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Jairam launches Central job scheme Himayat
Omar gives recruitment letters to 1,059 youth
Roof of nurses’ ward in SMGS Hospital collapses
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Angry villagers clash with cops, 10 hurt
Setback to BJP as entire Bani unit resigns
Soz: High command to decide on rotation of chief ministership
PDP demands white paper on madrasa funding
BSF augments manpower, intensifies vigil along border
In-service postgraduate students of GMCH without salary for 7 months
Interactive programme held
Pensioners’ Day celebrated
IED defused on Jammu-Poonch highway
Vaishno Devi Board hikes battery car fare
Striking PDD daily wagers threaten to snap power supply
Show cause notice issued to Zonal Education Officer
Folk artiste Shiv Dass felicitated
Governor mourns death of Raj Daluja’s wife
Unions hail regularisation of headmasters
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Jairam launches Central job scheme Himayat
Srinagar, December 17 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave certificates and appointment letters to 1,059 youth, who had undergone three-month training programmes in computers and allied fields of trade and business. Rangarajan was also present at the function. Jairam announced that similar certificates and placement letters would be given to 2,000 trained youth on June 30 next year at the same venue. He said another programme “Udaan” that envisaged providing jobs to 40,000 youth over the next five years would be launched soon . State Minister for Rural Development, Panchayats and Law Ali Mohammad Sagar, besides senior officers of the state and Central governments were present on the occasion. The first batch of 1,059 trained youth have been posted in various private companies in various cities of north India, mainly in Delhi and Chandigarh. The youth were trained and given jobs by private companies. Jairam said the government would be approaching some more companies in the next few months to encourage them to open BPOs and call centres to provide more job opportunities to the youth of the state. The trained youth, mostly school dropouts, matriculates and Class XII, were wanting jobs to sustain their families. The youth shared their experiences of training and good job opportunities on the occasion. Parents of some of the youth expressed gratitude to the state and Central governments for the
programme.
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Omar gives recruitment letters to 1,059 youth
Srinagar, December 17 He was speaking at a function organised to launch a Centrally-sponsored programme, Himayat, at the University of Kashmir here today in the presence of Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council C Rangarajan. The state has more than five lakh educated unemployed youth registered under the Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth and it plans to help one lakh youth get jobs in the private sector under Himayat. Omar thanked the Central government for giving this opportunity to the youth, who were eyeing only government jobs in the absence of visible opportunities in the industrial and corporate sectors. He said Jammu and Kashmir had missed development opportunities on the economic front in the wake of militancy over the past two decades. “The country witnessed information technology revolution but we were ignored,” he said, adding the youth of the state had their eyes only on government jobs. Referring to recruitment letters given to 1,059 trained youth on the occasion, the Chief Minister said this alone would not solve the unemployment problem. “Now, it depends upon the youth selected for jobs in various companies outside the state that how they take it,” the Chief Minister said. “They (youth) were feeling unsafe outside the state,” he added. Omar, however, expressed optimism over confidence reposed in the government by the youth’s parents, who were ready to send their wards to work outside the state. He said he had been in touch with the Chief Ministers of different states across the country over “treatment” meted out to the Kashmir youth, particularly on the occasions of Republic Day and Independence Day. “Our youth are eager to earn their livelihood respectfully,” Omar added. |
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Roof of nurses’ ward in SMGS Hospital collapses
Jammu, December 17 In the wake of the AMRI Hospital tragedy in Kolkata, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had ordered a survey of all government hospitals across the state to put in place foolproof safety measures and ensure fitness of multi-storied hospitals. A ward adjacent to the nurses’ ward was full of patients and their attendants when the roof collapsed, said an employee of the hospital. He said the ward, one of the oldest wards of the hospital, was constructed around 75 years ago. Its walls had developed cracks in the 2005 earthquake but no one took serious note of it, he added. Minister for Medical and Technical Education RS Chib said, “This issue, of course, is very serious, as we have recently witnessed a tragedy in a Kolkata hospital. The building of the SMGS Hospital is very old as it was constructed in 1940. I will ask the Roads and Buildings Department to do a survey of the building and file a report.” “As soon as we get a report from the R&B Department, we will start the renovation of the hospital to avoid any major tragedy,” added the minister. |
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Alleged Murder of Youth in Bishnah
Jammu, December 17 Sources told The Tribune Mohan Lal (50), a resident of Chak Arnia in Ranbirsingh Pora tehsil, was allegedly murdered by a group of people due to an old enmity. Members of Mohan’s family kept the body outside Bishnah police station, demanding the immediate suspension of SHO Inspector Satish Kumar for his “failure” to act on their complaint. The victim’s family alleged that Tilak Raj and Sham Lal, both sons of Mehar Chand, Soni and Anil Kumar, sons of Tilak Raj, Sukhi and others attacked their residence in Chak Arnia around 4 pm today, leading to fatal injuries to Mohan. Mohan’s three sons, identified as Puran Chand, Kuldeep Kumar and Roop Lal, all residents of Chak Arnia, were also injured in the incident. “A couple of days back we brought the matter to the notice of the SHO, Bishnah police station, and sought his intervention. He didn’t initiate action against the culprits and this led to the death of Mohan Lal,” the distraught family members alleged. Eyewitnesses said critically injured Mohan was admitted to the sub-district hospital, Bishnah, where his condition was stated to be critical. “The doctors at the sub-district hospital referred him to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu. He, however, died on way to the GMCH. As soon as the body reached Bishnah town, the aggrieved family members and relatives supported by local villagers kept it outside the police station and raised anti-police slogans,” they said. Demanding the immediate suspension of the SHO and the arrest of the culprits, the protesters resorted to stone throwing at the police. To disperse the protesters, the police fired several shots into the air and lobbed tear-gas shells. Senior police officials rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the angry villagers. The protesters said they would not remove the body till action was taken against the SHO for his “negligence” in arresting the culprits. All shops remained closed and the situation was tense in the town. The protest was still going on till the reports last came in.
