The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Relief operation begins as tremors jolt region Tribune news service Jammu, May 2 Residents of Doda, Bhaderwah, Thathri, Gundoh braved cold conditions as they spent the night out after yesterday’s earthquake in Doda and Kishtwar. Aftershocks of yesterday’s earthquakes were felt throughout the day today in Jammu region especially Bhaderwah. The state government launched relief and rescue operations in the quake-hit areas. The sports stadium Doda, Idgah, forest park in Doda, open fields in and outside Bhadewah and lanes and roads were filled with residents who spent the night in fear. In Bhaderwah, Doda, Thathri and Gundoh, mud houses developed large cracks. The government is yet to begin the process to assess the damage. “We had no option but to remain outside our houses as our houses have developed cracks which we feel are unsafe as regular aftershocks are jolting the entire region,” said Jaffar Hussain, a government employee living in Qila Mohalla of Bhaderwah town. Residents could not go to other places for fear of landslides due to the quake. Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta and IGP, Jammu zone, Rajesh Kumar visited Kishtwar, Gundoh and Bhaderwah. The DC Doda has asked people to inform the district administration about the loss during the earthquake. Chief Secretary, Mohd Iqbal Khanday, has directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to monitor the operations. A tremor measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, jolted the region at 6 am followed by two aftershocks of lesser intensity. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta, who is supervising the relief and rescue operations, has dispatched 20 tents and 100 blankets for the homeless in the affected areas. All District Development Commissioners have been asked to constitute teams of Tehsil level officers to conduct detailed assessment of loss to humans and property, if any. The district administrations have also been asked to activate Civil Defence Organisation and the Red Cross Volunteers to lend a hand in the relief and rescue operations. State Home Minister Sajjad Kitchloo, Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Gupta and IGP Jammu Zone Rajesh Kumar visited the most affected areas of Bhaderwah belt and supervised the relief operation today. Meanwhile, the building of the Government Middle School at Ahlan Bala area of Kokernag and five houses were damaged at Anantnag district due to the earthquake, the police said today. No loss of human life was reported in the incident. — (With PTI inputs) The aftermath The sports stadium Doda, Idgah, forest park in Doda, open fields in and outside Bhadewah and lanes and roads were filled with residents who spent the night in fear Residents could not go to other places for fear of landslides due to the quake A tremor measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, jolted the region at 6 am followed by two aftershocks of lesser intensity Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta, who is supervising the relief and rescue operations, has dispatched 20 tents and 100 blankets for the homeless in the affected areas All District Development Commissioners have been asked to constitute teams of Tehsil level officers to conduct a detailed assessment of loss to life and property
	Enhanced retirement age attracts KU teachers to Central University of Kashmir Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 2 Teachers both young and old are getting lured towards the Central University of Kashmir from the University of Kashmir due to additional five years of service is luring teachers. Though efforts are on to fill vacant posts and promote teachers, the exodus of teachers to the Central University of Kashmir is a cause for concern for the University of Kashmir. Since the establishment of the Central University of Kashmir four years ago, at least five teachers from the University of Kashmir, two of them on the verge of retirement and three youngsters, have shifted so far. At least five others also joined the Central University of Kashmir after retirement from the Kashmir University. Sources say the trend of young scholars getting lured to the Central University was growing. The Central University, which is still in its infancy, functions from make-shift offices and classrooms at different places. It has been introducing three to four departments, at the beginning of every academic session. The Department of International Studies starts this year. Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad, said some of the teachers had shifted to the Central University, which offers five years of active service more than that available in the state University. “It will be a challenge if young scholars start moving out to the Central University,” he said. He said the demand to enhance the retirement age of teachers of the University from 60 to 65 years was being taken up with the state government. With its infrastructure developed over six decades, the University of Kashmir with its 42 departments caters to the highest number of post-graduate students in Kashmir. Over 3,500 students, out of 36,000 aspirants, got admitted to various post-graduate courses this year. To accommodate more students, the University has approached the state government with the demand for more classrooms. To admit more students the University would conduct classes in two shifts till the time new ones are built, Talat Ahmad said. This would also require the parallel lab facility, he said. To reach out to more students, the University has already spread its network to two functional campuses, North in Baramulla and the South in Anantnag. Three more satellite campuses are coming up at Kupwara in north Kashmir and at Leh and Kargil in Ladakh region. Losing talent The University of Kashmir with its 42 departments caters to the highest number of post-graduate students in Kashmir. Over 3,500 students, out of 36,000 aspirants, got admitted to various post-graduate courses this year. To accommodate more students, the University has approached the state government with the demand for more classrooms 10 teachers, including five retired, two on the verge of retirement and three youngsters have shifted to the Central University since its inception four years ago
