Anantnag, September 1
The Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) here is facing severe dearth of staff as well as space. This has caused great inconvenience to the patients coming here. The hospital began functioning in 2005. No recruitments have been made for the hospital since then and the number of beds is also the same.

“The hospital caters to the health care concerns of patients from Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian, and also patients from far-flung areas such as Kishtwar, Banihal, Rajouri and several other places also come here regularly,” said a senior doctor at the hospital.

He said the patient inflow from all these places is hampering the functioning of this hospital which is already short of space as well as staff.

Sources said the hospital has 48 daily wagers and more than 20 volunteers but it is not sufficient to cater to the large number of patients coming to the hospital. “The daily wagers are paid out of the Hospital Development Fund (HDF) while the voluntary staff does not get paid at all,” sources said.

Moreover, there is inadequate space for patients in the hospital. The patients are made to share beds. “The patients are forced to share beds and accommodation for the attendants remains a far-fetched idea in this hospital,” an attendant said.

Many patients said they do not have any option as it is the only maternity and child care hospital in the area, “We cannot afford private nursing homes,” another attendant said.

Sources said the administration has been writing to the higher authorities regularly about the hardships the patients have to face; however, the authorities seem to have turned a blind eye towards the issue.

“We need to recruit 180 staff members, including doctors and other paramedical staff. The hospital superintendents have tried to get the attention of the authorities but to no avail,” sources said.

Srinagar, September 1
Despite bus bays at various points in the city, the mini-bus operators continue to halt at their choice rendering bus bays useless and leading to traffic jams on major city routes.

The government has set up more than three dozen bus bays across the city, but the mini-bus operators continue to violate the law. “The bus bays were aimed to ensure better traffic management, but the drivers continue to pick up or drop the passengers as per their wish and they block traffic in the process,” Shahid Ahmed, a resident, said.

Such erratic movement of the buses is seen as the major reason behind frequent traffic jams on all major roads. “Some bus bays have even been encroached upon and the traffic cops are mute spectators to these violations,” said Abdul Qayoom, a University student.

Deputy Inspector General, Traffic, Shafqat Watali, said, “It is a huge challenge for us to ensure that city buses stop at the designated bus bays without blocking traffic. To ensure that the mini bus drivers follow the rules, we will conduct awareness campaigns to educate the drivers to follow the traffic rules. We will also act tough against the violators.”

The DIG sought the support of the public over the issue.

“If people wait at the designated bus bays, the mini-bus drivers will have no option but to follow the traffic rules,” he said.

Srinagar, September 1
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has allowed the owner of a medical shop at GB Panth Children Hospital to file a case against the hospital administration demanding Rs 10 lakh as damages. The hospital authorities had recently sealed the shop of Rifat Mohammad Khan after reports that spurious drugs were sold from the shop being run from the hospital premises.

GB Panth Hospital, the only tertiary-care children’s hospital of the Valley, is under the scanner for high rate of infant mortality.

“The shop of my client was sealed by the hospital administration on the directions of Medical Superintendent, claiming that he was selling spurious drugs. However, in their status report to the court, the hospital administration failed to provide any sample or medicine from the shop which can be termed as spurious,” said Advocate Basher Ahmad Basher, who represented the shop owner.

“Now I have filed a case to seek damages of Rs 10 lakh against the hospital administration for maligning the name and reputation of my client,” Basher said.

The High Court is monitoring the Valley’s lone tertiary-care children hospital after a public interest litigation filed in May. The PIL sought directions of the court to the state government to order an enquiry into the high rate of infant mortality at the hospital,” Basher said.

On August 27, the High Court had directed Medical Superintendent, GB Panth Children Hospital, Army Cantonment Board, Srinagar, and others to file their response within two days to an application filed by two persons challenging the sealing of their medical shops by the hospital authorities.

Both the shops, one of which belongs to Rifat Khan, was run from within the hospital premises and were sealed on July 24, as the authorities alleged that the shops were selling spurious drugs.

