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US Ambassador skips meeting separatists, praises Omar
Trust Vote on US Nuclear Deal
Legislative Assembly |
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Civic elections after panchayat poll: Tara Chand
Legislative Council
Regularisation of land
Governor, CM greet people on Holi
BSF jawans celebrate Holi with children
To check road mishaps, govt turns to Rajasthan
Loss of Livestock in 9 Districts
Trial run of train to Sopore
State spent Rs 10 cr on choppers
Provide better service to pilgrims, Bhalla tells taxi operators
Cabinet approves 213 posts
Seminar on tourism development begins
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US Ambassador skips meeting separatists, praises Omar
Srinagar, March 18 “This is my second visit to Jammu and Kashmir.... The purpose of the visit is that he (Chief Minister) is the elected leader. The Chief Minister is the person who represents the people in Jammu and Kashmir,” Roemer told reporters when asked whether he would meet separatist leaders in Kashmir also. Roemer visited the Srinagar branch of Delhi Public School at Athwajan on the outskirts of the city. He took out time to interact with the staff and students of the school and also played cricket and tried his hands at basketball. He was all praise for students and the school management. He added that he was in the state to have a feel of the situation by meeting the people of the area and students. Roemer said he had a productive and engaging meeting with the Chief Minister. He added that he was in the state for only two days and did not have time to meet too many people. “You are limited in time and I cannot meet everybody, as I was here for only two days and we want to get a feel from the people of Jammu and Kashmir and especially students. Coming to the school like this you meet the future leaders of this very important place in India,” Roemer said leaving no doubt that the USA sees Jammu and Kashmir as a part of India. Roemer said he wanted to meet the people of the state and learn more about the people of Jammu and Kashmir as he has been doing in the rest of India. He brushed aside a question on action being taken by the USA on the issue of Major Avatar Singh (retd), an accused in the murder of a lawyer in Kashmir nearly 20 years ago, and said he would not react to individual cases. “The USA stands firmly and strongly on human rights issues. We are working universally to promote human rights,” he said. Asked to comment on the revelations by the Wikileaks about the Congress-led UPA government paying a huge amount of money to MPs to win the 2008 trust vote, Roemer said, “We do not comment on Wikileaks in London, Japan and anywhere in the world and I am not going to do that in Srinagar”.
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Trust Vote on US Nuclear Deal
Jammu, March 18
He recalled that it was not Rahul Gandhi, who had approached him for his (Omar) party’s support during the trust vote in 2008, but it was he who got in touch with Rahul. “I had conversations, that I recall, at least with the Prime Minister at that time. I don’t specifically recall a conversation with Rahul where he solicited the support of the NC,” Omar said. “In fact, I, if I remember correctly, got in touch with Rahul and asked him how the process was going on and if there was any way we could help, as I firmly believed India needed to secure this deal to improve its energy position,” he clarified. When his attention was drawn towards the Wikileaks cable disclosures, Omar said, “I don’t believe that somebody of this stature...of the Prime Minister or Mrs (Sonia) Gandhi will ever sanction any sort of system of buying votes, but what happened I think needs to be gone into”. He pointed towards his speech in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2008, during the trust vote. Apparently not giving importance to the Wikileaks disclosures, Omar said, “I am the wrong person to comment on this because there are certain factual inaccuracies in the Wikileaks cable”. In a veiled attack on the BJP for raking up the Wikileaks disclosure issue to disrupt Parliament, the Chief Minister said, “I was not offered money for the nuclear deal, but when the trust vote of the NDA was going on in 1998-99, I remember the Union Power Minister had approached me and asked me what I wanted to support the NDA. I would not say that he offered me money, but ‘give and take’ usually takes place in such things”.
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Legislative Assembly
Jammu, March 18 The Mubarak Mandi complex was the historical seat of power of the Dogra rulers and the people of the Jammu region identify themselves with the heritage monument. The parties were annoyed over the decision of the government to lease out the complex to an NGO for constructing a five star hotel. During Zero Hour, Panthers Party legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia raised the issue and drew the attention of the government towards a tender floated by an NGO for constructing a five star hotel at the complex. “The complex symbolises the rich heritage and culture of the Dogras and the government, in connivance with some private parties, has been trying to grab the historical building,” Mankotia alleged. “We won’t allow the selling out of the identity of Dogras in Jammu. We will not allow the hotel to be built by the private party at the complex in the name of promotion of tourism and conservation,” he said. Ashwani Kumar of the JSM alleged taht, “Some persons have captured the Mubarak Mandi Conservation Committee and in the name of conserving the complex they have been pocketing huge amounts”. Echoing a similar view, BJP legislator Ashok Khajuria sought a clarification from the government over the handing over of the complex to some select persons. “The government has handed over the complex to some persons who indulged in land grabbing,” Khajuria shouted amid the din. Chaman Lal Gupta, Harsh Dev Singh, Yashpal Kundal and other legislators also joined the issue. As they raked up a ruckus in the Assembly after protests, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani told the House that in order to conserve the heritage monument, a society was set up, which was looking after its conservation and promotion. However, the protesting legislators were adamant that the government should give a reply to the question about the proposed construction of the five star hotel. Later, the legislators staged a walkout from the House after their demand for a reply was not met. |
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Civic elections after panchayat poll: Tara Chand
Jammu, March 18 He said the coalition government was committed to decentralising power to the grass-roots level. Replying to a question during the discussion on demands for grants of the departments under his charge in the Legislative Assembly here this afternoon, the Deputy Chief Minister said the state was a one administrative unit and all regions and areas belonged to the people of the state. He said he had always ensured that all needy areas were reflected in the development planning of the department. He rubbished the allegations of discrimination against some regions or areas of the state in the allocation of funds for development works. Tara Chand said there had been an alarming increase in population, which led to an unplanned growth of the residential areas. He said efforts were on to check the unplanned growth and rationalise the urban infrastructure. He added that the government was contemplating to bring a legislation so that municipal bodies could perform their functions smoothly and independently. He also announced that the a Tax Board Bill was being introduced in the state legislature for the rationalisation of service tax in towns and cities.
