Srinagar, October 11
In order to improve employment opportunities for youth in new fields of science, the government is mulling over to introduce nanotechnology course at eight universities of the state.

Nanotechnology, which is a contemporary branch of applied physics, was on February 8, 2013, first decided to be introduced on Kashmir University’s Kupwara campus with approval of the Higher Education Minister.

The seven other universities where this course will be introduced include University of Jammu, Central University Kashmir (CUK), Central University Jammu (CUJ), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Baba Ghulam Badshah University (BGSBU) and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora.

It was a long-pending demand of students to introduce this course in varsities of the state for better career opportunities in new science branches.

Although the state government is yet to decide when to establish the nanotechnology department in various universities, there are certain hiccups in introducing the course.

The Department of Higher Education said the Kashmir University would have a full-fledged School of Applied Sciences which would be established on the Kupwara campus.

The Jammu University is likely to prepare a proposal for setting up a centre for nanoscience, subjected to funding. The CUJ will add the nanotechnology course in its added academic programmes when the varsity starts functioning at its allocated site in Samba district.

The CUK will also add the course when it shifts to the permanent site in Ganderbal district.

The SMVDU, in pursuance of the order of the executive council in June, 2013, has decided to establish the centre for nanotechnology, a proposal for which has been forwarded to the Secretary, Government of India.

The BGSBU, as per the official records, lacks necessary funds for starting this course, although the university has agreed to the idea of teaching this course.

The IUST has also infrastructural limitations due to which this course has not been started so far. “The IUST intends to offer modern courses, including nanotechnology, once the necessary infrastructural facilities are in place,” the Higher Education Department report read.

Srinagar,October 11
The state government will constitute an expert committee to suggest measures and update information for incorporating contributions, vision and philosophy of eminent personalities of the state in the school and college curriculum.

The committee will submit its report within three months and will also consider various recommendations in this regard.

This was stated by the Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Kumar Sadhotra while responding to the resolution of Bashir Ahmad Veri in the state Legislature today.

The minister gave classwise account of the syllabus covering various chapters already present in the J&K Board of School Education (BOSE )and NCERT books regarding prominent personalities of the state and currently being taught in schools and colleges of the state.— TNS

Srinagar, October 11
Taking note of reports and notices appearing in the press against the sealing drive of the SMC launched on court directions, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today said “such organisation against lawful order must stop”.

The High Court warned of taking “suitable action” against the persons who violate its orders by placing notices in the press instigating the public.

“The notices which have been placed in the press, instigating the public, should be stopped….Organisation against lawful orders shall be stopped immediately. Counsel for the petitioners may bring to the notice of the High Court any such violation so that suitable action can be taken,” a Division Bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice MM Kumar said in its orders today.

By this order, the High Court was obviously referring to the protests and other campaigns in the press which were organised by the violators, whose buildings and shop structures were sealed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) last week on court directions.

The High Court had on September 30 asked the authorities to seal all illegal structures in Srinagar city within three days against whom demolition orders and show-cause notices had already been issued by the SMC.

The Bench also observed: “The only those residential area would be permitted for use which are conforming to the Master Plan and will not cause disturbance to peaceful living of the residents of that area.”

“Therefore, if you have a noisy industry established, nobody will say it is a use which is conforming to the allocation made by the Master Plan,” the Chief Justice observed.

The court is hearing a PIL seeking action against the violators of Srinagar Master Plan and removal of illegal structures from the city.

Today, it was hearing dozens of applications but before it by the affected parties whose illegal structures were sealed by the SMC authorities during its drive last week.

However, the court could only take up two applications today, while it posted the matter for further consideration on October 21.

The SMC in its report to the court on September 30 had informed the court that it had issued demolition orders and show-cause notices against 42 violators for sealing the structures raised in violation of the norms.

Earlier on May 8, the High Court had directed the authorities concerned to furnish details of all unauthorised constructions which have taken place in the city in violation of the Master Plan over the years and file a status report in this regard.

Srinagar, October 11
As many as 7 Private Member Resolutions came up for discussion in the Legislative Council today.

However, after getting assurances from the government, the members concerned withdrew their resolutions.

The Bill moved by Bashir Ahmad Magray pertained to Power Development Department asking that PDD must start a drive to explore the funds for undertaking necessary repairs of high tension /low tension lines, rotten/fallen electric poles and damaged transformers in far-flung areas of the state.

The Bill moved by Abdul Majid Bhat pertained to introduction of rules and regulations to make the sarpanches and panches accountable for proper implementation of the Panchayat Raj system.

The Bill moved by Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah pertained to declaration of restricted holiday for two days to celebrate the Kailash Kund Baisakhi on the pattern of Baski Nag Yatra being celebrated within the jurisdiction of Bani Kathua.

