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Govt seeks more relief for Pandits returning to Valley
334 cases of corruption still at ‘evidence stage’
Grenade defused, arms recovered
Ladakh lake circuit to soon get tourist-friendly
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Heavy rush at Vaishno Devi, no copter tickets available
BJP cries ‘bias against Jammu’ in Assembly
Govt to tighten noose around cannabis cultivators
Literary conference from March 29
Goldsmiths hold protest against hike in excise duty
Germany withdraws travel advisory against J&K
30 pilgrims injured in Katra bus mishap
Youth held for
eve-teasing
Counselling centre for drug addicts
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Govt seeks more relief for Pandits returning to Valley
Jammu, March 26 The coalition government has also recommended to the Centre to increase the existing compensation of Rs 2 lakh to Pandit families for repairing their houses in the Valley, which were burnt down or damaged during militancy. Fielding queries of National Conference MLC Vijay Bakaya during Question Hour in the Upper House today, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani said after realising that Rs 7.50 lakh was not sufficient to construct a house, the government has recommended to the Centre to enhance the amount. “Once we get the funds from the Centre, the enhanced compensation will be distributed among families interested in going back to the Valley,” said Wani. Wani informed the House that the government as of now had no proposal to provide land to the Kashmiri Pandits, who wanted to return to Kashmir and construct their houses there. “Under the Prime Minister’s employment package to the Kashmiri Pandit youth, 1,500 youth have joined their services in Kashmir, which is good news. The government is aware of the problems being faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community,” he said. The state government has proposed to the Union government to increase the existing compensation of Rs 7.50 lakh each for constructing a house and also to consider a hike in the compensation of Rs 2 lakh in case of a burnt or damaged house, he added. Wani also welcomed the suggestion of Bakaya to construct houses for Kashmiri Pandits on the pattern of cooperative housing societies. He informed the House that soon after the announcement of the Prime Minister’s rehabilitation package, 4,600 Pandit families had expressed their willingness to return to the Valley. When these families were asked to furnish their return plan, only 160 families responded and most of them were without any immovable properties, he said, adding that these families had also not furnished plans regarding their settlement in the Valley. Wani said the families, who have expressed their willingness to return to the Valley, are not ready to construct their own houses in their native places. “The package is available for the Pandit migrants subject to their willingness and furnishing of plans for their settlement in the Valley,” he added. Earlier, Bakaya in his supplementary queries said the government had not done enough to publicise guidelines for the awareness of Kashmir Pandit families. “Nobody knows that the government provides an assistance of Rs 7.50 lakh in three equal instalments and whether the government has any plans to increase the compensation,” Bakaya had said. “We can’t expect the entire Kashmir Pandit community to go back to the Valley. They will go individually, but publicity is very important,” said Bakaya. |
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334 cases of corruption still at ‘evidence stage’
Jammu, March 26 The government also cited measures initiated for eradicating corruption from public life in the form of J&K Vigilance Commission Act, 2011, and its earnest attempts to appoint Chief Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. It also cited the J&K Right to Information Act, 2009, J&K Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011, J&K Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2010, and the “successful” panchayat poll. The government, in its reply, mentioned a slew of other initiatives in the form of the State Human Rights Commission, e-governance and Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell, popularly known as “Awaz-e-Awam”. The government also stated in a written answer that from 2008 onwards, 174 prosecutions against public servants were sanctioned to the Vigilance Bureau, 15 to the Crime Branch and two to the CBI. “From January 2009 to December 2011, at least 187 cases were registered against 333 public servants, including 142 gazetted and high ranking officers, by the State Vigilance Organisation. Our objective of quality investigation in a specific time frame recorded further success during the period, The percentage of proved cases, which was 65 in 2005 increased to 90 in 2011,” reads the official document. The government stated that 13 public servants were prematurely retired from services recently, who had outlived their utility to public because of being corrupt and inefficient. However, in stark contrast to the government’s written reply, official documents reveal that 334 cases of corruption against public servants are still lying at the “evidence stage” in anti-corruption courts. In a specific case registered under FIR number 4/1998 against Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Koul, the then Agriculture Officer, Srinagar, after 12 long years, the case has just reached the “evidence” stage. Similarly, another case registered under FIR number 36/1995 against Ghulam Ahmed Dhobi, the then BMO, Hajan, has also just reached the evidence stage. |
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Grenade defused, arms recovered
Srinagar, March 26 In a joint operation, the police and the 19 Rashtriya Rifles found a large quantity of arms and ammunition at Watergam village in Anantnag district. The recoveries included one AK 56 rifle, nine AK magazines, 260 rounds of AK ammunition, one IED and a pouch from an open field.
