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Potable water still a luxury in state
Rising Temperature
Governor reviews arrangements for Amarnath Yatra
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Flood Management Programme
PDP to mobilise public against ‘vindictive’ policies of govt
Chushul Warrior Brigade celebrates golden jubilee
Rukhsana gets Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak
Pak intruder shot dead
in Samba
Steps to prevent pilferage of foodgrains
Agency to identify tourism potential
‘Andher Nagri Chopat Raja’ staged
BSF nabs autorickshaw
driver near IB
Local Bodies Poll Army: Snow no deterrent to infiltration
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Potable water still a luxury in state
Jammu, March 28 With no way out, a cornered Minister of State for Public Health Engineering (PHE), Nasir Aslam Wani, urged the members to bear with the government for quite sometime. He said a project at an estimated cost of Rs 382.84 crore had been formulated to improve the potable water supply as a long-term measure, which would be submitted to the Union Ministry for Urban Development for sanction and funding. “I also want to make a request to the agencies concerned to take the PHE into confidence before going for new satellite townships,” said Wani in a bid to explain problems being faced by his department in reaching out to new townships. However, Wani’s reply failed to convince the legislators and they fired a barrage of supplementary queries. National Conference legislators TS Wazir, Rashid Qureshi and Congress legislators Amin Bhat and Ali Mohammed Bhat accused the government of turning a blind eye to the water crisis. Wazir asked the minister to correct his information,saying Sunjwan, Chaatha and Sarari areas were not satellite townships. People had been living there for hundreds of years, he said. Rashid Qureshi, who felt that time was running out, asked the government whether it had any long-term policy to solve the problem, particularly in dry-land areas. Similarly, Ali Mohammed Bhat drew the attention of the chair to the severe water crisis in the Ban Talab and Roop Nagar areas. |
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Gujjars prepone migration to higher reaches
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 28 “Due to abnormal rise in temperature, the nomadic tribes have started moving towards upper reaches of Shivalik, Pir Panjal and Trikuta hills of Himalayas a month ahead of their routine schedule,” said Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation. It was after 29 years when these nomadic tribes advanced their seasonal migration because of abnormal rise in temperature, which had been hovering at eight to 12 notches above normal in March, he added. “Under normal circumstances, the Gujjars and Bakerwals, who come down to plains during summer, start their seasonal migration towards upper reaches of Himalayas around or after third week of April every year,” Rahi said. The early migration would badly affect their tribal economy and social set-up, he said, adding that they would not only face brunt of hot weather conditions during migration process but also had to confront acute shortage of fodder in upper areas. Under compelling conditions, the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation has stressed upon various organisations working for tribal affairs in the state to mobilise their resources for providing necessary logistical facilities to the nomadic tribes. The Gujjars and Bakerwals mainly use routes like Jamiya Gali, Gora Batta, Nanansar, Ropadi and Darhal Pass. However, these routes were badly damaged due to heavy snowfall last winter and needed urgent repairs, said Rahi, who urged the concerned agencies for early repair of these traditional routes. It may be recalled that Scheduled Tribe Gujjars constitute more than 20 per cent of the total population of the state. These tribes had faced similar situation way back in 1979. Meanwhile, the Met department has signalled further rise in temperature in the coming days.
