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Legislative Assembly
Speaker adjourns Assembly for
lack of quorum
Bill to hike salaries of MLAs deferred again
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Legislative Council
INDIA-PAKISTAN Cricket Semifinal
PM’s invite to Zardari, Gilani wise decision: Farooq
No female foeticide case in state, says govt
HC notices to Chief Secy, Jammu DC on BJP MLAs’ petition
Governor honours Dr Trehan
Baba Amarnath Niyas delegation meets Governor
Cricket tourney in martyrs’ memory from March 28
Rehabilitation of Jammu Migrants
Work for strengthening peace, Governor tells Scouts, Guides
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Diversion of Central Road Funds PDP alleges bias against Kashmir, stages walkout Dinesh Manhotra/TNS
Jammu, March 26 While legislators of the PDP, joined by the legislator of the CPM and an Independent MLA, staged a walkout over the issue of diversion of the Central Road Funds (CRF) from Srinagar to Jammu, legislators of other opposition parties created an uproar over the alleged discrimination against the Jammu region and the “laid-back attitude” of the state government towards setting up of the Delimitation Commission. During Question Hour, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti drew the attention of the government towards the reports of diversion of the CRF of Rs 30 crore from Srinagar to Jammu. She said the decision of the state government was a violation of the guidelines and regulations. Joined by other legislators of the PDP, Mehbooba demanded a reply from the government on the issue. Although Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar explained reasons for the diversion of the funds, the PDP legislators termed the action as discrimination against Kashmir. They were also joined by CPM legislator MY Tarigami, Peoples Democratic Front legislator Hakim Yasin and Independent MLA Engineer Rashid. They stood up and shouted slogans like “stop discrimination against Kashmir” and “give justice to Kashmir”. They demanded a probe to find out how and why did the government take such an illegal step. After Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone intervened, Sagar said the government would look into the matter and come back to the House with a reply, but the unrelenting opposition members staged a walkout from the House. During Zero Hour, Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh raised the issue of delay in tabling the report of the Finance Commission. “It is clearly mentioned in the report of the Finance Commission that 24 out of 25 departments of the Jammu region have been neglected since 1947,” he said and demanded the tabling of the report. He said Rs 150 crore sanctioned by the Task Force for the Jammu region could not compensate for discrimination suffered for 62 years. “We reject the recommendations of the Task Force,” he shouted and staged a walkout from the House along with his party colleague YP Kundal. As soon as the legislators of the Panthers Party staged a walkout, Jammu State Morcha (JSM) legislator Ashwani Kumar raised the issue of the delay in setting up the Delimitation Commission. “Since 1947 the successive state governments have been discriminating against the Jammu region on the political lines, as evident from the fact that the region has more area as well as votes, but less Assembly and Lok Sabha seats,” he said and sought a reply from the government. BJP legislators Ashok Khajuria, Chaman Lal Gupta and Garu Ram also joined the issue and tried to corner the government. They targeted all Jammu-based ministers for maintaining a silence on the issue. As the government refused to give a reply, the BJP legislators, along with the lone JSM legislator, staged a walkout.
