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Omar makes notes for 2014, says never underestimate underdog
Weaker sections debate ‘misuse’ of Article 370
Panchayat body flays CM for delay in release of grants
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Steps afoot to ensure CBSE schools meet set norms
Parents’ association mulls launching
helpline to deal with students’ issues
news analysis
on the frontline
Dilapidated bridge causes traffic jams in Baramulla
NC leader tells communal forces not to vitiate peace
Govt to fast-track rehab of Dal dwellers
Sangarmaal traders call off strike
Retired officials being reappointed despite ban
Poll results to impact state elections: PDP
HC sets aside promotion of archives department Director
State govt committed to Srinagar’s progress: Sadiq
School found closed, action recommended
Telecom firm announces scholarships
After 17 years, GMC holds paediatrics meeting
Vaccination drive against Hepatitis in Leh soon
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Omar makes notes for 2014, says never underestimate underdog
Srinagar, December 8 Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to go to the polls next year and Omar-led coalition government will be fighting anti-incumbency. The National Conference will have a face-off with old rivals, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, if no pre-poll alliance is formed, during the 2014 elections. Omar, while making online a series of notes to self on micro-blogging site Twitter, pointed out: “Big public meetings don’t always mean votes. But poorly attended ones definitely indicate big trouble. The Chief Minister was keenly following the election results in New Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, and put up a dozen of tweets commenting on the emerging numbers. “I’m glued to my TV, waiting to watch the trends and results start coming in. Call it morbid curiosity…,” Omar tweeted as election results started to trickle. On BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s possible impact on the results, Omar commented: “There is no wave, but the effect on their (BJP) cadre is obvious…can’t afford to underestimate this going ahead.” Omar, meanwhile, congratulated Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal for his stunning political debut. He also praised former Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit, who lost to Kejriwal, for transforming the Union capital. “…at the same time when the dust settles on this election, I hope we still remember the amazing transformation of Delhi under Mrs Dixit’s 15 years,” Omar wrote. The Chief Minister was also curious to known about what happens in Chhattisgarh, where the Congress and the BJP were fighting an intense
battle. “What happens with a 45-45 result in Chattisgarh? Two and a half years each? But seriously what would happen?” the Chief
Minister tweeted. “Looking at the cliffhanger in Chattisgarh we might want to avoid having states with an even number of assembly seats,” he stated. CM takes lessons from poll results
Big public meetings don’t always mean votes. But poorly attended ones definitely indicate big trouble |
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Weaker sections debate ‘misuse’ of Article 370
Jammu, December 8 As the intelligentsia of the country has triggered a debate, representatives of the “depressed and marginalised” sections seized the opportunity to highlight, what they called, the brazen abuse of the Article 370 by the ruling classes of the state, only to further their petty personal gains. “Although we have been highlighting the misuse of the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, a debate generated by Narendra Modi has provided us a better opportunity to vociferously raise our concerns,” said Kali Dass, an OBC leader. “Let us have a debate and we will expose how the ruling elite of Jammu and Kashmir has misused the Article to deprive the weaker sections of their constitutional rights,” he said, adding, “Earlier, we usually remained unheard of because no one was ready to accept the reality that the Article was misused by the rulers of J&K.” Echoing similar views, Abdul Ahad Najar, OBC leader from Kashmir, regretted that for decades together the ruling class of Jammu and Kashmir had been brazenly abusing the Article 370 to deny the weaker sections their constitutional rights. Najar regretted that the Supreme Court verdict on the Mandal Commission report was not implemented in the state. “It is high time that the debate should be intensified to expose the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir who have been misusing the Article only to continue the autocratic rule in this part of the country,” he said. The Gujjars, who have been granted the ST status, have also initiated a debate on the Article after Modi’s Lalkaar rally in Jammu on December 1. Some Gujjar leaders alleged that the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir had been misusing the Article to deny political reservations to the STs in Jammu and Kashmir. Modi, while addressing the rally, had thrown an open challenge of a debate on the Article 370 and mentioned that the OBCs, STs and the SCs were its victims. After Modi’s speech, representatives of these groups kick started a campaign to highlight their plight. The All India Backward Classes Union Social staged a dharna today to press for their demand of implementing the Mandal Commission report in the state. |
