emoluments equivalent to permanent employees of the Police Department. He said a retired Army officer of the rank of Brigadier and above should be included as one of the members in the Public Service Commission and the SSRB. He also sought Ex-servicemen Corporation on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and other states. |
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Leopard found dead in Pahalgam
Srinagar, January 9 Reports said wildlife officials and the police asked people to remain indoors last evening, saying a “violent” leopard was roaming in the area. “Often wild animals roam around. It has been a usual sight here. The government, particularly the Wildlife Department, needs to take precautionary measures at the earliest,” says Mohammad Ashraf, a local
resident. Imtiyaz Lone, wildlife warden, south division, Kashmir, termed the death of the leopard as natural. “Its body was recovered this morning. The alert was sounded a couple of days back when the leopard was roaming in the area, and as per the police report it had injured two persons,”
said Lone. He said a rescue party was sent to monitor the situation and it informed that the animal had returned to forest, where it was found dead. |
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Youth’s body found
Jammu, January 9 The deceased has been identified as Sumit Sharma, 31, of Rehari. Reports said after the police was informed that a man was lying in an unconscious condition in an auto-rickshaw, a party led by Rehari police post in charge RK Sharma reached the spot and shifted him to Government Medical College here. However, doctors at the hospital declared him as brought dead. The deceased was a local, who had been working in a vegetable market, added the reports. The police has rounded up the auto-rickshaw driver for questioning. |
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Never used air power in anti-terror ops: Army
Jammu, January 9 According to an official spokesman, the Army experience did not warrant the excessive use of such force. Regarding the number of terrorists present on the site of encounter in Bhatti Dhar forests of the Mendher area in Poonch district, he said that the exact number could not be exactly revealed as the assumption was based on the wireless intercepts. He said: "We did not use UAV and the idea not to the air force was not because of the posturing by Pakistani F-16 aircraft." |
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Leh coldest at - 16.2°C
Srinagar, January 9 |
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