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City residents complain of kerosene shortage
DCM school students raise fund for HelpAge India
Foundation stone of Examination Block on JU’s old campus laid
Two-day Hindi conference ends
JKDF submits memorandum of demands to Div Commissioner
Shiv Sena protests against rising prices of veggies
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Rahul-CM friendship not to guide Cong-NC alliance in 2014
Cracks appear yet again in state Congress
Need to publicise self-employment schemes: Guv
HC wants status report on Koran missing from museum
The Shri Pratap Singh Museum in Srinagar. A Tribune photograph
10-member panel to work on education policy
Registration, admission fees hiked in govt hospitals
Mine recovered in Kathua
Five M’rashtra youth released
Governor announces Rs 1 lakh for Civil Services Institute
State BJP unit goes online ahead of Modi's rally
Rice scam: Crime Branch identifies 10 CAPD employees
GREF caught using substandard material in road construction
Misuse of state funds in Rajouri, NGOs demand CBI probe
Jihad Council opposes construction of border wall
Govt Degree College for Women functioning from a school
annual day celebrations
Manjeet Club clinch volleyball title
GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, donates blood at a camp in Udhampur on Thursday. A Tribune Photograph
School winter vacation from Dec 2
GMC students slam ‘backdoor entries’, demand action
Doctors protest against former Chairman of the Board of Professional Entrance Examination Mushtaq Ahmad Peer for his involvement in the common entrance test scam in Srinagar on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Amin War
Students protest against ‘misbehaviour’ of varsity HoD
Agitating docs demand FIR against ‘assaulters’
Traffic diversions for November 30
Polythene users to be booked under law
Geelani put under house arrest
1 hurt in road mishap
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City residents complain of kerosene shortage
Jammu, November 28 Residents have also demanded that the government should enhance the monthly supply to general public from a uniform scale of 5 litre per ration card to 10 litre per ration card per month. Official sources said the Union Government was yet to review the allocation for Jammu and Kashmir, despite the fact that it was earlier proposed that the decision in this regard would be taken in October this year. "In its notification issued in April this year, the Central Government had curtailed the allocation of kerosene to the state. In compliance to it, the CAPD Department of the state had also reduced the supply to general public from a uniform scale of 10 litre kerosene per ration card per month to 5 litre per ration card per month," sources said, adding that the state government was still supplying "curtailed" supply to the people as the Central Government had not reviewed the allocation for the state so far. The sources said the CAPD Department was getting an allocation of 2,772 kilolitre kerosene per month for 8.15 lakh families of Jammu region, comprising of 10 districts, which is nearly half of the allocation provided to the region. "The uniform scale of 5 litres per family per month of kerosene was fixed by the Central Government and the department is still supplying the same quota to the people," sources said, adding that kerosene supply was being made for the purpose of cooking and illumination only. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, a resident of Panjthirthi, said, "We didn't get kerosene for the month of November. The question arises as how a family of five to six members will carry out cooking, illumination on 5 litre kerosene for a month. The state government should seriously take up the matter with the Centre so that the people get the original monthly quota of 10 litre per ration card." According to official statistics, the state government is presently supplying kerosene as per Census-2001. The total population of the state as per Census-2011 is 125.48 lakh persons, which works out to be 22.73 lakh families. There is shortage of ration for approximately 3.02 lakh families in the state as there were 19.71 lakh families in the state as per Census- 2001. Talking to The Tribune, M Abass Dar, Commissioner-Secretary, CAPD Department, denied that there was any shortage of kerosene in Jammu region. "We have allotted the kerosene quota to the directorates of Kashmir and Jammu regions for the month of November in toto and the quota of December will be released on December 1. The directors of both the regions have been closely monitoring the distribution of kerosene in all parts of the state." He said the stocking of essential commodities, including kerosene, in hilly areas had nothing to do with the distribution problem. GS Chib, Director, CAPD Department Jammu, said there was no shortage of kerosene in Jammu region and they had no report, whatsoever, from any parts of the region. "I failed to understand as where from such reports (regarding shortage of kerosene) emanated. We have not received any complaint in this regard so far," Chib said. There are 2,270 kerosene depots in the state, while kerosene supply is being made through tankers in city areas. A total of 41 licences for kerosene depots, including 24 in Jammu province, were issued in the state last year. Reduction in supply |
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DCM school students raise fund for HelpAge India
Jammu, November 28 The amount was handed over to the HelpAge India by Chairman of the school SP Sharma in the presence of MD Dheeraj Sharma and Principal Vikesh Kaur. Appreciating the efforts of school students, Senior Executive of the HelpAge India Neeru Deepak Khajuria said this was a big contribution by the students and staff of the school for the helpless elderly persons. The HelpAge India is working for the cause and care of underprivileged old persons throughout the world, including all states of India.
