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Transporters to begin two-day strike today
Ignored by NC, Cong calls meeting in Srinagar today
People-to-people contacts can improve ties with Pak: Experts
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Demand for clemency to Afzal unconstitutional: BJP
Sufficient fertilisers to be provided to state, says Union Minister
Rs 3 crore earmarked for flood-hit people: Bhalla
National Rural Job
Scheme
BSF sub-inspector killed in Pak firing
One held with charas
Jammu colleges’ athletics meet held
Leopard kills 15 sheep in Rajouri
Demand to regularise contractual farm technocrats
Interlocutors visit Kupwara
15 hurt as matador overturns
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Transporters to begin two-day strike today
Jammu, September 20 “Although, the government has invited us for talks tomorrow and Finance Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey, who is the chairman of the subcommittee, looking into the issue, will meet our representatives tomorrow,we have decided to go on strike,” said Anil Chopra, president of the All-Jammu and Kashmir Passenger Transport Association. “We will decide our future course of action after meeting the government representative tomorrow,” Chopra added. Though passenger vehicles would remain off the road, load-carriers, including trucks and oil tankers, had been exempted from the purview of the strike, said Chopra. He warned that if the government failed to accept their demand,the owners of the load- carriers would also join the strike. However, Transport Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon said the government was making all efforts to avert the strike. The transporters were sore over the fact that while insurance companies had hiked the premium manifold and the government had doubled the passenger tax and hiked service charges from 8.3 per cent to 10.7 per cent, it had not paid any compensation to them despite the fact that they had suffered losses during the Amarnath land agitation in 2008. The transporters said while the fuel prices had gone up further, the government had done nothing to hike the passenger fares. |
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Ignored by NC, Cong calls meeting in Srinagar today
Jammu, September 20 All MLAs, MLCs and senior leaders have been directed to attend the meeting. This was stated by PCC spokesman Ravinder Sharma here today. Sources in the Congress said the party leadership had taken a serious view of the decision of the state government to recommend to the Election Commission to conduct elections to four vacant Legislative Council seats from panchayats without consulting the coalition partner. “The decision was taken without discussing the issue in the Cabinet,” a senior Congress leader said on condition of anonymity and added that the party had decided to strongly oppose the decision The Congress had been repeatedly demanding that block and zila panchayat committees should be elected at the earliest and powers should be given to the newly elected panchayats, but the government had refused to do so. The Congress was also angry over the decision of the NC to nominate four members to the Kargil Hill Development Council without consulting it.Some party leaders belonging to Kargil have already threatened to resign against the discriminatory treatment meted out to them by
the NC. They had also conveyed their views to the party high command. Although the NC has a majority in the Kargil Hill Development Council, the Congress also has eight members. “While nominating four more members to the council, local Congress leaders should also have been consulted by the NC,” a senior party leader said. Meanwhile,sources said the party would also take a decision on the resolution moved in the state Assembly, seeking clemency for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, at the meeting tomorrow. |
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People-to-people contacts can improve ties with Pak: Experts
Jammu, September 20 The views were expressed on the concluding day of the two-day national seminar, “Mapping Contemporary Pakistan” at the University of Jammu today. In his presentation, Maj-Gen Rakesh Sharma, GOC of 10 Infantry Division, said the hate campaign against India by Pakistan through school education needed to be curbed by its government, if it wanted to improve relations with India. “There is also no harm in talking to the Pakistan army directly as suggested by some of the speakers,” he said. He added, “We should try to formulate a common South Asia history jointly and discuss it more openly.” Further, there should be more talks at the level of religious leaders. Maj-Gen Sharma, however, said India should not feel threatened by every statement from Pakistan groups. “India is much stronger to feel threatened by such groups,” he added. Air Vice-Marshall Kapil Kak (retd) emphasised on building the conventional military capability for precision, lethality and zero collateral damage. He, however, said building a higher level of situational awareness was also imperative. Kak also talked about enhancing people-to-people contacts, leveraging the international community’s suspicion of the Pakistan military and continuing with strategic restraints like India did in Kargil. At the same time, he felt that strengthening its own ideological foundations of secularism was indispensable. In his closing remarks, Lt-Gen JP Nehra, GOC of 16 Corps, said the modernisation of the Indian defence forces needed to be speeded up. “We need to develop capabilities in modern tools like cyber war, covert operations and psychological war,” he said, adding military exchanges
