The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Infant deaths IN SRINAGAR Probe panel indicts ex-Medical Supdt Accused of taking no interest in hospital affairs Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 19 The one-man inquiry commission probing the high number of infant deaths in the Valley’s lone children’s hospital has reportedly indicted former Medical Superintendent Javed Choudhary in the final report submitted to the state government yesterday. The government has stated that it is examining the report and will initiate action against those found responsible for the infant deaths and the crisis in the GB Pant Hospital in Srinagar. “We have received the report and all the recommendations of the inquiry panel will be implemented. We are examining the report,” Minister for Medical Education RS Chib told The Tribune. “The government will shortly initiate action against the officials found guilty by the inquiry,” he added. Sources said the inquiry conducted by the Director of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Showkat Zargar, had revealed that even the infant mortality records were not maintained properly in the hospital, clearly showing carelessness on the part of the hospital administration. “The report has held the former head of the hospital responsible for the mess in the hospital. He was not even taking interest in hospital affairs even when there was a public outcry over the infant deaths. As Medical Superintendent, he failed to bring discipline and accountability among the staff; and the employees of the hospital took advantage and were never regular about their duties,” disclosed a senior official of the health department who is privy to the report. The state government had faced sharp criticism after the occurrence of nearly 500 infant deaths in the G B Pant Hospital till May this year. The highest number of infant deaths (110) took place in May, sparking off protests against the government. Due to the increasing number of neonatal deaths, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had ordered a probe. After Zargar submitted the preliminary report, Choudhary was attached to the Health Department on May 17. The inquiry report has said that one of the reasons for the infant deaths was the non-availability of specialist doctors and paramedical staff in the hospital during night hours, when most of the deaths occurred. Apart from the absence of medical staff, infection was the other major reason for the infant deaths, the report has said. The report has mentioned that the sanitation in the hospital was very poor. There were certain flaws in the design of the hospital which needed to be looked into. The hospital’s air-freshening system did not work round the clock while the windows were permanently closed. The inquiry has revealed that the hospital lacked in all fronts like manpower, equipment and overall management of services. The hospital was facing an acute shortage of space and beds. It was working in the same capacity after being shifted to the cantonment area. The report disclosed that the hospital had a large number of attendants. Zargar said the diagnostic facilities inside the hospital were insufficient. The Director, SKIMS, has also suggested short and long-term measures to improve the hospital functioning. The report stated that there was a need for having an alternate children’s hospital to ease pressure on GB Pant Hospital. INQUIRY findings Former Medical Superintendent Javed Choudhary responsible for the mess in GB Pant Hospital The hospital is deficient in staff. It is facing an acute shortage of space and beds Diagnostic facilities inside the hospital are insufficient Non-availability of specialist doctors and paramedical staff in the hospital during night hours, when most of the deaths occurred
	Presidential poll: 86 of 87 MLAs cast vote Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 19 As the voting to elect President of India came to an end, 86 out of 87 MLAs belonging to various political parties, including the coalition partners, National Conference and Congress, and the opposition PDP, cast their votes in the Assembly complex here today. Senior National Conference leader and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayti Raj, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar was the first to vote when the voting started at 10 am. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was the last of her party to arrive at around 3 pm. One of the PDP members and a former minister, Javed Mustafa Mir, was the only member who could not cast his vote as he was out of station. With a value of 72 for each member, the total vote value of the J&K MLAs is 6,264, out of which only one member has not voted, bringing the total value of the cast votes to 6,192. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the opposition PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed arrived around noon at the highly guarded Assembly complex opposite to the civil secretariat. Congress leader and Health Minister, Sham Lal Sharma, thanked the opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti after she cast her vote in the afternoon. The significant part of the elections to the prestigious post of the President has been that apart from the ruling coalition partners, National Conference and Congress, the opposition PDP has voted in favour of the UPA candidate, Pranab Mukherjee. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had already assured Pranab Mukherjee of the party’s support when the latter called on him during his visit here last Sunday. This kind of situation has been repeated in the state after more than four decades when the members had given “conscience votes”. The three major political parties that voted for the UPA candidate included NC with 28 members, Congress 17 and the PDP with 21 members. Three others who had extended their support to the UPA candidate include MY Tarigami of the CPM, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and Independent Sheikh Abdul Rashid.