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Foundation stone of Examination Block on JU’s old campus laid
Jammu November 28 With a built-up area of over 27,800 sq ft of all floors, this four-storey building would be constructed within a period of 18 months. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5 crore. The building will have eight halls so that 700 students can appear in examinations at a time. The provision for lifts has also been kept, specially for physically challenged students. Speaking after laying the foundation stone, the Vice Chancellor said with the construction of the building on the old campus, the space constraint being faced by the university for conducting examinations can be overcome. Prof Manoj K Dhar, Registrar, Prof Keshav Sharma, Controller of Examinations, Prof VD Singh, Director, DDE, Prof Dipankar Sen Gupta, Jai Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary to Vice Chancellor, RK Jaffarani, Executive Engineer, Jitender Khajuria, Joint Registrar, and other officials of the University were also present. |
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Two-day Hindi conference ends
Jammu, November 28 In the first session, two papers, "Hindi ya matri bhasha" and "Lekhan ke sandharav mein", were presented by Chhatar Pal and "Nari vimarsh aur Jammu-Kashmir ka Hindi lekhan" by Aruna Sharm. It was followed by a question/answer session. Prof Ved Ghai, Prof Champa Sharma, Prof Neelam Saraf and Om Goswami shared the stage. The second session started with the presentation of papers, "Kashmiri bhasha se Hindi mein anuvad: Chunoutiyan avam samadhan" by MK Santoshi and "Dogri bhasha se Hindi mein anuvad: Chunoutiyan avam samadhan" by Dr Satpal Shreevats. Dr Chanchal Dogra, Prof Parmeshwari and Prof Ashok Gupta shared the stage. Savita Bakshi, additional secretary, Cultural Academy, Jammu, presented the vote of thanks. A kavi sammelan was organised in the third and final session. Narinder Mohan, Nirmal Vinod, Dhanajaya Singh and Agnishekher shared the stage. The prominent poets, who recited their poems, included Sultan Ahmed, Chanchal Dogra, Shyam Bihai, Anila Singh Charak, Adharsh Malhotra, Khyama Koul, Sanjeev Bhasin, Prithvi Nath Madhup, Sheikh Mohammad Kalyan, Rajkumar, Shakti Singh, Yogita Yadav, Naresh Kumar Udass and Adarsh. Azra Choudhary, Editor, Hindi, and in charge of the conference, presented the vote of thanks and conducted the proceedings.
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JKDF submits memorandum of demands to Div Commissioner
Jammu, November 28 The activists, who were led by president of the district youth wing of the JKDF Rohit Kerni and state youth wing president of the front Munish Khajuria on behalf of state president of the JKDF Anil Gupta, stressed for immediate redressing of grievances of the residents of Jammu city. The memorandum demanded the installation of a statue of Sardar Banda Singh Bahadur at Kunjwani Chowk and renaming it as Sardar Banda Singh Bahadur
Chowk.
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Shiv Sena protests against rising prices of veggies
Jammu, November 28 “Earlier the vegetables used to get costly due to the climatic factors, but now the pulses, cooking oil, etc, are very costly, due to which the people of this country are not able to fulfil their basic necessities of life,” said Ashok Gupta, state president of the Shiv Sena. "The cost of tomato is Rs 80, lady'sfinger Rs 100, capsicum Rs 80, onion Rs 60, ginger Rs 120 and garlic Rs 130," Ashok Gupta said. |
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PDP, BJP dividing society on emotional issues: Omar
Peeri (Rajouri), November 28 Omar recalled that after taking the oath, he went to the PDP and urged them to work together for the betterment of the state. “Despite assurances on moving towards this direction, the PDP leaders initiated false propaganda against me and my government,” he alleged. Omar said the PDP had only one agenda, that of removing him from the post of Chief Minister. The Chief Minister accused the PDP of whipping up sentiments and dividing the people on “communal lines”. “They want to create 2010-like unrest in the state. They want to remove me from the post of Chief Minister and be in power,” he alleged. “After the 2010 summer unrest, PDP leaders had camped in New Delhi to convince the Union Government that every thing would be all right if Omar was shifted,” he alleged. Omar also dubbed the PDP’s claims that they didn’t want power as pretentious. “The guilty conscience needs no accuse so PDP’s claims of not desiring power simply points towards the fact that its politics is only for the sake of power,” he said. The Chief Minister also came down heavily on the BJP saying that the party was equally responsible for disturbance in the state’s peace. “The BJP is equally responsible for disturbance in peace and creation of tension between various sections and regions of the state,” he said, adding that BJP leaders were in search of occasions to “flare up communal tension” to take “political advantage”. “Both the BJP and the PDP instead of extending a helping hand to the government during crisis created more trouble,” Omar said while referring to VHP leader Praveen Togadia’s visit to Rajouri earlier this year. On the recent ‘medical scam’, Omar said: “The accused has been arrested and put behind bars for his unscrupulous, dishonest and heinous crime against society and the students.” He, however, said instead of appreciating the government’s action, the PDP leaders had started a negative propaganda against him and his government. “The first scam in the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) was exposed during the tenure of the PDP and it set aside the Crime Branch report against a particular person accused of selling the medical seats and promoted that person to the higher post,” Omar alleged. Minister for Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad and NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana were also present on the occasion.
