Jammu, February 12
The recent hailstorm has destroyed 70 per cent of the vegetable, wheat and mustard crop in villages around Jammu. Produce from these areas is supplied to the city. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Revenue would submit a detailed survey report to the government.

Officials from the Agriculture Department said heavy rainfall followed by hailstorm between February 4 and 7 had damaged crops in Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Reasi district, damaging hundreds of acres of farmland in many villages.

Areas on the outskirts of the winter capital like Chohana Chak, Karloop, Tikri Khani, Akalpur-Sarora, Poni Chak and other areas of Marh sub-division, also considered vegetable bowl of Jammu had faced the brunt of the damage.

“Field officers have been asked to conduct a detailed assessment of the loss and the Chief Agriculture Officers concerned have been asked to furnish crop and area-wise damage reports within a week. Reports reaching us say that in some villages crops have been destroyed completely,” said Director Agriculture, Ajay Khajuria.

Khajuria said there was no way to save the crops from the natural calamity and the hail storm was not expected. “We will submit our damage-assessment report to the government for compensation to be granted as per norms,” he said.

Keeping in view the past experience of compensation given by the government and actual benefit to the cultivators, farmers say that they don't expect any help from the administration as it was a complex procedure.

National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was launched in the state four years back to bring cultivators and their crops in its cover, but it had failed to help the farmers.

“It does not help people. As per rules, compensation is given if there is 50 per cent loss of crop in a block. The process is also very cumbersome,” said Tejinder Singh, a farmer leader from RS Pura.

Lack of coordination between the Agriculture Department and other agencies had also contributed in slow implementation of the scheme. Five major crops have been brought under the scheme including paddy, wheat, maize, potato and mustard.

Jammu, February 12
Separate OPDs have been set up at all district hospitals, the railway station, Jammu, as well as the airports at Srinagar, Jammu and Lakhanpur to deal with swine flu cases, if any.

Relieved after one of the two uspected swine flu cases turned out to be negative, the Health Department has also decided to launch an awareness campaign through.

District hospitals have also been asked to provide details of patients admitted with them.

Officials said the administration had made all necessary arrangements in the hospitals of the state to detect and treat swine flu cases. Medical teams have been instructed to keep a vigil to stop the spread of the disease in areas under their jurisdiction.

Director Health, Jammu, Dr Madhu Khullar, said required steps have been taken to deal with swine flu cases, if any.

“There is no need to worry but we are prepared to deal with any situation. Test report of one case was received as negative while the report of the second case is awaited,” Dr Khullar said.

The government has also directed the Directors of Health Department concerned to intensify services of the field staff to carry out mass awareness campaign among those living in the rural areas about the measures to prevent swine flu.

On Sunday two suspected cases were identified in Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital.

Jammu, February 12
As many as 17 persons were injured, one of them critically, in an accident when a bus on way from Bani to Kathua hit rocks on Monday night. The injured were admitted to the District Hospital.

Reports said a bus carrying passengers hit the side of a mountain on a narrow road while taking a sharp turn. The bus hit the rocks as the driver lost control over it. Soon after the incident, local residents and the police reached the spot and took the injured to the District Hospital while one of them who had received head injury was admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.

Authorities have launched a probe into the incident and the driver has been detained for questioning.

Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Zahida Khan, said most of the victims received minor injuries and they were discharged after first aid. "One of the victims who was critically injured was taken to Jammu. I have directed the police to probe the incident," Khan said.

Due to mountainous areas, road accidents are common in the hill state despite measures taken by the government to curb these incidents. According to data, over past three years, 2,400 persons lost their lives in road accidents, particularly in the Doda-Kishtwar region of Jammu.

Jammu, February 12
At a meeting to review functioning of the Power Development Department here today, Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool, has warned of strict action against officials for not completing their revenue targets.

He also called for close coordination between various wings of the department to complete developmental programmes within the stipulated timeframe. He said close monitoring of the power projects and power stations was also essential to ensure that people get adequate supply of power.

He also directed the officers to ensure that consumer registration was fastened so that illegal connections were regularised and revenue realisation was increased and the consumers get rationalised power supply. He said strict action would be initiated against the officers who do not achieve their targets. Regular inspections should be conducted to control power theft/pilferage and also monitor damage to the transformers in different areas, he added.

He also called to ensure rotational transfer of the meter readers on a regular basis to ensure effective monitoring on the tax collection. He also called for transformers must be constructed under the RGGVY.