The Bill moved by Sham Lal Bhagat pertained to provision of proper transportation to Gujjar and Bakerwals when they move from one place to another during two seasons of the year to avoid accidents, pollution, traffic jam and loss of precious lives.

Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri moved the Bill pertaining to incorporation of eminent personalities of the State who changed the politico-socio-economic discourse of the people of the state in the curriculum of schools and colleges, while as Jugal Kishore moved the Bill pertaining to initiate action against those stone crushing units operating illegally in Muttal and Jungle Gali areas of Udhampur district and also against those people who are excavating stone from forest area as well as the ownership land without any formal permission thereby effecting the ecology of the state.

The resolution moved by Dr Shahnaz Ganai was dropped.

Srinagar, October 11
During the 109th session of the Legislative Council, which concluded today, a total of 170 starred and 121 unstarred questions were received.

An official statement said out of 170 total starred questions, 147 starred questions were taken up and 23 were disallowed. As many as 121 unstarred questions were received out of which 112 were taken up and nine disallowed. One short notice question was also received and taken up during the session.

Regarding other business of the House, the statement said: “As many as 11 Resolutions were received out of which nine were taken up for discussion. As many as 40 Calling Attentions were received and 25 were listed during the session. Five Discussions under Rule 51 (2) were received out of which four were taken up for discussion.”

“Besides, two Discussions under Rule 60-A were received and taken up for discussion. Two Discussions under Rule 52 were also received. As many as five Private Member Bills were received out of which three were taken up for discussion. As many as two Government Bills were received and two were taken up for discussion. Seven papers were laid in the House and three Adjournment Motions were received.”

Srinagar, October 11
Festive mood has gripped the Kashmir valley ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha which will be celebrated on Wednesday. The festival is celebrated for three days in the Valley usually by offering sacrifice of cattle besides special prayers among other festivities.

With just four days left for Eid, several marketplaces have been covered with buntings and colourful lights.

Shopkeepers said shopping for Eid was yet to pick up. “Customers have started dropping in but Eid shopping is yet to pick up full steam,” said Syed Tariq, a boutique owner at the Abi Guzar market.

However, people are busy buying sacrificial lambs as herds of sheep have been put up for sale at several places. Camels have also been put up for sale at some places.

Meanwhile, the government is also gearing up for the festival. An official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said Commissioner GN Qasba had already passed directions to launch sanitation drives at various shrines where Eid prayers would be held.

The official said defunct streetlights would also be made functional alongside the installation of more streetlights as required at the main mosques and shrines for the convenience of the public.

The Commissioner has also issued instructions to health officers to intensify checks and ensure that all the bakery units, sweets shops and other confectionary units take necessary steps for proper hygiene and sanitation in and around their units.

Qasba said the workers of food business had been directed to wear proper uniform along with headgears during working hours.

The butchers and poultry vendor have been warned against the sale of meat outside their shops. Deputy Commissioners of various districts too have been holding regular meetings during the past few days to review arrangements for Eid.

The annual Haj pilgrimage also culminates with Eid-ul-Zuha as the Hajis of Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to start arriving from October 20.

Srinagar, October 11
After separatists, the youngest son of a Rajya Sabha member has tied the nuptial knot across the Line of Control (LoC) in Muzaffarabad. Yasir Shafi, who is the youngest son of senior National Conference leader from Uri and Rajya Sabha member Mohammad Shafi Uri, married his close relative Dr Sarah Saif, who hails from Chattter area of Muzaffarabad in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The wedding took place at the bride’s home in Chatter on October 8, when the LoC was gripped with tension.

Kashmiri separatist leader and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik married his Pakistani girlfriend Mushaal Mullick in 2009. Earlier, Sajjad Lone, son of slain Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone and chairman of Peoples Conference, married PoK-based senior JKLF leader Amanullah Khan’s daughter.

To join the marriage at Chatter, 10 ‘baratis’ along with other family members of the bridegroom visited Muzaffrabad after crossing the LoC in a bus via Kaman in Uri, family sources said. However, the MP and Yasir arrived in PoK capital after crossing the Wagah border in Amritsar.

“The marriage ceremony took place on October 8 at the bride’s house at Chatter. The Walima (post-marriage party for the guests and relatives) was held on October 9,” bridegroom elder’s brother Javaid Shafi said.

Terming the wedding of his son an attempt to “revive and sew close” bonds with his old relatives in the PoK, Mohammad Shafi Uri said, “Such marriages have the potential to break the boundaries and bring in peace and prosperity in the region.” He said the couple was expected to return to their home in Uri on October 11. Dr Saif Shafi, a cousin of the MP and father of Sarah Saif, had left Kashmir in 1947.