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Rahul-CM friendship not to guide Cong-NC alliance in 2014 Jammu, November 28 “Well, it is a known fact that Rahul and Omar are good friends, but that doesn’t mean that friendship would be the guiding factor. We have to look toward the stability of the state and a decision on the alliance would be taken purely on merit, especially keeping in view the party interests,” a highly placed source in the party told The Tribune Even Omar Abdullah in one of interviews with The Tribune had discarded the notion that his government in the state survives because of friendship with Rahul Gandhi. “He (Rahul) had given just one statement in my favour”, Omar said Rahul had stated in August 2010 when 2010 street protests were at their peak, “Omar needs our support and time to deliver. He is performing a very difficult job”. This invokes another possibility of the Congress going alone to the polls as it had done in 1996, 2002 and 2008 Assembly polls. The argument in the party is that the regional parties - the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party - need Congress more than it does these parties. At the moment, the Congress has kept the question of pre-poll alliance with its current ally National Conference ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and then subsequently in the Assembly polls due next year in thinking zone. Instead, it is looking at the options which would provide “stability to the state”. There may be status quo, the source said. This crucial decision would be taken purely on the basis of political merit. Congress’ standard line as far as the alliance with the National Conference is concerned is that such alliances in the past have had their sweet and sour moments. The Congress-NC alliance in 1975, when the Congress gave government to the National Conference on a platter following Sheikh-Indira accord, failed and so did the alliances in November 1986 and December 2008. The party, which has national stakes, doesn’t want any repeat of the 2010 turmoil when blood was splattered on the streets of the Kashmir Valley nor it would ignore certain statements that emboldened the separatists. Congress’ degree of satisfaction about the governance in Jammu and Kashmir and on the critical issues of empowerment of panchayats in the state is not up to its standards. At the same time, the National Conference-Congress alliance’s grand feat of holding panchayat elections in 2011 is encircled as a bright spot in the coalition government’s note book, though Congress maintained that those polls were held because of the pressure mounted by the party on its ally NC. “For us, political stability means not in terms of alliances with one party or the other but peace and prosperity of the state,” said a senior Congress leader who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, “as we still have at least one year of the alliance period pending with the National Conference.” Decision purely on merit *
At the moment, the Congress has kept the question of pre-poll alliance with NC in thinking zone. *
The party is looking at the options which would provide “stability to
the state”. * The source said a decision would be taken purely on merit
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Cracks appear yet again in state Congress
Jammu, November 28 Although the Congress is trying to downplay the issue of Azad not accompanying Soz on the tour, sources said the “unity” exhibited by the Union Health Minister and the JKPCC chief on the October 31 function is yet to be seen in the two factions because differences still exist between the two leaders. The October 31 function had raised the hope for a united state Congress among some party leaders but to no avail. While addressing a function which was organised by the JKPCC in connection with the 29th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Jammu, Azad had announced a joint tour with Soz in Poonch and Rajouri in November to spread the message of unity at the grass-roots level. Sending out the message that “all is well” in the faction-ridden Congress, Azad had announced that he along with Soz would jointly addressed rallies and a beginning would be made from Poonch and Rajouri districts. “With the Union Health Minister not accompanying Soz on the tour, it is clear that unity is still a distant dream in the Congress,” a senior party leader told The Tribune on condition of anonymity. Supporters of both leaders are yet to iron out their differences, he added. The October function was apparently held in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
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Need to publicise self-employment schemes: Guv
Jammu, November 28 The Governor was inaugurating a two-day employment fair at Reasi, which was organised by the district administration. The Governor advised Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, to devise ways and means so that maximum number of people, even from the remote areas of the district, could participate in such fairs and draw benefits of various schemes aimed at generating employment avenues. He said there was a vast potential for the growth and employment avenues in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, poultry farming, beekeeping, sheep and animal husbandry, mushroom cultivation etc. The Governor said several schemes had been launched by the government and the employment fairs provide a platform for the people to know about these schemes and avail the benefits. Referring to various development-oriented demands presented on the occasion, the Governor, who is the Chancellor of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, observed that the infrastructure was being expanded to meet the requirements of the institution. He said new courses were being introduced in sync with the job market requirements and several short-term skill upgrade courses were being organised by the university. The Governor, who is the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, dwelt on the various infrastructure development projects which have been taken up by the Shrine Board at Katra. He observed that with Katra shortly getting rail connectivity, there would be an urgent need to upgrade road network and public utilities. He said he and the Chief Minister had organised several meetings to discuss the development needs of Katra and its surrounding areas, and in this context, they would hold another meeting shortly. He also felicitated successful entrepreneurs on the occasion.
