The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	On tour of Jammu region, CM talks of uniform growth in state Raju William/TNS Udhampur, December 14, Setting out on a three-day tour of Doda and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region by road, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stopped at various places in Udhampur district to interact with the public. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensure uniform development of the state. “Reaching out to people in all areas on the development front is the guiding principle of the development policy of my government,” he declared, drawing a loud applause from the gathering. Talking to people at over a dozen places, including Manda, Udhampur, Jakhani, Chenani, Surmoli, Kud, Patnitop, Batote and Assar, on his way to Doda, Omar stressed on empowerment of people by establishing Panchayati Raj and implementation of the Public Service Guarantee Act. “The transfer of powers from the bureaucracy to common people is a historic measure of the NC-Congress government aimed at cultivating good work culture and strengthening the friendly ties between the administration and the people”, he said. Omar inspected the construction work of the 9-km tunnel at Chenani and interacted with engineers and management of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Stressing on its time-bound completion, he said the tunnels at Chenani and Banihal were important components of the construction of the four-lane national highway from Lakhenpur to Srinagar. He directed the management of the NHAI to ensure maximum employment to local people in the construction works.
	Sanctions Rs 80 lakh for Patnitop’s development Udhampur: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday granted an additional Rs 80 lakh to the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) for the works being implemented in the area under its jurisdiction. Chairing the meeting of the PDA at Patnitop, 40 km from here, while he was on his way to Doda and Kishtwar districts on a three-day tour, the Chief Minister directed the PDA authorities to utilise the centrally sponsored MGNREGA initiative for undertaking restoration and protection works of water sources. He observed that Patnitop was emerging as an attractive picnic spot not only for local visitors but for people from Jammu and nearby areas. He asked the PDA to implement development schemes in total agreement with the environmental requirement and ensure cleanliness and a scenic environment at the tourist spot. Underlining the importance of ecological balance to sustain the state’s natural beauty, Omar said infrastructural development should be planned and executed in accordance with the environmental requirements to avoid unnecessary interference with the eco-system of the area. He emphasised that all development authorities in the state should realise their role in formulating schemes to nurture eco-tourism.
	To tap forest waste, state mulls bio-energy project with Finland Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, December 14 In a significant development, the state government Jammu and Kashmir is mulling over a plan to launch a project on bio-energy in association with the Government of Finland. Conservator of Forest RS Jasrotia said, “We are contemplating a pilot project in collaboration with Finland to use forest waste as a renewable source of energy. Waste chips, timber residue, saw dust and branches will be used for energy production.” He said Finland was making optimum use of forest waste in energy production, and had reduced its dependence on other non-renewable sources of energy, including fossil fuels. “Ambassador of Finland Tehari Hakala had a series of meetings yesterday with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Industries and Commerce SS Salathia,” Jasrotia disclosed. He said climatic conditions of Finland were similar to that of Jammu and Kashmir, so adopting its techniques to exploit forest waste could help a lot in tackling the energy crisis. On the research to be carried out before the launch of the project, he said: “The key points under consideration currently include studying the renewable wood resources available and analysing where these resources can be utilised in the context of Jammu and Kashmir.” Disclosing the merits of the new project, he declared, “It is an eco-friendly way of generating electricity and it would reduce carbon emissions. Moreover, carbon footprints of the state will also be reduced.” The Joint Director, Forests, Kashmir, MA Tak, said: “The University of Eastern Finland has taken the initiative to work on this concept and Professor Liisa Tahvanainen, Director, International Education and Marketing, from the university interacted with senior foresters of the state here today.” “She(Liisa) is actively working here to build up the bio-energy sector in the state, which will open gates to new energy for our people,” he added. Sources revealed that the Government of Finland had agreed to provide technology and finances for conducting the feasibility report for taking up the project and Omar Abdullah had also given his consent during his meeting with the Ambassador of Finland.
