The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Gunmen attack revenue official’s house in Kulgam
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 7
Hours after posters threatening village heads to resign appeared in south Kashmir, suspected militants attacked a house of numberdar (local revenue official) in Kulgam district on Wednesday.

Militants claiming to be members of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had put up posters in various parts of south Kashmir threatening panches and sarpanches with “dire consequences” if they did not follow the diktat.

Police said suspected militants fired towards the house of numberdar Mohammad Sidiq Bhat at village Gaffabal in Kulgam district late last night. Bhat and his family members escaped unhurt in the incident.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned the attack on Bhat, who they said was the unit head of the party in Qaimoh.

“The indiscriminate firing is condemnable. Bhat is a god-fearing man and is popular due to his great social work. His family has made tremendous sacrifices for the cause of Islam as well as that of freedom,” Jamaat-e-Islami spokesman Zahid Ali said in a statement.

Acting Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar today reviewed the security scenario of south Kashmir. The DGP stressed close coordination among security agencies for maintaining continuous vigil on anti-national elements. He said people’s cooperation and greater synergy among security agencies was a must.

“Effective domination in area based on analysis is required. Joint patrolling should be intensified to keep a watch on the activities of suspicious elements,” he said.

The firing incident and surfacing of threatening posters have created panic among the village heads. There are around 35,000 sarpanches and panches in the state, who were elected last year on a non-party basis after a gap of over 20 years. In April this year, posters, allegedly put up by the Lashker-e-Toiba, had appeared in Pulwama asking the village heads to resign or “be ready to face consequences”.

Police said it was not clear whether the latest threatening posters in Shopian were actually issued by militants.

INTERVIEW
Most J-K health indicators better than national average, says Sham Lal

Unlike other parts of the country, improving health infrastructure is a challenging task in Jammu and Kashmir due to many reasons. The state has a low density of population, difficult terrain, problems of accessibility, poor road connectivity and many other constraints, making it difficult to compete with other states when it comes to infrastructure in the health sector.

With the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission in the state, condition of the ailing health sector has improved to an extent but a lot more is needed to be done. Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma, in an interview with Dinesh Manhotra, highlights achievements during his tenure and spells out the steps being taken to make the Health Department more vibrant.

What have been your major achievements as Health Minister?

We have taken a number of steps which yielded positive results to improve health facilities. Health indicators of the state have improved and, except a few, are better than the national ones now. The state figures give an estimated birth rate of 18.6, death rate of 5.7 and infant mortality rate of 45 (per 1000). The corresponding figures at all-India level are 22.5, 7.3 and 50 (per 1000).

Furthermore, the infant mortality rate (IMR) of the state has reduced from 49 (per 1000) in 2008 to 45 (per 1000) in 2009. The total fertility rate is 2.2 against the national average of 2.6.

How have the health facilities improved in the state after implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programme?

Without the help of the Centre, it is not possible for us to improve health facilities in the state. With the support available under the NRHM, efforts have been made to strengthen the existing peripheral institutions in terms of infrastructure, machinery, equipment, manpower, etc, to reduce the un-necessarily referrals.

Shortage of doctors and paramedical staff is one of the major problems affecting the functioning of the Health Department. What steps has your department taken so far to cope with this problem, especially in remote areas?

Although we are facing a shortage of doctors, we are encouraging the in-service doctors to serve in rural and remote areas. First of all, remuneration of doctors and paramedical staff engaged under the NRHM has been enhanced by 20 per cent. Secondly, a special additional incentive of Rs 8,000 per month has been sanctioned for the doctors who are serving in remote and backward areas, which have been notified as very difficult areas.

I want to disclose here that a project report on Rs 2,627-crore health infrastructure development plan has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for external assistance. The state is rigorously following the matter with the Union Government.

Most of the health institutions located outside the towns are not working round the clock. What steps is your department taking to make these institutions function round the clock?

I do agree. Health institutions are being made to function round the clock. In the first instance, 170 PHCs have been strengthened to make them function 24x7. Gradually, this number will be increased to minimise the burden on main hospitals of the capital cities.

The male-female sex ratio has reached its lowest ebb in Jammu and Kashmir. How is your department going to check the menace of female foeticide?