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HC wants status report on Koran missing from museum
Srinagar, November 28 The manuscript of the Koran was reported missing from the Shri Pratap Singh (SPS) Museum, Srinagar, in 2003. Subsequently, an FIR was lodged by the museum authorities in the Rajbagh police station and the case is currently under the investigation of the Crime Branch of the J&K Police. “In para 6 of the latest status report, it is stated that the SSP, Srinagar, was requested to expedite the investigation of the theft cases of the SPS Museum. The response (in this regard) is awaited (from him),” a division bench of the high court observed in its orders made available today. The court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Valley Citizens Council, an NGO, wherein it has been prayed that the court should order the restoration of museums in the state and recovery of the items stolen from the SPS Museum. Earlier in its orders on August 27, the court had sought the latest status of the investigation in the case pertaining to the reported theft of the Koran bearing the seal of Emperor Aurangzeb. “The case was registered in 2003, therefore the SSP, Srinagar, shall direct the investigating officer (IO) to remain present in the court along with the case diary on the next date of hearing. The present status of the investigation shall (also) be filed by or before the next date,” the bench further observed in its orders while seeking the personal appearance of the IO. Earlier, high court had expressed its displeasure over the failure of the authorities to recover the stolen museum items so far. “As we have noticed in the orders passed earlier, some items have been stolen which include a manuscript of the holy book bearing the seal of Emperor Aurangzeb, which was stolen in 2003. An FIR was lodged and the case has been closed as untraced,” a bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice MM Kumar had observed in its directions passed in December 2012. The state government in its subsequent response to the high court had assured “all possible efforts for restoring and recovering the stolen items.” Other stolen items Apart from the manuscript of the Koran bearing Emperor Aurangzeb’s seal, the other stolen items from the museum include a seated Buddha statue measuring about nine inches, a bronze statue of a deity measuring around two feet in height, a brass image of Jain Tirthankara, a brass image of the Buddha sitting and another statue of Buddha standing |
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10-member panel to work on education policy
Jammu, November 28 The panel comprises Prof Farida Khan, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, as the chairperson, Masud Choudhary, former Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Prof Ramakant Agnihotri, adviser, Vidhya Bhawan Society, Udaipur, Prof AG Madhosh, former Dean, faculty of education, University of Kashmir, Prof Rekha Choudhary, former Dean, research studies, University of Jammu, Sonam Angchuk, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, Leh, Prof Ajit Angral, Jammu, Dr Nandini Manjreker, School of Education, Centre for Sociology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Jamal Kidwai, Director, Aman Trust, New Delhi, and GN Masudi, former Joint Director, Principal, State Institute of Education, Srinagar, as its members.
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Registration, admission fees hiked in govt hospitals
Jammu, November 28 On the one hand, the Health Department of the state is talking about exploring medical tourism in the state, but on the other hand, the department has increased the fees of registration and admission in all the district hospitals of the state by 150 per cent. The poor patients visiting the district hospitals of the state are getting shock on being charged more for registration slip and admission cards. Earlier, the registration slips cost Rs 2 and admission card cost Rs 5 to a patient in the government hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir, but from November 1 the Health Department has increased the fees without announcing it officially. Now the registration slip costs Rs 5 and admission card costs Rs 10 to the patients. Sudhir Gupta, a retired government official, said, "The Health Department is giving nothing from its own pocket to the patients and increasing the registration and admission fees has raised a question mark on the accountability of the department. Government hospitals are for poor people of the state. The treatment in these hospitals should be free of cost and all the medicines should be available in the hospitals." "Not even a single hospital of the state has all the medicines available with them. Every patient has to buy medicines from outside, so on what basis they have increased the fees," he asked. Dr BS Pathania, Director Health Services (DHS), Jammu, said, "It was recommended long back, but we have implemented it from November 1." On the reason of increasing the fees, the DHS refused to comment saying, "It was an administrative decision, I cannot comment on it." The Minister for Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
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Mine recovered in Kathua
Jammu, November 28 In a separate incident, the Kathau police and the Territorial Army recovered an illumination mortar from a nullah near Chak Sajjan village. “Meanwhile, a man spotted an illumination mortar in a nullah near Chak Sajjan village in Kathua. On his information, a police party and soldiers of 158 Territorial Army reached the spot and seized it,” he said.