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Speaker adjourns Assembly for
lack of quorum
Jammu, March 26 At 12.12 noon, Deputy Speaker Mohammad Sartaj Madni, who was in the chair, adjourned the House for 10 minutes due to the lack of quorum during the debate on a private member Bill moved by NC legislator Mir Saifullah. Though some legislators of opposition parties were present in the House, the treasury benches were almost vacant. The Deputy Speaker asked the government to bring back the legislators to the House so that its proceedings could restart. Only when some legislators returned to the House on the insistence of senior members of the Congress and the NC that the House reassembled. Earlier when Question Hour concluded almost all Cabinet ministers left the House. At 11.03 am when PDP legislator Abdul Rehman Veeri stood up to ask a question, he drew the attention of the Chair towards the treasury benches. “Not even a single minister is present in the House. Where is the government?” he asked. Other opposition legislators also resorted to shouting and asked the Chair to direct the ministers to return to the House to listen to the grievances of the members. The Minister for Public Health Engineering
(PHE), who was standing near the entrance of the Assembly, returned to the House immediately. “I am here to reply to your questions,” he said and pacified the members. |
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Bill to hike salaries of MLAs deferred again
Jammu, March 26 Two Bills in this regard were tabled by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly here today and these were listed in the list of business for discussion. Some legislators had even moved amendments to these Bills for more hike in the salaries as proposed in the original Bills last year. But after Question Hour concluded, Speaker of the House Mohammad Akbar Lone announced to withdraw the Bills from the list of business. “I announce to withdraw the Bills from today’s list of business. These Bills have been deferred,” the Speaker said but did not elaborate on the reason for the move. He, however, assured the members that Bills would be tabled again in the current session. The Bill to raise the salaries of the legislators was also tabled during the Budget session last year but was deferred at the eleventh hour. |
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Legislative Council
Jammu, March 26 Replying to a question by Naresh Gupta of the Congress, the Education Minister admitted that 40 government high schools and government higher secondary schools in the Chenab region had registered zero per cent result in the Class X exams. He added that committees had been constituted to find out the reasons for the poor results. “A divisional-level committee has been constituted to ascertain the reasons for the low pass percentage,” said Peerzada. Regarding the measures being taken to raise the standard of education in the state, the minister said, “Efforts are being made to provide sufficient staff to these schools on an internal arrangement basis. Besides, these schools are being adopted by DIETs to monitor their progress on a day-to-day basis”. Peerzada informed the Upper House that action was also being contemplated against non-performing teachers. “Explanations have been sought from erring teachers In this regard. Further action will be taken on the basis of the recommendations of a committee,” he added. The minister said the Class X results were declared on January 20 and the report of the divisional-level committee was awaited. On a question by Abdul Gani Vakil of the Congress, the Education Minister, in a written reply, said the results of the Class X exams conducted by the State Board of School Education in October last year were not leaked through the social networking site, Facebook. He said, “No, the results of Class X exams were not leaked through the social networking site, Facebook”. Earlier, some newspapers had reported that the Class X results were leaked through a link posted on a page, ‘Frontline Kashmir’, on Facebook around 9 pm on January 10, at least 36 hours before they were officially scheduled to be declared on January 12. However, the education board posted the Class X results on its official website on the afternoon of January 11. The link, which had “enabled” the users to access the results, had also created confusion among the students and the board authorities. Replying to another question whether question paper leak has become a routine affair in the Jammu region, Peerzada said, “No, it is not a routine affair”.
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INDIA-PAKISTAN Cricket Semifinal
Jammu, March 26 In a statement issued here today, Mehbooba Mufti exuded confidence that this gesture would help in bringing a positive change in the sub-continent. “Though this is a small step, it could act as a catalyst to improve the relations between the two countries, leading to a formal dialogue at the highest level,” she said. She hoped this step would break the ice and help in resuming the dialogue process, which had been stalled since 2008. The PDP chief said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were hopeful that this development would have a positive impact on the situation in the state. Recalling the 2003 cricket match between India and Pakistan in Lahore, Mehbooba said the then Pakistan President, Gen Parvez Musharraf, had extended invitation to the Indian leadership at that time. A large number of people from India had gone to watch the match and that development had helped in opening a channel of communication between the two countries. “Both countries should seize the present opportunity to improve their relations,” she said. Mehbooba stressed the need for restarting exchange programmes for artists, professionals and members of civil society from both countries. She said extending invitations to watch the semifinal cricket match was a welcome step, but much more needed to be done. Any confrontation between the two countries was not in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She pointed that cooperation between the two countries was key to resolving the problems of the region, so both countries must show maturity in the interest of the people.