Srinagar, September 1
Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited today announced they will be purchasing temperate fruits at an enhanced rate directly from the growers in Jammu division and Kashmir valley to avoid the role of middlemen and distress sales in the market

A spokesperson said, “The enhanced rate structure shall be applicable from August 31. Fruit growers have been asked to reap the benefits of the enhanced rates and go for proper grading of their fruit,” he said. “The rate of apple culls and pre-fall has been fixed to Rs 2 per kg. The ‘C’ grade apples will be procured at Rs 4 per kg and pears culls and pre-fall at Rs 2.5 per kg. The ‘C’ grade pears will be bought at Rs 5 per kg and plum, peaches and quince apple culls and pre-fall at Rs 3 per kg,” said the spokesman. — TNS

Srinagar, September 1
Postal Night Services would soon be a reality in Kashmir, thanks to the ‘Night Post Office’ initiative of the Department of Post, J&K Circle which was inaugurated by Dr Farooq Abdullah at GPO, Srinagar, today.

The postal services in Kashmir would be now available till 8 pm in the evenings on weekdays and 6 pm on Sundays.

Dr Abdullah lauded the role of the department in transforming the postal services to become more people-friendly in the era of competition. “This will go a long way to benefit the people of Kashmir. The Post Office should use solar panels for its energy requirements,” Abdullah said.

John Samuel, Chief Postmaster General, Jammu & Kashmir, said the department has taken many steps to improve the functioning of the GPO at Srinagar, including the provision of ‘Post Shop’, Saffron Post and e-Post Services in a customer-friendly manner. He said the thrust of Jammu & Kashmir Postal Circle this year is to make postal services more relevant to the people.

He said a ‘Special Postal Cover’ will be issued soon on “Clean Srinagar, Green Srinagar” in association with Srinagar Municipal Corporation.

SMC, Commissioner, GN Qasba, said the introduction of floating post office, issuing special covers on tourist destinations, philately exhibitions and the modernisation of post offices in Srinagar have improved postal services.

Srinagar, September 1
After remaining in the ‘red’ and classified as a ‘sick’ unit for past 15 years, the state government today commissioned the revitalised Bemina Woolen Mills factory, modernised and upgraded at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore.

The factory, which has been modernised at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore under a revival package of the state government, was commissioned today by the state’s Industries and Commerce Minister, SS Slathia.

“Bemina Woolen Mills, which is a part of the Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKIL), was a ‘sick PSU’ which has been revived after remaining in ‘red’ for about 15 years,” said the minister.

The minister said that coordinated efforts of all the stakeholders are needed to make the corporation sustainable, economically viable and technically feasible.

“The modernisation of Bemina Woolen Mills has increased the production to 1.60 lakh meters valued at Rs 10.00 crore as compared to 75,000 meters valued to Rs 2.5 crore during the current fiscal,” said an official spokesperson.

“Lauding the workers and officers of JKIL for the excellent work during the last one year, Slathia announced unreleased cost of living allowance (COLA) and housing rent allowance (HRA) in favour of the existing employees as a token of appreciation and encouragement,” the spokesman said.

The minister said the Government Silk Factory is also being modernised at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore for enhancing production of the silk fabrics.

“A state of art silk showroom has already been commissioned at a cost of Rs one crore to promote sale of Kashmiri silken cloth among tourists and visitors,” he said.

Srinagar, September 1
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has welcomed “any process” between India and Pakistan which will stabilise and improve relations between the two countries.

He, however, termed Kashmir as the “main hurdle” in improving ties between the two neighbours. “(Our) party welcomes any process between India and Pakistan aimed to stablise and improve bilateral relations,” Mirwaiz said during his Friday sermon at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid.

The separatist leader said meetings between the leaders of India and Pakistan have been reduced to “rituals” and have failed to yield any results. “It was obvious that the ritual meetings between the leaders of the two countries have upset the Kashmiris … both the countries should give shape and direction to their ongoing negotiations to make them meaningful and result-oriented,” Mirwaiz said.

Mirwaiz said the Kashmir issue should be “resolved” in a “time-bound manner” and called upon India and Pakistan that “without inducting genuine Kashmiri leadership in the talks, the process would be rendered meaningless.

He also termed the activities of the three interlocutors of the Centre on Kashmir to design a political roadmap for the state as a “futile exercise” and cautioned against terming Kashmir as an administrative issue.

“This issue concerns the political future of 1.5 crore Kashmiris and it should be resolved in the background of its historic reality through meaningful dialogue,” Mirwaiz said.