	Spurious drugs scam Probe reveals accused company had fudged tender documents Ishfaq Tantry/TNS Srinagar, May 2 A high-level committee set up by the state government to probe the spurious drugs scam has revealed that Lifeline Pharmaco Surgicals, accused of supplying spurious antibiotic drug Maximizin-625 to various hospitals in the state had fudged the tender documents. The probe report says the genuineness of the tender documents was not checked and verified by the Purchase Committee-II which had approved the rate contract with the company. The government ordered an inquiry by a three-member high-level committee on April 4. The final seven-page report, the copy of which is with The Tribune, was forwarded to the IGP, Crime, by the government for registering a formal case and initiating criminal proceedings on April 4. The inquiry was conducted by the three-member committee comprising Special Secretary to the government, Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Financial Adviser, H&ME Department, and Controller, Drugs and Food Organisation, J&K. The issue of fake drugs came into focus after a sample of spurious drug Maximizin-625 was lifted for the purpose of testing and analysis from Provincial Medical Store, Barzulla, by the Drug and Food Control Organisation, Srinagar, the report of the inquiry committee states. “The authorisation certificate by Medly Pharmaceuticals (one of the accused company) in favour of Lifeline Pharmaco Surgicals (main accused) has purportedly been signed by an authorised signatory of the Medly Pharmaceuticals on a simple letter head of the company without a copy of attorney from the original manufacturer,” the report has revealed. The authorisation signatories are, otherwise, empowered by the reputed companies through a legal document, which has not been done in this case by the tenderer, the inquiry report states. “The findings of the inquiry further reveal that the purported agent (Lifeline Pharmaco) has managed the rate contract of the (spurious) drug (Maximizin-625) by way of cheating and fraud played with the Purchase Committee-II by submitting a fake authorisation certificate,” the report has revealed. However, the report has also castigated the Purchase Committee-II for overlooking and not checking the genuineness of the tender documents before awarding and approving the rate contract of the accused company which supplied the spurious drugs. “It has been noticed that the Purchase Committee-II had not scrutinised and verified the genuineness of the documents submitted with the tender by the purported agent (Lifeline Pharmaco) of Medly Pharmaceuticals,” the report has stated, while adding that the “credibility and credentials of the local agent (Lifeline Pharmaco) was required to be verified before approving the rate contract of the drug under reference.” “Moreover, the distinction between the words ‘marketed by’ and ‘manufactured by’ has been missed out by the (authorities) concerned at the time of the receipt of the actual supply of spurious drug Maximizin-625,” the probe committee has held.
	NC unlikely to extend 74th Amendment to state Dinesh Manhotra/TNS Jammu, May 2 After adopting delaying tactics in incorporating the relevant clauses of the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution to the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, the National Conference (NC) is likely to dodge its coalition partner, Congress, on the 74th Amendment. The 73rd Amendment of the Indian constitution deals with the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the 74th Amendment deals with the urban local bodies (ULBs). The Congress has been demanding that the 74th Amendment should be extended to the state before holding the urban local bodies elections but the NC is not being serious about it. A senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity said like the panchayat elections, ULB elections would also be held without considering the party’s demand. “Chances of holding the ULB elections are bleak. In case, the government takes a decision to hold the elections, they would be held without extending the 74th Amendment,” he observed and regretted that the NC leadership was taking the excuse of Article 370 to “sabotage” the process of empowering the local self governments in the state. The Congress, which was vociferously demanding the extension of the 73rd Amendment before the panchayat elections, was forced to succumb before the NC because the election process was completed in 2011 without making any change in the existing Panchayati Raj Act. The Congress has set a deadline to hold the ULB elections before June 30 after incorporating the 74th Amendment in the J&K Municipal Act. Sources said in the last Coordination Committee meeting of the coalition partners, Congress representatives had again raised the demand for 74th Amendment but no action has been taken so far. Recently, in a meeting held at the Congress office, local activists cautioned the party leadership against the NC’s gimmick to create hurdles in extending the 74th Amendment. Although the Congress leadership has been demanding the extension of the two amendments to J&K, in the last budget session, the government had made it clear that there was no proposal to extend the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Indian Constitution to the state. “The 73rd and 74th Amendments are not applicable to the state because of the special position enjoyed by it under the Constitution of India,” the government had stated.
