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Govt mulls empowering panchayats: Omar
State has expertise to run projects: Minister
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Visa to Rushdie a ‘non-issue’
Vaishno Devi yatra resumes
No respite from cold in Valley
Snowfall has airfare go skyward
No threat ahead of R-Day: Omar
DIG meets released militants
Poor groan as medicare gets costly at GMCH
Activists of the PDP stage a protest against the GMCH administration for increasing OPD and emergency fee at the hospital in Jammu on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma BJP seeks separate agriculture budget
Army holds training on hand-made cards
Tributes paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri
Army continues welfare programmes despite all odds
5-day
translation workshop begins
Poets and writers attend a five-day translation workshop in Jammu on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph
Two held with pistol
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Power Theft
Jammu, January 11 Addressing a Panchayat Maha Sabha, attended by members of panchayats from different parts of the state, Omar said: “Our government has taken many steps to minimise power theft but we have been unable to control it to a large extent.” “We are seriously thinking of delegating the responsibility to panchayats to ensure proper transmission and distribution of power from transformers installed in their respective areas,” the Chief Minister said. Omar said peace, power and unemployment were the priority areas of his government. “As the problem of unemployment is directly linked to power, it is a priority of my government to initiate reforms in the power sector to minimise the power deficit,” he said. The Chief Minister has reasons to take some drastic steps to minimise the power deficit, which has been increasing with each passing year. The power-strapped state tops the country in terms of transmission and distribution losses, which have touched 70 per cent this year. According to an official document, the power purchase bill of state was Rs 2,500 crore in the last financial year, while the revenue generated was just over
Rs 800 crore. After revising the power tariff, the state government has set a target of Rs 1,700 crore this year but the power purchase bill is also likely to be enhanced during the current financial year. “We have taken many steps to make our state self-reliant as far as power is concerned,” Omar said, while hoping that in the next five years, the state would generate over 6,000 MW. “The time is not far when the state will generate surplus power,” he said while seeking the cooperation of the people to stop power theft. Omar criticised the PDP for “exploiting” people in the name of power crises in the state. “During the regime of the PDP, not even a single power project was started,” he remarked. Taking on the PDP for shutting eyes to the revolutionary initiatives and considerable achievements registered by his coalition during the last three years, the Chief Minister said those who were crying hoarse over the availability of power could not even help generate a single MW during their tenure. “Those who have covered their eyes with black glasses will only see dark,” he said. Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Industries SS Slathia, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry Aga Syed Ruhulla, Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmad Khan, Advisers to the Chief Minister Mubarak Gul and Devender Singh Rana, vice-chairpersons of advisory boards Swarn Lata, Rachpal Singh, Bashir Ahmad Naaz and Kuldeep Raj, legislators, senior officers, sarpanches and panches from various areas of the state were among those present. |
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Hydel Power
Jammu, January 11 Talking to The Tribune, the minister said: “We will we buy them (power projects) back from the
NHPC, as we have the requisite infrastructure and technical expertise to run the hydroelectric power projects on our own. “We are capable enough to run these power projects. The state government is already running the Baglihar power project smoothly,” he asserted. The NHPC owns four power projects in the state i.e. Salal (I&II) with 690 MW generation capacity, Uri-I with 480 MW,
Dulhasti with 390 MW and Sewa-II with 120 MW capacity. On if the state had the expertise and experience to run these, he said: “Don’t consider us a novice. We are mature enough to handle such projects now. The state has enough potential to run huge schemes and projects.” The state government had recently sent a proposal to the Union government to take back the possession of the four power stations to meet the demand of electricity in the state. The minister said the NHPC was bound to accept the proposal, as it was legal and in accordance with
the documents. “I am not reiterating anything illegal or personal; it is based upon the official letters that have been exchanged during the setting up of the projects. Governments and projects are run though documents and not with emotions. Everyone is bound to follow the law?” he
