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Anti-polythene drive launched
No end to timber stealing in north Kashmir
Valley gets some respite from shivering cold
People buy woollens at a market in Srinagar on Sunday.
Tribune photo: Amin War |
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Residents urged to extend helping hand in traffic management
17th batch of Haj pilgrims returns home
High Court quashes detention order of Muslim League leader
10 structures gutted in fire
Muharram month gets underway
NRHM awareness camp
Ensure smooth power supply, Soz asks PDD
Damaged in 2005 quake, reconstructed Gurudwara opens at Uri
Ajeet Club log win in hockey
Govt legitimising corruption on coalition pretext, says Mufti
NC-led govt failed to check corruption, says Lolab MLA
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Anti-polythene drive launched
Srinagar, November 18 The campaign was kicked off from Rambagh Bridge to Jehangir Chowk. The officials concerned seized 101 kg of polythene during the inspection. The officials also recovered another 100 kg of polythene from various shops. SMC Joint Commissioner, Fayaz Ahmad Balla monitored the first phase of the drive and interacted with the shopkeepers, makeshift stall owners and passersby over the pollution issue. He explained the harmful effects of polythene like environment degradation to people. Earlier, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of GN Qasba, which was attended by all the municipal ward officers. At the meeting, SMC Commissioner issued instructions to officials concerned and appointed the building inspectors of the wards as anti-polythene officers. These officers would carry an effective anti-polythene drive in the allotted zones of the city. As per the SMC directions, the officers would conduct regular checking and raids in markets, surprise inspections on daily basis, organise awareness camps and rallies with school and college students. “The sanitation officer should go for surprise visits to take stock of ongoing polythene drives along with the ward officers concerned on a regular basis,” Qasba said. To develop Srinagar polythene and pollution free city, Qasba directed the concerned officials to switch over to every mode of communication both awareness and enforcement and formulate a strategy by which the SMC shall run an effective anti-polythene awareness campaign among the masses. The drive will take place from Monday to Saturdays every week and commissioner SMC will review the week-long drive on Saturdays. Violators also will have to pay the price of using polythene. “They shall be fined and polythene will be destroyed on the spot,” SMC official said. On every Saturday, anti-polythene flag marches will be organised in various schools and colleges of Srinagar to create awareness about the ill effects of polythene among students. |
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No end to timber stealing in north Kashmir
Kupwara, November 18 Residents of Rajwar in Handwara Tehsil also voiced their concerns over deforestation in their villages. In absence of constant supervision of forests by the officials of the forest department, the timber smugglers were on rampage in the forests, members of the delegations complained. “The smugglers have unleashed loot in forests of Kalaroose. They use ponies during night hours for transportation of illicit timber. They also try to seize logs of wood and transport the same to other areas,” said a delegation of local residents. One of the residents of Rajwar said many groups of timber smugglers were active in forests for the past two weeks. Despite making repeated representations to the officials concerned, the department has not taken any steps to curb the illegal practice. “We made several representations to the local
forest office about the large scale deforestation in our village but the department has done nothing to curb the smuggling of timber,” Shabir Ahmad, a senior citizen said. The locals said that the smugglers had taken full advantage of easy-going approach of the field staff. “The field staff seldom visits the forests providing ample opportunity to smugglers to unleash loot in these forests. They carry out smuggling mostly in the night hours and make easy bucks out of this illegal practice,” said Sonuallah of Rajwar. One of the local residents said the shortage of LPG and kerosene has forced many villagers to smuggle firewood in winter. They appealed to forest officials to intensify crackdown against the smugglers to put a check on illicit trade of timber. Conservator of forests North Circle Farooq Ahmad Geelani said “In view of winter, people resort to fetch firewood from the forests but stern action will be taken against the wrongdoers and nobody will be allowed to do illegal practice.