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Bar Association seeks legal aid, health facilities for prisoners
Srinagar, November 28 “The prisoners lodged in District Jail, Kathua, Sub-jail, Hiranagar, and District Jail, Udhampur, should be provided adequate legal aid and other facilities as required under the Jail Manual,” the association said in a report released after its visit to the prisons in the Jammu region. Two teams of lawyers from the Kashmir High Court Bar Association had visited these jails for providing necessary legal assistance to the detenues/under trial prisoners/convicts. While the team of lawyers visited the District Jail, Kathua and the Sub-jail, Hiranagar, on November 16, they made a trip to the District Jail, Udhampur, on November 17. “Necessary steps may be taken for providing medical facility to the inmates and in this regard a petition may be filed before the High Court, whereby, appointment of a doctor be sought in all the jails separately, so that the detenues may be given proper medical facility,” the report added. The Bar Association in its report also recommended that the jail authorities at the District Jail, Kathua, should take steps for redressing the grievances of the Burmese detenues/under trials so that their orders of deportation may become possible. During its visit, the team had met and interviewed three Burmese residents lodged at the District Jail, Kathua. The report further said steps may be taken for the improvement of diet to the inmates.
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Five M’rashtra youth released
Srinagar, November 28 The youth were released immediately after the J&K Police received a communication from their counterparts in Mumbai. “Immediately after their detention, we had asked the Mumbai police to check the antecedents of the five youth. We received a communication from them late Wednesday and we released the detained youth this morning,” a police officer said. ? “We had not registered any case against them,” he added. Abrar Ahmed, Suhail Ahmed Shiekh, Mohammad Imran Khan, Moinullah Khan and Mohammad Hakim, hailing from Amravati in Maharashtra were detained by the Army and later handed over to the police. The Army had said they noticed a group of eight men on Tuesday, moving in an SUV and clicking photographs of the Army convoy near Pattan, 27 km from here. The vehicle was stopped at a mobile check post and the eight were detained and handed over to the police, the Army had said. The three locals, accompanying the visitors, were however allowed to go. The youth had, meanwhile, told the police that they were students and had come to Kashmir along with a local friend, studying in their college. |
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Governor announces Rs 1 lakh for Civil Services Institute
Jammu, November 28 The Governor was briefed by the Deputy Commissioner about the aims and objectives of establishing the institute. Interacting with the officials, the Governor hoped that the institute shall provide a pleasant venue for informal interactions and recreational activities. The Governor said the venue could be utilised for arranging lectures and discussions on varied contemporary issues. He announced a support of Rs 1 lakh to the institute for the purchase of books and sports equipment. He gifted a set of Urdu books to the library of the Civil Services Institute. The Governor complimented Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, and other officials for taking the laudable initiative of establishing the institute. MLA Baldev Raj Sharma, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Vice Chancellor Prof Sudhir K Jain, Principal Secretary to the Governor Navin K Choudhary, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board chief executive officer Dr Mandeep K Bhandari and Reasi Superintendent of Police MS Chauhan were also present on the occasion. — TNS |
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State BJP unit goes online ahead of Modi's rally
Jammu, November 28 The website was launched in presence of senior party leaders, including Ashok Khajuria, Nirmal Singh and Jitendra Singh. “The site will update each and every information of party’s activities. It will also enlist issues raised periodically by the party,” state IT cell convener Jaidev Rajwal told reporters here today. State cell in-charge Sat Sharma said: “With the launch of the website, the state BJP’s activities will be available in the form of a systematised record.” Modi is scheduled to address a public rally at the MA Stadium here on December 1.
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Rice scam: Crime Branch identifies 10 CAPD employees
Anantnag, November 28 Officials of the Crime Branch had raided the CAPD stores in the Lethpora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on November 22 and found 10,000 quintals of rice missing from the stores. The Crime Branch then registered a case under Section 409 of the RPC in this regard. A senior official of the Crime Branch said the Assistant Director, Stores, had been called for questioning. “We have also recovered 1,500 quintals of the missing rice,” the official added. He said no formal arrests had been made so far. However, the employees identified had been called for questioning, he added. “Names of some officials have also surfaced during the course of investigation,” the official said, adding that it had also come to light that the stolen rice was to be sold in the black market. Director, CAPD, Mushtaq Ahmad Mir had said on Friday last that a departmental inquiry had already been initiated into the matter some three months ago. “I had appointed the Deputy Director, south Kashmir, as the inquiry officer. He concluded his inquiry on Wednesday last,” Mir had said. He had said the Deputy Director, after finding irregularities, informed the Crime Branch. “Some employees, at least eight of them, at the stores concerned had already been attached to the Directorate,” Mir had said.
