Srinagar, October 24
Giving it breathing space, the High Court today granted J&K government a week's time to file its report on the policy decision with regard to violations of the Srinagar Master Plan.

The court however made it clear that it will act on cases of violation individually if the government fails to spell out its plan by October 31.

These orders were passed by a division bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice MM Kumar after the Advocate General sought time to put before the court government policy vis-à-vis violations of the master plan.

Observing that it has been informed that over 3,000 violations of the Srinagar Master Plan have been noted, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had, on October 21, asked the government to come clean on the issue and state whether it intends to take any policy decision with regard to these violations. The court had given the government time till October 24 to submit its report on the policy decision.

As the matter came up before the bench today, Advocate General M Ishaq Qadri, representing the government, sought two more weeks to file the same.

The bench asked the government to file the report on policy decision by October 31, failing which, the court said, it will consider the applications individually on their own merit.

The court observed that the “magnitude of the problem (master plan violations) is so colossal” that it “cannot afford to close” the matter here.

“We are giving breathing space (to the government) to frame a policy which is fair and objective,” the bench observed during the hearing today, adding that if the government fails to “implement” the laws it has made, the courts “are bound to intervene”.

In its orders today, the court also said sealing of the illegal structures will continue, adding that whosoever has violated the law and norms, will be dealt with in accordance with the statutes.

The court is hearing a PIL wherein the petitioners had prayed that the High Court take "strong note" of the constructions made illegally without permission from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and in violation of the Master Plan in Srinagar city and pass directions to the authorities concerned for demolishing such structures in public interest.

The court had, in its earlier orders on October 21, observed that during the course of arguments, it has been said there is a large number of building violations, numbering over 3,000. It requested the Advocate General to apprise the High Court as to whether there is any possibility of the government taking a policy decision with regard to the violations which have taken place.

Anantnag, October 24
The Khannabal-Pahalgam Road was blocked by protesters in Aishmuqam area of this south Kashmir district, protesting against the death of a 34-year-old local woman of poisoning at her husband’s house in Shopian.

According to reports, Rabia Akhter, wife of Nisar Ahmad of Bonna Pora Shopian, was admitted in a hospital in Shopian on Wednesday evening in a critical condition, where she died. “The doctors have confirmed the cause of death to be poisoning after a post-mortem was carried out,” a police officer said.

He said police has lodged an FIR (150/2013) under Section 309 of the RPC. “We are investigating the matter thoroughly,” said the officer, adding: “The guilty in the case, if any, will not be spared.” The family and neighbours of the woman in Aishmuqam came on to the road this morning, alleging that she was poisoned by her in-laws. A complete shutdown was observed in the area, while the protesters clashed with the police.

Police had to resort to cane-charge to disperse the agitated protesters. Schools and other establishments in the area remained shut. “They have been torturing her for a very long time,” said Muhammad Yousuf Malik, Rabia’s father. He said her marriage was an unhappy one. “She had been married for three years now and it was an awful marriage,” he stated. The lady is survived by a 15-month-old daughter.

Srinagar, October 24
The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) is shortly going to commence work on development of a maiden Vertical Housing Colony here as part of its endeavour to provide affordable accommodation and ensure economical use of land resources.

This was stated by Vice-Chairman of Srinagar Development Authority Shafaat Noor Barlas while reviewing the progress of the project at a meeting held here today. He called for construction work to begin before the onset of winter season.

Srinagar Development Authority is constructing around 400 residential flats named Shehjar Apartments near Mini Housing Colony Bemina (opposite Hajj House) for which HUDCO has been engaged as project consultant and financier.

Srinagar Development Authority has already begun work on construction of around 60 residential flats, named Gulposh Apartments near JK Bank Bemina, for which allotment is being made to prospective buyers shortly through draw of lots, an official said after the meeting, adding that HUDCO today submitted to the Srinagar Development Authority the preliminary drawings of the Shehjar Project including the overall layout plan and design of individual blocks and the flats.

As per the preliminary drawings, Shehjar Apartments would be spread over around 100 kanals of land with 40-feet-wide main road and 36-feet-wide internal roads transecting various apartment blocks. The Vertical Colony would be provided with adequate underground and surface parking facility, parks, community hall, children’s play area, tennis court, amphitheatre, health club, community market, food court and other amenities for the residents.

