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Interlocutors’ report a futile exercise: Hurriyat
Ahead of Diwali, Jammu steps up anti-adulteration drive
Pollution control board ropes in students for a green Diwali
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Rs 22 cr given to militancy-hit families
Army holds medical camps
7th JK Science Congress begins
Man killed in road accident
Communal clashes CM lays foundation for 3 hydro power projects
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Interlocutors’ report a futile exercise: Hurriyat
The Kashmir separatist groups -- the Hurriyat Conference (the faction comprising hardliners led by Syed Ali Geelani and the moderates led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq) and the JKLF headed by Yasin Malik -- did not meet the interlocutors in spite of repeated open invitations. The team of interlocutors, constituted in October last year after the summer unrest, had met a cross-section of people in all 22 districts in all three regions - Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh - during their monthly visits to the state. Even as the separatist groups turned down the open invitations, one of the APHC (moderate) members, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, had a meeting with the interlocutors earlier this year, much to the resentment of the separatist groups. However, in his concluding remarks at the end of the interactive visits to the state, Dileep Padgaonkar here recently said the viewpoint of the separatists had been included in the report on the basis of their “known stand”. Commenting on the report submitted by the interlocutors, hardliner Syed Ali Geelani said the whole exercise had been to “mislead” the international community. “Since the team was constituted and it started the interactions with various sections of people in the state, we have been saying that it is a futile exercise”, Geelani said. “Our stand has been proved”, he declared, adding that the only fruitful exercise would be the “grant of the right of self-determination for the people of entire Jammu and Kashmir on either side of the border”. The moderate APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who recently returned after a “political and diplomatic tour” abroad, said it had been a “meaningless and time-consuming” exercise as nothing new had come out of the huge year-long exercise. “Our decision not to meet them (interlocutors) has been a right move and our stand has been proved,” he said. He maintained that the “Kashmiris’ struggle” was not for economic packages and certain concessions and favours but for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. However, the mainstream parties like the ruling National Conference, the opposition PDP and the CPI (M) have been cautious in their response to the report submitted by the interlocutors to the Central government. The CPI (M) state secretary and MLA, M Y Tarigami, sought the report to be made public. |
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Ahead of Diwali, Jammu steps up anti-adulteration drive
Jammu, October 13 Five Food Safety Officers under the direct supervision of JMC’s Health Officer Anwar Choudhary have been asked to keep a check on adulterers. So far the JMC has booked nearly 40 shopkeepers, who were found indulging in adulteration of food items. Talking to The Tribune, Choudhary said in the wake of the festival season, the JMC has sounded an alert and has initiated anti-adulteration drives. “Several teams have been deputed for the purpose and they are busy inspecting various outlets,” Choudhary said. He added, “There was no dearth of staff in keeping a check over unscrupulous shopkeepers, who in a bid to make fast and easy money, indulge in the malpractice.” During the festive season synthetic khoya reaches Jammu in large quantities from Delhi and Punjab. “I am personally supervising the entire exercise and my teams are conducting recee of the suspected areas in Jammu,” he said. The JMC has also cultivated its “sources” at the Jammu Railway Station to keep an eye over consignments of synthetic khoya, which is used in the preparation of sweets. “We are keeping a close watch on the Jammu Railway Station. So far, no big consignment of synthetic khoya has come, but we cannot remain complacent as the khoya is unfit for human consumption,” said Choudhary. In the past two days the JMC has inspected approximately 220 establishments like sweetshops, restaurants, roadside eateries, fruit juice sellers, meat shops, tea stalls, bakeries and confectionary shops etc. The drive was conducted at Bikram Chowk, Satwari, Canal Road, Talab Tillo, Akhnoor Road, Roop Nagar, Paloura Janipur and New Plots. The JMC officials booked 26 offenders and realised Rs 11,800 as fine from them yesterday. About 100 kg of unwholesome sweets, bakery products, stale cooked food and about 60 kg of Chinese food prepared under unhygienic condition were also destroyed
on-the-spot. |
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Pollution control board ropes in students for a green Diwali
Jammu, October 13 “The bursting of firecrackers increases noise and air pollution. Diwali is known as the festival of lights and people should celebrate it with lamps (diyas),” maintained Lal Chand, adding that the Central Pollution Control Board had “directed all states to take necessary steps to control pollution on this special day.” He said the steps initiated by the board last year had proved successful. “Last year, the noise and air pollution remained 10-15 per cent lesser than the previous years,” claimed Lal Chand. Referring to this year’s strategy to check pollution, he said: “Efforts are being made to sensitise people, particularly youngsters, to be eco-friendly. People should become health-conscious and avoid the use of firecrackers.” He added that the board was also checking the noise level of the firecrackers. “Only those firecrackers are allowed which do not exceed the noise level of 125 decibel.” The board would be monitoring the noise and air pollution level at various places across the state. “Educated people should come in support of the board, so that the environment could be saved from harmful gases,” added Lal
Chand.
