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amarnath pilgrimage
UP, Punjab, Gujarat ‘ignored’ SASB plea on yatra advisory
Shortage of restrooms on national highway
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20 years on, farmers await compensation for land acquired by BSF
Transporters to get special package for new vehicles
Protests over power, water shortage
rehabilitation policy for ‘misguided’ youth
Nexus with Hizb militants
C-section rate high in Jammu region
Infant Deaths in Srinagar
Need to reverify BPL list, says BSP
Kashmir to get its first synthetic football ground
Cricket activities to resume in Jammu province soon
Antony to visit J-K on July 28
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amarnath pilgrimage
Srinagar, July 24 “The board expressed grave concern and deep regret over yatris losing their lives and desired the CEO to prepare a detailed critical report on the various contributory causes so that all necessary steps are taken to ensure against loss of life in the coming years,” an official said after the meeting. The meeting was also attended by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Bhajan Sopori, Justice (retd) G.D. Sharma, Dr Ved Kumari Ghai, Sunita Narain, Vijay Dhar and SASB CEO Navin K Choudhary. The CEO disclosed that 90 pilgrims had lost their lives till last evening since the commencement of the yatra. While 84 pilgrims had died due to medical reasons, six died due to accidents within the yatra area. Besides, 22 pilgrims had lost their lives outside the yatra area. The CEO stated that 45 casualties had taken place on the Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag route, 33 on the Baltal route and 12 pilgrims had passed away after admission to hospitals in Srinagar. Meanwhile, the SASB members, including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine and interacted with the yatris. They also met the doctors running the Medical Aid Centres. The doctors pointed out that several pilgrims, who had lost their lives, were already suffering from serious medical ailments and should never have embarked on the yatra. The board members were also told by the doctors that there were serious doubts about the validity of the health certificates secured by the pilgrims. While the Supreme Court on Friday had set up a high-powered committee headed by Vohra to suggest steps for preventing the growing number of pilgrim casualties, the Governor nominated Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, and Navin K Choudhary to represent the shrine board in the Special High Powered Committee (SHPC) established under the Supreme Court’s |
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UP, Punjab, Gujarat ‘ignored’ SASB plea on yatra advisory
Jammu, July 24 These states also didn’t respond to the Board’s reminder seeking their suggestions to bring down the high fatalities during the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, say sources. The Supreme Court had yesterday said the J&K Government should take the assistance of the Centre and neighbouring states to deploy medical teams for Amarnath pilgrims. “The SASB had shot off letters to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, former UP Chief Minister Mayawati and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on November 30 last year, seeking their response on devising an appropriate approach to sensitise the pilgrims from these states before they embarked on this arduous pilgrimage,” said a source. The sources say the letters were based on the casualty data of the previous year. The largest number of victims belonged to Gujarat, Punjab and UP. The yatris from these states have not experienced high altitude climate. Government sources say the pilgrims don’t pay adequate heed to the Board’s advisories, resulting in high number of deaths. |
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Shortage of restrooms on national highway
Jammu, July 24 A family of five, which travelled from Jammu to Srinagar last week, complained that they could not find good restrooms all along the highway. “For children and women it is difficult to travel long distances. There are no washrooms at regular intervals on the way.,” said Rajeev Sharma, who travelled from Ludhiana to Srinagar. Amarnath yatris also complain about the absence of hygienic restroom facilities. “With so many of us travelling on this route, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) should have made better arrangements. The corporation has developed only a few properties on the entire stretch,” said Sunitee Khadyal, a Delhi resident, who visited the Amarnath cave shrine recently. Tourism Department officials say more work needs to be done to improve the infrastructure along the national highway. They said the JKTDC looked after the maintenance and construction of restrooms and washrooms on the highway. The corporation should keep a tab on the infrastructure. Director of the Tourism Department Robin Singh said: “The JKTDC looks after the work related to washrooms and restrooms on the highway. It is difficult for the Tourism Department alone to construct and manage many restrooms and washrooms.” “The corporation should look into the matter because once the four-laning of the highway is complete, we will want to follow a systematic approach following the plan of the western expressway between Pune and Mumbai,” Singh said. |
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20 years on, farmers await compensation for land acquired by BSF
Jammu, July 24 Yet again the state government has not kept the promise made to them. During the budget session in February-March this year, none other than Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla had promised compensation to the affected farmers within two months. Almost four months later, the situation remains the same. “Despite repeatedly raising the issue in district development board meetings, not even a penny has been given to the affected farmers in my constituency,” said the Bishnah Assembly constituency MLA of the Jammu State Morcha, Ashwani Sharma. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also promised rentals and compensation but nothing has been given so far, he added. Over 1,600 kanals of agricultural land was used for border fencing in the Bishnah constituency alone. While even after two decades farmers await rentals and compensation, the BSF has now started a new exercise to increase the width of border fence from 60 feet to 135 feet. Those at the helm of affairs should have some perspective before embarking upon such a gigantic exercise with tax-payers’ money, said Sharma. The Suchetgarh Assembly constituency MLA of the BJP, Sham Choudhary, said: “The CM had even visited the Abdulian forward post to assess the situation but till date the state administration has not provided any relief.” “While 1,400 kanals in Suchetgarh was acquired for raising the fence, our agricultural fields on the other side of the fence, like in the Nikowal area, needs to be retrieved, for which the fence has to be shifted close to the Zero Line,” he added. Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Mubarak Singh said the BSF had started increasing the width of the border fence to 135 feet. “While they are on the job, our paper work is also in progress. Once the paper work is over, the compensation to farmers will be given,” he said. Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sanjeev Verma declared: “Out of the 72 villages along the international border in Jammu district, revenue survey in 25 villages had reached the final stage. Forty per cent of the work has already been done.” Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla claimed that the process has almost been completed in majority of the forward villages along the border. “The process has almost reached the final stage and after the BSF gets over with land acquisition, the compensation will be given to the affected farmers,” he said. |
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Transporters to get special package for new vehicles
Srinagar, July 24 The directions were passed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today after chairing a meeting here that was called to discuss issues confronting the transporters. The Chief Minister said obtaining finance from J&K Bank should be chipped in the package so that the transporters are able to buy purchase new vehicles. “A holistic view is required to be taken to address the issue. Transport is an important economic activity linked with passenger service, goods transshipment and tourism,” Omar added. Stating that the government wanted to give the necessary fillip to the economic activities in different sectors and facilitate growth and development, he said the transporters who had suffered on account of condemnation of vehicles required “focus” to help them reinstate their livelihood-generating activity. The meeting was attended by Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon, Batmaloo MLA Irfan Ahmad Shah, Principal Secretary, Planning, B B Vyas, Commissioner Secretary, Transport, Pawan Kotwal, IG, Traffic, Muneer Khan, and representatives of transporters.
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Protests over power, water shortage
Srinagar, July 24 Around 100 protesters, including women, blocked the main road near Batamaloo around 10.00 am. They sat on a dharna against the government’s alleged failure to provide them regular power and electric supply. Even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier said he would ensure that people are not subjected to power cuts during sehri (night meals before fast) and iftaar (fast breaking) time, the protesters alleged that they were facing power cuts during these times. The protesters refused to disperse from the area even when a police team urged them to clear the road for traffic. When the protesters didn’t leave the spot till 1.00 pm, the police resorted to cane-charge. Eyewitnesses said a woman got injured in police action. Later, some protesters even resorted to stone-throwing at Batamaloo. Protests over power and water shortage were also held at Sakedafer in the old city and Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Eyewitnesses said protesters blocked the national highway at Pattan for some time, alleging that the area was being subjected to acute water shortage. |
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rehabilitation policy for ‘misguided’ youth
Jammu, July 24 Three militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen along with their families tried to enter the state from Hamirpur-Bhimber Gali belt along the LoC in Poonch district late Sunday night, said an Army officer. “Since, they adopted an illegal route to enter the state to seek the benefits of the rehabilitation policy, we pushed them back in the evening,” the officer said. The militants were identified as 22-year-old Maroof Iqbal, 21-year-old Javaid Iqbal (both from Hizb) and 25-year-old Showkat Ali, his wife Shamida Kouser (22), his two children Khalid and Umar. The militants had SIM cards, cellphones, passports from Pakistan and other items but nothing incriminating, said the officer. The militants had crossed over to PoK for arms training and were living in the Kotli, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur belts of PoK. Incidentally, the security forces in the state want a foolproof mechanism in place to ensure return of only genuine and real natives of Kashmir. The state government in consultation with the Union government had announced the rehabilitation policy in 2010. Subsequently, the government had selected four entry points, namely Poonch-Rawalakote, Uri-Muzaffarabad, Wagah in Punjab and Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, for the return of “misguided” youth. “While this group tried to enter via the LoC, there are several Kashmiri militants who are returning via Nepal. This practice should be checked and they should be monitored 24x7 by the police. A slight laxity could spoil our efforts to bring normalcy in the state,” said the officer. A Hizb militant, Tanveer Ahmed of Doda, had returned via Nepal only to be arrested on May 16 this year from a hideout along with arms and ammunition. |
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Nexus with Hizb militants