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PM’s invite to Zardari, Gilani wise decision: Farooq
Srinagar, March 26 “This step demonstrates the wise thinking on the part of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This will provide an opportunity to further dialogue by which the grudges of the two nations will vanish,” Farooq told reporters on the sidelines of a two-day national healthcare conference organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here today. He said the step would open a new chapter in the India-Pakistan ties and pave the way for better relations between the two nations that were strained after the Mumbai attacks. “I am hopeful that the Pakistan leadership will accept the invitation and come to watch the match in India. I will love to watch the match, but I will be travelling on that day,” said Farooq, who is also the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. Regarding his sharing of stage with the chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in New Delhi during a conclave recently, Farooq said, “I told Geelani sahib that peace was more important for Kashmir and he should help in restore peace in the Valley”. Commenting on the unrest last year, Farooq said the image of Kashmir suffered, as people across the country were afraid to visit the Valley, badly affecting the tourism sector here. “People across the country think twice before coming to Kashmir. The media should also play a constructive role and not exaggerate things,” he said.
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No female foeticide case in state, says govt
Jammu, March 26 Replying to a question by Mohammed Yousuf Taing of the NC in the Legislative Council here today, Sham Lal said, “No case of female foeticide has come to the notice of the government so far and the functioning of all nursing homes and ultrasound centres is being monitored regularly”. He added that, “To check incidents of female foeticide, the J&K Pre-Natal Sex Selection/Determination (Prohibition and Regulation Act) 2002 is already in force in the state”. The minister said there were standing instructions to all district health authorities to supervise the activities of the ultrasound centres. While providing the details of the total number of nursing homes and ultrasound centres across the state, Sham Lal said a total of 75 registered private nursing homes and 218 approved ultrasound centres were functioning in the state. “Besides, the cases of 30 private nursing homes for registration were under consideration,” he added. Interestingly, no one from opposition or treasury benches asked any supplementary question. While discussing other health-related issues, the minister admitted that there was lack of work culture in the health sector. “Yes, there is lack of work culture in the health sector and we are responsible for it,” said Sham Lal.
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HC notices to Chief Secy, Jammu DC on BJP MLAs’ petition
Jammu, March 26 In the petition filed through the BJP Legislative Party Leader in the Assembly, Chaman Lal Gupta, and seven other MLAs, the petitioners submitted that on January 25, 2011, all BJP MLAs reached for security check at the Jammu airport at 10.30 am for boarding the scheduled GO Airways flight. However, they were stopped by the SP (South), the Tehsildar, Bishnah, and the DSP, Mohan Lal Kaith, at the main gate and were not allowed to enter the airport. They were then dumped in police vehicles and taken to the PWD Guest House at Gandhi Nagar in Jammu. They were released around 5.30 pm the same day. The petitioners sought directions to the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary to hold an inquiry into the incident and also find out on whose orders they (BJP legislators) were detained and restrained from going to Srinagar. The petitioners also sought the grant of compensation for the flagrant abuse and infringement upon their fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. They also sought directions for the registration of a case under the relevant provisions of the Ranbir Panel Code for the commission of offences of abduction and wrongful confinement against the erring officials.
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Governor honours Dr Trehan
Jammu, March 26 The Governor presented a shawl to Dr Trehan in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards the management of heart ailments. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor lauded the professional competence of Dr Trehan along with his managerial capabilities. Referring to the initiative of establishing the hospital, the Governor observed that Medicity was emerging as a centre of super-specialised medical treatment. Emphasising the need for providing best possible health care facilities to the people at large, particularly those living in the remote and far-flung areas, the Governor said, “Our medicos need to work with a missionary zeal to ensure access to health services to one and all”. He said philanthropic organisations like Rotary Clubs had a significant role to play in supplementing the efforts of the state governments in realising the objective of health for all. He asked for organising health camps in rural areas with a view to providing the required latest diagnostic treatment to the needy. The Governor released “Trikuta”, newsletter of the Rotary Club, Jammu Tawi, on the occasion. Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma dwelt on substantial enhancement in the budgetary provisions for the health sector and the initiatives underway to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in the state. Dr Trehan spoke in detail about the preventive aspects of heart-related ailments and its management and gave tips to avoid the risk of occurrence of heart diseases.
