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Power cuts every 2 hrs irk Valley residents
Srinagar gets facelift ahead of Darbar move
Congress to set up complaint box
Man killed, four injured in separate road accidents
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Baramulla villagers block road after leopard attack
Shalimar Garden gets ‘hammam’
Former Judge, Health Director lock horns
J-K govt adopting collective punishment policy: PDP
Separatists miss Sunday deadline to issue fresh protest calendar
SDA officers constitute executive committee
Kashmiris resent hike in accommodation charges by Kisan Ghar in Delhi
Life returns to normal in Baramulla
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Power cuts every 2 hrs irk Valley residents
Srinagar, April 14 The Valley is reeling under severe power crisis where the PDD authorities have resorted to unscheduled power curtailment and load shedding across all the regions of the province. Apart from the rural areas in Kashmir, where the electricity supply is already dismal, the PDD has also resorted to unscheduled power cuts in Srinagar. Not only this, the authorities have resorted to unscheduled power curtailment in tourist areas of the city too, including Dalgate, Sonawar, Rajbagh and other posh areas of uptown Srinagar. The residents said the PDD was resorting to an hour curtailment after every two hours across the Valley. Irked over these power cuts, Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCDS), a civil society group, had recently approached the SERC with a complaint seeking answers from the PDD authorities over the current power mess and the unscheduled cuts in the Kashmir valley. “Our complaint is pending disposal before the SERC, which has now sought a written reply from the Power Commissioner,” said Dr Hameeda Nayeem of the KCDS. What the petition says? In the petition filed before the SERC, Dr Hameeda said it had been submitted that the PDD authorities had been resorting to unscheduled power cuts, which was both “illegal” and “in violation” of the SERC guidelines. It had further submitted that the power authorities be summoned before the commission to explain the reasons behind the unscheduled power curtailment in the both metered and un-metered areas being witnessed over the past few weeks in Kashmir region, which was unprecedented. “In the petition, we had demanded that the PDD authorities should supply uninterrupted power to the metered areas and also supply electricity to the non-metered areas in the Valley on judicious basis,” she said. Acting on the petition, she said, the SERC had sought reply from the power authorities by April 12. Subsequently, on Friday, Power Commissioner Manzoor Ahmad Salroo had appeared before the commission, who in his oral submission had promised an improvement in the power supply in the Valley in the coming days. Written reply sought from PDD “However, the SERC was not satisfied with the oral assurances of Salroo and has now sought a written reply from the power authorities on the dismal power situation,” She said, adding that the petition of the KCDS had been posted for further consideration till next date, by which the authorities concerned have been asked to file their written reply. It is learnt that Salroo had told the SERC that the authorities expected an improvement in the power situation in Kashmir valley in the coming days as the water level in the Jhelum and other rivers was rising with a rise in temperature. However, sources said the government was not buying further power from the Northern Grid to ward off the current crisis and instead was currently supplying electricity to the grid to minimise the expenses which had been incurred in the past on account of purchase of electricity from the Northern Grid. “To minimise their burden, the government is depriving the residents of the Valley of the electricity by resorting to unscheduled cuts and supplying the same to the Northern Grid,” sources said. Meanwhile, irked over the cuts and unresponsive government, residents have taken to social networking and micro-blogging sites and posted their messages directly to the account of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who himself is holding the power portfolio. “Since you can't make sure the continuity of power supply in Kashmir, just make learning Braille compulsory," reads a tweet posted on the CM’s Twitter account by a local resident. |
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Srinagar gets facelift ahead of Darbar move
Srinagar, April 14 The annual Darbar move practice was started in 1872 by then ruler of the state, Maharaja Gulab Singh. While the practice costs the state exchequer crores of rupees and several quarters, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, have expressed reservations over it, Darbar move has nevertheless continued till date. The authorities have also passed directions to remove filth from the roads so that the summer capital of the state gets a facelift. Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Dr GN Qasba today visited several areas to review arrangements for the Darbar move. “Dr Qasba along with other senior SMC officers visited Church Lane, Tulsi Bagh quarters and the Secretariat to review arrangements for the Darbar move,” said SMC media relations officer. During his visit to the Secretariat, Qasba ordered that the garbage, including heaps of discarded files, be lifted and a massive sanitation drive be launched before the opening of the Darbar offices. He also ordered to launch sanitation drive in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Tulsi Bagh quarters where employees of Jammu stay. He said all the inhabitants of both the phases would be provided with household bins for the collection of garbage. The under-construction drain near Bakshi Stadium was also inspected by the SMC Commissioner and he subsequently passed directions for the speedy completion of the work there. |
