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Army hoists giant Tricolour in Drass to mark Vijay Divas
Youth’s killing triggers protests in Bandipore
I-Day arrangements reviewed
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Mild tremors hit Valley
Students plea on teacher
training course
Day after protests, power
cuts reduced
Social Welfare Department
employees fraudulently drawing pension of dead
Government plan to make state
tobacco-free running out of puff
Additional Rs 200 crore
released for extra power in state
Panthers Party alleges bias against Jammu
“Saffron Post” launched
RTI query brings
MoS for Cooperatives under scanner
Deputy CM promises development in Katra
Ill-preparedness of Amarnath
pilgrims reason for high death rate
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Army hoists giant Tricolour in Drass to mark Vijay Divas
Drass, July 25 The flag was presented by Jindal’s Flag Foundation of India, a non-profit organisation, which works to popularise the Tricolour. “The flag is our national pride and it is for this flag that our soldiers sacrificed their lives,” Jindal said.
The flag is made up of knitted polyester and weighs 15 kg. It is the first flag of such dimension that has been hoisted in J&K. The GOC, while paying tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives, said: “The 1999 Kargil War was unique. The Indian Army has fought several wars since Independence. We were victorious in every war,” Parnaik said. The two-day celebrations will include a wreath-laying ceremony, ‘sainik sammelan’ and a memorial service, which will be held tomorrow. Drass town, where the war memorial is located, is famous for the Tiger Hill and Tololing Hill, the two peaks which witnessed fierce fighting between the Indian and Pakistani soldiers. The victory of the Indian Army over Pakistan is celebrated as Vijay Divas (victory day). The Army organised a musical function, which was attended by Bollywood actress Neha Dupia. A polo match was also held between local players and the Ladakh scouts at Polo Ground here. The ground was heavily shelled by the Pakistani artillery during the Kargil War. A motorcycle show by the Army’s ‘Tornadoes’ team was also held at Polo Ground. In the summer of 1999, Pakistani soldiers, commandos from special services group and fighters from many militants groups had occupied vantage points atop mountain peaks that overlook the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway. Continuous shelling by the Pakistan army threatened to cut away the Ladakh region from the rest of country, forcing massive mobilisation of the Indian war machinery. In the ensuing battles that were fought in the rugged terrains and hostile climatic conditions, the Indian Army managed to win back its territory after a two-month battle. More than 500 Indian Army officers and soldiers were killed in the war.
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Youth’s killing triggers protests in Bandipore
Srinagar, July 25 One youth identified as Hilal Ahmed Dar, son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar of Aloosa village, was killed in the firing by 27 Rashtriya Rifles, which according to the Army was an encounter. However, as soon as the news of Hilal’s death spread, people took to streets in protest claiming that the deceased was not a militant and had been killed in “unprovoked” firing. The protesters carrying the body of Hilal took out a procession from Alusa towards Bandipore town this morning, eyewitnesses said. However, they were stopped by the police at Wonagam, triggering clashes. The police also resorted to cane charge and fired teargas shells to quell the protesters. Five persons, including two cops, were injured in the clashes. Later, the police took the body from the spot and handed it back to the Army. Abdul Rashid, a protester, told reporters that the deceased was “picked up” by the Army after he was returning from prayers last night and shot dead. However, the Army stood by its statement that the firing incident was an encounter. “On information regarding the move of two to three terrorists in Aloosa, Halmatpura, a surveillance-cum-ambush was launched in the Ashtingoo Nar area on the intervening night of July 24-25. About 11.45 pm, the ambush party noticed suspicious movement. On being challenged, the ambush party of 27 RR was fired upon. A brief fire fight ensued. Later during the search at the site, one body (identified as that of Hilal Ahmed Dar) and an AK-47 along with ammunition were recovered,” a defence spokesman said. A police spokesman said a forensic science laboratory (FSL) team has been sent to Bandipore from here that will submit its report. While the police officials area could not be contacted as they were busy tackling law and order