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Govt staff go on strike
Nurses demand higher grade
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HC quashes removal of SPO
Talk of surgical strikes out of place: Mufti
Govt ignoring people’s concerns, says CPM
Islamic varsity needs proper development plan: CM
CM takes up realignment issue with Centre
Highway repair to finish soon, says Dy CM
Cold wave grips valley
Army organises educational tour for children
Music contest organised
JU prof gets award
Two CRPF men commit suicide
Jewellery stolen
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Govt staff go on strike
Jammu/Srinagar, February 10 The strike call has been given by the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) comprising various employee bodies. Essential services like health care were also affected by the strike. There was no work in the OPDs of almost all government hospitals, including the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu. However, emergency services remained unaffected. Employees staged rallies outside various government offices and took out rallies in Jammu and Srinagar, seeking the fulfilment of their demands. The employees accused the state government of resorting to dilly-dallying despite promising to implement the pay commission report in letter and spirit. Employee leaders Ram Kumar Sharma, Mohammad Gafoor Dar and Pardeep Sharma visited various government offices and addressed agitating employees in Jammu city. They appealed to the employees to remain united and prepare themselves for a long struggle. Sharma said the employees were forced to proceed on strike due to the government’s “failure” to implement the pay report. Meanwhile, the KAS Officers’ Association kept away from the strike, stating that it was satisfied with the efforts of the government toward the implementation of the commission’s report and the enhancement of retirement age. A spokesman for the association said a delegation of the KAS Officers’ Association called on Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in this connection and the minister told them that the government was mobilising resources for the implementation of the report. In Srinagar also, thousands of government employees took out protest marches in support of their demands. Raising slogans, the employees marched through main roads and processions could be seen leading toward the city centre from other areas falling within its vicinity. The employees of the offices of divisional commissioner, Kashmir, and deputy commissioner, Srinagar, took out protest rallies from their respective office and marched toward the Hari Singh High Street area. The employees working in various departments at Old Secretariat and the employees of the Power Development Department also joined the protest rally. The employees of the Forest Department and the State Road Transport Corporation joined the processions in the Lal Chowk area. The people working as casual labourers in various departments also joined protests and demanded that their services be regularised. The rallies culminated at Pratap Park, Residency Road, where leaders of the EJAC addressed protesting employees. |
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Nurses demand higher grade
Jammu, February 10 Addressing mediapersons here today, president of the All Jammu and Kashmir Nurses’ Association Abdul Majeed Yattoo talked about the “glaring” instances of discrimination with the nursing staff of the Health and Family Welfare Department. “Despite having done a four-year diploma course in nursing and serving sick people for years together, our grades have not been hiked,” he said. He added that the paramedic staff with a training course of one year and one-and-a-half years had been accommodated in their pay grade of Rs 4,000-6,000 recently. The nursing staff, which is the backbone of the entire health system, could not be ignored and at the same time the four-year diploma course could not be equated with the one or two-year training courses, he said. Junior engineers with a three-year diploma course in different government departments, too, had been given the grade of Rs 5700-10,100 and we demand that the nursing staff should also be given the same grade, Yattoo added. Similarly, he also sought a hike in uniform allowance. From 1972 to 1989, we were getting Rs 40 as uniform allowance and following a fresh order in 1989 the same was increased to Rs 60, but since then there had been no increase in it despite back-breaking inflation, he added. Citing instances of stagnation, he said several employees continued to work as junior nurse for over two decades and dejected over the indifferent attitude of the government some of them after putting in a service of 25 years took pre-mature retirement. The discriminatory attitude of the successive governments could be gauged from the fact that the two regions of the state had only one matron each, he added. |
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10 hurt as youths clash with CRPF