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Baba Amarnath Niyas delegation meets Governor
Jammu, March 26 The delegation discussed with the Governor the arrangements being made for the Amarnath yatra and the Buda Amarnath Yatra this year. Referring to the suggestions given by the delegation, the Governor, who is the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, said the board would appropriately support the initiatives being taken for creating facilities for the pilgrims at Shri Buda Amarnath Shrine. In this context, he asked the Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board, RK Goyal, to prepare suitable plans in consultation with the office-bearers of the niyas. The 10-member delegation comprised president of the Vishav Hindu Parishad, J&K, Ramakant Dubey, convener of the niyas Dineshwar S Jamwal, president of the Shri Aatmanand Jain Sabha, Pawan Kumar Jain, among others. |
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Cricket tourney in martyrs’ memory from March 28
Udhampur, March 26 As per the district police authorities, DIG, Doda-Kistwar-Ramban Range, MK Sinha will inaugurate the tournament at a function in which the members of the families of police martyrs have also been invited. The event has been conceived as part of the administrative strategy to engage the youth of the militancy-hit areas in constructive activities like sports. The winning team will get a cash prize of Rs 21,000, while the runners up will get Rs 11,000. Besides the man of the tournament, man of the match, best bowler, best fielder and best batsman awards will also be given. The authorities said about 30 cricket clubs were expected to participate in the tournament. As part of this confidence-building measure, the district police has sponsored two free cricket kits worth Rs 20,000 to youth clubs of Ramban and Banihal. President of the Friends Club, Ramban, Mohammad Arif Wani and organising secretary Parvez Iqbal have appreciated the DIG and SP, Ramban, Anil Magotra for taking an initiative to organise the tournament to strengthen the police-public relations.
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Rehabilitation of Jammu Migrants
Jammu, March 26 “The state government has submitted a fresh proposal to the Centre for the rehabilitation of the Jammu migrants on a par with the Kashmiri migrants. The proposal also includes a provision of jobs to the Jammu migrants,” Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla said in the Legislative Assembly here today.
The minister said the relief to the Kashmiri migrants was being provided under the security-related expenditure, funded by the Central government. He added that as and when the revised rehabilitation proposal for the Jammu migrants was approved, they would be rehabilitated on a par with their counterparts in the Valley. |
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Work for strengthening peace, Governor tells Scouts, Guides
Jammu, March 26 The Governor was addressing the gathering after presenting the 7th Rajya Puraskars to 159 successful Scouts and Guides from the Jammu division at an award ceremony held at Raj Bhawan today. The First Lady, Usha Vohra, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, Minister for Youth Services and Sports RS Chib, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik, Principal Secretary to Governor RK Goyal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, Director, Information, Farooq Renzushah and Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jaipal Singh were present on the occasion. Referring to the unrest in the Valley last year, the Governor said the education sector was seriously affected. He added that senior Scouts and Guides could play a role in promoting harmony and ensuring that education did not suffer. The Governor said while the Scouts and Guides movement had progressed in the state there was need for pooling resources and efforts to strengthen it. He announced Rs 5 lakh for the promotion of the activities of the Bharat Scouts and Guides. Of this, Rs 2.50 lakh would be provided to the Kashmir and Jammu divisions. He also urged the state government to enhance the annual grant for the J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides. He congratulated the recipients of the awards and hoped that by working hard many of them would get the national awards in the coming years and unfurled the Scouts and Guides flag. In his address, Farooq Abdullah stressed upon the Scouts and Guides to uphold the high traditions of secularism and communal harmony. He added that unity in diversity was our biggest strength and this needed to be strengthened and nurtured.
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Jammu, March 26
Srinagar, March 26
