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To check pollution in J-K, study tours for MLAs
Real estate prices up in Uri, courtesy Cross-LoC trade
Unresolved K-issue can trigger war, says Geelani
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Rahul’s elevation brings hope for young leaders
After snowfall, traffic restored on 280 roads in Jammu region
Apple growers welcome timely, heavy snowfall
Omar in poll mode, but skips talk of alliance with Cong
Nasir takes over as provincial chief of National Conference
Development to raise living standards, says minister
Cabinet rejig done to appease disgruntled leaders: NPP
Anti-polio drive begins in Leh
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To check pollution in J-K, study tours for MLAs
Jammu, January 20 In the first such tour, CPM legislator M Y Tarigami left on a two-week tour of West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Friday to seek fresh ideas to save the environment. Sources said despite the constitution of various committees to implement and review the decisions of the government to deal with pollution caused by emission from industries, vehicular traffic, brick kilns and usage of polythene, the state has failed to take any concrete steps to stop ecological regression. Officials said that more such tours were being planned for MLAs to study different models being adopted across the country to check pollution. A few days ago, the government gave extension to a committee which was to submit its report in December on the measures needed to deal with the pollution caused by cement industries and stone-crushers. Incidentally, the House Committee on Environment, which is headed by Tarigami, has slammed the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and the Pollution Control Board in both Srinagar and Jammu for its failure to treat and scientifically dispose of solid waste. “There is utter chaos. Jammu and Srinagar are not ready to deal with the waste generated by the present population. Even the basic infrastructure and mechanism for pollution control are not in place,” said a senior official in the Urban Housing Department. Officials said there were no fixed sites for disposal of solid waste at a time when the capital cities were generating nearly 400 tonnes of waste daily. There were no check on emissions by brick kilns and stone-crushers and use of polythene. “Several announcements have been made for action against polluting brick kilns, but on the ground just half-hearted measures have been taken. Most of the solid waste contains polythene, which has chocked several drains and streams”, said an official. Tarigami, who is currently touring West Bengal, said: “Environmental damage is a challenge the world over and not confined to J&K. Our efforts have been to find ways to strike a balance between development and environment protection,” said Tarigami. He claimed that new laws were being framed to deal with the challenges, especially in urban centres of the state. Pollution goes unchecked
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Real estate prices up in Uri, courtesy Cross-LoC trade
Uri, January 20 The land and real estate prices in Uri town, 106 km north of Srinagar, are skyrocketing. The locals have set up hotels and restaurants to cater to the rush of businessmen in the town. All this, residents say is due to the cross-LoC trade between the two parts of Kashmir that started in 2008. “Before the cross-LoC trade, the land price in the heart of the town ranged between Rs 1 and 2 lakh per kanal. But now the cost of land is between Rs 25 and 30 lakh per kanal,” said Abdul Aziz, a resident of Uri. “Even in the neighbourhood in Salamabad, where the Trade Facilitation Centre is housed, the land prices have also gone up,” said Aziz. After India and Pakistan agreed on ceasefire along the LoC in 2003, the two countries started the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7, 2005. The cross-LoC trade began on October 21, 2008. The trans-LoC trade on the Uri-Chakoti axis is conducted for four days. “The cross-LoC trade is presently done on 21 items from both the sides of Kashmir,” said custodian of the Trade Facilitation Centre, Salamabad-Uri, Nazir Ahmad Baba. “The trade has brought prosperity to Uri residents,” he said. The cross-LoC traders stay in Uri for many days to receive or send their goods. “As the trade is conducted for four days, we usually stay in hotels in Uri and they have all the basic facilities,” said Bashir Ahmed, cross-LoC trader. “Like me, many traders stay in the hotels so that we are able to do business with comfort,” he said. The shops in the main market of Uri town are being sold at a high price. And, with an eye on the future, people from the other towns are now setting their foot in the town as they feel Uri would be a major trade centre in the coming years. “Though the cross-LoC trade at this time is not benefiting a majority of the locals, but we see that in the future Uri will turn into a happening business centre,” said a young trader, Zaffar Ahmed, who has a shop in Uri town. |
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Unresolved K-issue can trigger war, says Geelani
Srinagar, January 20 Geelani said he was “satisfied” with the decrease in tension along the “ceasefire line”, referring to the LoC, but warned that lasting peace was “not possible” if the Kashmir issue remained unresolved. “Unless the Kashmir problem is resolved as per the aspirations of the people of the state, lasting peace and stability in South Asia is not possible and a future war and conflict between the two nuclear countries cannot be ruled out,” Geelani said. He demanded complete demilitarisation of the region, saying Kashmir is the root cause of border conflicts and in the future may prove to be a main cause of disaster. Following the reported killing of a Pakistani soldier on January 6 in the Uri sector, two Indian soldiers were brutally killed in the Poonch sector by Pakistani troops. However, the situation has eased with the military leaders on both the sides stressing the need to respect the 2003 ceasefire.