The Srinagar Development Authority vice chairman said given the scarce land resources and skyrocketing land prices in Srinagar, the time had come for Srinagar Development Authority to introduce the concept of flat accommodations in and around the city. He called for a provision of going up to 70 feet vertical instead of the existing 55 feet. He said the norms for high-rises in Srinagar city were being revised in the new Master Plan. Notably, the High Court has given the state government one week’s time to come clean on its policy for the Srinagar Master Plan violations.

He asked the HUDCO authorities to ensure the structures are earthquake- resistant and also keep provision for Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and Solar Energy for the Shehjar Apartments.

He said immediately after HUDCO returns with the revised drawings, the foundation stone of the project would be laid.

Kupwara, October 24
People of Handwara tehsil in bordering Kupwara district have demanded early completion of incomplete bridges.

They said they were facing severe problems due to eight incomplete bridges in different areas. Work on most bridges has been suspended by the authorities concerned for unknown reasons for the past few years, they said.

Work on a major bridge on nullah Mawar was started by Beacon authorities in 2003. The bridge is supposed to connect Handwara with Baramulla. Work on the bridge has been going on intermittently, at snail's pace, for a decade, having been suspended many a time in the past. Locals said the pillars erected in the nullah to raise the bridge block the flow of waters, leading to floods and subsequently damage to paddy and maize crops in the area.

They sought that work on the bridge be paced up and the bridge be made motorable at the earliest. "For more than a decade, the bridge remains incomplete. Apart from traffic jams, the incomplete bridge causes floods, which in turn damages standing paddy and maize crops almost every year. We are facing grave difficulties due to the incomplete bridge and appeal to the authorities to complete the construction in stipulated time," said Mohd Sayeed Wani from Mawar.

In 2000, the Roads and Buildings (R and B) department started construction of a bridge at nullah Phoru. The bridge will connect Vodhpora with Ramhal and other areas. To date, the department has completed about 60 per cent of the work on the bridge.

"At least a dozen children have drowned in the fast-flowing waters of the nullah when boats carrying them capsized on two occasions during the past years. In absence of a bridge, we are forced to cross over to the other side of the nullah in boats and shikaras, which has proved dangerous in the past," said Rayees Ahmad from Sudal.

Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC), in 2001, started construction of a bridge which is supposed to connect Kulangam with Gund Chogal. For more than a decade, the work has been going on at snail's pace. In 2002, foundation of another bridge which is supposed to connect Handwara with Kahipora was laid, but to date, only 50 per cent work has been completed. The outlay for the bridge is Rs one crore, said sources.

A few other bridges, supposed to connect Sunmullah with Ramhal, Kulangam with Braripora, Nagri with Jagarpora and Villgam with Handwara have been incomplete for the past many years. Locals said if made motorable, the bridges would not only cut short the distance but also ease traffic rush in many areas. They demanded that the construction of bridges should be completed at the earliest.

Srinagar, October 24
Around 300 students of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, participated in the awareness-cum-training programme on mental health and well-being organised by Mariam Wellness Health Centre, a private mental healthcare service provider on Wednesday.

Experts from the wellness centre gave lectures on suicides, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and simple relaxation techniques.

Those who gave lectures on the occasion included Dr Arif Maghribi Khan and Tazeen Matoo, clinical psychologists at the IUST auditorium. Those present among the audiences included the faculty members at IUST.

Dr Khan said education of the youth plays a positive role in the improvement of mental healthcare as the problem is marked in this section of the population.

“Many a youth fall prey to mental illnesses. Hence, raising awareness among them is our prime concern. The approach is simple. Sensitising one student means indirect awareness among his circle of friends, family and close relatives. Youth are the drivers of change. We believe the change at grassroot level will begin with youth,” said Dr Khan.

He added that through this process, the awareness can be taken to the next level, which could lead to mass sensitisation.

“Even if one person goes on to tell 10 persons what he learnt during the workshop, that means at least 3,000 people are aware,” he added.

He said similar programmes will be conducted at other colleges and universities across the Valley too.

Srinagar, October 24
Thirteen persons were injured in separate road accidents across the Valley during the last 24 hours.

A police spokesman said three vehicles, including a bus, a van and a Ford Figo car collided on the National Highway near Chainbal, Baramulla, resulting in injuries to four passengers.