said. Mohiuddin added that the agreement signed between the NHPC and the state government had a clause wherein the state could buy back the Salal hydel project after its complete depreciation. “As per the agreement, the 690-MW Salal hydel project, which was commissioned in 1975, was required to be handed over to the state after the full depreciation of the project,” he said. The state government will have to pay Rs 466 crore to buy back the project from the
NHPC, he said, adding that the state would have to pay Rs 2,100 crore for the 480-MW Uri-I power project, the current cost of which was around Rs 10,000 crore. He said the Cabinet subcommittee, constituted by the government to look into various issues arising from the terms and conditions of the agreement of hydro electric projects with the
NHPC, had also given its recommendations to buy back these projects from the corporation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday had said that his government was even prepared to pay to get back the projects from the
NHPC. An NHPC officer said the corporation was a Central government undertaking and was controlled by the Union Power Ministry, therefore it had to abide by the decision of the
Centre. |
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Visa to Rushdie a ‘non-issue’
Jammu, January 11 Some radical groups supported by political organisations have been opposing visa to Salman Rushdie, British-Indian novelist and essayist who also holds a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card. Rushdie is visiting India to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival this month end. “Is it the first time that Salman Rushdie is visiting India?” said Omar, adding that “there are some forces that think of exploiting it for political gains, given the fact that there are elections in five states in the coming months”. Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of functions organised by panchayat members of Jammu province, Omar said: “We underestimate the intelligence of the Indian Muslims when we try and raise an issue that has no relevance to their day-to-day concern.” He said Rushdie’s visit should not be given such an importance. “As far I know, Salman Rushdie has visited India earlier. I don’t know why visa to Rushdie has suddenly become an issue now,” he said. Cautioning those who were raking up the issue, Omar said: “I don’t think there are many Muslims in India who will see it as an election issue. The Muslims of the country are more concerned about their day-to-day problems and future.” “Had (Rushdie) applied for a visa for the first time, it might have been an issue,” Omar said, adding that he was more concerned about the livelihood of the Muslims. On if he would campaign for Congress in the five states, where Assembly elections are slated shortly, Omar said he had not received any invitation from the party yet. “If I were asked to do so, I will campaign for the Congress”, he said. Reacting to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism, calling him a “headless chicken”, Omar said he enjoyed criticism by the opposition leader. “I love it when the PDP leader starts panicking and gets all desperate. It gives me a warm inner happiness,” he said, adding: “I become serious when PDP leaders stop criticising me.” |
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Vaishno Devi yatra resumes
Katra, January 11 The yatra on both tracks was disrupted following landslides near Sanjhi Chhat and the New Helipad site due to heavy snowfall, sources in the police said. The pilgrims were prevented from proceeding to the bhawan to avoid any mishap. The yatra has now been diverted to the old track near Ardh Kunwari. The sources said disaster teams with assistance from shrine board officials were on job to clear the track
for the smooth conduct of the yatra. Apart from the clearance of the track, medical camps and other arrangements had been put in place for the pilgrims, an official said. Security stepped up Security has been beefed up at the Vaishno Devi shrine, near here, ahead of the Republic Day. Paramilitary and police personnel patrolled and frisked people at important points in the town, which is thronged by thousands of devotees every year. “The town is abuzz with activity, as the inflow of tourists goes up manifold during this time of the year. We have made adequate security arrangements and taken the help of the CRPF,” said Atul Goel, Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi. The forces have been directed to remain vigilant for the smooth conduct the Republic Day celebrations. The devotees making their way to the shrine were being put through rigorous checking, considering the sensitive nature of the shrine, he added.
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No respite from cold in Valley
Srinagar, January 11 The skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 14.8°C, a MeT official said. Srinagar city recorded maximum and minimum temperatures of minus 0.6°C and minus 3.3°C, respectively. The gateway town of Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.4°C while the maximum temperature stood at minus 0.8°C. The maximum and minimum temperatures at the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir stood at minus 10.7°C and minus 2.3°C, respectively. The MeT office has forecast light to moderate rain and snow in the upper reaches of the Valley during the next 24 hours. However, dry weather has been forecast in the plains.
