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New Education Act from next session: Peerzada
Women Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill
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Ineligible people in BPL list: Sakina
Economic Survey
Minister for decentralising fertiliser distribution
Chandigarh best example of modern architecture: Vohra
‘Need to utilise solar energy sources’
Govt employees end strike
Kanwar bags Prof YB Singh Memorial Trophy
Social activist Iqbal awarded
Budget directionless: Beigh
RBI distributes smart cards
Army sponsors 15 students of Ladakh
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New Education Act from next session: Peerzada
Jammu, March 13 There was a long pending demand and a dire need for reviewing the existing education system, as the standard of government schools had been going down and these schools had shown poor results in the past few years. This year, there was zero per cent result in some government schools in matriculation exams, especially in the Jammu region. A debate on the functioning of government schools generated much heat in the Assembly today as members cutting across party lines expressed concern over the deteriorating education system. A number of MLAs sought replies from Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed asking him about steps being taken to review the existing Education Act. CPM leader and MLA from Kulgam MY Tarigami asked a series of questions regarding reforms in the education system. He said, “The government has stated a number of times that enormous changes have taken place in the quality of education since 1975. But still the State Board of School Education Act has never been amended.” Tarigami also asked whether the government had any plans to amend it and when did it intend to bring a piece of legislation to this effect? Peerzada admitted that no amendment had been made to the State Board of School Education Act, 1975. “The government is reviewing the Act and its provisions are being examined by the experts. The government has also planned to introduce a new Act on the UGC pattern and has sent it to the Law Department for its approval. The new Act will be implemented by next session, hopefully,” the Education Minister informed the House. Meanwhile, Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Abdul Haq Khan, Nizam-u-din Bhat and Peerzada Mansoor asked whether the government was planning to set up school board offices in tehsils of remote areas, where the militancy had affected normal life? Is the state government planning to cancel the registration or affiliation of private schools, which had been demanding donations, especially for the admission to nursery class? |
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Women Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill
Jammu, March 13 Though the NC has repeatedly maintained that the decision on the Bill will be taken jointly by the two parties, the Congress today categorically made it clear that the party would oppose it tooth and nail. The Congress-NC government had allowed the introduction of a private member’s Bill in the Upper House, seeking to debar women of their rights to property if they married someone from outside the state. After Question Hour, Jammu State Morcha (JSM) member Ashwani Sharma raised this issue in the Assembly and asked the government to clear its stand on the issue. Within no time, members of other parties, including the BJP and the Panthers Party, joined the issue and supported him. The members shouted slogans against the Bill and termed it anti-women and anti-civil society and asked the government to clear its stand. Amid din, Relief and Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, who had allowed the introduction of the Bill in the Upper House, intervened and made it clear that no decision had been taken on this issue. He said the introduction of the Bill did not mean that it would be allowed to be made into an Act. When Bhalla was clarifying his position, Congress Legislature Party leader Choudhary Mohammad Aslam announced in the House that despite being the coalition partner the Congress would oppose this Bill tooth and nail. “We will not allow this Bill to be passed,” he shouted and added that the stand of the Congress was very much clear on this issue. “Why the government has maintained silence on this discriminatory Bill,” shouted Ashwani Sharma, and his views were echoed by BJP and Panthers Party members. “The Bill discriminates against women,” BJP Legislature Party leader Chaman Lal Gupta said, and made it clear that they would not allow the passage of this anti-women Bill in the state. Shouting slogans against the government, all Jammu-based opposition members staged a walkout from the House. Later, NC leader and Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar said the decision on the issue would be taken jointly by the coalition partners and there was no question of any
differences. |
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Ineligible people in BPL list: Sakina
Jammu, March 13 The minister was replying to queries of members regarding
