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Shinde, Omar discuss anti-infiltration steps
NDMA plans massive drill to test quake preparedness
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Stakeholders must join hands to promote tourism: Vohra
Rongdo hydel project awaits completion
Cross-LoC traders pin hopes on Shinde
Geelani wants memorial in PoK, Mirwaiz in Srinagar
Illegal mining threatens heritage site in Beerwah
Three weeks on, police clueless about deputy sarpanch’s killing
Tulip Garden runs into huge losses
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Shinde, Omar discuss anti-infiltration steps
Srinagar, October 13 This was the first such meeting attended by the Home Minister ever since he took over. The Home Minister and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah co-chaired the two-hour meeting at the high security Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). A host of issues, including security of Panchayat members, militancy within the state and infiltration from across the border came up for discussion. The meeting discussed steps to provide security to Panchayat members, particularly in vulnerable areas where the threat perception was believed to be higher. Matters relating to upgrading vigil and curbing incidents aimed at disturbing tranquility and threatening the grassroot public representatives were discussed threadbare. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Union Home Secretary RK Singh, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen KT Parnaik, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Home Iqbal Khandey, Director General Police Ashok Prasad, GOC 15 Corps, GOC 14 Corps, GOC 16 Corps, GOC 09 Corps, Director General BSF, Director General CRPF, principal secretary to the Chief Minister and Additional Director General Police Law and Order. In a separate meeting with the Shinde, the Chief Minister discussed various outstanding issues with the Centre, including transmission and distribution of projects under PMRP, funding of Baghliar Phase II and accelerating the pace of Udhan and Himayat schemes. The Chief Minister stressed the need for an additional assistance package for the state so it could subsidise additional LPG cylinders for the consumers. Omar also emphasised the need for Central approval to the state’s proposal to enhance the assistance package to Kashmiri Pandits. Home Minister shops at Lal Chowk In a departure from practice, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde visited various spots in the central Lal Chowk area as he did some shopping and got a feel of the situation on the ground. This is the first visit by a Union minister to Lal Chowk during the past two decades |
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NDMA plans massive drill to test quake preparedness
Srinagar, October 13 This was stated by NDMA vice-chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy at a three-day national workshop on ‘Urban Earthquake Disaster Risk Reduction’ organised by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences and inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra at Kashmir University today. Reddy said experts from various IITs of the country had been engaged to generate a scenario for the campaign. “We are assuming a magnitude 8.0 earthquake with its epicentre at Sundernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. This preparedness campaign will culminate in a mock exercise early next year which will be conducted simultaneously in all these states and the Union Territory,” he said. He also stressed on the formulation of a national-level body comprising of civil engineers on the lines of the Medical Council of India, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Council of Architects to play a regulatory role in code of ethics and accreditation. “The Ministry of Human Resource is in the process of finalising the engineers Bill,” he added. Reddy expressed concern over the poor disaster management infrastructure in the state, given its high vulnerability and long history of natural disasters. “J&K falls in seismic zones IV and V, but it has still not been able to develop a concrete disaster management and preparedness initiative. This is a matter of concern. The state should take a cue from the initiatives of neighbouring states that are relatively less vulnerable to natural disasters,” he said. Echoing Reddy’s sentiments, Governor NN Vohra said the state had not learnt its lesson from the massive Uri earthquake of 2005 that had claimed hundreds of lives and caused widespread damage to property. He stressed the need for putting in place the State and District Disaster Management Plans on urgent basis and forging effective partnerships for reducing earthquake risks and promoting mitigation and preparedness measures in the state. He also emphasised the need to work in close association with NDMA and other agencies. While maintaining that the rate of growth in urban areas in J&K was 35 per cent, Vohra said there was a need to make engineers, masons and other people associated with construction of buildings aware about earthquake-resistant structures and other possible designs so as to minimise the impact of earthquakes. The Governor also inaugurated an exhibition organised by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and NDMA and visited various stalls. No lessons learnt:
Governor |
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Stakeholders must join hands to promote tourism: Vohra
Srinagar, October 13 Vohra was addressing the valedictory session of the two-day 6th Annual General Convention of the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) today as the chief guest. “The Governor observed that it would be extremely beneficial if the State Tourism Department, Travel Trade and all other stakeholders work closely together to develop required tourist facilities to meet the emerging requirements of the rapidly-increasing tourist arrivals in the state,” a spokesman said. Vohra observed that before 1990, Kashmir was the to choice on the tourist list, but the unfortunate phase that followed caused a serious setback to the tourism industry in the state. “He expressed satisfaction that J&K was again witnessing a surge in the tourism sector. This will give a crucial boost to employment and help in the state’s economic development,” the spoke-sman said. He also gave away awards to various tour operators on the occasion. Meanwhile, 94 students from Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, Rajbagh, Srinagar, visited Raj Bhavan today and met Governor Vohra and First Lady Usha Vohra. The Governor and the First Lady interacted with the children and wished them a bright future ahead.
