The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	On maiden visit as party VP, Rahul launches scheme for women Self-help groups to be set up in 143 blocks Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 15 All India Congress Committee vice-president Rahul Gandhi on his visit to the Valley today sought to remove poverty in the state by empowering women. Rahul launched Umeed, a programme of the Union Rural Development Ministry, aimed to empower women. The programme is likely to benefit nine lakh women across 143 blocks of the state by creating self-help groups. Rahul said empowerment of women could bring about empowerment of families which would in remove poverty from the society. Rahul said this while addressing members of women self-help group at Budgam today. “I have seen incredible transformation in the attitudes of women in many other parts of country like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala where women have come together as Self Help Groups (SHGs) for creation of self-employment opportunities. I reiterate, self confidence is the key here which can distinguish old from poor,” Rahul said. He said in his constituency Amethi, a group of students formed a self-help group, which went on to create a new chapter for women empowerment in the area. “I requested Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to visit Amethi and talk to the women who have formed SHGs. He was astonished to see how women have been able to better their financial condition through this initiative,” Rahul said. They need something similar in J&K, he said. “I want to assure you that we are on your side. But you have to first stand united and development will come your way,” Rahul said. Umeed project will be implemented in the state by creating 90,000 self0help groups in five years with a plan outlay of Rs 755 crore. The project as a part of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) was launched last year in four community blocks of the state Khansahab (Budgam), Lar (Ganderbal), Chenani (Udhampur) and Basohli (Kathua) with the central government contributing 75 per cent of the funding for the project. This year, the project has been extended to all the 143 blocks of the state with 10 members in each self-help group and the Centre providing 90 per cent of the funds.
	State govt forms 5-member panel to buy sugar from open market Decision comes after Centre runs short of subsidised sugar stock Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, June 15 Jammu and Kashmir has joined the league of states having initiated the process of buying sugar from open market to ensure its supply to around 19 lakh ration card holders in the state after the Centre partially decontrolled the sugar sector. For the purpose, the government has constituted a state-level committee for procurement of sugar for the public distribution system from open market. The decision came after the Government of India announced to stop provision of subsidised sugar for the current financial year with effect from June. “Last month, the Central government directed all the states to immediately start buying sugar from the open market as it was left with stock to meet the PDS requirement for the current month only. Our government has begun the exercise and a five-member panel has been constituted to buy sugar from open market,” a senior official of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department said. The panel with CAPD Administrative Secretary as chairman would procure sugar after inviting tenders and fulfilling codal formalities, the official said. Other members of the committee are CAPD directors of Jammu and Kashmir divisions, a representative of the Finance Department (not below the rank of Director), Joint Director (Planning CAPD) and Financial Advisor (CAPD). “Till now, the state had been distributing 83,445 Metric Tonnes (MTs) subsidised sugar (3,841 MTs for the Kashmir region and 3,121 for the Jammu region) under normal quota and quota for floating populating of Gujjars and Bakerwals under the public distribution system. The subsidised sugar was being procured from the Food Corporation of India. If the government decides to continue providing consumers sugar at the previously fixed rates, it may have to bear the additional burden of anything between Rs 550 to Rs 600 crore,” the official said. The retail price of the subsidised sugar under the public distribution system was fixed at Rs 13.50 per kg with effect from March 2002 and it remained unchanged since then. The CAPD is providing 700 gm sugar per person as per the 2001 Census. While the sweetener costs producers about Rs 32 to Rs 33 per kg, it is available in the market at the retail rate of about Rs 40 per kg. M Abbas Dar, secretary, CAPD department, said the committee would meet soon to work out the modalities for procuring PDS sugar from open market. “The committee is yet to hold its first meeting. We will be meeting soon to look into various aspects and will be finalising the modalities,” Dar said, adding that the consumers would continue to get sugar on subsidised rates. He said the CAPD department was yet to work out the additional burden, to be borne by the department, after buying sugar from open market.