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Governor reviews arrangements for Amarnath Yatra
Srinagar, March 28 The Governor, while reviewing identified aspects of the ensuing yatra, stressed the need for greater synergy between the civil administration, the police, the security forces, the shrine board authorities and each of various state government departments concerned, service-providers and all stakeholders for ensuring that the required arrangements were in place well in time. He stressed the need for initiating advance action in the right earnest in respect of all important matters. Referring to the already drawn up schedule of sectorwise coordination meetings, the Governor emphasised that the interactions in these meetings should be followed by the required action on the ground for securing effective implementation of various decisions taken in these meetings. The meeting discussed in detail the arrangements which were required to be made at the base camps of Baltal and Nunwan, and also at various places on both yatra routes. Principal Secretary to the Governor and CEO of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Raj Kumar Goyal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Naseem Lankar, and Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir (Zone), Farooq Ahmad, attended the meeting. Seminar on development
of Lidder valley
Meanwile, the chief executive officer of the board, Raj Kumar Goyal, accompanied by a team of senior officers of the board participated in a one-day workshop on “Sustainable and Integrated Development of Lidder Valley”, at Pahalgam. The workshop was organised by the Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Kashmir. Goyal stressed upon the environment protection initiatives executed by the shrine board during the 2009 yatra and those planned for the ensuing yatra, which included protecting tracks to the holy cave from solid and liquid wastes, preventing pollution of Lidder and Sindh, ensuring sanitation and cleanliness of yatra camps. |
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Nod to Rs 14-crore project awaited
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 28 Akin to the Indus river, the government also engaged the Central Water Power Research Station at Pune to conduct model studies on the Siachen river to protect villages on its course such as Charasa in the Ladakh region. Raising the issue during question hour in the Upper House , Congress legislator Nurboo Gialchen said floods in Ladakh rivers were uncommon in the past but now there was a visible change in the weather. Without further delay the government should initiate measures to secure the Indus because floods in it had caused a heavy damage to villages from Stakna to Phey in recent times, he said. Responding to the concern of Gialchen, the Minister of State for Tourism and PHE, Nasir Aslam Wani, on behalf of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Taj-Mohi-ud-Din, admitted that flooding of the Indus caused damage to the land and valuable property of the villages on its course. “However, a detailed project report for the left and right banks of the river costing Rs 14.28 crore has been formulated and cleared in the technical advisory committee meeting last year,” he added. Wani said the report was awaiting approval of the Union Government. It was expected that the sanction would be accorded in the next fiscal year, he said. On the Siachen river in the Nubra Valley, the government admitted that it has also eroded village lands situated on its course. The river has also caused damage to a considerable portion of forest and cultivable land, the government said. According to an official document, the government stated that some model studies were carried out by the Central Water Power Research Station (CWPRS) at Pune. An analysis of bed and bank material samples, topographic, hydraulic sediments data was sent to the CWPRS and now final findings of the model studies were awaited, the document stated. In recent years, the cold desert has witnessed a climate change in the form of rising temperature and flash floods in rivers.
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PDP to mobilise public against ‘vindictive’ policies of govt
Jammu, March 28 Keeping in view the forthcoming local bodies and Panchayats elections, the party has decided to organise block-level meetings to educate the masses about the “oppressive” policies being pursued by the NC-led coalition to suppress the voice of the Opposition. The PDP has chalked out a series of programmes to create public awareness against the alleged undemocratic policies of the coalition regime, especially the NC. The campaign against the coalition government’s alleged oppressive and anti-people polices would be kicked off by former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from the Nagrota area. “We have decided to expose the “misdeeds” of this government before the masses,” party general secretary Balbir Singh said and announced that party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed would address a rally in this regard on April 4 at Nagrota. He alleged that the coalition regime had been indulged in witch-hunting to demoralise the Opposition. A meeting to devise a strategy to oppose the alleged suppressive policies of the coalition government was held under the chairmanship of Trilok Singh Bajwa, party vice-president, in which it was decided to mobilise the common masses against the government policies. It was decided in the meeting that protest demonstrations and rallies would be organised at the block-level so as to mobilise maximum number