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Rongdo hydel project awaits completion
Leh, October 13 The eleven micro-hydro projects were sanctioned in 2010 to provide electricity in remote areas such as Nubra and Durbuk blocks of Leh district. The project was sanctioned as part of the Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative under the central scheme to promote clean energy in the region. Nubra and Durbuk blocks are situated at the Indo-Pak and Indo-China borders, respectively. To implement Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative in Leh and Kargil districts, the union cabinet has sanctioned Rs 473 crore to promote solar and hydro energies in Ladakh region over a period of three and a half years. Six micro-hydro projects are being executed while tenders have been floated on four other micro-hydro projects, which are under finalisation on a turnkey basis. However, the execution Rongdo MHP in Nubra block has been delayed for the last two seasons due to its capacity of power generation of 15 MW. Under the policy for the development of micro or mini hydro power projects through SHP projects of capacity up to 2 mw introduced in 2009 by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department, the implementing agency of this project Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency (LREDA) has no mandate to execute the project. Execution of works in Ladakh is possible for six months from April to mid October due to which the period of working season has shortened. LREDA considers the Rongdo project as one the most viable among the other 10 micro hydro projects being execute under Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative. The source of water of this project is spring and it can generate power in the winters also. The Rongdo Nullah is situated in the south and thus does not freeze in the winter season. Project Director of LREDA Jigmat Takpa said, “The execution of Rongdo micro-hydro project been delayed as the LREDA is interested in 3 mw capacity out of its 15 mw generation capacity, which is not allowed under the power development department policy. We have repeatedly applied for the NoC for the same project from the state government since 2011.” He said, “Hope for the execution of this project has increased with the positive response from the government. Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation has recommended the case to the Power Development Department (PDD) seeking a NoC for the LREDA to enable it to carry forward execution of the 3 MW micro-hydro power project at Rongdo Nullah.” He said, “The PDD has sought clarification about the project and our organisational capacity and hopefully we will get the NoC during the visit of CM Omar Abdulah.” |
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Cross-LoC traders pin hopes on Shinde
Srinagar, October 13 They have also appealed to Shinde to direct authorities to expedite the installation of full-body truck scanners at the Salamabad trade facilitation centre in Uri to reduce hassles. "Since the Home Minister is in Srinagar today, we urge him to take a look at the problems faced by Cross-LoC traders. He should see to it that the harassment of traders by various security agencies comes to a halt," said Mubeen Shah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a representative body of trade and industry bodies on both sides of the LoC in J&K and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. On Friday, while reviewing LoC trade at Chakan-da-Bagh trade centre, the Home Minister had assured cross-LoC traders of Poonch all possible help from the Centre for a flourishing trade with their PoK counterparts. Mubeen Shah also pointed out that LoC traders were victims of “arbitrary action” by the customs officials. “If the traders adhere to the agreed list of 21 trade items, then I see no reason why customs officials should initiate arbitrary actions against the traders, which is happening for quite some time now”, Shah said, appealing to the Home Minister to look into this aspect of the trade as well. |
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Geelani wants memorial in PoK, Mirwaiz in Srinagar
Srinagar, October 13 With the government not allowing construction of any such memorial in Kashmir, some separatists have approached authorities in Pak occupied Kashmir to raise one such memorial in Muzaffarabad. In 2001, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), an organisation seeking the whereabouts of those who went missing in the state, had laid the foundation stone for a memorial in Eidgah at the ‘martyr’s’ graveyard. It was demolished by the police the same day. Later, the association bought some land at Narbal village on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway to raise a memorial to ‘Kashmir’s missing’. “The foundation stone of the memorial was laid on April 21, 2005, but the project could not take off due to a resource crunch,” says Khurram Parvez, APDP’s programme co-ordinator. Subsequently, the demand for the memorial was renewed by Kashmiri separatists during the 2010 civil unrest when hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani called for raising a ‘martyrs’ memorial’ at the Eidgah grounds in Srinagar on November 26, 2010. Authorities clamped a curfew and foiled the programme. Convinced that the state government would not let him construct a controversial memorial, Geelani wrote to the authorities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in 2011, urging them to build a memorial to the ‘Kashmir struggle’ to depict the sacrifices of the Kashmiris in the