He asked the officers to work out a mechanism to rationalise power cuts so that people get adequate supply of the same. He also directed officers to regularise services of daily wagers, recently cleared by the government.

Jammu, February 12
The government has made the use of Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFLs) mandatory in all government buildings, government institutions, PSUs, offices of autonomous bodies as well as all commercial establishments.

As per an order issued today, the use of incandescent lamps in all new buildings belonging to the government sector, government institutions, PSUs, autonomous bodies, commercial establishments has been banned with immediate effect. It has also been made mandatory to replace incandescent lamps with CFLs within two months.

The order states that the use of CFLs would also be part of the conditions in the release/sanction orders for all new connections/loads for all government establishments and autonomous bodies.

Jammu, February 12
Hundreds of refugees from the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) today protested against the Centre and the state government for their alleged failure in conceding to their long-pending demands.

Carrying placards and raising slogans against the government, the refugees of 1947, 1965, 1971 wars belonging to Bhimber Kotli, Palandari, Deva, Watla, Chhamb, Nah, Manawar, Poonch Baagh, Muzaffarabad, and Mirpur in PoK protested under the banner of the PoK Refugees Front. They demanded comprehensive settlement package.

Rachhpal Singh Chhib, general secretary of the front alleged that they had been holding protest rallies, hunger strikes, and dharnas, besides courting arrest for a long time but the state government had turned a blind eye towards their demands.

He said they had also submitted several memorandums to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah but both the Centre as well as the state government had failed to take any initiative to redress their issues.

He also requested the Centre to announce Rs 1,700-crore rehabilitation package for the permanent settlement of the PoK refugees. Besides, he also demanded immediate implementation of the Wadhwa Committee Report for a comprehensive settlement.

Singh blamed the ruling dispensation for forcing them to come on the roads for their demands. He said the agitation would be intensified if their demands were not met.

Jammu, February 12
The token strike by Jammu University Non-Gazetted Employees Union and Casual Workers entered the ninth day today. Talks between the committee constituted by the Vice-Chancellor of the varsity and the employees failed to break the deadlock.

Over 700 non-gazetted employees of the university, including 200 casual workers assembled in front of the administrative block and held a demonstration.

Raising slogans against the varsity administration, the striking employees blamed the authorities for forcing them to take the path of agitation.

The varsity administration had constituted a six-member committee comprising Professor Naresh Padha, Registrar Jammu University, Professor Manoj Dhar, Controller Examination, Professor Desh Bandhu Gupta, Professor JP Singh, Professor Poonam Dhawan and Professor Rekha Choudhary to hold dialogue with the striking employees.

The committee held a meeting with the employee representatives but it failed to end the deadlock.

However, Krishan Chander, president of the union accused the JU administration of forcing the employees to go on the strike and warned that if their demands were not fulfilled till tomorrow, they would go on an indefinite strike from February 14. The employees had been demanding regularisation of casual worker and removal of pay anomalies. 

Jammu, February 12
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) team today conducted raids at various shops and other outlets, and seized polythene bags.

The drive, launched on the instructions of KL Khajuria, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, was conducted in Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar and Nai Basti areas.

The team seized polythene carry bags and also charged Rs 7,500 fee from the defaulters. the team urged residents to use bio-degradable polythene bags. 

Jammu, February 12
The Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) realised a revenue amounting to Rs 16.35 crore up to December 2012, recording a 6-per cent increase from the revenue generated in the corresponding period last financial year.

This was informed at a meeting convened to review the functioning of the JKTDC under the chairmanship of Minister for Haj, Auqaf and Public Enterprises Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed.

Giving a brief account of activities of the corporation, the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director said four new hotels were being constructed for better management and comfortable stay of tourists across the state. These are Pahalgam Club, which is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 16.20 crore, the Yousmarg Hotel project worth Rs 3.98 crore, Sonamarg Hotel worth Rs 3.86 crore and Gulmarg Hotel coming up at a cost of Rs 3.86 crore. He said tourism infrastructure was also being developed at Cheshmashahi at an estimated cost of Rs 3.54 crore.

Besides these projects, the historic Budshah Hotel has been reconstructed after a gap of 26 years at a cost of Rs 4.20 crore and a facelift has been given to all tourist bungalows and hotels of the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation across the state. 

