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Jammu to get Rs 600 crore for bettering power network
SC dismisses PIL against state’s rehab policy
BJP to Omar: Forget
Ahmedabad, debate Article 370 first in state
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NC responsible for eroding Art 370: Engineer Rashid
Despite vacations, students forced to attend classes
State highways lack basic amenities
Omar blames others for his failures: PDP
Terror launch pads active across border, says Army
Congress MP’s remarks against Modi trigger row
342 recruits inducted in BSF
BSF starts plugging riverine gaps
Slight relief from cold as night temp rises
NC can’t escape blame for economic distress: Mirwaiz
Students seek ‘divine help’ on corruption
DoP to hold letter writing competition
Katra Gurukul student tops Class VIII exam
NC has rendered J&K dysfunctional: PDP
District Magistrates told to monitor cable network content
Examination centres in Valley without heating systems
Six persons rescued from Chenab
BJP protests against power cuts
South Indian actor visits LoC
Traffic laws violated with impunity in erstwhile Doda
Geelani detained, Bandipora rally foiled
Leh registers coldest day of the season
Home Guard celebrates 51st Raising Day
Science exhibition concludes
Volleyball coaching camp inaugurated
Toddler charred to death in Ganderbal
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Jammu to get Rs 600 crore for bettering power network
Jammu, December 6 The project will be completed in the next four years. Officials said in most of the city areas electricity was being supplied through worn-out cables, laid three decades ago, which had become threat to the lives of residents, particularly living in congested areas of the city. In localities like old city, Rehari, Sarwal, Krishna Nagar and Canal Road the power distribution network has not seen any major development in the last three decades. Power losses are more in the urban areas keeping in view the heavy concentration of population and poor infrastructure and till this is reformed there cannot be any change. “R-APDRP is a major Centrally sponsored project and funds have been released for the infrastructure improvement. Several projects have already been completed, thus improving the transmission facilities,” said Minister of State for Power Vikar Rasool. Power reforms were started in 2004 to bring down accumulated transmission and commercial (AT&C) losses to nationally accepted figure of 30 per cent from a whopping 64 per cent and curb the menace of thefts which had become a norm in the past three decades. An official source said, "The transmission and distribution losses in Jammu and Kashmir are highest in the country, which is an alarming situation for the government, but till PDD supplies electricity through these old wires, this problem cannot be addressed." Officials said there was also a plan to privatise electricity bill distribution and revenue collection in urban centres of the state, which had been pending for the last four years. Worn-out power distribution infrastructure
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SC dismisses PIL against state’s rehab policy
New Delhi, December 6 “How can we quash the government’s policy decision? We have no role in such matters,” a bench comprising Justices KS Radhakrishnan and AK Sikri said. Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel Bhim Singh said his client had nowhere else to go other than the Supreme Court on the issue and pleaded for its intervention. “We don’t know where you will go, but this is not the right forum,” the bench said. According to the petition filed by the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, the policy was allegedly being misused by Pakistani nationals posing a grave security threat. The policy was aimed at facilitating the return of youth who had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the wake of militancy in the state. Citing the recent arrest of Liaqat Ali Shah, whose case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at the instance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the PIL said this policy had benefited more than 4,000 militants whose “whereabouts and activities” were not known. The policy “is illegal, improper, unconstitutional and endangers the security of the state.” The 2010 policy is the modified version of the 2004 policy, which has already been challenged in the Supreme Court and is pending. The PIL contended that the new policy amounted to enactment of a fresh law as it had deviated from the scope of the criminal law, Indian Penal Code and the Ranbir Penal Code which was applicable in Jammu and Kashmir. “This policy has interfered with the authority of the legislature as well as Parliament,” it said. Can’t quash policy decision: Apex court
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BJP to Omar: Forget
Ahmedabad, debate Article 370 first in state