procedures being adopted by the government in sanctioning relief to the poor and weaker sections of society. He said during a probe into the disbursement of pensions, it came to the notice of the authorities that some undeserving people had been getting benefits of the schemes meant for poor people. The minister informed the Assembly that over Rs 70 crore had been disbursed to women for setting up income generating units under various schemes of the Social Welfare Department. Giving further details, Sakina said at present the government was providing financial assistance in form of monthly pension, to about six lakh beneficiaries, including women. She said special attention was being paid to create awareness among women about welfare schemes, including provisions and schemes envisaging financial assistance for them for setting up income generating units. Sakina said besides awareness camps organised by the Women Development Corporation, the Social Welfare Department and the State Social Welfare Board, print and electronic media was also being involved in this regard. “Services of mahila mandals are also being sought to help women of their respective areas to take loans for setting up their own ventures,” the minister added. |
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Economic Survey
Jammu, March 13 Jammu has also topped the per capita income with Rs 31,705, while Kathua and Udhampur are second and third, respectively, with Rs 29,203 and Rs 26,541. Kargil is the lowest ranked with Rs 17,428 and Kupwara second last with Rs 20,163 per capita income. The 504 pages report underlines the declining contribution to the national income, low yield of crops, failure to achieve the literacy target as challenges before the state while noting an improvement in per capita income and the health sector. The survey conducted by a team of experts led by GA Qureshi, Director General, Economics and Statistics, states that the state’s contribution to the national income was just about 0.7 per cent. “What is more disturbing and alarming is that the contribution is declining with 0.85 per cent in 2000 to the present figure,” the report states. While hailing the better growth rate and the better per capita income (PCI) that grew by 8.54 per cent, the survey said there was no room for complacency. In terms of economic growth and per capita income, Jammu and Kashmir is placed at 21st and 22nd, respectively, in the country. The survey comes down heavily on low growth rate in the agriculture sector, which is stagnant at 1.5 per cent despite the fact that 72 per cent of population and 49 per cent of the workforce depends on it. It would be interesting to note how the state government later analyses the role of the two agricultural universities, one in Jammu and other in Kashmir, on failure on the agricultural front, as the survey report states that the yield rate of principal crops was far below the national averages. Maize has a yield of 15.05 quintals/hectare, while the national yield is 19.7 quintals; rice yield is 18.92 quintals/hectare against the national average of 21.27 quintals/hectare, while wheat is the worse with 18.72 quintals/hectare against the national ave age of 26.71 quintals/hectare. The health sector showed expansion. The average population per doctor has decreased to 3,121 since 1950 to 2009. The average population per doctor is 2,266 as per latest figures. The infant mortality rate is 51 per thousand against the national average of 55. However, life expectancy was 60.5 years against the national average of 62.7 years. In the education sector, the literacy level has increased to 67.89 per cent from from 65.67 per cent in 2008, but it falls short of the 11th five year plan target of 73 per cent. Female literacy is still low as against nearly 75 per cent literate males, there were about 60 per cent women, who could read and write. |
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Minister for decentralising fertiliser distribution
Udhampur, March 13 Speaking about the policy shift to improve and make available fertilisers to the farming community as per their needs, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir yesterday said under the new mechanism, the chief agriculture officer had been authorised to issue fertiliser distribution licences to applicants, while criteria for seeking the licence too had been
liberalised. After inaugurating the Kisan Mela at Bashat in Chenani tehsil of Udhampur district, Mir said any educated applicant could now apply directly to the chief agriculture officer for obtaining fertiliser distribution
licences. Such a mechanism would ensure the distribution of desired composition of fertilisers on fixed rates near the localities of the farmers, Mir
added. Javed Ahmed Dar, Minister of State for Agriculture; Rashpal Singh, vice-chairman, Advisory Board for Development of
Kissan; KC Bhagat, MLA, Chenani; Baseer Ahmed Khan, Distirct Development Commissioner,
Udhampur; Ajay Khajuria, Director, Agriculture, Jammu; Kuldesh Sharma, Chief Agriculture Officer,
