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Slight increase in day temperatures
Relief to Snow-hit
Vehicles across state to have GPS soon
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Extension for panel on PM’s Working Group
Kashmir-bound passengers seek airlifting
Chenab Valley being neglected: Doda MLA
Ministers in abundance, yet shortage of essential items
Army organises snow sculpture competition
Denial of RTI info: Kranti Dal seeks CM’s intervention
Kashmiri Pandits stage protest
Folk festival showcases rich Gujjar heritage
Minister’s sister killed in mishap
Man kills father
Uphill task for new V-C
Army troops to the aid of snow-hit
3 govt employees held for getting jobs on fake documents
Inquiry ordered against private school
Poor BSNL services hit Poonch area
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Slight increase in day temperatures
Srinagar, January 20 However, the skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir remained the coldest place of the Valley, recording a minimum temperature of minus 14.6 degrees, a dip of two degrees as compared to yesterday. Other parts of the Valley, too, witnessed below zero degree night temperatures. The minimum temperatures recorded in Srinagar, Pahalgam and Qazigund were minus 3.5, minus 7.8 and minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, respectively. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the valley’s only surface link to the rest of the country, continued to remain closed for fresh vehicular traffic. As a result, many passengers have been stranded here. Tthe government today said it will airlift the stranded passengers from Srinagar to Jammu through “special arrangements” with the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft tomorrow. “The government has made special arrangements of the IAF aircraft for airlifting stranded passengers between Srinagar and Jammu on January 21,” an official said here. The stranded passengers, who have already registered themselves at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Srinagar, have been asked to report at the Srinagar airport at 8 am. The State Road Transport Corporation has arranged special buses from the TRC to Srinagar airport at 7.30 am tomorrow. |
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Relief to Snow-hit
Jammu, January 20 Addressing a press conference here today, BJP leader from Kishtwar Ravi Kumar Parihar demanded that the state government should shed its policy of discrimination and treat all the regions equal in matters related to providing relief to the people affected by the natural calamities. He criticised the government for working at snail’s pace in providing relief to the people affected by snowfall in different areas of erstwhile Doda district. Parihar said the recent unprecedented heavy snowfall in the Dachhan, Marwah, Wardwan and other areas of Kishtwar had badly hit the normal life. He said be it Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, repeated discrimination had been meted out to these hilly areas during the past 64 years in all matters and at all levels. PDP leader from Kishtwar, Shaqir Saddiqui has expressed resentment over the ignorance of erstwhile Doda district. He said no minister of the state government had visited the Chenab Valley even to take stock of the situation, which clearly reflected the sorry state of affairs of the government led by Omar Abdullah. He demanded that stranded passengers should be airlifted to their respective homes on priority basis. He also urged the authorities concerned to clear snow from the Batote-Kishtwar National Highway at the earliest. |
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Vehicles across state to have GPS soon
Jammu, January 20 The state government is also contemplating to direct all insurance companies in the state for giving insurance cover to all old and new vehicles only after they are fitted with the GPS. The proposal for installation of the GPS in all government and private vehicles was mooted by the state traffic police after the rising number of vehicle-lifting incidents. This is the second major initiative of the state transport department in collaboration with the traffic police after it awarded the tender for fastening High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) on all types of vehicles in November last year. “We have already initiated process for the installation of the GPS in all vehicles, including State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses and trucks. The department is in the process of finalising technical modalities for the project,” Minister for Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon told The Tribune. Sources said the government had constituted a high-level committee to examine the “technicalities” of the project and serious efforts were being made to give the final shape to the project and make it “more practical” so that it gets implemented without any hurdles. Inspector-General of Police (Traffic), Hemant Kumar Lohia said: “The owner of the vehicle will have to bear the installation cost of the GPS. One-time expenses for installation of the GPS will be around Rs 6,000. In addition to this, Rs 1,000 will be recurring expenses on yearly basis.” The IGP said the GPS can provide useful information about vehicle’s position and can prove to be a powerful navigation tool for drivers. “It is useful for tracking down the vehicle if it gets stolen. The system can also notify the owner of the vehicle by phone or e-mail when its (vehicle) alarm is triggered, and indicate its location,” he maintained. Lohia added that the system was also helpful in recording the driving activity, including the address of each destination and name of roads travelled to allow the owners to monitor the use of their vehicles by other drivers. |
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Extension for panel on PM’s Working Group
Jammu, January 20 The General Administration Department (GAD), J&K Government, issued a formal order in this regard, here this afternoon. The Committee has been asked to finalise its recommendations by March 31, 2012. Sources said it could be the last extension in the term of the committee which had already been accorded five extensions since its constitution on October 11, 2010. The previous deadline of the committee had ended on December 31, 2011. The Committee was entrusted with the task to examine the recommendations made by Justice Sagheer Ahmed, who headed the Working Group constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on May 25, 2006, after sharp differences cropped up between the coalition partners - the NC and the Congress - on key issues like greater autonomy. It was asked to narrow down the differences on key issues through discussions. The committee was supposed to submit its report within three months after its constitution, but it couldn’t finalise its draft due to lack of consensus between the coalition partners on key issues. While the Congress was opposed to greater autonomy, its ruling partner National Conference had pitched hard for its agenda. “Though the committee had already held threadbare discussions on all the issues, yet consensus eludes from such meetings. There are bleak chances that the coalition partners would reach on a mutual agreement vis-à-vis contentious issue of greater autonomy,” said a source.