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Ladakh lake circuit to soon get tourist-friendly
Leh, March 26 Though the Changthang region was opened to tourism in 1994, the movement of tourists remains restricted as they need the inner line permit from the local administration. Tourism infrastructural development is also restricted as many tourist spots come under the wildlife sanctuary area. The Tsokar, Tsomoriri and Pangong lakes of Changthang have been included in Lake Circuit Development Project, which proposes to develop camping sites at villages close to the lakes. Toilets, washrooms and cafeterias will be constructed and luxurious Mongolian tents will also be set up under the scheme. The project is being implemented by the wildlife department as these lakes fall in the cold desert wildlife sanctuary zone. The project, which will be the first major initiative undertaken for building tourism infrastructure, will also focus on improving the livelihood opportunities of tribals while conserving the biodiversity. Jigmat Takpa, Forest Conservator, Leh, claimed the project was a novel one for the promotion of eco-tourism and community-based tourism. “For the management of these tourism facilities, village-level eco committees have already been formed in each village. The toilets and washrooms will be constructed underground and other infrastructure construction will be temporary so that it can be dismantled any time.” Takpa added that the idea was developed by Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora to improve the economic condition of nomads of Changthang. ON THE ANVIL * The Centre has sanctioned Rs 7 crore for the Lake Circuit Development Project in Leh *
The Tsokar, Tsomoriri and Pangong lakes to be developed under the project, which proposes to develop camping sites at nearby villages *
Toilets, washrooms and cafeterias to be constructed and luxurious Mongolian tents to come up near the lakes |
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Heavy rush at Vaishno Devi, no copter tickets available
Katra, March 26 With all tickets having been sold out till April, there is resentment among visitors. “The helicopter operators here know that a large number of devotees come to Katra during this time of the year, but they have not made available additional flights to facilitate the devotees,” said Sonu Kholi, a local resident, who could not get a ticket and had to go to the cave shrine on foot. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board officials said the helicopter services were witnessing a huge rush at present but information about the ticketing was available online. Devotees could book tickets as per the availability up to 30 days in advance. Over 1.36 lakh devotees have visited the cave shrine during the last three days. The rush is likely to continue for the next couple of days. |
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BJP cries ‘bias against Jammu’ in Assembly
Jammu, March 26 The ruckus started as soon as the House assembled for the day’s proceedings when members of the opposition parties raised a number of issues and sought a reply from the government. While the BJP and the JSM legislators drew the government’s attention towards irregularities in the regularisation of land under the Roshni Act, the Panthers Party demanded that the government should intervene to resolve the issue of the Swarankar Sangh (goldsmith association) to end their ongoing strike. Amid the noisy scenes, Mehbooba Mufti, Leader of the Opposition and PDP president, pointed out that the amount sanctioned for improvement of high tension and low tension electricity lines was meagre as the Kashmir valley had recently suffered a lot of damage due to the windstorm. As Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone asked her to raise the issue after Question Hour, the PDP leader reacted sharply, saying that he (Speaker) always allowed other opposition members, including the BJP, Panthers Party and the Jammu State Morcha (JSM) to raise their issues, but tried to stifle the voice of PDP members. This led to an uproar in the House with all PDP legislators standing up and accusing the government of trying to muffle their voice. They walked out from the House for a few minutes for not being allowed to raise “people’s issue”. The House again witnessed an uproar when senior PDP member Abdul Rehman Veeri accused the government of adopting a “pick and choose” policy for developing “model villages” in the state. He claimed that the previous PDP-Congress coalition had given one model village each to 119 blocks in the state and it didn’t discriminate against the constituencies of opposition legislators. The JSM member, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, too blamed the government for “grave injustice” with the Jammu region vis-à-vis development of villages. The BJP as well as expelled BJP members were also on their feet alleging that the government had “brazenly discriminated” against the Jammu region. Later, order was restored in the House after the Speaker assured them that the government would make a suitable reply. At this point of time, the ruling National Conference legislator, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, staged a walkout from the House after a brief verbal clash with the Speaker after the latter didn’t allow him to make his point. As the Speaker asked another MLA to raise his question, one of the PDP legislators, Abdul Gaffar Sofi, protested and said that the minister concerned had not replied to his question. He moved the front row and alleged that there had been embezzlement in MGNREGA scheme. After the Speaker didn’t pay heed to his pleas, PDP legislators again staged a walkout from the House. Later, the Panthers Party, JSM and the BJP legislators also created a ruckus in the House, accusing the NC of doling out the “most hostile, discriminatory and highly biased treatment” to the Jammu region in the matter of construction and upgradation of roads. They too staged a walkout from the House over the issue. |