Samba, February 12
Hundreds of labourers working in industries of Samba today held a demonstration under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the labour department. They demanded enhancement of daily wages as per the SRO-61.

The protesting labourers were led by PDP youth leaders Sunny Sangral, Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh and Raj Kumar. They alleged they were being paid less in violation of the state rules.

The SRO-61 issued by the state government states that industrial labour would be paid daily wages at the rate of Rs 150, excluding other allowances. Instead, the labourers alleged they were being paid Rs 110 as basic daily wage.

They raised slogans against the labour department and the management of industries for exploiting them. They demanded that the SRO-61 be implemented at the earliest. Sangral extended full support to the cause of agitating labourers and assured to fight for them at all levels. 

Jammu, February 12
Minister for Urban development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora today assessed the functioning of the Jammu Development Authority and the pace of progress on several ongoing projects.

Jora directed the concerned officers to complete all pending projects within the stipulated time, besides asking them to handover the projects completed by the JDA to the Jammu Municipal Corporation.

The minister discussed the Jammu Master Plan 2021, which is in its final stage of completion, with the officers concerned. He asked them to lay emphasis on better and efficient rail-road network, strengthening of facilities pertaining to health, education, housing, sewage, drainage and other basic public utilities in the proposed plan.

JDA vice-chairman Sarita Chouhan made a power-point presentation to apprise the minister of the targets and achievements, revision of the Jammu Master Plan, salient features of the draft master plan 2021, demarcation of land, land retrieved from encroachers during 2012-13, construction of new bus terminals, proposed projects and financial status of the authority besides e-governance initiatives.

The minister was informed that the office block at Narwal was coming up at a cost of Rs 584 lakh, out of which Rs 80 lakh had been utilised on the project till date. Besides, a media house is being established at a cost of Rs 830.7 lakh at Bahu Plaza. It was informed that 1,721 kanals of land had been retrieved from encroachers during this financial year.

The vice-chairperson said the Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries Complex was being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,065 lakh and it was expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Jammu, February 12
The Jammu and Kashmir Minority Forum (JKMF) has demanded immediate disbanding of the apex committee on migrants and constitution of a new committee for migrant Pandits.

The forum has alleged that present committee members were mostly from the ruling alliance and were not taking up relevant issues confronting the displaced community. JKMF president Jawahar Lal Koul has expressed concern over delaying tactics adopted by the government in passing the Temples and Shrines Bill for safeguarding the religious properties of Hindus in the Valley.

Koul said that the enhancement of relief to Rs 400 per person was a joke with the community and demanded that the recommendations made by the state to the Central government in this regard be implemented.

He said former Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla, who took personal interest in mitigating the sufferings of Pandits, West Pakistan refugees and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir refugees was fighting for the passage of the Shrines and Temples Bill on behalf of the community and had taken up the issue with the Union Government.

He said it was due to Bhalla that 1,500 posts were filled up in various departments of the state government and quarters were constructed at Kashmir for migrant employees. He said Bhalla was intentionally shifted from the Ministry to delay the passage of the Bill.

Rajouri, February 12
Minister of State for Labour and Transport Shabir Ahmed Khan today visited border areas of Ghambir Mughlan and took stock of several ongoing developmental projects in the area besides addressing problems and developmental needs of locals.

The minister inspected the construction work on the 11-km Ghambir Mughlan-Hattan Sari, the 5-km Ghambir Mughlan-Barroot Gali, the 10-km Patrora-Ghambir Mughlan roads and the light motor vehicle bridge project at PHC Ghambir Mughlan. The work on these projects is in progress with an estimated cost of Rs 14.05 crore, against which Rs 8.01 crore has been spent till date.

The minister directed the executing agencies to use quality material and to complete the projects on time with judicious use of funds.

He also reviewed the functioning of the Primary Health Centre, Ghambir Mughlan, and asked the staff to provide better medicare to patients. He inspected each unit of the hospital and interacted with patients. He also sought appraisal from the concerned officials about the availability of life-saving drugs, diagnostic equipments and other facilities in the hospital.

Later, the minister addressed a public meeting at Ghambir Mughlan and said the all-round development of the border and hilly areas was being focused upon by the government. He said the government had moved a proposal of Rs 1.40 crore to the Centre to upgrade power infrastructure in the area.

The minister said the government had flagged the health sector as one of the most important sectors in the state’s development policy and attention was being given to provision of modern healthcare facilities across the state.