Udhampur; officers of government departments and farmers were among those who were present on the occasion. Retreating the commitment of the state government for providing better facilities to the farming community, the minister said special focus was being laid to increase the productivity by ensuring timely distribution of quality seeds and other modern equipments to farmers. He also called upon the farmers to have regular interactions with officers of the Agriculture Department for the information of latest agricultural trends for high yield. Later, he distributed prizes among farmers for best vegetable produce samples. |
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Chandigarh best example of modern architecture: Vohra
Katra, March 13 Giving Chandigarh as the best example of modern architecture since Partition, he said the architects should stand up to the challenge of the ongoing urban renewal in the country in view of the increasing pressure on land due to the rising population as well as host of other developmental activities, especially housing. He expressed confidence that the discussions and seminars during the conference would deliberate on these issues coupled with environmental aspects of the modern architecture. While dwelling on the need of the latest architectural designs, the Governor referred to buildings built during the British Raj which had stood the test of time. He expressed hope that around 700 participating students from different states would come up with revolutionary ideas during the conference. In his welcome address, Prof RNK Bamzai Vice-Chancellor,
SMVDU, highlighted the efforts put in by students of School of Architecture and Landscape Design of the university in organising such a big event being hosted for the first time in north India. Classical and semi-classical vocal performances by students of the host institution marked the opening session. |
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‘Need to utilise solar energy sources’
Jammu, March 13 The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, suggested to Vice-Chancellor RNK Bamezai to prepare comprehensive projects for rainwater harvesting and solar energy utilisation in the university so that after clearances these projects could be implemented in a time-bound manner. The Governor during his visit to the SMVDU campus at Kakriyal yesterday discussed the status of water and power supply and also other aspects of long-term infrastructure development of the university with the Vice-Chancellor, his principal secretary and the chief executive officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Raj Kumar Goyal, and other officers concerned. The Governor also inspected the work of the construction of a bridge over the Jhajjar Nullah, which, on completion, would connect the university directly with the NHIA. He asked JKPCC engineers to complete the bridge and connecting roads expeditiously. |
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Srinagar, March 13 “The police has registered a case under Section 302 against some unknown gunmen who shot dead Arif Bhat near Abu Bakar Masjid at Jawahar Nagar falling under the jurisdiction of police station Rajbagh last night,” the police said. Bhat was shot dead around 8.30 pm outside his house by the militants. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Bhat's body was taken to the police control room, where wreaths were laid by policemen. Later, the body was buried in his ancestral graveyard in Jawahar Nagar this afternoon. Bhat is the second SPO to be gunned down by the militants within a week. Earlier, the militants shot dead a surrendered militant Aijaz Ahmad Dada outside his house at Bemina on March 7. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the killings so far, the police said. — PTI
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Govt employees end strike Srinagar, March 13 Even as the police created barricades near Jehangir Chowk, the agitating employees converged at the City Centre in support of their demands. After the government formally invited the striking employees to hold talks to end the ongoing strike yesterday, the senior leaders of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), who were spearheading the agitation, agreed to suspend the agitation till March 19 and hold talks with the government. The meeting is scheduled to take place between JCC leaders and the Cabinet sub-committee comprising Finance Minister AR Rather and his ministerial colleagues Taj Mohi-u-din and Ali Mohammad Sagar in Jammu on March 19, JCC spokesman Farooq Ahmad Trali said. Any future course of action in support of the demands of the employees would be taken only after the meeting was held, Trali said. He added that in case the government failed to come out with any positive response, the employees might go on an indefinite strike. Several senior leaders of the JCC, including Abdul Qayoom and Khursheed Alam, addressed the gathering of employees in the Lal Chowk area. Holding banners and placards, employees expressed concern over the government’s apathy. The work in government offices remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today across the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region, as over 4.50 lakh state government employees struck work. Work in hospitals, schools and other government offices was also paralysed.