	Lashkar threat: NHRC tells state to provide security to sarpanches Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 19 Taking serious cognisance of recent threats issued by Lashkar-e-Toiba militants to the newly elected sarpanches and panches in the state, the National Human Rights Commission has directed the state government to provide all vulnerable persons with a security cover with immediate effect. In its orders, passed on the complaint made in this connection by Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Avinash Rai Khanna, the NHRC ruled, as an interim arrangement, that the Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, would necessarily make security arrangements for the affected parties. The Commission is still hearing the matter, taking it up in all its gravity and has listed it for hearing again on July 30. The NHRC officials said the complaint was serious and would need to be looked into deeply as it entailed a direct threat to the democratic fabric in J&K. As many as 35,000 panches and sarpanches were elected in the recently held panchayat elections in the state. However, in April this year, the elected village representatives were threatened by LeT operatives to resign or face the music. The Tribune had highlighted the threat in its columns on April 19 and Avinash Rai Khanna attached The Tribune report along with the copy of his complaint to the NHRC. The LeT had in April issued an ultimatum to the sarpanches and panches to resign within a week and the elected representatives of villagers had subsequently sought protection from the state government. The threat had surfaced in the form of posters across the Kashmir valley, especially in the villages of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, where militants repeatedly warned people against participating in the democratically held polls. At that time, the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference, the umbrella organisation of the elected representatives from villages, had submitted a memorandum to Panchayati Raj Minister Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, seeking protection. Khanna, who is pursuing the matter with the NHRC, said: “The signs are dangerous. The trend needs to be bucked. The Commission has taken up the issue in all the seriousness it deserves.” Whether the state responds to Commission’s directions remains to be seen. Of late, the J&K state officials have been questioning the jurisdiction of the NHRC in various matters. The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, as such does not extend to J&K. It however extends to the state in matters that relate to the protection of fundamental rights of people. Contesting elections is a fundamental right of people and free and fair elections a norm. The Commission has already put the DGP, Kashmir, and the IGP, Kashmir zone, on notice in the matter. Safety at stake The NHRC has ruled that as an interim arrangement the DGP, Jammu and Kashmir, will necessarily make security arrangements for the affected parties The rights panel has said the complaint will need to be looked into deeply as it entails a direct threat to the democratic fabric in J&K
	Omar: J-K on road to self-reliance in power Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 19 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said his government has flagged power sector as one of the most important concerns in the state’s development policy for its crucial economic significance and employment generation aspects. “Innovative initiatives have been put in place under the new hydroelectric policy to boost indigenous power generation. Equal attention is being given on upgrading and improving the transmission and distribution system to obtain substantial results and bring about a healthy change in the state’s present power scenario,” the Chief Minister said while chairing the 65th Board of Directors meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC). Omar said various mega, medium and small power projects taken in hand for execution had put the state on the road to self-reliance in electricity. He said under a multi-pronged strategy the state’s hydropower potential was being harnessed in the right direction along with utilising new and renewable energy resources available in the state. “The new projects under the state sector as joint ventures, in IPP (independent power plant) and PPP (public-private partnership) modes are being realised under the new power policy,” he added.
	Bedi: Cricket shouldn’t be mixed with politics M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, July 19 Welcoming the revival of Indo-Pak cricketing ties, former Indian skipper and coach Bishen Singh Bedi today said cricket should not be mixed with politics. "There should be matches between India and Pakistan. Cricket and politics should not be mixed," Bedi said while reacting to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) recent decision to invite the Pakistani side for a series in December. Pakistan had last toured India in 2007 and no series was played with India later after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. He was talking to media after the final match of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) — Season II cricket tournament. Without naming anyone, he said he was aware that "some" were opposing the resumption of cricketing ties between the neighbouring countries.
	Won’t let Qaida enter Kashmir: Army M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, July 19 A day after the new chief operational commander of the Al -Qaida's Pakistan unit, Farman Ali Shinwari, assured full support to militants in Kashmir, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Om Prakash, today said the Army would not let the international terror outfit enter the Valley. “We won't let them come here... this is an assurance... we will maintain peace at all cost,” the GOC told reporters here after the final match of the Kashmir Premiere League (KPL) — Season II cricket tournament. He made the comments in response to yesterday's media reports quoting the first statement posted by an Al-Qaida-linked website after Shinwari's appointment. The reports said the tech-savvy Shinwari had assured his full support to the militants in Kashmir. He had also stated that in case of a war in the “occupied Valley”, he would fight against India's security forces. Shinwari has reportedly also remained a member of militant outfits Harkat-ul Mujahideen and Harkat-ul Jehadul Islami, which have been active in Kashmir. Prakash also said the different security agencies operating in Kashmir had good coordination and were well equipped to foil any design of the militant outfit. Meanwhile, he expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of the KPL tournament involving 255 local cricket teams, the final of which was played at a school in Panthachowk on the outskirts of the city today. “Only because of the prevailing peace (in Kashmir), we have been able to conduct the tournament successfully,” he added. The first phase of the KPL-Season II had started from April 17 in which 255 local teams across the Valley took part. Later, 14 teams were selected that played in the second phase starting from June 11. The KPL was launched by the Army in collaboration with the state government last year in an effort to reach out to the Valley youth and for the promotion of cricket.
