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86 trucks of ration for poor go missing
Oppn stages walkout from Assembly
PoK issue rocks Assembly
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Windstorm lashes state
Five IEDs weighing 50 kg recovered in Rajouri
Functioning of banking sector discussed
Mehbooba for rehabilitation of storm-hit
Farm varsities, field agencies must work together: Governor
PDP MLC’s son joins National Conference
New secy of Women Commission faces opposition from activists
Loopholes in law fail to curb skewed sex ratio
Play dwells on exploitation of children
Navin Choudhary CEO of shrine boards
Book fair aims to boost reading culture in Poonch
Three jawans killed, 2 hurt in road accident
Governor greets people on Nauroz
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86 trucks of ration for poor go missing
Replying to a question of expelled BJP member Chaman Lal Gupta, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Qamar Ali Akhnoon said 74 trucks of rice and 12 trucks of atta had gone missing during the last two years. The authorities concerned have not yet been successful in recovering the food grains and nailing the culprits. The authorities, however, have managed to foil other attempts to sell ration meant for BPL families in the open market with the connivance of some officials of the CAPD Department. “Four trucks loaded with BPL wheat meant for Billawar and Bani tehsils were seized by the authorities at Kathua in October 2010 . The department placed the Tehsil Supply Officer, storekeeper and supervisor of Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Govind Sar godown under suspension. An inquiry had been ordered and the report is being reviewed by the government,” the Minister informed the Assembly. Akhnoon said the police also managed to seize a truck loaded with 94.16 quintal of sugar that was heading from Kralhar Baramulla to Sopore on December 17, 2010. Akhoon informed the House that under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the state was receiving 63,067 metric tonne of food grain monthly from the Centre. This included 44,431 metric tonne of rice and 18,636 metric tonne of wheat. He said 44,82,441 quintal of food grains costing
Rs 55,537.45 lakh had been purchased from the FCI during last two fiscals, against which 42,76,657 quintal of food grains costing of Rs 59,118.55 lakh had been sold to ration card holders of the state during the same period. The minister said that allocation of food grains was being made by the CAPD Directors of Kashmir and Jammu on the basis of ration tickets. The department did not incur any expenditure on account of subsidy. However, the government met the incidental and handling charges for distribution of food grains. The ration was being supplied regularly to the ration depots in the state every month, he added. |
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Oppn stages walkout from Assembly
Jammu, March 20 Choudhary Zulfikar raised the question about details of the decisions taken in the District Development Board (DDB) meeting. He alleged that a majority of the decisions taken in the DDB meetings were yet to be implemented. As Choudhary Zulfikar was raising queries related to his main question, members cutting across party lines stood on their seats and alleged that decisions regarding the development of their respective constituencies were taken without their consultation. Although Minister of Finance Abdul Rahim Rather tried to pacify the agitating members, the entire Opposition staged a walkout from the Assembly on the issue. Rather said all members of the District Development Boards concerned were being consulted while formulating and finalising the district plans. He said a district plan could not be implemented without the consent of the Board members concerned. Speaking to mediapersons soon after the conclusion of Question Hour, Rather rejected the allegations that members were not being consulted during the process of district plan formulation. The government was ready to present the relevant records on the floor of the House to prove that district plans had been approved by the members concerned. “The government had their signatures on plan documents,”
he added. He said it was most unfortunate that some members wanted to play to the gallery for political mileage. Some members had admitted on the floor of the House that they had signed the plan documents when these were submitted to them. “How can a learned legislator sign any document without being satisfied with its content,” Rather questioned. |
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PoK issue rocks Assembly
Jammu, March 20 Opposition members staged a walkout from the Assembly amidst noisy scenes, as the government failed to give any reply on the issue. As soon as the House assembled this morning, BJP member Jugal Kishore Sharma drew attention of the government towards reports that the Pakistan government had decided to lease out some parts of the PoK to China. “As per the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the PoK is part of our state so the government should take a serious note of it,” Sharma shouted. Members of the Jammu State Morcha and Panthers Party also joined the issue. They expressed concern over the alleged increasing presence of China in these areas and sought a reply from the government. Asserting that the government should take measures in this regard, they demanded that the PoK should be liberated and taken back as per a resolution in Parliament that the PoK and other areas were part of India. They resorted to sloganeering “PoK ko azad
karo”. BJP leaders said China was using the land in these areas and Pakistan had leased out some parts to it to keep a tab on the activities of India. Minister for Revenue Raman
Bhalla, however, said the matter belonged to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and the state government could not interfere in it. Not satisfied with the reply, the opposition members staged a walkout. Earlier, Panthers Party members also raised the issue of alleged discrimination in grant of crop compensation under the Natural Calamity Fund in the Jammu region and trooped into the well of the House. |
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Windstorm lashes state
Srinagar, March 20 At a meeting of officials here today, Omar directed the administration to remain alert and at the beck and call of people to attend to their needs. He also directed the officials concerned to send teams to various affected areas to ascertain the losses and provide necessary succour to affected people. Expressing solidarity and sympathy with the families affected by the windstorm that lashed Kashmir and parts of Jammu last night and continued today, the Chief Minister said the government was at their back and every effort would be made to help them to come out of the losses inflicted by the calamity. Later, the Chief Minister along with a team of officials visited various affected areas in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts, interacted with people and ascertained the impact of the tornado. He assured the people that the government would provide every help to affected families so that they can overcome the difficulties and losses inflicted by the windstorm. Omar inspected various houses damaged in the windstorm, expressed sympathy with the affected families and directed officials to provide them immediate relief. |
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Five IEDs weighing 50 kg recovered in Rajouri
Jammu, March 20 The Counter-Insurgency Force (Uniform) and the police recovered the explosives that weighed 10 kg each. An Army officer said the explosives were wrapped in a polythene bag and were hidden under ground near Danah village. “The IEDs were hidden beneath the ground to be used in future,” said the officer. Sources said the IEDs were capable of causing widespread damage to
life and property, including convoys of civil dignitaries and security forces, in
the area. The security forces have always remained under the terror radar of various militant outfits, which are always on a lookout to plant IEDs to inflict maximum damage to their convoys. Militants in the past have been using timers, remote controls and pressure-operated IEDs to target security forces.