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Setback to BJP as entire Bani unit resigns
Jammu, December 17 BJP leaders from Bani tehsil said the party had been pursuing a “pseudo-nationalist” ideology and its double standards had been exposed due to an “unholy” nexus between senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah. The BJP leaders said while party workers at the grass-roots level were fighting against the pro-separatist policies of the NC, at the national level the party leadership was hand in glove with the NC leaders for their petty political gains. They said in the name of investigating the cross-voting episode, the BJP leadership had targeted only those who were working to strengthen the party in the state. Those who resigned from the party included state working committee member Yashwant Lal Sondhi, Sheryaru Ram, Uttam Chand, Bani unit president, Darshan Singh, general secretary, Hans Raj, Acchru Ram and Lakh Raj, all vice-presidents. Five sarpanches owing allegiance to the BJP, Gudu Ram, Bhagat Ram, Hans Raj, Madan Lal and Shiv Ram also resigned from the party. MLA, Bani, Master Lal Chand has already been expelled from the party. All leaders expressed their faith in the leadership of the expelled party leader and former Union minister Chaman Lal Gupta. |
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Soz: High command to decide on rotation of chief ministership
Jammu, December 17 Addressing a press conference here, Soz said the party high command was to take a decision on the rotation of chief ministership and he did not want to dabble in the controversy. When he was told that a majority of the party leaders in the state were in the favour of the rotation of chief ministership to the Congress after three year, Soz said, “The decision of the high command in this regard
will be acceptable to all Congressmen.” Unlike other parts of the country, the term of the Legislative Assembly in the state is six years and the Omar government will complete three years in office on January 5 next year. The PCC chief said a Cabinet reshuffle was on the cards. Soz, who is chairman of the Coordination Committee, said the meeting of the committee would be held soon to review the performance of the government. He, however, added that task of the committee was not to judge the performance of the government but to ensure coordination between the coalition partners. On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, Soz said, “It is a temporary law and it has to go one day. But that can be done only
with consultations with all stakeholders.” Meanwhile, Soz criticised the Hurriyat Conference for maintaining silence over the death of shopkeeper Tariq Ahmed Bhat and adopting double standards over the killing of innocent people. Bhat reportedly died in hospital of injuries sustained after he was allegedly thrashed by stone throwers. Soz said, “We have a grudge against the Hurriyat Conference as it has adopted such an attitude on human tragedies earlier also.” Soz, however, refused to subscribe to the terminology used by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in condemning the Hurriyat Conference over Bhat’s killing. “I am going to Srinagar to understand what happened in Bhat’s case and will look into the genesis of this case,” he said, adding, “It is not necessary for me to believe or disbelieve Chief Minister’s statements.” When his reaction was sought on Union minister Farooq Abdullah’s statements suggesting opening of liquor shops and cinema halls in Kashmir, Soz said the situation had improved in the Valley but hastened to add that such decisions had to be taken by civil society. |
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PDP demands white paper on madrasa funding
Srinagar, December 17 She said like all other Centrally-sponsored schemes, the state government seemed to have made a mess of the financial assistance given by the Central government to the madrasas in the state. “There is a huge gap between the amount released by the Central government and the funds acknowledged by the state government,” she said, pointing out that the amount reportedly received by the madrasas was even less than what was reported in the list. “Where has the money gone?” she asked, saying some one in the government has to explain. Mehbooba said the obvious inconsistency in the financial allocations by the Centre and its devolution to ultimate users had a criminal implication and the government must fully investigate it and come out with facts and figures immediately. The highly respected institution of madrasas in the state had been brought into disrepute, she added. She said many leading institutions had distanced themselves from the funding row and had categorically denied having received any funds. However, in the process the prestige and reputation of the madrasas had suffered for which the government was solely responsible, she added. “Though the government has caused immense damage to almost all the institutions of the state, the latest victim, the
madrasas, should have been spared as they are generally run with the help of the people,” she added. |
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Winter Strategy to check intrusions