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Legislative Council
Jammu March 18 When Question Hour began, the lone legislator of the Panthers Party, Mohammad Rafiq Shah, raised his voice showing an advertisement published in a newspaper and demanded punishment to such people. Rafiq, supported by legislators Khalid Najib Suharawardy, Nizam-ud-Din Khatana, Aga Syed Ahmad Rizvi and Narboo Gialchan, raised the issue in the House. Handing over the newspaper clipping to the acting chairman, he sought harsh action against those who had given the advertisement. However, Micky said, “Let me examine the document first.” Later, he directed Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla to look into the matter. Immediately after Question Hour, Rafiq raised the issue again saying, “Some touts have played a well-planned game to sell our heritage, which won’t be allowed at any cost”. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rashid Qureshi of the NC said, “As per the advertisement published in the newspaper, tenders have been invited till March 31, which should be probed”. On this, the minister said, “I think this is a cruel joke on the sentiments of Dogra people and the government will surely examine this”.
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Regularisation of land
Jammu, March 18 Dissatisfied with Bhalla’s reply, legislators Khalid Najib Suharawardy and Javid Ahmad Rana of the NC, Subhash Chander Gupta of the Congress, and Nizam-ud-Din Khatana of the PDP asked supplementary questions that lasted for over 15 minutes during Question Hour. Gupta said, “The cases pending under the Act should be resolved taking the same amount that was taken from the people living in 13 colonies that were regularised at nominal rates in the recent past”. Suharawardy said, “The Revenue Department should first confirm which land comes under the purview of the Roshni Act. As the JDA, MC and the Housing Board lands do not come under the Act”. On this, Bhalla said so far 20 lakh kanals were under the purview of the Act. The land, which was the state land about 20 years ago, comes under the Act. He added that kahcharie and graveyard land did not come under the Act and the department was working on other issues also. Ravinder Sharma of the Congress said, “As per the figures submitted by the department, 14,467 applications have been received under the Roshni Act in Srinagar, but only 287 have been disposed of. This shows that there are some lacuna in the functioning of the department”. TS Wazir of the NC asked, “The department has been demanding Rs 60 lakh per kanal from the PoK refugees. How can they pay such a huge amount? Is it justified?” Another legislator Naresh Gupta asked, “Whether the unorganised wetland comes under the Act or not?” Bhalla replied to the question saying, “Everyone selling or purchasing the unorganised wetland is violating the law and is liable to be penalised”.
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Governor, CM greet people on Holi
Jammu, March 18 He said festivals were an important component of the state’s rich cultural heritage, which strengthened the bonds of brotherhood, love and amity. He prayed for the well being of the people of the state. In a felicitation message, the Chief Minister also extended his greetings and wished happiness to the people. Omar expressed hope that the day would be a harbinger of peace and development in the state. |
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BSF jawans celebrate Holi with children
Jammu, March 18 The time-tested tradition of unity in diversity yet again came alive on the border as the BSF jawans from different parts of the country celebrated the festival of colours in its true spirit. What added happiness to the celebrations was the presence of schoolchildren, who reminded the jawans of their families and children back home. The BSF personnel from the 135 battalion along with their Company Commandant, SK Upadhaya, and schoolchildren brought to the forward post by an NGO indulged in a riot of colours. Drenched in colours, the BSF jawans exchanged Holi revelries and sweets with the children. The children as a mark of love and good luck applied colours on the faces of jawans and also tied rakhis on their wrists. Taking some time off from their dreary and tense daily routine, the BSF personnel mingled with the children and danced to the tunes of Holi songs. Company Commandant SK Upadhaya greeted his personnel and mingled with them on the occasion. Upadhaya said, “We celebrate this festival together irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region every year”. |
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To check road mishaps, govt turns to Rajasthan
Jammu, March 18 Terming minibuses as a major cause of road mishaps in the state, Transport Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon informed the Legislative Council here today that he had consulted the Rajasthan Transport Minister about how to solve the problem in the state. While replying to a debate on the Transport Department, Akhoon said, “After talking to the Rajasthan Transport Minister and a number of other persons, I came to know that all other states have transport policies, which we don’t have and this is the reason behind a large number of road mishaps”. Akhoon added that he had directed officers of the department to make two policies in this regard, one short term and the other long term, to solve the problem. “The short-term transport policy will be formulated within six months and the long-term policy will take one year. These will give suggestions on where to make tunnels, roads and other related things,” he said. Specifically talking about minibuses, the minister said, “As compared to violations by private minibus operators, the state-owned SRTC buses have committed only one per cent of violations”. About the plan to streamline the Transport Department, Akhoon said, “We have asked the licensing authorities at all district headquarters to strictly obey the rules while issuing fresh driving licences. Besides, we have also told the traffic police to give suggestions”. The number of people killed in road mishaps in the state is much higher than the people killed in militancy-related incidents. As per the figures of the Transport Department, 1,080 persons were killed in 6,129 road accidents last year.