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Functioning of banking sector discussed
Jammu, March 20 During their meeting, the Governor and Dr Subbarao discussed various important issues relating to the speedy socio-economic development of the state, functioning of the banking sector in the state and ways to enhance financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas. |
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Mehbooba for rehabilitation of storm-hit
Srinagar, March 20 In a statement issued here, Farooq Abdullah, who is also the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, has asked the state government to take immediate steps for relief and rehabilitation of people, whose life and property was destroyed in the storm. He also directed the party MLAs to remain available in their respective constituencies to help people. He said it was the prime responsibility of the state government, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to remain available for the people. Expressing concern over the loss of property in the Valley, Mehbooba urged the government to launch rescue and relief operations on a war footing, as normal life had been thrown out of gear due to the windstorm. She added that the people had been facing hardships due to disruption of power supply and there was a need to restore the supply as early as possible. The PDP president cautioned the government against adopting a “causal approach” while dealing with the current situation. |
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Farm varsities, field agencies must work together: Governor
Jammu, March 20 The Governor was addressing the valedictory function of the two-day Kissan Mela-2012 organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, today. The main theme of the mela was “Innovative Farm Technologies for Profitable Agriculture”, with a thrust on demonstration of transferable technologies to improve agriculture productivity and sustainability. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the university, observed that there was a vast potential in increasing productivity and production of cereals, vegetables, mushrooms, pulses, oil seeds, horticulture, floriculture, fisheries, beekeeping, animal and sheep husbandry, poultry and other allied activities. He added that every effort was required to be made to optimally benefit from this potential. He also emphasised the need for making available post-harvest technologies and marketing facilities to growers so that they could get remunerative returns for their produce. He added that the state was largely dependent on import of pulses, oil seeds, food grains, milk, mutton and poultry products and in this context stressed the need for a well coordinated approach to gain self-sufficiency in all these areas. He said the state had three distinct geographical regions with varied ago-climatic conditions, each of which needed an area-specific approach for the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors. He called upon farmers to visit the Integrated Farming System Research Model of FSR, which has been established by the university on 1.5 hectares for undertaking advance research, targeting small and marginal farmers. He added that by adopting such models farmers could benefit immensely even from their small land holdings. He said another area which required focus was agri-productivity and production in rain-fed areas. The Governor observed that a lot of work was taking place in the SKUAST-Jammu, in the arenas of teaching, research and extension activities. He lauded the leadership of Dr B Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of the university. Earlier, the Governor visited the Integrated Farming System Research Model FSR Centre at the university campus. He inquired about the progress of various aspects of the Integrated Farming System. He urged the Vice-Chancellor to explore the possibility of setting up a hatchery in the university campus to provide quality chicks to farmers. The Governor laid the foundation stone of the School of Biotechnology, Directorate of Extension Education, Estate Division, Examination Hall Complex, International Guest House, Lecture Theatres and Health Centre. He also inaugurated faculty blocks of the Faculty of Agriculture. |
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PDP MLC’s son joins National Conference
Jammu, March 20 Gupta welcomed the new entrants into the party
fold and said the doors of the party were always open for all those who believed in the polices of the
NC and had faith in its leadership. Zakir Hussain reposed full faith and confidence in the National Conference and its leadership and the coalition government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Among others who joined the party were Haji Mishri, Abdul Jaleel, Abdul Rahim, Mohammad Sadiq and Mohammad Junaid.
