Jammu, March 3
Minister for Higher Education Peerzada Mohammad Syed today informed the Legislative Assembly that as part of the government’s endeavour to promote all local languages, the Kashmiri language would be taught in classes IX and X in the Kashmir valley this year.

The language is being taught in classes XI and XII.

Peerzada was replying to a point raised by CPM legislator MY Tarigami during Zero Hour in the Lower House here today. Tarigami vociferously pleaded for introducing Kashmiri as a subject in all schools in classes IX and X. He said every possible step should be taken to promote the language.

Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather in reply to an issue raised by legislator Abdul Haq said the demand for establishing a branch of J&K Bank and a Treasury Office at Lalpora in Lolab, respectively, would be examined as per norms. Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh raised the issue regarding a privilege motion brought against him in the Upper House for moving an amendment for abolishing the Legislative Council. He said he was within his rights to move any bill and no privilege motion could be brought against him.

While intervening Rather said the member had not committed any breach of privilege, as he was within his rights to move the bill. Responding to a point raised by legislator Jagdish Sapolia with regard to compensation to people whose land and property came under the Ranjit Sagar Dam, the Finance Minister said the Punjab government back-tracked on the agreement between Punjab and the J&K government.

However, the matter had been referred to the Supreme Court by the Union government for resolving the issue. Rather said the matter would be taken up again with the Punjab government to settle various issues.

Srinagar: The Adbee Markaz Kamraz, a cultural organisation of Kashmir, has hailed the announcement on the introduction of Kashmiri language at the secondary level from this year in the valley.

Minister for Higher Education Peerzada Mohammad Syed on Wednesday informed the Assembly in Jammu that Kashmiri language would be introduced in classes IX and X in the valley this year.

Spokesman for the Adbee Markaz Kamraz said it was a timely announcement since the language was being taught up to class VIII. “We appreciate the efforts of the government in taking effective steps to give the language its rightful place,” he added.

Jammu, March 3
Lakhs of students today appeared for the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) examination of class XII, which started today. Around lakhs of students took their examination for physics in the northern region of the country.

DR Yadev, joint director of the CBSE, said around one lakh students of class XII appeared for the examination in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

He said around 2 lakh and 25,000 students would appear in the examination of class X in the northern region, which is scheduled for March 5.

Many students were seen disappointed after coming out of the examination halls as they found the paper lengthy.

Pooja Sharma, a student, complained that the question paper was very lengthy, while the time duration of the examination was very less.

Coming out from the examination centre at KV No 1, Gandhi Nagar, Bhumika Wata, a student, said, “The paper was good, but it was quite lengthy.”

Sahil Sharma, a student, said the paper was conceptual and was based on textbook. He said teachers advised them to consult refreshers books and evergreen sample papers for the preparation of the examination, while 50 per cent of the paper was from textbook.

Jammu, March 3
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today the government was focusing on faster and balanced development of far-flung and remote areas.

“While measures have been initiated to upgrade five important sectors of road, health, education, water and power supply, steps are also afoot to ensure the integrated development of horticulture, agriculture and allied sectors in the rural areas,” he added.

Omar was talking to a deputation from Banihal led by MLA Viqar Rasool, who called on him here and brought to his notice various demands pertaining to the development of Banihal constituency.

The Chief Minister said under a comprehensive rural development strategy put in place by the government, the necessary thrust had been given to providing basic amenities to people.

Following the completion of scores of schemes under implementation across the state, there would be a tremendous impact on the development front, he said and reiterated his government’s commitment to equitable and holistic development of all areas of the state.

The MLA, while lauding the performance of the government during the last one year in all development sectors, highlighted issues pertaining to the upgrading of basic facilities in the Banihal constituency.

Jammu, March 3
On the second consecutive day, the scarcity of ration generated much heat in the Assembly as members of all parties raised the issue and tried to corner the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon.