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Govt to tighten noose around cannabis cultivators
Jammu, March 26 Responding to queries by National Conference MLCs during Question Hour in the Upper House today, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani said there was no need to glamourise the cultivation of cannabis in the state and the government would not allow the illegal practice. Calling upon the House to join hands with the government in its endeavour to end cultivation of cannabis, Wani said the government was ready to award strict punishment to those resorting to cultivation of cannabis. He, however, admitted that no other cash crop yielded hefty returns compared to cannabis. “Having said so, it doesn’t mean that we should encourage cultivation of cannabis because end users are youth,” said Wani. “I seek the cooperation of the Opposition and the entire House to crackdown on cultivators of cannabis,” the Minister added. He informed the House that in Anantnag district alone cannabis was being cultivated in 3,510 kanals and 10 marlas. He refused to call it a backbone of the economy of some people, who indulge in the illegal farming. Wani admitted that ‘charas’ had become a destabilising factor in the Kashmir valley. “The government has taken various measures by replacing cannabis cultivated areas with vegetables, strawberries and apple saplings etc. The District Development Commissioner of Anantnag allotted Rs 2.03 lakh from the untied grants to purchase oat seeds for free distribution among the farmers to discourage them from cultivating cannabis,” he said. Cultivators of cannabis were made aware through awareness camps, seminars and symposiums about the adverse effects of narcotics on youth. Religious organisations have conducted seminars in these areas to educate and convince people that cultivation of cannabis is not only harmful to society, but also is a killer crop for their families as well, he added. Earlier, NC MLC Bashir Ahmed Veeri contested Wani’s written reply. He said, “I don’t know why facts have been distorted. For the past 40 years people in my area have been cultivating cannabis and the government is not serious about them.” People in at least 17 villages in my constituency cultivate cannabis while several youth have been languishing in jails for cultivating cannabis because they feel that it is the backbone of their economy, said Veeri. NC members Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Javed Ahmed Rana and Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Pardesi demanded that strict laws be enforced to check cultivation of cannabis. They said the trend will be checked only after the government awards exemplary punishment to people involved in the illegal trade. Chairman of the Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra also wanted to know the reasons behind increase in cultivation of cannabis in the state over past the years. |
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Literary conference from March 29
Katra, March 26 Organised by the School of Languages and Literature of the university, the conference is partially being funded by the Ministry of Culture under the Tagore Commemoration Scheme, University Grants Commission and the Indian Council of Philosophical Research. Prof RNK Bamezai, Vice-Chancellor of SMVDU, will inaugurate the conference on March 29. Prof Indranath Chaudhari, former secretary, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, will deliver the keynote address. Eminent scholars from different parts of the country and abroad will deliberate on various issues relevant to the study of myth, orality and folklore. Major deliberations will be on the works of writers from all over the world with focus on the Rabindranath Tagore. The conference aims at providing an opportunity to scholars from Jammu and Kashmir to interact with eminent scholars of the country and the world. The special focus of the conference is on local and regional writers like Ramnath Shastri’s use of farmland myths of Jammu in his monumental play ‘Bawa Jitto’. Participants from the USA will talk about their folklore and oral traditions. Prominent Canadian poet laureate Stephen Gill will interact with delegates in meet the author session. Other special features of the conference would be a spectacular performance ‘Astanyika’ by Prof Mahua Mukherjee. In addition to this, students of the university would perform the English version of the famous Dogri play ‘Bawa Jitto’ written by Prof Ram Nath Shastri and translated into English by Dr Vandhana Sharma, Director of the host school and coordinator of the conference. The play is directed by Neeraj of Natrang under the guidance of Balwant Thakur. The conference will be attended by Prof Alan Johnson, Idaho State University, USA; Prof Jay Hansford Vest, University of North Carolina; Prof Jasbir Jain, University of Rajasthan; Prof Tutun Mukherjee, Head, Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Hyderabad; Prof Usha Chaudhari, University of Delhi; and a galaxy of other scholars. |
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Goldsmiths hold protest against hike in excise duty
Srinagar, March 26 Under the banner of the Goldsmiths Union Zargan Association (GUZA), protesters gathered in the Press Enclave area demanding the rollback of excise duty on gold jewellery items. “We will continue our strike till our demands are met. The hike in excise duty will not only affect jewellers, but also goldsmiths,” GUZA president Bahauddin Zargar told reporters. He said the hike in excise tax would hit their business more in the coming days, as the marriage season in the Valley usually started by April end when people buy gold ornaments. After their strike began on March 17, the All Kashmir Gold Dealers and Workers Association (AKGDWA) has held several demonstrations against the government decision to hike excise tax on gold jewellery items. The AKGDWA members stated they were facing many problems due to increasing gold prices and the additional tax would hit their trade hard. The jewellers in Jammu also held a protest against hike in excise duty. |