situation, Bandipore MLA Nizamuddin Bhat said the deceased as per his communication with the police was not a militant and was working at the Khyber cement factory. Expressing sympathy with the deceased’s family, Bhat has demanded a probe into the incident. Meanwhile, separatist leaders have condemned the incident. Termed the killing “state terrorism”, chairman of the hardline Hurriyat faction Syed Ali Geelani demanded an impartial probe into the incident. The spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)-led Yasin Malik condemned the killing. The spokesman claimed that the deceased was not a militant and only a member of the Tableegi Jamaat (Missionary Group). Condemning the incident, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said such incidents would not stop till the troops are withdrawn from civilian areas in Kashmir. “With the improvement in the security scenario, the PDP has always been pleading for the withdrawal of troops from civilian areas since so many years now,” Mehbooba remarked. Terming the incident unfortunate, Mehbooba said violence in any form and in any society should have no space. “People of Kashmir are yet to come out from the shock of the 2010 civilian killings. Even last Sunday, a shepherd was injured in a firing incident at Malangam in Bandipore,” she said. |
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Srinagar, July 25 Various issues like passes to VIPs, parking place for vehicles, besides security arrangements were discussed in the meeting. The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Srinagar; Chief Education Officer, Srinagar; Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar; SP, Traffic, Srinagar; Commandant, CRPF; Executive Engineers of R&B, PHE and PDD; Deputy Directors of the Youth Services and Sports and Fire and Emergency Services, Srinagar, and officials of the Information Department and Cultural Academy. The Deputy Commissioner said the rehearsal function would be held at Police Headquarters, Zewan, on August 1 while the last rehearsal would be held at Bakshi Stadium on August 13. Meanwhile, arrangements for the Independence Day in Ganderbal district were also finalised in a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner. — TNS
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Mild tremors hit Valley
Srinagar, July 25 An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale with the epicentre in the Hindkush region of Afghanistan hit Kashmir at 1.37 am, an official of the Disaster Management Cell said. No reports of any damage caused were received, he added.
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Students plea on teacher training course
Jammu, July 25 Sources said that after failing to resume the process of annual examination of Special Batch of Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) 2008, JKBOSE had surprisingly announced the admissions for the 2012-14 session without deciding the fate of the 2008-10, 2009-11, 2011-13 batches. “I got enrolled for the ETT course for the 2009-11 session in a private ETT college in Jammu thinking that after completing the course, I will be eligible for a job in my state,” said one of the ETT students. “But during these three years, only the first year examinations have been held. The exams were conducted in April 2011 and the results were declared on November 5, 2011,” he added. “The School Education Board is playing a cruel joke on us by delaying the process of declaration of results,” another ETT aspirant maintained adding “The authorities have been giving us false assurances that the examination will be held shortly.” “Is this the way to treat the students from outside who come in large numbers in J&K to pursue their ETT course”, another ETT student quipped. “Only our parents know how they manage our course fee but JKBOSE is spoiling our future,” he added. The J&K State Board of School Education which is already under immense pressure due to non-completion of remaining papers of ETT 2008 batch is now finding it difficult to cope with both the aggrieved students and the management of private ETT colleges who are blaming the authorities for the chaos. The sources further claimed that after the cancellation of admissions of the 2010-12 session, the JKBOSE authorities had also not completed the admission process of the 2011-13 session which has further infuriated both the students and the management of private ETT colleges. The board authorities, on the other hand, are blaming the management of ETT colleges for creating panic among the students. A senior JKBOSE official while talking to The Tribune said, “There are some colleges in the state that are running only on the paper. These are misguiding innocent students especially those who come from outside the state.”
