The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Many ills plague new colleges in state Institutions functioning from pvt houses; lack requisite staff, infrastructure Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 23 It has been more than a year since the government announced 22 new degree colleges for the state, but these institutions today are either just on paper or are functioning from a temporary accommodation. The slapdash approach of the government can be gauged from the fact that it has even failed to identify the requisite land for establishment of campuses in some cases, while some colleges are being run from two or three rooms in private houses or government higher secondary schools. The students who have taken admission in these institutions have been facing innumerable problems due to lack of infrastructure and limited options vis-à-vis subjects offered. “Most of the colleges offer just the arts stream. These colleges don’t have the teaching staff and infrastructure to start courses in commerce, medical and non-medical streams,” said official sources. For instance, the sources disclosed, the degree colleges in Mahanpur and Jandrah were made functional in their respective government higher secondary schools but the authorities offered only the arts stream due to lack of infrastructure and the shortage of the teaching faculty. Last year, the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government had announced 22 degree colleges, including 11 model degree colleges, in the state. The model degree colleges were to be developed with an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore under the University Grant Commission’s (UGC) scheme for backward districts. Incidentally, the announcement of the new colleges had created a major controversy in the state with the Opposition as well as the Congress coalition partner accusing the government of opening colleges on “political considerations”. The opposition had also written to the Prime Minister, HRD Ministry and the UGC chairman to look into the “violations” by the government. What govt has to say Claiming that all 22 new colleges had been made functional, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik, however, admitted that these institutions were either functioning from private houses or government higher secondary schools. “The Public Works Department will soon start the e-tendering process for setting up the new campuses. It will take two or three years for these colleges to have full-fledged campuses,” he said.
	3,000 headmasters await CM’s stamp on their promotion Bismah Malik/TNS Srinagar, August 23 For the past three months, nearly 3,000 headmasters in the state have been awaiting the approval of CM Omar Abdullah for confirmation of their promotion to the post. The state Cabinet had promoted these master-grade teachers to headmasters when the Education Department was headed by Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, the then Minister for Education. The proposal was first brought up in 2005 and approved in 2011 with a rider that a committee would look into grievances, if any, against the list of the headmasters that was approved by the state Cabinet. The committee headed by the then Commissioner Secretary School Education Naseem Lankar held several rounds of meetings and the final list was submitted to the Chief Minister, who took over the reins of the state Education Ministry, for approval in June this year. The process of confirmation of the headmasters has been hanging fire for the last seven years. Most of them retired from service while waiting for it. Sources in the Chief Minister’s office told The Tribune that the file concerning the headmasters’ promotion had been handed over to the Chief Secretary for comments. “After the Chief Secretary’s comments, the CM would approve the list. The list is expected to be released in a few weeks,” a source said.
	DGP orders screening of dubious cops Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 23 The recent arrest of a policeman, who was allegedly involved in militant activities in the summer capital for the last one and half year, has shocked the security agencies in the state. The top police brass has directed its intelligence wing to conduct an internal screening of some policemen, who had links with militants in the past. “The arrest of Abdul Rashid Shigan, a constable of the security wing of the J&K Police, is a shocking development as this is the second police-militant nexus unearthed within two months. It is, however, the police that has taken the lid off both these connections,” said a senior police officer. “We have started screening policemen who had any record of subversion,” he said. Sources said the directions came from the Director General of Police, Ashok Prasad. In June, the police nabbed four of its men for “planning to orchestrate terror strikes to create chaos in the state”. The police said the arrested policemen had been taking money from Hizbul Mujhahideen militants for carrying weapons and providing them sensitive information about the movement of police officers. Investigators said the four policemen, who were working covertly for the militants, had provided photographs and residential addresses of nearly 25 police officers associated with the Special Operations Group to militants. Out of the four policemen arrested, three are now out on bail. A senior CRPF officer said even though the police had done a good job by exposing these rogue policemen, the trend was serious. “The police has played an important role in tackling militancy but in view of the two cases, it needs to screen its men who they doubt have a soft corner towards separatists.” Alarming trend In June, four policemen were nabbed for planning terror strikes, providing sensitive information to militants This week, a cop and his accomplice were held for carrying out militant attacks in the past 18 months in Srinagar