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Panchayat body flays CM for delay in release of grants
Jammu, December 8 In a statement issued here yesterday, Anil Sharma, president of the AJKPC, has said due to the carelessness and casual approach of the state government, especially of Panchayati Raj Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, the Rs 10 lakh grant for each panchayat of the state had been put on the back burner by the Union Government. Anil also said due to the continuous efforts of the 33,000 panchayat members, the Centre had promised to grant a special package to the state government for the panchayat development fund on the pattern of the constituency development fund but the state government could not pursue the case with the Union Government. The AJKPC leader, while taking a dig at the National Conference, said those who cherished autonomy were now denying the same to the panchayats in the state and were opposing the implementation of the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution which was the only way to empower the panchayats. Powers to panches
AJKPC president Anil Sharma has said due to the casual approach of the government, especially of the Panchayati Raj Minister, the Rs 10 lakh grant for each panchayat of J&K had been put on the back burner by the Centre |
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Makhdoom Sahib ropeway to bring ‘untapped’ Kashmir on tourism map
Srinagar, December 8 “The purpose is to increase tourist influx at the heritage monuments of the Shehr-e-Khaas (old city) and to provide a cheap gondola service to visitors,” said Talat Parvez, Director (Tourism), Kashmir. Besides monuments dating back to the Mughal period, the old city houses many shrines and is also a hub of Kashmiri art and craft works such as silk carpets and Pashmina shawls. Close to the 550-m ropeway that can ferry 240 passengers per hour, a heritage interpretation centre is also being constructed to market arts and handicrafts of the Shehr-e-Khaas, which is expected to be an added attraction for the tourists in future. While north Kashmir’s ski resort Gulmarg is popular for its gondola service, its high fee deterred (Rs 1,000) a section of the visitors from taking a ride. Parvez said now both locals and tourists could enjoy the cable car ride in the old city at a much cheaper rate. The government has fixed Rs 100 per ticket for the Makhdoom sahib cable car service that is expected to be inaugurated later this month. Even though the cable car project had been started nearly three years ago, the government’s dream of bringing the old city on the tourism map is yet to be realised owing to
the city’s volatile situation amid frequent stone-throwing incidents. In May, the authorities had organised an exhibition at Ganpatyar in the old city on the banks of the Jhelum to woo tourists to the Shehr-e-Khaas where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had admitted that the tourists had been shying away from visiting the area due to its ‘reputation’. “The tourist activity remains confined to uptown. Tourists are scared of coming here as the reputation of the old city has suffered due to its ‘volatile’ situation. The people of downtown too want tourists to come here. Downtown should get the benefits of tourism activity,” Omar had said. With the introduction of the cable car to the shrine, the visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the Hari Parbat Fort, its walled enclosure called Kalai, Kathi Darwaza, Sangeen Darwaza and Kashmir’s almond groove, Badamwari. Boosting tourism
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Steps afoot to ensure CBSE schools meet set norms
Jammu, December 8 JSSC president and Army Public School (APS), Akhnoor, Principal KCS Mehta said it was mandatory for all CBSE-affiliated schools to get accredited to the Board. "It is now must for all CBSE-affiliated schools to get the new accreditation, which will signify that they have met the standards set by the Board at an acceptable level and are willing to maintain those standards and improve their educational programmes by implementing the visiting committee's recommendations," he said. "Though all CBSE-affiliated institutions already have majority of the facilities quoted by the CBSE, there are some areas that we are focusing on," Mehta said. "To get the accreditation, all schools will have to fill a form, mentioning all facilities being provided to students. After that, a CBSE team will visit the schools and will give them the certificate. The process will be reviewed after every two years," he said. The review process will include surveys of all member schools, specific consideration of feedback provided by schools that have recently undergone an accreditation visit, an appraisal of recent and relevant educational literature, and in-depth discussions at the Board level. The JSSC president said that at the recently held meeting of the CBSE Schools' Principals, the main focus was on two things - technology in education and empowerment of teachers. He said all CBSE-affiliated schools had introduced smart classes for its students last year. |
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Defying law, beggars continue to rule city roads
