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Pak team to inspect artificial lake
Chidambaram urged to recruit Kishtwar youth in security forces
Leaders of the National Conference and the Congress submit memorandums to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in Kishtwar on Friday.
A Tribune photograph
‘Discrimination’ against Zanskar region |
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Mattoo declines to be Jammu Central University V-C
State to provide uniforms to school students: Peerzada
Students of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mubarak Mandi, give a performance at the Annual Day function in Jammu on Friday. Photo: Inderjeet Singh
Huge quantity of timber
decays at sale depots
Two police public schools to come up at
Rajouri, Doda
Artificial Shortage of Spray
Oil
Governor tours Kathua areas
Strengthen village defence committees: Panthers Party
Balwant Singh Mankotia, president of the state unit of the Panthers
Party, addresses mediapersons in Jammu on Friday. A Tribune photograph
Jammu Central University
VC
Residents protest in Srinagar on Friday against the killing of two sisters in Sopore. Photo: Amin War
World Cancer Day
Boy consumes poison, dies
Seminar on mathematics
Special lecture on Buddhism
Avalanche warning in Gurez
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Pak team to inspect artificial lake
Jammu, February 4
“A team of experts from Pakistan will visit Jammu between February 15 and 25 to inspect the lake project”, Minister of Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Flood Control Taj Mohi ud Din told reporters here. The minister had recently said that the project did not violate any provision of the Treaty. He said the total Cultivable Command Area (CCA) and the irrigated command in the state were below the threshold limit. Pakistan had earlier objected to the Baglihar, Kishanganga, Uri-II and Chutak hydroelectric projects in the state, claiming these would deprive it of its share of water. Under the Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive rights over three common rivers — the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab — while India has exclusive rights over the Sutlej, the Ravi and the Beas. The minister also said under the Water Resources Regulation Act (WRRA), which was passed in October last year, the state government had paid bills worth Rs 37.33 crore to different agencies, including the NHPC and the state-owned Power Development Corporation as water-usage charges .The state government would generate revenue worth Rs 913 crore annually after the implementation of the Act.He further said the revenue would be increased up to Rs 1500 crore per annum after the beginning of the work on some new projects, namely Uri-II. The minister informed that the government had also decided to revise charges of potable water as well as extraction of ground water charges.
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Chidambaram urged to recruit Kishtwar youth in security forces
Udhampur, February 4 Chidambaram was in Kishtwar, once a hotbed of militancy, to review the security and law and order situation. He was received by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand at the helipad where the delegations of local Congress and NC leaders, including MLA Sajad Kichloo, district Congress unit president Pardeep Singh Parihar, Youth Congress leader Sheikh Nasir Hussain, submitted memorandums to him. Notably, the memorandums contained almost identical sets of demands and Kichloo and Shiekh Nasir claimed that Chidambaram, who did not interact with the mediapersons, responded sympathetically. The holding of direct recruitment camps in the area was demanded in view of the reportedly negligible representation of the local youth in the BSF, CRPF, CISF as well as national and local units of other security forces. The Union Home Minister was apprised that most parts of the hill terrain of the district spread over 8,000 sq km remained under snow for about five months. Therefore, advertisements regarding recruitment did not reach the youth on time and they missed the camps. Therefore, it was imperative that direct recruitment should be made locally. Sources said Chidambaram, who later chaired a meeting of the Deputy Commissioners and senior police officers of the five districts under Doda-Kishtwar and Udhampur-Reasi police ranges, stressed on engaging the local youth in constructive activities through community policing initiatives. Besides inter-district police coordination, the police and administrative authorities concerned were asked to prepare plans in this regard so that the youth did not succumb to allurements by militants and their handlers. The leaders of the NC and the Congress also demanded that the locals should be given employment in the proposed hydroelectric projects in the district on a priority basis to minimise the widespread problem of unemployment. The Congress leaders also made a strong case for engaging more special police officers (SPOs) in the district. Since they were doing a commendable job in countering militancy, their monthly emoluments should be increased to Rs 8,000. The need to improve road connectivity and the starting of a free helicopter service for residents of the far-flung areas were the other important demands. At the meeting with the officers that lasted about two hours, Chidambaram took stock of the prevailing situation in the area with regard to militancy and security. Sources said he also underlined the need for dealing with the law and order problem with the minimise use of force so that the militants and their ideologues were prevented from exploiting any situation that may arise out of any action by the security forces. |