Jammu, December 6 “One does not need to travel all the way to Ahmedabad to debate Article 370,” chief spokesperson of the state BJP, Jitendra Singh, said while reacting to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that he was ready to go to Ahmedabad for debate on the Article 370. Singh said the debate on the Article 370 was already in the public domain and if the Chief Minister was sincere about joining the debate, he should right away answer the questions raised on the issue by the BJP and several other social organisations. “The BJP will not grant the media-savvy J&K Chief Minister the privilege of sharing platform with Narendra Modi simply for publicity,” the BJP leader said. “Being only a state-level or regional leader, Mr Abdullah should first debate it out with the regional counterparts in his state,” he suggested. Singh said churning out dramatic or school debate phrases, like “ready to go to Ahmedabad”, smacks of “lack of seriousness” and “naive craving for media attention”. “It goes to the credit of Narendra Modi that he has succeeded in initiating the long-awaited country-wide debate on the Article 370,” he said, adding that it has stirred panic among the National Conference leaders and also sent the Congress leaders into total silence. One does not need to travel all the way to Ahmedabad to debate Article 370. The BJP will not grant the media-savvy J&K Chief Minister the privilege of sharing platform with Narendra Modi simply for
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NC responsible for eroding Art 370: Engineer Rashid
Srinagar, December 6 “How come he (Omar) is morally correct when he invites Modi to have a debate in Ahmedabad over the Article 370, as the article stands already fully eroded with the blessing of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (the NC founder),” Rashid, who is also a Member of Legislative Assembly from Langate, said while referring to the 1975 accord between the NC founder and former Prime Minister late Indira “Making a hue and cry over the Article 370 is just an attempt to provide cover to the failures of the National Conference. Its misgoverance and inability to restore the autonomy, which was the NC’s one point agenda when it participated in Assembly elections in 1996 against the wishes of Kashmiri people,” he said.? Modi during a rally in Jammu on December 1 had called for a debate on whether or not the Article 370 had benefited the masses in J&K. His comments have since drawn a slew of reactions from various quarters, including all major political parties of the state, besides the separatists. Meanwhile, the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) urged the people to rise above political ideologies and beliefs to safeguard the special status accorded to them under the Article 370. “It is the duty and responsibility of all to ensure that there was no further dilution of the Article 370,” APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said. CM indirectly toes Syama Prasad's line on debate BJP national spokesperson Tarun Vijay, who was in the city today, said the Article 370 has made the state poor and deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir of the opportunities of employment and industrialisation. Talking to the reporters here, Vijay said “Instead of Foreign Direct Investment” the Article has led to “Terrorism Direct Investment” in the state. The BJP representative, meanwhile, welcomed Omar Abdullah’s statement that he was ready to join the debate on the Article 370. “By this statement Omar has indirectly confessed that Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s stand on the Article 370 was correct and it required a debate for which Omar is also ready,” Vijay said. |
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Despite vacations, students forced to attend classes
Kupwara, December 6 Students said they shivered in sub-zero temperatures as schools lacked heating arrangements. Dream World school in remote Alachizab village, Mohammadia School in Awoora, and Winning Edge in Tikker are among such schools functioning despite the ongoing winter vacations announced by the government since December 2. "There are no heating arrangements in our school and we are made to shiver in classrooms. Most of the children wear traditional cloak pheran for warmth, but it does help much in fighting the chill in morning hours," said a student of a private school. Parents said constant exposure to cold conditions, especially in the morning hours, could affect the health of their children. "Children are subjected to intense cold conditions in the morning hours. Despite winter vacation, children are made to attend classes from 10 am to 4 pm. We requested the school management to follow the norms and announce winter vacations, but it has continued with the classes amid cold conditions," said Nisar Ahmad, a parent from Alachizab. Delegations of parents from a few Handwara villages also complained that private schools had been kept open in violation of norms. They demanded that the schools be closed and winter vacations announced. "Despite the vacations announced by the Department of Education since December 2, the children here are forced to attend the classes in schools. In the absence of heating arrangements, minor children are bound to get chest complications," said Hamiduallh Dar from Bakiakar Handwara. "The school management will be fully responsible for the health of minor children. We appeal to the CEO, Kupwara, to take action against the school management and force closure of schools so that the health of children is not spoiled," he said. The CEO, Kupwara, Ghulam Mohidin Wani, said action would be taken against the managements of such schools functioning despite winter vacations. "I will ask all ZEOs in the district to personally visit the schools and force their closure. How can they violate the norms and keep schools open despite winter vacations?" said the CEO. Anantnag: Many private