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FDI in Retail Sector
Are Farooq’s remarks on Army in line with govt stand, asks BJP
BJP national general secretary JP Nadda addresses mediapersons in Jammu on Wednesday. A Tribune photo
Lawyers’ strike hits court work
for fourth day in Jammu region |
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Vaishno Devi pilgrim count to touch 1 crore by year-end
DDC inspects construction works at hospital
SVO books 10 forest officials
Tulips help boost tourism in state
Lt Gen Ghosh visits forward areas, interacts with troops
Students’ union protests against private tuitions
Cultural fest at Reasi from Dec 10
Devotional song competition held
2 BRTF officers arrested for taking bribe
Protest against corruption begins
280 Haj pilgrims return home
Welcome back:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah receives the first batch of Haj pilgrims, which arrived at Srinagar Airport on Wednesday. Photo: Amin War
Minister appeals to teachers
School winter break begins today
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FDI in Retail Sector
Jammu, November 30 Keeping in view the bandh call, Section 144 has been imposed around the civil secretariat. “Section 144 has been imposed around the civil secretariat and the police will be deployed in strength,” said Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma. He added none would be allowed to vitiate law and order. However, the JCCI and other traders’ organisations were in no mood to relent. “Various traders’ bodies are with us. They have extended support to our call and we are expecting a complete bandh tomorrow,” said Satish Gupta, secretary-general of the JCCI. At a joint meeting of the executive committee of the JCCI and representatives of different trade associations at the Chamber House here yesterday, it was unanimously decided to observe Jammu Bandh on December 1. The BJP and the Panthers Party have extended support to the bandh call. Panthers Party president Balwant Singh Mankotia said senior leaders at a party meeting unanimously decided to support the bandh call. The JCCI and other traders’ associations were unanimous that the FDI in the retail sector would adversely affect small and petty traders, farmers, wholesalers and commission agents and even the small scale industry. The Jammu Province People’s Forum (JPPF), an amalgam of about 30 social and traders’ organisations, at a meeting under the chairmanship of Pavitter Singh Bhardwaj, unanimously decided to extend support to the bandh call by the JCCI. Similarly, the Jan Jagriti Manch (JJM) and the Kranti Dal are also supporting the bandh call. State president of the JJM Parveen said the FDI in the retail trade would deprive a large number of small retailers in the country and the state of livelihood. He said in our country, about 20 crore people were directly or indirectly associated with the retail trade. National president of the Hindustan Shiv Sena Dimpy Kohli along with party activists staged a demonstration against the UPA government here today. The protesters shouted slogans against the Central government and demanded that the FDI decision be rolled back. They also burnt an effigy of the government. President of the Kranti Dal Raj Roop Singh and other party leaders decided to oppose FDI in the retail sector tooth and nail. Traders’ take
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Are Farooq’s remarks on Army in line with govt stand, asks BJP
Jammu, November 30 While addressing a press conference here today, national general secretary and spokesperson for the BJP JP Nadda said it was possibly the first time in the history of independent India that a Union minister was taking an individualistic stand on the sensitive security issue and the Central government was neither denying it nor endorsing it. “In keeping with the rule of the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers, if a member of the Union Cabinet holds opinion that is different from the official stand, is it not appropriate for him to first tender his resignation and then air his views publicly?” he said. Nadda said the Army was there in Jammu and Kashmir at the request of the civilian administration and it was because of the Army that peace could be restored to the state and conditions made conducive for the NC government to function. He added Farooq and his son Omar Abdullah had left the country in 1989 when the militancy was at its peak in the state, and it was the Army which helped in restoring the faith of the people. Nadda said any decision on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was not the “sole” prerogative of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Keeping in mind security operations, Farooq’s suggestion for the selective revocation of the AFSPF from some districts was not feasible, he added. Nadda said the decision regarding the withdrawal or continuation of the AFSPA should be left to the Unified Headquarters. “It is a set process and let it function like that only. Only when the Unified Headquarters solicits views and sends them to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) that a decision on the AFSPA can be taken in the interest of the state and the country,” he said. The Unified Headquarters is represented by the Army, paramilitary forces, the state police, various intelligence agencies and the state government. Nadda cautioned the government against playing politics in the name of the Army or the AFSPA, which not only demoralised the Army but also encouraged separatist forces in the state. Announcing the decision of the party to support the call for Bharat Bandh tomorrow over the issue of the FDI in retail, Nadda said the move of the Central government would harm the interests of the traders and the retailers.