	Rogue constable sent to 8-day police custody Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 23 A local court here in Srinagar has sent police constable Abdul Rashid Shigan and his accomplice Imtiyaz Ahmad Gojri to eight-day police custody for their alleged involvement in 13 militant attacks in Srinagar during the past 18 months. The attacks include the recent killing of a retired DSP of the J&K Police and the assassination bid on ruling National Conference leader and Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar. “Shigan and his associate Gojri were produced by the police before the Sub-Registrar, Srinagar, by the police for seeking their remand,” said official sources. In the remand application, the police had sought the custody of the accused culprits for their sustained interrogation, saying that investigation of the case was on. “After perusal of the application, the court remanded the accused duo in eight-day police custody till August 28,” the sources said. Shigan, a constable with the Security Wing of the JK Police, and Gojri, a released militant, were arrested on August 20 from Srinagar. Their arrest was announced by Inspector General of Police Shiv Murari Sahai during a press conference on August 21. Shigan was currently posted as security officer at the Srinagar residence of the Superintendent of Police for north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The police had claimed that he had carried out 13 attacks in Srinagar with the help of Gojri. The duo had formed an independent militant squad, Islamic Movement of Kashmir, and carried out motorcycle-borne attacks in the city. Before being recruited as a constable in the JK Police 1998, Shigan used to work as an over ground worker for the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.
	State seeks public support for improving child sex ratio Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, August 23 Measures are afoot to check sex determination and female foeticide in the state, but public support at the individual level is must for the success of the efforts, claims the government. After 2011 Census revealed that the state had seen a decline in the child sex ratio with 859 girls per 1,000 boys, the government had taken some stern measures to ensure the implementation of the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. Sources at the Health Department said no one has been convicted so far, but over five ultrasound clinics have been sealed in Jammu division and 67 in Kashmir division till March. The Health Department sealed an ultrasound clinic at RS Pura, which was found indulging in sex determination. A gynaecologist and two paramedics of the Health Department were arrested in this connection. The then Station House Officer of the RS Pura police station was the whistleblower in the case. He was later given Rs 25,000 as reward money by the Health Minister. Dr Yashpal Sharma, State Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission, said besides assuring the implementation of the PCPNDT Act in letter and in spirit, they had been stressing on generating awareness about the issue. He said, “The Health Minister along with a team of officials from the Health Department were conducting surprise visits to private nursing homes, ultrasound clinics and show cause notices were issued to some for not removing deficiencies in their health institutions. Director, Health Services, and Chief Medical Officers in their respective districts are conducting surprise visits,” said Dr Sharma Dr Baljeet Pathania, Assistant Director, DHS, District Advisory Committees headed by District Development Commissioners concerned and officials headed by Chief Medical Officers concerned have been constituted to verify whether various clinics are registered under the PCPNDT Act. Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma said, “We all know that words of religious preachers are taken as teachings of the God. Keeping this in view, I have written to about 366 religious preachers and leaders. And we have received good response from them. We have been exploring every possible podium to aware the masses. The support and cooperation of the people is must for the success of the campaigns.” What the PCPNDT Act says? The Act was enacted in J&K in 2006. Any violation of the Act is punishable with imprisonment for three years and Rs 10,000 to 50,000 as fine. Subsequent conviction is punishable with imprisonment for five years and Rs 50,000 as fine. The offence is cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUGGESTIONS Abortive drugs should not be sold without a proper prescription Village level committees should be asked to keep a vigil. Chowkidars, who have traditionally been keeping a record of births, be involved in campaigns.