Srinagar, February 10 Official and civilian sources said a group of separatists was on its way back from Eidgah, where several separatists and militants are buried and which is called the martyrs’ graveyard by secessionists, as some youths attacked a CRPF vehicle near the Madina chowk. People in the crowd alleged that CRPF jawans allegedly roughed up some shopkeepers and passers-by here this afternoon. Situation took a more serious turn when the youths attacked a CRPF company positioned in the famous Akhara building at Maisuma. A CRPF spokesperson said they were pelted with stones and their vehicles were extensively damaged. “Two of our jawans were injured,” he said. Maisuma, home to JKLF leader Yasin Malik, is a rather restive place in Srinagar, where clashes between youths and security personnel are common. The police fired teargas shells and used force to disperse the protesters, injuring eight of them. |
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Mubarak Mandi complex damaged in fire
Jammu, February 10 A mysterious fire, for the 36th time in recent years, damaged the symbol of the Duggar heritage in the Old Library complex last night. Meanwhile, the state government today ordered a high-level probe into the incident. However, Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora visited the heritage complex this morning to assess the damage to the complex, where renovation and preservation work at a cost of Rs 150 crore had been going on. Jora asked divisional commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal to conduct a through probe to ascertain the cause of fire. A big fire had broken out in the Old Library complex of the historic monument, at present under renovation and within no time the timber logs worth lakhs of rupees, which had to be used in renovation work, were burnt. “Ten fire engines along with 50 firefighting personnel were pressed into service to douse the flames,” said director of the Fire and Emergency Services, RS Sodhi. It nearly took two hours to extinguish the fire completely, he said, adding that two fire engines were stationed for the night to check any re-ignition. Firemen sustained minor bruises, but the timely action prevented a major incident, said Sodhi. Though the structure did not suffer extensive damage, the ceiling of the first floor caved in. SSP, Jammu, Manohar Singh said the fire broke out on the first floor of the Old Library on the rear side of the complex. “Though the exact cause of fire could not been ascertained so far, it appears to be a case of an accidental fire caused by looping live wires,” he added. A case has been registered and investigations were on to look into the entire incident, said the SSP. On December 15, 2006, a mysterious and devastating fire had damaged the Toshakhana on the complex where classy weaponry, artifacts, gold ornaments and utensils of the Maharaja’s period were kept. |
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HC quashes removal of SPO
Jammu, February 10 The petitioner on probation as Special Police Officer in the state police was discharged from service by respondents by invoking the Rule 187 of Police Rules. The petitioner’s unauthorised absence from duties resulted into his discharge from services from December 1, 2004. The HC while allowing the petition observed that scanning through contents of order, it was visible that petitioner’s unauthorised absence was taken as basis to determine the likelihood or unlikelihood of police official to become good or a bad official. Once foundation was unauthorised absence and the conduct of petitioner was being judged to be good or a bad official, it could not be said that order was a discharge simplicitor. The order of discharge had cast stigma on petitioner as he was likely not to get any future job on the basis of stigma. The principles of natural justice do require that he should be given opportunity to explain the grounds on which the SSP proposes to pass an order of discharge and than to consider the explanation submitted by the police official. Then the SSP was competent to pass appropriate orders as per rules. |
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Talk of surgical strikes out of place: Mufti
Jammu, February 10 In a statement issued here today, the Mufti, while expressing concern over the statements about the possibility of surgical strikes and war as an option to fight terror in the region, said such an approach was against the spirit of our times. He said the current Lok Sabha election campaign should not be used to score points about which of the two major alliances at the national level was more hawkish in its tone and tenor. “The competition should in fact be which one of the two fronts is more forward looking, peace loving and development oriented,” he said. He added that being a regional super power, India had a moral responsibility to impact its surroundings in a positive and constructive manner. The PDP patron said the Mumbai terror attack should not serve as a roadblock to the peace and reconciliation process. He added instead it should further strengthen our resolve to take the peace process ahead, in spite of the challenges. “The suggestions of surgical strikes across the border or an outright war with Pakistan are obviously out of place,” he said. Similarly, the Mufti said the NDA, which under the leadership of Atal Behari Vajpayee had taken a lead in reaching out to Pakistan and the people of Kashmir, should once again reiterate its commitment to that cause. Referring to the need for strengthening civil society and democratic forces in Pakistan, he said it was in the interest of the whole region that the democratic institutions in that country were strengthened. “Hawkish voices from our country will only weaken them further and result in the promotion of the agents of hate and violence,”
