Jammu, March 16
Even as the controversial Jammu and Kashmir Women Permanent Residents Disqualification Bill has already developed cracks within the ruling coalition, the issue of inter-district recruitment has created regional divide besides inner party differences within various political groups.

Some MLAs of the Kashmir valley, especially of the border districts of Kupwara and Baramullah, have decided to oppose the inter-district recruitment. On the other hand, MLAs of the Jammu region, particularly those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Schedule Tribes (ST), have come on a single platform in support of the ongoing recruitment process.

The regional divide was very much visible when some MLAs from Kashmir, irrespective of their party affiliations, were demanding ban on such recruitments in the Legislative Assembly, members belong to the SC-ST communities were staging protest outside the House to exert pressure on the government to continue the ongoing process. Interestingly, the issue has not only created regional divide, but also serious differences have been erupted within some political parties.

PDP MLA Abdul Haq of Lolab is in the forefront of opposing inter-district recruitment, but his own party member Choudhary Zulfikar has supported the present system. Zulfikar, who was member of the Select Committee constituted by the government on the issue, has registered his opposition to any move to ban inter-district recruitment.

During the deliberations of the Select Committee, Zulfikar was the only member in the committee who has opposed the ban on inter-district recruitment.

The same issue had rocked the Legislative Assembly when the government had announced to ban such recruitments. Keeping in view the resentment shown by SC and ST members of different political groups, the government had shelved the move for the time being. Now after some MLAs of the Kashmir valley have again raised this issue, the government has to again face the situation of the last year.

“For the last one year, we have been waiting for the reply of the government on the issue. The government had promised to move a Bill in the Assembly to ban inter-district recruitments, but nothing concrete has been done so far,” regretted Abdul Haq, who warned to disrupt proceedings of the House if some serious efforts were not made in this regard.

Stand of Haq was supported by National Conference member Mir Saifullah, who also belongs to Kupwara district. Haq argued that candidates of the backward areas are being denied their rights.

Supporters of inter-district recruitment process have their own logic. They argued that move to ban such recruitments is aimed at debarring SC and ST candidates to apply for government jobs in other districts. “We will not allow the government to take this anti-weaker section step,” asserted Bali Bhagat, a former BJP MLA, who has the credited of bringing SC-ST leaders of different political groups on single platform.

“When posts are reserved for SC and ST in government jobs, how can government stop candidates from any part of the state to apply for such posts?” he asked.

RK Kalsotra, president of the All-India Confederation of SC-ST-OBCs Organisations, who has organised massive protest in support on such recruitments, asserted that leaders of different political groups have assured to stall such move of the coalition government.

Jammu, March 16
Over six years after four security personnel laid down their lives saving the Jammu railway station from a massive fidayeen attack, the Railways as well as the city have forgotten to remember the martyrs.

What to talk of a memorial at the railway station, there is not even a semblance of remembering their supreme sacrifice. Notable among those who achieved martyrdom was Lieutenant Triveni Singh, a Dogra from Pathankot, and an alumnus of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, who also won the Ashok Chakra.

The university as a tribute to the solider and its former student put up his pictures and a commemorative plaque in the reading room of the students home. However, the place where the soldier died on the call of duty has forgotten about him. Further, no ceremony was held at the station on the 6th anniversary to remember the departed souls.

RK Mishra, divisional traffic manager, Railways, said he had recently taken over and cannot comment why there was no memorial, especially for those martyrs.

“Moreover, the station has no space for a memorial. Still, if security forces offer a proposal, the Railways will look into it,” he said.

This solider was from Pathankot, Punjab. He was born on February 1, 1978, at Namkum in the house of Capt Janmej Singh (rtd) and mother Pushplata.

On the evening of January 2, 2004, Lt. Triveni Singh of 5 JAKLI found out about the fidayeen. On being ordered to challenge the militants, he rushed to the Jammu railway station with five commandos.

In a swift action, he killed the first militant and followed the other who was firing from the overhead rail bridge. Lt. Triveni knew that the hidden militant was equipped with lethal weapons and could kill over 300 passengers who were in the parcel room. To save the innocent people, he grabbed the militant and injured himself fatally.