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Rahul’s elevation brings hope for young leaders
Srinagar, January 20 Not only do they feel the “young voice” of the state will be heard more, but they also think the development activities will get a boost. “He (Rahul) has always encouraged young leaders. Its because of his efforts the Youth Congress elections were held in the state. We can now expect more development in our state. He played a pivotal role in making the air service possible to Kargil in the Ladakh region, besides completion of the Qazigund-Banihal railway link,” said Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) president Shahnawaz Choudhary. Choudhary was in Jaipur to attend the final day of the Congress chintan shivir. He said Rahul’s elevation augured well for the PYC demand for the implementation of the 73rd Amendment for the panchayat empowerment in the state. The PYC had held a series of protests across the state last year demanding extension of the 73rd Amendment. Later, senior Congress leaders had also upped the ante following which the Block Development Council elections, which were supposed to be held at the end of the last year, were postponed at the last moment. For Ejaz Mehr, PYC vice-president for south Kashmir, Rahul has always been an idol. Like other young Congress leaders of the state, he has also pinned his hopes on Rahul’s “vision”. “His elevation to the vice-president is a big thing for youth like me. Because of his vision, youth like me joined the Congress and now more youth will come forward. Now, the young voices from Kashmir will be heard more,” he said. Mehr said Rahul wanted the youth, especially from the Valley, to come forward and work for the development of the state. “He (Rahul) wants more youth from the Valley to join the Congress. Developmental works in the Valley are his priority and he wants the active involvement of the youth,” he said. |
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After snowfall, traffic restored on 280 roads in Jammu region
Jammu, January 20 A total of 316 roads were blocked due to rains and snow, out of which 280 have been opened. The minister, while convening a review meeting today, urged the R&B Department engineers to work with full zeal and determination to comfort the lives of the people. “Their role and responsibilities get further elongated, especially in the rural areas. And, their prime duty is to implement government programmes and policies in the field, in totality,” Wani said. After taking over reigns of the R&B Department, Wani has started monitoring all snow clearance operations being run by the department. A provincial-level control room has been established by the minister on the premises of the Institute of Engineers at Jammu where round the clock information about snow clearance operations is being collected and the public is also being updated with the latest information. The R&B Minister ensured that men and machinery stood deployed on all major roads. Despite heavy snow and rain, the R&B Department has been able to restore almost all major road links within a minimum possible time. In Poonch, which was badly affected, all 74 roads have been made operational except five road links taking off from the BG Surankot road which is closed and under the control of the Border Roads Organisation. In Reasi district, 47 roads were badly affected. All these roads have been cleared for vehicular traffic. Similarly, in Ramban district, 32 roads were closed, out of which 19 have been opened. |
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Apple growers welcome timely, heavy snowfall
Srinagar, January 20 The timely snowfall this winter has rekindled the hopes and prospects of a good horticulture crop this year as the upper reaches of Kashmir received more than 3 feet of snow on January 17 and 18. “Like last year, this winter too Kashmir has received good snowfall, which is a welcome development. The timely snowfall this season means that the spring and summer are going to be good as far as the apple crop is concerned,” said Bashir Ahmad Dar, an apple orchard owner from Ushkara village of Baramulla. The heavy snowfall coupled with persisting cold conditions in winter are expected to help in flowering and fruit formation. “The cold and moist conditions during the winter are beneficial for the apple crop as these conditions help in timely and proper flowering,” said Ali Mohammad, an apple grower from Ladoora village in north Kashmir. The state produces around 18 to 22 lakh metric tonnes of different varieties of fresh and dry fruit, with 80 per cent of the production comprising different apple varieties. Official estimates reveal that over 10 lakh people are directly or indirectly associated with the fruit industry in Kashmir. The Kashmir valley witnessed heavy snowfall on January 17 and 18, with the summer capital Srinagar recording more than six inches of snow. Shopian district in south and the Baramulla and Sopore regions in north Kashmir, which are the traditional fruit belts of the state, received up to 2.5 feet of snow. “Snow in Kashmir is essential for the regeneration of the water table and the glaciers,” said Khursheed A Lone, an agriculture officer. The snowfall between December and January is considered beneficial for the agriculture and horticulture crop production. And if the snowfall is accompanied by persistent cold conditions, experts say, it ensures that the snow gets solidified into what is called snow rocks at higher peaks and glaciers. The solidification or formation of snow rocks ensures a continuous flow of water down the streams and springs and helps recharge the water table. “It is now hoped that in the coming months of April and May, Kashmir won’t face any irrigation problems,” said Dr Farooq A Lone, Associate Professor at Environmental Sciences Division, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Sciences and Technology, Srinagar. The Met Department has forecast more rains or snowfall on January 23 and 24, especially in the higher reaches of Kashmir, thus increasing the prospects of more discharge into the streams and rivers. Fruit fare
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Omar in poll mode, but skips talk of alliance with Cong