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Day after protests, power cuts reduced
Srinagar, July 25 As per the new schedule there will be a power cut once a week from 7 pm to 11 pm in the unmetered areas. Earlier, the cut was thrice a week. The Power Development Department (PDD) has given relief to the people during the “sehri” (early morning) time by restricting the power curtailment for three hours from 3 am to 6 am only once in a week, an official said. Earlier, the restrictions were from 10 pm to 5 am twice a week. During the holy month of Ramadan, the PDD has made available 10 per cent extra energy to the consumers, an official said. The department has requested the consumers to make judicious use of electricity, especially during the sehri and iftaar times. The consumers have also been requested to restrict their heating load like heaters, boilers and geysers during sehri and iftaar hours to ensure availability of power during peak hours. Protests over power and water shortage during the holy month of Ramadan at the Batamaloo area of the city had yesterday disrupted movement of vehicular traffic for hours while it also led to clashes between protesters and the police. new schedule *
During the holy month of Ramadan, the Power Development Department has made available 10 per cent extra energy to consumers *
The PDD has given relief to the people during the “sehri” time by restricting the power curtailment for three hours from 3 am to 6 am only once in a week |
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Social Welfare Department employees fraudulently drawing pension of dead
Jammu, July 25 Information gathered by an RTI activist of Rajouri district revealed that with the connivance of officials of a local bank, some employees of the Social Welfare Department were fraudulently withdrawing pension of some dead persons under the Integrated Social Security Scheme in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district. Local officers of the Social Welfare Department are trying to shift the responsibility on to the officials of a local bank for not verifying the credentials of pensioners. The Bank authorities said the pensions were sanctioned by the Social Welfare Department and they had nothing to do with it. Director, Social Welfare, Jammu Mohammad Hussain Bhatti admitted that the matter had come to his notice. “I have directed the District Social Welfare Officer to immediately conduct an inquiry and submit a report to me,” he said and added that he had directed the officer concerned to immediately delete the names of dead or non-existing persons from the lists of pensioners to accommodate more deserving persons. Bhatt said more than 85,000 applications for receiving old age or widow pension were yet to be disposed of by the authorities in Jammu province. The RTI activist, Nissar Ahmed, who had sought information about the list of pensioners, pointed out that Ali Ditta, a resident of Azmattabad, holding an account number 7276/49 had died few years ago, Shah Begum of Azmattbad, holding an account number 7582 died two years ago and Ali Akbar of the same village died one and a half year ago. He alleged that authorities were releasing their pensions and some persons were withdrawing money in their names. Despite repeated attempts, no local officer of the Social Welfare Department was ready to speak on record about the scam. More than one lakh applications of deserving persons for getting old age or widow pensions have been pending before the authorities, but no action has been taken so far. Official documents say 1,49,838 cases of widow pension were pending before the authorities concerned. The Committee on Governance Assurances comprising MLAs of all political parties had expressed its displeasure over the poor performance of the Social Welfare Department in implementing various schemes in the state. The Committee, in its report last year, had expressed its displeasure over the pendency of pension cases under various categories and dismal efforts of the department in arranging funds and finalising the cases despite repeated assurances in the Legislative Assembly.
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Government plan to make state tobacco-free running out of puff
Jammu, July 25 Amidst a lax attitude of various government agencies supposed to enforce the ban, what is alarming is the fact that even school and college-going students have now started falling prey to the menace. A recent analysis of data on tobacco use in the country had revealed that adults in Jammu and Kashmir were spending more on cigarettes and bidis than their counterparts in other northern states. State Food and Drug Controller Satish Gupta candidly admitted that a lot needs to be done. “A government notification clearly states that various government departments, municipal corporations, municipal committees, heads of various autonomous bodies and PSUs, heads of educational institutions, food inspectors and the police have to ensure a ban on smoking in public places. But, none of the organisations except the Food and Drug Control Organisation is initiating action against the violators,” said Gupta. The menace can be curbed only when every agency chips in, he added. With almost no help from other government agencies, the Food and Drug Control Organisation’s efforts to check the menace are proving too little. In the Jammu region from April to June this year, the organisation inspected 1,791 public places which included 206 hospital buildings, two amusement centres, two railway waiting-rooms, 