In the half-an-hour debate on the issue, members cutting across party lines expressed their concern over the shortage of ration in their respective areas.

While the opposition PDP staged a walkout over this issue after the “unsatisfactory” reply of the Minister, the Panthers Party and the BJP also took the government to task for the scarcity of ration.

Speaker of the Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone also expressed concern about the issue and directed the Minister not to go by the figures, but do something concrete to address the members’ grievances.

Earlier, the Minister while winding up the debate, the CAPD Minister informed the House that the State Government was vigorously pursuing with the Planning Commission to secure the release of the full BPL ration quota as per the existing population of families falling under this category so that all deserving families get ration at the subsidised rates. Besides, all the District Development Commissioners had been asked to re-verify the BPL lists within shortest possible time, as per the present population. The state, at present, is getting the ration quota as per the figures of BPL families listed in the 2001 census .

The Minister said Jammu and Kashmir was the only the state which provided 50 kg ration per card to the people. The expenses, for the additional 15 kg , on the central scale of 35 kgs is being borne by the state government putting a burden of Rs 104 crore on the exchequer. The additional ration is being provided on the same subsidised rates to the beneficiaries, the Minister added.

Not satisfied with the reply of the Minister, all members of the PDP staged a walkout.

Jammu, March 3
Hitherto teaching and preaching yoga to people across the country and abroad, yoga guru Baba Ramdev yet again avowed to take a political plunge so as to see again golden period of “Ram Rajya”- free from corrupt politicians and rotting system.

He also felt that providing amnesty and rehabilitating militants was a bad idea on the part of the Centre and the state government.

On a visit to the temple city here under a people-contact programme organised by the Patanjali Yogpeeth, Baba Ramdev said: “The Patanjali Yogpeeth has already started chalking out modalities and we have also started a process to chose right candidates for the next Lok Sabha elections.”

“We want to rid India of corruption and restore its lost Vedic glory once again,” he said while interacting with mediapersons here today.

To a query, he denied harbouring ideas to take a direct political plunge, but made it clear that he would don the role of a “supervisor”.

In larger perspective of having a corruption-free society, joining hands with neat and clean political parties or taking help of social

organisations would always remain an option for us, he said.

When asked whether gurus would also jump into the fray, he said necessity vis-à-vis scenario would decide further course of action.

For bringing a positive change in the country, Peeth members might also contest the coming elections and it was no big deal if the country had to be saved from further degeneration, he said.

People were being exploited by those at the helm of affairs, while economic wealth of the country had found its way in Swiss banks, he added.

“Peeved over disturbing trends, the Patanjali Yogpeeth has decided to mobilise its resources and have a new India,” he said.

He said under his scheme of things, once convicted by a court of law, a guilty would not be allowed to seek clemency.

No such law-seeking clemency from the President would be practiced in the new governance, he said, while referring to militants, criminals and corrupt elements.

To another query, he said he was least bothered to threats to his life in the wake of his decision to change political scenario of the country.

Srinagar, March 3
One militant was killed and three security personnel were injured in a gunfight between the hiding militants and the security forces personnel in the Tral area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir today.

Acting upon specific information about the presence of militants in Mir Mohalla, Dadsar in the Tral area, the police and security forces cordoned off the area early this morning.

The gunfight broke out when the militants hiding in a house fired indiscriminately and hurled grenades on a search party, resulting in injuries to at least three security personnel.

Those injured included two Army men, one of them a JCO, and a policeman, whose condition was stated to be out of danger. The house in which militants were hiding got heavily damaged, while two adjacent houses were also partially damaged in the encounter.

Sources said one of the militants was killed in the encounter, whose body could not be retrieved so far due to the ongoing encounter. Senior security officials said three more militants could be hiding in the houses, who engaged the troops in fierce the gunfight during the day.

Though the identity of the militant killed was yet to be ascertained, the police believed that militants belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen could be holed up in the houses. The operation was likely to be suspended for the night and would be resumed to flush out the hiding militants tomorrow morning.