schools in south Kashmir continue to function even after the government announced winter vacations till Class 8. Sources said it had become a norm for the private schools in rural areas and they continued to function during the winter vacations and no action was being taken against them. The only difference was that unlike other days the students did not have to wear uniform. Essentially, the schools turned their institutions into tuition centres. The students had to attend school regularly, failing which they were discriminated against by the school administration. The problem, however, was that the schools were not well-equipped to function during the harsh winters of Kashmir. Children are subjected to intense cold conditions in the morning hours. Despite winter vacation, children are made to attend classes from 10 am to 4 pm. |
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State highways lack basic amenities
Jammu, December 6 These rest houses were planned to have big halls with beds, kitchen and washrooms besides other amenities, allowing the travellers to take rest and get refresh for their onward journey. Though roadside dhabas and restaurants provide such facilities, but they lack sanitation. “Crores of rupees have been spent on the construction of the road by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) but no roadside amenities have been provided. Even the Tourism Department has failed to provide proper shelter or services to the visitors,” said Surjeet Singh, a daily traveller to Udhampur. In 2012, the state government had announced to construct roadside amenities with the help of the NHAI on the Jammu-Srinagar and Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highways where the drivers could take rest before their onward journey. “An inspection was also conducted by the Transport Department along with representatives of the Beacon and NHAI to identify the places to construct such amenities, but nothing has been done so far,” said Sohail Malik, a businessman from Kishtwar. However, no one from the NHAI was available for comment. |
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Omar blames others for his failures: PDP
Srinagar, December 6 Addressing a public meeting in Baramulla district, she said corruption and misgovernance had reached beyond tolerance under the present government. Omar was blaming everybody except himself and his government for corruption, she added. “While in Sopore, he insults people of the area by accusing them of following ‘dream merchants’, but he forgets that it is his party that ran the campaign for plebiscite for 22 years and then sold it out for power in 1975.” She claimed the NC politics of U-turns and sell-outs had created a trust deficit between the state and the rest of the country. — TNS
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Terror launch pads active across border, says Army
Srinagar, December 6 “As per our intelligence inputs there is activity at the launch pads. We also have reports of a senior terrorist leader who has been visiting on and off (the launch pads). We are expecting infiltration and at the same time we are prepared for any challenge of that sort,” said General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen Gurmit Singh on the sidelines of a passing-out parade of the Border Security Force (BSF) on the outskirts of city. The senior-most Army officer in Kashmir, however, did not reveal the number of militants waiting to infiltrate into the Valley. “The number is related to security dynamics and is more related to planning our security operations. So, at this stage it may be premature to share the number of terrorists in training camps, launch pads or the number of terrorists in the hinterland,” he said. Singh said there was a tough challenge for the security forces next year with the upcoming Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections. “We are keeping a very close check on terrorists. Our task is to maintain security preparedness and create a conducive environment for the election and other processes,” said Lt General Gurmit Singh. There was perfect synergy among all security and the intelligence agencies, he added. According to our intelligence inputs, there is activity at the launch pads. We also have reports of a senior terrorist leader who has been visiting on and off (the launch pads). We are expecting infiltration and at the same time we are prepared for any challenge of that
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Congress MP’s remarks against Modi trigger row
Jammu, December 6 The BJP was quick to react to the Congress leader’s remark and demanded an unconditional apology for his “uncalled for” remarks. Lal Singh, while interacting with mediapersons today, said, “It is known to every one that Rahul Gandhi belongs to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.” “What is the background of Narendra (Modi) and from which breed he belongs?” he asked. The outspoken Congress leader added, “What is the status of people like Modi to even dream of becoming the Prime Minister of India. Keeping in view his status, Modi should be in his limit.” |
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342 recruits inducted in BSF|