Lt. Triveni was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra for displaying extreme gallantry, utmost courage and selfless act of supreme sacrifice.

Jammu, March 16
"Panama Chowk" in the winter capital with a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar installed there has put the government in a dock.

After BR Kundal and MY Taing, Congress and National Conference legislators, respectively, raised serious objections and brought the matter to the notice of Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo, the government has assured to bring its act together.

Former Chief Secretary and Congress legislator BR Kundal asked the government in Upper House as to how come government offices call it Panama Chowk even on their letterheads.

"Cigarette Company Ke Saath Dr BR Ambedkar Ka Naam Jodna Badi Galat Baat Hai," (relating name of Dr Ambedkar with a cigarette company is very bad)," said NC legislator MY Taing.

Sakina Itoo clarified that though the statue of Dr Ambedkar had been installed at the location, no formal notification has been issued so far to formally name the chowk as Dr Ambedkar Chowk. But she certainly assured to look into the issue.

Jammu, March 16
To sensitise the farmers about weather and climate information, the Agromet field unit of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology recently organised a one-day training programme on "Weather, Climate and Farmer" at Chak Shian in RS Pura here.

Chief guest Prof Ajay Kaul, Dean, College of Agriculture, distributed ordinary rain gauges to progressive farmers for the collection of rain water at respective places.

"More than 200 farmers of about 10 villages of the area participated and took the benefit of the programme," said MK Khushu, Chief Scientist and Head of Agronomy.

The programme was organised with the collaboration of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, RS Pura.

Do you support Permanent Residents (Women) Disqualification Bill introduced in the state legislative council? Isn’t it a gender bias to disqualify a woman from state subject-hood if she marries a man outside the state when no such action is proposed for a man who marries a woman of other state? TNS asked this to a cross-section of people. This is what they had to say:

	I do not support the Bill. It is a discriminatory move against women. The Bill violates the basic democratic principal of equality.. — Ellora Puri, assistant professor, University of Jammu
	The Bill is essentially anti-women and gender biased camouflaged under the protection of special status of the state. If a man marries a woman belonging to some other state, the special status of the state does not get diluted. It gets diluted only when a woman weds a non-state subject male. — Sheetal Singh, university student
	The bill is discriminatory and anti-woman. To disqualify a woman from state subject-hood if she marries an outsider is absolutely wrong. If no such action is proposed in the Bill for men then it makes no sense to deny women their right. — Bhagwati Verma, university student
	I do not support this Bill as it is gender biased. At a time when Women’s Bill is being passed and we are taking about women empowerment by giving them 33 per cent reservation, here in the state, we are trying to do injustice with them in the shape of this Bill. — Shammi Raina, university student
	I am in favour of the Bill. Firstly, because once the state subject provision is maintained, the non-state subject should not to be allowed to get mileage out of marriage. Secondly, through this Bill, the concept of regional identity could also be strengthened but if the state subject provision is scrapped, then this Bill is useless. — Dr Jigar Mohammad, university professor

Srinagar, March 16
With encouraging response from public, unemployed literate youth in particular, the five-day employment fair concluded here recently.

Over 7,000 unemployed literate youth got themselves registered for starting self-employment income generating units under different schemes launched by the government.

Thirty-five stalls were installed by various departments during the fair and more than 30,000 people reportedly visited the fair in five days.

Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, district development commissioner, Srinagar, asked the youth to consider other avenues of employment than seeking government jobs. He said the process of availing hassle-free credit would be made more effective to enable youth to set up income generating units.

Earlier, he stressed upon bankers to provide hassle-free loans to unemployed youth on a priority. He emphasised upon unemployed youth to avail benefits of various schemes made available under the new employment policy.

“The policy will be implemented from next fiscal,” said Kakroo, while inaugurating the fair, which was organised by the District Employment and Counseling Department, Srinagar.

The participants evinced keen interest in various schemes and information regarding financial succor incentives. “At least we have come to know about various schemes available with the government that could be useful,” said a group of aspiring youth.