	HC Bar Assn to boycott inaugural function of judicial academy Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 15 The High Court Bar Association has decided to boycott the inaugural function of the Jammu and Kashmir State Judicial Academy (JKSJA) complex here on Sunday due to its “political” nature. The Bar today said its members would not participate in the function because it was “politically oriented” as it was to be presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, who will come for a two-day visit to Kashmir on June 16, is scheduled to inaugurate the JKSJA complex in the Bemina area of Srinagar on Sunday. As per the official invite, the Chief Minister will preside over the function and Supreme Court judge TS Thakur and state Law Minister Mir Saifullah will be the guests of honour on the occasion. “The establishment of the state Judicial Academic Complex is a welcome step in which the Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir is the chief guest. However, in view of the political overtones of the function, which is to be presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Bar Association feels handicapped about participating in it,” Bar secretary Mohammad Ashraf Bhat said in a statement. “The Bar in a meeting today observed that the independence of judiciary is at stake at the hands of the present coalition government headed by Omar Abudllah,” he said. During his visit, the Chief Justice of India is scheduled to address a seminar at Kashmir University on Monday.
	In 2 months, 400 Jammu traders found cheating consumers Sumit Hakhoo Jammu, June 15 In the past two months, 400 traders were found fleecing their customers by selling low quality goods at overpriced rates in Jammu. According to data, the traders caught by the Legal Metrology Department include those associated with some prominent brands. They have been found to be violating the Weights and Measurement Act, flouting package commodity rules, using dubious weights etc. In most of these cases, traders and shopkeepers were selling goods below the net weight printed on the products, particularly those manufactured by local industries, and charging more from consumers. Officials said in the absence of stringent laws, the manufacturers determine and mark the maximum retail price (MRP), which includes the cost of production, distribution and margin of profit at different levels up to the retail point in the state. The state government had constituted a committee to formulate rules to curb hoarding and profiteering in the state but its implementation is nowhere in sight. Though the Drug Control Order, Central Excise Act, Hoarding and Profiteering Ordinance and Essential Commodities Act are operational, they deal with the quality of products sold in the market and not the prices. “Out of 400 cases, we have imposed fine on 397 people and are recovering Rs 3 lakh from them. The drive against cheaters will continue. Our special teams are regularly organising special raids,” said Jammu Legal Metrology Joint Controller Amar Singh. Singh said last year, the department had challaned 2,933 traders and recovered Rs 24 lakh as the compound money, which showed the extent of cheating the people are subjected to by traders. A senior officer from the Legal Metrology Department said in the rest of India, the focus in market places might have gradually shifted to customer satisfaction but in our state, the focus of most of our traders is on duping customers of their money through profiteering.
	Development incomplete without progress of women: Omar Says JK hit by diseases of female foeticide and drugs Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Budgam, June 15 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the state’s development was incomplete without the progress of women and termed the female foeticide and drug abuse as the “diseases” endangering state’s future. “Until the women in this state don’t come forward, until we don’t give them progress, until we don’t strengthen their hands, this state will not develop in its true sense,” Omar said. He was speaking at the launch of ‘Umeed’ (Hope) programme of the Union Rural Development Ministry for women empowerment at Budgam district, 20 kms from the Srinagar city. “We hope that with this Umeed (hope), we will move into the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said. The Umeed project’s state-wide launch was today held at a ceremony in the Budgam district where the Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress state president Saifuddin Soz and state Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar were present. Omar thanked the Union Rural Development Minister for fighting for “our rights at the Centre”. Omar said the state was faced with two diseases which posed a danger to the future. “One disease is female foeticide. I never thought this will ever happen in the state. The disease is very dangerous for this state and we have to protect ourselves from this,” he said. The Chief Minister said the other disease faced by the state was the abuse of drugs by its youth. “Please raise your voice against it because our children are destroying their future. This abuse will destroy the future of our children and the future of our state,” he said. “Until these diseases are not treated, we cannot make the Khushaal (happy) Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
	Governor, Mehbooba discuss development schemes Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 15 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Mehbooba Mufti today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan today. She felicitated the Governor for his appointment for the second term in the state. During the meeting, they discussed matters related to implementation of socio-economic development schemes and other programmes and other issues related to the state.
