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Life limps back to normal in Valley
Fertiliser agencies duping farmers, says MLA
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CM reviews essential services in affected districts
489 SI cadets pass out from police academy
Four hurt as workers, police clash
Doda MLA seeks copters for relief operations
Cabinet reshuffle just a rumour, says Omar
BJP initiates exercise to mobilise cadre
Vocational training camp
under SABLA ends
Jammu varsity to get new website soon
May Fair School celebrates annual day
SPOs meet Vakil for regularisation of services
PNB manager gets interim bail
FWO regional chief visits military hospital
BJP protests Cong role
Man held for father’s murder
HC ex-judge passes away
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Life limps back to normal in Valley
Srinagar, January 9 Snowfall had left most areas of the Valley without electricity since Friday night, throwing normal life out of gear. Due to snags caused by snowfall at the Kishanpur-Pampore and KV Power Grid Corporation power stations, the Power Development Department (PDD) was only able to supply 100 MW till last night. However, with the restoration of lines, power supply was restored to most of the affected areas of the city today. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had yesterday promised that the valley would receive “normal” power supply of 1,000 MW by tomorrow. Local residents were also subjected to a lot of inconvenience due to the accumulation of snow on roads, forcing them to stay indoor. Attendance at offices and higher educational institutions had remained thin and the authorities had to postpone examinations in colleges. However, attendance was back to normal in offices today as public and private transport plied on the roads after the government pressed 93 snow-clearing machines into service. Internet services, too, were resumed by private telecom companies, but BSNL 3G and Blackberry services were not functional till this afternoon. Cold wave conditions staged a comeback in the Valley after some respite due to the snowfall last week. All regions of the Valley witnessed temperatures below the freezing point last night. As a result, peripheries of the Dal Lake froze and local residents complained of frozen waterlines. The skiing resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district recorded a minimum temperature of -14.5 °C, according to a meteorological department official. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -4.2 °C. |
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Fertiliser agencies duping farmers, says MLA
Jammu, January 9 Addressing mediapersons here today, he said there was a nexus between these agencies. Acting on his complaints, the agriculture department’s enforcement wing recently conducted a raid on a fertiliser outlet in Gajansoo, falling under the Marh constituency, he claimed. During the raid, 10 bags of urea were found underweight as not even a single bag could match the official specification of 50 kg. Sukhnandan said the practice had been going on for a long time as NFL officials were in cahoots with officials of the JAKFED and J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation. The NFL is the supplier of fertilisers in the state. Under the specifications, each bag carrying the fertilisers has to weigh 50 kg. Even though the use of hooks to move bags was banned, the agencies were using these indiscriminately, as a result of which the bags often got damaged. Also, there was a loss of fertilisers from the bags during their loading and unloading at depots. It was the main reason for the low weight of bags, he said. He said the JAKFED and J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation charged farmers for a full 50-kg bag, even though it was underweight. The fertilisers coming out of the bags at different stages were later collected and sold separately, he alleged. The money thus earned went to officials of the JAKFED and other agencies, he claimed. Sukhnandan demanded an inquiry into the alleged nexus and initiation of legal proceedings against the erring officials. |
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CM reviews essential services in affected districts
Udhampur, January 9 The Chief Minister interacted with people and district administration officials to get a first-hand account of the measures put in place for the restoration of power, clearance of snow from roads and functioning of water supply schemes. He was also briefed about the availability of essential commodities and fuel in the hill districts. The District Development Commissioners concerned apprised the Chief Minister of the steps taken by the administration to clear roads and restore other essential services. They said there were sufficient buffers of essential commodities in the districts. The Chief Minister interacted with groups of people at various places and enquired about the status of the restoration work. He directed the respective administrations to put in additional efforts to mitigate the difficulties being faced by people. He said the snow-clearance operation on interior and link roads would be carried out on a war-footing. Interacting with people, Omar said a special team of officials of the PDD would be deputed to these areas to speed up the restoration of damages caused to the power transmission system there. “We have geared up the administration at all levels to face the challenges thrown by the inclement weather,” he said, adding that they were focussing on early resumption of power supply and clearance of roads. Meanwhile, major roads have been made traffic-worthy and snow-clearance work on the interior link roads is on. The water supply has also been restored and essential commodities made available at ration depots. Minister of State for Roads and Buildings (R&B) Javid Ahmad Dar accompanied the Chief Minister.
