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Civil Secretariat staff threaten to go on strike
10 protesters hurt in
lathi-charge
Rural Health Mission |
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Relatives of ‘Pepsi bomber’ hold protest
Mobile veterinary centres soon
NC member grills Power Minister, embarrasses govt
Members demand probe into misuse of funds
Bore-wells in Mendhar
Women Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill
Class X examinations begin
Navreh Milan held
Governor’s greetings on Navratras, Navreh
Arms, ammunition seized
JKLF men attack Geelani’s
office
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Civil Secretariat staff threaten to go on strike
Jammu, March 15 Earlier, the secretariat employees did not take part in the ongoing strike of various employees unions. The leaders of the Secretariat Employees Union warned the government thatif they went on strike, then the functioning of the government would
be completely halted as the session of both Houses were alreadyundergoing. The protesters told The Tribune that their aim was to make aware the members about the discussions held between the minister and the leaders of the employees’ unions in a recently held meeting and to decide a further course of action. After the demonstration, president of the Secretariat Employees Union Nazir Ahmed Mir said: “A promise after another is being given to the employees by the government, but nothing has been done so far. This is an ultimatum to the government to take a decision within five days, otherwise, the government will have to bear the brunt.” He addedthat they always wanted to strengthen the government, but the ministers were not ready to fulfil theirpromises. Another leader of the employees union said: “The government had already sanctioned the arrears to the bureaucrats as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, but when the matter comes to the employees, they always give the reason of lack of funds.” The issue of the employees’ strike also echoed in the Assembly when the proceedings started. Chaman Lal Gupta of the BJP raised the issue of the employees and demanded an assurance from the government to immediately solve their problem. After Question Hour, Harsh Dev of the Panthers Party also took up the issue. He said: “It seems the government is also on strike. If the government really wants to work, the cabinet ministers should try to solve the issue immediately.” Meanwhile, a number of MLAs belonging to different parties raised the same issue in the House. However, Rather informed the House that he had invited 50 leaders of various employees unions for a meeting to be held on March 19. “Today, not even a single government employee is on strike. This is a priority-based matter and the employees and MLAs should wait till the result of the next meeting,” Rather said. Srinagar: Work in government offices, educational institutions, hospitals and public sector undertakings, which was hampered due to the five-day strike by government employees, resumed on Monday with employees attending offices. All government offices in the Kashmir valley reopened today even as the employees’ unions fixed a deadline for their future course of action. The state government employees proceeded on strike demanding the payment of arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission and a hike in retirement age to 60. A meeting between the Cabinet’s sub-committee formed by the government and employees’ representatives to end the stalemate would be held again at Jammu on March 19. “We have accepted the government invitation for talks at Jammu on March 19 and before that the JCC would hold an in-house meeting on March 18,” said Abdul Qayoom Wami, a member of the JCC. Meanwhile, government offices across the Kashmir valley today witnessed normal attendance with a majority of the staff resuming duties.
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10 protesters hurt in
lathi-charge
Jammu, March 15 A large number of policemen, including women constables, equipped with canes, shields, helmets, water canons and tear gas shells, were positioned near the Civil Secretariat to foil any attempt to gherao the Assembly. When the protesters gathered near the secretariat, the police resorted to a cane-charge to foil the march held by a refugee group and then lobbed tear gas shells, injuring several persons. A large number of activists of the J&K PoK Refugee Front took out a protest rally led by Rachpal Singh Chib from the Mubarak Mandi complex to Kachi Chawni, from where they were stopped. The protesters were raising anti-government and anti-Chief Minister slogans. They also burnt the effigies of the government and the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, another group of refugees gathered at a park near Indira Chowk and held a protest march towards the Shalimar road, where they were stopped by the police. First, the police locked the gate of the park, where the protesters had gathered, but the protesters, including women, scaled walls and came out on the road to lodge their protest. The All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisation of Jammu and Kashmir, demanding the continuation of inter-district recruitment, stopping of the dilution of the Scheduled Tribe status and political reservation for Scheduled Tribes, gathered at the Press Club and were stopped at Gummat Chowk by the police. Till the evening, most of the roads, including Indira Chowk, Gummat Chowk, Shalimar Road, Parade and Palace Road, witnessed a huge traffic jam. However, a senior police officer said the protesters violated orders passed by a duty magistrate under Section 144 of CrPC, and so were mildly cane-charged. He added no protester was injured. Even traffic police officials, including senior officers, were deployed to manage traffic.