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Kashmir-bound passengers seek airlifting
Jammu, January 20 Due to closure of the highway, over 2,500 Kashmir-bound passengers, including women, children and the elderly are stranded here. The irate passengers alleged they were not given due media coverage, due to which the authorities didn’t know how much they were suffering and it led to delay in response from government. The passengers held protest at Jammu bus stand where they have remained stuck for over the last one week due to closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road that connects Kashmir to the rest of the country. The protesters tried to march towards Secretariat complex to show their anger against the government but police stopped them from proceeding. They shouted slogans against the state government and demanded that they be airlifted to Valley as soon as possible.
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Chenab Valley being neglected: Doda MLA
Udhampur, January 20 Since all these three districts are unrepresented in the state council of ministers, people are left on their own to fight for their survival, alleged Wani while maintaining that the post-snow situation is serious, especially in the remote areas which are totally cut off from the rest of the world due to continuous heavy snowfall for the past more than 10 days. Wani, who is a Congress MLA, also said except for the single visit made by the CM himself during this hour of crisis, none of the state cabinet ministers bothered to visit these three districts. “There is severe shortage of eatables, vegetables, foodgrain, wheat flour, rice, fodder and blankets even in urban areas of the affected region. No local or state government relief, rescue or health team have reached hundreds of remotely located villages,” he said. |
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Ministers in abundance, yet shortage of essential items
Srinagar, January 20 The administrative measures in the absence of sufficient stocks of ration and the LPG seem to be in vain, as the people across Kashmir continue to suffer from the nature’s wrath in the midst of a 40-day-long Chillai Kalan, the peak winter duration. It all depends upon the smooth flow of traffic on the 296-kms-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway, lifeline to the Kashmir valley and the only surface link connecting it with the rest of the country. Following bad weather conditions, which continued since January 6, this lifeline has been closed to normal traffic for days together while very less number of trucks carrying essentials commodities, have entered into the Valley. Instead of around 4,500 vehicles of all types, only around 500 vehicles have been moving at irregular intervals on the highway since early this month. The highway remained completely closed on January 8 and 9, and then on January 15 and 16. However, the movement of traffic has not helped to maintain the optimum stock of essential commodities in the Kashmir valley. The highway was partially reopened for stranded trucks, carrying essential supplies during the past two days, which also did not help much. Around 350 vehicles are still stranded between Lower Munda and the Jawahar Tunnel area, which has received over five feet of snow. “There is no ration in the depots and least stocks of the LPG are available in the Valley,” official sources said despite tall claims of the government. To overcome the shortage, the authorities refill the 14.2 kg cylinders with just 5 kg of LPG. “There are hardly any stocks of the LPG in the Valley,” said a dealer here, adding that everybody was waiting for the highway to reopen, where about 40 trucks carrying the LPG filled cylinders were still stranded. Amidst this stock position of essential commodities, the presence of at least 10 ministers in the summer capital has been keeping the civil and police officers on their toes. The Cabinet ministers overlooking the administrative measures here include Mian Altaf Ahmad, SS Slathia, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Raman Bhalla, Sakina Itto, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Sham Lal Sharma and Taj Mohiuddin. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s adviser Mubarak
Gul. |
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Army organises snow sculpture competition
Srinagar, January 20 14 Rashtriya Rifles and it received a good response from the villagers. “As harsh climatic conditions with sustained sub-zero temperature due to heavy snowfall have confined the people to their houses, the 14 Rashtriya Rifles decided to organise a snow sculpture competition,” the Army spokesman said. “The jury comprised local panchayat members, village elders and the Army officers. The villagers participated in the competition in large numbers. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the competition,” he added. The Army also gave tips to the villagers for preventing cold-related diseases and injuries. “Mobile medical teams went to villages and educated the people about preventive measures to be undertaken to avoid life-threatening emergencies like chilblains, trench foot and frostbite. The occasion also provided an opportunity for the Army-public interaction,” the Army spokesman said. |
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Denial of RTI info: Kranti Dal seeks CM’s intervention
Jammu, January 20 In a press release, state youth president of the dal Harasis Singh said it was condemnable that a state-owned bank with over 53 per cent share was rejecting RTI applications of people on the pretext that it was a private sector bank. He said like other PSUs, the bank was accountable to the state legislature and as per the provisions of the RTI Act, vide Section 8, the information that could not be denied to Parliament and legislature could also not be denied to a citizen. — TNS
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Kashmiri Pandits stage protest
Jammu, January 20 The community observes the day every year, marking the beginning of the mass exodus of the Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir. The demonstration was addressed by leaders of the forum, represented by the All-State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Panun Kashmir, Non-camp Migrant Coordination Committee and representatives of various TRT quarters. Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir, said the community could never forget the horror of January 19, 1990 when they were subjected to terror aimed at their ethnic cleansing from the Valley.