	Doda residents let down Tribune News Service Ghat (Doda), June 15 If May 1 quake and its after shocks jolted his life, rains dashed hopes of meeting Rahul Gandhi today which could bring a “homeless” Roshan Lal Bhagat’s life back on track. He hoped for help to build a for his family after Rahul Gandhi’s visit but incessant rains dashed all hopes as the “much publicised” visit of the AICC vice president to the quake-affected areas of erstwhile Doda district was cancelled at the last minute owing to bad weather. He lives with his family in a tent. Roshan Lal Bhagat was among three quake-affected families of Ghat village where Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to visit today. “For the last four days we waited anxiously for Rahul Gandhi because we were hoping that his visit would change our fate,” he said.
	Dy CM, minister assess damage in flood-affected areas Tribune News Service Jammu, June 15 To review measures undertaken by the administration in the wake of a flood-like situation in the Chenab river, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand along with Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma yesterday took an extensive tour of Khour and its adjoining areas. The ministers were accompanied by a team of district administration officials. They visited Datyal, Indri Pattan, Hamirpur, Sidhar, Bakore and other low-lying areas in Akhnoor. A detailed review of damage to crops and property was made and measures to check further damage were discussed. While interacting with people at these locations, Tara Chand inquired about the situation and assured them of all required help by the administration. He directed the SDM to depute revenue officials to assess the loss. He said the issue of releasing a special package for those affected by flood would be discussed with the Chief Minister so that adequate compensation could be given to them. Instructions were issued to flood control engineers for establishing a round-the-clock control room to ensure that all works are completed on priority and the damage can be restricted to the minimum. Sham Lal directed the Additional District Development Commission, Jammu, to ensure proper arrangement for regular power supply to the affected areas and and to put in place arrangements for carrying out rescue and relief operations.
	Militancy graph in J&K: Army, police seldom on same page Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, June 15 Despite the Unified Headquarters in place to synergise the fight against the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the state, complete harmony between the Army and the police remains elusive when it comes to microscopic details. There are discrepancies between the Army and police figures pertaining to the number of militants active in the state, those present in terror camps in Pak-occupied-Kashmir and infiltration attempts at the 778-km-long Line of Control (LoC). While the Northern Command is now trying to resolve the issue of varying figures on infiltration this year so far, a top Army source attributed the difference to two separate intelligence wings of the two organisations. “The two intelligence agencies seldom share information for obvious reasons and hence, the difference in statistics,” said the source. The information by the Army and the police pertaining to the militancy graph in the state has always been different, he said. The source said on October 13 last year, Army Chief General Bikram Singh had put the number of militants in the state at 400 while the state DGP Ashok Prasad, on November 5, had said the number did not exceed beyond 250, including 150 dormant militants. A recent multi-agency report had said 40 people attempted to infiltrate from across the LoC so far this year and the infiltration attempts were made from the Poonch and Rajouri sectors in the Jammu region and the Uri and Kupwara sectors in Kashmir. Army’s 15 Corps and 16 Corps are deployed in the Kashmir and Jammu regions, respectively. A retired police officer, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Even if one seeks written information on militancy from the Army and the police putting same questions to both the organisations, there will be varied replies.” He said, “To score brownie points, there had always been reluctance on the part of the two organisations (Army and police) on sharing intelligence inputs,” adding, “The Army, which has the operational responsibility of the Line of Control in the state, has better and practical knowledge of infiltration attempts.”