The decline in sex ratio, as revealed by Census 2011, is really a serious concern which requires special focus. We have already taken various steps in this regard. A cash reward of Rs 50,000 has been announced for the person giving information about illegal tests being carried out by ultrasound clinics. Sixtyfive ultrasound clinics were sealed in the state last year.

Govt wakes up to ‘fake document malpractice’
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 7
As candidates with “forged” documents continue to get jobs in government departments by “colluding with agents and some officials”, the state government has finally woken up from its slumber and laid a strict “condition” in the appointment orders of the selected candidates to filter out undeserving candidates.

The General Administration Department, in a significant decision, issued a formal order which suggested that “if on verification, the certificates produced by the appointees are proved fake or forged, the appointment shall be cancelled ab initio.”

On May 13, The Tribune had prominently carried a news report wherein the issue of fake documents being used by candidates to get government jobs was highlighted. The report had highlighted that nearly 20 per cent of the selected candidates had allegedly got government jobs on basis of fake documents.

The General Administration Department, while issuing the circular, admitted that the certificates of some candidates selected by the Service Selection Board (SSB) recently were found fake and, consequently, such selections were cancelled by the authorities concerned.

“As a matter of abundant precaution and to avoid unnecessary litigation, it is advisable to include a condition — if on verification, the certificates produced by the appointees are proved fake or forged, the appointment shall be cancelled ab initio — in the appointment orders,” the circular said.

Katra-Qazigund rail project on track
Devinder Thakur

The work on the Udhampur-Qazigund rail project near Katra has restarted. Photo by the writer

Katra, June 7
After the Union Cabinet sanctioned Rs 19,000 crore in January this year for the Udhampur-Baramulla section of the ambitious Katra-Qazigund railway project designed to link the rest of the country with the Kashmir valley, the work on the line restarted recently and is scheduled to complete in 2017.

The work has brought cheer to thousands associated with the project as they have been re-employed. The Udhampur-Qazigund rail line project was announced 17 years ago in 1995 and there have been cost overruns since then. The delay in completing the project has led to cost escalation, necessitating sanction of more money.

The work on the 119-km Qazigund-Baramulla section was completed in 2009, while the work on the Udhampur-Katra section (25 km) has been delayed and is likely to be completed in 2013. The Katra-Qazigund section (148 km) will be completed by 2017, whereas the Jammu-Udhampur section (54 km) is already operational.

The project, which was declared a National Project in 2002, is likely to give a major boost to the economy of the state. Difficult terrain and topography have posed technological challenges to Konkan Railway and IRCON, which are involved in the construction of rail line in these mountainous ranges. Although the project was initially scheduled to be completed by 2007, complications related to construction pushed back the schedule to 2017.

The excavation work on the 11-km tunnel, the longest in the country, through the Pir Panjal range was over in October
last year.

Tourism Minister reviews yatra preparedness
Tells officials to complete all work before yatra starts
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 7
Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora has underscored the need for ensuring complete preparedness before the commencement of the Amarnath yatra at the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps, en route to the cave shrine and other transit camps on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

He has urged upon the authorities concerned to complete all works recommended by the High-Level Committee (HLC) of the Amarnath yatra well in time for the convenience of pilgrims, an official spokesman said.

Chairing a meeting of officials to review the status of the action taken report on the recommendations of the HLC, the Minister asked the authorities concerned to mobilise their field agencies and maintain close coordination to put in place all arrangements before the start of the yatra.

The meeting reviewed the pace of the progress of various works, including construction of impregnable gates at Chandanwari and Domel, upgradation of the existing Rangamorh-Baltal-Domel road, widening and improvement works along Chandanwari-holy cave, establishment of transit camps along the national highway from Lakhanpur to Sonamarg and Pahalgam, establishment of shelter units at various locations along the yatra routes, strengthening of drinking water supply at Baltal, Panjtharni, Sheshnag and the holy cave camps, besides strengthening of electricity infrastructure and health care facilities being carried out by the departments concerned to facilitate the yatris.

The officials concerned appraised the Minister about the status of the works being carried out through their departments and assured him that all under execution works would be completed within a stipulated time frame for the convenience of yatris.

Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Home Nasir Aslam Wani; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister BB Vyas; Principal Secretary, Home, BR Sharma; Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Naveen K Chowdhary; and Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Atul Dulloo were present in the meeting.