Jammu, December 17 During this season Pakistan militants try to intrude into Jammu and Kashmir through easy terrain along the international border rather than the rugged and mountainous terrain of the 749-km Line of Control (LoC). “Keeping in mind the winter and intelligence inputs about a possible spurt in intrusion bids, we have augmented our strength on the international border,” said AK Jain, IG, BSF, Jammu Frontier, after flagging off a Bharat Darshan tour comprising 40 students here last evening. Responding to media queries, Jain said BSF jawans were fully alert and whosoever tried to cross Zero Line to enter Indian territory would be dealt with sternly. On intelligence inputs about a possible spurt in intrusion bids on the international border, the IG said, “The BSF have been receiving such inputs that militants in camps across the border may try to infiltrate, but we have sufficient gadgets and men in place to deal with the situation.” Jain felt against the backdrop of the preparedness of the BSF no intrusion attempt on the international border would succeed. “As part of advanced border management we bring more advanced gadgets every year,” he added. He recalled how two narcotic smugglers having a nexus with Pakistan militants were neutralised at the AMK post earlier this year. Sources in the BSF said night vigil along the international border had been intensified. “Militants try to take advantage of foggy weather conditions during the winter, but we are alert to the situation,” they added. Besides thermal imagers to detect suspicious movements, the BSF has been provided with other surveillance equipment to maintain a hawk’s eye on the enemy. The sources said Pakistan had in the recent times planted a tree line on the raised embankment on their side, which in three to four years would hamper the naked vision of BSF jawans. |
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In-service postgraduate students of GMCH without salary for 7 months
Jammu, December 17 The 30 in-service students, who were selected this year, had been working as MBBS doctors in the field for the last many years. However, the government without any prior notification changed their payscale from regular salary to a stipend. Seven of the 30 students doing their postgraduation have already left their degrees, as they could not fulfil their daily needs after the sudden change in the payscale. The remaining 23 students have approached court and as a result they have been without salary since June 2011. Dr Asadullah Malik, a first year in-service postgraduate student at the GMCH, said, “The government did not give us any prior notification about the change in paygrades. But once we were selected for the postgraduate courses, the rules were changed suddenly.” The court, however, had ordered the government to release the salary of these postgraduate students on a condition that if they lost the legal battle they would have to repay the extra money to the government. “All the in-service postgraduate students have at least five years of experience in infield jobs. The government should have informed us that we will not be paid any salary during postgraduation,” added Malik. Another student pursuing postgraduation alleged that the case was similar with the second and third year postgraduate students also. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court had ordered the government from time to time to release the salary of these postgraduate students, but they had not received any salary yet.The High Court last issued the order on December 11. Dr Rajinder Singh, principal of the GMCH, said, “We have nothing to do with the issue. It is up to the Finance Department to release the money. As soon as they release the money, the students will get their salary.” |
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Interactive programme held
Jammu, December 17 Several acclaimed short stories of the writer were discussed during the function while the writer replied to questions from the audience. Dr Parveen Kumari read out a paper on the literary works of Alka Aggarwal on the function. Evaluating her work, Dr Parveen quoted her short stories like ‘Silwatein Zindagi Ki’, ‘Bikharta Sach’ and ‘Ab Koi Gam Nahin’. “Her stories depict the sufferings of the women in a male dominated society, where all the traditions and customs make the women inferior to men,” she said and quoted from the writer’s short story, ‘Silwatein Zindagi ki’, in which the main protagonist who is a woman, faces an identity crisis after her marriage. The writer, on the occasion, read out her short story, ‘Murday Sach Nahin Boltay’, highlighting the exploitation of aspiring artistes at the hands of filmmakers in Mumbai. |
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Pensioners’ Day celebrated
Jammu, December 17 The function was attended by members of the association and special invitees from various organisations of the State Government Pensioners’ Association. MLC Vijay Bakaya was the chief guest on the function and Dr Jitendra Singh was the guest of honour. Bakaya lauded the efforts being put in by the association for the welfare of civil society with special attention on pensioners. — TNS
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IED defused on Jammu-Poonch highway
Jammu, December 17 An Army spokesperson said a road opening party (ROP) of the Army noticed the IED barely 1.5 km ahead of the Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge in Poonch town today. The ROP cordoned off the area immediately and requisitioned a bomb disposal squad, he added. The spokesperson said a bomb disposal squad of the Army defused the IED and later destroyed it at an isolated place. The IED was tied to a fire extinguisher with a wire circuit, he added. Later, traffic movement on the busy road was restored.