Kupwara, October 11
Shortage of teaching staff and accommodation are adversely affecting the education of students at Government Middle School, Rangward, Chowkibal. The school has only three teachers for 74 students who attend their classes in a tin shed.

Students said they were facing difficulties in attending classes in the tin shed and lack of teaching staff had affected their studies. They said on rainy days, their problems aggravate as rainwater enters the tin shed. “The authorities have ignored us. We are facing severe problems of accommodation and despite a few representations to the Zonal Education Officer concerned to address our problems nothing has been done,” said Rayees Ahmad, a Class VIII student.

The students said in hot summers, the tin shed emits lot of heat. “The temperature inside the tin shed goes up making us sweat in sweltering heat. The authorities claiming to have spent crores on building infrastructure have failed to raise school building for accommodation,” said Rafiq Ahmad, a Class VII student.

The students said due to shortage of teaching staff, the existing teachers were forced to double up to teach different subjects.

“Despite best of efforts from teachers, we miss English and mathematics classes some times. At least three more teachers should be posted in the school to address the problem,” said Abbas Ahmad Khan, a Class V11 student. School Headmaster Mohammad Hussain said the ZEO concerned was apprised of the problems, but to no avail. “A school building is a must to address the accommodation problem and more teachers should also be posted here for proper education of the students,” said Hussian. Chief Education Officer, Kupwara, Ashok Kumar Sharma, said he would look into the matter and take measures to address the problems of the teaching staff and students. 

Srinagar, October 11
The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) has decided to seek wide-ranging inputs from technical experts and stakeholders on the Master Plan 2012-2032, currently under formulation, before submitting it to the state government for approval.

"We have decided to take all stakeholders on board, including technical experts, in related fields to make the Master Plan 2012-2032 as perfect and futuristic," said Shafaat Noor Barlas, vice-chairman, SDA.

He said the Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, who is also the chairman of the SDA, has given clear-cut instructions that there should be exhaustive consultations with stakeholders in the run up to the formulation of the master plan.

“As a part of this initiative, the SDA on Friday had invited a team from INTACH, J&K Chapter, led by its convener, to go through the draft Land Use Plan. The town planning wing of the SDA gave a detailed presentation on the contours of the Master Plan 2012-2032 to the INTACH team in the presence of Shafaat Noor Barlas," an official spokesman said.

"While appreciating the overall exercise of the master plan formulation, the INTACH team put forth certain suggestions regarding the conservation of the heritage character of Srinagar city in tune with the UN Convention on World Heritage and UNESCO guidelines. They also suggested various measures for earmarking specific areas in the Srinagar city for niche activities like tourism infrastructure. The INTACH also suggested earmarking adequate spaces in the city for pedestrian malls and revival of water transport," the spokesman added.

The technical committee on the Srinagar Master Plan comprising SDA vice-chairman, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) vice-chairman, SMC commissioner, R&B Kashmir chief engineer, Kashmir chief town planner and chief architect has already taken several reviews of the master plan and the feasible suggestions put forth by the panel have been incorporated in the draft Land Use Plan.

"After incorporating the suggestions from the technical experts in the Master Plan and submitting it for the final review to the Minister for Urban Development, the document would be put in the public domain to seek suggestions from the people on the Land Use Plan for the proposed Greater Srinagar Metropolitan Area," the SDA vice-chairman said, adding that for the first time, the Srinagar Master Plan would include the zonal plans, wherein the land use plan would be enumerated at the micro-level.

The midterm review of the Srinagar Master Plan 2000-2021 was undertaken by the SDA in February 2012 to suggest ways and means to make the document more realistic and implementable in consonance with the ground realities, besides taking care of inaccuracies in the existing master plan.

The SDA board had last month approved the extension of Greater Srinagar local area from the existing 417 km to 757 km.

As per the new master plan, the boundaries of Greater Srinagar would encompass Dara-Fakri and Dachigam National Park on the northeast, Zabarwan hills from Khunmoh towards Khrew on the east, Kakapora Railway Station on southeast, Budgam local area upto Gallandar on the south, Mazhama Railway station and road towards Gulmarg on the southwest and Buran, Ganepur in Pattan towards the west.

Anantnag, October 11
Despite being located metres away from the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the link road to Karewa Mohalla in Bijbehara town lies in a shambles.

The locality, based on some 60 households, is situated behind the Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehara.

Residents say that after pleading with the authorities for more than a decade, the construction of the elevated road was finally sanctioned in 2009.

“The authorities back then had sanctioned Rupees 40 lakh for the construction of the link road,” said Imran Majid, a local resident.

He said the work was commenced by the R&B Department soon after the approval from the authorities.

“However, after completing about 20 per cent of the work, the project is hanging fire,” said Sajad Ahmad.

Locals rue that no work whatsoever has been done on the road since then.