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Folk festival showcases rich Gujjar heritage
Jammu, January 20 Organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the festival was inaugurated by Bashir Ahmed Naz, Vice Chairman of J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar and Bakerwal, and witnessed by prominent dignitaries representing the tribe and youth of the community. Welcoming the guests, Dr Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor of State Academy, stated that the main objective of this programme was to propagate richness of Gojri folk music among those of the new generation, especially among the youth of the community. Naz said the academy should initiate a proposal for preparation of a Gojri regional feature film to document ritual and culture of Gujjars. Around 50 artistes drawn from different parts of the state performed on the occasion. — TNS |
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Minister’s sister killed in mishap
Jammu, January 20 The police said Sehnaz Begum, who was walking alongside the road, was hit by a rashly driven scooter and fell on the road. She was run over by a speeding car coming from behind the scooter. “The scooter driver managed to flee while the car driver shifted her to GMCH Jammu where she was declared brought dead,” a police officer said. — TNS
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Jammu, January 20 The police said the accused, identified as Himmat Singh alias, Kalu, fled after beating his father to death with a steel container. The deceased was identified as Til Bahadur of Nepal. He was staying in the Shaheedi Chowk area for the last 30 years. Niketa Singh, daughter of the deceased Til Bahadur told The Tribune that she had gone to the residence of her maternal uncle last night when her brother, Himmat, allegedly killed her father. “My brother is an alcoholic and so was my father. They would repeatedly fight over trivial issues. When I left home yesterday evening, my father was in an inebriated condition,” Niketa said. She said her brother had reached her maternal uncle’s residence early this morning and informed her that their father was lying in pool of blood. “He left the place without saying anything. When I came back today, the body of my father was lying in a pool of blood,” she added. According to neighbours, Himmat was a “notorious criminal” and was involved in several theft cases. “Himmat had remained in the police custody several times and was involved in various theft cases,” a neighbour said, wishing not to be named. The neighbours came to know about the incident this morning and alerted the police. A team of the police led by SHO Peer Mitha and FSL team rushed to the spot and shifted the body to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, for an autopsy. The police said a manhunt had been launched to nab the culprit. — TNS |
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Uphill task for new V-C
Jammu, January 20 Various student bodies, JU staff and other stake-holders felt there was an ample scope for improvement in the university, particularly in context of examination reforms and infrastructure development. Ruhi, a JU student, said the university had been lacking requisite infrastructure and outlook. “We have always wished to see our university among the best institutions of India. The administration should put in some efforts towards its beautification. We hope the new V-C will take student bodies into confidence before proceeding on important issues,” she said. Vikas Sharma, a student leader, said their genuine issues, particularly those related to board and lodging of students hailing from other parts of the Jammu region, needed to addressed urgently. “Hostels are a shambles and hardly anyone has paid heed to the issue. We hope the new V-C, who has studied in the JU, will comprehend the dilemmas,” said Vikas. A professor said the biggest challenge for the new Vice-Chancellor was to set a precedent of giving preference to merit. He said: “We hope the new V-C encourages the practice of selection or promotion of candidates on the basis of merit in the university.” |
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Army troops to the aid of snow-hit
Reasi, January 20 Col JS Kohli, Commanding Officer, 61 RR, said the Army had instructed its troops to reach out to people and provide assistance. The Army has taken charge of places where voluntary organisations are non-existent to help the civil administration. “Apart from dropping food and blankets in the higher reaches of Gulabgarh, Gool, Sildhar, Mahore, Sungadhi, we are providing medical and other facilities to those affected,” he said. Besides rescue teams, the Army has sent medical detachments to the affected areas. |
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3 govt employees held for getting jobs on fake documents
Jammu, January 20 The arrested persons are brothers and have been identified as Abdul Khaliq, Mohd Mansha, Abdul Ghani and Mohd Rashid, sons of Noor Mohd, resident of Dhar Sakri. The police said it received information that some employees of PWD (B&R) Rajouri had managed to get government jobs on the basis of fake certificates. “On this information, a secret inquiry was conducted and it was found that four brothers had managed government jobs in PWD division Rajouri in the year 1994 on the basis of fake certificates and are serving as gangmen till date. A team from Rajouri police station swung into action and arrested three accused while another one is absconding. A case has been registered. |
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Inquiry ordered against private school
Srinagar, January 20 “On the basis of a written complaint by a parent of a schoolchild, action has been initiated against Principal, Mehboob Public School, Batmaloo. The parent complained that the school authorities demanded Rs 500 each from students for issuance of matriculation certificate,” an official said. “Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has asked Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar to inquire into the matter and if the allegation is proved, action would be initiated against the school authorities. Director, School Education has also been asked to take action in the matter,” the official added. |
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Poor BSNL services hit Poonch area
Jammu, January 20 Ayaz Mughal, an RTI activist from Poonch, urged the authorities to install more mobile towers to remove the network problems like congestion, poor network, cross-connection and delayed connectivity. — TNS
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Srinagar, January 20
Reasi, January 20