Jammu, March 3
Two militants, including a district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, surrendered before the security forces in Doda today.

Official reports said those surrendered were Abdul Latif, alias Hamza, and district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen Sher Mohammed, alias Saifullah, both residents of Darosh village in Doda district.

They handed over an AK 47 rifle, one UMG, one UBGL, seven RPG rounds, one pistol silencer, one 303 rifle with a magazine and 10 rounds, six AK magazines, two wireless sets, 10 kg of RDX, one Chinese grenade, one UBGL shell, seven RPGs, 50 detonators, and other items.

Both militants surrendered before DGP Kuldeep Khoda and CRPF officers. Meanwhile, a joint column of the Rashtriya Rifles and the police apprehended an overground worker, Abdul Hamid, from the Dhaleri area last evening. He was handed over to the police.

Srinagar, March 3
Chilly air, snow-clad mountains, a shikara ride on the calm waters of the Dal Lake and a stroll around the Boulevard road, skiing at the famous hill resort of Gulmarg and a ride in Gandola, the Kashmir valley these days has become a perfect destination for tourists.

Tourists from different parts of the country and abroad are camping in the Kashmir valley these days and most of the hotels in the famous hill resort of Gulmarg are experiencing total occupancy.

Though delay in snowfall has badly hit tourism in the Kashmir valley, which is considered one of the main sources of income for Kashmiri people, the recent heavy snowfall is attracting tourists from all over the world.

“Kashmir is amazing. This is my first visit and I am awestruck to see the natural beauty of the valley. So far, I have read about this place in books, but now I will recommend everyone to visit here once,” said Mark, an Israeli tourist, while taking an evening stroll on the Boulevard road along the majestic Dal Lake.

He said earlier people had dissuaded him from visiting Kashmir following the spurt in militancy-related violence here. But had he decided against visiting the valley, he would have lost a lifetime opportunity, he added.

“First, I wanted to visit the place in January, but there was an attack in the capital city. So, I decided to postpone my visit. Now, I am planning to extend my stay here,” Mark said.

In Gulmarg, tourists have gathered in hordes and hoteliers say since the snowfall the occupancy rate of their hotels have increased.

“The major attraction here is snow skiing. Skiers from not only India but also from around the world come here to enjoy skiing,” said an official with the state Tourism Department.

He said skiers were taking advantage of Gandola, as they were using it to reach the top of the Afarwat peak and come back skiing.“It has also increased the income of the cable car, as it is being used by the skiers,” said an official of the Cable Car Corporation.

Snow-clad mountains of Gulmarg these days are giving a tough competition to Alpine mountains as various American skiers have preferred Gulmarg over Alp mountains.

“Skiing in Kashmir gives a different experience and it is quite cheaper than skiing on Alpine mountains,” said Austin, a professional skier from the USA.

The Tourism Department has declared the current year as ‘visit Kashmir 2010 year’.

Jammu, March 3
Members of the NC and the PDP today clashed in the Legislative Assembly over the issue of the arrest of a youth by the police from Pulwama area. The PDP members later staged a walkout.

PDP MLA Sayeed Bashir, while terming the arrested youth as innocent, threatened to commit immolation in the House if justice was denied to the family of the youth. He even announced to resign from the Assembly.

The government on the other hand stated that the arrested youth was an overground worker of militants. Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar informed the House that Mohammad Asif Wani had been arrested by the police on the charges of supporting militant activities in the area.

Not satisfied with the reply of the minister, Bashir trooped towards the well of the House and resorted to shouting slogans. Although he was stopped by the marshals of the Assembly from entering the well, he stood in front of the Speaker’s chair and shouted the arrested youth was innocent. He also said the minister’s reply was totally wrong because the youth was innocent and was picked up by the police from his village.