Srinagar, December 6 Srinagar-based 15 Corps General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lt General Gurmit Singh took salute at the passing-out parade. Those who were inducted in the border force today included 261 from Uttar Pradesh, 18 from West Bengal, 16 each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, eight from Haryana, five from Andhra Pradesh, four from Jammu and Kashmir, two from Bihar and one each from Chhattisgarh and Odissa. “The newly inducted recruits had successfully completed 38 weeks of rigorous basic training,” a BSF official said. Addressing the newly inducted men into the BSF, the Lt Gen Gurmit Singh congratulated them and wished them good luck for future. |
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BSF starts plugging riverine gaps
Jammu, December 6 Three fidayeens, who had carried out twin terror attacks on September 26 in Jammu and Samba, were suspected to have sneaked into the Indian territory through this rivulet. Ten persons, including Lt Colonel Bikramjeet Singh, were killed in the attacks. On November 26, The Tribune had exclusively reported about Rumsha Way Riverine Integrated Surveillance and Communication System — devised by Commandant of 135 battalion of the BSF Jameel Ahmad and his team over nearly two months, which had been given a thumbs up by BSF IG, Jammu Frontier, SS Tomar. The BSF has now started installing the surveillance system over the Chhap nullah which has a span of 140 metres, said BSF DIG Varinder Singh, Sector Commander, Indreshwar Nagar. Subsequently, the BSF would cover all riverine gaps on the border, he said. The indigenous technology can now effectively guard the riverine gaps on the 198-km-long Indo-Pak border in the Jammu region. Several rivers and rivulets that flow into Pakistan from the Jammu region are the traditional routes of infiltration for Pakistani terrorists. The system has infrared-based pan-tilt (358 degrees) cameras, including underwater cameras, that can trail the movement from 100 m and 150 W LED anti-fog lights, besides a 24x7 audio conference link between men on either banks of the rivulets, the one in bullet proof Morcha (chamber) on a ropeway over the river and men sitting at the surveillance room. Above all, the technology cannot be jammed by the enemy. While the infrared-based cameras will be able to work during the nights, including in dense fog, they will be taking videos and pictures of the river bed, river and surface of the water and then send the images to the surveillance room through a digital video recorder. Besides, it also has CCTV underwater camera, he said. The cameras have been procured from Korea. The system that operates on electricity and generator has a mobile bullet-proof morcha (chamber) on a ropeway over the river with a camera at its bottom that can be dropped in the river with a winch. Meanwhile, the BSF today reiterated its stand that there was no breach in its defence mechanisms in the Samba sector, especially the Paharpur stretch in the Hiranagar sub-sector, from where the three fidayeens were suspected to have sneaked in. Talking to the media at the Paharpur post in the Hiranagar sub-sector, the BSF DIG said BSF DG Subhash Joshi had cleared the stand of the BSF on the issue. “We have investigated the matter and found that there was neither any breach of fence nor any tell-tale signs,” said the DIG. On the winter strategy vis-à-vis possibilities of intrusion attempts, Singh said adequate deployment had been made all along the international border. |
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Slight relief from cold as night temp rises
Srinagar, December 6 Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, recorded a minimum of 0.6 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's minus 3.0 degrees Celsius, the season's lowest so far, a spokesperson of the Meteorological office said. Barring the hill resort of Pahalgam, which serves as the base camp during the annual Amarnath yatra, the night temperature settled above the freezing point in rest of the Valley. While Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius as against minus 5.2 degrees Celsius yesterday, the night temperature recorded at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg was zero degrees Celsius, the spokesperson said. Similarly, the night temperature increased by several degrees in other parts, including Qazigiund, the gateway town to Kashmir, where the mercury settled at 0.7 degrees Celsius, the the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said Kokernag in south recorded a low of 1.7 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of 0.7 degrees Celsius. The night temperature in Leh town in frontier region of Ladakh also recorded almost four degrees increase where the mercury settled at minus 8.7 degrees Celsius, the spokesperson said. “Leh continues to remain the coldest place in the state,” the spokesperson said. – PTI |
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NC can’t escape blame for economic distress: Mirwaiz