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Congress to set up complaint box
Srinagar, April 14 “We will set up a box here and have already approached the postal department in this regard. People can drop their complaints in the box and our Grievances Redressal Department, which will be instituted, will try its best to reach out to the people in their hour of need,” JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz said while addressing a rally at the party headquarters here today. The rally was held to welcome Soz, who was on his first visit here after being re-elected JKPCC president recently. He said the party would take all possible efforts to redress the grievance faced by the locals. “If your files are stuck in offices or if you are facing other day-to-day issues, feel free to approach us,” the JKPCC chief added. |
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Man killed, four injured in separate road accidents
Srinagar, April 14 The man was hit and injured by an unknown vehicle on the national highway at Wail, a police spokesman said. He was shifted to SKIMS Hospital in the city where he succumbed to his injuries. The police spokesman said the man was wearing a checkered shirt. Four others, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured in different road accidents across the Valley, the spokesman said. Khushboo Jan (12), a resident of Barsoo village, was injured by a car near her residence in Ganderbal district, the spokesman said. The injured girl was shifted to a hospital for treatment. A motorcyclist hit and injured a pedestrian
identified as Ghulam Hassan Khan, a resident of Achabal, at Thraphoo in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. In this
incident, the motorcyclist was also injured and both were shifted to a hospital for treatment, the spokesman said. In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a 40-year-old man was injured when he was hit by a motorcycle near Tehsil office at Boniyar. The injured was hospitalised for treatment. |
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Baramulla villagers block road after leopard attack
Baramulla, April 14 The victim was attacked by the leopard when he was on his way to nearby forests to graze cattle. "The leopard pounced upon him and battered his chest and head. Although he retaliated and attacked the leopard with an axe, which he was carrying, but the leopard wounded him seriously," said Salam-u-Din, a local resident. Darya was shifted to the district hospital, Baramulla, from where doctors referred him to Sher-i-Kashmir Hospital for specialised treatment. "The victim is battling for his life in the hospital. The Wildlife Department has miserably failed to deal with the increasing scare of wild animals," said Mohd Hafeez, a local resident. Raising slogans against the department, the protesters blocked the road for about three hours near Rafiabad. They were demanding that cages should be set up in the village to trap the animal. "Animals are on a killing spree and the department is watching like a mute spectator. Dozens of livestock have been devoured and we are facing a serious threat to our lives," said Rafiq Ahmad, another resident. Officials of the Wildlife Department visited the spot and assured the residents that necessary measures would be taken to contain the increasing movement of wild animals. "We will set up a cage in the village and the animal will hopefully be trapped. The villagers should, however, refrain from venturing into forests," said a wildlife official. Following the assurance of the officials, the villagers called off their protest. |
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Sangarmaal spring festival inaugurated
Srinagar, April 14 The festival was declared open by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar during a function. MLA Amirakadal Nasir Aslam Wani and District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah, who is also the vice-chairman of the SDA, were present on the occasion. A large number of people, including tourists, were present at the inaugural function of the spring festival, which offers exhibition of historic artifacts, sale of rare handicrafts, besides discount on routine shopping items like apparels, crockery and jewelry. Sangarmaal City Centre, the Valley’s first state-of-the-art shopping complex, was inaugurated on June 5, 2010, by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Shailendra Kumar stressed on the need of promoting Sangarmaal complex to attract not only the local customers but also the tourists. “The business establishments operating from the complex need to cooperate with the government and promote it. We had high expectations from it but so far it has not lived up to the expectations,” he
said. Farooq Shah said the spring festival would go a long way in promoting the Sangarmaal City Centre as a niche shopping plaza. He said the SDA would promote Sangarmaal in a big way as a high-end integrated market. “We will have to promote Sangarmaal and it is not only the responsibility of the government but the business concerns also have to play an important role in it.” “Customers should feel satisfied that shopping remains a good deal because ultimately it will reflect your conduct as a businessman,” Shah told shopkeepers while interacting with them. |
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Shalimar Garden gets ‘hammam’
Srinagar, April 14 “The “hammam” is a square-shaped structure accessed from a large recessed opening which is preceded by a portico. The entrance leads to a central chamber and two-side chambers. Most of the chambers are lit by skylights.