Relevant information was provided to aspirants about the level of financing, lending procedures and other incentives. Print material was kept available for youth to give complete information regarding skill development schemes. They were also made aware about guidelines for establishing income generating units.

Officials from the Women’s Development Corporation, sheep husbandry, fisheries, social welfare department, district industries centre, animal husbandry, agriculture, sericulture, handloom department, rural development department, tourism department, handicrafts department, khadi and village industries board, khadi and village commission and others familiarised the participants with self-employment schemes being available with various agencies and departments.

They also made public aware by providing detailed account about self-employment schemes, incentives and other parameters of their respective department as required by entrepreneurs in setting up their micro-units.

Jammu, March 16
Much to the relief of people visiting the state, the badly congested Kunjwani-Satwari road would soon be a four-lane highway.

As part of Rs 37-crore road project, the work of widening the road has been started. The road would provide uniformity to the city as this stretch is still a single road whereas all other roads connecting it have been widened to four lanes. The road from Pathankot to Kunjwani and Satwari to Bikram Chowk has double lane.

The narrow road stretch is an accident prone area due to its small width and dense vehicular flow. It is the only road link for vehicles entering into and going outside the state, besides other locally bound vehicles.

Shop owners along the road are all cheers as a good road would mean better business prospects for them. “As the road is dusty and rough, people hardly stop here for shopping, but now things will change,” said Ramesh Gupta, a shopkeeper.

According to GM Saroori, Minister for R&B, the project has been proposed to the Centre for approval and release of funds. He has also directed R&B officials to pursue the matter with the Centre for getting funds released at the earliest. The project was pending since long with allegations levelled against the successive governments that they were not giving due attention to development in Jammu.

Srinagar, March 16
When he started strawberry cultivation in Gasoo village in the Hazratbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar in 2001, horticulture produce was little known as an alternative source of income against traditional crops.

Over the years, strawberry production has become a dependable source of income not only for Abdul Ahad Mir and his family, but also for many other households in the village, now known as "strawberry village".

Mir's persistent efforts to introduce something new than the traditional horticulture or agricultural products have brought him name and fame at the national level. From a meagre income generated from an annual paddy crop and a patch of apple orchard, Mir has transcended to the bulk crop of strawberry and plans to produce lemon which is least known as a produce in the temperate climate of Kashmir. For his untiring efforts, Mir was awarded as the Best Farmer and was felicitated by the Union Ministry of Agriculture in New Delhi on February 26.

As an inquisitive farmer, Mir came in touch with a visiting team of the Horticulture Department in his village in 2001, where he was handed over a handful of strawberry runners. It all started with the production of fresh fruit of strawberry over an area of one kanal, which is now being grown over an area of 10 kanals.

Looking at his success story, Mir's neighbours also got motivated towards the production of strawberry, which is mainly grown during May-June every year.

"I produced 1,500 kg of strawberry from one kanal against the target of 500 kg per kanal set by the department," Mir said. The fresh fruit produced under the guidance and expert support from the government is being grown over an area of 150 kanals in the village. Within 4 years after the fruit plants were first introduced in 2001, Mir covered 5 kanals under the production in 2005. He sold about 50,000 strawberry plants to the government and various private producers in the nearby villages and elsewhere across Kashmir in October last year.

Mir, who is of the view that strawberry has been created as an industry, has a target of supplying 1 crore strawberry plants during the next season later this year.

"Around 3,000 plants are grown in an area of one kanal," said Mir. Fresh fruit is picked up from May to June every season, while runner plants need de-weeding and clearing for further rearing up to the next season.

"An annual strawberry crop over an area of 2 kanals can provide sustenance to one family," said Mir. His annual income from paddy cultivation over an area of 10 kanals would be around Rs 5,000, Mir recalls and adds that his income has grown up to Rs 60,000 and there are hopes of more income with the production of fruit and plants.

"This is a fresh fruit and needs an immediate sale," Mir points out, adding that the production is much in demand among tourists. In order to preserve fresh fruit, he says there is an earnest need of cold storage facility that will help the industry to grow further and boost the economy.