	Kashmir hosts selection trials for World Golf Championship Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 23 The Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar, is hosting three-day selection trials for the national golf team that is slated to compete in the World Golf Championship in Turkey for the Eisenhower Trophy this October. This is the first time that the trials are taking place here. The selection committee, headed by the Director, National Golf Academy of India, Chandigarh, Jesse Gharwal, is looking for three national golf players who would represent India in the international tournament. “Golfers, undergoing trial sessions here, have already qualified in the semifinal round. This would be the final round,” Gharwal said. He said they were keen on organising final selection trials for women golfers too in the coming days in Srinagar. “Srinagar’s golf course is one of the finest courses in the country. The pleasant weather during summers is a big plus point of this golf course, when compared to those in the rest of the country,” Gharwal said. Though there is no player from Jammu and Kashmir in the national team, organisation of national and international golf tournaments here is raising the interest of people in the sport. Secretary of Royal Springs Golf Course Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din expressed contentment with the developments in the golf arena in the state and hoped many such sport events are held in Kashmir in the future. “For a sport such as golf, Kashmir is the most suitable venue in the entire country. We have recently upgraded the infrastructure so that we can host national and international tournaments here. The trials for the World Golf Championship will certainly add a feather in our cap,” he said. “We should strive to make Kashmir a ‘golfer’s paradise’. Such events should be held more often in the state,” a professional golfer said.
	Govt to evolve consensus on refugees’ rights Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, August 23 Although the meeting of a high-level delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has rekindled a ray of hope among “stateless” refugees from West Pakistan living in the Jammu region, evolving a consensus on the issue is a difficult task for the National Conference-Congress coalition government in the state. To solve the problem of West Pakistan refugees, who have been struggling since 1947 to get citizenship rights, the Constitution of the state needs to be amended, which requires at least a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. The refugees, a majority of whom are Dalits, have been denied basic democratic and fundamental rights by the successive state governments. Due to the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir, the refugees, who had entered the region at the time of the Partition in 1947, have been denied citizenship rights. Not only separatist leaders, but Kashmir-centric mainstream political parties are also opposing giving citizenship rights to them for their petty political gains. For the first time after 1947, some sincere steps seem to have been taken by the present government to solve their problems once and for all. Although the Central government has said it would solve the problems of the West Pakistan refugees, only the state government can take a decision on granting citizenship rights to them. “Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated that there is need for solving the problems of the West Pakistan refugees through a human approach,” said Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar. He said the government would try to evolve a consensus to solve their problem once and for all. Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla, who was part of the delegation that met the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi yesterday, said the financial aspects involved in the solution of the problems of these refugees would be addressed by the Union Government. “As far as granting citizenship rights to these refugees is concerned, the state government would try to evolve a consensus on the issue,” Bhalla said and added that the Congress was committed to granting citizenship rights to them. Even after more than six decades, these refugees have no voting rights in the state Legislative Assembly, no citizenship rights, no ration cards, and no permanent resident certificates.
	State govt seeks court nod to renovate famous Bobby Hut Embarrassed about allotting the dilapidated property to VVIPs Ishfaq Tantry/TNS Srinagar, August 23 The state government has approached the J-K High Court with an application seeking to renovate the famous Bobby Hut in Pahalgam as it is “embarrassed” about allotting the famous but “dilapidated” Bobby Hut to its special guests and VVIPs such as the Chief Minister. The HC Division Bench, which heard the application, has sought a factual report from the district judge in Ananatnag within two weeks before a final decision would be announced. The Bobby Hut in Pahalgam, which became famous by 1970s’ Bollywood blockbuster “Bobby”, is being maintained by the state government’s Department of Hospitality and Protocol. Many of the hit scenes of the film, featuring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, were shot in the hut and since then it has been christened “Bobby Hut”. The hut is a major attraction for tourists and is sought by every VVIP guest who visits Pahalgam. “The existing wooden shingle roofing, false ceiling and the wooden panelling in the VIP-Hut-3 (Bobby Hut) is in a dilapidated condition. There is an immediate need to carry out repairs,” senior additional advocate general Ali Mohammad Magray submitted to the bench. Seized of a PIL about the Pahalgam Master Plan, the High Court is monitoring every activity in Pahalgam and has forbidden any renovation or alteration to any structure there without prior permission from the court. The directions also