and interactions between the two countries might also reduce the feeling of animosity towards each other. Lt-Gen Nehra also narrated his experiences during the Israel-Hezbollah standoff in 2006 and highlighted how military-to-military talks between the IDF and the LAF removed the animosity and reduced tension on the border. “Therefore, there is no harm in starting military-to-military exchanges,”
he said. |
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PoK ex-PM, Geelani discuss Kashmir issue
Srinagar, September 20 After meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last evening, Mehmood, accompanied by Minister of State for Tourism and Home Nasir Aslam Wani, also visited Pahalgam. He went to the new Pahalgam Golf Course and other scenic spots.He praised the hospitality extended by the state government. Earlier today, Mehmood visited the Jamia Masjid and interacted with religious leaders there. He went round the area and was presented a booklet on the historical background of the mosque. He was also taken to the Mirwaiz Manzil in the nearby Rajouri Kadal area,where he exchanged views with prominent leaders on the historical importance of the place. |
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Woman ‘discharged’ soon after delivery
Jammu, September 20 Relatives and neighbours of Savitri, a resident of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and living in Simbal village, held a protest and raised slogans against the hospital authorities. They claimed that Savitri was “forcibly” discharged around 6 am today, nearly three hours after the delivery. Manjeet Kaur, Savitri’s neighbour, said, they had come to the hospital last night. “Though Savitri,who was admitted to the hospital gave birth to a child, she was directed to vacate the bed in the labour room a few hours later,” she alleged. Manjeet said, “Is it human to ask a woman, who has given birth to a child a few hours ago, to sit on the floor outside the labour room? The doctors also refused to conduct tests on the newborn and asked the woman to go to the SMGS Hospital in case of any complication.” Savitri also alleged, “I was not in a position to go anywhere and sat outside the labour room with the baby.” “I don’t demand anything from the hospital authorities. I want them to save my baby, as she is just a few hours old. Such a treatment can claim the baby’s life. The doctors should at least behave properly with the patients,” added Savitri. However, the doctors said the baby was normal and hence the mother was discharged. Dr Ramesh Birpuri, Medical Officer of the hospital, said, “The baby was normal and there was nothing to worry about. The patient and her neighbours are not telling the truth. Some people are unnecessarily trying to make an issue. The doctors on duty did not refuse to give her a bed.” “Still, if the patient wants, she will be admitted to the hospital. We have enough beds,” added Dr
Birpuri. |
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Demand for clemency to Afzal unconstitutional: BJP
Jammu, September 20 Addressing a meeting at Doda, Manhas said Kashmir-based parties, their leaders and separatists were openly advocating clemency for Guru and the BJP would oppose any such move. Manhas said the law of the land had held Guru guilty and sentenced him, but for petty political considerations, some people and parties were demanding clemency for him, which was against the spirit of the Constitution. “We will not allow such elements to accomplish their anti-national agenda,” he said. “The BJP will work to strengthen the nationalist forces in Jammu and Kashmir to frustrate the nefarious designs of the pro-separatist forces,” he added. Expressing concern about frequent accidents in Doda, Kishtwar, Bhadarwah and Ramban districts and other hill areas, Manhas said poor roads and the failure of the departments concerned to discharge their duties was the main cause of the mishaps. Demanding that the government hospitals in the area be upgraded, he said more emergency health centres should be set up. State vice-president of the BJP Som Raj Khajuria said the supporters and activists of the party were being discriminated against with regard to various welfare schemes as well as development activities. He added the government should shed its pick- and- choose policy and treat equally all the regions and people in the state. |
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Sufficient fertilisers to be provided to state, says Union Minister
Srinagar, September 20 Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, Union Secretary for Chemicals and Fertilisers Sutanu Behuria Jena, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, MI Khandey, Union Joint Secretary Satish Chandra and other Central and state officials were present at the meeting, an official spokesman said. The position, availability and supply of fertilisers was also reviewed. Matters pertaining to the requirement of fertilisers by the state for the rabi and kharif crops also came up for discussion. The Union Minister said adequate fertilisers would be provided to the state. The fertiliser is imported to meet domestic requirements. Speaking about the state’s diverse and difficult topography, the Chief Minister underlined the need for a storage facility for fertilisers. The meeting also discussed the establishment of National Sample Survey Organisation units in the state to help collect statistics and samples for research and database.