	Young singers enchant audience with their musical talent M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, May 2 Months after a live performance by Pragaash, an all-girl rock band from Kashmir, at a talent hunt programme had attracted a fatwa, young singers from the Valley grooved at an event organised by the police here today. While the audience comprising mostly youth grooved to the performances by male singers, young women too were not far behind and were seen performing in high spirits. The performers said they were not scared as they had their parents support. “No, I am not scared. My parents are with me. They want me to excel in music,” said Masrat Aziz, a young woman singer from Pulwama in south Kashmir, who was performing at Choona Hai Aasman, a singing talent hunt programme that was held at the Government College of Education, Maulana Azad Road. Masrat said this when asked if the fatwa issued by Grand Mufti Bashiruddin on Pragaash band in February had deterred her from pursuing her music career. The Grand Mufti’s fatwa had stoked a controversy. He had said singing was not ‘in accordance’ with the Islamic teachings, forcing Pragaash to disband. Another woman singer, Sabriqa Nabi, from Shopian in south Kashmir, too, said she was not scared of performing. However, Sabriqa, who sang a Bollywood number at the event, was quick to add that rock music did not gel with the Kashmiri culture. Choona Hai Aasman also attracted young singers from downtown Srinagar who said they wanted to pursue a career in singing just like youth from outside the Valley. “We are happy that the police gave us a platform to showcase our talent. We, too, want to go outside and if possible sing for Bollywood movies,” said Waseem Khan, a student from Safakadal. Kashmir IGP AG Mir said the police had organised the show as youth did not get many chances to showcase their talent due to unfavourable circumstances. Higher Education Minister Akbar Lone, who was present at the event, said, “During the last 22 years, youth did not get much exposure, but now the police has organised a good programme. Besides studies, the youth should also take part in extracurricular activities.” The IGP said the preliminary show was held at the zonal level earlier and a large number of youth had taken part in it. Ten women and 14 men made it to the final round of Choona Hai Aasman.
	Ensure safety of Indians in Pak jails: Ex spy Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, May 2 Former Indian spies see threat to the safety of other prisoners lodged in Pakistan jails following Sarabjit Singh’s death. Kamlesh Devi, the wife of Chamel Singh, another Indian prisoner from Pargwal near here who was brutally killed in Kot Lakhpat prison on January 15 this year, has termed Sarabjit Singh and Chamel Singh deaths as brazen instances of extra-judicial killings and pre-meditated moves. The spies have urged the Centre to seek post-mortem reports of both the slain Indian prisoners from Pakistan to take legal recourse against the culprits in the International Court of Justice. “Since January 15 when my husband Chamel Singh was brutally killed in Kot Lakhpat prison, we have been asking the Indian government to bring his killers to justice. Had New Delhi acted sternly against Islamabad, Sarabjit would not have become another prey to their evil designs,” said Kamlesh Devi. She said Pakistani authorities had deliberately killed Chamel and Sarabjit to avenge the hanging of Mumbai terror attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab and Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. “I know how Sarabjit’s wife, his two daughters and his sister Dalbir Kaur must be feeling today,” said Kamlesh. She said it was high time for India to put pressure on Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Indian prisoners in Pak jails,” said former spy and president of Jammu Ex-Sleuths’ Association, Vinod Sawhney. “On April 16, 2008, I had cautioned the Prime Minister about the threat perception to Sarabjit’s life in an open letter and had expressed fear that he may not come home alive because I know the criminal psyche of Pakistani authorities towards Indian prisoners,” said Sawhney. “They pre-planned both the murders with the help of Islamic radical groups and the ISI through rogue elements and now I fear more such murderous attacks on Indian prisoners in.”