	17 assistant surgeons sacked Jammu, December 14 The state government today terminated the services of 17 assistant surgeons for remaining absent from duty for different periods between 2003 and 2008. The doctors, whose services were terminated, were Tabassuma Rukhsadna, Sanjay Mehta, Mukesh, Satinder Dhar, Amandeep Singh Pathania, Maninder Singh, Sanjay Pandita, Anand K Gupta, Uttam Kumar, Deepak Sharma, Sushma Sharma, Vishali Kotwal, Archana Parihar, Vimi Bharti, Charu Mahajan, Gurdeep Kour and Preeti Suraj Prakash. The order was issued by the Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education, GA Peer. According to sources, many of these doctors never joined duty while others had been practising outside the state. — TNS
	Protests against Lokpal Bill draft Tribune News Service Jammu, December 14 Jammu-based organisations today staged protests against the draft of the Lokpal Bill formulated by the Standing Committee of Parliament. The Vichar Kranti Manch International, supported by various NGOs and social organisations, staged a dharna outside Raj Bhawan here in protest against the draft of the Lokpal Bill. Similarly, the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Women Foundation and the Bharatiya Chaitanya Party held demonstrations in the city.
	Re-carpeting of road near gurdwara demanded Tribune News Service Jammu, December 14 Residents of Miran Sahib here are demanding that the road near the Indira Nagar gurdwara be re-carpeted. Speaking to the mediapersons here yesterday, Harpreet Singh, president of the gurdwara, alleged that the authorities concerned were indifferent towards their grievance. “Every year a religious procession is held on the occasion of the Gurpurb on January 8. About 3,000 devotees from Simble Camp have to face hardships to reach the gurdwara due to the dilapidated condition of the road near it,” he added. Harpreet said if the road was not re-carpeted within a week they would hold a protest.
	BSNL mobile phone subscribers in Reasi face connectivity problem Devinder Thakur Katra, December 14 BSNL moblie phone subscribers in Reasi district, especially in Katra, are facing connectivity problem. They have started keeping SIM cards of other companies as well to tackle the problem that they encounter in various parts of the district. The BSNL subscribers at Katra, base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, are unable to get connectivity and the areas like Panthal, Ransoo, Reasi, Salal, Mahore, Arnas, Dharmari are the worst affected. Neelam Bloria, a pilgrim, said BSNL should provide hassle-free connectivity to the pilgrims. “Though I was able to contact my relative in Jammu, I could not convey my plans back home because the call ended abruptly,” she added. “I opted for BSNL mobile phone service because it is cheap and also hassle-free, but unfortunately for the past few months it has been causing problems,” said Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Katra. Like Neelam and Sanjeev there were many others who complained of connectivity problem facing BSNL customers. However, the BSNL authorities at Reasi have a standard reply that “connectivity media” has developed some problem and will be restored shortly.
	Bar association calls for Jammu bandh on Dec 20 Tribune News Service Udhampur, December 14 The Bar Association of Jammu today gave a call for a bandh in the Jammu province on December 20 to force the state government to accept its demand for not transferring the powers of registration work to the Revenue Department. President of the Bar Association of Jammu BS Slathia gave the bandh call at a meeting here in the presence of YV Sharma, president of the Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Yash Pal Gupta, president of the All India Retailers Federation, Anand Sharma, president of the All J&K Petrol Pump and Tankers Association, Anil Chopra, president of the Transporters Association, PS Bhardwaj, president of the Jammu Provincial Peoples Forum, Prof Varinder Gupta, president of the Jammu State Morcha, and HC Jalmeria of the Panthers Party. Slathia lambasted the government for maintaining silence on the issue for which the Bar association had been agitating for the last more than 20 days. “We make it clear that the government move of transferring registration powers to revenue officers from judicial officers will not be allowed to succeed at any cost. The support to our agitation by trade, transport and social organisations and even political parties shows that we have taken up a right cause,” said Slathia. All those present at the meeting reaffirmed their support to the agitation and appealed to the people to cooperate with them to make the bandh a success.
	Army organises volleyball tourney for Rajouri youth Tribune News Service Jammu, December 14 A three-day inter-village volleyball championship organised by the Army for the youth of 25 villages of Rajouri district concluded today. Tithwal Brigade organised the championship at Bhowani village in the border area of Nowshera tehsil with a dual purpose of weaning the youth away from militancy and instilling a spirit of sportsmanship in them. The event was organised to instill the spirit of sportsmanship and develop sports culture among the youth, said an Army spokesperson. The Army had provided the youth with sports kits and accessories for the championship well in advance, he added. The Bhowani Kalsian team won the trophy by defeating the Bagla Kampla team in the final match. “There are limited sports facilities for the youth in this border area. Such a step by the Army will definitely boost sports activities and instill sports culture among the local people,” said Jang Bahadur Singh, sarpanch of Bhowani village. Mohammad Mushtaq, a resident of Kampla village, who participated in the championship, said, “We are grateful to the Army for conducting the volleyball championship. We, too, can now dream of participating in district-level tournaments.” Col SS Chhillar, Commanding Officer, 21 Rajput, gave away medals and trophies to the winning and runners up teams.