“We have been wandering from pillar to post to get the work done on the road, but to no avail,” said Afaq Shah, another resident.

What is beyond comprehension is that if the money has already been sanctioned for the road why has the R&B Department left the work midway, locals say.

The road is not even fit for pedestrian movement.

“Either potholes remain waterlogged or dust emanates from the filthy road,” Sajad said. He said the poor condition of the road had become a health hazard for the people living there.

“The national highway is macadamised almost twice a year and this road, even though adjacent to the highway has been altogether ignored by the authorities,” he added.

Srinagar, October 11
People linked to Kashmir’s famous Dal and Nigeen Lakes formed the United Dal and Environment Association yesterday where Mohammad Yousuf Chapri was elected as its first chairman.

“The association is a consortium of 20 organisations aimed at restoring the lost glory of Dal and Nigeen Lake, environmental conservation and to protect the lakes,” said Mir Shariq Mushtaq, publicity secretary, association.

Muhammad Yousuf Chapri was elected as the chairman of the association while Wali Muhammad was elected as the vice-chairman, Mushtaq said.

Abdul Hamid Wangnoo has been elected as the deputy vice-chairman, Ghulam Rasool Akhoon as the general secretary, Zareef Ahmad Zareef as the additional general secretary, Muhammad Yakub Dunoo as the secretary and Ghulam Ahmad Kulu as the deputy secretary.

The function was attended by houseboat owners, hoteliers, shikara owners, motorboat owners, bathing boat owners and hawkers, boat market shopkeepers and photographers linked to Nigeen and Dal lakes.

Srinagar, October 11
Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir today said about 7 lakh Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) had been issued to farmers in the state till date.

Mir, who was reviewing the progress of implementation of the KCC scheme in the state, said the aim of the scheme was to provide easy credit facilities to the marginal farmers of the state.

The meeting was attended by Asgar Samoon, Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture production, Peerzada Mushtaq, Director, Agriculture Kashmir, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, representative of Jammu Kashmir Bank and other senior officers of the Agriculture and Revenue Department.

The minister directed the revenue and bank authorities to clear all pending cases as early as possible which were necessary for achieving the 100 per cent target.

The direction was also passed to bank authorities to explore the possibilities to cover the cocoon growers and those farmers with no land holding, but who perform farming on tenancy basis under the KCCs scheme, an official spokesman said.

Mir said the easy availability of credit facilities to the farmers would help boost the agriculture activities in the state and help in introduction of farm mechanisation in the sector.

The meeting was informed that Rs 595 crore credit facilities had been provided to those 1.71 lakh Kisan Credit Card holders who opted to avail the benefit in 12 districts of the Kashmir division. The minister called upon all KCC holders to come forward and avail the benefits under the scheme. 

Srinagar, October 11
The Department of Posts (DoP), Jammu and Kashmir circle, held ‘Mail Day’ today as a part of its week-long National Postal Week celebrations.

An official from the Department of Posts said the department created awareness on the ‘use of pincodes’ today.

He said camps had been set up at several places to create awareness among people over the services offered by the Department of Posts.

Chief Postmaster General, Jammu and Kashmir circle, Chandra Prakash, said the celebrations would continue till October 15 as the Postal Week had been kick-started on last Wednesday.

On the activities scheduled from tomorrow, he said: “Philately Day on October 12 will mark the holding of philately workshops. On the Business Development Day on October 14, we will hold customer meets and organise customer awareness programs to educate public about the initiatives being taken by the department to provide better services. On the occasion of the Postal Life Insurance Day on October 15, melas will be organised in cities and villages for creating awareness on insurance products.”

Leh, October 11
Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the head monk of the Drikung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhists, donated 108 volumes of sacred texts on the teachings of Lord Buddha to the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) here recently.

He was here to inaugurate the newly constructed auditorium on the campus of the CIBS.

The auditorium, which is named after famous Buddhist philosopher Arya Nagarjuna, is well-equipped for recreation activities. The auditorium was constructed by the Union Ministry of Culture.

The institute was set up as an autonomous organisation under the Union Ministry of Culture for Buddhist philosophical studies for monks of Ladakh and other Himalayan regions of the country.

Before Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959-60, Tibet was the centre of learning for centuries for Buddhist monks of Ladakh.

The Rinpoche said the texts were translated in Tibetan language in the 16th Century in China and were acquired a few years ago from Taiwan Parliament Museum by him.

Rinpoche said, “The sacred script is only available at three places, including Srongstan Library in Dehradun and CIBS in Ladakh and with the Dalai Lama.”

Director, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Dr Dorje Wangchuk Negi said the CIBS had been offering Masters degree course in other subjects, including Sanskirit, Buddhist, history, comparative philosophy and Bodhi literature since 2011 and efforts were on to get deemed university status for the institute.