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‘Discrimination’ against Zanskar region Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 4 BJP president Nitin Gadkari said this after meeting a delegation of Zanskar residents here yesterday. “We assure the people of Zanskar that we will file a case with the NHRC within 15 days against the discriminatory policies of the state and Central governments towards the region and its people. Party spokesperson Tarun Vijay, who has been taking active interest in the Jammu and Kashmir affairs by virtue of being the head of the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Foundation, had organised the interaction. Vijay recently visited the Zanskar valley on the Indo-China border. Gadkari also promised that he would ask the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, to raise the issue in Parliament and demand appropriate action. Expressing concern over the lack of development in the region, Gadkari said the region remained cut off from the rest of the country for seven months in a year due to rain and landslides. “The state government is responsible for the situation, as it is not taking any measures to develop the area. Gross injustice is being done to the innocent people of Zanskar due to petty vote-bank politics,” the BJP president said. Gadkari said the Omar Abdullah government was manipulating the electoral process to ensure that no Buddhist won from the Zanskar Assembly constituency, dominated by the people of the community. “Injustice is being meted out to these people by the Omar government on communal lines,” he added. “Even the Nimoo-Padum Darcha road, approved during the NDA regime, has not been completed,” Tarun Vijay said. The delegation of leaders from Zanskar demanded the completion of the Nimoo-Padum-Darcha road, a separate Assembly constituency for Zanskar, additional council seats for the region in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and a district status for Zanskar subdivision.
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Mattoo declines to be Jammu Central University V-C
New Delhi, February 4 He formally conveyed his decision at a meeting with Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal. The HRD Ministry had in April 2010 recommended Mattoo’s name for the coveted post though his appointment came through only on December 22 after President Pratibha Patil, as the Visitor of all Central Universities, satisfied herself on the complaints she received against Mattoo during the pendency of his appointment. Prof Mattoo cited “personal reasons and a sense of disappointment” for refusing the post, considering a fraction of Jammu-based groups had launched a vilification campaign against him in the months when his name was under consideration for appointment as the Vice-Chancellor. Sources in the HRD Ministry said Mattoo explained his position to Sibal at a personal meeting. Among the reasons he communicated was his hurt over the fringe forces from Jammu, claiming to be speaking for the division, levelling serious accusations against him. Complaints sent to the President included the charges of nepotism and favouritism against Mattoo, currently a professor of Disarmament Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. As first reported by The Tribune, Mattoo was reluctant to join and was waiting for his position to be vindicated. That vindication came after the President finally approved his appointment in December year. But sources close to Mattoo today told The Tribune that for the academic, the decision to refuse to serve as the Vice-Chancellor of Jammu Central University was not easy though he had never lobbied for the position as was the impression being given. “It was a well thought-out decision, one that came from his inner conscience,” the sources said, adding that Mattoo felt he did not require a position of authority to serve Jammu. Meanwhile, the ministry sources said the decision was expected as Mattoo had not given his consent to his appointment. He took more than a month to communicate the decision to the HRD Ministry, which now faced the onerous task of starting the hunt for the Vice-Chancellor afresh. A new panel would have to be constituted, it was learnt.
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State to provide uniforms to school students: Peerzada
Jammu, February 4 He was addressing students of Government Girls Higher Secondary school, Mubarak Mandi, at the Annual Day-cum-prize distribution function. — Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Education Minister He said this was aimed at removing the difference in uniform between private and government schools, and added that the progress and prosperity of any
area depended on its education standards and level of literacy. Peerzada said one of the main agendas of the present dispensation was to eradicate illiteracy and improve the higher education system in the state. He said various measures were being taken to enhance the literacy rate and to bring down the graph of school dropouts in the state.