“All the injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment. The Mirgund police has registered a case in this regard”, he added.

A Santro car collided with a scooter at Peerbagh, Budgam. Both the drivers were injured in the accident and were shifted to a hospital for treatment. Budgam police has registered a case. In another accident, a recovery vehicle hit and injured a pedestrian in Baramulla. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. A case was registered.

In another accident, a Scorpio hit and injured 10-year-old Juniad Ahmad, son of Ghulam Mohi-u-Din, a resident of Sether in Sangam. The injured was shifted to Sub-District Hospital, Anantnag, for treatment. A case was registered in this regard.

An Alto car hit and injured a pedestrian, Ali Mohammad Dar, on K P road, in Anantnag. The injured was shifted to a hospital for treatment.

In another accident in district Anantnag, pedestrian Maqbool Bhat, a resident of Balpora Yaripora, was hit and injured by an unknown vehicle at Eidgah crossing in Bijbehara. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. The Bijbehara Police has registered a case in this regard. A motorcycle rider met with an accident at Lachipora in the jurisdiction of Handwara police station, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist and two pillion riders. The injured were shifted to hospital and a case was registered. Volunteers of the Civil Defence Organisation rescued a driver, who was injured in one of the accidents. The injured driver was later admitted in the hospital where he was provided medical aid. “An auto rickshaw bearing registration number JK01L-5637 collided with a bus (JK01B-4816) on outskirts of the city near Manigam, on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway”, a statement from the Civil Defence Organisation said. “The impact was so severe that the auto split into two parts. The auto driver Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh suffered injuries. He was rescued by Civil Defence Volunteers and admitted to the local Primary Health Centre”, the statement said. The driver was referred to SKIMS Hospital. — TNS

Srinagar, October 24
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) will be sending food product samples to referral laboratories outside the state for quality check.

“For the first time, we will be conducting two-level testing — first in labs here and then we will be sending samples to referral labs in Kolkata and Chandigarh,” SMC health officer Dr Shafqat Khan said.

Asserting that the SMC had ‘declared war’ against adulterated and sub-standard food products available within the municipal limits, Khan said they had so far collected 120 samples of food products.

He said the corporation was mainly concentrating on oil, skimmed milk and spices and they had so far found six sub-standard samples. “We have lifted six sub-standard food materials from the markets and today, our team found another skimmed milk product, ‘Madhusudhan’, sub-standard - That too will be lifted from the markets,” said Khan.

He said the drive against adulterated and sub-standard food had been intensified in view of the ongoing ‘SMC Week’.

The ‘SMC Week’ had started on October 21. After kickstarting the ‘SMC Week’, SMC Commissioner GN Qasba had said the week was being observed to bring about efficiency and transparency in day-to-day affairs of the corporation and to ensure redressal of grievances of the citizens.

Qasba said the main focus of the ‘SMC Week’ was on improvisation of municipal activities including improvement in city sanitation, cleanliness of unattended spots, desilting of drains and allied matters with more emphasis on cleanliness of Brari Nambal Lagoon and river Jhelum bundhs.

Srinagar, October 24
The J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) awarded theatre persons and budding artists for display of their talent in the Annual Theatre Festival and Children’s On-the-Spot Painting Competition in a ceremony held today.

The awards were presented by Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary to Government, Tourism and Culture. Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary of the JKAACL, Shabir Mujahid, Director of Doordarshan Kendra, Jammu, prominent theatre persons, writers and lovers of performing and fine arts were present on the occasion.

In his address, Khalid Bashir Ahmad said the Theatre Festival had been revived in Kashmir after a gap of four years and had received appreciation from the local theatre fraternity. He said by holding the festival, the performing artistes had got an opportunity to harness and exhibit their talent. The activity also helped in the promotion of this important art form.

He said 19 plays were received and after scrutiny by experts, eight were selected for the festival. The theatre groups came from different parts of the Valley, he added.

The pass outs of the three-year Calligraphy Course-2012-13, conducted by the Academy, were also presented certificates.

The Theatre Festival was held from June 3 to 11, while the Children’s On-the-Spot Painting Competition was held on August 29.