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GREF caught using substandard material in road construction
Doda, November 28 Senior Congress leader and MLA, Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, caught the GREF while he was on his way to the Inderwal constituency. He was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner, Labour, Kishtwar, Zakir Hussain, and other senior officials. “The GREF has been assigned the task of constructing the 200 km road from Batote to Kishtwar-Sinthan top which witnesses massive accidents, but instead of doing a good job, the GREF is using substandard material in the form of sand mixed with mud and low-ratio cement," the Congress leader said. He said GREF contractors were digging a two-meter-deep drain which had a two-inch concrete cover. "It was due to the use of substandard material in the construction of walls, R-walls and protection walls. Every year, Kishtwar district remains cut-off from other parts of the state due to bad condition of roads," Saroori said. He handed over a few samples to the district administration, Kishtwar, to analyse the material and initiate action against the agency concerned. He appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and authorities of the National Highway of India to initiate a thorough probe into the incident. However, the authorities have denied the allegations.
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Misuse of state funds in Rajouri, NGOs demand CBI probe
Rajouri, November 28 RTI activist Shahnawaj said he had moved several applications to the Social Welfare, Rural Development, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and the Public Works department and to the offices of the Chief Education Officer and the warden of the Pahari Hostel, seeking details about the expenditure of government funds. “Interestingly, no official concerned has cared to respond and provide information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act despite the Chief Minister’s Grievance cell being informed about the matter several times. Rajouri district tops in violating the Act,” said Shahnawaj. RTI activists have alleged that information sought under the RTI Act from the warden of the Pahari Hostel was not given, which was a glaring example of the violation of the RTI Act. They said no information was provided to them even after taking up the matter with the state information officer (SIO). “The warden (Pahari Hostel) and Pahari Development Board officials have failed to provide information, despite the SIO issuing a show-cause notice,” said Javed Mughal, president, Pahari Action Committee. In 2011, after several complaints of mismanagement and misappropriation of government funds by the then warden, Baboo Khan (who retired in October 2013), and protests by the hostel inmates, the District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, had initiated an inquiry. According to the report, the warden was indicted in large-scale bungling and action was demanded. “Till Baboo Khan's retirement, no action was taken against him as he is the brother-in-law of a local MLA and Health Minister,” alleged Mughal. Sheraz Inqalabi, Mobin Ahmed and Jawaid Ahmed, RTI activists, said they had moved an application under the RTI Act to get information from the CAPD, PWD and Rural Development departments where funds worth crores were embezzled by the officials concerned by fraudulently allotting development works. “The information was denied by the concerned ACDs and XENs. In this connection, the SIO was contacted and he had issued notices to the officials. However, the information is still awaited,” said Mobin Ahmed.
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Jihad Council opposes construction of border wall
Srinagar, November 28 The organisation warned that it would not allow such wall to be constructed. “The people of Kashmir will oppose any such move that divides the two disputed territories. We will not allow this plan to materialise,” a Srinagar-based news agency quoted Salahuddin as saying during a meeting of the council. “India has sinister designs for Kashmir. The construction of the wall along the Line of Control is like the Berlin wall and is aimed at permanent
occupation of India in Kashmir. This move will be opposed on all the fronts,” the UJC Chief said. Salahuddin said the Kashmir problem was an international issue and accepted by both India and Pakistan. “No international law can permit division of Jammu and Kashmir into two parts through construction of a wall on the border,” he said. The UJC chief also expressed his surprise over the silence by the Pakistani government on the issue. Recently, militant outfit Jamaet-ul-Mujahideen had appealed Pakistan not to allow the construction along the LoC that divides Kashmir. India is planning to build a raised embankment along the border stretch in the Jammu sector to stop infiltration or shelling from across the border.