“I will not allow this government to implicate a innocent youth in false cases,” he shouted and threatened to immolate himself in the House. He was repeatedly charging the minister with giving wrong statements in the House.

In the meantime, other PDP members also joined Bashir and they shouted slogans against the government. Bashir shouted in the House that the youth had been booked under various charges because he had raised the issue of his arrest in the House. “The police officer concerned has threatened me on phone that since I have taken up the issue in the Assembly, he will slap cases on the youth so that he could not be released,” Bashir alleged.

When the PDP members were shouting slogans, Sagar asked Bashir to give in writing and if his charges were proved action would be taken against the police officer concerned.

Sagar charged the PDP members with enacting a drama in the House to play to the gallery. “They don’t have any valuable issue to raise in the House so they are raking up such issues,” he said. Some ruling party members also supported the minister. However, Sagar’s statement infuriated the PDP members, who walked out of the House.

Jammu, March 3
Activists of the Bajrang Dal protested here yesterday demanding stern action against those responsible for a sacrilegious act in Narwal Mandi.

A few days ago, a passerby had spotted the remains of a cow near a cold storage in Narwal Mandi. Though the police had arrested seven suspects, Bajrang Dal activists today staged a protest at Rehari Chungi and demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits.

Holding tridents in their hands, the activists chanted slogans against the culprits and burnt tyres on the road at Rehari Chungi. Addressing the activists, city convenor of the Bajrang Dal Rakesh Sharma raised questions over a cluster being inhabited by Bangladeshis and Burmese in the vicinity of Narwal Mandi where the carcass was spotted.

Suspecting their involvement behind the sacrilegious act, he wanted to know that how Bangladeshis and Burmese had settled in a cluster and how they had allegedly acquired voter identity and ration cards.

The government should deport these foreigners back to their countries within a month, otherwise Bajrang Dal would be compelled to tackle them on its own, he said.

He also asked the government to check antecedents of these inhabitants living in the clusters.

Later, a delegation of the Bajrang Dal, comprising Rakesh Sharma, Kapil Kohli and Neeraj Kumar, met the Deputy SP, South, and demanded strict action against the culprits.

It may be stated here 
that a large number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh continue to live in the state in clusters.

Jammu, March 3
Leader of the Opposition and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti yesterday charged the coalition government with adopting a pick-and-choose policy in releasing additional development funds.

She also alleged that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had been behaving in an autocratic manner to stifle the voice of the Opposition.

Speaking in the Assembly after Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather replied to her question, Mehbooba said the District Development Boards (DDBs) had failed to work in their true spirit, as the government had been working in a vindictive manner.

She especially mentioned how the MLAs of opposition parties were snubbed in the DDB meetings at Rajouri and Pulwama. “What to say of releasing additional funds for the development of the constituencies represented by MLAs of opposition parties, especially the PDP, the Chief Minister even threatened funds would not be released for areas represented by PDP MLAs,” she said. She pointed out that during a DDB meeting the Chief Minister threatened the PDP MLAs that he would not release funds for their constituencies, as their workers were protesting against the shortage of ration. The meetings of DDBs had been a mere facade, as most of the decisions in these meetings were taken by the Chief Minister himself and local MLAs were not taken into confidence, she said.

“What is the fun of convening the meeting of a DDB when the Chief Minister himself has to take the final decision?, she asked. She said the performance of the government appeared only on papers because all developmental works had been stalled. Even some decisions taken in the DDB meetings were not implemented, she added.

Earlier, Mehbooba asked the government about the steps contemplated to check the tendency of releasing funds at the fag end of the financial year, thereby, affecting the execution of developmental works, particularly in the Kashmir valley.

During Zero Hour, the Leader of the Opposition raised the issue of not allowing candidates from Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Kishtwar and Doda districts in the physical test for recruitment as sub-inspectors in the state police while candidates from Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Samba were given a second chance. The Finance Minister assured the members that he would look into the matter.