Srinagar, December 6 “The National Conference, which has been in power in the state for most of the time, cannot escape the blame along with the rulers in New Delhi for the difficult situation and political and economical exploitation which the people of state have gone through since 1947," Mirwaiz said addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here. Reacting to the statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that his grandfather and NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's decision to accede to India was for good of the people, he said: "The statement is bereft of historical and political facts." “The entire leadership of the NC from day one has been involved in atrocities and serious human rights violations on the people here and left no stone unturned in selling the resources for personal interests and power,” he said. Referring to the Chief Minister's dream of 'Naya (new) Kashmir', the Hurriyat chairman said the party (NC) had no ideology and vision and it could not absolve itself from the current phase of uncertainty and bloodshed. “Which development and dream of 'Naya Kashmir' are they talking about? The reality is that the party has sold the economic resources, thus making the people of the state dependable even for food," he said. Asserting that the state was self-sufficient before the NC came to power, he said the party gifted all the resources of the state to New Delhi for petty gains. “We used to import just 1 per cent of our requirements against 3 per cent of exports. Today, the situation is that we are importing goods worth Rs 40,000 crore, while we are exporting only goods worth Rs 7,000 crore,” he added. “Jammu and Kashmir is the only place in the entire region which had Mohra power house in 1905 and the state had the capacity of generating 25,000 MW electricity using its own resources which could have resulted in the profit of Rs 1 lakh crore. But the situation today is that the entire Kashmir has been plunged into darkness due to lopsided economic policy of this party," he said. He said the state had much more resources than many countries in the world and could be self-sufficient on the basis of its resources. – PTI The NC, which has been in power in the state for most of the time, cannot escape the blame along with New Delhi for the difficult situation and political and economical exploitation which the people of state have gone through since
1947. |
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Students seek ‘divine help’ on corruption
Srinagar, December 6 The students said they saw no hope in getting away with corruption. The only way left for them was the God, they added. “We have failed and we have surrendered, there seems no way out,” said Sameer Ahmed, a research scholar at Kashmir University. “The corruption is widespread in our state. There is no hope, just helplessness. And in such a situation, what can you do other than seek God’s intervention,” said Ahmed. The ‘tehri’, which is generally distributed at the shrines to ward off an evil or to get one’s wish fulfilled, was prepared by the students. The students said it was not only asking for divine help but also to mock at the government’s failure in finding solution to end corruption in the state. “It was a form of protest against the government for doing nothing in getting the problem solved,” said another scholar, Sajad Ahmad. Two buckets of ‘tehri’ were distributed among students, faculty members and passersby. “We distributed it among more than 100 people in the varsity,” said Ahmed. The students said they were agitated about the recently exposed scam in the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations and the Crime Branch had recently arrested Mushtaq Ahmad Peer, former chairman of the BOPEE. According to the Crime Branch, Peer and his associates allowed a group of candidates to write papers at a city hotel under expert guidance against hefty payments of money. The candidates selected for the MBBS last year included a girl who had failed to qualify her Class 12 examination in the first attempt. “You see the BOPEE scam, also see how the Public Service Commission recruits people on gazetted posts, is working in the state,” said
Sajad. The corruption is widespread in our state. There is no hope, just helplessness. And in such a situation, what can you do other than seek God's
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DoP to hold letter writing competition
Srinagar, December 6 A DoP official said the theme for the competition was “Write a letter describing how music can touch your lives” and it would be held in Srinagar, Baramulla, Udhampur and Jammu districts. He said the contest was open to children up to 15 years of age and they would have to write a letter not exceeding 800 words on the given subject. “The competition will be held from 10am to 11am and the last date for sending applications is December 21,” the official added. He said a cash prize of Rs 2,000 would be given to the winner. Similarly, second and third prize winners will be given Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,000, respectively. A consolation prize of Rs 250 will also be given to the best entry from each postal circle. |
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Katra Gurukul student tops Class VIII exam
Jammu, December 6 On his achievement, Gourav has been awarded a medal by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, who is also the Chancellor of the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, at its convocation held on November 28. Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has congratulated Gourav and the Principal along with his team of Acharyas and teachers on the performance of the Gurukul in the Class VIII annual examination. All 16 students of the Gurukul who appeared in the exam have secured 1st division with marks ranging from 70.88 per cent to 79.50 per cent. The Gurukul has achieved this distinction within the fourth year of its existence. Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Mandeep K Bhandari said the Board had established the Gurukul. It was made operational in July 2010. Twenty students are admitted to the Gurukul every year and are provided free of cost boarding, lodging, education, books and uniform. The Gurukul has been established with the prime objective of imparting Vedic and Sanskrit education to students, which includes Vedas, KaramKand and puja rituals. The Gurukul has been granted affiliation/recognition by the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya on a permanent basis up to the Acharya (postgraduation) level from the academic session 2012-2013. |
