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Another row erupts within Congress
PDP roadmap viable for peace in state, says Mufti
Governor reviews readiness for Amarnath pilgrimage
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Devotees throng Hazratbal shrine
Go for courses with high market value: Governor
Curbs on protests can worsen situation in Kashmir: Geelani
Employee leader to quit over Omar’s remark
Kashmir varsity makes inroads into Ladakh
INTERVIEW: Aga Syed
Ruhullah, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Science & Technology
Industrial units facing power curtailment
Seven rescued from Chenab in Reasi
Farooq likely to convene JKCA meeting
J-K produces 115 MT raw silk annually
PCI team interacts with local media
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Another row erupts within Congress
Jammu, June 18 Party sources said the Azad loyalist, without taking the JKPCC into confidence, dissolved the Bishnah BCC and constituted an ad hoc committee to accommodate his loyalists. The present BCC president, Shashi Sharma, belongs to JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz’s faction. Soz loyalists have taken a serious note of the action and termed this action as direct interference in the working of the JKPCC. Senior vice-president of the JKPCC Dharam Pal Sharma today issued a statement in which he mentioned that “Shashi Sharma is the president of the Block Congress Committee, Bishnah. He is working to the entire satisfaction of the JKPCC and the party high command. Nobody else is authorised to change him or constitute ad hoc/ parallel Block Congress Committee”. Later talking to The Tribune, Dharam Pal Sharma, without naming the leader who had dissolved the existing BCC, said only the JKPCC president was authorised to take such action. “I don’t know whether such action was taken because except for the JKPCC president no one is authorised to dissolve any existing body,” he said. The sources said despite an appeal to the two factions by the party leadership to shun differences during the Srinagar conclave on May 19, infighting in the Pradesh Congress has intensified. Both warring factions have been trying to dominate each other. Buoyed by the results of the Youth Congress elections in the state, the Azad faction has been trying to tighten its grip on the party. “The Azad faction has been trying to appoint its supporters in different posts of the party at the grass-roots level. The dissolution of the Bishnah BCC is just the beginning,” insiders in the Congress said. |
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PDP roadmap viable for peace in state, says Mufti
Jammu, June 18 “While appointing Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister of the state in 2005, Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to him in which she had told him to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for bringing peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mufti said while addressing a rally to welcome state general secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Surinder Choudhary, who joined the PDP along with his supporters. “The PDP through its agenda had not only convinced its coalition partner, the Congress, but the party has even changed the perception of the BJP leadership on Kashmir,” he said, adding that when the PDP-Congress government was formed in 2002, the BJP-led NDA was ruling the country. “We changed the mindsets of BJP leaders also,” he said. He especially mentioned the speech of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at Lal Chowk in Srinagar wherein he had extended the hand of friendship to Pakistan. “Vajpayee’s speech was the turning point in relations between India and Pakistan and the credit for this goes to the PDP because successive regimes at the Centre were convinced about our policies,” he said. Mufti reminded that when he had relinquished the office of Chief Minister as per the power-sharing agreement with the Congress in 2005, his successor Ghulam Nabi Azad was given clear instructions by the Congress high command to follow policies and programmes of the PDP. “We have presented a roadmap for restoring lasting peace in the region,” he claimed and added that forming a government was not the only aim of the PDP. Welcoming the BSP leader into the PDP fold, Mufti said the agenda of the PDP was to change the present “corrupt and inefficient system”, which had led to chaos and confusion in the state. “We want to establish a system of justice and equality and for this the support of the people is a must,” he said and claimed that the PDP, with just 16 legislators in its kitty, had scripted a new chapter in the political history of the state. “We had only 16 MLAs in 2002, but we not only formed the government with the Congress but also incorporated our agenda in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) which was formed to run the government at that time,” he claimed. The entry of Choudhary into the PDP is being considered as a big catch as he had secured more than 12,000 votes in the last Assembly elections from Nowshera Assembly segment. |
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Governor reviews readiness for Amarnath pilgrimage
Srinagar, June 18 The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Governor NN Vohra, who is also the SASB Chairman, here yesterday to take stock of delays caused by the continuing inclement weather in the yatra area. The CEO and Head of the Engineering Division RK Pandita would visit each camp and ensure completion of the required tasks in time. The team will spend three days on the tracks, an official spokesman said. He said the Governor would personally review arrangements at the holy cave, Panjtarni and Sheshnag camps from June 21 onwards. Taking a note of difficulties faced at Sangam, the Governor has ordered the officials concerned for deployment of two senior officials at the site. A camp has been set up at Sangam. The police assisted by the CRPF has geared up for the commencement of the yatra along the Srinagar-Manigam-Baltal axis, which is the shortest trekking route to the holy cave. The base camp on the route has been set up at Manigam, Ganderbal, on the Srinagar-Leh highway. “CRPF personnel of 64 Battalion at Manigam and 158 Battalion at Baltal will provide security cover to the yatris from Manigam to Baltal and to the holy cave shrine,” Sudhir Kumar, a CRPF officer told The Tribune. He said adequate measures would be taken after the pilgrims arrive at the Manigam base camp. “Most of the pilgrims would arrive at the base camp in the mornings after which their movement would be regulated,” the CRPF officer said.