82 restaurants, 234 hotels, 50 post offices, 56 court buildings, 248 educational buildings and 911 other places. “Consequently, at least 578 people were penalised for smoking in public places from whom we realised a fine of Rs 36,335,” said Sanjeev Gupta, Assistant Controller, Food. Similarly, from April to June this year the organisation inspected 1,525 public places in the Kashmir division, including 286 hospital buildings, 12 railway waiting-rooms, 245 restaurants, 105 hotels, 74 post offices, 355 educational institutions, 76 court buildings and 372 other places. A total of 205 violators were penalised from whom we realised a fine of Rs 17,730, said Gupta. The statistics supplied by the Food and Control Organisation state that the Jammu region has eight cigarette/bidi shops within the radius of 100 yards of educational institutions while the Kashmir region has only one. Cigarette/bidi shops or kiosks within the radius of 100 yards of educational institutions violate Section 6 (b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. Interestingly, the organisation slapped a fine of Rs 1,100 on eight violators and a paltry Rs 50 upon one found running a kiosk near an educational institution in Kashmir. SMOKIN’ BLUES * On an average, smokers aged 15 and above across the country spend Rs 399.20 a month on cigarettes and Rs 93.40 on bidis; those in Jammu and Kashmir spend Rs 513.60 and Rs 134.20, respectively *
J&K’s cigarette use prevalence (12%) is almost double the nationwide prevalence of 5.7% *
From respiratory tract diseases to the cancer of lungs, oseophegus and mouth are common ill-effects found among smokers in the country |
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Additional Rs 200 crore released for extra power in state
Srinagar, July 25 At a high-level meeting here to review the power scenario in the state, the Chief Minister in order to narrow the demand and supply gap of power in the next two months, directed the Finance Department to release additional Rs 200 crore to procure extra power to reduce the gap and mitigate the sufferings of people. He also sanctioned Rs 12 crore to enable the Power Development Department to carry out speedy repairs of damaged transformers and other system improvement requirements, an official spokesman said. Omar directed the PDD officials to set up 24x7 control rooms in Srinagar and Jammu to be managed by officers of the rank of Executive Engineers to hear the grievances of the people about power supply and inform line officers about the complaints for early redress. He directed the officials concerned to announce a fresh schedule of power supply and to adhere to it in letter and spirit. He directed the Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmad Khan and Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Sudanshu Pandey to personally ensure that the schedule is adhered to. He asked them to keep a close watch on the working of the frontline engineering staff and any delinquency observed be informed and suitable action be taken to bring accountability in the system. The Power Department has been directed by the government to take stringent measures against those found involved in the illegal use of power. Specially constituted enforcement teams will conduct surprise checks on a regular basis to identify those indulging in power theft and offenders will be dealt with under the law, said an official spokesman. |
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Development of model villages
Jammu, July 25 He said the coalition government had in 2009 embarked upon a new scheme of infrastructure development in some villages of the state at a cost of Rs 3.50 crore each. The villages were to be equipped with all basic amenities. He said the task of identification and development of the model villages was taken up by the RDD, which was expected to identify the villages on a rational basis. Singh lamented the unjust, capricious and prejudicial treatment meted out to the Jammu region. He said the RDD had taken up 14 model villages in the Kashmir region and two in the Jammu region under the state sector funds. He said despite protests and objections, the issue was not addressed by the department. He said the Rural Development Department was coming out with lame excuses that the Jammu region was getting funds under the Border Area Development Programme. Singh sought an equitable share of funds meant for the model villages. He alleged large-scale omissions in the working of MGNREGA in the state. He said despite crores of rupees being spent each year under the national flagship programme, the activity on the ground was negligible. He sought a high-level probe into the spending and expenditure incurred under MGNREGA during the last three years with physical verification of the assets. |
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“Saffron Post” launched
Srinagar, July 25 The Minister appreciated the unique initiative of the Posts Department, adding that the launch of “Saffron Post” will promote the sale of Kashmiri saffron in the national and international market. He said the implementation of the National Mission on Saffron was in full swing in all the potential areas of the state and hoped that it would promote the cultivation of saffron in a big way. — TNS
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RTI query brings MoS for Cooperatives under scanner
