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Address to joint session of state legislature Governor NN Vohra delivers his joint address to both Houses on the opening day of the budget session in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
PDP moves motion to discuss graft
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PHE daily wagers demand regularisation
Policemen lathi-charge protesting Public Health Engineering employees in Srinagar on Thursday. Photo: Amin War
Army apprehends Pakistan national
NAAC begins review process
Steps taken to rehabilitate former militants: IGP
Drug Policy Members of the J&K Pharma Coordination Committee protest against the new drug policy announced by the state government in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh
Ex-SSP gets life term for honour killing
Corruption Cases
Two arrested in acid-attack case
30 animals charred to death in Samba
Yatri Niyas delegation meets Governor
Aid to martyrs’ kin may be enhanced: DGP
Army Commander calls on Governor
Lt Gen AS Nandal and Lt Gen KT Parnaik (centre) call on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photograph
Exam stress claims three lives in Jammu
Natrang workshop from tomorrow
Amateur Cricket Club claim T20 title
State-level mushaira held
Samooh to stage ‘Samajh’
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Address to joint session of state legislature
Jammu, February 23 Addressing a joint session of both Houses of the state legislature at the start of the budget session, the Governor said the government, which had been following a policy of zero tolerance towards both terrorism and human rights violation, will continue to maintain utmost vigil in the area of internal security. He said it was a matter of considerable satisfaction that, with the maintenance of peace during 2011, a record number of tourists visited the Valley. “The number of pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Ji and Mata Vaishno Devi Ji yatras also recorded an all-time-high figure, being over 6.3 lakh and 100 lakh, respectively,” the Governor said. Pointing towards the improvement in the law and order situation in the state, the Governor said last year the educational institutions across the Valley functioned normally, and a number of youth exchange programmes and sports activities were also conducted. “Trade and business, which had suffered a severe loss on account of the disturbances in the past years, also showed signs of recovery. As the security situation stabilised, the government took steps to reduce the visible presence of the security forces, particularly in the urban areas”. He said three CRPF battalions were de-inducted, a number of security bunkers removed from Srinagar city and 52 buildings in the state which were occupied by security forces had been vacated and were now available for normal use. Referring to the successful conduct of panchayat elections in the state, the Governor said it was the priority of the government to bring governance closer to the people by empowering the local self-governing institutions. He maintained that for the complete establishment of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in the state, the process of elections to the Block Development Councils had been initiated, which would be followed by elections to the District Planning and Development Boards. The elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were the next priority of the government. These are scheduled to be completed by April this year, the Governor said, adding that this would complete the process of establishing urban and rural self-governing institutions all over the state. The Governor said enactment of the Right to Information Act was part of government’s commitment to provide clean and transparent governance in the state. “The State Information Commission has been made fully functional with the appointment of Chief Information Commission and two Information Commissioners,” he said. He pointed out that the J&K Accountability Commission Act had been amended to restrict its jurisdiction to the ministers and members of the state legislature. “With the appointment of its chairman and a member, the Commission has become functional”, he said and added that after carrying out the required amendments to the State Vigilance Commission Act, the process of appointment of Chief Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners had also been initiated. “The people of the state have entrusted you the responsibility to carve out a bright future for Jammu and Kashmir,” he told the legislators of both Houses.
Budget session begins with protests
The commencement of the budget session was marred by protests and boycott by opposition parties. While the principle opposition party PDP did not disrupt the proceedings, members of the BJP and Panthers Party staged protests and a walkout.
Panthers Party MLA did not attend the joint session of the state legislature to register their protest against the total failure of the coalition government on all fronts. Panthers Party activists staged a protest outside the Civil Secretariat and some of their leaders, including party chief Bhim Singh, were arrested by the police. BJP members held a protest outside the main entrance to the Legislative Assembly. Four legislators of the BJP staged a walkout just after the beginning of the session over the discrimination against the Jammu region.
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PDP moves motion to discuss graft
Jammu, February 23 She said the government had lost its moral authority to govern, adding: “People are facing shortage of basic amenities
but the attention of the government has been diverted to save the ‘tainted’ ministers rather than provide good governance.” She termed the state government a regime of criminals and murderers. Meanwhile, the PDP has sought the adjournment of normal business of the Assembly on Friday to discuss the issue of corruption involving several sitting ministers of the government. The party legislators, who met here under their leader Mehbooba Mufti, took the decision considering the seriousness of the issue. A notice, mandatory under the business rules, was sent to the authority concerned, underlining the urgency. A spokesperson for the party said while the state was starved of resources, money borrowed for public good was either sent down the drain or put to personal use. Corruption and maladministration were adding insult to the injuries of people. He said the PDP hoped that the motion
would receive support from all “conscientious” legislators in the Assembly.