The rooms have flat domed ceilings. The “hammam” consists of features like the bathing pool or “hauz”, toilet and changing room,” the official added. Later, Peerzada took stock of the developmental works under execution in the Mughal Garden Shalimar. Minister of State for Floriculture, Horticulture and Agriculture Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Commissioner Secretary, Public Enterprises and Floriculture Farooq Ahmad Fakthoo, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah and other officials were also present on the occasion. |
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Former Judge, Health Director lock horns
Srinagar,April 14 The former judge took a dig at the Director Health Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman’s remarks that the issue of fake drugs has been blown out of proportion. Dr Salaeem was also present on the occasion. “I condemn Director Health’s remarks. Even if there are few samples of fake drugs found in the market, the authorities shouldn’t shield that. Those few samples can take so many lives. How would a common man know which drug is fake and which is not? As more and more details about the spurious drugs are unearthed, the trust deficit of people with the authorities is widening,” the former judge said. Earlier, Director Health, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman said that the spurious drugs case is now being used by vested interests in the valley to settle personal scores. He added that in most parts of the world, there is always a little percentage of drugs which is fake. “In past spurious drugs were reported as well, but that does not mean all drugs are spurious. Some percentage of drugs is always spurious there. Spurious drugs are supplied to every state and even in America. Media has blown it out of proportion,” he said. Meanwhile, HPVT volunteers, employees and the fund contributors were felicitated on the occasion by the guests which included Justice Kirmani, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman , Zareef Ahmad Zareef , an eminent poet, Dr. Rafiq Pampori, Principal GMC and associated hospitals and Dr Muneer Masoodi- Medical Superintendent, GB Pant Hospital. A documentary film titled ‘Together with Poor and Needy’ highlighting the issues confronting the health scenario of Kashmir with a special focus on the interventions of HPTV--was screened on the occasion. |
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J-K govt adopting collective punishment policy: PDP
Srinagar, April 14 The PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra, who is also the state’s former Finance Minister, said the ‘hapless’ Kashmiris are being physically and economically ‘annihilated’ by the government with spurious drugs and power cuts. “I want to ask the functionaries of the government that if there is really a shortfall of energy import from Northern Grid, why are the people in Kashmir valley only subjected to harsh power cuts, even if they pay more electricity tariff and have far less illegal connections than any other region in the state,” Karra said. Karra accused the ruling government of having become a ‘collaborator in this lethal anti-Kashmir game-plan’. “In the same way, the way in which spurious drugs are being pumped into Kashmir valley only and then supplied to the Children’s Hospital here where hundreds of kids die around the same time when these noxious drugs were administered to them,” he alledged. Isn’t there a pattern working somewhere that besides slaying them by bullets in their teens why not exterminate our coming generations immediately after their birth.” Karra alleged that as a part of its ‘well-designed ploy to impose economic subjugation on the people of Kashmir’, the present regime is making all the ‘devious means’ operational to push Kashmiris into ‘perpetual darkness’. He alleged that the electricity supply has hit the worst levels since 2002 before which the NC government had ensured that the state is ‘starved of power’. “While power tariff has been hiked manifold , the supply has deteriorated in the Valley,” he said. Karra said it is ‘not understandable as to how’ the present government managed the reversal of the power situation which had shown remarkable improvement under the previous coalition government. “We had several winters between 2002 and 2008 as well, but our government ensured uninterrupted power to metered areas and restricted load shedding schedules for the rest,” he said. |
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Separatists miss Sunday deadline to issue fresh protest calendar