We will intensify patrolling in affected areas and also activate the control rooms. In coordination with Forest Protection Force, the failed staff will intensify crackdown against smugglers.” |
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Valley gets some respite from shivering cold
Srinagar, November 18 In Srinagar, the minimum temperature was recorded at 4.3 degree Celsius, three degrees above the normal for this time of the year, an official of the Meteorological Department said. It is for the first time in the last week that mercury around the city has shown such a rise in the night temperature. Earlier this week, the minimum temperature had fallen to minus one degree. The day temperature in the city was recorded at 14.3 degree Celsius, which is one degree below the normal, the official said. Srinagar also received traces of rainfall over the last 24 hours. In Leh town of remote Ladakh region, mercury fell to minus 7.8 degree Celsius, which was a rise of nearly three degrees from the last night’s minimum temperature. The day temperature in Leh was recorded at 11.8 degree Celsius. In the adjoining Kargil district in the Ladakh region, the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 5.2 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature in Kargil was recorded at 10 degree Celsius, the official said. The minimum temperature in the Ladakh region usually hovers many degrees below the freezing point in winter months sometimes falling down to minus 20 degree Celsius. The region remains cut off from rest of the state as heavy snow along the Srinagar-Leh road shuts the access to the mountainous Ladakh. The Gulmarg resort of north Kashmir was the only place in the Kashmir valley where mercury has slipped below the freezing point. The night temperature in Gulmag fell to freezing minus 1.7 degree Celsius, the official said. In Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, the minimum night temperature was recorded at 2.1 degree Celsius, a rise of five degrees from previous night. The frontier Kupwara town in north Kashmir also recorded a warmer night with mercury falling to 4.8 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature in the south Kashmir’s Qazigund town was recorded at a freezing 2.8 degree Celsius, the official said. The Valley is gearing up for a harsh winter, which is set to officially begin next month. Residents have already switched to their winter wear to escape the shivering evening cold. The Meteorological Department has also predicted snow and rain in the mountainous areas of the Kashmir and Ladakh region over the next 24 hours. The Met official said so far there were no reports of snowfall from any of their observatories across the region. |
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Residents urged to extend helping hand in traffic management
Srinagar, November 18 Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Samoon urged the civil society to come forward with helping hand and become a part of the solution”. “The traffic department alone can not do the things right in this behalf. We all need to pay our bit to uphold the target of giving a better traffic system to the society,” he added. Transport Commissioner Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo gave a detailed lecture on the measures being taken by the government for the betterment of the traffic system. Volunteers of the Red Cross society conducted a mock drill on the occasion and demonstrated various rescue measures in case of road accidents. A documentary film was also screened that depicted clips of dangerous road accidents.
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17th batch of Haj pilgrims returns home
Srinagar, November 18 The first Haj flight had reached here on November 2. Air India is operating direct Haj flights from here to Saudi Arabia after a gap four years. Around 9,170 pilgrims from the state performed Haj this year. This year’s quota for Jammu and Kashmir had been increased from 8,441 to 8,670. In addition, private Haj operators facilitated 500 Haj pilgrims. —TNS |
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High Court quashes detention order of Muslim League leader
Srinagar, November 18 The court has also directed the government to release him immediately if he was not involved in any other offence. Justice Hasnain Massodi has quashed the order after petitioner’s counsel, Mir Shafaqat Hussain argued that the detention of Mushtaq-ul-Islam under the PSA was against the provision of the law. Mir also sought compensation for what he called an illegal detention of his petitioner from May 22 to July 10 by the J&K government. “The government had told the court that the leader of the Muslim League was released on June 30 after his petition was quashed, but he was actually released on July 10 and was kept under unauthorised detention from May 22 to 10 July,” Mir said. The high court directed the government to explain the discrepancy in the date of arrest after he was let off on July 12.
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10 structures gutted in fire
Srinagar, November 18 The spokesman said as many as 10 structures were damaged in the fire affecting 12 families. The fire damaged the houses of Gul Muhammad Dand, Bashir Ahmad Mir, Muhammad Iqbal, Abdul Gaffar Sheikh and Abdul Gani Teli. Later, fire tenders, local police and Army units were pressed into action to douse the blaze. |
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Muharram month gets underway
Srinagar, November 18 The Shia community especially mourns the martyrdom during the first 10 days of Muharram, which started on November 16. The month also marks the beginning of a new year in the Islamic calendar. “We hold majlis (religious gatherings) on the first 10 days, especially during the nights, where the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) is mourned and remembered. We also hold niaz (preparation of food or tea for religious functions) during these days,” said Nasir Ahmad, a local member of the community. While the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) besides his family and supporters is also mourned by the Sunni community during Friday sermons, the Shias hold religious functions on a larger scale. Processions are also taken out during the holy month. “Processions are also taken out locally in this month, especially during the first 10 days, at various places across Kashmir,” said Nasir. However, the main Muharram, which was taken out on Muharram eight, has been banned after the eruption of militancy in the state. Traditionally on Muharram eight, Shia Muslims marched from Guru Bazzar and proceeded through Lal Chowk before culminating at Dalgate. Shias can also be seen flagellating themselves while remembering the martyrs during these processions. The authorities have already issued orders that the traffic movement on Srinagar-Gulmarg road on Muharram 11 (November 25) would be diverted and the traffic coming from Srinagar to Gulmarg shall take Kanihama Batpora, Makhama, Abur, Doobiwan and Tangmarg routes. The traffic from Gulmarg to Srinagar would follow Kunzar, Yall, Sonum, Shirpora, Zangam, Baramulla to Srinagar national highway after 11. 00 am. Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said it will intensify market checking across the city, especially the Shia dominated areas, in view of the Muharram month. “The routine market checking will continue during the Muharram days and the food establishment owners are directed to stick to the food safety standards,” the spokesperson said.