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Govt Degree College for Women functioning from a school
Kupwara, November 28 Students said their education was affected due to lack of space. “We are forced to attend classes amid noise as classes of the middle school are held in the adjacent rooms. Despite repeated pleas, additional accommodation has not been provided by the authorities,” said Zareena Nabi, a BA student. In 2011, the college was set up under the Centrally-sponsored scheme, “Establishment of Model Degree Colleges in Educationally Backward Districts”. The college was lacking library and drinking water facilities as well, the students said, adding that lecturers had been hired on contractual basis. About 250 students are enrolled in the college and only one small room is used as a lecture hall. Humanities is the only stream available in the college. Parents of the students alleged that the government was playing with the career of their wards. “With students suffering due to lack of infrastructure, staff and other allied facilities, the mere opening of these colleges will not serve any purpose,” said Ab Hamid, a parent. “The government’s claim to give priority to higher education has proved to be a hoax,” he added. The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kupwara, Itrat Hussian Rafique, said 86 kanals of land had been acquired in Sulkoote area. “The construction work will be started next year and all facilities, including accommodation, will be made available to the students and faculty,” said the DC.
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annual day celebrations
Rajouri, November 28 Prior to the annual day celebrations, all the ministers along with the director, colleges, Dr Tariq Ahmed Kawoosa, Dr JA Qazi, principal, PG College, were accorded the guard of honour by NCC cadets under the command of Lt Tanwir Ahmed. Later, Lone inaugurated the UGC Network Resource Centre and Automation of the Central Library. Hundreds of students, members of the civil society, faculty members and mediapersons thronged the multipurpose hall to witness the mega event which was jointly coordinated by Prof Iqbal Raina and Prof Asif Ajaz Lone, staff secretary of the college. The programme commenced with the welcome address and annual report presented by the principal Dr JA Qazi, who highlighted the glinting achievements of students, teachers and institution as a whole in academic and co-academic areas. A colourful multilingual musical programme by students enthralled the audience and stole the show. Later, Lone announced grants for girls’ hostel, Rs 20 lakh for the development of botanical garden, PG Department for Arabic, construction of internal roads and BBA Department. Shabbir Ahmed Khan promised to extend all possible help for the development of the college. Others who were present included Judicial Magistrate Muzaffar Khan, Prof Mushtaq Lone, Principal, GDC Thanamandi, Prof Haqeeqat Singh and Kuldeep Raj Gupta. |
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Manjeet Club clinch volleyball title
Poonch, November 28 A total of 14 teams drawn from various parts of the district participated in the tournament. DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Danesh Rana, was the chief guest whereas Commander, 6 Sector, RR, NR Indurkar, was the guest of honour on the occasion. The DIG said the J&K Police was committed to provide a platform to players of the state. A cash reward of Rs 10, 000 and Rs 5,000 were given to the winner and runner-up teams, respectively. The matches were held under the supervision of Bashir Ahmed Bakshi, Mohammed Tariq Khan, Nirdosh Kumar and other officials of the District Sports and Youth Services, Poonch. — OC
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50 donate blood at Udhampur
Udhampur, November 28 “This is a rare occasion when we saw a General of the Indian Army in the queue for a noble cause,” said a senior Army officer. Col Nikhil Moorchung, HOD Pathology of Command Hospital, Udhampur, spoke on the advantages of blood donation. More than 50 donors, including Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, Lt Gen HJS Sachdev, Chief of Staff, Northern Command, Maj Gen PP Verma, MG (Med) HQ Northern Command, Maj Gen Bipin Puri, Commandant, Command Hospital (NC), and other military officers donated blood.
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School winter vacation from Dec 2
Srinagar, November 28 Earlier, several parents had expressed their concern that in view of the severe cold conditions in the Valley and the schools having no heating arrangements for children, the government must announce vacations at the earliest. The tough winters in Kashmir continue from December till March and often the vacations get extended.