Azad’s frequent visits to J-K gives Soz camp the jitters
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 7
Frequent visits of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to Jammu and Kashmir have given supporters of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz the jitters as Azad has become pro-active during the last couple of months and has been covering all regions and subregions of the state. Last week, Azad was in Kargil where he addressed a meeting of Congress workers besides participating in a number of official functions. For the last two days, Azad has been reviewing functioning of the Health Department in Srinagar.

After the Congress conclave at Srinagar on May 19, the Soz faction was thinking that they had taken control of the party because it had managed to enrol a good number of its loyalists as members of the JKPCC. After the conclave it had become clear that re-election of Saifuddin Soz as JKPCC chief was just a formality so Soz’s loyalists had reason to assert themselves but now the situation has gradually changed. “There is confusion in our faction. We were expecting that an official announcement regarding the new JKPCC chief would be made within a day or two after the Srinagar conclave but no announcement has been made so far,” a Soz loyalist told The Tribune on condition of anonymity and added that the recent developments, especially elections of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress (JKPYC) had exposed “weakness within our group”. He admitted that the JKPYC elections were a big victory for Azad faction.

Sources in the Congress said Azad had directed his supporters to intensify their activities in their respective areas. Azad loyalist Jugal Kishore Sharma has started touring different areas of the Jammu region to “strengthen” the party. He has been directed by his leader to convene meeting of party workers at Udhampur on every first Monday of the month.

“While Soz supporters have been waiting for the official announcement from the high command, Azad’s loyalists on the other hand have already intensified their activities to counter the rivals”, sources said.

The sources said that after visiting Ladakh and Kashmir regions, Azad would visit Jammu also. “Azad will visit Jammu after June 20,” a source said.

Minister promises Centre’s support to state in healthcare
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 7
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has assured the full support of the Centre to the state for the development of its health sector.

While taking stock of health care facilities here, Azad today sanctioned Rs 37 crore for strengthening of health care facilities at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), the Valley’s only tertiary care hospital.

Azad also announced Rs 6 crore for procurement of upgraded and latest diagnostic equipment for the Department of Oncology, Cancer Centre at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, Srinagar. He visited SMHS Hospital and took stock of its functioning.

“The Union Government will provide all possible financial assistance to the state government for modernising and upgradation of healthcare,” Azad said after holding a high-level meeting at the SKIMS. He inspected various wards of the premier health institution.

The Union Minister said the intake capacity of students for SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, would be enhanced to 100 from the existing capacity of 50 students.

Chairman’s statement triggers war of words in JKCA
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 7
As the second phase of investigation into the multi-crore cricket scam by the in-house advisory (probe) committee of the Jammu and Cricket Association (JKCA) is about to begin, the statement made by JKCA chairman Mohammad Aslam Goni yesterday has triggered a war of words between office-bearers of both the wings of the association.

Goni yesterday said as per the constitution of the JKCA, its president Dr Farooq Abdullah or any other office-bearer had no authority to vest powers in anybody in the JKCA, unless the decision was taken by the Working Committee.

JKCA treasurer Manzoor Wazir, who has been given the responsibility of managing the affairs of the association in Farooq’s absence, and Shambu Nath Sharma, vice-chairman (Jammu Wing), have criticised Goni’s remarks.

“I am not interested in showing the JKCA president’s letter to Aslam Goni,” Wazir said. “Goni’s claim that the fresh conduct of the JKCA elections will be against the norms of the constitution. These silly statements are the result of the frustation, which has taken a toll on Goni,” he said.

Sharma expressed shock over the statement of the JKCA chairman. He said the letter issued to him by Dr Farooq was not a public document and to be shown to everybody. “Dr Farooq is the supremo of the JKCA and he has every right to choose the best available office-bearers for the smooth conduct of the association,” the JKCA vice-chairman said.

“Farooq has asked me and Wazir to look after the affairs of the association and we will leave no stone unturned in doing that,” he said. “The JKCA president has every right to announce fresh elections, if he is not satisfied with the working of the present body,” Sharma said.

Tourists flocking to Leh for three festivals
Yangchan Dolma

Leh, June 7
Hotels in Leh town and flights to Leh are booked in advance for this month as the rush of tourists in Ladakh has increased.