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Devotees throng Hazratbal shrine
Srinagar, June 18 The devotees remained engrossed in nightlong prayers and supplications across the mosques and shrines of the Valley to commemorate the occasion. Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad ascended the highest levels of heavens on this night of the Islamic calendar (27th Rajab). While supplications reverberated through loudspeakers of the mosques across Kashmir last night, the main function was held at the Hazratbal shrine, which houses the sacred strand of hair (Moi-e-Muqaddas) of Prophet Muhammad. Emotional scenes of devotees praying with tears in their eyes were witnessed at Hazratbal when the holy relic was displayed after the morning and afternoon prayers today. While Meraj-ul-Alam is celebrated across the world, the most unique feature of the occasion in the Valley is the public exhibition of the holy relic, each time after five daily prayers at the Hazratbal shrine. The holy relic would be displayed tomorrow exclusively for women. The government had kept ready an adequate number of State Road Transport Corporation buses for ferrying devotees to Hazratbal as the areas around the shrine wore a festive look with many roadside vendors selling a whole lot of eatables and other items. |
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Go for courses with high market value: Governor
Srinagar, June 18 They were addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of the Leh campus of the University of Kashmir at Taruthang near Leh today. The Governor and the Chief Minister said the introduction of courses, which had current and future relevance and ready marketability, should receive priority so that students, who pass out from higher education institutions, are gainfully engaged within the state. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, while laying the foundation stone of the campus dwelt in detail about various aspects related to the development of higher education institutions and production of qualified human resource, which can fruitfully serve the Ladakh region, state and the country. He underlined the potential of knowledge being transmitted through faculty exchanges, tele-conferencing and the use of Internet. The Governor asked the university to consider a scheme for providing full scholarship to meritorious students, who commit to work as teachers for specified periods, after gaining qualification at the university. He also suggested a survey to assess the needs and aspirations of the students of the region. He hoped that the challenge of providing well-qualified and experienced faculty and good infrastructure would be met by the university. |
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Curbs on protests can worsen situation in Kashmir: Geelani
Srinagar, June 18 “The government used unprecedented force to sabotage our martyrs’ week programme. If these restrictions continue and their sentiments are curbed, the situation in Kashmir can deteriorate. The youth are already mulling other options,” Geelani said while addressing a press conference here. When asked if “other options” meant that the situation of the 1990s would return when the youth had taken up guns, he said: “No doubt, it is clear”. Geelani made the comments a day after his “Eidgah chalo” march was foiled. The government also disallowed other Hurriyat activities that were planned for the week. “The government should give space for expressing our sentiments. Our sentiments cannot be curbed through undemocratic restrictions on our peaceful programmes.,” the separatist leader added. — TNS
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Employee leader to quit over Omar’s remark
Srinagar, June 18 “I will resign from the post of the Assistant Director, Mills, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, tomorrow. I want to clear the air over Omar’s remarks. The employee leaders are not fighting for their personal interests, but for the overall benefit of employees,” Alam told mediapersons here. The Chief Minister yesterday ruled out an increase in the retirement age of employees and said the JCC leaders were playing with the future of the youth for their “petty interests”. Omar flayed frequent strike and protest programmes called by the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various employees’ bodies. Alam, who is also a senior JCC leader, said the government was “shying away” from the agreement made with them last year.