Srinagar, January 20 Accompanied by former Minister of State Nasir Aslam Wani, who today assumed the task of head of the party in the Kashmir region, Omar addressed hundreds of party workers who had thronged the compound of the National Conference headquarters here in the city. The Chief Minister asked his party members to get ready for 2014, when elections for Parliament and state Assembly are scheduled. “All of you keep your spirits high because exam time is approaching. This is the last year for us to strengthen the party because 2014 is the election year,” Omar said. This time, however, the Chief Minister made no mention of any “grand alliance” with the Congress. Instead, he talked about ensuring the win of his party. “First, the Lok Sabha election and then the Assembly election, we have to prepare our party so that in the coming elections we win with success and take this state forward,” he said. The Chief Minister also praised his former colleagues in the Council of Ministers, who after the latest Cabinet rejig have now been tasked to look after party affairs. “The party is more important than being in government,” he said. “There are some parties who cannot sustain themselves without being in government but the National Conference is not among them,” he said. Ahead of the two critical elections next year, the National Conference has introduced a major reshuffle in its ranks by placing Wani as Kashmir’s provincial president and Devendar Singh Rana as Jammu’s provincial president. Wani today assumed his new charge. In his address, Wani urged Omar to work for strengthening the Panchayati Raj in the state, including holding of elections of block development council and allotting honorarium to sarpanches and panches. Senior National Conference leader and parliamentarian Mehboob Beg, while addressing workers, said Jammu and Kashmir was the only state in the country which had two flags. “Both these flags will continue atop our secretariat till doomsday,” he said. |
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Nasir takes over as provincial chief of National Conference
Srinagar, January 20 He was accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is the working president of the NC. Wani addressed party workers at the Nawai Subh complex which houses the party headquarters. He has been given the task of managing the party affairs in the Kashmir region ahead of the Assembly elections in 2014. Elected to the state Legislative Assembly in 2008 elections from Amira Kadal constituency, Wani was made the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture in Omar’s Cabinet before an additional portfolio of Minister of State for Home was given to him in 2011. “We have to open all doors of our heart,” Wani said to a cheering crowd of workers as he talked about his programme of reaching out to disgruntled and dissatisfied members. “This cannot be done alone by a provincial president. You have to work for it,” he said, exhorting his workers to strengthen the party which he termed as “home”. He praised Omar for leading the party into fulfilling the “dream” of turning Jammu and Kashmir into a “model state”. “It will be written in golden words how the state progressed in Omar Abdullah’s tenure. He showed how the peoples’ institutions can be developed,” Wani said. Wani also requested Omar to work for holding the Block Development Council elections and provide honorarium to the elected panchayat representatives. He also told the party members to work towards strengthening of the party in the run up to the 2014 elections. |
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Development to raise living standards, says minister
Jammu, January 20 Addressing a public meeting, the Labour Minister said the focus of development strategy was to enhance the standards of living of the people and to generate socio-economic opportunities for them. Sadhotra expressed gratitude to the people for supporting the programmes and policies of the coalition government which was aimed at the uplift of the people. He, however, cautioned the people to remain vigilant against the divisive and misleading tactics of vested interests who were bent on derailing the development process and progress undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Referring to the problems projected by the people, Sadhotra said all possible measures would be taken to redress them in a phased manner. He said he was aware of the problems such as unemployment and upgrade of infrastructural facilities in the area and assured those present in the gathering that all the issues would be taken care of. He asked the people of the area in general and the panchayat representatives in particular to be a part of the development effort set in motion by the coalition government. — TNS |
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Cabinet rejig done to appease disgruntled leaders: NPP
Jammu, January 20 In a statement issued here today, Singh said the government has again violated the constitutional provisions by creating a ministry of 31 incumbents which include six vice-chairpersons of various Boards, illegally conferred with the status of ministers. He said the entire exercise has been conducted to appease the disgruntled flock. He said accommodating the disgruntled lot was a huge price being paid from the state exchequer to quieten the discontent and was unacceptable, illogical and unbearable for a state like ours. Questioning the intention of the government on changing the portfolio of some ministers, he said, “Some ministers who had initiated meaningful work in their departments and had gained some experience were shifted to other departments.” Singh further questioned the removal of two Jammu-based Cabinet ministers. He said the public has the right to know whether there was something incriminating against them or they were simply removed to make way for certain favourites, charging the government at the same time with chipping off the Jammu-based ministers. |
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Anti-polio drive begins in Leh
Leh, January 20 The Health Department, Leh, has set up 376 polio booths across the district for 12,260 children, including 2,932 migrant children under five years of age. A total of 1,504 health workers, including volunteers, have been engaged for the drive. Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr T Mutup said a polio booth has also been set up each at Khardongla on the Leh-Nubra road and Changla on the Leh-Durbuk road for children travelling on these roads. The Leh Chief Medical Officer said the two-day door-to-door polio drive in the district would start from tomorrow. |
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Srinagar, January 20
