|
|
|
|
|
Amarnath yatra duration reduced for pilgrims’ safety: Shrine board
Census 2011 eye-opener for govt
Interlocutors meet Hurriyat leader; Mirwaiz suspends him
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Polling in 5 blocks each of Kashmir, Jammu divisions today
Work starts on master plan for Katra
KAS 2009 aspirants charge JKPSC of corruption
‘Firaq Gorakhpuri a trend-setter in Urdu gazal’
Army’s Aman Jyoti Yatra starts from Poonch
Peerzada, Bhalla inspect work on Teachers’ Bhawan
Land along fence to be acquired: Chib
|
|||||||||||
|
Amarnath yatra duration reduced for pilgrims’ safety: Shrine board
Jammu, April 20 Based upon past experiences, including inclement weather, the SASB has reduced the duration from 60 days to 46 days this year. A delegation of the Yatri Niyas, headed by its president Surinder Mohan Aggarwal, presented a memorandum to RK Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of the SASB, at Raj Bhawan here today. Referring to the memorandum presented by the delegation, Goyal said the decision regarding the duration and schedule of the Amarnath yatra along the Chandanwari and Baltal routes was taken by the SASB after extensive discussions at its meeting on February 18. He added that the meeting took into consideration all related factors important for ensuring the safe, secure and smooth conduct of the yatra to the cave shrine. Goyal said the board, chaired by the Governor, comprised eminent personalities like Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, founder of the Art of Living, Dr Kapila Vatsyayan, a well-known scholar, Prof Ved Kumari Ghai, an eminent Sanskrit scholar, Pandit Bhajan Sopori, a renowned musician, and Pandit GD Sharma, a scholar and former Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. It was reiterated at the meeting that the shrine board was under obligation to take into account all relevant factors to decide the duration and the schedule of the annual yatra and the safety and security of the yatris was among the foremost concerns of the board. However, till 2001 the yatra was conducted by the government and during 1995-2001 the duration of the yatra varied between 19 and 32 days. During 1996, consequent to an unforeseen climatic catastrophe, 243 pilgrims died en route the shrine. The Nitish Sen Gupta Enquiry Committee had inquired into the incident and suggested that the period of the yatra should be spread over around 30 days from July 1 till August 15. Consequent to the 1996 tragedy and the Nitish Sen Gupta Enquiry report, the state government established Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which became operational in 2001 under the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Amarnath Shrine Act 2000, for the better management of the Amarnath Yatra, upgrade of facilities and for providing a safe, secure and convenient pilgrimage.
|
|
Census 2011 eye-opener for govt
Participating in a workshop and media sensitisation on “Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques” organised by the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) in connection with the Save the Girl Child Programme, experts opined that not a single case had been registered under the Pre Natal Diagnostic Technique (PNDT) Act, as people were not coming forward to register complaints against doctors, who were conducting sex determination tests. In the workshop, doctors, members of society and representatives of NGOs were present to discuss the alarming situation, which emerged after the latest Census report confirmed that the sex ratio had come down to 883 (females per thousand males). In the previous Census, which was held in 2001, the sex ratio was 892. “Our efforts will prove successful only if people come forward to stop this menace, which has increased to an alarming situation,” observed the experts. They stressed the need for creating awareness among the people rather than enacting strict laws to stop sex determination. The government as well as society should devise some means to ban sex determination and check
female foeticide, as the decreasing population of females, as shown by the Census 2011 report, was the result of a large-scale female foeticide. According to the Census report, a disproportionate male-female ratio was found in as many as 11 out of 22 districts of the state. In Leh district, where the sex ratio stood at 1,000:823 in 2001, was found to have slipped to 1,000:583 in 2011. Though Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma has announced to conduct an inquiry into the widening of the gap between the sex ratio, the Census report has been giving sleepless nights to the authorities concerned. The situation is worst in the 0-6 age group, as the female population in this group has dropped considerably in all districts of the state, except the backward district of Kupwara. The Health Minister, who was also present at the workshop, said the sex ratio was a key indicator of social condition, particularly with respect to the status of the women in any society. He stressed the need for bringing a change in the system with the help of society. He observed that society was also responsible for the steep decline in the population of females. He added that the government had already announced a number of steps to check female foeticide and strict action would be taken against those found indulging in the determination of sex of the foetus. |