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Kashmir varsity makes inroads into Ladakh
Srinagar, June 18 The foundation stone of a new campus in Leh was today laid by the Governor, NN Vohra, who is also Chancellor of the university. The foundation stone of another campus in Kargil would be laid tomorrow by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also Pro-Chancellor of the university. The construction of the twin campuses in the Ladakh region is expected to be completed in three years. Out of the estimated cost of Rs 27.39 crore for the Leh campus, Rs 13.69 crore has already been released. In the first phase, the construction of the Administrative Block, social sciences and sciences departments, hostels, residential quarters, roads and fencing, and provision of water and electricity facilities would be taken up. The university has proposed to the UGC to start a number of disciplines at the two campuses. At the Leh university, sociology, education, tourism, Buddhist studies, information technology and earth sciences would be taught. English, hotel management, Arabic, information technology, earth sciences and Urdu would be taught on the Kargil campus, said a university spokesman. “The university administration after realising the constraints for students of remote regions of the state to pursue higher education initiated the process of developing campuses in main centres of remote locations,” said the Registrar, University of Kashmir, Syed Fayaz. He said Vice-Chancellor Talat Ahmad was keen that the university reached people in remote parts of the state through its satellite campuses. The process of establishing university campuses at Leh and Kargil was initiated in 2008 after deliberations by the government and the university authorities, he added. Government land measuring 819 kanals and seven marlas at Taruthang in Leh and 600 kanals and eight marlas at Khumbathang in Kargil was identified for the campuses in July last year. |
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INTERVIEW: Aga Syed
Ruhullah, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Science & Technology
What have been your achievements in the last three years? When I took over as the Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, our state was importing mutton, dairy products and poultry worth Rs 1,500 crore annually. We have been able to reduce the annual import to Rs 1,300 crore and efforts are on to reduce it further. In the IT sector, we have not been able to achieve much, but the process has begun to make the state an IT hub. How was the import of mutton, dairy and poultry reduced? It was achieved due to concerted efforts of the government and officials. Soon after we took over, we introduced various schemes to attract young entrepreneurs to encourage them to take up sheep, poultry and dairy farming. The government encouraged the youth to set up sheep, goat rearing farms by providing financial incentives, besides expert advice. In milk production, we have been able to meet the local needs. But we need to take it to a point where we can export or make bye products from it. However, we have to go a long way to become self-sufficient in mutton production. The Sheep and Animal Husbandry is commercially a most viable sector, as it not only provides employment to youngsters, but also creates livelihood avenues. People in the state are yet to shift towards usage of non-conventional sources of energy. What is the reason? There is a need for a massive awareness campaign to sensitise people about the benefits of solar energy. The time has come when we should use non-conventional energy instead of conventional energy. The state has a vast potential of using non-conventional energy sources and there is a need to explore it fully. Various schemes, which have been approved by the Centre, would benefit a large number of people in meeting their electricity needs, particularly during winter. For making this technology popular, the primary need is to create awareness among the people about the schemes for the usage of solar energy. There is a common refrain that solar energy does not work in sub-zero temperatures. What do you have to say about it? The need is to remove the illusion of the people about the system. The technology is viable and runs even in sub-zero temperatures. It has been installed at several places and the units are working satisfactorily. E-governance is nowhere visible in the state. Why? The implementation of e-governance is on the priority of the government. Its implementation on a fast track basis has become necessary for increasing the use of information and communication technologies in day-to-day human life and the government has taken several initiatives to create basic infrastructure. The government has initiated several measures to boost information technology in the state. Chief Minister Omar is also keen on promoting the IT sector and implement e-governance on fast tack. Why is implementation of e-governance taking place at such a slow pace? It is not only my department which is responsible for the slow pace of implementation of e-governance. We have to provide infrastructure to various government departments, which have to speed up the process of digitising their data. The Chief Minister has also taken note of the slow progress and has advised the departments concerned to expedite the process so that we can implement e-governance in the state. |
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GJ Singh is new IG, CRPF
Jammu, June 18 Singh succeeded former IG AM Mohammad, who retired in April, CRPF spokesperson Vinay Anand Prakash said here. Singh, a 1967-batch officer was posted at the CRPF headquarters in New Delhi, and has served six years in Jammu and Kashmir in various capacities, the spokesperson said. He joined the CRPF as an Assistant Commandant. During his 36 years of service he has served in almost every sensitive state of the country. |
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Industrial units facing power curtailment