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NRHM awareness camp
Srinagar, November 18 In a statement issued today, the local unit of DFP said it started the campaign with a day-long awareness camp at Bhatnoor, Tral block, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday. It said more such programmes would be conducted throughout the state, along with other parts of the country. During the Bhatnoor camp, experts from the health department delivered lectures giving elaborate presentations about various components of the NRHM. “The programme culminated with a rally of villagers shouting slogans and carrying banners to motivate people to come forward and take the benefits from flagship programmes like NRHM,” the DFP statement said. — TNS |
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Ensure smooth power supply, Soz asks PDD
Srinagar, November 18 Soz visited several areas of the city including Zadibal, Mir Behri, Saidakadal and Alamgari Bazar areas, where locals apprised him of the day-to-day problems faced by them. He urged officials of the Power Development Department to improve the electric infrastructure and ensure adequate supply of electricity, especially in the days of Muharram. “I asked the department to augment the usual electric supply with a generator during Muharram days in these areas,” Soz said. He also urged the officials of the Public Health Engineering Department to ensure proper drinking water facility during the whole month.
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Damaged in 2005 quake, reconstructed Gurudwara opens at Uri
Srinagar, November 18 “Sikh devotees from all across the state attended the function. The gurudwara had suffered extensive damage in the earthquake and even the Guru Granth Sahib had to be shifted to Shati Patshahi, Baramulla,” an official said. “The Guru Granth Sahib was brought back from Baramulla today and religious discourse was started again as per past practices,” the official added. Minister for Public Health Engineering and Flood Control, Taj Mohi ud-Din was also present on the occasion. Addressing the devotees, Taj said the state had always been the abode of all religions and communal harmony. He assured the management of the gurudwara of all help and support from the government. “The devotees hailed Taj for helping in getting the gurudwara renovated,” the official said.
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Ajeet Club log win in hockey
Jammu, November 18 Dilbagh Singh of Youngster Club opened the account in the 19th minute. Sukhwinder Singh and Charanjeet Singh then slammed goals in the 23rd and 39th minute, respectively, to make it 3-0. Ajeet Club then staged a remarkable comeback in the second half scoring back-to-back goals in the 51st, 52nd, 57th and 59th minute, respectively. The goal scorers were Satvir Singh, Sartaj Singh, Karanjit Singh and Jaspinder Singh. In another match, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Club got the better of Cantt Star by a solitary goal. Gurpreet scored all important goals in the 10th minute to first half. Earlier, the tournament was declared open by Colonel HDS Rainal, Commandant, RT 26 Brigade, Kaluchak, in the presence of MS Reen, Tournament Director, Jagjeet Singh and Jagjeet Singh Reen, local populace and sports lovers.
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Govt legitimising corruption on coalition pretext, says Mufti
Srinagar, November 18 Mufti said the government was not just displaying signs of surrender on anti-corruption front but it amounted to creating a space within the political system for wrong doing and immunity against mal practices. “Blaming corruption on coalition politics is not logical as there have been examples of coalition governments providing clean administration admired universally,” Mufti said. Mufti said one of the main reasons for corruption was lack of monitoring at the leadership level, which resulted in delay in execution and misuse of funds meant for development. “The money that goes into private pockets is actually people’s resources, meant for providing amenities like power, roads, water, health services, education etc,” he said. He said the present government had demolished all anti-corruption agencies by initially delaying their constitution and later diluting their jurisdiction. Speaking on this occasion, senior party leader and former deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said the government had converted corruption into broad daylight dacoity, with most ruling politicians facing serious charges of involvement in murder, fraud, nepotism and land grabbing. “Everyone feels free to indulge in loot as all institutional vigilance has been demolished. The legislature is the only the latest victim and most powerful institution to be trampled by the present government” Baig said.
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NC-led govt failed to check corruption, says Lolab MLA
Kupwara, November 18 He said PDP was committed to eradicate corruption at all levels in the state and the party had raised its voice against the menace from time to time. “The NC led government has failed to check corruption in the state. Eradication of corruption from top government offices can put an end to the menace at grass roots level,” said Khan. He was addressing a public gathering at Devar village in Lolab. Expressing concerns over the LPG crisis, he said people in his constituency were also facing hardships due to shortage of cooking gas. “I am fully aware of the problems of people in my constituency. The entire Valley is reeling under the LPG crisis and my constituency is no exception. I will do everything possible to help resolve the problem,” he said. Khan said PDP would strive for equitable development of all three regions of the state. Also, growing unemployment and corruption were the top concerns of the party. Local girls presented a cultural programme on the occasion. MLA Beerwah and senior citizens were also present at the gathering. The supporters raised slogans in favour of PDP and vowed their support for the party leaders.
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People of the Kashmir valley received respite from freezing cold with the minimum temperature rising several degrees above the normal.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature was recorded at 4.3 degree Celsius, three degrees above the normal for this time
A day-long seminar was held here today at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) located on the banks of Dal Lake.
“The seminar was held to commemorate road accident deaths. The day is observed on every third Sunday of November worldwide,” an official said.