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Rashid flays attack on Prashant Bhushan
Srinagar, October 13 Various members of the Right To Information (RTI) Movement led by Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid staged a sit-in here this afternoon expressing concern over the attack on Prashant Bhushan. He said the civil society at the national level should raise its voice against such an attack and expressed concern over the “silence” of the civil society over the issue. It was easy to brand anyone as an “enemy agent” or accuse anyone of having an affiliation to any intelligence agency. There was no regard for freedom of expression, he lamented. The MLA said in case no action was taken against the accused, the protest would be intensified. Rashid, representing the Langate constituency of Kupwara district in north Kashmir, had recently sought a resolution in the state Assembly on clemency to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
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PDP holds protest against Omar’s ‘corrupt’ govt
The rally led by senior leaders Asiea Naqash and Anjum Fazilli started from the party’s office and marched through the main streets of Srinagar before it was intercepted by the police. The protesters carried an effigy of the state government with a garland of fake notes, symbolising the “rampant corruption and misgovernance under the present Chief Minister”. Addressing the women workers before the protest march, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that even though the people of the state had lost all hope of justice and fair play under the present dispensation, her party would continue to fight for their rights and the restoration of a responsible and responsive administration. Referring to NC worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf’s death after he had been called to the Chief Minister’s office, Mehbooba alleged that the NC stood completely exposed. She claimed that Yousuf’s death had occurred under suspicious circumstances following a dispute over the illegal transactions within the NC. “No amount of spin doctoring or cover-ups can wash this blackest spot on the party’s conduct under Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah,” Mehbooba said. If Omar was interested in fighting corruption, she asserted, he should have at least once taken stock of the cases pending for years against his ministers and officials. “Omar Abdullah can subvert the system to save his skin but he will not be able to dupe the people anymore” Mehbooba said. The PDP president said with such corruption at the top most level for the appointment of a minister or an MLC, how can an ordinary person expect fairness in recruitments in administration. She maintained that the transparency that had been brought in by the PDP-led coalition in recruitments had been completely given up. “It is now a fact that most of the government jobs especially those on daily wages, seasonal, casual and others are given for money and other favours,” she alleged. Referring to the latest hike in power tariff, Mehbooba said power supply was also one of the major examples of misgovernance.
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Peace essential for growth in state, says Governor
Srinagar, October 13 Addressing the day-long Peace Conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation at Khanabal in Anantnag today, the Governor observed that peace and normalcy were essential prerequisites for achieving growth and development. He sought every individual’s contribution towards making Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful and prosperous state. He said the state had suffered immense damage and loss of life during the “unfortunate situation” during the past. “The stage has come for us to make a firm resolve and work devotedly towards realising the objective of sustained peace to secure a bright future for the coming generations,” the Governor added. The Governor maintained that the education sector had suffered an irreparable loss as many students lost several opportunities to make their careers. Referring to some of the scholars from the SAARC countries pursuing research projects at the University of Kashmir, the Governor emphasised the need for the exchange of students on a larger scale from the SAARC countries and other nations as such exchanges promoted mutual understanding and cooperation. The Governor referred to several important initiatives which had been taken in agriculture and allied sectors and hoped that these would enable the state to becoming self-reliant in foodgrain production in the coming years. The Governor complimented Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, and his colleagues for organising Peace Conferences in various parts of the state. Describing the conferences as a “very good effort” which need to be carried forward, he hoped that today’s Peace Conference would contribute towards deeper understanding and, in turn, usher in an era of lasting peace, harmony and normalcy into the state. Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Ittoo, MPs Mehboob Beg and Ghulam Nabi Rattanpuri, MLA Syed Bashir Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir Abdul Wahid, Lt Gen S A Hasnain, Corps Commander, 15 Corps, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. |
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Rs 22 cr given to militancy-hit families
Srinagar, October 13 The fund was provided by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Itoo said. She was speaking at an awareness camp organised by the Department of Social Welfare at Sumbal in Bandipora.