Omar mocks Mehbooba
Jammu, January 9 That is the best acknowledgment of my efforts & I take it as a compliment. Thanks a lot chaps,” Omar reacted on mircro-blogging networking site Twitter. The Chief Minister, who monitored the power restoration work in the snow-hit Kashmir valley, had come under fire from the main opposition. Yesterday, the PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, had said the Chief Minister was responding with “juvenile pranks” to a crisis in the Valley that was the result of “malfunctioning” of his government than any natural phenomenon. — TNS
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489 SI cadets pass out from police academy
Udhampur, January 9 This is the largest batch to have passed out from the academy so far. Sub-Inspector cadet Bashir Ahmad was awarded the all-round best award, while the second award was bagged by Mohammad Ashraf and Ranjit Singh. In the indoor category, the first award went to Riyaz Ahmad, while the best sportsman award was given to Vilayat Hussain Sofi at a ceremony addressed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Addressing the cadets after the passing out parade, the Chief Minister said they had become part of one of the best police forces in the country and had to prove their mettle as qualified and worthy members of the force. “You will witness good and bad situations. You have to take right decisions at right times to handle the situations,” he said, adding that the interest of the people and the state should be held above all considerations. The Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, presented a resume of the training given to these cadets in the academy. He said the syllabus taught in the academy was on the lines of National Police Academy. The cadets were imparted training in community policing, relief and rescue, law and order and militancy combating. |
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Four hurt as workers, police clash
Jammu, January 9 The injured have been identified as Tarun Sharma, president, All-J&K PDD Daily Wagers Association; Kulbir Singh, provincial president; Roop Lal and Farooq Ahmad. The daily wagers’ strike entered its 28th day today. The protesting daily wagers assembled at the busy Parade Chowk in the old city and marched towards the Civil Secretariat. Eyewitnesses said the protesters were stopped by a heavy contingent of police, resulting in a scuffle. To disperse the protesters, the police resorted to cane-charge that resulted in injuries to four protesters. Talking to The Tribune, Tarun Sharma condemned the cane-charge by the police on the protesters and described it unjustified. “There are around 10,000 daily wagers working in the PDD. Of these, 2,484 workers have completed 12-15 years of service in the department. The government has become insensitive towards the problems of the daily wagers and has failed to accede to their demand for regularisation,” he said, adding that “as per the Act, a daily wager should be regularised after seven years of service”. Srinagar: The police today cane-charged the daily wagers of the Power Development Department (PDD) after they tried to gherao the Civil Secretariat here, demanding regularisation of their services. The PDD daily wagers under the banner of the All Jammu and Kashmir Daily Wagers’ Union (AJKDWU) took out a procession and tried to the gherao the Civil Secretariat premises. However, a contingent of the police foiled their bid and cane-charged the protesters. After the protesters were dispersed, they flayed the government for failing to keep the promises made with them. |
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Doda MLA seeks copters for relief operations
Udhampur, January
9 As the unprecedented snowfall had caused a complete breakdown of communication system, people of these areas were facing an acute shortage of foodgrain and fodder, thereby necessitating the need for the use of helicopters to expedite the relief operations, he said. The situation warranted the use of helicopters to air-drop ration, fuel, woollen clothing and airlift seriously-ill patients to nearest hospitals. Due to the inhospitable terrain and closure of approaches to the affected areas, the help of the IAF was required to conduct a survey and air-drop relief teams, he said. The Rural Development Department should take in hand the immediate restoration of all broken communication links under the MGNREGA so that the district authorities were in a position to send rescue teams to the cut-off areas. The MLA also asked the administration to keep tabs on the prices of LPG, fuel, woollen clothing and other essential commodities, which had become expensive even in Doda town in the wake of heavy snowfall. The increase in prices had added to the hardship of the poor, who were already struggling to acquire food items, fuel wood, LPG and warm clothes. Hospitals were also overburdened with patients suffering from seasonal diseases. There was a blackout in the town due to the snapping of power transmission lines. Also, Internet and mobile phone services remained disrupted, Wani added. |
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Cabinet reshuffle just a rumour, says Omar