Srinagar, July 24 The court of 2nd Additional Sessions Judge Madan Lal, while rejecting the bail of cops Mohammad Abbas Rather, Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh and Mohammad Ilyas Khan, said the trio was required by the police in further investigations. “The allegations against them are of serious magnitude. On this basis, the bail has been rejected,” the court order said. The three cops had initially moved bail applications in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar. The CJM returned the bail applications with a direction to petitioners that they should file them before the Principal District and Sessions Court, Srinagar. The petitioners later filed the bail applications in the court of 2nd Additional Sessions Judge. In June, the J&K Police had booked four of its policemen under Sections 10 (being member of an unlawful organisation), 13 (any form of assistance in unlawful activity), and 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 3 of the PEPO (Police Enhanced Penalty Ordinance) after it unearthed an alleged nexus between Hizbul Mujahideen militants and a few policemen. The fourth accused cop has not moved a bail application in the court. The arrested cops were constables in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the J&K Police and were assigned the task of intelligence gathering by infiltrating into the Hizb organisation, but they had allegedly switched over sides and started working for the militant outfit. The police has accused the arrested policemen of “planning to orchestrate terror strikes to create chaos in the state.” “They were also taking money from Hizbul Mujahideen militants for carrying weapons and providing sensitive information about the movement of police officers,” a police officer said. |
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C-section rate high in Jammu region
Jammu, July 24 In a startling revelation, a RTI reply accessed by Balwinder Singh, convener of the Sangarsh, an organisation of RTI activists, shows that barring a few nursing homes and private clinics, the rate of Caesarean deliveries in the Jammu region was around 90 per cent last year. Women went through Caesarean section in majority of hospitals and nursing homes. "The overall average of Caesarean deliveries in all government hospitals or health institutions of Jammu district was 31.80 per cent while the average percentage of Caesarean deliveries in private nursing homes and clinics was around 64 per cent last year," the reply claims. It reveals that a total of 5,336 deliveries took place in all government hospitals and health institutions in Jammu district alone from January 1 to December 31 in 2011. "The total number of normal and Caesarean deliveries was 3,639 and 1,697, respectively. In 19 out of 30 prominent nursing homes within the Municipal limits of Jammu, a total of 3,505 deliveries took place. Of these, the number of Caesarean deliveries were 2,282," the documents say. Medical superintendent of a city-based government hospital, who wished anonymity said, "There is a commercial aspect to the issue. Nursing homes and clinics have become money-minting units these days. They are least bothered about the health of patients." He said Caesarean deliveries were better for nursing homes and private clinics than patients. "They charge anything between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 from a patient for a Caesarean delivery. They don't wait for a normal delivery, which may take two days," he said. The RTI reply also poses a big question mark on the functioning of the Health Department. It shows that the department doesn't follow guidelines to conduct the inspection of nursing homes and clinics periodically (at least once a year) for verification of prescribed norms. Officials of the department admit that private nursing homes and clinics are brazenly violating the prescribed guidelines framed by the state government and the authorities concerned fail to take punitive action against habitual violators of law. The Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, in its circular issued on April 17 admitted that private hospitals, nursing homes and clinical establishments operating in Jammu division didn't often submit statistics pertaining to persons treated, births, deaths and miscarriages treated in their establishments, on a monthly and yearly basis to the authorities concerned, which made it difficult to maintain a record. The Registration Act clearly states that nursing homes and clinical establishments should maintain regular receipt books and records, which should be available throughout the day to an inspecting team. These establishments will be inspected by health authorities periodically (at least once a year) for verification of the prescribed standards and norms. Balwinder Singh says, "Wherever, we hold campaigns to disseminate information about the RTI Act, people complain about the functioning of nursing homes and clinics. In government hospitals, Caesarean delivery is the last option for any doctor. But doctors in private nursing homes go for Caesarean delivery without thinking about the health of patient, as it is a way of earning more money." GUIDELINES FLOUTED |
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Infant Deaths in Srinagar
Srinagar, July 24 The committee with its members, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, A R Veeri, G M Saroori, Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bhukhari, Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Peer Afaaq Ahmed and Mohammad Yasin Shah, suggested several measures to improve the health scenario in the G B Pant Hospital in Srinagar. “The committee also suggested some immediate measures to ensure quick medical attention for the sick infants who are admitted in the hospital,” an official spokesman said. “The committee members stated that saving the life of a patient was the first and paramount duty of the doctor and they must fulfil their legitimate duties with extra cautious approach. A small delay on the part of the doctor could result in the loss of a precious life.” Among others, Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, MK Dwivedi; Director, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Showkat Ahmed Zargar; Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Saleem-ur-Rehman; Principal, GMC, Srinagar, Qazi Masood; acting Principal, GMC, Jammu, Aniece Chowdhary; Mission Director, NRHM, Yashpal Sharma; and other officers of the Health and Medical Education Department, Drug Control Organisation and Assembly Secretariat were present at the meeting. “We completed the discussions on the issue today and we will submit a report to the Assembly Speaker in a fortnight,” said Ramzan. The state government had faced sharp criticism in the wake of nearly 500 infant deaths in the G B Pant hospital till May this year. The infant deaths sparked protests against the government. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had ordered a probe into the increasing number of neonatal deaths. Showkat Ahmed Zargar was asked to hold a probe into the matter. Zargar submitted his final report to the government on July 18 in which he reportedly indicted former Medical Superintendent Javed Choudhary for the crisis and deaths.