he cautioned. |
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Govt ignoring people’s concerns, says CPM
Jammu, February 10 “Ignoring people’s needs and aspirations can give a wrong impression about the priorities of the present government,” CPM state secretary and Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said. He maintained that if the present government continued to neglect people’s concerns, alienation of masses could resurface. Tarigami stated this while interacting with various deputations from Wachi, Kulgam, Humshalibugh, Devsar, Noorabad and Shopian Assembly constituencies, who called on him here today in connection with their demands and problems. The CPM leader assured them that he would present their concerns at appropriate forums to seek early redress. He expressed anguish over the growing problems in the valley, especially in rural and far-off areas. He added that if divisional and district administrations had been sensitised to address and mitigate sufferings of the valley residents, they would not have come to Jammu for seeking redress of their problems. Tarigami argued that denying basic amenities to people was entirely against the spirit of a welfare state. The government should take contingency and effective measures to solve people’s problems. Expressing dismay over the poor road connectivity, power and water supply and scarcity of essentials in Wachi, Kulgam, Humshalibugh, Devsar and Shopian areas, Tarigami demanded the attention of the government towards these issues. The CPM leader assured the delegations that during the ensuing Budget session of the state Legislative Assembly, he would highlight their concerns and seek responses of the ministries concerned. |
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Islamic varsity needs proper development plan: CM
Srinagar, February 10 During his visit to the IUST this afternoon, the Chief Minister took stock of the construction works under execution on the campus. He also had an appraisal of the academic activities of the university and discussed matters pertaining to its growth and development. Talking to the university administration on the occasion, the Chief Minister said an action plan for the development of the university in the next six years would be discussed soon and steps taken to ensure sustainable resources for it He said before launching expansion, the main campus needed to be made fully functional with all infrastructural facilities. The vice-chancellor of the University, Dr Wahid
Sidiqqi, gave a resume of the functioning, academic schedule and construction activities of the university. He said besides
B.Tech, English, Islamic studies and Arabic, other subjects were being taught in the university. He said the enrolment in the university had gone up from 169 in 2006 to 985 in 2008. He said efforts were on to create adequate infrastructural facilities and open new academic streams. The Chief Minister inspected the construction works, including B.Tech faculty building being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.25
crore. He was informed that a training centre for skilled enhancement had also been planned to be developed in the university at a cost of Rs 1.5
crore. |
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Batote-Doda Road
Srinagar, February 10 An official spokesman said the Chief Minister also requested Balu for releasing Rs 10 crore to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), so that the construction of the new alignment of the NH-1B was completed earnestly. While talking to the Union minister over phone from here today, Omar impressed upon him to undertake the realignment of the NH-1B immediately. The widening of the highway is part of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction plan under the Central sector. The Chief Minister also summoned chief engineer, Beacon, Brig AK Bhutani and enquired from him about the latest status of the new alignment. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the Bani-Bhaderwah road would be made operational within a week or 10 days to send supplies to Doda and Kishtwar districts so that people of these districts did not suffer on this account. He said the repair of the road was being carried out on a war footing. |
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Highway repair to finish soon, says Dy CM