of people in this campaign. The party workers have been asked to arrange meetings in their respective areas and senior leaders have been assigned the job to address these meetings. Bajwa, while addressing the meeting, regretted that the NC-led coalition had failed to solve the basic problems of the masses and also had adopted oppressive measures to suppress the voice of those who want to highlight the failures of the government. People in most parts of the state had been virtually facing hardship due to non-availability of ration, he said, adding that the opposition workers were not allowed to even highlight the problem of shortage of ration. He alleged that the PDP workers had been especially targeted for exposing the misdeeds of the government. “We have decided to oppose such oppressive policies of the government,” he said and announced that the party had decided to organise a series of protests and rallies against the state government. |
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Chushul Warrior Brigade celebrates golden jubilee
Srinagar, March 28 During the Chinese attack in 1962, the brigade distinguished itself with conspicuous bravery. It was here that Major Dhan Singh Thapa and his Gurkhas gave a gallant account of their courage and bravery for which the Major was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The 13 Kumaon Regiment which is also part of the brigade gave a gallant account of itself in the battle of Rezang La. Of 123 all ranks, 114 including Major Shaitan Singh (PVC), laid down their lives fighting for the country. Wreath laying ceremonies at all memorials commemorating the gallant martyrs of 1962 operations were also organised in which Lt-Gen SK Singh, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps and also GOC, Trishul Division, paid homage to the martyrs. Maj-Gen Shamsher Singh(retd), the hero of the Battle of Hilli in 1971 who had also commanded this brigade in the late 1970s and Narpat Singh, son of the late Maj Shaitan Singh, also paid tributes. —
TNS |
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Rukhsana gets Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak
Jammu, March 28 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and a cash prize of Rs 45,000 was also presented to Aijaz Ahmed, brother of Rukhsana, for similar valour, a release issued by the Information Department stated this here today. An impressive function was organised on the occasion, which was attended by DIG, Rajouri-Poonch range, SDS Jamwal, SSP Rajouri and prominent citizens among others. The function was held on the premises of Police Lines. |
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Pak intruder shot dead
in Samba
Jammu, March 28 Official sources said last night the troops of the 72 Battalion of the BSF observed some suspicious movement near Nanga Border Outpost. They found a youth trying to intrude into the Indian territory. The BSF jawans asked the youth to surrender, but the latter disobeyed the warning, forcing the jawans to open fire, sources added. A BSF spokesperson said the intruder aged around 25 years disobeyed the warnings, following which the jawans fired at him. The youth died on the spot and his body was recovered. However, his identity could not be ascertained. Police sources said when a police party from the Ramgarh police station reached the spot, it found the body of the youth near the fence and also recovered a cutter from there. |
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Steps to prevent pilferage of foodgrains
Jammu, March 28 Replying to the debate on demand of grants for the departments under his charge in the Assembly, the minister said the monitoring and inspection mechanism had been strengthened to thwart the pilferage at vulnerable stages of distribution, including during transportation and sale at ration outlets. He said it had been ordered that every ration dealer would lift the quota of ration between the 1st and 15th of every month for distribution among the consumers throughout the month. If a dealer failed to comply with these directions, his dealership licence would be cancelled, the minister said, adding that the dealers had also been asked to display the stock position and the rates prominently at each ration depot for the convenience of the people. The minister informed the House that the state government was vigorously pursuing with the Planning Commission of India 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 subsidised rates. Besides, all district development commissioners had been asked to re-verify the BPL lists within the shortest possible time as per the present population. Maintaining that there was a gap between demand and supply as the state received only 6,367 metric tonne of ration from the Centre against the requirement of 1.32 lakh metric tonne, the minister said this gap could be bridged after the Census 2011 was completed. |
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Agency to identify tourism potential
Jammu, March 28 Minister for Tourism and Culture Rigzin Jora made this announcement in the Assembly while replying to questions raised during Question Hour here yesterday. He said the consultancy firm would conduct a comprehensive survey in all three regions. Responding to demands of members, the minister said the provisions allowed for expanding the scope and jurisdiction of a particular development authority on public demand. He said it was the prime objective of the government to expand the scope of the vital tourism industry to every potential area and various measures were being taken in this regard. In reply to a question of Ashok Kumar of the Congress, the minister said the government had contacted the Goa Institute of Water Sports for the survey and consultancy to recommend measures for promoting water sports in the Baglihar Dam Lake. |