|
Interlocutors meet Hurriyat leader; Mirwaiz suspends him
“We have suspended the IuM for violating the Hurriyat decision on meeting the interlocutors appointed by the Government of India,” the Mirwaiz told The Tribune. The interlocutors are hopeful of meeting other senior separatist leaders, though both factions of the APHC and the JKLF have not responded to their repeated offer for talks. The interlocutors had deliberations with about 450 delegations representing various sections of society in the three regions of the state during the past six months. “We have been highly encouraged by the meeting with Ansari and hope that we will be able to meet other (separatist) leaders also,” said Dileep Padgaonkar, head of the three-member team of interlocutors, while talking to mediapersons here this evening. He was accompanied by other members of the team, Prof Radha Kumar and former Central Information Commissioner MM Ansari. The interlocutors, since its arrival here, held Roundtable on April 18 and 19 in which about 50 academicians, media commentators, social activists and representatives of political parties from the three regions of the state participated. “They reached a broad consensus on the key principles and ideas that should form the basis of political settlement to the Kashmir issue,” Padgaonkar said. “The participants emphasised on their commitment to democracy, the rule of law and respect for pluralism. They rejected the use of violence, religious extremism, regional chauvinism and hegemonic ambitions of any community to attain political ends,” he stated. Earlier today, the interlocutors visited Sopore town of Baramulla district and met a number of youths, community leaders and local representatives of political parties to ascertain their views on a political settlement to the Kashmir issue. They also proposed to hold similar meetings at Budgam, Doda, Kishtwar and Jammu and conclude the visit with an interactive session with the legal fraternity in Jammu. Referring to the meeting with Maulana Ansari of the APHC at his residence, Padgaonkar said it was held to discuss ways and means to carry forward the dialogue process that could lead to a peaceful settlement in the state. “Maulana Ansari informed the interlocutors that he favoured talks with the government of India to arrive at such a settlement. The talks had to be held at an appropriate level with representatives of separatist groups and in the presence of the interlocutors appointed by the Centre,” Padgaonkar said. Ansari also urged the Centre to initially focus on the four-point agenda of the APHC, which was offered in August 2008. “The talks would cover the steps already taken by the government in this regard and further steps that were required to be taken to create a conducive atmosphere for subsequent discussions,” the interlocutors stated. They said Ansari hoped that the government would allow the APHC to visit Pakistan to persuade the authorities there as well as leaders in occupied Kashmir (PoK) to take them on board to work out a solution to the Kashmir issue that satisfied all stakeholders. Ansari and the interlocutors also agreed on meeting again to ensure that the dialogue process was sustained. |
|
Polling in 5 blocks each of Kashmir, Jammu divisions today
It is part of the Ganderbal Assembly constituency represented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the home constituency of the Abdullah family, which had been represented by former Chief Ministers Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah. The National Conference (NC) lost this seat in the 2002 Assembly elections when PDP candidate Qazi Mohammad Afzal defeated Omar. The NC regained the seat in the 2008 Assembly elections when Omar won from here. Other blocks in the Kashmir valley going to the polls tomorrow are Sogam in Kupwara district, Boniyar in Baramulla district, Chadoora in Budgam district and the Kulgam block in Kulgam district. In the Jammu region, the blocks that are going to the polls tomorrow include Ramnagar and Dudu Basantgarh in Udhampur district, Parmandal and Ghagwal in Samba district and the Satwari block in Jammu district. The elections, which are being held after a gap of 10 years, have got a good response from the voters in the Kashmir valley despite a boycott call given by the hardline separatists led by APHC chairman Syed Ali
Geelani. |
|
Work starts on master plan for Katra