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Snowfall has airfare go skyward
Srinagar, January 11 An air ticket from here to New Delhi, that usually costs Rs 2,500 if booked in advance, is currently available for Rs 16,000. The soaring prices have forced many to postpone their trips. “I was forced to postpone my trip to Delhi due to the increase in the airfare. When I went to book a ticket today, I was told that a Kingfisher airlines ticket from here to New Delhi for tomorrow was available at Rs 12,157, while an Air India ticket for Friday cost Rs 16,353,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a businessman. “Just 10 days ago, my cousin had purchased an air ticket for New Delhi for just Rs 2,500,” he added. The portals booking air tickets only corroborate Ishfaq’s worries. While it is difficult to get a booking for Jammu flights, tickets to New Delhi for the next two days cost between Rs 12,000 and 16,000. Similarly, the cost of air travel to other parts of the country has also gone up. An air ticket for Mumbai on Friday was available at Rs 23,941. While some have postponed their travel plans, others have been left with no options but to buy tickets at higher costs. “Even though traffic was allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu today, people were wary of undertaking the journey by road as there was a real risk of closure of the highway due to snowfall. I was forced to buy an expensive air ticket for New Delhi, as my father is undergoing treatment at a hospital there,” said a local resident. Gulzar Ahmad, a travel agent, said: “The airfare has shot up mainly because of the weather conditions, which have made the journey by road perilous. Also, many local residents and tourists have booked tickets in advance. Therefore, it is difficult to get fresh bookings at cheaper rates.” Ticket for Rs16,000! An air ticket from Srinagar to New Delhi, which usually costs Rs 2,500 if booked in advance, is currently available for Rs 16,000. The soaring prices of air tickets have forced many to postpone their trips. |
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No threat ahead of R-Day: Omar
Jammu, January 11 “There are no reports of any sort of trouble either by militants or (concerning) law and order to be anticipated in the state,” he said. “But as a routine, every state gets warning by the Union Home Ministry before the Republic Day and the Independence Day. In this context, the state must have also received some warning,” Omar told reporters here. “Every year we are getting such type of information (by the MHA), but every year our attempt is to prove it wrong,” he said. Asked whether he would campaign for the Congress in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, he said there was no such invitation from the party yet. “There is no such thing. If there is any such thing, I will definitely go and campaign.” On PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti describing his government as a “headless chicken”, Omar said, “These things neither irritate me nor prick me.” — PTI
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Rehab scheme
Srinagar, January 11 “To discuss the problems being faced by released militants vis-à-vis their rehabilitation, including their livelihood and social status, a meeting of the released militants of north Kashmir range was held at Baramulla. About 50 released militants participated in the meeting chaired by DIG, north Kashmir range, Munir Ahmad Khan,” a police spokesman said here. “The response of the released militants and their commitment to serve society in a positive manner was overwhelming. During the meeting, discussions were held regarding the rehabilitation of
these militants,” the spokesman added. The DIG was also apprised of the hurdles faced in the implementation of the rehabilitation plan for the released militants.
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Poor groan as medicare gets costly at GMCH
Jammu, January 11 After a hike in the charges of the out-patient department (OPD) slip and admission file, the government has now started charging for X-rays from patients admitted to the emergency wards. Earlier, the facility used to be free of cost for emergency patients. According to sources, the government is also likely to charge Rs 225 for each ultrasound from emergency patients. The charges for a CT scan will also be hiked from Rs 900 to Rs 1,600; and from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 for an MRI, added sources. As per a government notification, the state government has revised the prescription fee of OPDs from Rs 2 to Rs 5 and the charges of the admission file from Rs 5 to Rs 10 with effect from January 3. A few days after the notification, the government issued another notification stating that it would charge Rs 50 for each X-ray from emergency patients. Patients are not happy with the development, especially those belonging to the lower strata, who come from far-flung areas of Jammu division to get affordable treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, the main referral hospital in the division. “The government has started charging for everything now. We cannot afford to pay like this. The government is compromising with the health of the poor. They have even removed eggs from the diet meant for patients,” said Sham Lal, an attendant of a patient admitted to the GMCH. Dr Rajinder Singh, Principal, GMCH, Bakshi Nagar, said: “We have only implemented the orders, not issued them. It is the government that has issued the orders. We have nothing to do with it. We have to follow the government instructions.” He added that the X-ray charges were Rs 50 for all patients before the notification, “but now all emergency patients will be charged”. “A sum of Rs 50 is not much these days. It is a genuine fee,” the principal added. |
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BJP seeks separate agriculture budget
Jammu, January 11 The Centre and the state governments should have Krishi Budgets, as it is the only permanent solution to the problems of farmers across the country, he said, while releasing a booklet on the plight of farmers at a press conference here. He said the salaries of government employees had gone up 18 times during the past 20 years, but the support price of crops had been hiked just five times during the same period. “More than two lakh farmers had committed suicide in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra and other parts of the country because of burden of loans during the past 10 years,” Patil said. He said the farmers in the country were the worst sufferers of the anti-farmer policies of the UPA and the state governments. “The farming community in Jammu and Kashmir, too, is a victim of such policies of the NC-Congress coalition, which has not given them any benefit. It is unfortunate that farmers in the state do not get timely seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and water for irrigation. When it is time to be in the fields, the farmers are made to knock the doors of agriculture and related departments,” the former Union Minister added. Appreciating the BJP-led state governments for taking pro-farmer decisions, Patil said Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh governments were providing loans to farmers at 1 per cent interest. “The Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh governments are giving a bonus on wheat and rice crops. The government of Karnataka has passed a separate Krishi Budget,” he said.