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New secy of Women Commission faces opposition from activists
Jammu, March 20 Sneh Bali, a women activist, said, “They have given the authority to a veterinary doctor to deal with women and their issues. This proves the level of importance the government gives to the institution.” “There are many issues that women cannot share even with unmarried counsellors in the Women Commission then how can they expect that they will share their problems with a male member,” said Raj Bharti, an activist working for the uplift of women in Jammu. “The government gives no serious attention towards this department,” she added. Sources confirmed that Dr Zargar would retire soon form his services, but he might get an extension so that he could serve as secretary of the Women Commission for a longer time. Shamima Firdous, Chairperson, State Women Commission, said, “Dr Zargar has nothing to do with women issues. He has an administrative job. I am sure he will do that well. If any woman has some issues, she can consult counsellors and I am also available for them.” “Being a veterinary doctor does not make anybody incapable of handling an administrative job. Also, he is not the first male secretary of the State Women Commission,” she added. |
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Loopholes in law fail to curb skewed sex ratio
Jammu, March 20 Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma disclosed this while replying to a query on child sex ratio by Ravinder Sharma in the Upper House today. On the reasons for lapses in execution of the prescribed laws, he said, “The law that seeks to punish sex determination is rendered ineffective because of the ‘liberal’ Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, which allows abortion on grounds of mental trauma. This is left to the discretion of the doctor to define and is grossly misused.” He said both the parties --- the doctors who were motivated by money and the women who were probably coerced by family and social pressures --- were equally responsible for the crime. “Both, the person seeking the illegal service and the service provider, are in agreement to defeat the provision of law,” he added. Disclosing the steps taken by the government to improve child sex ratio, he said the state had enacted the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act under which sex determination was an offense. He stressed the role and participation of religious leaders to generate awareness regarding the significance of the girl child in society. “A new scheme has been introduced under the National Rural Health Mission which ensures a cash reward of Rs 50,000 to the person who informs about any occurrence of sex determination,” he revealed, adding that one case had been registered in Jammu district on the basis of information provided by a person. He said regular inspection of the ultrasound clinics was being carried out to ensure strict enforcement of the PNDT Act. The clinics which were not registered under the Act were being sealed. “It has now been made mandatory for the ultrasound clinics to fill Form ‘F’ while treating pregnant women under the Act and submit it to the appropriate authority,” he said. The sex ratio stands at 883 females for 1000 males in the state, as per 2011 census. |
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Play dwells on exploitation of children
Jammu, March 20 The play is set in a milieu that begins to recognise the comprehensive, organised and intentional failure of a family system and its leaders to protect its children. It shows how children can be exploited by immediate relations and what repercussions the abuse has on their psyche. The cast included Heena Arora, Reetu Manhas, Aaditya Bhanu, Vinay Daggar, Sumit Sudan and Kamaljeet Singh. — TNS
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Navin Choudhary CEO of shrine boards
Jammu, March 20 Choudhary has taken over the charge of the Chief Executive Officer from RK Goyal, who has since taken over as Principal Resident Commissioner, New Delhi.
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Book fair aims to boost reading culture in Poonch
Jammu, March 20 District Development Commissioner (DDC), Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahu was the chief guest at the function. Chief Education Officer, Poonch, Ashraf Chouhan was also present on the occasion. “In the present era, students and youth are connected with the Internet, which gives information at a click, but lacks local flavour, which can be found in local books only,” said DDC, Poonch. — TNS
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Three jawans killed, 2 hurt in road accident
Jammu, March 20 “The soldiers were returning to their unit after the night duty, when a rashly-driven oil tanker hit their gypsy, resulting in death of three and injuries to two soldiers,” an Army spokesperson said. He added that the gypsy was taking a right turn where the unit was located when a rashly-driven oil tanker hit the rear side of the Army vehicle. While three jawans sitting in the rear side of the vehicle were killed on the spot, the driver and the soldier on the front seat sustained serious injuries, the spokesman added. The dead have been identified as havildar Rambir Singh, sepoy Angrez Singh and sepoy K Pandurang Shiddappa while the injured have been identified as sepoy Tanvir Hussain and sepoy Talib Hussain. The police has taken cognisance. Sources said the Army in the recent past had taken up the matter of frequent accidents on the Nagrota road with the civil administration, requesting the latter to divert traffic of commercial and private vehicles to the Jagti road. Either the civil administration should divert the movement of commercial vehicles to the Jagti road or traffic movement on the Nagrota road should be regulated to check frequent road accidents, the sources added. |
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Governor greets people on Nauroz
Jammu, March 20 The day will also be celebrated as World Arbour Day, he said, adding that one and all should join hands for planting trees to preserve the environment. The Governor hoped that this auspicious day would be the harbinger of sustained peace, progress and prosperity in the state.
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The Assembly today witnessed a pandemonium over the government ignoring MLAs while formulating plans in their respective constituencies.
Jammu, March 20
Srinagar, March 20
President of the ruling National Conference (NC) Dr Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti have expressed sympathy with families affected by the windstorm that lashed the Kashmir valley last night and also called for their proper rehabilitation.
Jammu, March 20