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Need to reverify BPL list, says BSP
Jammu, July 24 According to a handout issued by the party, state president of the BSP Tulsi Dass Langeh while addressing a meeting at Ramban town said names of deserving persons had been excluded from the BPL list while some affluent people, who had political connections, were included in the list. Langeh observed that poor people were not getting the benefits of the schemes meant for them. He said excluding the deserving persons from the list was injustice. Langeh said there was bungling in MNREGA also.
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Kashmir to get its first synthetic football ground
Srinagar, July 24 Officials say the astro-turf football pitch will be ready by November and will help local players to compete at the top-level. “The astro-turf soccer pitch will boost the soccer activities in the Valley. With the installation of the astro-turf, it would be an all-weather ground,” said Minister for Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports RS Chib. “The state government is making a lot of efforts to bring back the old glory of soccer, which was once the most popular game in Kashmir,” said the Sports Minister. Secretary, J&K Sport Council, Dileep Thusoo said the astro-turf at the TRC ground, which would be the first of its kind in the Valley, would come up at a cost of Rs 5 crore. “By November the surface of the ground will have synthetic fibres and soccer players from the Valley will get an opportunity to learn to play on the synthetic surface,” Thusoo said. “The players can now play soccer at the ground during winter, which will keep them busy.” International player Abdul Majeed Kakroo, who represented India from 1981 to 1989 and also captained the national team in the mid 1980s, said: “The laying of the astro-turf was the need of the hour.” “Our players find it difficult to play on astro-turfs. But now a good beginning will be made by laying the astro-turf at the polo ground. More stadiums need to have the facility,” said Kakroo. Before militancy erupted in 1990 in the Valley, football was the first love of the sports community. Football has, however, made a comeback in the last few years. Several football tournaments were held in the last few years to regain the old glory of football. Kashmir also hosted the Santosh Trophy in 2008. The Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata, recently played two matches in Kashmir, which were watched by hundreds of football fans. Another top football club Mohun Bagan is scheduled to play two matches in September in the state. |
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Cricket activities to resume in Jammu province soon
Jammu, July 24 President of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Dr Farooq Abdullah recently constituted a 12-member province-level committee to kick-start the activities. The Kashmir Province Committee includes Abdur Rouf, ML Nehru, Majid Drabu, Shiban Lal, Iqbal Shah and player representative Nayeem Ahmad Bakshi. The Jammu Province Committee comprises Romesh Mahajan, Mehboob Iqbal, Brijender Singh, Jang Bahadur, Tilak Singh and player representative Nirmal Singh. Shambu Nath Sharma, vice-chairman, JKCA (Jammu wing), told The Tribune that a joint meeting was held in the Valley regarding resumption of the activities in Jammu province. “The JKCA president is serious about resuming the cricket activities in both the regions,” Sharma said. Sources said the JKCA was under fire for not taking any major initiative for resumption of the cricket activities in J&K that were hampered due to the cricket scam. After cricketers from the state expressed their resentment, the association decided to kick-start the activities. Not only are JKCA officials concerned about the lack of cricket activities in Jammu province, but
the players are also expecting some action in the coming days. “Ever since the scam was exposed, we are doubtful over the future of cricket in the state,” said a cricketer. “Let the probe panel do its job of identifying the culprits. The JKCA must also ensure that the activities do not suffer,” he said. “The JKCA chief has said the huge involvement of money into the game was responsible for the present mess,” another cricketer said. “Office-bearers of the JKCA involved in the multi-crore scam have not only tarnished the image of the association, but also sent a wrong message to other cricket associations across the country.” |
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Antony to visit
J-K on July 28 New Delhi, July 24 He will be accompanied by the Army Chief General, Bikram Singh, who visited the state last month. The Defence Minister is expected to discuss the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) among other issues. The Ministry of Defence is yet to respond to suggestions made by the Home Ministry of amending the AFSPA. The Army has already made it clear that this is not the time to ‘thin out’ the troops in the state, though they can be made ‘less visible’. Antony will visit the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur and the Srinagar-based 15 Corps. The Defence Minister today reviewed the security situation along the country’s borders and in the neighbourhood, at a meeting with the top security brass. The hour-long meeting in Antony’s South Block office was attended by National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, Army Chief General Bikram Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, IAF Chief NAK Browne and Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma, officials said.
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Srinagar, July 24
Jammu, July 24