He added that besides equipping educational institutions, particularly the rural areas, the coalition government was promoting co-curricular activities along with the academics. On the occasion, a colourful cultural programme was presented by the students.
He also released an annual publication of the school depicting its activities and achievements. |
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Huge quantity of timber
decays at sale depots
Jammu, February 4 A visit to the depots at Sunjwan, Bachan near Shahidi Sitambh and the AIK Timber Sale Depot in Vijaypur revealed that due to the poor upkeep, a huge quantity of rough and finished lumber was decaying. Official sources told The Tribune that the auction process, rigid guidelines and administrative inefficiency had added to the mess at the depots. “Thousands of planks and logs decaying at each sale depot are worth crores of rupees, whereas five years ago they had no market value,” sources said. Managing Director of the corporation, Abdul Qayyum Khan, said: “A team under the supervision of the general manager, Sales, has been directed to prepare a report on the stock”. “Prices are fixed by the Pricing Committee and the auction is conducted by the chief general manager, Sales. We are not authorised to fix an amount for the auction”, he added. He pointed out that the clearance sale was introduced in 2008. “The auction is a continuous exercise. Any stock of timber that has gone through three auctions is sold at discounted rates. Even then, if the stock remains unsold, it is put up for a clearance sale,” he added. |
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Two police public schools to come up at
Rajouri, Doda
Jammu, February 4 He added, “Despite the disturbed conditions in the Kashmir valley, the public school in Srinagar performed well last year. Now, we have decided to open two more schools at Rajouri and Doda.” Khoda said for the welfare of police personnel, initially two public schools were opened in Jammu and Srinagar. Both schools were fully equipped with modern educational tools and sports equipment, he added. “In 2009, two police public schools were opened in Leh and Kargil districts and in 2010, two more schools were opened in Anantnag and Baramulla, which have produced excellent results,” said Khoda. In order to enable wards of its personnel to compete in different professional examinations, the police has provided free coaching in academics and computer applications in Jammu and Srinagar by experts in professional institutes. Khoda said the schools would be equipped with all modern educational tools. “The state government has also provided support in the form of employment to the family members of the martyrs on compassionate grounds,” he added. “During the year 2010, 84 wards of the martyrs were appointed constables. Besides, some others have been recommended and referred for appointment in other government departments,” the DGP said.
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Artificial Shortage of Spray
Oil
Srinagar, February 4 Interacting with a delegation of farmers, Malik alleged that an artificial oil shortage had been created, especially during the peak season when it was urgently required by the farmers for sprinkling on fruit trees for ensuring a better quality of produce, and consequently they were compelled to purchase it at higher prices. “The sale of spray oil during March is above Rs 125 crore and a major portion of it is supplied by private dealers, thereby, depriving the government-owned JKHPMC of an opportunity to expand its business that could make it financially viable,” he said. Malik demanded that the JKHPMC being a government-owned corporation and one of the dealers of the spray oil needed to be entrusted a major role in the distribution and supply of the oil to the farmers. He also demanded that representatives of kisan organisations be nominated to the recently announced Advisory Board for Development of Kisans in the state.
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Governor tours Kathua areas
Jammu, February 4 The Governor visited Lowang village, about 17 km from Bani, as well as the dam site of the Sewa-II hydroelectric project at Mashka.A team of senior officials, including VK Rattan, general manager, NHPC, and Ajay Gupta, chief engineer (generation), PDC, briefed him about various aspects of the project. Later, the Governor arrived at Basohli, where he was received by the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Zahida Khan, the SSP, Kathua, JL Sharma, and other officers. The Governor visited Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Basohli and interacted with students, who presented a cultural programme.He impressed upon them to work hard for achieving excellence, both in academics and extra-curricular activities, and wished them a bright future. Before returning to Jammu, he visited the historical Basohli Fort. He stressed the need for taking all measures for the conservation of this heritage site being taken up in a time-bound manner. The restoration of the fort and its surroundings would be an added attraction for the visitors.