Jammu, January 9 “There is no Cabinet reshuffle as of now. It is just a rumour and nothing more than that. We have just completed three years of our government and we keep on assessing our performance from time-to-time. The matter (Cabinet reshuffle) is to be discussed by the NC and its coalition partner-Congress,” Omar told reporters here this evening. Omar, who laid the foundation stone of the Jammu and Kashmir State Data Centre (JKSDC) in the IT Enclave at the Civil Secretariat said, “Both the parties will sit together and decide on the issue. I represent both the parties and i will think over the matter when it comes to me.” Asked about the reason for Cabinet reshuffle, as he had always showered praise on the performance of his ministers, Omar said, “Each minister has played his or her role in the first three years of the government. Each minister has shown some achievement in his or her department. We will review their performances and take a final decision thereafter.” On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz had said the reshuffle of Omar’s Cabinet would take place at an appropriate time. On his meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Omar said, it was a courtesy call. Minister for Information and Technology Syed Aga Ruhalla said the JKSDC would provide 24x7 services to the government departments, business establishments and the people. |
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BJP initiates exercise to mobilise cadre
Jammu, January 9 The first two such meetings were held today by Janipur and Gandhi Nagar mandals. BJP national executive member and MLA Ashok Khajuria was the chief guest at Janipur, while national executive member and chief spokesperson Dr Jitendra Singh was chief guest at Gandhi Nagar. Dr Singh formally lighted the traditional lamps and garlanded BJP ideologues’ portraits before declaring the two meetings open. In his address, Khajuria said the present government, led by Omar Abdullah, had failed on all fronts. Its slogans of strengthening the democracy at the grass-roots level had proved to be an eyewash, as it had deliberately delayed the local bodies elections for over a year and held the panchayat election without implementing the 73rd amendment. Dr Singh suggested that a mass awareness campaign was needed to educate people about the way the government had deprived them of genuine political empowerment at the grass-roots level. He said the BJP had been constantly advocating 50 per cent reservation for women in local urban bodies and due representation to minorities of the state. The meetings were organised under the guidance of state general secretary Sat Sharma and district president Rajesh Gupta. — TNS |
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Vocational training camp
under SABLA ends
Jammu, January 9 The concluding function was presided over by the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Satwari, Chanderkant, at the Community hall, Bhour Pind. Ritu Mahajan, programme officer of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Jammu, was the chief guest and BMO, Satwari, Saiffudin Khan was the guest of honour. Thirty adolescent girls were trained by Karan Institute Social Welfare Society, an NGO. The BMO and the Medical Officer delivered lectures on health-related issues of adolescent girls. A health check-up was also conducted for girls. The girls also presented cultural items during the function. Certificates were also given away by Mahajan to the girls. |
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Jammu varsity to get new website soon
Jammu, January 9 Assistant Director, Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA), Ginny Dogra, who is also the content manager for the new JU website, said, “Though the present website is functional since 2005, it is based on an old technology. The new one will be based on latest technology. The JU has expanded a lot in terms of its functioning during the past few years and to cater to the contemporary needs, we needed a new website.” The existing one did not cater to the needs of the departments, as every department had many important affairs to be displayed. Now every department will have its own micro-website. The departments will be able to put their details on Internet, as they will be provided with enough space to accommodate their notices, circulars, advertisements and other information material, she added. Dogra said the website would be ready for use by the end of this month. We have given the task to a Delhi-based private firm, which is a reputed brand in web designing. Our team spent good time in considering all the aspects to make it best in all aspects. Registrar of the JU Prof Naresh Padha said the latest version of the varsity website would help in expediting many projects and proposals. It will prove helpful to everyone connected with the JU. Most importantly it will save time, as every minute detail about departments and centres would be accessible to the people on the website. We are also planning for online registration of various courses and exams, he said. Shruti, a JU student said the reconstruction of the website would be an appreciable move. “I hope it would break the old tradition of our university, which made it mandatory for us to stand in unending queues, even for submission of fee or forms. It would be great if we could get useful information on the website instead of running from pillar to post,” she said. Members of the committee to assess the working of new website include Professor KK Sharma, Director DIQA; Anil Gupta, Project Engineer; Sanjay Bhatia, Assistant Professor, Zoology; Amit Mahajan, System Analyst; Ameet Targotra, Quality Assurance Officer and Prof Devanand Sharma, Head of the Computer Science Department. |
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May Fair School celebrates annual day