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Rural Health Mission
Jammu, March 15 Trouble erupted during Question Hour when Congress legislator Abdul Gani Vakil sought to know the criteria adopted for identifying difficult and very difficult areas vis-à-vis the implementation of NRHM. Bringing to the fore big difference in number of health facilities identified under the NRHM in three regions of the state, Vakil said: “276 health facilities have been identified in nine districts of the Jammu region, while 37 have been identified in seven districts of the Kashmir valley.” “It is a clear case of regional imbalance and, hence, I want to know what mechanism had been adopted by the government in identifying difficult areas under the NRHM,” Vakil added. Though Dar tried to explain difficult and rough terrain of the Jammu region attributing higher number of health facilities identified under the NRHM across the Jammu region to a survey based on topography, Vakil accused the government of discrimination. A raw deal had been meted out to the Kashmir valley on the sensitive issue, and if not kept in abeyance it will have far reaching implications, he said. It had to be addressed on priority, otherwise, the sensitive issue had all the ingredients of triggering another agitation in Kashmir, he added. Vakil found allies in NC legislator Altaf Ahmed Wani, PDP legislator Murtaza Khan and Congress legislators Bashir Ahmed Magray and Nurboo Gialchen, who also created uproar. Amidst the din, a cornered Dar assured the House to reexamine the issue and take necessary action if needed. “I will put the issue before Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma and if there was a mistake in identifying the areas, it could be reexamined and rectified,” Dar said. However, he said there was no discrimination whatsoever in identifying the areas under the centrally-sponsored scheme. To ensure decorum in the House deputy chairman Arvinder Singh Micky said the minister had assured to reexamine the entire issue and, hence, members shouldn’t politicise it.
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Relatives of ‘Pepsi bomber’ hold protest
Srinagar, March 15 The relatives of Baba alleged that he was being framed by the Gujarat police in fake cases and demanded his immediate release, claiming that he was innocent. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad yesterday claimed that it had arrested 32-year-old Kashmiri Bashir Ahmed Baba from Samarkha village in Anand district. Baba is alleged to be a Hizbul Mujahideen militant who as per the Gujarat ATS had gone to the state to recruit youth for militant training in the
PoK. The relatives said he was innocent and was being framed by the Gujarat
ATS, and they came to know about his arrest from media reports. “My brother is not affiliated with any militant outfit and is innocent. We seek intervention of the state government in ensuring his early release,” Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Rainawari locality of downtown
Srinagar, said. The relatives said they were shocked to hear the arrest of Baba through media yesterday. They claimed that he was in Gujarat in connection with training as he was working as camp coordinator with an
Ahmedabad-based NGO Kimya Foundation. Baba is a graduate and also has a diploma in computers. He was working with the Kimya Foundation in Srinagar for over a year. The Kimya Foundation runs medical centres for correction of cleft lip deformities. The relatives of Baba claimed that he had gone to Gujarat as a camp assistant of the Kimya Foundation, but the Gujarat police said Baba was in touch with a top Hizbul commander Bilal Shera and had also used the hospital’s telephone to make calls to
Shera.
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Mobile veterinary centres soon
Jammu, March 15 Omar said: “We have studied the models of other states and decided to launch mobile vehicles, equipped with all basic facilities, as veterinary
centres. Each centre will be set up at a cost of Rs 10-12 lakh.” He added:“There will be a fixed schedule of plying and rotation of the mobile centres in the entire state to give proper treatment to the animals. Our main aim is to generate revenue and give the maximum benefit to the people in the remote areas.” The Chief Minister said the Planning Department and the Animal Husbandry Department were sharing the related information on a regular basis to purchase the vehicles and to decide their routes. After the reply of chief minister, a BJP MLAfrom Jammu (West), Chaman Lal Gupta, raised a supplementary. He asked: “How much time is required to implement this scheme as already a number of schemes have been announced but not yet implemented.” The minister concerned gave a written reply that the scheme would be launched in a short time and would give maximum benefit to the villages situated in the remote areas. Later, the minister told the House that the department was examining the setting up of six livestock development centres in uncovered areas in Nobra subdivision also.