Srinagar, March 16
A plantation drive has been launched by the University of Kashmir in various colleges.

“Owing to depletion of forest resources and concern over fragile environment, especially in our state, the NSS has taken this initiative in a cohesive and coordinated manner through its strong force of 1,40,000 student volunteers in various educational institutions. It has planned to plant about 50,000 saplings in the vicinity of these institutions and nearby areas,” said Dr Iqbal Ahmad Hakim, programme coordinator, NSS, University of Kashmir.

“Since academic institutions and other government and non-government organisations conduct such campaigns in March, the NSS wing of the varsity has for the first time coordinated the campaign in a systematic manner,” said Showkat Shafi, public relations officer (PRO), University of Kashmir.

“The university is committed to take environmental initiatives seriously,” said Prof Fayaz Ahmad, registrar, adding that the university was going to collaborate with NGOs, locals and other educational institutions for meeting societal expectations regarding protection of the environment.

The drive that was launched from the office of programme coordinator, NSS, Government Degree College Dooru in Anantnag, will continue for the entire month.

A plantation week would be conducted on the university campus from March 25, which would mark the end of the drive.

Srinagar, March 16
To equip youths with skills so that they could earn their livelihood, Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL), University of Kashmir (KU), has started a series of vocational training for them recently.

The directorate is offering training to thousands of students in different trades that include basic computers, tally 9.2, plumber and fitter, electrician, videography, digital photography and fashion designing.

“This whole exercise is aimed at community development to help youths to become better entrepreneurs and help them to take up challenges of future as well,” said Showkat Shafi, public relations officer, University of Kashmir, adding that such courses equip students with two types of advantages.

“Firstly, these provide skills and knowledge to set up an income-generation units in the opted trade. Secondly, they get jobs in different government and non-government organisations, thereby helping them to be skilled in various trades,” he said. With the rapid growth in unemployment in the valley, youths mostly are inclined towards white-collared jobs, but the directorate is trying to change the trend by offering skill-based trainings to them, said Showkat.

“I am getting training as an electrician at the directorate. I have completed my studies two years ago and tried hard to get government job, but failed. Now, I have made my mind to set up my own unit,” said Wasim Ahmad, a trainee from Rainawari, Srinagar.

Scores of parents are approaching the directorate for offering specific trainings to their wards. Prof Neelofer Khan, director of the DLL, said: “There is a wide scope for vocational trainings. Owing to unemployment, it is not possible that every youth will get job, so we are offering vocational and professional trainings to them in different districts”.

Srinagar, March 16
Kashmir University has entered the last phase of its admission process to postgraduate courses with the conduct of entrance tests from March 16 to 29. These tests are being conducted to fill around 3700 seats in various post-graduate departments offering 48 postgraduate programmes, 11 PG diplomas, four diplomas and six certificate courses.

As many as 19,629 candidates have applied for admission to these courses. The university authorities are planning to declare the selection list within two or three days after the entrance test and the first selection list is being notified on March 23 to pave the way for completing the admission process by the first half of April.

This time the newly set up Central University of Kashmir is also offering admissions to three PG courses, beginning by June-July this year. These include M Sc in Information Technology, MBA and MA in English and integrated M.Phil and Ph.D programmes.

The Islamic University of Science and Technology at Awantipora, set up under the Wakf Board) about five years back, has also been catering to the increasing demand for admission to various post-graduate courses in Kashmir.

A R Yousuf, Dean(Academics) of the University of Kashmir, said this time online submission of application forms had been introduced.

The selection lists would be prepared online and the applicants had already been provided with the choice of subjects and preferences.

As compared to the previous practice of four choices with a candidate, every candidate can now apply for eight courses on the Internet. “The candidates can get the status of their application forms, verifications, examination centres and roll Nos for entrance tests on the Internet. “In the case of candidates not able to access the Internet (mostly from far-flung areas of the valley), each department, where the candidate has submitted the application form, has been directed to provide the admit cards to facilitate the students.