Udhampur, April 20 A meeting of officers chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand was held in Jammu today to review the progress of the project. The formulation of the Master Plan had been outsourced to the faculty of Planning and Public Policy, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, headed by Professor and Head Department of Housing, Madhu Bharti. The latter made a power point presentation of the project at the meeting. Among others, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Suresh Kumar; Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, PK Pole; Chief Town Planner Aftikhar Hakeem; Chief Executive Officer, Katra Development Authority, Amarjeet Singh, and a representative of Mata Vishno Devi Shrine Board were present at the meeting. Emphasising the need for completing the work in a time-bound manner, the Deputy Chief Minister said the plan should be formulated in such a manner that it could cater to the future needs of the tourists and the local population, as the rush of pilgrims and tourists to Katra was increasing every year. Tara Chand stressed the need for preparing the Master Plan with minimum disturbance and dislocation of local population and public utilities. He asked the officers to extend every possible support to the team in the formulation of the plan. It was divulged during the meeting that about one crore tourists had visited Mata Vishno Devi shrine at Katra during the last fiscal year and the number was likely to increase this year. Madhu Bharti said the existing Master Plan, prepared in 2007, had to be modified to include more land for creating additional facilities for the locals as well as tourists. She added that the plan would be formulated to absorb more tourists as well as floating and residential population, create facilities and set up a meditation centre as a hub of spiritual education. |
|
Yatri Niyas holds rally
Jammu, April 20 A large number of persons assembled at Mubarak Mandi this morning. A rally was taken out from Mubarak Mandi and it culminated outside Raj Bhawan, said Surinder Mohan Aggarwal, president of the niyas. Later, a deputation of the niyas submitted a memorandum of demands and the signatures collected to the Chief Executive Officer of the SASB, RK Goyal, he added. “We apprised the SASB authorities about the aspirations of the people and urged them to review the decision to curtail the yatra’s duration,” said Aggarwal. He added that the niyas would now wait for two days to see the response of the SASB authorities and thereafter, if needed, would chalk out its further course of action. The niyas has been demanding that the duration of the yatra be restored to 60 days. From April 12 to 18, it conducted a signature campaign in over 1,000 places of the Jammu region and more than one lakh people participated in it. The Amarnath yatra is scheduled to start on June 29 this year. |
|
|
KAS 2009 aspirants charge JKPSC of corruption
Peeved by alleged malpractices by the JKPSC, the KAS aspirants also wrote letters to Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the CBI and the Vigilance Department, urging them to intervene in the matter. The candidates said there was no proper distribution of marks in the viva and a number of candidates, including those who had secured good marks in the written examination, were shown the door. Terming it a injustice meted out to them, these candidates held a meeting at the University of Jammu today and shot off letters to all top dignitaries and investigation agencies in this regard. “The results of almost 70 per cent of the candidates were incorrect. If the JKPSC fails to show us the answer sheets, we will knock the door of the Supreme Court,” said the candidates. They questioned the criterion adopted for the distribution of marks in the viva and demanded that the weightage of marks in the viva be reduced from 250 to 50 marks. “We have doubts regarding the merit list, as many meritorious candidates have been failed to pave the way for some influential candidates,” they alleged. The KAS aspirants alleged that the candidates having political science as an optional subject were the worst sufferers. “I am sure that the marks awarded to me were not based on my answer sheet. My answer sheet has got changed and I want to see it to satisfy myself,” said Sonu Singh, who had appeared in the KAS exams in 2009. “Nepotism also rules the roost at the JKPSC, as a daughter of one of the JKPSC members has been given extra marks in the viva,” the candidates alleged. They demanded that the interview of the KAS should be held in camera and the marks for the interview should be decreased from 250 to 50 marks. Some benefit should be given to the candidates belonging to the reserved categories, they added. The candidates said they had sought their answer sheets under the Right to Information Act and if their demand was rejected, they would move the Supreme Court. However, SL Bhat, chairman of the JKPSC, rejected the allegations levelled by the candidates of the KAS exams of 2009. “We have conducted the entire process of selection in a very transparent manner and all allegations are baseless. There has not been even one case of nepotism,” he said. He added that those levelling allegations against the JKPSC were earlier demanding detailed mark sheets and when they were provided mark sheets, they could not bear to see their poor performances. Earlier too some candidates had moved the High Court in Srinagar alleging that candidates having Urdu as an optional subject were given excess marks as compared to others, Bhat said. He added, “Every candidate has a different level of ability. Its better these aspitants don’t waste time and prepare hard for the exams next time”. |
|
|
‘Firaq Gorakhpuri a trend-setter in Urdu gazal’