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NC has rendered J&K dysfunctional: PDP
Srinagar, December 6 “Projection of public issues sound like Laila Majnu ki kahani to the National Conference leadership and that explains why the state has become almost dysfunctional, disempowered and disturbed, whereas, the personal assets of the ruling elite have immeasurably grown in the last few decades,” PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, said while addressing a public meeting at Chowkibal in the frontier Kupwara district. The PDP leader said NC president Farooq Abdullah’s recent insinuation that the people of the state take money for votes was an “ultimate insult” of the people’s sense of discretion and integrity. “It is a proof that the National Conference leadership has turned everything into a commodity, including the electoral process, where everything can be bought and sold in political bazaar that they have set up,” Mehbooba said. She alleged that the NC has subjected the people of the state to “misery, disempowerment, corruption, misgovernance and atrocities”. “The NC has brought the state to a position where everything, from a state subject certificate to a transfer of a government employee, is on sale,” Mehbooba said. She further said Farooq Abdullah was “rattled” by the growth of the PDP. “He (Farooq Abdullah) is rattled by the fact that a party has emerged within the constitutional system that is generalising the problems of people. The NC is feeling the heat of real electoral competition in which people have a clear choice to make” she said. |
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District Magistrates told to monitor cable network content
Jammu, December 6 The Magistrates, who head the District level Monitoring Committees (DLMCs), have been asked to provide regular feedback to the state-level committees so that possible action was taken against networks which violate the government norms. The re-constituted SLMC met here today under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Information, BB Vyas and discussed several issues pertaining to the television networks, including the satellite news channels. Officials said complaints against satellite channels would be forwarded to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to look into the violations of the programmes and advertisement codes. The meeting discussed in detail various aspects of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 and the functioning of the private cable television network in the state. It reviewed the action taken on the decisions taken at the last meeting of the committee. The Principal Secretary has said an e-group of the members of the committee should be created so that they were in a position to share their views and the status of complaints and suggestions received from the public, relating to the functioning of the private cable television network in the state. He also directed for updating the existing e-mail portal for receiving complaints and views of the people, relating to the programmes and other aspects pertaining to the functioning of the private cable televisions. The monitoring committees will review and deliberate on the litany of complaints received and take decisions on the matters referred to them in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the members present at the meeting. The committees will determine whether a violation of the codes has taken place and render advice on the action to be taken in the matter. |
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Examination centres in Valley without heating systems
Anantnag, December 6 Students allege that the authorities have made no heating arrangements at the exam centres, particularly in the rural areas. “A single heater has been installed at a hall where more than 200 students take the exam. That’s as good as no heating,” said Muhammad Sualeh, a BA final year student from Srinagar. Examinations of final year BA, BSc and BCOM courses and private Class X are being conducted at present. “I messed up with my last paper in which I appeared. I could not even write. My hands went numb,” said Zakir Ali, a Class X student from Anantnag town. Students who are to appear in the first and second year of their undergraduate course are bothered. “Our exams are going to start in a week or so and we are really worried (as there are no heating arrangements at exam centres),” said Shahnawaz Ahmad, a first year student of an undergraduate course, who is a resident of Kulgam. He said the students were aware that there would be no heating arrangements at the examination centres. “And, the temperatures must have dipped considerably by then,” Shahnawaz said. Officials at the Education Department say it is the duty of the authorities at the respective exam centres to provide heating arrangement to students. “The exam centres have been directed to keep heating arrangements in consideration,” said a senior official of the Education Department. |