	Amarnath Yatra Concerned over deaths, Guv asks pilgrims to follow guidelines Srinagar, July 19 Concerned over the death of yatris, Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), today directed the Chief Executive Officer, SASB, to again publicise a health advisory for the pilgrims issued by the Shrine Board. The Governor issued these directions while chairing a meeting which was attended by Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma and senior officials of the SASB. The meeting mainly focused on the medical problems of the pilgrims during the first 24 days of the pilgrimage.A detailed report was also submitted by the doctors about the causes of death of yatris. After getting the report, the Governor directed the CEO to again publicise the do’s and don’ts and the health advisory for the yatris issued by the Shrine Board. The Governor and Health Minister appealed to pilgrims from all parts of the country to get themselves medically checked and obtain valid medical certificates before embarking on the yatra. Soon after the meeting, the CEO of the SASB, Navin K. Choudhary, urged all the intending pilgrims to take all required precautions. He cautioned that no person who has a serious medical ailment, or any breathing, chest or heart problem, should think of undertaking this arduous yatra, which involves climbing up to nearly 14,000 feet. “Every yatri must carry the medicines which they are advised to take daily, if any,” Choudhary said.— TNS
	Illegal cultivation of opium, cannabis rampant in J-K Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, July 19 In addition to trying to emerge out of the shadow of the gun, the state government has another task before it --- to deal with illegal cultivation of drug producing plants like opium poppy. “While Jammu and Kashmir had always remained a preferred transit route for trans-border narcotics smugglers, illegal cultivation of cannabis and opium goes on in Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Budgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda districts,” said sources in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). We keep destroying standing crops of cannabis and opium poppy across the state but ironically the cultivation is still on, the NCB sources added. The sources candidly admitted that illegal cultivation of opium poppy has assumed alarming proportions in the state. Protracted insurgency, poor economy and increasing unemployment are some of the reasons for this practice, they added. “No doubt that illegal cultivation of these drug producing plants fetch good money but the end user is mostly the youth, whose life gets ruined,” said a police officer who insisted on anonymity. The officer said that since most of the cultivation was done on forest land, the police was unable to do much. Most of the cannabis and opium comes from Kashmir and gets smuggled out of the state, he added. Against the backdrop of rampant cultivation of cannabis, particularly in south Kashmir, the state government has now decided to award strict punishment to those indulging in the illegal farming of such plants. In Anantnag district alone, cannabis was being cultivated on 3,510 kanals and one could gauge the situation in other parts of the state, said the officer. The government has taken various measures to discourage the practice by providing oat seeds to cultivators of opium poppy and cannabis. It has taken steps to replace such cultivation with vegetables, strawberries and other cash crops, said the sources. Incidentally, various terror outfits after running out of funds have also switched over to smuggling of narcotics to raise funds. A GROWING MENACE Illegal cultivation of cannabis and opium goes on in Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Budgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda districts Most of the cannabis and opium comes from Kashmir and gets smuggled out of the state In Anantnag district alone, cannabis was being cultivated on 3,510 kanals Most of the cultivation was done on forest land, hence the police was unable to do much
	JKCA multi-crore scam Probe panel seeks Farooq’s intervention to get documents Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, July 19 The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association’s (JKCA) in-house advisory (probe) committee has sought personal intervention of the association president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, so that the necessary records are made available to it by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the police for conducting a more in-depth investigation into the embezzlement charges in the multi-crore scam. The JKCA probe panel in its interim report, which was submitted to Farooq recently, had felt that the dilution of the authority of the working committee and wrong interpretations of the rules of the JKCA had played havoc with the premier cricket body of the state. The committee further claimed that the amount to the tune of Rs 40.53 crore which had been swindled by the previous office-bearers was likely to go up once the cash book was made available by the police to the probe panel and a little more cooperation was extended by the banks. It had to be ascertained whether the JKCA had some more bank accounts in addition to those mentioned to the probe panel.