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Vaishno Devi Board hikes battery car fare
Katra, December 17 Additional Chief Executive Officer of the SMVDSB Mandeep K Bhandari said the revised tariff would come into effect from December 15. The pilgrims would now have to pay Rs 300 per person for availing the car service from Adhkuwari to the bhawan while the return fare to Adhkuwari would be Rs 200. Earlier, the fare was Rs 100 per pilgrim. Bhandari said this was the first fare revision since the commissioning of the facility and it meant to cover the increased input costs, including power, labour and wear and tear of vehicles.
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Striking PDD daily wagers threaten to snap power supply
Jammu, December 17 The agitating daily wage workers alleged that for the past 17 years they were repeatedly cheated by the successive state governments, which had been promising to regularise their services. Of the 40,000 PDD employees in the state, 10,000 are daily wage workers, who work in the field. President of the PDD Daily Wagers’ Union Tarun Gupta said, “The department has not regularised the services of even one daily wage worker since 1994. Though two years back Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah had promised to regularise our services, nothing had been done so far.” “We had started an agitation about two years ago, but after the Chief Minister’s assurance we stopped protesting,” he added. Among the 10,000 daily wage workers only 4,000 were being paid wages while 6,000 had not been paid anything for the last five years, Gupta added. According to SRO 381 of the PDD, the services of all daily wage workers, who had worked in the department for five years, could be regularised to fill vacant posts in the department, but no step had been taken in the past 17 years, he said. Gupta alleged that it was due to the bureaucracy that their issue was not being resolved. If the government failed to concede to our demand by December 25, we would snap power supply to Jammu city, Rajouri and Poonch on the eve of New Year, he said. Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmad Khan said, “These people work at the grass-roots level. They are the real pillars of the department. We are trying to find a solution to the issue. We have already sanctioned Rs 5 crore and have sent a proposal to the Planning Commission so that these daily wage workers can get their wages.” “We request them to resume their duty. We are serious about their issue and will try to solve it as soon as possible,” added the minister. On November 25, 2009, the daily wage workers had snapped power supply to Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts for nearly three hours. |
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Show cause notice issued to Zonal Education Officer
Katra, December 17 The notice was issued after The Tribune exposed this unhealthy practice barred by a government order in its December 16 edition. Minister for Higher Education, Employment and Labour Abdul Gani Malik has also ordered an inquiry into the issue. Parmod told The Tribune today that a show cause notice had been issued to the ZEO concerned on the basis of the news item about students being forced to wash utensils, sweep classrooms and carry heavy bags of rice meant for the Mid-day Meal scheme on a regular basis. The ZEO had been asked to explain within seven days as to why action should not be initiated against him for forcing the students into activities which were punishable under the provisions of the Child Labour Act. Representatives of Reasi-based NGO “We Care Society”, who met the CEO today, were assured that appropriate action would be taken within three days against those responsible for the unhealthy practice. |
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Folk artiste Shiv Dass felicitated
Jammu, December 17 Additional secretary of the JKAACL Savita Bakshi was the chief guest at the function. President of the Duggar Manch and noted Dogri writer Mohan Singh, in his keynote address, expressed concern over the decline in the number of people attending such functions. Mohan Singh said the state government policy did not encourage the Dogri culture. “It’s a matter of concern that the state government has not given entertainment tax exemption to the new Dogri film,” he said. He added, “Given the apathetic attitude of the state government, the regional cinema and culture cannot flourish.” Shiv Dass was felicitated by the president of the Duggar Manch, the secretary of the academy and president of the Nami Dogri Sanstha Dogra Harish Kaila. Accompanied by artistes playing traditional musical instruments like dholak, king and sarangi-tota, Shiv Dass sang karaks (ballets) based on a folklore. |
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Governor mourns death of Raj Daluja’s wife
Jammu, December 17 The Governor expressed sympathy with Daluja and other members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
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Unions hail regularisation of headmasters
Jammu, December 17 Talking to mediapersons here today, HD Qureshi, president of the lecturers forum, said it was a historic decision as in-charge headmasters were awaiting confirmation for the last 12 years. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Charan Dass, Ashwani Sharma, Ganesh Khajuria and Bashir Ahmed.
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Jammu, December 17
Jammu, December 17