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Six persons rescued from Chenab
Katra, December 6 On receipt of information, the Deputy Commissioner directed the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation to stop the release of water and rushed to the spot. He was accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Deputy Superintendent, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar and the Station House Officer. The rescue operation started at 6.50 pm and in one and half hour, the rescue teams managed to save the six persons. The team of officials along with three local rafters reached the trapped truck. After initial failed attempts to pull out the truck, a raft was pressed into service. The six trapped persons were brought out safe one by one. The Deputy Commissioner appreciated the efforts of the three rafters and said a bravery award would be recommended in their favour for showing exemplary courage in saving the trapped persons. Those rescued have been identified as Sanjay Kumar, Bittu, Ashok Kumar, Sanjay Singh, Ranjeet Kumar and Rattan. The police have been asked to lodge an FIR for irresponsible sand mining during the night and the District Officer, Mining Department, has been summoned along with details of mining lease and operational conditions for taking action in the matter to avoid any untoward incident. |
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BJP protests against power cuts
Jammu, December 6 Ayodhya Gupta, while making a scathing attack on the PDD, said the resident suffer a lot due to the power cuts imposed by the department. “In these days, when examinations of the students are approaching, they have to devote more time towards studies. These students are busy in tuitions, etc, in morning and during daytime they have to attend classes in their educational institutions. It is only during evening hours that they get time to study at home, but due to unscheduled power cuts they are suffering. Every family cannot afford inverters or other related items and it is only regular supply of electricity which can be helpful to them,” he said. Munish Sharma, Sanjay Baru, Surinder Choudhary, Sat Pal Karlupia, Tripta Jamwal, Ashok Gupta, Manohar Lal, Keshav Chopra, Abhishek Gupta, Raj Kumar, Jeet Angral, Faqir Chand, Tony Sharma, Vinod Singh, Balwan Singh, Satinder Gupta, Sahil, Manohari Devi, Radha Krishan, Shiv Charan Sharma, Gian Sharma, Prem Gupta, Krishan Singh, Karan, Sanjay, Maan Singh, Raman Sharma and Brijesh Kumar took part in the protest. |
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Jammu, December 6 After encouraging the youth of Kerala to join the Indian Army, Mohanlal, famous for his work in Malayalam movies, visited Jammu and Kashmir border lines to motivate the Territorial Army troops on his three-day visit to the area. On his first official visit to the border as Lieutenant Colonel, Mohanlal had reached the LoC on Monday. Commanding Officer Colonel BS Bali of the TA Battalion based at Nariya in Rajouri accompanied Mohanlal for the last two days of his visit to the frontiers. Mohanlal also visited the battalion's camp at Nariya in Rajouri district near the Indo- Pak border. Mohanlal said if given an opportunity, he would visit the area again. — TNS |
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Traffic laws violated with impunity in erstwhile Doda
Jammu, December 6 What is more disturbing is that the traffic authorities are allegedly letting the violators go scot-free for pecuniary considerations. “The traffic authorities do not keep a check on overloading as they get their weekly share from the bus and matador operators, putting precious lives at risk,” Mohammad Hussain, a resident of Doda, alleged. He added that the traffic authorities seem to be ignoring the recommendations of the House Committee, which had been constituted to study and suggest measures to control increasing number of accidents in the area. As per the official figures, 373 persons were killed, while 1,819 were injured in 1,170 road accidents in the Chenab valley in the last two years, till March 2013. While 332 accidents took place in Doda district, 696 accidents were recorded in Ramban district. Another 142 accidents were registered in Kishtwar district. “The authorities have not learnt any lesson. Hundreds of people have lost their lives in accidents in the past decade or so,” Hussain said. An eight-member House Committee, under the chairmanship of Member of Legislative Assembly Yousaf Taragami, which was constituted in March 2011, had submitted its report in April 2012. The committee in its report blamed the drivers for overloading and rash driving. “People are forced to board overloaded buses, as there is shortage of pubic transport in the area. If the authorities want to control overloading, they need to improve the transport system.” said Abdul Rashid, a local. The officials said the average number of accidents has come down and they are taking steps to control overloading of vehicles. “We have been able to keep a check on overloading. My team is very much vigilant. Even the permits of some of the regular offenders have been cancelled,” SSP, National Highway, Ramban, Virender Sharma, said. The villagers, however, alleged that there were several passenger vehicles plying on the road, which were more than 20-years-old. They added it was one of the main reasons behind the accidents. The villagers also maintained that no speed measuring equipments were put in place to keep a tab on over speeding. Meanwhile, chairing a high-level meeting of the police and the civil administration to review the progress made with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the House Committee, Speaker Mubarak Gul asked the executing agencies to implement the recommendations of the committee on ground. |