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PHE daily wagers demand regularisation
Srinagar, February 23 Under the banner of the Kashmir Joint PHE Employees Association (KJPHEEA), the daily wagers and casual workers of the PHE department staged a protest at the Press Enclave area of the city here. While addressing the protesters, KJPHEEA president Sajad Ahmad flayed the government for failing to regularise the daily wagers of the PHE Department. “Many daily wagers have been working in the PHE Department for 15 years but so far they have only received assurances over their regularisation. We will intensify our protests if the government fails to fulfil our demands,” he added. After protesting at the Press Enclave, the KJPHEEA members tried to take out a procession towards Lal Chowk. However, their bid was foiled by the police personnel deployed on duty. The protesters were lathi-charged by the police and at least 10 KJPHEEA members were taken into preventive custody. Casual workers of the Floriculture Department too had staged a protest yesterday, demanding regularisation of their services. They have also threatened to start an agitation from March 1 if their demands are not fulfilled by then.
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Army apprehends Pakistan national
Jammu, February 23 “The Pakistan national crossed over to the Indian territory around 6:30 pm yesterday and was wearing a brown pathan suit and brown leather shoes,” an Army spokesperson said, adding that some Urdu documents and food items were recovered from his possession. He was handed over to the police for investigation, the spokesperson maintained.
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Jammu, February 23 The three-member team comprises Prof NS Gajbhiye, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar; Prof MSK Khokar, Head, Rural Technology and Dean College Development Council, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur; and Prof U Subba Rao, Bhim Rao Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad. The team commenced the exercise by meeting Prof MP Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof Neelam Saraf, Director, Academic Staff College, and faculty. They also held a meeting with key functionaries of the university, members of the advisory committee, deans of various faculties, senior academicians and other university officials. In his welcome address, Prof Naresh Padha provided a brief profile of the university. — TNS
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Steps taken to rehabilitate former militants: IGP
Srinagar, February 23 “For the rehabilitation of the released militants, a comprehensive policy has been formulated wherein non-governmental organisations have been involved and asked to play a role as well,” Sahai said. Sahai said the cases against those stone throwers who were not involved in acts of arson and destruction of public property during street protests in the Kashmir valley would be withdrawn.
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Drug Policy
Srinagar, February 23 The committee members gathered at the Press Enclave here and raised slogans against the drug policy that was approved by the state Cabinet last month. “In spite of protests from our side, the Health Minister’s attitude towards the implementation of the drug policy has remained dictatorial. Over 10 lakh people will be rendered jobless once this policy is implemented,” a protester said. Chemists and drug distributors of Kashmir valley will observe a strike on February 24 and 25. The members warned against shutting down the “entire pharma trade” in
the Valley if the government persisted with its decision on implementing the drug policy. The committee had staged a demonstration against the drug policy on February 9. The government maintains that the new policy will allow monitoring of pharma companies and sale of spurious drugs, besides allowing doctors to
prescribe medicines without mentioning the names of drug manufacturing companies. Jammu: The J&K Pharma Coordination Committee, which includes wholesale drug dealers, retailers and the Medical Representative Association (MRA), staged a protest against the newly introduced drug policy by the state government here today. Over 100 representatives gathered outside the Press Club and protested against the drug policy. Munish Gupta, general secretary of the MRA, said: “Retail shops run by pharmacists, who were not well versed in pharmacopoeias, have been given licences based on their experience. So when a doctor prescribes a generic drug, there is every chance of wrong dispensation.” Gupta said the new policy would directly affect the livelihood of over 10 lakh people and their families in the state.
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Ex-SSP gets life term for honour killing
Jammu, February 23 On their return sometime later, the girl was confined to her parents’ house and not allowed to meet her husband. The girl once jump off the rooftop to meet her husband, causing her injuries. An irked SSP hatched a conspiracy to do away with Nitin Sharma, who refused to give in to his threats. The court observed: “The passion which raised an honour killing by the accused could have been prevented had the accused thought it out peacefully, settled down the matter with the deceased and the daughter.... The act is such that it has shattered the conscious of the court. The deceased was kidnapped and the accused inflicted injuries on the deceased and thereafter disposed of the body at a distant place making it a blind murder.”
