The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Power thefts to affect officials’ appraisal Sumit Hakhoo Jammu, May 13 In order to plug power losses, the annual performance report (APR) of officers and engineers of the Power Development Department (PDD) will be now based on their output in energy accounting system started by the government from this fiscal. The new system envisages tallying of electricity units distributed from a particular feeder during a specified period with revenue collections made at the end of the month. If any mismatch is found in the energy supplied and revenue realised, the concerned officers and field staff will be held responsible for the lapse. A senior officer from the PDD said most of the power theft could be stopped if the field staff and engineers took active part in detecting power pilferage and taking prompt action. “At times the power theft is being overlooked by officials. If they are given targets and made responsible for the losses, they are likely to perform well,” he said. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state where 62 per cent energy is lost due to power pilferage and transmission and distribution losses. Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather said: “Officers need to perform as the state’s economy cannot afford this kind of huge deficit for long. The situation demands self-introspection and the onus lies on the engineers and field staff of the power department”. Rather said this mechanism would make the staff manning the feeders and supply of electricity to a particular locality more accountable. Officials said the PDD had also asked the government to give Rs 65.05 crore for purchasing 3.15 lakh electronic meters for 100 per cent metering in the Jammu region. At present out of the 6 lakh consumers in Jammu, only 2.85 lakh connections are fully metered. Due to the failure of the government to stop power losses, even the Planning Commission of India has repeatedly expressed dismay over the failure of the state to achieve its targets. As per a memorandum of understanding executed with Government of India under Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (APDRP), the state government was to bring down T&D losses to 25 per cent by December 2006. But the losses have gone up from 45 per cent in 2005-06 to over 62 per cent in 2010-11 due to unsatisfactory implementation of the Centrally-sponsored power reform programmes. The PDD is heavily dependent upon budgetary support from the state government to provide electricity to consumers. “An analysis of the data revealed that for every unit of energy supplied to the consumers by the department during 2010-11, the state had spent Rs 5.77 from its budget,” said an engineer.
	Strawberry growers expect good profit Majid Jahangir/TNS Srinagar, May 13 Growers of Kashmir’s first cash crop- strawberry- which hit the market recently- are expecting to fetch good profit this year. Apart from catering to the local market, strawberry is also supplied to many northern states. Strawberries of Kashmir are known for their unique taste, as they have abundant sugar content. “Strawberry fetches us good profit,” said Abdul Rashid, a strawberry grower, from Pattan. “There is a huge demand for strawberry due to the rush of tourists in the Valley. I expect to make good profit this year,” he added. The harvesting season of strawberry began in the first week of May and the growers have starting selling the season’s first fruit in the local market. Director, Horticulture, Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Shah said unlike other crops, which were in their blooming stage and were damaged due to the persistent rain and cold, the strawberry fruit was not affected so much. “Strawberry is a ground crop and gets damaged when due to water accumulation. Since the harvesting of the fruit, the weather has improved and the growers are fetching good profit,” Shah said. Around 700 kanals are under strawberry cultivation in Kashmir and horticulture experts claim that its cultivation is still in its infancy. “The cultivation of strawberry pays rich dividends and more growers are showing inclination to cultivate strawberry,” the Director of Horticulture said. The fruit growers, however, feel that the production of strawberry might reduce this year due to the prevailing cold weather in the Valley. “The cold weather has damaged every crop, including the strawberry,” said Ghulam Rasool Bhat, chairman, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Association.