Jammu, December 8 "They follow us till we don't give them something. At times, they even pull our bags. We get embarrassed when they say something in the name of god or future. So, we are forced to give them something to get rid of them," said Shweta Sharma, a student of the GGM Science College. "The authorities should take steps to rehabilitate beggars and provide them some jobs," she said. Navneet Singh, a banker, said: "The elderly beggars seek help, children seek money to buy food and young women carrying kids seek money or food to feed the little one. Those dressed like Gods or holding a picture of a deity seek money in the name of religion." He said: "A miserable face tapping at your car's window pane leaves you guilt wrenched. You just cannot ignore them, but giving them alms only aggravates the problem." He said everyone should contribute to solve the problem. "Rather than giving them alms, we should generate jobs for them so that they earn instead of begging," he said. Police officials said people who gave alms to beggars promoted the nuisance. Deputy Commissioner AK Sahu accepted that the law had not been enforced. "We are trying to enforce the law. Most of the beggars are outsiders. When we deport a few, another bunch settles in the city. We are exploiting all ways to curb the menace," he added. |
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Parents’ association mulls launching
helpline to deal with students’ issues
Jammu, December 8 Association president Raj Kumar Gupta confirmed that the association was planning to launch an exclusive helpline to share vital information with schoolchildren and their parents. "We could have launched it earlier, but the private schools' association has taken a stay in the State High Court against the School Fee Fixation Committee (SFFC) constituted by the authorities. This has delayed our process, but we are determined to launching it for the benefit of all," he said. Another office-bearer of the association said: "Our helpline will certainly help in generating awareness about the highhandedness of private schools." "Till we make a permanent arrangement, a child helpline office at Kachi Chawni has been set up to disseminate important information. Parents can contact us if their child faces any difficulty in school. Appropriate action will be taken against the educational institution," Gupta said. "Schools, instead of abiding by legal directions, are resorting to corporal punishment, which is a crime. Some of the private schools, particularly those affiliated to the CBSE, are not adhering to the norms of the Education Department of the State," a release issued by the association claimed. The association President urged all parents to stay in touch with the association till the helpline was launched. Members of the association said they would continue to sort out the vexed issue once for all. The association had met School Fee Fixation Committee Chairman Chief
Justice (retd) Bilal Nazki and had apprised him of the "difficulties" being faced by parents of schoolchildren due to excessive increase in fee. |
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Poor showing by Congress may change J&K’s political landscape
Arun Joshi Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 8 Omar has been in power in J&K for almost five years with the support of the Congress, and has survived many ups and downs with his alliance partner, simply because of his direct links with the Congress high command. The fate of the Congress in these elections, the results of which were declared today, was important to him to determine the future course of action. “There are two things which need to be understood. Firstly, the fear in the main opposition PDP in Jammu and Kashmir about cementing of the third generation friendship between Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Omar would get diluted as the equations will certainly undergo some change,” said Gul Mohammad Wani, a keen political observer and head of UNESCO Madanjit Singh Institute of Kashmir studies. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti have “no worries on that count now because they were worried about the Omar-Rahul friendship in politics,” Wani said, adding “that it will have a direct impact on Jammu and Kashmir’s political scenario”. Secondly, Omar “may not immediately show withdrawal syndrome,” for Rahul Gandhi had rescued him in 2010 when everyone was turning against Omar because of the massive street protests and the killing of the youth. In less than five months, 120 youth had got killed that year. “Much will depend on General Election in 2014 and if the BJP comes to power, separatists can hope for dialogue and initiatives,” the political scientist of Kashmir observed. The Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat Conference, which had initiated a dialogue with the NDA government in January 2004, views the BJP government at the Centre as “much better than the UPA vis-à-vis Kashmir” “There was some movement forward on Kashmir and there was dialogue between India and Pakistan,” Mirwaiz told The Tribune. Now, he is keeping his fingers crossed. “At the moment, we will see what happens in 2014.” Kashmir observers feel that if Modi becomes the Prime Minister, he cannot afford to deviate from Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s line. “We hope that he would not do that and, frankly speaking, if the BJP-led government takes a decision on resolving the Kashmir issue, no one will be able to oppose that,” Mirwaiz said. The performance of the Congress in the four states, which many see as a preview to General Election next year, will be a make or break situation for him and his party National Conference. It is a very difficult choice for him to go to the polls in alliance or alone.