— PTI |
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Army holds medical camps
Udhampur, October 13 As per an official release, 61 RR of the Army located at Sarh organised both the camps for the benefit of the people and their livestock in Saldhar village of the area. The medical camp was conducted especially to cater to the needs of the people of Saldhar. The area residents have to travel long distances on foot to receive the elementary medical aid. The people belonging to the remote areas of Jhalar Mohala, Chittabas, Pari, Kitanwali, Kos Kund attended the camp, which was inaugurated by a village elder. The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of civil dignitaries, including SDPO Mahore and 61 RR of the Army. More than 238 locals turned up for the medical aid. Medicines free of cost were distributed to all the patients. A veterinary camp was also organised at the same location where a large number of live stock, including sheep, goat, horses, cows and ponies were treated. The veterinary camp was organised at Saldhar, keeping in mind the reverse migration of nomads, which takes place around this time every year. A specialist veterinary doctor of the Remount Veterinary Corps of the Army was available to look into the ailments of animals. Veterinary medicines worth Rs 1 lakh were distributed at the camp. The civil Medical and Veterinary Departments extended all possible help to make the event a success. At the camp cash prizes were given to owners of the best horse, goat and buffalo. |
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7th JK Science Congress begins
Jammu, October 13 Prof IA Hamal, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Gulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Prof Rajive Gupta, Dean Research and Dean, Faculty of Science, organising secretary and Prof Kuldeep K Sharma, Head, Department of Zoology, also attended the inaugural ceremony. Professor Sahni in his inaugural address welcomed the delegates. He said the focus of the congress was on a wider and deeper participation of researchers and the student community. He said India being a technology-driven economy was facing many challenges. “Indian industry needs to balance between the technology and historical labour intensive methods for competing in the globalised world,” he said. He further emphasised upon the larger and effective role of the university in research and development. Prof Hamal, in his address said the benefits of science and technology must reach the rural areas of the state. Science has the potential to change the lives of the common masses. He added that the advance technologies must be used for the exploitation of abundant natural resources and environment. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Prof Rajive Gupta said the JK Science Congress was initiated in 2005 and since then it was being alternatively organised by the University of Jammu and the University of Kashmir respectively. This time the science congress is being organised by the University of Jammu with the theme- ‘Science and Technology: Inspiring Innovation’. The focus areas of the 7th JK Science Congress include J&K Science and Technology Vision 2030, Greener Technology and Energy Crisis: Non-Conventional and Alternate energy. The broad subject areas for technical sessions include botany, agriculture and forestry, computer science and information technology, human genetics, bio-technology, veterinary sciences, physical sciences, chemical sciences, medical science, home science, mathematical science and zoology etc. Prof Gupta disclosed that more than 1,000 participants from Jammu and Kashmir and outside had been registered with around 600 research papers to be presented in nine parallel sessions. |
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Man killed in road accident
Jammu, October 13 The deceased has been identified as Vivek Bali, a resident of Narwal Pain. The police said Vivek died on-the-spot after he was hit by an unknown truck while crossing the road. Vivek’s body has been handed over to his family after a postmortem. A case was registered at Satwari police station.
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Communal clashes
Jammu, October 13 “The situation is normal and under control. Additional security forces have been deployed in the town to maintain law and order,” a police officer said. He added that no untoward incident had been reported since last night. Four persons, including three college students, were injured in communal clashes triggered after a professor allegedly made a blasphemous comment during a lecture in Doda district. — PTI
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CM lays foundation for 3 hydro power projects Srinagar, October 13 “We have to be self-reliant in power generation to meet our requirements for ensuring comprehensive development, particularly for far-flung and remote areas of the state,” Omar said after laying the foundation of three power projects and inaugurating the fourth in Leh and Kargil districts of the Ladakh region. The Chief Minister said his government had attached greater importance to producing indigenous power and affective positive reforms in its transmission and distribution. He said while mega projects were being launched in a joint venture with the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) and other consortia, medium, small and mini projects were being executed in the state by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) on its own. Omar laid the foundation of 6 MW Dah hydro electric project in Leh, being executed at a cost of about Rs 43.61 crore. He also laid the foundation of 5 MW Hanu hydro electric project in Leh to be executed at a cost of Rs 41.67 crore. In Kargil district, he inaugurated 1.26 MW Sanjak power project, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 22.86 crore and will electrify 11 villages of the area. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation of two stages of Drass-Suru hydro electric project at Dandal. The first stage of the project, involving Rs 42 crore is estimated to generate 35 MW of power while the second stage is of the capacity of 60 MW and estimates to involve Rs 72 crore. Omar said downstream of Nemo-Bazgo hydro electric project, the JKSPDC had identified five projects with a potential of generating about 760-1000 MW. He said two more projects at Parkachik and Kirkit with a generation potential of 200 MW had also been identified for execution, besides power projects at Dumkhar, Rangdo, Tamasha (Zanskar) and Bairaas. He said the consultancy for the geo-thermal project at Pugah was being roped in. Omar said five micro power projects at Stakna, Igo-Mercellong, Hunder-Nobra, Bazgo, Sumoor-Nobra in Leh district and four projects, Iqbal, Sanjak, Haftal (Zanskar) and Marpochu (Drass) were operational in Kargil district. The Chief Minister said his government had drawn a road map for an equitable and all round development of all the areas and was moving ahead to deliver on this count by ensuring faster progress in sectors across the state. Omar said the construction of power stations and road communication links were significantly important to generate economic activities in these areas and provide employment opportunities to the people in both public and private sectors.
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With the festive season on, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has intensified its anti-adulteration drive, by conducting raids on various commercial outlets, particularly on sweet sellers in Jammu.
Jammu, October 13
Srinagar, October 13
Srinagar, October 13