provide that in case immediate renovations/repairs are required by the government authorities, including the hospitality department, they shall also seek prior permission from the High Court. Magray further submitted that the government was now embarrassed about allotting this hut to any VVIP. “The Bobby Hut is earmarked as accommodation for VVIPs, including the Chief Minister. However, the dilapidated condition has resulted in non-utilisation of the hut for accommodating VVIP guests,” he submitted. After perusal of the application, the Bench has now sought a report from the District Judge, Anantnag, within two weeks to know the factual position. The matter is likely to come up for further consideration along with the main PIL, which is listed before the bench on September 17. BOLLYWOOD CONNECTION The Bobby Hut in Pahalgam, which became famous by Bollywood blockbuster “Bobby”, is being maintained by the state government Seized of a PIL, the High Court is monitoring every activity in Pahalgam and has forbidden any renovation or alteration to any structure there without prior permission from the court
	BJP takes dig at NC, Hurriyat for opposing Amarnath tract Tribune News Service Jammu, August 23 After the BSP, the BJP today came down heavily on the state government and certain Kashmir-centric groups for opposing a road to the Amarnath cave shrine by citing the “excuse” that the ecology of the area would be harmed. Quoting geology and environment experts, chief spokesman of the state BJP Jitendra Singh has refuted the “environmental pollution theory” perpetuated by certain Kashmir-centric experts who are opposing the construction of a permanent track to the Amarnath shrine. He challenged the so-called environment protagonists within the Hurriyat and the National Conference to scientifically prove what they were saying. Singh said it had been established by experts that since there was no glacier en route Amarnath, there ought to be no apprehension of any ecological disturbance. Taking a dig at the National Conference and the Hurriyat, Singh asked why did “these wise men remain silent when thousands of trees were cut to construct the Mughal Road”. “If a cable car ropeway could be brought up at Gulmarg without disturbing the ecology, why can't it be brought up en route Amarnath, which is located far away from inhabited areas?” he asked. Referring to the Vaishno Devi shrine tract, which is 12 feet wide, he said people living in the vicinity of the tract had never complained of any ill effects on the environment.
	Northern Command holds flight safety conference Tribune News Service Jammu, August 23 The Northern Command Flight Safety Conference was held today at the Northern Command Headquarters. The conference, chaired by Lt Gen Balbir Pama, Chief of Staff of Northern Command Headquarters, was attended by senior Army officers, general managers of Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) and Cheetah Divisions from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore and Barrackpore, as well as other dignitaries of the Army Headquarters. The meeting addressed issues relating to operations, maintenance and flight safety of the Army Aviation in Northern Command. The “Triumphant Four” flight of the Pir Panjal Hawks was adjudged the best flight in Northern Command for the year 2011-12. Lt General Pama, presented the Flight Safety Trophy to Flight Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Anupam Gaur, on the occasion.
	Foreign affairs expert talks to KU students about Indo-US relations Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 23 US-based foreign affairs expert Prof Walter Rusell Mead interacted with students and faculty members at the University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology today. He talked to them about the Indo-US relations and advanced education opportunities for Kashmiri students in the US. Prof Russell Mead highlighted the opportunities offered by the changing US-India relations and how it would benefit stakeholders, particularly people of the two countries in areas of trade, investment, defence, information technology, nuclear power and education. In order to ensure more participation of Kashmiri students in various scholarship programmes and increase their level of awareness and understanding about various fellowships offered by the US in the higher education, the Department of Students Welfare, University of Kashmir, organised an interactive session of the students and faculty members from the KU and IUST with Prof Mead, professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College and Editor-at-large of the American Interest, Adele Rupee, Deputy Public Affairs Officer at Bard College and Mandeep Kaur, All India Principal Programme Adviser in the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy at New Delhi. Prof Mead said the common interest of the two countries in these major areas was strong enough and would go a long way in shaping the future of the students from both the sides. He said, “Students and faculty must come forward and avail themselves of this opportunity and learn from each other by participating in various exchange programmes offered in colleges and universities across the two nations and undertake fellowships which will offer them new opportunities of research and study.” Vice-chancellor, University of Kashmir, Prof Talat Ahmad said the university was open to such collaborations and had achieved great success so far by signing MoUs with various international and national institutes of research. The students highlighted difficulties faced by them while applying for various fellowships “due to stringent VISA regime and laborious and tiresome formalities.” Dean, Department of Students Welfare, Prof Neelofar Khan said the department would continue to organise such interactions in future which provide an opportunity to the students to interact with renowned international experts and scholars.