Srinagar, September 1
Jamaat-e-Islami, a politico-religious organisation, yesterday urged the people to suspend worldly activities during the noontime on Fridays.

“Friday prayer is obligatory for every Muslim and the azan (call for prayers) carries a divine direction for a believer to halt all his worldly activities instantly and rush towards the mosques for Friday lecture and keenly listen to the guidance of Allah,” said Advocate Zahid Ali, Jamaat spokesperson.

“It is strongly recommended for every Muslim to make all preparations for the Friday. The Jamaat-e-Islami, J&K, appealed to all Muslims living in the state that while keeping in view the importance of the Friday prayers, they must prepare themselves for the prayers from noon and suspend all worldly affairs, including trade and business activities,” he said.

The Jamaat also appealed to all trade unions, Kashmir Bar Association and its related wings, employees, federations, and other private institutions to extend its full support to its call.

Srinagar, September 1
Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad today asked the officers to dedicate themselves for public service and ensure safety and security of the people.

Prasad while reviewing the security, law and order situation in south Kashmir said, “After painstaking efforts by the J&K Police in coordination with other security agencies and with the whole hearted support of the people, a congenial atmosphere has been maintained which needs to be sustained. The coordination among different agencies is imperative to achieve the goal of maintaining the lasting peace in the state. The activities of elements would be curbed as the police is committed to provide better service to the people.”

The DGP was accompanied by Inspector General of Police SM Sahai and other senior police officers.

A police spokesperson said Prasad also inspected Awantipora Police Station and enquired about the various issues pertaining to professional policing.

“The DGP was briefed about the crime rate in the jurisdiction and the efforts taken by the police to check them,” said the spokesperson.

A security review meeting was also held at Awantipore. Vijay Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anantnag; the Superintendents of Police, Amit Kumar, RK Jalla, Mohammad Shafi, Mumtaz Ahmad and Abdul Wahid Shah attended the meeting.

Jammu, September 1
The second day of the ongoing Division Super League Series Youth Development Volleyball Tournament organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police saw 15 matches being played today at the Polo Ground in Srinagar.

In the first league match, the Pattan Volleyball Club got the better of the VSS Srinagar by 2-0. In the second match, the Badroo Star Club trounced the Mirgund Government High School team by 2-0. The VSS Srinagar spanked the Shejar Club Bogund by 2-1 in the third match while the Trehgam Volleyball Club subdued the Sumbal Volleyball Sports by 2-0. The set score-board read 28-26 and 25-20.

In the fifth match, the Nisar Memorial, Safapora, toppled the Volleyball Club, Ramhall, by 2-0. In the sixth match, the Volleyball Club Challenger Kanispora overcame the challenge of the Government Middle School, Jawallapur, by 2-0.

In the other matches, the Babapora Volleyball Club defeated the Zewan Cheban Club, the Chitragam Volleyball Club trounced the Balhama Government High School, the Badroo Star Club eased past the Aglar Royal Club and the Chitragam Volleyball Club, the Chinad Volleyball Club outplayed the Ramhall Volleyball Club, the Bogund Shejar Club beat the Babapora Volleyball Club, the Aglar Royal Club beat the Mirgund Government High School, the Sumbal Volleyball Club beat the Jawallapora Government Middle School and the Pattan Volleyball Club defeated the Zewan Chenab Club.

Srinagar, September 1
Lawyers in lower and High Court yesterday suspended work to mourn the death of senior Bar member and former Assembly speaker Mohi-u-din Malik, who breathed his last yesterday.

“The Kashmir Bar Association unanimously decided to suspend work and observe a day of mourning,” said Ashraf Bhat, general secretary of the Bar. He said the lawyers would resume work on Saturday. Malik passed away at Drangbal, Pampore, in south Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone has also expressed his grief at the demise of the former Speaker.

In his condolence message, the Speaker termed the late leader an epitome of intellect and a legal luminary who served the people of the state in different capacities. — TNS

Jammu, September 1
State pugilists bagged four medals, a gold, a silver and two bronze, in the recently concluded 28th Sub-Junior National Boxing Championship at Ankola in Maharashtra.

The boxers who brought laurels to the state are Adit Mann, Anil Kumar, Sahil and Izman. A 12-member team had competed in the championship. The team members were trained by coach Anil Kumar Wadhera. — TNS