	Hospitals in Reasi lack fire-safety equipment Devinder Thakur Reasi, December 14 It appears that none of the hospitals here, including the District Hospital, have learnt any lessons from the devastating Kolkata hospital fire incident. They are ill-equipped to tackle any such mishap. A survey conducted by the Fire Services Department on Sunday showed that these hospitals had inadequate fire-safety equipment. A visit to the District Hospital today revealed that the two-storeyed building, housing 45 beds, did not have a single fire extinguisher. In the absence of sand buckets, there was nothing that could be used to douse a fire. "The government hospitals in Reasi do not adhere to fire-safety norms. The hospital authorities have been repeatedly requested to put the safety measures in place but to no avail. We will again approach their managements with a fire-safety plan," said Naresh Chander, in charge, Fire Service Station, Reasi. The staff in these hospitals also lack basic knowledge to operate safety gadgets for fire mishaps. “Since the Fire Service Department in Reasi has only one fire tender for the entire town, the hospital staff should be trained how to rescue the patients and use fire extinguishers,” he added. “The fire safety equipment is very expensive, and we have sent a proposal to the state Health Department to provide the necessary equipment,” said Chief Medical Officer, Reasi, Adarsh Kumar Bhagat.
	Bovine smugglers change routes as police steps up vigil Raju William Tribune News Service Udhampur, December 14 Forced by the intensive vigil by the police under a special drive launched in August this year, the incidence of bovine smuggling has been reduced drastically in Udhampur district as only three cases were reported during last month. Incidentally, the police offensive has forced the smugglers to change their tactics. The police action has almost curbed this organised crime if the changing modus operandi of smugglers during August, September and October this year is any indication. The police registered a total of 25 cases, arrested 53 smugglers and rescued 230 bovine animals during these three months. A total of 47 cases were registered against 108 smugglers and 410 bovine rescued this year till date. Apparently, this has frustrated the smugglers who are now changing tactics and routes to escape the mounting police offensive against them. “They are now reported to have adopted alternative mountainous routes to carry on this illegal operation on foot. But we are countering this too and have caught some smugglers using this method,” SSP, Udhampur, Shakeel Ahmed Beig told The Tribune. Earlier, the smugglers used trucks and other load carriers but turned to the FCI-hired ration supply trucks and then private passenger vehicles under increasing interception by the police. Interestingly, the police arrested two persons smuggling five bovine in a steamer through lake of Ranjit Sagar Dam near Basholi in Kathua district recently. “It has now become almost impossible to carry on bovine smuggling to the Kashmir valley via Udhampur which is strategically located on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway,” said SHO, Udhampur, Gian Chand Sharma. The bovine smuggling is a lucrative business in the Kashmir valley due to consumption of their meat. They are smuggled from Jammu and neighbouring areas of Punjab because they are available at much cheaper price and sold in the valley at higher rates. As per law, only the transportation of milch cattle is permitted out of any district of the state. For this, the District Magistrate concerned grants permission after the request for transportation is verified by the chief animal husbandry officer concerned. The permission is granted only for the purpose of treatment or ploughing outside the district’s jurisdiction. “Therefore, transporting any cattle for the purpose of slaughtering is illegal,” said Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan.
	Thrashed by stone throwers, youth dies Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 14 A youth of downtown Srinagar, who was allegedly beaten up by a group of demonstrators while trying to enforce a shutdown in Gojwara Chowk, died in a hospital here today after battling for life for the last 10 days. The police has arrested four persons in connection with the thrashing of Tariq Ahmad Bhat, a resident of the Nowhatta area, who had a shop in Gojwara Chowk. The incident took place on December 3 when some youth agitating against the arrest of some residents of the area were trying to enforce a shutdown. “He was severely thrashed by a group of stone throwers when he did not close the shop on their insistence,” a police spokesman said. He added a group of miscreants appeared in the Gojwara area and started pelting stones at shopkeepers. When Bhat refused to close his shop, they also pelted stones at his shop and thrashed him with a cricket bat.