Udhampur, June 18 Rajesh Pandoh, the project manager of the industrial estate, said the units would be getting 21 hours power supply instead of eight hours with the facility upgradation done at the cost of Rs 1.57 crore. “Now it is up to the owners of the units to make a demand to either enhance their load or to get a new connection from the power development department to avail this facility,” said Pandoh. Sunil Verma, president, association of industries, Udhampur, however, alleged that there was no improvement in the power situation as the upgradation of the receiving station was serving the villages instead of the industry which had been demanding uninterrupted supply of power. “Now we are being told to contribute Rs 50-55 lakh to facilitate installation of a special transmission line to prevent curtailment of power being faced by general consumers. We have brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister,” said Verma. There area 186 small-scale industrial units at the industrial estate, Battal Ballian, Udhampur. It had 6.3 MVA capacity power receiving station which was found inadequate by the industry. This facility was upgraded a couple of months ago to 16.3 MVA on persistent demand of the industrial units under the banner of the Association of Industries, Udhampur. The owners of the units alleged that they were unable to operate their units at the optimum levels due to interrupted power supply. Their production losses were mounting due to loss of production hours as well as increase in input cost caused by use of gensets. Superintending Engineer, Maintenance and Rural Electrification, Ramesh Chander said that curtailment was due to overloaded 33 KV transmission line which was supplying power to seven-eight stations, including Battal Ballian. A new 33 KV line has been installed from Manwal. “The industrial estate can be accommodated on this line but we are yet to get clearance to start supply by this line. After this, the problem of power curtailment will end,” said Ramesh Chander who failed to give any time frame for the clearance. |
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Seven rescued from Chenab in Reasi
Katra, June 18 “All the seven persons, including drivers and labourers, who were trapped in the Chenab along with their tipper after a sudden rise in water last evening, were safely rescued late last night,” SHO, Talwara, Ashwani Kumar said. A flash flood had come in the Chenab when load carriers were being loaded with sand at Gujjar Khothi, about 10 km from the district headquarters, Reasi. The civil administration and the police conducted the rescue operation. |
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Farooq likely to convene JKCA meeting
Jammu, June 18 Sources said Dr Farooq, who had gone on a month-long tour to London, was expected to arrive in Srinagar on June 23. Earlier, he was scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on June 20, the sources said. Arvinder Singh Micky, one of the members of the JKCA in-house advisory (probe) committee, while confirming the development told The Tribune that the JKCA chief was likely to arrive in the Valley in a couple of days. “Yes, we are expecting Dr Farooq’s arrival in the Valley. We will apprise him about the latest developments in the probe,” Micky said. When asked about the present status of JKCA chairman Aslam Goni, Micky said, “Soon after the unearthing of the multi-crore cricket scam, Dr Farooq had told office-bearers of the association not to maintain any relationship with Goni.” “The JKCA chief had written a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to make any correspondence with JKCA chairman. He had referred the name of Manzoor Wazir to the BCCI to take up all the matters pertaining to the JKCA with him,” Micky said. The JKCA chairman had recently said as per the JKCA constitution, its president Dr Farooq or any other office-bearer had no authority to vest powers in anybody in the JKCA, unless and until the decision was taken in the Working Committee. |
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J-K produces 115 MT raw silk annually
Srinagar, June 18 This was stated by Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir after inaugurating the Silk Mark Expo at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on Saturday. As many as 35 stalls have been set up by artisans from various states of the country to display a number of varieties of silk suits and other silk items for sale. The nine-day long Silk Mark Expo has been jointly organised by Silk Mark Organisation and Sericulture Development Board of the state to showcase the entire range of pure silk products from the remote weaving clusters of India. Mir said the objective to organise the exhibition was to provide a platform to weavers, manufacturers, retailers and other stakeholders of the silk industry to display and sell their products. He said it also provided an opportunity to the interested consumers to choose and purchase genuine and pure silk from all over India. — TNS |
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PCI team interacts with local media
Srinagar, June 18 The PCI sub-committee headed by Kosuri Amarnath interacted today with local mediapersons working with national and international media organisations, besides editors of local dailies. During the meeting, mediapersons pointed to the difficulties faced, especially while covering the summer unrest of 2010. They said security forces did not honour the curfew passes issued by the government in 2010, as many local mediapersons were beaten up by security forces while carrying professional duties. Editors of local newspapers said they were facing difficulties while seeking the sanction of DAVP advertisements. The PCI team would stay in the Valley till June 21 and interact with senior police, government and Army officers. — TNS
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Srinagar, June 18
Srinagar, June 18
Katra, June 18
Aga Syed Ruhullah joined politics at a young age after his father Aga Syed Mehdi, who contested as a Congress candidate against Omar Abdullah in 1998 parliamentary elections, was assassinated by militants in 2000. After the death of his father, Ruhullah was elected on a National Conference ticket from his home constituency Budgam in 2002. He was re-elected in 2008 and became the youngest Cabinet minister in the Omar-led coalition government. Ruhullah, 35, is the Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Science and Technology and Information Technology. In an interview to The Tribune correspondent Majid Jahangir, the Minister speaks about his achievements and future plans.