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Army holds training on hand-made cards
Jammu, January 11 The women and children, hailing from poor families with no knowledge of hand-made cards were educated and convinced to take it up as an additional source of income. Shamema Begum while speaking to mediapersons said she learnt the skill and was very grateful to the RR for training her in making hand-made cards. — TNS
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Tributes paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri
Jammu, January 11 Raj Roop Singh Chib, sarpanch of Lower Muthi, was the chief guest while president of the association Ved Gandotra and Pritam Sharma presided over the function. While paying rich tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri, Chib said his values would continue to inspire the people of the country. “Shastri had led the country during a grave food crisis in 1960’s. He had inspired the country and its people through his simple life and laid the foundation of green revolution that ensured food security for the succeeding generations,” Chib said.
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Army continues welfare programmes despite all odds
Jammu, January 11 “Whether harsh winters or scorching summers, our activities go on smoothly in remote and far-off areas, where we keep on improving the socio-economic condition of the underprivileged people through our welfare programmes,” said a senior Army officer of the Nagrota-based 16 Corps. There is no lull in our welfare programmes. Since the Gujjars and Bakerwals have come down from snow-bound upper reaches, we are holding medical camps for them in the plains, he said. We are planning six more education tours and 10 medical and veterinary camps during this month in the area, which comes under the 16 Corps, he added. The officer said the Army had come to the rescue of the locals residents in Bhadarwah. “Due to heavy snowfall the entire Bhadarwah area was cut off from the rest of the district. The 4 RR of the Army came to the rescue of a critically-ill woman and provided her timely assistance,” said the officer. The troops of the 4RR through inhospitable terrain and in rough weather carried the woman to the road, where from she was taken to a hospital, thus saving her life, he said. On January 9, the troops provided medical aid to Ghulam Din of Batoli Village, who was suffering from burn injuries and could not be shifted to a hospital due to adverse weather conditions. Another officer from the Northern Command said despite harsh winter the Army has been organising educational tours, vocational training camps, medical and veterinary camps and has been improving the infrastructure in schools in far-flung areas. |
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5-day
translation workshop begins
Jammu, January 11 In the inaugural session, Prof Veena Gupta, convener of the Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, highlighted the importance and relevance of the workshop, which would develop mutual affinity and understanding among the writers, readers and the people. The programme was attended by a number of Dogri and Kashmiri writers, including Prem Nath Shad, Makhan lal Pandita, Nizammudin Sehar, Abdul Gani Beg Athar, Bharat Bhushan Sharma and Dr Bansi Lal Sharma. |
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Two held with pistol
Jammu, January 11 Sources said the police had specific information regarding the movement of two persons possessing a weapon in the Gangyal area. “A police team led by SHO of the Gangyal police station intercepted two persons on suspicion. A country-made pistol was recovered from their possession on frisking them,” sources added. The arrested persons have been identified as Tilak Raj and Janak Raj. Senior police officials, however, refused to comment over the arrests, saying they would share the details at an appropriate time. |
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Jammu, January 11
Jammu, January 11
Jammu, January 11
Healthcare in the main referral government hospital, which caters to over 50 lakh population of Jammu division, is getting expensive.