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Article 370 best left untouched
Arun Joshi
Having said that, the fact of the matter is that Omar succeeded in writing the prologue for Modi’s speech, saying that he would be speaking and seeking repeal of the Article 370 that governs Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with India. The epilogue is yet to be written because Modi obliged Omar partly, for he sought a debate on the Article 370, and right now it is being debated by one and all in the state and outside it. It was Omar who took Modi to task for what he called misrepresenting the facts about the Article 370 and dared each and everyone to make any attempt to tamper with it and watch out for consequences. Then almost everyone in his party, National Conference, started speaking in the same tone. Their chorus was that this Article was a “bridge” between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. But what they forgot to acknowledge and reading in the Article was that it was just a “temporary” provision in the Constitution. The pillars on which this bridge stood were shaking and breaking and most of the erosion was done by the successive National Conference governments. National Conference president and three-time Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had acknowledged this during the 1983 Assembly elections, which the party had won on its own, declining Congress’ offer for a pre-poll alliance. At an election rally in Jammu in June 1983, Farooq had said: “The Article 370 is a temporary provision. It is dying its slow death and one day it will die its own death.” The words are recorded in the pages of the then most popular English daily Kashmir Times in the state. Of course when this provoked a strong reaction in the Kashmir Valley, Farooq retracted his words, saying: “I never said so.” Since then the situation has changed further. The residency laws and citizenship rights of women marrying non-permanent residents of the state have been restored by virtue of a verdict of the J&K High Court. The J&K Government had filed a writ petition against the verdict, but it was quietly withdrawn by the PDP-led coalition government. A Bill seeking amendment to the state Constitution --- Jammu and Kashmir has its own Constitution, courtesy the Article 370 --- was passed in the state Assembly in March 2004. Amazingly, it was passed in less than two minutes without a single word of debate. But it failed to sail through in the legislative council on March 11 that year, because by that time the Congress had changed its stance and distanced itself from the stand of its ally PDP. While the PDP and National Conference were for the passage of the Bill, the Congress was against it. And when the Bill was reintroduced in the autumn session of the Assembly, it was lost in uproar and now it is dead and buried. The Congress was smiling because it had its own way. Modi should have known that the constitutional provisions cannot be changed by mere rhetoric. At the same time, it would have been better had Modi left the issue untouched because this was a dead issue. He should have gone through some pages of the history and known that the Article was not only temporary, but was dying a slow death.