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Geelani detained, Bandipora rally foiled
Srinagar, December 6 Geelani remained under detention at his residence in Srinagar. His three close aides, including Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, were detained while on their way to Bandipora town, a Hurriyat spokesman said. The separatist leader was barred for the fourth time from attending rallies since his release from 236 days of detention in October. Geelani has gone on a whirlwind tour of the region since his release and has so far addressed rallies at Pulwama, Kulgam, Sopore and Kupwara towns. His next rally is scheduled in Srinagar on December 8. — TNS |
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Leh registers coldest day of the season
Leh, December 6 The sky was covered with clouds for the entire day and people were forced to put on additional layer of woollens to protect themselves from the chill. Most of the business establishments in the town remained shut, as people preferred to stay indoors. Keeping in view the intense cold conditions, Chief Executive Officer of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Simrandeep Singh announced winter vacations for schools from December 15. |
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Home Guard celebrates 51st Raising Day
Jammu, December 6
The ADGP was speaking at a function organised by the Home Guard and Civil Defence Organisation on its 51st Raising Day today. He recalled certain natural disasters of the recent past and explained how preparedness could make a huge difference in terms of casualties. An impressive parade was held by contingents of SDRF, Home Guard and Civil Defence volunteers, followed by a mock drill.
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Science exhibition concludes
Jammu, December 6 Tushar Kanti Sharma, Director, School Education, was the chief guest on the valedictory function while RA Inqlabi, Additional Secretary, School Education Department, and Tahir Mustfa Malik, Under Secretary, School Education Department, were the guests of
honour. In the elementary-level category, Government Middle School, Satwari, Government Middle School, Railway Colony, and Government Middle School, Bishnah, secured the first, second and third positions respectively. In the secondary-level category, Government High School, Gandhi Nagar, Government Girls High School, Rajpura Mangotrian, and Government High School, Gole Gujral, secured the first, second and third positions respectively. In the higher secondary-level category, Government Higher Secondary School, Channi Himmat, SRML Higher Secondary School and Government Higher Secondary School, Domana, claimed the first, second and third prizes, respectively. In the exhibition, a total of 112 models from elementary, secondary and higher secondary level schools from all zones of Jammu district were displayed. A large number of students participated in the exhibition and displayed their models and also explained their working to the visitors. The participants stressed on the need for conducting more such exhibitions in order to explore the hidden scientific talent among the students. Arif Iqbal Malik, Principal, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), presented the annual report of the programmes conducted by the District Institute of Education and Training throughout the year. Later, the Director, School Education, distributed prizes among the winners. Omesh Khar, Head of Department (HoD), presented vote of thanks, while Sandhra Malhotra, HoD, and Menu Choudhary, lecturer, conducted the proceedings of the prize distribution function. |
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Volleyball coaching camp inaugurated
Jammu, December 6 The team, comprising of 24 spikers, including 12 boys and as many girls each, will get coaching under the guidance of Tariq Mohammad, Manik Nargotra, Neeraj Sharma and Amit Sharma. While interacting with the spikers, the Director-General, Youth Services and Sports, Navin Aggarwal, said sports was a part of education, besides character and discipline. He wished the team good luck for its preparation. Deputy Director Ved Parkash, DYSSO, Jammu, Tirath Ram, and Zonal Physical Education Officer Jaswant Singh were also present on the occasion.
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Toddler charred to death in Ganderbal
Srinagar, December 6 The fire broke out due to a short circuit in the house of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat at Kurhama in Ganderbal, a police spokesperson said. He added that the ground floor of the house was completely gutted in the fire. The baby, identified as Rabia Mushtaq, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat was burnt in the incident and died on spot, the spokesperson said. |
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Jammu, December 6
Srinagar, December 6
Jammu, December 6
Jammu, December 6