	Students appear in MBA, MA exams at quake-hit JU campus Amir Karim Tantray/TNS Bhaderwah, May 2 Yesterday’s earthquake failed to stop the University of Jammu authorities postpone exam at its Bhaderwah campus. Students of the University and Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, appeared in the final semester examination of MBA and MA English even after having spent the whole night inside varsity campus as their hostels developed cracks due to the earthquake. The girls had to sleep in the corridors of the campus while the boys were shifted to pre-fabricated huts. The varsity authorities also shifted important belongings from the hostels to the varsity campus. The JU authorities went ahead with the examinations without assessing the situation in the quake-hit areas. “We spent the night in the corridors of the campus and could not study due to fear,” said Mani Sharma of Udhampur, who is appearing in MBA exam at the campus. The university authorities on the other hand have justified the move. “We provided all facilities to the students, from food to electricity facility. But postponement of the examination was not possible as it was being held at several other centres as well,” MA Malik, Rector of Bhaderwah campus, said. The scene at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, was no different as students had to appear in the examination under the open sky. They were made to sit in the college lawns with the teaching and non-teaching staff sitting with them. “I tried to convince the varsity authorities to postpone the examination as our college building had developed cracks but they seemed insensitive towards the matter,” said RK Raina, principal, Government Degree College, Bhaderwah.
	Deadline set for construction of panchayat ghars Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 2 To strengthen local governance, the state government has fixed a deadline for construction of nearly 2,000 panchayat ghars. “We have set a deadline for the construction of panchayat ghars and we want that these should be constructed as soon as possible,” said Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development Department, Farooq Ahmad Peer. “We will ensure that these panchayats ghars get the requisite infrastructural assets for carrying out their day to day work.” In the absence of panchayat ghars, the panchayats meet in rented rooms. The panchayat ghars will ensure that the panchayats meet to discuss their work and perform their functions. Government sources said the work on 1,788 panchayat ghars would be taken up by the Rural Development Department. “We have 4,128 panchayat halqas in the state and each halqa needs a panchayat ghar for functioning. At present, 1,788 halqas are without panchayat ghar buildings and only 899 panchayat ghar buildings have been taken up for construction so far. The rest would be completed by November-end,” a source said. Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ali Mohammad Sagar recently told the officials concerned that the panchayat ghars should be constructed by November-end. “The Project Officers Wage Employment (Assistant Commissioner, Development) and Executive Engineer, Rural Engineering Wing, shall ensure that the panchayat ghars are completed within the time frame fixed by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. Any delay on this account will attract disciplinary action,” a government order said. The order mentions separate deadline for construction of panchayat ghars in various districts of the Valley.
	Security beefed up in jails Arteev Sharma/TNS Jammu, May 2 Fearing a backlash, the state government has stepped up security grid in all the prisons where Pakistani prisoners are lodged. There are more than 250 foreign nationals, including 80 from Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) languishing in various prisons of the state. There are 14 jails, including two Central Jails, one each in Srinagar and Jammu, in the state. “Additional security measures have been made in all prisons, especially where Pakistan nationals are lodged to ensure their safety following the death of Sarabjit Singh after a brutal attack at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail. The barracks which have Pakistan nationals in various prisons are being thoroughly sanitised as a precautionary measure,” sources said. Sources said the jail officials were maintaining a tight vigil to avoid any untoward incident inside the prisons. “The prisoners have the facility of television and newspapers. As all news channels are highlighting Sarabjit’s death, the possibility of an emotional outburst in form a verbal spat or clash among inmates cannot be ruled out. Security as well as vigil is being strengthened inside the prisons as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident,” sources add.