Khalid said in the painting competition, 206 students of 23 private and government schools participated. The theme for the amateur group was environment and pollution while the senior group was given a free choice. He said panels of experts in both the events recommended participating artists and theatre groups for awards in different categories.

Atal Dulloo described the events like theatre festival and painting competition as significant efforts towards the development and promotion of performing and fine arts in the state. He said such competitions provided an opportunity to participants to hone their talent and perform before a larger audience. He said the government was according due priority to the development of art, culture and literature and referred to the activities undertaken by the Academy in these sectors.

Dulloo congratulated the award-winning performers and young artists for their work and hoped that the honour would encourage them to perform better in the future. He appreciated the Academy for holding important cultural events and honouring the local talent in different fields.

Shabir Mujahid also spoke on the occssion.

In the Annual Theatre Festival, Farooq Sheikh was awarded the best actor (male) award for his role as Karim Din in the play ‘Rath Vandai Malinyo’ while Shafia won the best actor (female) award for her performance as Gopali and Zohra in the same play. Irfan Shah and Hilal Shah jointly won the best child artiste award for their roles as Lokut Jin and Boad Jin in ‘Nyay’. The best director award was won by Ayash Arif for ‘Rath Vandai Malinyo’ and the second best director award was lifted by Reshi Rashid for ‘Phir Thur’. The best production award was given to ‘Rath Vandai Malinyo’ staged by Kalidas Theatre, Srinagar. The second best production award went to ‘Phir Thur’ presented by Roshan Art Centre, Pinjoora Tangmarg. The best costume award went to Kalidas Theatre for ‘Rath Vandai Malinyo’ even as the second best costume award was won by Dilshad Cultural Forum for ‘Pagah Sholi Duniyah’. The best music award was given to Roshan Art Centre for ‘Phir Thur’ and the second best music award went to Wahab Dramatics Club for ‘Nyay’. The best lighting award was won by Roshan Art Centre for ‘Phir Thur’.

Shamima Khushbu, Arshida Bano, Sana Ullah Khan, Rajinde Tickoo and Khadim Wali won certificates of merit for acting.

In the amateur group of the children’s painting competition, the first prize was given to Badrun Nisa Bhat of Green Valley Educational Institute, Bachhpora Hussain of Presentation Convent, Srinagar.

In the senior group, Falak Tareen of Mallinson Girls School, Srinagar, bagged the first prize, Syed Hurrain Jeelani of Linton Hall School, Raj Bagh, bagged the second prize and Divya Kaur of Presentation Convent School, Raj Bagh, got the third prize. The consolation prize went to Muqqadas Bhat of Lawrence Vidya Bhavan, Raj Bagh, Mohammad Mussadiq of Tiny Harts School, Srinagar and Ishrat Gul of Navodaya Vidyalaya, Khanpora Budgam.

The pass outs of the three-year Calligraphy Course-2012-13 who were given certificates included Javaid Ahmad Kumar (first), Farah Jan (second), Asia Syed (third) and Kausar Shafi Shah.

Kupwara, October 24
Poor service of telecom firm BSNL continues to irk mobile subscribers in the Kupwara district. The subscribers said even under the very nose of BSNL towers in Kupwara town, they were unable to make or receive calls.

The broadband service of the cellular company is no different. The subscribers said either the internet speed was slow or the service did not work most of the times. They said in spite of the repeated requests to the officials concerned, the service had not been improved.

“The service is so poor that we are not able to make or receive calls even under the same roof. We will be forced to surrender the sim cards if the company did not improve its services,” said Anees Masoodi, a mobile user.

Nazir Ahmad, another subscriber said, “Mobile subscriber is not reachable is often heard when one attempts to make a call. Under the very nose of the mobile tower, the mobile phone flashes ‘no network coverage’ on its screen”.

Many other subscribers said the towers disappeared from the mobile screens for hours and ‘network busy’ was often displayed when they attempted to make a call.

“The mobile towers often disappear for hours together leaving subscribers high and dry. The service is so erratic that one has to make many attempts to make a call” said Reyaz Ahmad.

Some other subscribers said cross-connection had become a routine matter. “The mobile towers go down when the electricity supply is snapped. The employees do not run the generators for continuation of mobile signal. Cross-connection has become a routine matter with BSNL in the district,” said Shabir Rizvi.

Srinagar, October 24
An amount of Rs 80.50 crore is being expended on health services during the current financial year under the state plan.