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Strengthen village defence committees: Panthers Party
Jammu, February 4 He added that Chidambaram’s meeting only the Congress delegations demonstrated that he was here not in the capacity of the Union Home Minister but to bring warring factions of the Congress at one platform. Mankotia asked Chidambaram to strengthen the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) as well as the Dhok Defence Committees (DDC) and to enhance the honorarium of the SPOs and regularise them on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem, who had completed five years of service. He said his party had already apprised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the demand and requested him to enhance the honorarium of SPOs to Rs 10,000 per month from the existing Rs 3,000 per month. Lauding SPOs and VDC members for their exemplary role in fighting militancy in the state, Mankotia said hundreds of them and their family members had sacrificed their lives to maintain the integrity of the country. He added that while the VDCs were getting nominal honorarium, the DDCs were not getting anything. Mankotia announced that the Panthers Party would raise the matter pertaining to the VDCs and DDCs in the coming session of the Assembly.
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Forum to hold protest today
Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 4 Thakur Pavitter Singh, chairman of the forum, said in a statement here today that the protest rally would be taken to the rural areas of the Jammu region. A protest would be held at Samba on February 11. “The forum is thankful to the Union Human Resource Development Ministry for withholding the appointment of Prof Mattoo keeping in view the sentiments of Jammu people,” he said. The forum, however, urged the HRD Ministry to cancel the appointment of Prof Mattoo and make an announcement in this regard at the earliest, to end the uncertainty over the issue.
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KILLING OF SISTERS Srinagar, February 4 The strike was observed in response to a call given by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Geelani, which has already condemned the killings. The clashes took place in Sopore and Baramulla towns after the prayers when demonstrators took to the streets against the killings. The police used batons and lobbed tear gas shells to chase away the demonstrators, who threw stones at securitymen. Similar clashes were reported from Sopore after the prayers. Demonstrations were also held by a separatist organisation, Muslim Khwateen Markaz, here this morning. The police had claimed that two local militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba along with some foreigners were involved in the killings while the outfit denied the allegations and condemned the incident.
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Symposium on esophageal cancer
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, February 4 Riyaz was addressing the inaugural session of a national symposium on Esophageal Cancer-A Major Health Concern in Kashmir organised by the Department of Bio-Chemistry in collaboration with the Cancer Society of Kashmir on the university campus today. Prof Abdul Hamid Zargar, Director, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Dr Showkat Zargar and others were also present.
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Boy consumes poison, dies
Jammu, February 4 The police said Gharu Lal was brought to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) by his family members in a critical condition. However, the doctors at the GMCH declared him brought dead. The Parade police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of CrPC in this regard. Meanwhile, the police handed over the body to the legal heirs after a post-mortem. The cause of death was yet to be ascertained.
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Seminar on mathematics
Jammu, February 4 The principal said such activities were important for increasing the scientific temperament among the students. — TNS |
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Special lecture on Buddhism
Jammu, February 4 On the occasion Dr Ashok Jerath delivered a speech at the Lecture Hall of the department in which he traced the origin and development of Buddhism in Ladakh. He also narrated his personal experience vis-à-vis the Buddhist Tantric cult while travelling through Ladakh, Kinnaur, Dharmasala and
Almora. |
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Avalanche warning in Gurez
Srinagar, February 4 People living in the areas have been advised to avoid movement during the snowfall, avoid steep slopes and not to venture out in the avalanche-prone areas. “Routes should be selected with care. The warning is valid till February 5,” said Amir Ali, coordinator of the Disaster Management Cell, Kashmir.
— TNS |
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Kishtwar-based leaders of the NC and the Congress today requested Union Home Minister P Chidambaram that a special drive be organised in the district for the recruitment of the local youth in the
security forces.
The state government has decided to provide special uniforms to children
studying in government schools. “The State Education Department has decided to provide special uniform coat, pant and shirt with ties to all children studying in government schools,” Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said here today.
Expressing concern over not inviting political parties to meet the Union Home Minister, Balwant Singh Mankotia, state president of the Panthers Party, regretted that only Congress leaders were allowed to meet him.
While addressing a press conference he said, “It seems that P Chidambaram is the Union Home Minister of only the Congress”.
KILLING OF SISTERS