	State to seek Aamir’s help to check skewed sex ratio Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, May 13 As the first episode of television show “Satyamev Jayate” had generated a lot of debate in society regarding female foeticide, the state authorities have decided to approach actor Aamir Khan to seek his help to change the mindset of people so as to check the alarming decline in male-female ratio in Jammu and Kashmir. This television show, in its first episode, had featured some heart-rending true stories about female foeticide. Authorities in the state have reasons to seek help from Aamir because Jammu and Kashmir is one of the three states where sex ratio has declined drastically over the last decade. The other two states are Bihar and Gujarat. The state's overall sex ratio is currently pegged at 883 females per 1000 males indicating a fall of 9 points compared to the 2001 census, says the provisional 2011 census. While the overall sex ratio has come down to 883, the child sex ratio has further dipped to 859. This disturbing development has forced the authorities to take some steps on a war-footing. “We will love to have support of people like Aamir Khan, whose television programme has generated a debate to stop this menace,” the Director, National Rural Health Mission, Dr Yashpal Sharma, told The Tribune. “We will approach Aamir Khan and other celebrities to create awareness and to change the mindset of the people,” Sharma said and admitted that the declining sex ration has emerged as a big problem in the state. Besides creating awareness in society, the authorities have also decided to take other steps keep a check on female foeticide. “We have devised a comprehensive strategy to conduct sting operations in different parts of the state to nab doctors and owners of ultra-sound clinics who are involved in this crime,” Sharma said and disclosed that the authorities have decided to assign the job of conducting the sting operations to officials of the Health Department. The Health Department has already announced that any person giving information on illegal sex-determination tests by ultrasound clinics would be rewarded. The decline in sex ratio was worrisome but now the juvenile sex ratio (0-6 years) has given sleepless nights to the Health Department. “The juvenile sex ratio is the most realistic indicator of trends in female foeticide and the continuing discrimination against the girl child,” a senior officer of the Health Department said. An alarming trend During the last decade, the state has witnessed a steep fall in the male-female sex ratio, especially the juvenile sex ratio. In 2001, the juvenile sex ratio (0-6 years) was 941 females against 1000 males; it came down to 859 females against 1000 males in 2011. The national average juvenile sex ratio is 914
	News Analysis Will Cong’s warring factions bow to Sonia’s diktat? Party plays second fiddle to coalition partner NC due to infighting Dinesh Manhotra/TNS Jammu, May 13 Will AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s stern message to party workers recently help bring a “truce” between two warring factions of the state unit of the Congress? Congress men in the state have been asking this question to each other after Sonia’s statement on Wednesday, asking party workers to stay united. As the party ministers and leaders have openly associated themselves with warring factions, the dejected and isolated grass-roots workers have lost all hope of unity in the party. Instead of addressing grievances of committed workers, party ministers and leaders are more concerned about patronising their factions to take on rivals and to strengthen their groups. Not only is the functioning of the government getting affected due to groupism in the party, but the Congress is also forced to play second fiddle to the National Conference in the coalition. Due to infighting, the party leadership is finding it difficult to implement its agenda in the government. The National Conference-Congress coalition has completed three years and four months but the Congress leadership has so far failed to get its agenda implemented in the government because party ministers have divergent views on vital issues. The Congress in the state is divided between two factions -- one headed by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz and the other by those who owe their allegiance to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad --- but there are also groups within the two groups. Interestingly, both factions are blaming each other for encouraging factionalism. “Ghulam Nabi Azad has been working assiduously to iron out differences among leaders to strengthen the party”, asserted Jugal Kishore Sharma, a staunch supporter of the Union Minister. While endorsing Sonia’s statement, Sharma said it was the duty of all Congress men to work for the party. Dharam Pal Sharma, senior vice-president of the JKPCC and Soz loyalist, averred that Soz had bridged the differences among leaders and tried to make the Congress a strong force in the state. “The message of Sonia Gandhi has started yielding results because yesterday leaders of the dissident group like Vinod Sharma and Choudhary Garu Ram visited the party office. Earlier these leaders avoided visiting the office,” Sharma said and exuded confidence that Congress leaders would follow Sonia’s directions. Congress workers hope that Sonia’s message would help bring peace. “The party has suffered immensely due to infighting and coalition partner NC has been taking benefit of the groupism in our party,” a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity. Congress leaders have failed to work as a unit and the NC leadership has been exploiting this situation by keeping both factions of the party in good humour, he added.