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Loss of Livestock in 9 Districts
Jammu, March 18 Even after 11 months over 1,800 persons have not received compensation. About 94,000 small and big animals, including sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, ponies and horses, were killed in nine districts of the state. In a written reply to a question in the Legislative Council here today, Revenue and Relief Minister Raman Bhalla stated that so far the people of Kishtwar and Budgam districts had been provided the ex-gratia relief for the losses suffered by them, yet other cases were under consideration. However, the department concerned had stated that 3,681 animals were killed during this period in Rajouri district, 1,248 in Poonch district, 55,328 in Kishtwar district, 13,167 in Anantnag, 3,662 in Budgam, 3,210 in Kulgam, 965 in Ganderbal, 249 in Shopian and 8,708 in Bandipora. In his question, Nizam-ud-Din Khatana of the PDP had asked about the losses suffered and the relief paid to the people so far. The department had stated that a relief of Rs 65.57 lakh had been provided to the people of Kishtwar and Budgam districts only. |
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Trial run of train to Sopore
Srinagar, March 18 A public darbar was conducted at the railway station Sopore today in which various issues pertaining to drinking water, electricity, roads and ration were raised by the public, an official spokesman said. The Divisional Commissioner also attended a meeting of the railway authorities where the pace of the repair work and construction of the signal system was reviewed. The authorities were directed to complete the work on a war-footing and get the signal system completed as soon as possible. An assurance was taken from the public that they would safeguard the railway property.
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State spent Rs 10 cr on choppers
Jammu, March 18 In a reply to a question by PDP legislator Abdul Rehman Veeri in the Legislative Assembly here today, the government said during 2009-2010, Rs 4.63 crore had been spent on the state chopper services. Similarly, till February 17, 2011, Rs 5.20 crore had been spent on the government aircraft. In the current financial year, Rs 2.50 crore had been spent for the maintenance of helicopters and aircraft, while Rs 1.5 crore for the payment of salary to pilots. |
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Provide better service to pilgrims, Bhalla tells taxi operators
Jammu, March 18 JS Tondon, managing director, SRTC, and M Suresh, director, Jammu airport, besides representatives of the Jammu Airport Taxi Operators Association were present at the meeting. The schedule of services from the airport for various categories of transport operators and measures for streamlining the services from the airport to various places were discussed. Bhalla, on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon, assured the taxi operators that their demands would be fulfilled on priority. He asked them to provide better transport services to pilgrims and tourists round-the-clock, especially to those who come to Katra to visit Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Regarding the waiver of entry tax to taxi operators at the airport, the minister asked the director, Jammu airport, to look into the matter. He said the coalition government was making all-out efforts to strengthen the transport facilities in the state for the convenience of tourists and pilgrims. Bhalla said the state was being developed in all respects to showcase it as a major tourist attraction. He added that the government was also embarking upon a plan to develop historical places in the twin capital cities of the state and its periphery. He said the development of Shri Bawe Wali Mata shrine was one of the major projects in this direction and hoped that it would become a major attraction for the devotees and help in diverting Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims to other parts of the state during the forthcoming Navratras starting from April 4.
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Cabinet approves 213 posts
Jammu, March 18 The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a National Service Scheme Cell in the Department of Higher Education to oversee the functioning of the scheme in the state. In another decision, the Cabinet sanctioned ex-gratia relief to 16 families of Kishtwar, Poonch, Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur districts, who had suffered losses to their moveable property, merchandise and household items in the aftermath of the Amarnath land agitation in 2008. The Cabinet also sanctioned the re-appointment of Mushtaq Ahmed Peer as the Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examination for a period of one year from March 17. |
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Seminar on tourism development begins
Jammu, March 18 Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, was the chief guest while Prof Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor, presided over the function. Giving details about the seminar, Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Director, Business School, said it was being held to discuss various issues related to contemporary practices and innovations in the tourism industry so as to evolve and formulate a strategic policy intent for the promotion of sustainable tourism not only at the state level but also at the national level. |
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Jammu, March 18
Interacting with mediapersons outside the Legislative Assembly
here today, Omar said he was of the firm belief that the nuclear deal
with the USA was in the interest of the country so he had supported the
UPA government in July, 2008.