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Lawyers’ strike hits court work
for fourth day in Jammu region
Udhampur, November 30 President of the Bar Association, Jammu, BS Salathia told The Tribune over the phone that the general house meeting would decide on whether to continue the strike or not. “The Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has given some proposals regarding the direct recruitment of judges to our delegation, which met him yesterday. These proposals along with the issue of registration work will be deliberated at the general house meeting tomorrow,” said Salathia. Meanwhile, work in the district courts in Udhampur, Reasi, Kishtwar and Ramban districts was completely paralysed on the fourth day of the strike. As no lawyer appeared in the courts, the judges adjourned the cases. Vice-president of the Bar Association, Reasi, Vijay Kumar Sharma said they would call a meeting tomorrow to decide on the continuation of the strike. Interestingly, the Bar Association, Doda, did not observe a strike. Its president Ghulam Hasan Patigaroo told The Tribune over the phone that they had got no intimation about the strike. “We have passed a resolution in support of the strike and will send it to the Registrar of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. We will also follow the decision of the Bar Association, Jammu, on the continuation of the strike,” he said. Apparently, the litigants were disappointed as no court work had taken place since November 26. It was a sheer waste of time and money, especially for those coming from far-flung mountainous areas like Padder, Marwah and Dachhan in Kishtwar district. Reports from all four districts said the courts gave a deserted look. Besides the litigants, the strike rendered stamp vendors and petition writers without work.
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Vaishno Devi pilgrim count to touch 1 crore by year-end
Katra, November 30 The highest number of pilgrims so far was 87.2 lakh last year as compared to 13.95 lakh in 1986 when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) came into being. The Additional Chief Executive Officer of the SMVDSB, Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, told The Tribune that 6.28 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the shrine in December last year. Going by the trend, the yatra was all set to cross the one crore mark by year-end, he added. The shrine board, under the chairmanship of Governor NN Vohra, had laid focus on futuristic planning with regard to convenience and security of the pilgrims and environment protection to meet the progressively increasing number of pilgrims. At present, the SMVDSB is working on further strengthening infrastructure along the 13-km yatra track from Katra to the sanctum sanctorum. Besides an added accommodation of 1,000 beds, including low rent and free of charge categories, the work is on to complete the construction of a four-storied pony stand, additional toilet units along the track, a 3,000-locker complex and the renovation of existing toilets in a time frame. Augmented drinking water supply, a bio gas plant and a solid waste/water management plant are other notable achievements. As part of the ongoing silver jubilee celebrations of the SMVDSB, a special sanitation campaign was launched in October for removing garbage and waste material from hill slopes along the yatra route between Banganga and the
bhawan. Reduced airfare: big booster One of the main reasons for the increase in the number of pilgrims is the reduction in airfare from Katra to the shrine by almost 50 per cent. The fare was reduced to Rs 700 a few months ago. |
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DDC inspects construction works at hospital
Udhampur, November 30 To provide better medical facilities to patients at the hospital, Khan instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) officials to complete the construction work of the first phase of the Trauma Level II within a month. He also asked the officials concerned to prepare a detailed estimated plan for its internal furnishing so that the amount required for the same could be submitted for approval to the higher authorities concerned. The DDC also directed the officials concerned to start the repair works at the labour room of the hospital immediately. Deputy General Manager of the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) was asked to immediately start the minor repair works at ANMT School and the OPD block of the hospital. Khan also assured the management of the hospital that he would take up the issue of providing toilet and bathroom facilities for attendants of the patients admitted at the hospital. Officials of the Municipal Committee were asked to identify the biomedical waste collection point in order to make the hospital premises pollution-free. Earlier, Medical Superintendent of the hospital highlighted various problems being faced by the hospital management like the construction of the boundary wall of the hospital, bio-medical waste and water treatment plants, construction of a mortuary, facelift of the old hospital building, canteen facility, hostel for the ANMT students, sarai for attendants and also highlighted the problem of lack of proper security. |
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SVO books 10 forest officials