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NC member grills Power Minister, embarrasses govt
Jammu, March 15 Rehman, who is an MLA from Karnah -- the constituency bordering the LoC, pointed out that due to snowfall every year a large portion of his constituency usually remained without power for more than six months. “I have repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the authorities concerned, but nothing concrete has been done,” he regretted. He alleged that backward areas of the state had been given a step-motherly treatment. While displaying the written reply given to him by the Power Minister, Rehman said for the past six years he had repeatedly been taking up the issue in the Legislative Assembly and every time he had been given the same reply. “First, I raised the issue in 2004, but till today nothing had improved,” he said. He pointed out that he received the same reply today that he had received in 2004. “Three governments have changed in six years, but our problems remained the same,” he regretted. Finding himself in an embarrassing situation, the Power Minister tried to intervene, but Rehman was in a no mood to listen to him. “The reply of the government is a clear indication of the non-serious attitude of the authorities towards solving our problems,” he said. He regretted that backward and remote areas were not given priority by those who were at the helm of the affairs. When Rehman was criticising his own government, opposition members, especially of the PDP, were thumping benches. “We endorse you stand, as this government has been adopting arbitrary policies in the development front,” shouted PDP members. As the Power Minister assured that a proposal for the construction of steel structure towers had been prepared and the same had been incorporated in the current year action plan, Rehman demanded that a time should be fixed for the project. “For the last so many years I have been hearing such promises. Give me some time frame to solve this problem,” he reacted.
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Sculptor makes it to Limca Book of Records
Jammu, March 15 A copy of the Book reaching him today says he displayed the 700-m-long installation on the Ranbir Canal, near Mishriwala in Jammu district. The installation titled "My Sketchbook on Water", with a 3-4 m gap between each sculpture, focused on the artist's experiences throughout his life. A series of different sculpture made of thermocal and fibre glass were attached to each in a linear fashion with fire and rope. Various sculptures were based on themes like death, life, militancy, migration, his childhood games. The exhibition was organised in January 2009. Jamwal is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, United Kingdom. He is also a member of the Associated Royal British Society.
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Members demand probe into misuse of funds
Jammu, March 15 When Power Minister Shabbir Ahmed Khan was replying to the question of BJP member Bharat Bhushan regarding the implementation of RGGVY in Jammu, members of other political groups also intervened and drew attention of the government towards misuse of funds. PDD member Rafi Ahmed Mir, while intervening in the reply of the minister, said those engaged in the implementation of this scheme had conducted survey while sitting in their drawing rooms. “The deserving hamlets have been ignored and many areas, which are already electrified, have been included in the scheme,” he said and demanded a probe into the entire episode. Echoing similar views, Panthers Party member Harsh Dev Singh pointed out that when this scheme was launched under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, it was announced to electrify all un-electrified villages by the end of 2007. “Till today this scheme has not been fully implemented as those engaged in this work were not serious,” he alleged and demanded an inquiry into the utilisation of funds under this scheme. Harsh Dev further said those engaged in the implementation of this scheme had failed to implement the agreement with the government. “Everything is on papers only, but nothing appeared on ground,” he told the House. BJP, JSM and some other PDP members also joined the issue and demanded inquiry into the funds utilised under this scheme. Members further pointed out that the RGGVY had been implemented on papers only and there was a need to investigate this on grounds as most of the deserving areas have been left out by the executing agencies. Later replying to the queries of the members, the Power Minister assured the House that the first phase of the RGGVY would be completed by the end of 2011. The minister admitted that Detail Project Reports (DPRs) for the RGGVY were prepared in 2005 and now the situation had been changed. He said some areas might be left out, but he assured the members that this scheme would be properly implemented. The Minister said the Chief Minister had issued special orders in this regard after taking a high-level meeting convened to review the flagship electrification scheme recently.
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Bore-wells in Mendhar
Jammu, March 15 Rana had sought a reply to funds released by the Agriculture Department to the PHE Department under the technology mission for bore wells in Mendhar tehsil in 2005. “The funds advanced were utilised fully for drilling four bore wells, which had been handed over to the PHE division, Poonch, by the Groundwater Division,” said Taj. However, dissatisfied with the minister’s reply, Rana accused the former of misleading the House and demanded a discussion on the issue. “Forty villages in Mendhar are facing acute water crisis. I want to know whether the government had any scheme to solve the problem of these villages,” said Rana. He went on to add that wells were not completed and the work was left midway. Taj admitted that wells could not be commissioned because of lack of further funding by the Agriculture Department under the technology mission programme. But we would approach the Agriculture Department again and look into the matter, he added. Funds to the tune of Rs 30 lakh were advanced to the Executive Engineer Groundwater Division, Jammu, through the PHE Division, Poonch, for drilling four bore wells in the Mendhar constituency under the technology mission programme during year 2005-06. The average cost of drilling of one bore well was Rs 7.50 lakh, which was taken up under the technology mission at Parat, Phamrar Nar, Mankote and Bhatidhar villages in the Mendhar constituency. While Rana and Taj were engaged in a verbal duel, PDP legislator Murtaza Khan joined Rana to corner the minister. “Will it be possible for the minister to take up the concern of the members with the department,” said Murtaza. To counter the legislators, Taj said he had already answered whatever was asked from him and if the member still had any other query or issue, the officials would be asked to look into it.