past 22 years. “As per our information, the government in Muzaffarabad has set up a special committee and identified a site for the memorial,” said Ayaz Akbar, spokesman of Geelani-led Hurriyat. Subsequently, on May 21, 2011, chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also called for laying the foundation stone of a ‘Martyr’s Wall’ at Eidgah grounds. However, his he was prevented by the authorities from doing so. “We are committed to build a Martyr’s Memorial Wall at Eidgah. Sooner or later, we will construct it,” he said, adding that “memorials serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices and are an important connection to history for future generations”. Memorial politics Status: Demolished by the police the same day Status: Project could not take off due to resource crunch Status: Prevented by authorities from doing so Status: Site identified for memorial Status: Prevented by authorities from doing so |
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Illegal mining threatens heritage site in Beerwah
Jammu, October 13 The PIL was filed by Veer Saraf, convener of Roots in Kashmir (RIK), and Tanvir Hussain Khan, who runs an NGO Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD). The caves, also known as ‘Batte Gof’ (Pandit’s cave), were said to be under threat from mining of rocks over the last two decades since Kashmiri Hindus migrated from the Valley. Abhinavgupta is credited with authoring some 35 works. His two most important philosophical writings are ‘Paratrimshika-Vivarana’ (The secret of Tantric mysticism) and ‘Tantre-Aloka’ (Tantra spirituality), which is associated with Shivaism. Hindus and spiritual persons of his time had recognised him as the spiritual head of thought of the Shiva school that was prevalent in Kashmir before the arrival of Islam from West Asia. “It is believed that Abhinavgupta lived in Budgam district. This place has caves located in small hills in a place known as Beerwah,” said Vir Saraf, one of the petitioners. After 1990, illegal quarrying activity started around the cave that posed a serious threat to the ancient site. As per the activists, the Archeological Department, Forest Department, Geology and Mining Department, Kashmir, and the district administration allowed mining in the area. They said they had written and met officials to stop mining, but no action was taken. Tanvir Hussain, another petitioner, said, “As per Section 10-A of the J&K Ancient Monuments and Archeological sites and remains Act, 1977, the state government has the power to control mining around the ancient monuments, which had not been taken into account.” Hussain said even the state government website admitted that the caves had significant religious values and were required to be preserved as heritage sites. Under Threat
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Three weeks on, police clueless about deputy sarpanch’s killing
Srinagar, October 13 “We had detained six persons for questioning, including a close associate of Teli and a woman,” said a police officer. “All of them were released as nothing could be established against them. Investigations are going on, but nothing concrete has come forward,” he said. The police initially suspected that some locals had a role in the killing of the 38-year-old deputy sarpanch that took place on September 23. Teli, a National Conference loyalist, was shot dead outside his house at Nowpora Kreeri in Baramulla district. He is survived by his wife and three children. Soon after his killing, the state government had announced job for one of his family members. On September 10, sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Yatoo, was shot dead in Palhalan village of Baramulla district. The two killings had triggered panic among the panchayat members in the Valley. It was after these killing that the government decided to take measures to ensure safety of the panches and sarpanches. The killings had triggered panic among panchayat members in the Valley forcing over 200 elected representatives to resign through public advertisements. In the wake of this, a proper security assessment of elected panchayat members was carried out to provide security cover in vulnerable areas. The Army, paramilitary forces and state police were asked to remain vigilant and take all necessary steps to instill confidence among panchayat representatives. |
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Tulip Garden runs into huge losses
Srinagar, October 13 Data available with the Department of Floriculture reveals that Rs 1.65 crore has been spent on the maintenance and development of the garden so far this year. The revenue generated, however, was just Rs 37.51 lakh. The Tulip Garden has been running into losses ever since it was established in 2008. It incurred the maximum losses during 2008-2009 when the Floriculture Department earned a meager Rs 16.47 lakh from it against the expenditure incurred to the tune of Rs 3.44 crore. The Floriculture Department attributes the huge expenditure to the import of 1.2 million tulip bulbs of 68 varieties from Holland. There has been no boost in revenue generation. The native varieties of tulips have been grown over an area of 30 hectares in the garden. In the red
Expert opinion A huge cost incurred on importing tulip bulbs contributes to revenue losses and the Floriculture Department has been unable to rope in native floriculturists for growing the indigenous tulip varieties which could be a constructive initiative and help in increasing profits
considerably |
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Jammu, October 13