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‘Andher Nagri Chopat Raja’ staged
Jammu, March 28 In the play, a kingdom named Andher Nagri was ruled by Chopat Raja. The rules and laws of the Nagri were strange. All goods were sold at same rates in the market. ‘Guru’ and ‘Chela’ entered the city and found it strange. Sensing something suspicious, ‘Guru’ leaves the city, but ‘Chela’ remains there to face the future consequences. Once a goat dies and the king being cynical summons the whole city so as to punish the real culprit. The blame was shifted from one to other. Eventually, on illogical grounds, ‘Kotwal’ is found guilty, but when he was being hanged, his head did not match the size of the rope. The king orders to find a person who fits the size so as to give justice to the goat’s death. ‘Chela’ fits that size and, thus, was given death sentence. He calls his ‘Guru’ for the help. Sensing the king’s foolishness, ‘Guru’ weaves a false story, which tempts the king to die so as to attain ‘moksh’. In a hilarious manner, the play teaches many things. |
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BSF nabs autorickshaw
driver near IB
Jammu, March 28 It said Mohammad Riaz Wani, a resident of Nowgam in Srinagar, was found driving an autorickshaw near the fence and when BSF officials asked him to show his identity card, he failed to do so. He was caught by the BSF officials and later handed over to the police. The police said an ATM card and a train ticket for Bangalore of March 23 were found from his pocket. Gurmeet Singh, SHO, RS Pura police station said: “We are investigating the matter. |
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BJP starts process of shortlisting candidates
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 28 Though the party has decided to contest the elections of all local bodies of Jammu province with full strength, the party has been especially concentrating on the prestigious Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). State president of the BJP Shamsher Singh Manhas today convened the meeting of all senior party leaders in connection with the preparations of the local bodies elections. During the meeting, all senior leaders were asked to prepare a tentative list of potential candidates. In the meeting, the senior leaders were assigned the jobs of different local bodies of the Jammu region. It was also decided in the meeting that all grassroot-level workers should be involved in the ongoing process of making electoral rolls. Though the former Mayor of the JMC, Kavinder Gupta, has been demanding free hand in the selection of candidates for the forthcoming elections, some senior leaders have been exerting pressure to accommodate their loyalists. Some workers loyal to senior leaders have already started a campaign in this regard.
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Army: Snow no deterrent to infiltration Srinagar, March 28 This became clear after the Army gunned down eight militants during the four-day-long encounter in the Keran sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. “The militants were equipped with latest gadgetry, including snow shoes, special clothes and other equipment,” said Brig Gurmeet Singh, Brigadier-General Staff, 15 Corps. “The area where the infiltration bid was foiled is at a high altitude, with rugged mountains, which at present have 12 to 15 feet of snow. It is evident from the recoveries that the militants were heavily armed, well-equipped for snow and high-altitude area and had the latest communication and navigation equipment, indicative of the support of intelligence and government agencies from across the border,” Brig Singh said. The infiltrators no longer rely on their local guides as they were using the latest GPS gadgets to find their way into the Indian territory. To communicate with each other, the militants also use the latest matrix (code language) which keeps on changing from time to time. The cross-border fence erected by the Army to ‘check’ infiltration was also submerged under the snow and Army personnel also saw another group of militants returning to Pakistani side after initial contact with the first group, which the Army says was eliminated. “We are sure that seven to eight militants in the other group that returned to Pakistani side were seriously injured,” Singh said. The killed militants were also carrying large number of food items, including dry fruits, packed food with made-in-Pakistan mark and medicines. The Army also recovered video clips, audio cassettes, photographs and other propaganda material. Meanwhile, in the wake of increased number of infiltration attempts and a sudden spurt in militancy-related violence in the Kashmir valley, the Army expects the summer to be “very hot” as far as infiltration and militant activities in the valley are concerned. “This is going to be a very hot summer in Kashmir as far as cross-border infiltration and terrorism activities in the valley are concerned,” said the Brigadier. “There are 42 training camps across the LoC out of which 34 are active and there are around 20 launching pads in which 400 terrorists are waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the Indian side,” Singh said. Regarding the number of militants active in the valley, he put the figure around 280 to 300 at the moment. |
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Jammu, March 28