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Corruption Cases
Jammu, February 23 The BJP demanded the dismissal of the government and imposition of President’s Rule in the state. Earlier, the party activists held a march and burnt an effigy of the coalition government. The protest was organised by the district unit of the party. Manhas said Jammu and Kashmir was on the verge of being acknowledged as the most corrupt state in the country, as more and more ministers were getting exposed for their involvement in corrupt practices and favouritism. While a large number of corruption-related complaints had been made and notices issued by the State Accountability Commission and other agencies against a majority of ministers of the Omar-led coalition government, the Chief Minister was shielding them just to stay in power, he said. The BJP chief said the State Accountability Commission had issued notices to two senior ministers, including Education Minister and Finance Minister, over favouritism and corruption in the past four days. “Surfacing of new faces in such cases will only confirm the fact that this coalition has been encouraging corruption and nepotism,” he said. “The state can only be saved from the clutches of the corrupt government if the President’s Rule is imposed and all corrupt ministers are booked under the law,” he added. He said the BJP would not stay mum and raise the issue more vigorously both on the streets and in the Assembly.
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Two arrested in acid-attack case
Udhampur, February 23 A police team led by the Udhampur SHO, GC Sharma, arrested Rajinder Sharma, alias Sonu, of Radyal village, Samba, and Sandeep Sharma of Bandrai village. Their third accomplice, Arun Singh of Ramkote Shalian, Kathua district, is still at large. Officials said as per the investigation, the prime accused, Sonu, who worked at Gurgaon, wanted to marry a girl belonging to Udhampur. He allegedly hatched a conspiracy along with his accomplices to harm Swaran Singh of
Roun Domail village, Udhampur, whom he saw as a hurdle. On February 17, the accused reached Udhampur on the pretext
of taking part in a recruitment rally. They kept a watch on Swaran Singh’s activities and threw acid on him as well as his friends — Dara Singh of Roun Domail village and Manohar Singh of Sonail village — as soon as Sarwan left for home along with his friends after closing his shop. The three were admitted to the hospital with grievous injuries. A case was registered at the police station,
Udhampur.
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30 animals charred to death in Samba
Jammu, January 23 A fire tender from Vijaypur Station was pressed into service to douse the flames. Minister for Industries Surjit Singh Slathia along with senior officials of the administration and the police visited the aggrieved Gujjar family. The minister assured suitable compensation to the family from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
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Yatri Niyas delegation meets Governor
Jammu, February 23 The delegation discussed with the Governor the approach being considered for the yatra this year. The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, RK Goyal, informed the meeting about the several rounds of discussions undertaken by the sub-committee of the board set up last year under the chairmanship of Sri Sri Ravishankar, following an agreement with the Baba Yatri Niyas. The Governor said the board would consider the recommendations of the sub-committee during its meeting in Delhi on February 24. He observed that the board would continue to make efforts for the early commencement of the yatra, while keeping all aspects in view. Referring to the suggestions of the delegation, the Governor, who is the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, said a number of initiatives had been taken to bring about improvements in facilitating the pilgrims visiting the shrine. Besides convening regular meetings with various departments and agencies of the government, he had undertaken aerial recces of the yatra area during April-June. He had also visited the base camps and the camps en route to observe the clearance of both the yatra tracks and progress of all arrangements, he said.
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Aid to martyrs’ kin may be enhanced: DGP
Jammu, February 23 “We are considering enhancing the financial assistance to the martyrs’ families. The Central Police Welfare Fund is expected to take a final decision in this regard soon. The assistance under the Savera Scheme would also be enhanced besides upgrading the standard of scholarships to the wards and financial assistance at the time of marriage of martyrs’ daughters,” Khoda said. The DGP was addressing a gathering during a programme for the next of kin of the police martyrs at the Police Auditorium here. Around 300 members of martyrs’ families from various districts of the Jammu region and senior police officers attended the programme. He said they were members of the “police parivar” and the organisation was committed to providing succour to the families. He maintained that the need to organise such programmes at provincial levels had been felt for some time and it had become necessary to interact with the martyrs’ families to know their problems. “During 2011, over Rs 2 crore had been provided to the families in the shape of relief and assistance. The department has also taken up the issue with the government to relax the time limit to benefit more families,” the DGP said.aEarlier, the Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Dilbag Singh, highlighted the idea behind organising the programme. He said the organisation felt the need to reach out to the martyr’ families and know their welfare, besides getting suggestions from them.