	No dearth of potential in country: Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 13 Governor NN Vohra released a book titled “Beautiful Country: Stories from Another India” at a function here this evening. The book has been authored by a Member of the Planning Commission of India, Dr Syeda Hameed, along with social activist Gunjan Veda. First Lady Usha Vohra was also present on the occasion. The Governor congratulated Dr Syeda for writing a book that was based on the “realities” of India in a story form. “The value of this book is immensely enhanced as it has been authored by a person who is directly associated with the planning process of the country at the apex level, as a Member of the Planning Commission of India,” Vohra said. He hoped the book would be read by all those who were involved with the growth, development and governance of the country. Referring to the Constitution of India and the Directive Principles of State Policy enumerated therein, the Governor observed that one and all would need to work with missionary zeal if it is intended to realise the objectives of the Constitution and to make India a strong, vibrant and frontline country in the world, in the coming years. He said that there was no dearth of potential and resources and added that hard work, strong will, determination, effective and honest delivery of services could contribute immensely to the country marching ahead on the path of progress and prosperity. On the occasion, Dr Syeda gave a detailed account of the book. She said the book was an “eye account” of what she had experienced and observed while travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. A video message by well known writer Khushwant Singh,giving his observations on the book, was played on the occasion. Dr Mohini Giri, Chairperson, Guild for Service, New Delhi, in her welcome address, dwelt on the activities of her organisation. She thanked the Governor and the First Lady for their strong support to the Guild. Zakia Zaheer, composer and author, read out excerpts from the Book, while Rene Singh presented musical renderings of the verses prefacing various chapters of the book.
	Slain soldier had postponed sister’s wedding for encounter Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, May 13 Known for his bravery, dedication and motivation, Sepoy Noor Hussain, who sacrificed his life while on duty in the Kishtwar encounter on May 2 night, had postponed the marriage of his sister for this operation. A decorated soldier, Hussain, had been part of the Indian Army during the UN Mission at Lebanon with 2 Dogra from November 14, 2008, to September 14, 2009. He was enrolled in the 159 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) (Home and Hearth) Dogra on January 14, 2004. After undergoing the basic military training, he was deployed in Kishtwar district to assist the Rashtriya Rifles in conducting counter-terrorist operations. He operated in the Mugal Maidan, Chatroo, Keshwan, Palmar and Dul areas of Kishtwar district. Hussain yielded actionable intelligence about the terrorists movement and their hideouts because of his sincere and meticulous efforts. On October 27, 2007, he had provided hard intelligence about the presence of two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists at Tainar Forest in the Chatroo area, said an Army spokesperson. “He led the operation along with the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion as a scout. Showing great determination and grit, Hussain eliminated two hardcore terrorists,” he added. For this act of bravery and meticulous planning he was awarded Sena Medal on August 15, 2008. On the night of May 2, 2012, he again had provided intelligence about the presence of two hardcore terrorists in Palmar Forest and led the Rashtriya Rifles column to the target area, said the spokesperson. While approaching the target area, he came under hostile fire and got seriously injured. Performing the duties of a brave, dedicated and motivated soldier, he breathed his last at the spot. Besides old parents, the slain soldier is survived by his wife, four minor daughters, one brother and four sisters. For this particular operation, Hussain had postponed the marriage of his youngest sister, Kulsoma Banoo, to May 15.
	Jammu & kashmir cricket association scam Police agrees to give documents to probe panel Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, May 13 The J&K Police has finally agreed to provide the requisite documents to the advisory (probe) committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) for conducting an investigation into the infamous multi-crore scam. It may be mentioned here that the probe committee had written a letter to JKCA president Farooq Abdullah informing him about the recent developments and the alleged non-cooperative attitude of the police. “On Saturday evening, we received a call from the police and it asked us to submit a list of documents that we require for conducting the probe,” one of the members of the in-house advisory (probe) committee told The Tribune. “The committee has informed the police about the documents that we require and hopefully we shall get them soon,” he added. Sources said the JKCA internal panel had asked the police to provide cash books from 2005 to 2007 as it was not able to trace them during the course of investigation. “Yes, we have not found cash books from 2005 to 2007,” the probe panel member said, adding that the probe committee had also written a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for providing balance sheets from 2006 onwards “to get an idea of how much amount had been spent for conducting activities in the state.” The sources claimed that the probe committee had contacted both former treasurer Ehsan Mirza and general secretary Saleem Khan for recording their statements. “We have approached Ehsan and Saleem for recording their statements but both of them have told us that they will be available after May 22”, the member said. When asked whether the police would provide the original documents or xerox copies to the JKCA internal panel, he said: “It does not really matter whether the documents are xerox or original. We just want them so that we are able to complete our investigation at the earliest as it has already been delayed.” Earlier, the probe committee had approached the state police for a photocopy of the documents seized by the latter but they were not given. The in-house probe panel comprising Arvinder Singh Micky, Ashwinder Koul, Sham Swaroop and Mohammad Ashraf Bhat was constituted by JKCA president Farooq Abdullah following pressure from association members.