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Women Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill
Jammu, March 15 Women Permanent Resident Disqualification Bill. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House here today, Shah expressed surprise and shock over the silence of the NC-Congress coalition government on the day PDP legislator Murtaza Khan “I am surprised and shocked as to how the government allowed the introduction of the Bill, which is aimed at snatching the fundamental rights of women of the state,” he said. It would be grave injustice with the fair gender if the Bill was allowed passage, he added. It may be recalled here that the Bill had nearly brought the PDP-Congress coalition regime in 2004 to the brink of collapse. On March 8, PDP MLC Murtaza Khan had introduced the controversial Bill in the Upper House. The Bill provides for disqualification from being permanent resident of the state on the marriage of a permanent resident woman with a non-permanent resident and on the termination of marriage of a non-resident woman with a permanent resident husband. It deprives such women of the right to own and inherit immovable property, get state government jobs and other privileges. The controversial Bill has already evoked sharp criticism from Jammu-based political and social outfits. Congress MLA Choudhary Mohammed Aslam had already made it clear in the Lower House that the Congress would not allow its passage.
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Jammu, March 15 According to sources, the examination was conducted in 463 examination centres in the summer zone. Talking to The Tribune, secretary of the J&K Board of School Education Sheikh Bashir Ahmed warned the students, who are appearing in the examination, that they should restrain themselves from using unfair means during the examination. He said the state board had put a ban on use of electronic gadgets during the examination . — TNS
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Navreh Milan held
Jammu, March 15 The function was first of its kind organised during the past two decades by any organisation of displaced community. Representatives of all major political parties of the state participated in this function. Speaking on the occasion, CPM state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley was a huge human tragedy. He appealed to all the political parties to rise above party politics to address the issue. He also appealed to the separatist leadership to come forward and render a helping hand to restore the displaced community back in the valley. Padma Bhushan awardee Balraj Puri said the Kashmiri Pandits’ issue was not the problem of Kashmiri Pandits alone and was actually the problem of Kashmiri Muslims and they (Kashmiri Muslims) need to understand this thing. He said the demand of return of this community to the valley should come from Kashmir. |
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Governor’s greetings on Navratras, Navreh
Jammu, March 15 In his message of felicitations, the Governor said the Navratras He also extended warm greetings to Kashmiri Pandits, who celebrate the day as Navreh, the beginning of the new-year, and the onset of spring. |
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Arms, ammunition seized Srinagar, March 15 “The ammunition seized include 10 kg of explosives, 20 litres of oil mixture, 100 grams of lime, six electronic detonators, four hand grenades, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, one AK 47 magazine with 69 rounds of ammunition, 15 pistol rounds, 35 rounds of Pika gun and three rounds of sniper rifle,” a police source said. No arrest was made. |
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JKLF men attack Geelani’s
office
Srinagar, March 15 Three JKLF supporters were injured and two of their vehicles damaged when they were returning after distributing Rs 9.40 lakh to people in Chinkipora in Sopore in north Kashmir. Members of the JKLF, including its chairman Yaseen Malik, were assaulted in Sopore last evening as supporters of hard line Geelani did not like his gesture of giving more money than Geelani. It was the turn of JKLF supporters to get back at Geelani's office today as they vowed that the oldest separatist face of Kashmir would not be allowed to step outside his house till he apologises Malik. The JKLF had earlier handed over Rs 1.5 lakh to people whose houses were burnt by terrorists during an encounter last month at a place considered a stronghold of Geelani faction. Geelani went to Chinkipora area and handed over Rs five lakh to the people. —
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The city witnessed a large number of protests, rallies and demonstrations by various non-political organisations in support of their demands here
today.