Jammu, January 9 Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla, who was the chief guest on the occasion said the annual day functions of educational institutions did not only provide a platform to students to showcase their hidden talents, but also helped in showcasing the culture and heritage of the state. Chairperson of the ICELA Ashok Sharma; Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jai Pal Singh; state Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, ID Soni; Deputy Director, Information, RS Jamwal and chairman of the school VK Basur were also present on the occasion. |
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SPOs meet Vakil for regularisation of services
Jammu, January 9 The delegation called upon the former minister at his official residence and brought into his notice various hardships being faced by them due to non-regularisation of their services. While addressing the SPOs, vakil lauded their role and recalled their sacrifices made while fighting militancy in the state. He said there was no denying the fact that SPOs and village defence committees (VDCs) deserved regularisation of their services and enhancement in wages. He assured the delegation that issues concerning them would be taken up with the coalition government. Vakil said since SPOs and VDCs were protecting the life and honour of the people in far-flung areas and holding back their arrears was not in the larger interest of the community. He said the government would be pursued to enhance the arrears of SPOs and VDCs at the earliest. He said since many SPOs were becoming over age, government would be asked to consider their original date of joining while regularising their services. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and DGP Kuldeep Khoda were quite sympathetic towards their issues and were aware of their hardships. He hoped that genuine and long-pending demands of SPOs would be considered soon. The SPOs appreciated the decision of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, in enhancing the wages of SPOs and VDCs from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 a month. |
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PNB manager gets interim bail
Jammu, January 9 The court, while granting the interim conditional bail, allowed petitioner’s release on furnishing a surety and personal bond of Rs 50,000 with pre-conditions of reporting to the investigating officer when required and for taking voice samples beginning tomorrow. The court said, “The petitioner shall not try to influence the prosecution witnesses and shall not leave the jurisdiction of this court without prior permission. He shall surrender before this court on January 24, 2012 at 10 am.”
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FWO regional chief visits military hospital
Udhampur, January 9 Wife of Northern Command chief Lt Gen KT Parnaik, Anagha was accompanied by Madhu Nandal, chairperson of the FWO of the White Knight Corps. On their arrival, they were welcomed by Gurdeep Kochar along with principal matron and Commandant of the hospital Brig SPS Kochar. The Commandant briefed the visiting dignitaries about various facilities available to the patients and their families. He also apprised them about the new hospital project and its benefit to patients. Anagha and Madhu visited the hospital wards and interacted with patients and their family members. She also distributed fruits to the patients in the family ward and gifts and sweets to children in the paediatric ward. Anagha complemented Brig Kochar and his entire team for their round-the-clock service and dedication to the patients. |
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BJP protests Cong role
Jammu, January 9 Led by BJP state general secretary Sat Sharma, district Jammu Mahanagar president Rajesh Gupta, district general secretary Jaideep Sharma and BJYM state president Munish Sharma, the activists raised slogans against the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for its insincerity in establishing an effective and meaningful Lokpal in the country. Later, four members of the party, Sat Sharma, Rajesh Gupta, Jaideep Sharma and Munish Sharma, met the Governor and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President. The memorandum gave an account of how the UPA coalition government was not able to muster enough support for its toothless versions of the Lokpal Bill. — TNS
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Udhampur, January 9 SSP Shakeel Ahmed Beig said the accused, Beeru, was arrested from Jaipur, Rajasthan, by a special investigation team, led by Chenani SHO Niaz-ul-Hassan, which had been camping there after getting a lead about his presence there. The police had earlier raided various hideouts to arrest the accused. A case under Section 302 of the RPC had been registered against the accused at the Chenani police station. The murder took place on the intervening night of December 28 and 29. The accused had allegedly used a sharp-edged weapon, an axe, to brutally kill his father, Raju. The police also recovered the weapon used in the crime. — TNS |
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New Delhi, January 9 Bhat was involved in seeking the release of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed, who was kidnapped by JKLF militants in 1989. — PTI |
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Jammu, January 9
Jammu, January 9
Jammu, January 9
Jammu, January 9