	J-K has become a victim of trust deficit, says Mufti Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 13 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said Jammu and Kashmir had become a victim of trust deficit between the people of the state and the rest of the country. He said the gap had to be bridged to facilitate a lasting solution to the problem. Addressing a public meeting at Khumriyal, Lolab in Kupwara, Mufti said efforts had to be redoubled to remove apprehensions on both sides that had marred the chances of reconciliation, resulting in untold miseries to the people of the region. Mufti said it was unfortunate that over the past six decades of relationship, the state and the rest of the country had lost confidence of each other, a fact that had to be publicly recognised in order to be able to find a remedy. “The security establishment in New Delhi is unable to come out of its doubts that Kashmir can ever become a partner in the idea of India without being tethered through force. The people of the state have memories that don’t help in overcoming their mental barriers, grown out of bitter experiences with democracy and human rights,” the PDP patron said. Speaking on the occasion, senior party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussein Baig said the National Conference-led coalition government had landed the state in its worst crisis on the political and economic fronts. Baig said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had lost political and moral authority after his own involvement in the death of Haji Mohammad Yousuf. “Omar Abdullah cannot question any minister or official after corruption in the ruling family and the party was exposed after Yousuf’s death,” he said. Referring to the Chief Minister’s repeated AFSPA mantra, Baig said the institution of Chief Minister had suffered immense erosion of prestige, as the present incumbent had been unable to implement even his own pronouncements. He said Omar Abdullah was going to officials in the Army and the civil administration to plead for something that was within his jurisdiction and had done incalculable damage to democratic institutions in the state. “The people of the state feel slighted by the inability of their Chief Minister to keep up with his promise of scrapping the AFSPA in three days and the subsequent drama of issuing a new statement everyday.”
	Govt keen to upgrade road link in remote areas: Minister Ranjit Thakur Rajouri, May 13 Minister of State for Power, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Shabir Ahmed Khan has said the government was paying focused attention to the upgradation of road connectivity in far-flung and hilly areas of the state. He added that several Centrally-sponsored flagship programmes were under implementation across the state. Addressing a public meeting at Manjakote yesterday after inaugurating a Jamia Masjid at the Majakote link road, the Minister said better road connectivity played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of a society. He said during the last three years numerous new roads had been constructed while existing roads had been upgraded. The Power Minister said Rajouri district had also received focused attention in development of core sectors, including road connectivity. He said many new roads had been constructed in the district during the last few years and a number of roads were under construction in the area, which would be completed in a time-bound manner. The Minister said the government had embarked upon an ambitious plan for those areas, which could not compete with other areas due to geographical or natural disadvantages. The Minister said Jammu and Kashmir had a huge hydro power potential, which was being harnessed in a big way to make the state not only self-sufficient in power generation, but also help in increasing the revenue of the state. Responding to needs and demands of the local residents, the Minister said the government was aware of the difficulties of the people of the far-off and backward areas.