Jammu, February 12
Highlighting the importance of a dependable road network in the state, Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani, on Tuesday underlined the significance of the historic Mughal Road as an alternate highway for people of the state.

Reviewing the current double-lanning status and upgradation works on the Mughal Road, Wani said plying of double-lane traffic on this economically important highway would be another step to open up huge area inhabited by poor people to socio-economic welfare.

“The road will boost commercial avenues for people living in Poonch and Rajouri, reduce transportation cost for fruit growers in the Valley, open new tourist destinations and facilitate greater inter-regional culture and economic exchange between people of Kashmir and Jammu divisions and also with the rest of the country,” he said.

The government proposes to make the Mughal road an all-weather road by constructing a tunnel near Pir Ki Gali.

Wani was informed that 99 per cent of the 84-km stretch had been blacktopped and most of the unstable slopes en-route stabilised against slips and slides. He was also informed that further stabilisation of highly unstable slopes between Pir Ki Gali and Chata Pani was under progress and was being monitored continuously.

The minister also directed the executing agency (HCC) concerned to ensure that all unstable slopes on the route were stabilised permanently through the use of modern engineering treatment techniques, and the remaining portion of the side drains completed immediately and strengthen the carriageway.

Kathua, February 12
Minister of State for Fisheries and Planning Manohar Lal Sharma convened a public grievance camp at Billawar.

People of the area projected various demands and problems related to supply of power and drinking water, road connectivity, healthcare, education etc.

The minister directed the concerned officers to look into the issues raised by people and to initiate necessary action for the redressal of the same.

Sharma, while addressing the gathering, said the government was committed to strengthening the panchayat infrastructure, besides empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions. He said the government would provide Rs 20 lakh for the construction of ‘panchayat ghar’ buildings in 17 panchayats of Billawar tehsil. He said funds would also be provided for renovating the existing panchayat ghar buildings. 

Jammu, February 12
Communist Party of India (CPI-M) MLA Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami yesterday said the execution of Afzal Guru will further alienate the younger generation in Kashmir from the mainstream.

Expressing dismay over the aftershocks of Afzal’s hanging on youth in the Valley, Tarigami said sensitivities of the state have not been paid any heed before taking the decision of capital punishment. Addressing a press conference, Tarigami condemned the firing incidents at Watergam and Rafiabad in which around four people were injured and one of them succumbed to his injuries at the SKIMS hospital in Srinagar.

He also condemned the deaths of two persons when a boat capsized in Sumbal, Sonawari, allegedly due to the police chase. “The incidents need to be probed by the concerned district magistrates,” Tarigami said.

He urged the government to ease restrictions in Kashmir, taking their inconvenience into consideration.

“I am concerned about the deteriorating situation that has emerged after the execution of Afzal. We reiterate our viewpoint that the decision has been taken in haste based on narrow interests. The sensitivities of J&K have not been considered before taking the decision,” he said. — TNS

Anantnag, February 12
People are facing severe shortage of essential commodities as all the four districts, comprising the south Kashmir region, along with other parts of the Valley remained under strict curfew for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday.

Attendants from diferent parts of the Valley wait in a lane outside a Srinagar hospital for relaxation in the curfew; (right) people purchase vegetables from a market during relaxation in the curfew in Srinagar on Tuesday. Photos: Amin War & Yawar Kabli

Srinagar, February 12
Even as weather conditions in the Kashmir valley continued to remain dry today, the weatherman has forecast fresh rainfall from coming Friday. “Weather will remain dry till February 14 but light rainfall amid overcast conditions is expected on February 15 and 16 in the state,” Director Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus told The Tribune.

While weather in the Valley has remained dry for the last six days after a spell of rain and snowfall at many places, night temperatures rose slightly. Srinagar recorded 0.5 degree Celsius minimum temperature as compared to minus 2.1 degree Celsius the night before, an official of the Meteorological Department said. Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, saw a low of minus 1.0 degree Celsius as compared to minus 2.6 degree Celsius the night before.

Similarly, tourist resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.9 degree Celsius while the border town of Kupwara saw a low of minus 2.1 degree Celsius. Ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir, which is covered in a blanket of snow, remained the coldest place in the Valley as it recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degree Celsius. Most parts of the Valley witnessed a bright and sunny day. The maximum temperatures recorded in Srinagar, Qazigund, Pahalgam and Kupwara were 15.7, 15.4, 12.0 and 13.4 degree Celsius respectively.