	BJP demands CBI probe Says govt inquiry an eyewash Tribune News Service Jammu, July 19 The BJP has demanded that the inquiry into the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam should be handed over to the CBI. The state BJP chief, Shamsher Singh Manhas, while reviewing the working of BJP’s anti-scam committee for Jammu and Kashmir and after receiving an update on various scams from chief spokesperson Jitendra Singh, termed the state government’s inquiry as an “eyewash”. He demanded that since the scam involved influential persons in the government, the inquiry should be handed over to the CBI. He said JKCA president Farooq Abdullah should step down to pave way for an impartial inquiry. “The JKCA involves embezzlement of about Rs 50 crore and money belongs to the people and hence every taxpayer has a right to know the fate of the tax which he or she pays. Besides speeding up the inquiry and taking it to the logical end, the JKCA should be re-constituted and only persons related to the game of cricket should find place as office-bearers,” he said. Manhas said during the past two years, a number of scams had surfaced, both at the national and state level. “While BJP’s anti-scam committee has been actively pursuing the corruption-related cases at the national level, it has constituted state-level teams throughout the country for the purpose,” he added. He claimed that it was a matter of satisfaction that the party’s anti-scam committee got success in bringing into light the Defence Land scam in Srinagar, which has been inquired into by the Defence Ministry but unfortunately the Congress-led coalition government in the state has not shown seriousness to take action against the Revenue Department’s officials. He added that such an attitude on part of the state government raised questions on its commitment to check corruption and give an “accountable” administration.
	Mufti for evolving national consensus on Kashmir issue Tribune News Service Jammu, July 19 Emphasising on the need for evolving a national consensus to solve the Kashmir problem, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said a solution to the vexed problem was a must for the economic growth, development and lasting peace in the region. He, however, said the problem would be solved only through democratic means. “There is no other option but to adopt democratic means to get this problem solved and to address all other issues”, Mufti said while addressing a recent public meeting in the Inshan area in Kishtwar district this afternoon. He maintained that dialogue was the only way to solve all problems peacefully. “Political parties of the country, including the ruling UPA and other opposition groups, have to realise that solution to the Kashmir problem is must for lasting peace in this region”, he said and added it was duty of all political parties to lend support to any fresh initiative in this regard. He opined that internal dimension of the Kashmir problem would be solved by addressing aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the state. Referring to the historical steps taken by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003 during his visit to Kashmir, Mufti said it had come against a grim and potentially disastrous scenario as the two nuclear powers had come face to face following the attack on Parliament. He said the announcement made by Vajpayee on April 18, 2003, at Srinagar was one of the bold steps because he had extended the hands of friendship towards Pakistan at that time.
	Srinagar Shah Jahans emerge victorious in KPL-II Beat Anantnag Arsenal by eight wickets in final M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 19 Around three-month-long cricketing extravaganza, in which 255 local teams played 370 matches, ended here today with Srinagar Shah Jahans emerging winners of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) - Chinar Cup - Season II. The final match played at the Delhi Public School (DPS) ground at Panthachowk on the outskirts of the city saw Srinagar Shah Jahans defeating Anantnag Arsenal by eight wickets. The winners chased the score of 152 in just 16.2 overs. Ahmad Omar received the man of the match award (Rs 15,000) for scoring a scintillating half century. Sports Minister RS Chib and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Chinar Corps Lt Gen Om Prakash handed over the trophy to the winning team, which also received a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. Former India skipper Bishen Singh Bedi was also present on the occasion. The runners-up received Rs 2 lakh while Ganderbal Gladiators got Rs 1 lakh for securing the third position. Aamir Aziz of Srinagar got the best bowler award, Danish Muzaffar (Ganderbal) and Asif Rashid (Srinagar) best wicketkeeper while Asif Rasool (Anantnag) got the best batsman award. Owais Khan of Ganderbal got the best captain award while the captain of Srinagar Shah Jahans Adil Ahmad Reshi got the player of the tournament award. Speaking on the occasion, Chib said the primary focus of Phase-I of the KPL was to enable each district to select and subsequently field one or two teams for Phase-II of the tournament. As many as 14 teams from 10 districts of the Valley participated and played matches in the Phase-II of the tournament. The first phase of KPL Season-II had started from April 12 in which 255 local teams across the Valley took part. Later, 14 teams were selected that played in the second phase starting from June 11. The minister said three players would be sponsored for advanced training in national cricket academies. He said three under-16 best cricket players would also be sponsored for advanced cricket training for which the selection process was underway. Last year, three local cricketers had received training at the MRF Pace Academy, Chennai, and Madan Lal Cricket Academy, New Delhi. The KPL was launched by the Army in collaboration with the state government last year in an effort to reach out to the Valley youth and for promotion of cricket.
	Quake jolts Valley Srinagar, July 19 A moderate intensity earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale shook the Kashmir valley today but there were no reports of any damage due to it. “Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 occurred at 1306 hours with the epicentre in Hindukush region of Afghanistan,” an official of the disaster management cell said here. There were no reports of any damage or casualty due to the tremor so far. — PTI