Srinagar, April 14 The new weekly protest calendar was supposed to come till Sunday evening, as has been the routine, since the council was formed. A member of the Mutahidda Majlis-e-Mushawarat said the calendar may be issued on Monday. In its last week’s protest calendar, the separatist council had avoided calling for any shutdown. The shutdowns called by the council had evoked rudimentary response. The protest calendars of the past weeks had included call for demonstrations by different sections of the society on almost daily basis. However, in recent weeks, the region has shown signs hinting that the tension, which had gripped the region in the aftermath of Guru’s hanging, was slowly defusing. Mutahidda Majlis-e-Mushawarat, which was formed after the hanging of Guru to spearhead protests to demand the return of bodies, includes both the factions of separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, hardliner women separatist outfit Dukhataran-e-Millat and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. While Guru was hanged in Tihar jail last month, Butt was hanged there in February 1984. Both of them were buried on the jail premises. Last week, the separatist council had called for an online signature campaign on social networking website Facebook to demand the return of bodies. It has also called for protests on last Friday afternoon and appealed to mosque preachers to lead the demonstrations. The previous shutdown, called by the council, had evoked a feeble response as many businesses and traffic services remained functional in most parts of the Valley. Kashmir had remained shut for 24 days since the February 9 hanging of Guru, which sent the region into a spiral of protests, shutdowns and curfews. |
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SDA officers constitute executive committee
Srinagar, April 14 “The officers’ association of the SDA on Friday constituted an executive committee to flag and seek redress of the issues confronting the authority,” he said. The members of the newly constituted committee include Abdul Aziz Khawaja, Deputy Director, Enforcement, Qaiser Riyaz Koul, Assistant Executive Engineer, Shabir Ahmad, Assistant Executive Engineer, and Syed Abul Qasim, Deputy Director, Land Management. “It was decided in the meeting that after taking all the officers on board, the committee would prepare a memorandum on crucial issues confronting the authority and flag the same before the chairman and the vice-chairman of the SDA for immediate redress,” he said. He said some of the issues identified in the meeting for instant action included speeding up acquisition of land at Rakh-e-Gund Akshah for development of a state-of-the-art housing colony and commercial hub at Railhead Nowgam, construction of flats at various sites identified for the purpose in Srinagar, construction of budgeted accommodation at Panthachowk bus terminal, accomplishing of second phase of Sangarmaal City Centre, acquisition of Tatoo Ground land, decision on rehabilitation of vendors at Batamaloo, completion of Srinagar Master Plan and convening of the Departmental Promotion Committee and board meeting to address the issues of stagnation of employees. The meeting, while welcoming the new vice-chairman Farooq Ahmad Shah, urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora that the incumbent be continued in SDA for some time so that the developmental issues confronting the city could be addressed in a coordinated way with the district administration. |
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Kashmiris resent hike in accommodation charges by Kisan Ghar in Delhi
Kupwara, April 14 Kashmiris, most of them fruit growers, patients and traders, stay at the ghar during their visit to the capital city. “For non-AC room, they have raised the charges from Rs 210 to Rs 310 and for the AC room it has been hiked from Rs 310 to Rs 510,” said Haji Mohd Ashraf, president, Traders Federation Sopore. The charges are doubled if anybody stays for more than a week in the hotel. “The accommodation charges exclude the dinner and breakfast in the Ghar,” added Ashraf, who is currently in Delhi. Kisan Ghar was set up in Delhi for the convenience of Kashmiris who visit the capital city in pursuance of different matters, including their business. Traders, dealers, fruit growers and patients who visit Delhi for specialised treatment often stay in the Ghar as it incurs them less accommodation charges. The sudden surge in accommodation charges in the recent past however has forced many Kashmiri visitors to stay in local hotels. “The Kisan Ghar was raised to provide convenience to the visiting Kashmiris but the surge in accommodation charges have left the visitors high and dry. We make a fervent appeal to the authorities to revert the hike and facilitate the stay of visitors,” said Ghulam Hassan of Kupwara. The Ghar, inaugurated by former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has 47 rooms. |
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Life returns to normal in Baramulla
Baramulla, April 14 “We were facing shortage of essentials due to the strike for the past
three days. A normal day today allowed people to purchase essentials and medicines,” said Shabir Ahmad of Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla. The authorities lifted restrictions and the
CRPF and police were called-off from major bridges across the town. An anonymous group of youth, Nawjawn-i-Milat, had called for strike for three consecutive days to press for
the removal of 46 camps of Army from the old town, Baramulla after Army personnel from
46 RR allegedly shot dead a youth, Tahir Ahmad Sofi, last month during a protest demonstration. |
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