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Dodging potholes, bus takes an hour to cover 16 km on Tikri-Katra road
Udhampur, December 8 “The state government has neglected an important road, which is used by crores of commuters every year as they travel to Kashmir and Patnitop through this road,” said Vivek Kumar, a daily commuter. He said the road had huge potholes, almost 5 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep. Although heavy vehicles pass through these potholes easily, the medium and light vehicles face a lot of problem covering the stretch. Besides, bus passengers are asked to get down from the buses at the Serli and Panthel check posts for security checks, which consumes at least 20 minutes more. Official records suggest that the work on the widening of Tikri to Katra road was started by the PWD in 2004 and till date Rs 10 crore have been spent in three phases. From 2004 to 2009, in the first two phases, Rs 3.71 crore were spent on 1 to 5 km and Rs 3.83 crore were spent on 10 to 16 km. While work in the third phase is still going on and nearly Rs 2.5 crore have been spent on 6 to 9 km. However, a 2.5-km stretch from the Panthel check post to Amba Kids Home is quite smooth as it has recently been constructed. “As maintenance of road stretches constructed earlier has not been done, so they are now in very bad shape,” said Amit Kumar, a resident of Panthel. He demanded a probe into the delay being done to complete the road-widening project, despite the lapse of nearly 10 years causing great inconvenience to daily commuters, particularly tourists who after visiting Mata Vaishnu Devi move towards other tourist spots like Srinagar, Patnitop and Sansar on this road. When contacted, the Executive Engineer, who is in charge of the road, said the third phase of the road-widening project would be completed by April next year. With regards to the poor condition of 1 to 5 km stretch, he said it could not be maintained due to lack of funds, whereas on 10 to 16 km nearly Rs 20 lakh had been recently spent on patching potholes. |
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Dilapidated bridge causes traffic jams in Baramulla
Baramulla, December 8 Drivers said the bridge was not fit for plying vehicles. "Drivers are now using the bridge for parking vehicles. There are frequent traffic jams due to the dilapidated condition of the old bridge, which has been ignored by the authorities," said Riyaz Ahmad, a local resident. Some other drivers said the dilapidated bridge caused damage to their vehicles. "We have to repair our vehicles at regular intervals. The bumpy surface damages our vehicles, mostly from beneath," driver Abdul Rashid Malik said. Residents said they approached authorities concerned many times to seek repair of the bridge, but their repeated pleas had fallen on deaf ears. "We visited the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, a number of times with the request to repair the vital bridge and address their problems, but the authorities
continue to ignore our pleas. The bridge has become a major cause of traffic jams in Baramulla," said Mohammad Ramzan, a trader. Residents said if repaired the bridge would help in regulating the flow of traffic in Baramulla town. "The traffic movement in the town will be streamlined if the vital bridge is repaired. The bridge also connects Kupwara district with Baramulla, but the authorities have overlooked its importance," said Abrar Ahmad, a fruit seller. The bridge is often referred as a "battle ground between stone throwers and security forces". A senior Beacon official said, "The bridge will be repaired next year. The prevailing weather conditions are not suitable for paving surface," he said. |
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NC leader tells communal forces not to vitiate peace
Jammu, December 8 Addressing a series of public meetings at Chak Balotra and Bari Khad in the Vijaypur constituency this afternoon, Slathia said the rejected political entities had got unnerved by witnessing the goodwill among people towards the National Conference (NC) because of its public-friendly programmes and unleashed a vicious campaign on sensitive issues pivotal to the state’s identity. These forces, he said, would not succeed in their evil designs as their machinations stand exposed before the people. “They must see the writing on the wall and desist from indulging in such activities that are detrimental to the interests of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.” Slathia dwelt upon the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government and said the state was steering towards inclusive development and faster growth. He said the revolutionary steps taken to empower the people would go a long way in bringing about a qualitative change in governance. On the occasion, Haji Ajin Din of Bari Khad resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the NC.