	Field trip introduces geologists to Ladakh Our Correspondent Leh, August 23 A three-week-long field training for geologists on the quaternary set up of arid northwestern Himalayas, focusing mainly on Ladakh began at Leh town from August 20. The main purpose of the field trip is to introduce Ladakh as a vast geological potential spot to young scientists of the country so that they can explore the region and do research. Ladakh has the characteristics of the continent collision zone and all types of rocks are found in the region. Twenty geologists from all over the country are participating in the training. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, is organising the training in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi.
	Cricketers rue lack of practice for Ranji Trophy Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 23 Though Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) president Dr Farooq Abdullah has assured that the culprits involved in the infamous multi-crore cricket scam will be brought to book, the players who are eagerly awaiting resumption of cricket activities in Jammu province alleged that the lack of practice was hampering their preparation for the upcoming cricket schedule. “The schedule of activities has been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The state will host the Ranji Trophy matches at the GGM Science College hostel ground but looking at the situation here, it almost seems impossible to conduct even routine activities in Jammu province,” one of the cricketers claimed. “Ever since the multi-crore scam was unearthed, the cricketing activities in the entire state have been adversely affected,” said another cricketer. “We were hoping that the in-house advisory (probe) committee constituted by the JKCA chief will complete the inquiry to find out the culprits but nothing is going on right now,” he said. “The non-availability of funds for resuming cricket activities in Jammu province is depriving us from attending practice sessions before the tournament,” a cricketer opined. “Dr Farooq had rightly said that the huge involvement of money in the game was responsible for the mess,” he claimed. “JKCA needs help not only to get itself out of the present crisis but also to improve its image, which was tarnished due to the scam,” another cricketer maintained. The JKCA chief had recently announced a meeting of the working committee to work out a plan to recover the funds that the association has lost during the scam. Dr Farooq had earlier constituted the 12-member committee to resume the cricketing activities in the state.
	Guv wants Institute of Kashmir Studies to excel in research work Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 23 Governor NN Vohra has emphasised on the need for making the Institute of Kashmir Studies (IKS) a centre of excellence for pursuing quality research on social, cultural, historical, governance and other aspects of contemporary and future relevance. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir and chairman of the IKS, chaired the executive council and general body meetings of the institute at Raj Bhawan here today. Vohra pointed out the profitability of evolving a broad framework for selection of scholars from India and abroad and identification of the nature and range of subjects for pursuing research in the institute. He said the procedure for selection of research subjects should be clearly laid down, with the corresponding stage-wise timelines. He suggested that a list of relevant themes could be made so that scholars could take up researches which are of interest to the country. He said important research projects, which have been completed, should be highlighted at concerned platforms in India and other countries. Referring to the importance of comparative studies being undertaken at the institute, the Governor observed it would be useful if more such departments came up in all the universities of the state. The meetings focused on various administrative issues and decisions were taken to further streamline the functioning of the institute. The University of Kashmir and the South Asia Foundation (India Chapter) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on this occasion. The foundation assured adequate financial support to IKS for undertaking various activities. IKS Director Siddiq Wahid, University of Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore, AR Trag, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University MPS Ishar, Principal Secretary to the Governor Navin K Choudhary and Vice-chairperson of South Asia Foundation (India Chapter) Veena Sikri were present in the meetings.
	Governor apprised of public health initiatives Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 23 A joint delegation of the Voluntary Health Association of India, New Delhi, and the J&K Voluntary Health and Development Association (VHDA), Srinagar, briefed the Governor about the activities related to public health here today. The delegation led by the Executive Director of VHDA, AM Mir, particularly discussed activities aimed at spreading awareness about the injurious effects of smoking and consumption of tobacco. Mir gave details of initiatives taken by the associations in the past and those planned for the future. Members of the delegation urged for strict enforcement of the concerned laws to discourage consumption of Gutka, the smokeless tobacco, in the state. The delegation also informed the Governor about initiatives being taken to provide support to people affected by earthquakes and other natural calamities. The Governor complimented the organisations for their efforts and said he would ask the state Minister for Health to support them in achieving their objectives.