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Germany withdraws travel advisory against J&K
Jammu, March 26 The year 2011 was by and large peaceful and pilgrims visiting the state have also crossed all previous records. This information was given by Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Zora while replying to query on grants of his departments. The Minister said 2011 had surpassed all previous records regarding arrival of tourists and pilgrims in the state. Zora claimed that a record number of tourists as well as pilgrims visited the state and it was dividend of the peace that prevailed in the state in 2011. “Peace during last year has given a fresh impetus to tourism activities in the state, be it leisure or adventure tourism in the Valley and Ladakh or pilgrim arrivals to Shri Amarnath cave and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine,” he said and added that the government had drawn a strategy for further growth in the tourism sector. He said the strategy broadly includes development of infrastructure through public investment and by extending incentives for enhancing private investment, and focused and regulated development of major tourist destinations. The government was devising a strategy for development of tourism areas like heritage, adventure, golf and eco-tourism. Strongly rejecting accusations of bias against the Jammu region in sanctioning funds for the development tourism, the Minister said the approval for restoration work on three buildings at the Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex estimated at a cost of Rs 25 crore was expected soon from the Centre. Jora said the Centre has agreed to sanction three more mega tourism projects of Rs 50 crore each to the state during the coming fiscal. He said under these projects a Sufi Circuit would be developed in Kashmir, Spiritual Circuit in Jammu and Buddhist Circuit in Leh. |
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UN official meets ‘victims’ of rights violations
Srinagar, March 26 Heyns, who is on a 12-day visit to India, reached the summer capital of the state in the afternoon as part of his programme to prepare a report on human rights violations across the country that would be later submitted to the UN and Government of India. Addressing a press briefing here, Heyns said his mandate was to report use of force on civilians and killings in an effort to make accountable those found guilty of human rights violations. He said the focus of his visit was on “right to life” and “accountability” while the report would have recommendations to propose specific and constructive reforms to reduce killings and to promote transparency. However, Heyns did not entertain the queries of the media, saying that he would address a “detailed” press conference in New Delhi on March 30. On the occasion, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) chairperson Parveena Ahanger urged the UN special rapporteur to “pressurise India” on the issue of the whereabouts of persons who had gone missing after the eruption of militancy in the state. Senior advocate of the High Court Zaffar Shah said there were many laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) present in the state that provided “unbridled” powers to security forces. “Certain laws like the PSA and the AFSPA do not co-exist with a democratic set-up and they are being abused with impunity. There is no justice in cases of killings and disappeared persons,” he added. Later, Heyns met several delegations at a local hotel. The meetings were organised by the APDP. According to an APDP spokesperson, the UN special rapporteur met victims of “fake” encounters that had taken place in Chattisingpora, Pathribal, Ganderbal and Machil. Heyns’ India visit had begun on March 19 and would end on March 30.
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30 pilgrims injured in Katra bus mishap Katra, March 26 The bus, which was on its way from Katra to Jammu, met with the accident around 10.30 pm, the police said. The six critically injured passengers, who were going to Jammu after paying obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, were rushed to Government Degree College and Hospital, Jammu. The police rushed to the spot to rescue the passengers with the assistance of local residents. According to reports, 30 passengers were on board the bus, when the mishap occurred. The identity of all the injured and the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.
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Youth held for
eve-teasing
Srinagar, March 26 Sources said the accused is the nephew of Minister of State for Roads
and Buildings Javed Ahmad Dar. — OC
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Counselling centre for drug addicts
Srinagar, March 26 A police spokesman said patients suffering from sleep disorders, anger outbursts, depression and drug abuse can avail free services at the centre. The counselling would be provided by a team comprising consultant psychiatrist and a medical officer on all weekdays.
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The government will soon upgrade tourist facilities around the lakes in the Changthang region in eastern
Ladakh.
It has become difficult to get a helicopter ticket to Vaishno Devi these days as there is a heavy inflow of devotees to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi during the
Navaratras. The chopper service is running full and there are no tickets available even for next month.
In the midst of verbal clashes, the state Assembly today witnessed a series of walkouts on different issues with opposition parties accusing the government of trying to muffle their voice.
The ruckus started as soon as the House assembled for the day’s proceedings when members of the opposition parties raised a number of issues and sought a reply from the government.
Goldsmiths of the Kashmir valley today staged a protest against the hike in excise duty on gold products announced in the recent union budget while the strike of gold jewellery shop owners entered its 10th day today.