This was informed during a high-level meeting of Planning, Finance and Health Departments held under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan in Srinagar today.

The meeting reviewed the current fiscal plan allocation of health services and took several decisions to further improve the quality of health services in the state.

Shabir under scored the need for additional funds to complete the on-going health projects under the state plan.

He said though the government had projected Rs 70 crore for infrastructure building this year under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) yet there was need to arrange for more funds to complete the projects.

He asked the concerned authorities of Planning and Finance to give priority to release of adequate funds under the health sector to complete the on-going hospital projects well in time.

Health services should not suffer at any cost, as the government was committed to providing better health services to the people. There should be no financial cut in the plan allocation of health services, he added.

The Principal Secretary, Planning, B R Sharma, assured the Minister that due care would be taken in release of funds for maintenance of health services.

The Minister said at present the construction of 15 major hospitals was apace at a total cost of Rs 535 crore against which Rs 228 crore had been utilised up to last fiscal and during current financial year Rs 11 crore was being expended.

Srinagar, October 24
Department of Anesthesiology and critical care, Sher-e- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), is organising the 23rd Annual National Conference of Research Society of Anesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology from October 26 to 27, at Sher-e- Kashmir International Convention Centre, Srinagar.

The conference will be preceded by workshops on October 25 at SKIMS.

Dr Showkat Zargar, Director of SKIMS, while appreciating the department said world-renowned experts participating in the event would benefit students and faculty with their experiences and knowledge of the field.

A large number of delegates from the country and abroad are expected to participate in the conference.

The main attraction of the conference includes guest lectures, symposia and panel discussions on critical issues of the field.

Srinagar, October 24
Health care infrastructure in Baramulla district of north Kashmir was reviewed by the Minister of State for health Shabir Ahmad Khan today.

Shabir was briefed that over a dozen health projects, involving a total cost of Rs 157.80 crore, were under execution in Baramulla against which Rs 74.30 crore had been expended till last financial year and during the current fiscal, Rs 10 crore were being spent on these projects.

The meeting was informed that the construction work on Rs 65.89 crore District Hospital, Baramulla, was apace and till the last fiscal, Rs 37.26 crore had been expended on this project. The OPD block of the hospital had been completed and made functional while the work on IPD block was at its final stage. It was also given out that construction work on Sub-District Hospital, Sopore, was taken up at a cost of Rs 56.90 crore against which Rs 28.56 crore had been expended and OPD and IPD blocks completed while remaining work on the project is going on.

The meeting was informed that construction work on Sub-District Hospital, SDH Pattan, Primary Health Care Centres, PHCs Singpora, Ladoora, Dangerpora, Kunzar and Rehama were also apace at the total estimated cost of Rs 14.43 crore against which Rs 9.11 crore had been expended on these hospital buildings up to the last financial year.

The Minister directed the executing agencies concerned to submit the utilisation certificates for release of next instalment of funds. He instructed the departments concerned to maintain close coordination and address bottlenecks.

Srinagar, October 24
West Bengal today beat J&K by eight wickets to reach the final of the 27th All-India Postal Cricket Tournament being held here.

An official of the Department of Posts (DoP), which is hosting the tournament, said in a semifinal match, Uttar Pradesh defeated Assam by seven wickets. “West Bengal will meet Uttar Pradesh in the final match to be played tomorrow while J&K will clash with Assam for the third slot. Both the matches will be played at the Kashmir University ground,” the DoP official said.

In the first semifinal match, J&K won the toss and decided to bat first. The team was bowled out for 81 runs in 19.2 overs. Soham Gosh of Bengal played a key role in containing the innings of J&K by taking four wickets in 2.2 overs and conceding 12 runs.

Chasing the target, the openers of West Bengal easily achieved the target in 10 overs for the loss of two wickets. Saik Gosh scored the highest 26 runs for West Bengal. Soham Gosh was awarded the man of the match award.

In the second semifinal, Assam was bowled out for 89 runs in 17 overs by Uttar Pradesh. The latter won the match by scoring 93 runs for the loss of three wickets. Akhilesh Mishra scored 34 runs for Uttar Pradesh while Jai Dev Bisht was awarded the man of the match award for taking three wickets in three overs while conceding only two runs. — TNS