Jammu, April 20 In the lecture, Ashak traced the origin of the Urdu ghazal. He said the Urdu ghazal spread to South Asia in the 12th century after it originated in the Persian language. He quoted some verses of Walli Daccani, who had projected the theme of love in his ghazal, and described Firaq Gorakhpuri a trend-setter in the Urdu ghazal. “Firaq made tremendous changes in ghazal through a fresh diction and
form,” he said. Ashak described Saher Ludhanvi as an important progressive poet. The function was presided over by prominent Urdu short story writer from Lucknow, Mohsem Khan, while heads of the Urdu Department, Prof Shohab
Inayat Malik, Prof MA Wani and Dr Mohd Reyaz Ahmed, were present on the occasion. Students, scholars and faculty members of the university attended the lecture. Earlier in his welcome address, Prof Malik
introduced Ashak as a towering poet of the Urdu world. In his presidential address, Mohsem Khan congratulated the Department of Urdu for organising such functions and said these had a great
impact on the students of the language. Dr Ahmed conducted the programme, while Prof Wani presented the vote of thanks. |
|
|
Army Chief visits Ladakh
Srinagar, April 20 A defence spokesman here said the Army Chief was briefed on the operational aspects of the Fire and Fury Corps. He later interacted with the officers and jawans at the Corps Headquarters. He emphasised on the requirement of extensive combat training while braving the hardships of weather and terrain. He expressed satisfaction over the state of training of the troops deployed in the Corps zone. Bharti Singh, at a separate function, felicitated 30 Veer Naris from the Ladakh region. She reiterated that the life of wives of Army men was full of challenges and their contribution was immense towards facilitating the brave soldiers to give their best under most trying conditions. Bharti Singh reassured them that the Army would ever remain grateful to their husbands’ supreme sacrifice and unmatched contribution to the nation. Smita Dastane, president of the FWO Fire and Fury Corps, hosted the felicitation ceremony along with other women of the Corps. |
|
|
Army’s Aman Jyoti Yatra starts from Poonch
Jammu, April 20 The yatra will cover over 310 km from Poonch to Nagrota and will focus on strengthening the national integration and amalgamating the youth of the border regions to the mainstream in the state. Youths from Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri and Nowshera will take part in the yatra and will relay the “Aman Jyoti” from Poonch to Nagrota. The entourage will undertake a signature campaign and interact with eminent civil and Army dignitaries during their journey. The proceedings of the day commenced with ‘Payam-e-Insaniyat’, a seminar on peace, which was presided over by Major-Gen Om Prakash, GOC, Ace of Spades Division. A pioneering effort made through joint efforts by the Army and prominent religious leaders, the event saw the participation of senior Army officers of the Ace of Spades Division, politicians, civil administrative officials, police officers and prominent religious heads of Poonch and the adjoining areas. Speaking at the seminar, Major Gen Om Prakash said the recent turmoil in the state had increased regional and religious polarisation. In this state of turmoil and instability, there was an urgent need for a healing touch, a fresh peace initiative to bring in peace and harmony in society, he added. The GOC said the Aman Jyoti Yatra would provide the youth from the border regions a unique opportunity to experience the Army way of life. Later, the Aman Jyoti was taken through the streets of Poonch up to the Pritam Park. The yatra was then flagged off for its next destination by the Commander, Poonch Brigade. |
|
|
Peerzada, Bhalla inspect work on Teachers’ Bhawan
Jammu, April 20 During the inspection, Peerzada said the auditorium would have two floors with a seating capacity of 500 persons, four toilet blocks, a dormitory, guest room, TV room, dinning hall, kitchen, provision of HVAC system, audiovisual, PAS, genset, an AVR of 300 KVA, kitchen, store, office, lounge, including 3,300 sq ft basement, for organising seminars and exhibitions. He said Teachers’ Bhawan would be completed in 23,175 sq ft area. He added that the Central government had allocated Rs 60 crore under the Rashtriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for opening and upgrading of high and higher secondary schools in every constituency of the state with latest infrastructure facilities. Bhalla said, “Sixty-nine schools will be upgraded under the RMSA across the state and Rs 58 lakh will be spent on the construction of additional rooms and Rs 15 lakh on
science laboratories in each newly-upgraded high and higher secondary
schools”. |
|
|
Land along fence to be acquired: Chib
Jammu, April 20 Chib said this while interacting with a group of newly-elected sarpanches and panches of RS Pura and Bishnah blocks here. He said, “The cases of the farmers, whose land have been acquired for the construction of the Ditch-cum-Bandh by the Army but have not been given compensation, will also be examined”. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Jammu, April 20
Srinagar, April 20
Srinagar, April 20
Jammu April 20