— TNS |
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Rs 3 crore earmarked for flood-hit people: Bhalla
Jammu, September 20 Addressing a series of public meetings in the Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment today, Bhalla said the government had earmarked Rs 3 crore as relief for immediate disbursement. He added that the government was committed to providing adequate irrigation facilities to farmers across the state. “There is no constraint of funds for providing tube wells, irrigation pumps, besides irrigation channels,” he said. Bhalla said the focus of the government was on the development of all the rural areas on the pattern of urban pockets, by providing all the basic amenities like better roads, safe drinking water, electricity, medical services and education. He said the government had launched a number of welfare schemes for the people living in the rural areas, which included the Indira Awas Yojna (IAY), the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA). |
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National Rural Job
Scheme
Jammu, September 20 Addressing a series of public meetings at Kanah, Dalsar, Thaplal and Slathar panchayats in the Ramnagar block, Khajuria demanded that the wages of labourers engaged under the MNREGA be increased. The villagers and panchayat members apprised him of the issues regarding the shortage of drinking water, shortage of teaching staff in schools, low voltage, installation of electric poles, opening of dispensaries, poor roads and footpaths. Sarpanch of the Kanah panchayat Vikram Singh demanded a dispensary and a veterinary hospital in his panchayat, besides proper drinking water supply to Pathiyal village and the construction of a road from Massal to Gadni. Sarpanch of the Dalsar panchayat Raj Kumar demanded the installation of electric poles and the start of water supply schemes. A deputation of a labour union from Ramnagar, headed by its chairman, Sanjeev Jandyal, and president Krishan Chand, apprised Khajuria of their problems. Sarpanch of Thaplal panchayat KD Singh also demanded proper drinking water supply to villages and the construction of footpaths in the area. Khajuria assured the sarpanches and the panches that their problems would be taken up with the authorities concerned. |
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BSF sub-inspector killed in Pak firing
Jammu, September 20 Official sources said sub-inspector Ram Chander Singh Rana of Dehradun was killed while labourer Sudesh Kumar sustained injuries in the incident. They said the BSF had engaged the labourer along the forward area for removing wild growth when there was firing from across the border around 3.50 pm. “The sub-inspector,who was critically wounded later died in hospital in Samba,” said the sources, adding the troops also returned the fire. Despite repeated attempts, no senior officer of the BSF could be contacted. |
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One held with charas
Jammu, September 20 The police said Kirpal Singh had smuggled a package of charas from Srinagar for sale into
the city. Kirpal was arrested for the fourth time in a row for drug trafficking. An FIR was registered against him at Kanachak police station for
drug trafficking under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. |
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Jammu colleges’ athletics meet held
Jammu, September 20 The colleges that participated in the event included Commerce College, Jammu, MAM College, Jammu, Women’s College, Parade, Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar, Mahant Bachitar Singh College, Hamaliya, ITI College, Degree College, RS Pura, Degree College, Paloura, Dogra Law College, Trikuta College, Sanskrit College, Bhadarwah College, BEPD College and Degree College, Thanamandi. A large number of people from various walks of life attended the closing ceremony along with senior officials of various wings and a large number of students from various colleges. A cultural programme for the youth was also organised along with free stalls for refreshment and lunch. The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council extended technical support to the event. |
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Leopard kills 15 sheep in Rajouri
Jammu, September 20 SHO, Rajouri, Varinder Singh said the police had not received any written complaint from the villagers. “An investigating officer has been sent to the area,” he said, adding the police had taken up the matter with the Wildlife Department. Despite repeated attempts, officials of the Wildlife Department could not be contacted for comments. |
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Demand to regularise contractual farm technocrats
Jammu, September 20 Talking to newspersons here, Surinder Radotra, president of the JKATA, said: “The regularisation should be done batch-wise .” The government should regularise those who had completed five years’ service,he added. |
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Interlocutors visit Kupwara
Srinagar, September 20 They assured the people that their wishes and aspirations would be conveyed to the Central and state authorities. They impressed upon the people that a dialogue was the only way to address various issues.
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15 hurt as matador overturns
Jammu, September 20 Reports said the matador was overloaded.
According to the driver, the vehicle hit a tree and overturned. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver.
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