	State will reap benefits of Indo-Pak friendship, says Farooq Jammu, June 15 National Conference (NC) president and Union Minister for Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah today said that the bond of friendship between India and Pakistan would help in solving the problems of millions on either side of the border. “Jammu and Kashmir in particular will reap the benefits of Indo-Pak friendship,” Farooq said while addressing a public meeting at Mendhar in Poonch district this afternoon. The NC president was accompanied by Jammu Provincial NC president Devender Singh Rana. The Union minister referred to the softening of borders in the Europe and said, “This has transformed the socio-economic landscape of the entire Europe and I don’t see any reason why Indo-Pak region will not progress and prosper once there is mutual trust and strong bonding between the two nations.” He said the idea of opening roads was not new and that it dated back to the era of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who strived for softening of borders for mitigating the problems of people and giving boost to trade and commerce. — TNS
	Guv meets Peace Foundation chairman Srinagar, June 15 Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation chaiman Fayaz Ahmad Bhat met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. During the meeting, Bhat briefed the Governor about various activities of the foundation, all of which are aimed at promoting peace and strengthening communal harmony in the state, a statement said here. Bhat stated that the foundation would organise three-day Global Peace Conference at Srinagar from August 18-20 as part of Independence Day celebrations. He stated that the foundation would soon set up its Right to Information Act forums at the district, divisional and state levels to enlarge awareness about the state RTI Act 2009. — TNS
	Cancellation of Rahul’s visit lets down Doda residents Tribune News Service Ghat (Doda), June 15 If May 1 quake and its after shocks jolted his life, rains dashed hopes of meeting Rahul Gandhi today which could bring a “homeless” Roshan Lal Bhagat’s life back on track. He hoped for help to build a for his family after Rahul Gandhi’s visit but incessant rains dashed all hopes as the “much publicised” visit of the AICC vice president to the quake-affected areas of erstwhile Doda district was cancelled at the last minute owing to bad weather. He lives with his family in a tent. Roshan Lal Bhagat was among three quake-affected families of Ghat village where Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to visit today. “For the last four days we waited anxiously for Rahul Gandhi because we were hoping that his visit would change our fate,” a visibly upset Roshan Lal said. “We are really disappointment due to the cancellation of his visit,” he said. Local authorities had selected families of Roshan Lal Bhagat, Mohammad Rafi Sheikh and Chuni Lal where Rahul Gandhi had to visit because their houses were completely damaged due to the earthquake. Mohammad Rafi Sheikh said for the past four days, his family members were very enthusiastic as local MLA had informed them about Rahul’s visit to our “damaged” house. Local Congress MLA Abdul Majid Wani who holds the portfolio of Roads and Buildings in Omar Abdullah government, admitted that residents of Doda district had pinned their hopes on Rahul’s visit. “It is very disappointing for the people of Doda that Rahul Gandhi’s visit was postponed due to bad weather,” he said. He hoped that the AICC vice president’s visit to the area would be rescheduled. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi's visit to Doda and Kishtwar was cancelled following inclement weather conditions. Rahul Gandhi along with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was scheduled to visit Bhaderwah and Kishtwar today. At Doda, senior National Conference and Congress leaders had gathered at the make-shift helipad at Government Higher Secondary School, Ghat.
	Months after all-girl rock band was silenced, music returns to Srinagar Majid Jahangir/TNS Srinagar, June 15 Months after the Valley’s only all-girl band ‘Pragash’ was silenced by threats, the banks of the Dal Lake here were again abuzz with the musical performances of young Kashmiris today. Six young girls with an equal number of boys performed at the grand finale of ‘Choona Hai Aasman’, a music talent show, organised by the police at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of the lake. Two young girls from Srinagar city, Masrat Aziz and Urooj Javaid, were especially appreciated for their performances. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and top civil and police officers were present at the function. Apart from top politicians and officers, musical bigwigs from Bollywood Annu Malik, Sadhna Sargam and Ashok Thakeria, producer of movies Dil, Mohabbatein and Mann, were present on the occasion. Noted Kashmiri singer Waheed Jeelani was also among the panelists with the Bollywood bigwigs. Nearly one lakh children, around 50 per cent of whom were girls, took part in the event which was held at various levels in the state. Twelve participants had made it to the finals. The talent show was first organised in 2010-11 with the aim to provide a platform and direction to the untapped talent of youth in the state. The event gained immense success and popularity among the budding singers. The previous grand finales of the show were held in Jammu. Last year, three class X Kashmiri students — vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid — had formed a band, 'Pragash', and performed in December at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition in Srinagar. They won the award for the best performance in their first public appearance. However, Facebook threats and abuses followed by the controversial decree issued by Kashmir’s chief priest Mufti Bashiruddin in January caused the band to split.