	Infiltration bid foiled in Poonch Jammu, December 14 Army troops foiled an intrusion bid by a group of militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district today. “It all happened in the Bhimber Gali sector when a group of four to five terrorists crossed the border fencing along the LoC in the Kotranka forest area,” said an Army spokesperson. Our troops observed some suspicious movement in the area around 1.50 am. On seeing the intruders the jawans challenged them, he said. The militants opened fire at our troops, forcing them to retaliate, he added. The spokesman said the exchange of fire continued for about 15 minutes and thereafter the terrorists managed to escape to the other side of the border. There was no loss of life or damage to property in the firing that continued till 2.05 am. Meanwhile, following intelligence inputs about the possibility of more infiltration bids in the coming days security has been stepped up all along the border with Pakistan. LeT hideout busted Udhampur: The security forces on Wednesday claimed to have busted a terrorist hideout in the dense forest area of Waomal near Pathalan village, 12 km from Banihal, in Ramban district. Officials suspected that the well concealed hideout belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Officials believe that the hideout had been constructed by LeT Divisional Commander Ayaz Ahmed Malik, alias Abu Musa, who was gunned down earlier this year by the security forces. — TNS
	Greening Trikuta Hills Govt, shrine board to launch plantation drive Rajesh Bhat Jammu, December 14 The state government has taken up an ambitious project with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) to launch a mega plantation drive along Trikuta Hills, which houses the world famous Mata Vaishno Devi temple. The project has been initiated following serious concerns expressed by a number of agencies and environmental organisations that Trikuta Hills had turned naked due to unabated construction work being undertaken in the area to promote religious tourism. Forest and Environment Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad said this in a phone-in programme broadcast over Radio Kashmir, Jammu, this evening. It was part of a series of such programmes under which ministers and bureaucrats were made aware of the problems being faced by local people, who directly talk to the public representatives. The minister warned against the grabbing of forestland in the state. “The government will not allow such activities in forests,” Mian Altaf said. He, however, added it would be ensured that nomads, who had been living in the forest areas, were not subjected to any kind of harassment. “However, no new makeshift construction will be allowed in the forest area,” he said. The minister claimed that all forestland in Jammu district had been freed from encroachment. Responding to listeners from Poonch, Surankote and Rajouri areas, he, in chaste Gojri, said villagers, who died in man-animal conflicts, would be provided ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and those who were seriously injured would be given Rs 50,000. Earlier, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 25,000 was paid in cases of death and serious injury, respectively. Mian Altaf said in order to promote tourism in the state more guest houses and environment parks would be constructed, particularly in those forest areas which were frequented by tourists.
	Mystery shrouds former SI’s death Tribune News Service Jammu, December 14 Mystery shrouds the death of a retired Sub-Inspector of the BSF in the Miran Sahib area on the outskirts of Jammu city. The deceased has been identified as Dev Dutt, 61, a resident of Miran Sahib. Sources close to the bereaved family said Dev Dutt was killed in an ‘accidental fire’ while cleaning his licensed gun. The police, however, said it was a case of suicide. “We are working on different angles to ascertain the cause of death,” a police official said.
	Take steps to promote Urdu, Soz urges Centre Srinagar, December 14 Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz has urged the Central government to take adequate measures for the promotion of Urdu language and give it the status of the second official language for its contribution to the freedom struggle and a wide reach in the country. “The promotion of Urdu language needs attention at the highest level in the Central government,” Soz said in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi today. — TNS
	Sarpanches to assist govt in removing encroachments Srinagar, December 14 The government today directed the sarpanches of the Kashmir valley to assist the authorities in removing encroachments from the kahcharai (grazing) grounds owned by the government in their respective areas. “Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon has announced that sarpanchs will assist the administration in removal of encroachments from kahcharai land,” an official said here. He said the directions were passed after Samoon met a delegation of 30 sarpanches from different parts of the Valley. During the meeting, the sarpanches urged the government to allocate revolving funds to the panchayats and also demanded that the elections to the Block Development Council should be held as early as possible. After the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners of the Valley to organise monthly meetings with the sarpanches. — OC