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Army Commander calls on Governor
Jammu, February 23 During their hour-and-half-long meeting, the Governor and the Commander discussed a number of important matters relating to effective security management. Lt Gen Parnaik also briefed the Governor about the overall security scenario in the state and the prognosis for the coming months.
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Exam stress claims three lives in Jammu
Jammu, February 23 The first such incident was reported on February 14 when a Class-X student, identified as Renu Kumari and a resident of Purkhoo, sprinkled kerosene on herself. Renu succumbed to burn injuries at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here today. Sources close to family said the student was under immense stress due to the coming Class-X examination. In yet another incident, BA Part-I student Gazia Kouser, a resident of Fatehpur in Rajouri district, allegedly ended her life after consuming some poisonous substance. “Gazia was under stress since the declaration of the Part-I result,” said sources. In another case, a student allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a goods train near Bari Brahmana on the Jammu-Kathua railway track on February 20. The student, identified as Charanjeet Singh (17), a resident of Chak Chua in Bishnah, took the extreme step after he failed to qualify the Class XII exam, sources said.
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Natrang workshop from tomorrow
Jammu, February 23 “This endeavour of Natrang is aimed at establishing Jammu as a global centre and an international destination of theatre. Natrang has been making efforts to expose its actors to the latest acting and theatre methodologies and this workshop will open new horizons of global theatre practices before the actors of Natrang,” stated Natrang Director, Balwant
Thakur.
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Amateur Cricket Club claim T20 title
Udhampur, February 23 Lt Gen Balbir Pama, Chief of Staff, Northern Command, was the chief guest. Maj Gen AK Sehgal, GOC, 71 Sub Area, Brig JK Shukla, Commander, 611(I) Air Defence Brigade, and Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director, Youth Service and Sports Department, J&K, were among other high-ranking Army and civil officers who witnessed the match. The ACC scored 130 runs in the stipulated overs after losing nine wickets. The YBCC were bowled out for 90 runs. Tarun of the ACC top-scored with 54 runs and took two wickets. He was declared the man of the match. Rakesh of the YBCC was adjudged the man of the series. Fourteen matches were played among 16 teams of Udhampur district over two weeks. The top four teams — ACC, YBCC, Habshi Cricket Club (HCC) and United Cricket Club (UCC) — have qualified for the second phase of the JPL, starting at Jammu in April. Lt Gen Pama distributed the prizes to the winning team, runners-up and other players.He said the Army took the initiative of organising the JPL to continue with its tradition of positive interaction with the local population as well as engage the youth by inculcating sports culture.
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State-level mushaira held
Jammu, February 23 The mushaira was presided over by litterateur Dr Sabir Mirza. At least 57 poets from across the state took part in the day-long event. Prominent among those who recited their poetic collections included Rashid Qamar, Sheikh Azad Ahmad Azad, KD Maini, Dr Jehangir Daanish, Syed Imtiaz Naseem Hashmi, Mohammed Azeem Khan, Anwar Khan, Sheikh Zahoorud Din, Mehmood Ahmad Tahir, Mohammed Bashir Shad, Gulsharan Singh Gulshan, Mohammed Rashid Qureshi, Haider Nadeem, Dr Sabir Mirza, Parvez Malik and Liayat
Jafri.
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Samooh to stage ‘Samajh’
Jammu, February 23 A press release issued here today said the play was designed to make theatre accessible to the rural folk. The North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, would provide financial assistance for the event.
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Terming the heavy voter turnout in the recently held panchayat elections in the state as a matter of great satisfaction, Governor NN Vohra today said the 79 per cent turnout had vindicated the government’s conviction that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were now looking for development and progress through democratic means.
Srinagar, February 23
Srinagar, February 23
Lt Gen KT Parnaik, Northern Army Commander, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.
Lt Gen AS Nandal, GOC, XVI Corps, also accompanied him. During their hour-and-half-long meeting, the Governor and the Commander discussed a number of important matters relating to effective security management.
“The government is corrupt from top to bottom. This is the first government in the entire country where the Chief Minister and his Cabinet ministers are facing charges of
corruption, nepotism, favouritism and crime,” Mehbooba said while interacting with mediapersons outside
the Legislative Assembly Complex after Governor NN Vohra’s address on the opening day of
the month-long Budget session.