Jammu, July 25 Shashank K Bhalla, an RTI activist and a retired principal, told The Tribune that he had filed two applications under the JKRTI to seek the travel details of the minister. Bhalla said the minister was provided the fleet of vehicles as per his protocol. Apart from that, he has been using the vehicles of Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (JAKFED), in capacity of its chairman. He said the details of usage of the JAKFED vehicle and that of the state government vehicle point towards many discrepancies. “My query is simple. How can a person be present at two different places at the same time? For example, on June 15, 2010, the movement of JAKFED vehicle is stated to be from the head office to the Jammu airport and back to the head office. On the same day, his government-allotted vehicles’ movement show local duty in Srinagar. Many such revelations in response to my RTI queries show such incongruities,” said Bhalla.The RTI activist said that he had filed two different applications under the RTI, one to the JAKFED and the other to the Department of ARI and Trainings. “I have also submitted a plea to Governor NN Vohra, seeking high level probe into the matter,” he added. However, Minister of State for Cooperatives Manohar Lal Sharma refuted the allegation saying that it was an attempt to malign his image. “All such allegations are baseless. I have ordered enquiry against some corrupt officials who are using such tactics to malign my image. I will not let them succeed,” he stressed. On the travel details he said, “It is not an issue. I am using the vehicles for official purposes.” |
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Deputy CM promises development in Katra
Jammu, July 25 The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing a meeting called to review development projects undertaken by the KDA, besides other important issues pertaining to Katra town, here yesterday. The MLA, Reasi, Baldev Raj, District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Nirmal Sharma and other officials attended the meeting. Tara Chand called upon the authorities concerned to ensure that hygiene and sanitation in the holy town was maintained round the clock. “Since Katra is the base camp of the Vaishno Devi yatra which caters to pilgrims from all over the country and abroad, it is the duty of the departments concerned to make sure that best facilities are offered to the yatris,” he added. — TNS
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Ill-preparedness of Amarnath pilgrims reason for high death rate
Jammu, July 25 Official statistics revealed that 90 pilgrims comprising 69 men and 21 women lost their lives (84 due to medical reasons and six in accidents in yatra area) till July 23 evening. Besides, 22 pilgrims lost their lives outside the yatra area, of whom 18 were killed in serious accidents. “The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) had sought a report from a doctors’ panel comprising Dr Manmeet Singh, in charge Medical Officer, J&K Health Services Medical Aid Centre at the holy cave, after doctors posted en route to the cave shrine expressed doubts about the validity of the health certificates on the basis of which pilgrims had secured the yatra permits,” official sources said. In the report, the panel said most of the dead had come “ill-prepared” for the pilgrimage in terms of proper clothing, sources said. They said hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) caused due to a dip in cold water and fasting for three days before having ‘darshan’ of the Shivaling also proved fatal for the dead pilgrims. The sources further said the doctor also noted that registered medical practitioners from outside the state had issued medical certificates to medically unfit pilgrims. “The deceased were ill-prepared and they should not have embarked on the pilgrimage keeping in view the harsh weather conditions,” said a source. The sources added that of the 90 dead pilgrims, 49 belonged to Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The panel also analysed the cause of the death and said the dead were of varying age groups. “Some pilgrims were in the senior age group (60 to 72 years) and the remaining in the (24-59 years), who could not bear the harsh climatic and high altitude conditions,” said a source while quoting the panel. “A majority of the dead this year and in 2011 belonged to states which ignored the SASB requests on devising an appropriate approach for the effective dissemination of yatra-related advisories. The Chief Ministers of these states didn’t even respond to the board’s reminders seeking their suggestions to bring down the high fatalities during the annual pilgrimage,” said the source. A senior officer of the state administration, who wished not to be named, criticised the national leadership of the BJP for “politicising” the issue. “The BJP-ruled states, Gujarat and Punjab, where the BJP is the main coalition partner - didn’t take any initiative to sensitise people intending to undertake the pilgrimage despite repeated reminders from the SASB. The party should first set its house in order before making an issue out of a non-issue,” the officer said. Jitendra Singh, state chief spokesperson of the BJP, however, evaded direct questions on the failure of the BJP-ruled states to devise an appropriate approach for the effective dissemination of the pilgrimage-related advisories. He said the curtailment in the yatra duration was the main cause for the high death rate. |
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The national flag, 37.5 feet in length and 25 feet in width, was hoisted by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, and Member of Parliament Naveen Jindal. 