Jammu, November 30 “The inquiry conducted by the SVO revealed that the accused officials exaggerated the total cost of a project for the construction of farm ponds in the Phooru forest conservation division in Langate in Handwara district in 2009,” an official of the SVO said. “The work on 81 farm ponds was conducted through fictitious muster rolls besides an expenditure of Rs 11,702 per farm pond was shown in papers against the actual construction cost of Rs 7,726 per farm pond. This led to a loss of Rs 9,47,862 to the state exchequer.” The cases have been registered against Abdul Rashid Hazari, the then Division Forest Officer (DFO); Bashir Ahmad, DFO; Noor-ul-Amin, range An FIR has been registered against the accused officials and investigations have started, the official added. |
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Tulips help boost tourism in state
Srinagar, November 30 Preparations were in full swing in the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, as labourers sowed the tulip bulbs in a row. Most of the Valley remains closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall. However, tourism receives a boost as tourists from different parts of the country and abroad start pouring in as winter comes to an end. “We have begun sowing the tulip bulbs here. Our expectations for the tulip show next year are very high. And we hope that the show would be better than it was this year,” said Javed Ahmad, incharge of the Tulip Garden. Thousands of people throng the Valley every year for holidays and visit some of their favourite destinations, including the Tulip Garden. “A lot of tourists come to see the full blown tulips here in March and April. It requires a lot of hard work to maintain the garden, which attracts a lot of tourists for its world famous tulips,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a labourer. Nadia Hayat, a florist, said the Floriculture Department had taken measures to ensure that the sowing and vegetative growth of the tulip bulbs would yield good results. “We adopt soil treatment methods, use fertilisers and keep in mind the depth while sowing the tulip bulbs. We also have to take care of the spacing between the tulip bulbs while sowing,” said Hayat.
— ANI |
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Lt Gen Ghosh visits forward areas, interacts with troops
Jammu, November 30 He was briefed by Maj Gen Surinder Singh, GOC of the Tiger Division, on the operational, training and administrative matters. In view of the importance of the Tiger Division and the sensitivity of its area of responsibility, Lt Gen Ghosh visited various formation headquarters and units of the Tiger Division and had a detailed interaction with commanders at all levels. During his interaction with various commanders, Lt Gen Ghosh not only got first hand information of the high level of readiness of the Army units and formations, but he also issued directions to the officers concerned to meet the future challenges ahead in the state. During his visit to the forward area, the Army Commander reviewed the operational preparedness of the Tiger Division. He visited the forward areas and interacted with the troops. The Army Commander applauded the state of operational preparedness and expressed his confidence that the Tiger Division was prepared for all challenges and would execute the assigned tasks in a befitting manner, meeting the aspirations of the country. He also lauded the development projects undertaken in the border areas by the formation in conjunction with the civil authorities. The Army Commander along with his wife, Bulbul Ghosh, left for Chandimandir in the afternoon. Meanwhile, at an impressive cultural programme here today, special children of Tiger ASHA School enthralled Bulbul Ghosh, Chairperson of the Family Welfare Organisation (FWO), Western Command. She was accompanied by Madhuri Choudhary, Chairperson of the FWO Rising Star Corps, and Anupama, Chairperson of the FWO Tiger Division, during her visit to Tiger ASHA School here. Bulbul spent some time with special children and interacted with them. Ghosh also inaugurated a bus, designed for special children at ASHA School. She also visited Tiger Army Pre-Primary School and a vocational training centre. She was briefed by Madhuri and Anupama on various welfare activities being undertaken for the empowerment of women and Veer Naries, with a special reference on improving the vocational skills, interior economy, marital harmony, providing computer training and medical care and coaching to children, in the Tiger Division. Bulbul also interacted with the families and children of the jawans and officers of the Tiger Division. She appreciated the efforts of the Tiger Division under the guidance of Anupama towards the welfare of all ranks and their families. |
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Students’ union protests against private tuitions
Jammu, November 30 Activists of the NPSU led by Rohit Kumar raised slogans against the higher authorities of the Education Department for not taking action against government teachers, who were doing private tuitions, despite a ban. Speaking on the occasion, Partap Singh Jamwal, provincial president of the NPSU, alleged that a large number of teachers were doing private tuitions. “The government teachers either do not take classes in schools or do their job half-heartedly. Therefore, the students who cannot afford private tuition have been suffering,” Jamwal said. He added, “Given the dismal scenario, it becomes evident that government teachers are paying bribe to their higher officials concerned and as a result the ban is being observed in breach.” The NPSU activists also burnt an effigy of Minister of School Education.