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Kanwar bags Prof YB Singh Memorial Trophy
Jammu, March 13 He was also adjudged as the overall best student of the “Display Your Talent Contest” 2009-10 and was awarded with Pankaj Mohan Bhatia Memorial Trophy. The team from Government Women College (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, emerged as the overall champion and lifted the trophy, whereas GCW, Parade, again had to settle for the runner-up trophy. Dr Jagmohan Singh Memorial Trophy for the best team in debating was awarded to Government College of Engineering and Technology whereas Dr Surinder Sharma Memorial Trophy for the best team in Quiz went to the Government Degree College, Kathua. GCW, Parade, clinched Dr JR Sharma Memorial Trophy and Vijay Verma Memorial Trophy for overall best performance in Music. Prof Santosh Sharma Memorial Trophy for the all-round best performance in theatrical events was lifted by the GCW, Gandhi Nagar. Medals and special mementos were awarded to Priya Raina and Rahul Kumar for excelling in the National Youth Festival held at Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in mimicry and light vocal music, respectively. All winners of the North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival and National Youth Festival were awarded with medals. Speaking on the occasion, chief guest, Prof Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor of the university, complemented all winners. The prize distribution function was organised by the Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu, at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh
Auditorium. |
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Social activist Iqbal awarded Leh, March 13 Iqbal is the third recipient of the award in Leh district, which is conferred on common people in recognition of their extraordinary works. Sonam Wangchuk and Tsewang Norphel from Leh district had also won the award for reforms in education system and artificial glaciers, respectively. Iqbal through his NGO, People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights (PAGIR), has trained about 30 other physically challenged men and women in recycling waste papers and reuse of clothes to convert biodegradable carry bags for consumers. These carry bags help physically challenged persons earn over Rs 3,000 per month. Iqbal told this correspondent from New Delhi over the phone that “the award will be a source of inspiration and encouragement for the physical challenged people of Ladakh to carry forward the activities of creating an inclusive atmosphere for ourselves.” He also said, “To address the issues of such people, we have urged the state government to create a nominated post for physically challenged people in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.”
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Budget directionless: Beigh
Jammu, March 13 Initiating a discussion on the Budget in the Legislative Assembly today, Beigh satirically pointed towards a couplet quoted by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather on Friday and said “by writing couplets, you cannot change the economic landscape of the state”. In his speech, the former Finance Minister exposed all “jugglers of figures” presented by the Finance Minister and pinpointed loopholes in the Budget. Beigh in his satirical style took the NC regime for task for taking credit of all projects, which were started by the previous PDP-Congress regime. While pinpointing flaws in the Budget, he said: “I understand the limitation of a Finance Minister, but nothing concrete has been proposed in this year’s Budget to address the issues like unemployment, price rise, power, problems of employees and public sector units”. Pointing towards the provisions made in the Budget for creating job avenues, Beigh termed all such proposals as unrealistic. |
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RBI distributes smart cards
Udhampur, March 13 During the outreach programme as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the RBI at Dabrah village, Gopinath informed the gathering, including rural women, that the introduction of IT-enabled financial inclusion was meant to facilitate easy payments to beneficiaries under various schemes of the state government and the centre like Social Security Pension Schemes and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), which could be directly deposited to their bank accounts on their doorsteps. She said the RBI adopted 160 villages in the country. Of the total eight villages in the state, Dabrah is the only one in Udhampur district to be adopted for the purpose. J&K Bank is implementing the programme in the state. She also presented a detailed account of the role and responsibility of the RBI, besides various schemes for the benefit of the rural people. |
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Army sponsors 15 students of Ladakh
Udhampur, March 13 According to an Army spokesperson, in addition to the boarding, lodging and education expenditures of these students, the Army had also taken the responsibility of dispatching these students to their home during vacation and back to the school after the holidays. This year eight girls, prior to their departure, had an interactive session with Brig Ajay Kumar, SM, Deputy GOC, HQ 3 Infantry Division. The girls showed great enthusiasm in interaction. The Deputy GOC motivated them to put in their best efforts in all fields and aim at all-round development. He shared his experiences with them. A student of class XII, Stanzin Angmo, expressed her desire to join the armed forces. |
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