Three tourist events are taking place in Leh this month, including an annual three-day tourist promotional Ladakh Singay Khabas Sindhu Festival from June 12 to 14, the first ever two-day Ladakh International Festival on June 16 and 17 and annual two-day Hemis Tseschu Festival on June 29 and 30.

The frequency of flights has also been increased from one flight to three flights per week by Jet Airways and GOAIR. Two special flights every week from Delhi to Leh sector are also being operated by Make My Trip since May 1.

A total of 33 flights are being operated by the three airlines, including Air India, to meet the demand of tourists.

The current airfare between Leh and Delhi is Rs 10,200 to 14,500. The airfare of low budget carrier GOAIR on this route starts from Rs 6,991.

Executive Councillor, Tourism, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Gurmat Dorje said, “By the end of May, 21,523 people have arrived in Leh by air. The arrival of tourists is a good trend. The number of tourists is expected to go up in view of the three scheduled tourist events.”

Mehbooba threatens agitation over civic issues
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 7
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today threatened to launch an agitation over the alleged failure of the government in addressing the day-to-day issues of people.

Mehbooba visited several south Kashmir towns today to assess problems being faced by the people. A PDP spokesman said she interacted with a large number of people to assess the “hardships being faced by them due to lack of basic civic amenities”.

Mehbooba assured locals that the PDP “as a responsible opposition party would agitate for the solution of their problems”.

The PDP spokesman said people at Pampore complained to Mehbooba about the prevailing mess caused due to traffic congestion, which was creating a lot of problems to shopkeepers. The damage caused to saffron production due to high tension wires passing through fields was also brought to her notice.

“Residents of Awantipora said the PDP-led government had tried to restore the glory of the historic town in its short tenure
by establishing a Science and Technology Islamic University and granting a tehsil status to the town. They said the present regime had failed to take the development process forward,” he said.

The residents also demanded a trauma-cum subdistrict hospital at Awantipora to provide timely treatment to accident victims. Many accidents take place regularly on the national highway passing through the area.

At Pulwama, the residents complained of shortage of water, power shortage and collapsed drainage system, he said.

Valley readers keen on books on culture, literature
M Aamir Khan/TNS

Srinagar, June 7
Even as the ongoing National Book Trust (NBT)-sponsored book fair being held here may not have drawn large crowds as compared to similar events that are held outside the state, the booksellers are coming across “unique” demands from book lovers of the Kashmir valley.

“A reader’s demand for memoirs of Dara Shikoh surprised me. He also had a long list of other unique books. This will never happen in New Delhi where people are mostly after bestsellers. I found out that people here are more interested in books on literature, culture and regional history,” said the in charge of the book fair at S P College, M R Mahapatra, who is also an editor at the NBT.

Urdu books especially those from Pakistan are also in big demand propelling a few stalls to display signs that read: “Yahaan pe Pakistan kutub dastiyaab hain (Pakistani books are available here).”

While the last NBT book fair was held here in 1986, Mahapatra said the event was a “good beginning” to promote book reading culture in Kashmir again. General Secretary of the Kashmir Book Suppliers and Publishers Association Mir Ghulam Ahmad, who also has set up a stall, too termed the book fair a “good beginning” even though he said the book fair of 1986 had drawn more people.

“In 1986, I attended the book fair as a student and today I am managing a stall. That time I remember seeing a larger rush of people. Book reading habits have declined over the years due to turmoil and also as a result of Internet usage. But an event like this is a good beginning towards inculcating book culture yet again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mahapatra said the number of people visiting the book fair was increasing with every passing day especially after reading newspaper reports of several mainstream and separatist leaders visiting the fair. “Even in other parts, including New Delhi, not many people visit a book fair during the first two or three days. But then there is a footfall due to media publicity,” he said.

Besides Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other Cabinet ministers, separatist leaders like Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik have visited the book
fair so far.

A total of 112 stalls displaying around one lakh books have been put on display at the eight-day that commenced on June 2. The organisers have also been holding other programmes like interactive sessions between writers and students, mehfil-e-ghazal, panel discussions and seminars. A literary meet by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, will conclude the fair on June 9. The NBT is mulling over making the book fair an annual event in Kashmir.