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Cultural fest at Reasi from Dec 10
Jammu, November 30 The festival is being supported by the Union Ministry of Culture, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Fund and the state Ministry of Tourism and Culture and will feature 900 traditional artists. Natrang director Balwant Thakur said, “The effort will revive the age-old tradition of community celebrations like Bhakhan, Goria, Chann, Chand, Masade, Dafle, Babua, Shinj, Kud and Soiyan. “This opportunity is being used to the fullest and the traditional crafts of the area will also be displayed,” Thakur said. “There will be one presentation by artists from Jammu every day and in this series, besides the performances by Natrang, there will be presentations by Raman Salathia and group, Romalo Ram, and Rakesh Kona and group,” he said.
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Devotional song competition held
Jammu, November 30 As many as 80 singers participated in the event and at least 10 participants were selected from the junior and senior categories. Additional secretary of the JKAACL Savita Bakshi was the chief guest at the function while the Principal of Government Degree College, Bishnah, Prof Kalpana Kesar, Head of Music Department at Government Women Degree College, Parade, Prof Romila Guleria and distinguished singer, Rakesh Singh Salaria, were the adjudicators. Others who were present in the function included noted Urdu writer, SS Anand Lehar, president of the Nami Dogri Sanstha Dogra Harish Kaila and president of the youth wing of the Nami Dogri Sanstha Nidhi Kaila.
— TNS
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2 BRTF officers arrested for taking bribe
Jammu, November 30 Acting on the complaint of a businessman, Chaturbeer Singh, that BRTF officers were demanding a bribe for the release of payment of Rs 15 lakh for the supply of 121 batteries to the BRTF, a CBI team led by an SP-level officer nabbed the duo red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 23,000 from the complainant last evening. The arrested duo have been identified as the Commanding Officer of the BRTF, Col Kunwar Vijay Partap, and his second-in-command J K Singh (executive engineer), a CBI official said. The probe agency informed the Army about the arrests, the official said. After the arrests, raids were conducted at their residences and the duo were brought to Jammu for further questioning, the official said. — PTI
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Protest against corruption begins
Jammu, November 30 The protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on corruption issue, besides a strong Lokpal legislation in the country. Youth from different colleges of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts along with the people from different walks of life participated in the first day of the protest. The protest was held under the leadership of Sanjay Verma, state co-convener of the YAC. Speaking on the occasion, Verma said: “We demand the resignation of the Prime Minister, as he has failed to control corruption, besides failing to bring back the black money stashed in banks abroad. We also demand a strong anti-corruption law and electoral reforms.”
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Srinagar, November 30 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Haj and Auqaf Minister Aijaz Ahmad Khan and senior government officials received the pilgrims at the Srinagar International Airport, an official spokesman said. He said the pilgrims expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and assistance provided by the Haj Committee during their stay in Saudi Arabia. More than 8,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir performed the Haj this year. The last flight carrying the Haj pilgrims will return on December 12. — PTI
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Jammu, November 30 The minister was speaking at the Annual Day function of Ranjit Memorial High School in Barnai here. Chairman of the school JS Jamwal, Principal Nancy Koul, and prominent citizens and students were present on the occasion. The students of various classes presented a colourful cultural programme, which was highly appreciated by the audience. The minister said such functions provided a platform to the students to show their talents.
— TNS |
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School winter break begins today
Jammu, November 30 The institutions included recognised private schools up to the higher secondary level falling in the Kashmir division and the winter zones of the Jammu
division, an official spokesman said. Schools up to the middle standard shall observe the winter break for three months from December 1 to February 29, 2012, he said. For the high and higher secondary schools, the vacation would start from December 12. Default on part of any private school in observing the calendar of vacation shall attract action under the rules, the spokesman said.
— PTI |
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Jammu, November 30
Katra, November 30
The state Department of Floriculture on Monday began to sow tulip bulbs with an aim to beautify the Valley and ensure that a large number of tourists arrive in the summer capital in the coming months.
Preparations were in full swing in the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, as labourers sowed the tulip bulbs in a row. Most of the Valley remains closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall. However, tourism receives a boost as tourists from different parts of the country and abroad start pouring in as winter comes to an end. “We have begun sowing the tulip bulbs here.
Srinagar, November 30