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GMC students slam ‘backdoor entries’, demand action
Srinagar, November 28 The students said they were facing problems and their credibility was at stake. “The undergraduate students of GMC are protesting against the sale of paper by the former head of BOPEE. This has had an impact on our careers. We too are being looked at with doubt wherever we go,” said a student Faizan Younis. The students demanded that the tainted students be expelled and government takes immediate action. “This is a lapse on the part of the government and now they are not doing anything. We are 80 students and due to some 13 tainted students we all are suffering,” added a student of the final year at GMC. The students have stopped attending classes until what they called “backdoor entries” were not expelled. “This is a prestigious institution and if this continues, what will be our credibility and that of the institute. We will not suspend the strike until some action is taken. We are being called donation doctors,” said president of the Undergraduate Students Union, Government Medical College, Srinagar. “We are not donation doctors. Most of us are deserving but are facing problems in postings,” said a student of the second year. The students said the Crime Branch had already identified some dozen students and they had already accepted having paid money for their admissions. “If the students have already accepted, what is the problem in expelling them. We want our credibility to be restored,” the students demanded. Around three hundred students joined the protest. They have also started a signature campaign and a memorandum will be submitted to the principal of GMC, GM Pampori, tomorrow. |
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Students protest against ‘misbehaviour’ of varsity HoD
Srinagar, November 28 The students started the protest against the misbehaviour of the HoD with a strike in the department. “Our HoD is using abusive language with all the students, including girls. He tells us 'I will slaughter you, I will peel off your skin'. There is no management in the department,” a female student of the first semester said on the condition of anonymity. The students had held a sit-in protest outside the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the University yesterday. The posters in their hands read "We are not kindergarten students". They alleged that despite approaching all the concerned authorities with their complaints, no action had been taken. “We approached all the authorities but they just say ‘we will look into the matter’ and nothing is done,” said another student. The students also accused the HoD of threatening them with dismissal from the university. “Instead of accepting his mistake, he is threatening us that we will be dismissed from the university and our career will be spoiled. We have only one demand and that is to replace the HoD,” the students added. Dr Naseer Iqbal, Proctor of KU, denied any such protests. “There are no protests or anything. Work is going on normally in the department,” he said. |
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Agitating docs demand FIR against ‘assaulters’
Srinagar, November 28 Around 150 junior doctors stayed away from the in patient department (IPD) and out patient departments (OPD) in the premier hospital of the Valley. They only manned the casualty and emergency services, which are for now, exempted from the strike. The strike has resulted in acute inconvenience to patients visiting OPD or IPD at the hospital. The doctors today alleged that the Principal of the Government Medical College, instead of taking any action, was threatening the junior doctors with termination. President of Doctors Association Dr Nissar-Ul-Hassan said till their demands were not met, the doctors would continue the strike and also extend it to other associated public hospitals.The doctors are demanding FIR against the people who thrashed their colleagues. |
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Traffic diversions for November 30
Srinagar, November 28 “Vehicles from Pattan will move to Srinagar via Hartarth bridge to Khanpath to Shadipora to HMT, Srinagar. Heavy motor vehicles moving towards north Kashmir from Srinagar will move via Narbal, Magam turn right near SDPO Office Magam to Kungumdara to Khore to Hanjiwara to Pattan,” traffic police officials said. They said light vehicles moving towards north Kashmir from Srinagar will move to Baramulla via Narbal to Kanihama to Nooripora to Archanderhama to Gund Khoja Qasim to Singpora Pattan. — TNS
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Polythene users to be booked under law
Srinagar, November 28 “The traders, manufacturers and users of polythene and carry bags are asked to desist from its purchase, manufacture and use. Any person found involved in the use, sale and manufacturing of polythene products will be booked under law and would simultaneously face legal consequences in contempt proceedings of the high court,” an official spokesman said. On November 5, while issuing a slew of directions to curb the use of polythene and carry bags, the use of which is already banned in the state, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had directed all the district magistrates and commissioners to intensify checking in their respective areas and warn shopkeepers and stockists of contempt proceedings if polythene bags or material was seized from them. It had also directed the authorities concerned not to release the vehicles caught carrying polythene carry bag or polythene material without orders from the high court. |
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Geelani put under house arrest
Srinagar, November 28 “He was prevented from moving out of his house,” a leader of the hardline Hurriyat said. Geelani, as per the leader, was scheduled to address people in Tral town on Friday. The 84-year-old separatist leader, who was released last month after 236 days of house detention, has addressed public rallies in the Sopore, Shopian, Kupwara and Pulwama areas after his release. He was, however, not allowed to hold the rally on November 16 in sensitive area of Palhalan Pattan and was put under house arrest. |
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1 hurt in road mishap
Srinagar, November 28 He was shifted to SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar, for treatment. A case has been registered at Nigeen police station.
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Governor NN Vohra today stressed the need to sensitise the youth to the state and Centre's self-employment schemes.
He said sarpanches, panches and people at large should be involved in a bigger way to secure the desired objectives to spread awareness about these schemes across the state.
The J&K High Court has sought the presence of the investigating officer along with the case file in a case involving the theft of a manuscript of the Koran bearing the seal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb from the state museum. The court has also sought a report on the latest status of the investigation into the case by or before the next hearing.
Shaheed Manjeet Singh Volleyball Club registered a 3-0 victory over the District Police,
Poonch, in the final clash of the Manjeet Singh Memorial Volleyball Tournament being organised by the district police at the sports stadium,
Poonch. A total of 14 teams drawn from various parts of the district participated in the tournament. DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Danesh
Rana, was the chief guest whereas Commander, 6 Sector, RR, NR Indurkar, was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Students from the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, today protested against the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations
(BOPEE) authorities over the sale of medical entrance papers and illegal selection of some students.