	Army holds blood donation camp Our Correspondent Katra, May 13 Under the aegis of the Army Camp at Mahore, the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion located at Sarh today organised a blood donation camp at Government Middle School, Sarh. The Army was assisted by a Reasi-based NGO- New Young Blood Organisation. Almost 300 Army personnel deployed in and around Mahore and 500 civilians donated blood at the camp. The Commander of the Army Camp at Mahore and the Commanding Officers of the Rashtriya Rifles Battalions located at Sarh and Bagga were the first among the donors, setting an example for troops and civilians, to come forward and donate blood. “This was one of the biggest blood donation camps organised in the Jammu region,” said Ashok Verma, chairman, New Young Blood Organisation. He said there was a perpetual requirement of blood due to frequent accidents in the region. “Such blood donation camps would go a long way in reducing the perennial shortage of blood,” Verma said. He thanked the Army for donating blood. In his address to people of Mahore, the Commander of the Mahore Army Camp thanked the participants and commended those involved in the conduct of the camp. He said the Army had made every effort to bring back peace, harmony, stability and fostering development in the region.
	Sonu Nigam to perform in Kashmir in July M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 13 Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam is all set to enthrall his Kashmiri fans in July. Besides singing for charity in the summer capital, he would share the stage with Kashmir singers. “He (Sonu) has agreed to perform here. The programme will be held in July and the local artists will also get a chance to share the platform with him,” Kashmir Music Club (KMC) chairman Waheed Jeelani told The Tribune. The KMC, which would be organising the show, is a Valley-based group that works towards the revival of cultural activities in Kashmir. The club also does charity shows and the money collected from Sonu’s scheduled show would benefit the local orphans and physically-challenged children. Jeelani, who is a well-known singer, said the show would either be held at Indoor Stadium here or on the banks of the Dal Lake. “We initially thought of holding the concert at Indoor Stadium but Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested that it should be held on the banks of the Dal Lake. We will finalise the location soon. We have also fixed the date of the concert in July, but it will be revealed later,” he said. Encouraged by Sonu’s approval, the KMC has now approached other Bollywood singers to perform in the Valley. “We have approached Kailash Kher, Shreya Ghoshal and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and hope that they too agree to perform here. Talks with them are on,” Jeelani said. While live concerts by popular Bollywood singers are a rarity in Kashmir, Pakistani rock band Junoon had performed on the banks of the Dal Lake in 2008. Late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh too had performed live here in 2009 and 2011.
	Chib to head state Scouts and Guides Says more volunteers’ participation needed to deal with financial stringencies Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, May 13 Minister for Medical Education, Technical Education and Sports RS Chib today took over from Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah as the president of the state chapter of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in the eleventh elections. Seven office-bearers, including Chib, were unanimously elected for the next three years. The five persons, who were elected as the vice-presidents, included Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner Secretary, Transport; Roma Wani, former special secretary, Planning; Jaipal Singh, Director, Youth Services and Sports; GA Qureshi, Director, School Education, Jammu, and Shagufta Parveen, Director, School Education, Srinagar. NA Khan was elected as the state chief commissioner, who would be the executive head of the body. Chib said he would focus on strengthening the institution with the help of his team. “My stress would be on taking the scouts and guides to optimum target audience i.e. our youth in schools and colleges. The Census reports say that about 20,000 students are among our volunteers. In Jammu, 85 per cent students from private schools and 15 per cent from government schools are among our volunteers while in Kashmir 95 per cent volunteers are from private institutions and five per cent are from government institutions. This shows that huge efforts are required to make more youth join us,” the Medical Education Minister added. Asked about the existing financial stringencies, Chib said it was an unfortunate thing, but the trouble could be overcome with volunteers’ participation. He said, “We would ensure that our volunteers from various educational institutes contribute a meagre amount of Rs 2 or Rs 5 per annum. Even such a small contribution would help us in dealing with the existing dilemmas.” On other priorities, Chib said they would intensify the membership drives and start special training camps. “We would focus on instilling a sense of national integration in the youth. More stress would now be laid on organising inter-regional programmes so that the youth from three regions of the state develop a better sense of understanding for each other,” he added. Asked about the non-availability of infrastructure for Srinagar headquarters, he said the Department of Youth Services and Sports had provided land and Farooq Abdullah had provided funds worth Rs 30 lakh for the construction of the head office. The Minister said, “There are certain dilemmas, including shortage of manpower, shortage of equipment and need for training. But we would tackle the issues in a rational and constructive manner.”