Udhampur, February 10 Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, MLA, Doda, Abdul Majid Wani, divisional commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, district development commissioner, Doda, Syed Sharief-ud-Din, district development commissioner Sudarshan Sharma and other senior district officers were present in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister assured the people that all efforts would be made to restore road link at the earliest. He further said steps were being taken to maintain adequate stocks in the district. Azad stressed the need to explore the possibility of water transport on the Baglihar water reservoir. Various measures like the availability of essential commodities in Doda and Kishtwar districts and measures being taken by the administration to further augment the stock position and early restoration of the road link were also discussed. Besides, the possibility of alternate road also came up for discussion. While giving a brief about the measures taken by the administration, the divisional commissioner, Jammu, revealed that the work had started on a war footing for the early restoration of the highway. Besides, snow clearance work on the Bani-Basohli road and repair work on the Assar-Tungla road also started for providing road connectivity. Dr Kotwal said sufficient stock of wheat, rice, sugar and medicines for one month was available at both districts. |
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Cold wave grips valley
Srinagar, February 10 Kargil and Leh in frontier region of Ladakh remained under the grip of severe cold as the night temperature there dipped to -17.6°C and -6°C, respectively, the MET office said today. The department also issued a warning of more snow in high altitude areas and rains for the next 24 hours. Kokernag in south Kashmir was coldest in the valley with a low of -1.2°C, while Pahalgam in south and Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded -0.2°C and -0.3°C, following snowfall coupled with rains there. However, night temperature improved in Srinagar, summer capital of the state, as the city recorded a low of 1.0°C. The city recorded a rainfall of 7.2 mm today. Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway recorded a low of 1.4°C. The night temperature in Jammu, winter capital of the state, improved as the city recorded a low of 13.1°C. Katra, the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, also observed a warmer night with a low of 12.1°C. Batote, Bhaderwah and Banihal also recorded a low of 6.6°C, 5.2°C and 4.2°C. However, the traffic on the Jammu-Kashmir highway has been plying without any major hiccup. The BRO has been keeping the road running for most of the time in this winter. |
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Army organises educational tour for children
Akhnoor, February 10 Educational and motivational tour for the students, a majority of whom have never been out of their villages, was flagged off by the Officiating General Officer in Commanding of the Crossed Swords Division of the Army, Brigadier IPS Gill. Speaking on the occasion, the officer said the objective of
the tour was aimed at educating the children about the vast cultural diversity, mutual co-existence and
rapid progress made by our nation. During their tour, these children will be visiting sites of historical and cultural importance and other
places of interest which showcase the face of modern India. They are scheduled to visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Amritsar. They will also get a chance to meet and interact with President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in Delhi. A majority of these school kids belong to economically weaker section of society. |
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Music contest organised
Jammu, February 10 According to a statement issued here, more than 30 students in the age group of 6 to 9 years from different schools participated in the competition. Vishali Pandita of Public High School, Mishriwala, Pratima Gupta of JK Public School, Panjtirthi, and Anshu Garg of JK Public School, Kunjwani won prizes in vocal (light) category. Similarly, in the category of Classical music, Nikshap Panditra, Vineet Puri and Kamakshi Khajuria won the prizes. Sitar maestro Padhmani Tikoo, noted music director Brij Mohan and Deep Suman, renowned singer and senior music teacher, were the adjudicators on
the occasion. |
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JU prof gets award
Jammu, February 10 This is for the second time that the award has been won by a teacher of the varsity. The award carries an amount of Rs 10.50 lakh in cash. Dr Manhas of Bhaderwah tehsil, Doda, is presently working as associate professor, The Business School and Centre for Hospitality & Tourism Management. |
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Two CRPF men commit suicide
Jammu/Srinagar, February 10 Jaimal Singh, a sub-inspector of the 164th Battalion, shot himself with his service rifle inside a camp at Kokernag in Anantnag yesterday. In another incident, a CRPF jawan allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday by shooting himself with his service rifle on the outskirts of Jammu city. The jawan identified as Raju shot himself with his service rifle while on duty at Ghrota area.
— PTI |
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Jewellery stolen
Udhampur, February 10 Ashok Razdan along with his wife had gone to attend a family function. When he returned home today, he found locks broken. Though he lodged a complaint with the Udhampur police, no arrest has been made so far. — TNS |
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