— TNS |
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Govt to fast-track rehab of Dal dwellers
Srinagar, December 8 This was decided at a meeting chaired by Minister for Urban development and Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora on Friday. The meeting aimed at streamlining the process of rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers on a fast-track basis. “It was also decided that the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), and the Srinagar Assistant Commissioner Revenue will complete the process of verification immediately. Two committee meetings will be held every month to clear maximum number of cases by March 2014,” an official spokesman said. The rehabilitation plan for the Dal dwellers has been worked out by the Government of India and the state government and land at Rakh-i-Arth, measuring about 3,000 kanals has been already identified. The rehabilitation of the lake dwellers has been a major challenge for the state government. The Government of India has approved Rs 356 crore under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) to fund the cost of compensation to be paid to the Dal dwellers on account of the acquisition of their land and structures in 58
mohallas. |
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Sangarmaal traders call off strike
Srinagar, December 8 The strike was called off after the J&K government assured the traders that the power bill of the common area of the Sangarmaal would be deposited
by the SDA. “We met the government officials yesterday and they assured us that a committee of six members will be constituted for the administration of the Sangarmaal complex. Out of the six, three members will be traders,” said Feroz Ahmed, a member of the Sangarmaal welfare Association. The traders had accused the SDA of not living up to its promises, it had made through its printed literature to those who purchased space in the mall which was inaugurated in 2010. After the traders went on a strike, the SDA claimed that amount of Rs 9 crore as premiums and rentals was outstanding against the Sangarmaal allottees. |
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UN ‘failed’ to perform its duties on Kashmir issue
Srinagar, December 8 Mirwaiz today said this while addressing a seminar on human rights in Srinagar. At the seminar, People’s Political Party (PPP) leader Engineer Hilal War joined the Hurriyat faction headed by Mirwaiz. “The UN has failed to perform its duties as far as the Kashmir dispute is concerned. Its credibility will be under question even as resolution of the Kashmir issue remains pending,” he said. He said there were only two ways for solving the Kashmir issue — recourse to the UN resolutions over Kashmir or by dialogue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris. Mirwaiz said the Parliamentary or Assembly elections could not be a substitute for right to self-determination as enshrined under the UN resolutions over Kashmir. “Election or selection cannot change the nature of the Kashmir dispute. These games will neither change the status of Kashmir, nor Hurriyat will allow for this to happen,” Mirwaiz said while reiterating the Stand of Moderate The Hurriyat Conference, unlike its hardline counterpart Hurriyat headed by Geelani, has so for not issued any election boycott call. During his address, Mirwaiz also welcomed PPP head Hilal War in the Hurriyat Conference. The Hurriyat leaders who addressed the seminar included Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Aga Syed Hassan, and others. |
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Retired officials being reappointed despite ban
Srinagar, December 8 There exists an “unholy nexus” of bureaucrats MLAs, ministers and their relatives, which has been unearthed with the arrest of former Board of Professional Entrance Examinations chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Peer, sources said. Peer who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the recently uncovered MBBS scam managed to get his wife, a retired government college lecturer, posted as a member of the Services Selection Board, a position which she was not qualified for, a source said. If that was not enough, the tainted official misused his position as Head of the Computer Sciences Department at the University of Kashmir to help his wife pass the M.Phil examination, a source at the University of Kashmir alleged. Peer, however, is not the only one who exploited his position. Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, Muhammad Anees, husband of senior National Conference leader and Member of Legislative Assembly from Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous, after superannuating from the organisation in 2002 under the Farooq Abdullah-led government was reappointed by the current dispensation in 2009 and continues to enjoy his services from the last four years. Anees’ reappointment, which is learnt to have been influenced by his wife who is also the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, was widely reported and evoked a lot of criticism. Sources, meanwhile, said husband of Tanveer Jehan, Commissioner Secretary, Power/Roads and Buildings, Showkat Ali, a former Managing Director, J&K Handicrafts Corporation, continued to hold his office despite allegations of misappropriations being levelled against him. Showkat was booked by the Vigilance Commission, Kashmir, in May on charges of corruption. “Showkat had earlier got undeserving extensions as MD, Handicrafts. This after the Cabinet order banned the reappointment of officials,” an official source said. |
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Poll results to impact state elections: PDP
Srinagar, December 8 “The results in various states clearly depict a mood for change,” senior PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra said. “This change is also bound to translate in J&K in the forthcoming polls,” Karra, who is also PDP’s nominee for the Srinagar parliamentary seat, added. Emphasising that the parties in the New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan Assembly elections got votes on the issue of corruption and misgovernance, the PDP leader said: “In J&K we have similar issues and that is why I firmly believe that today’s results will also have an impact on the polls in the state next year.” The Communist party leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, meanwhile, said there was a lesson to learn for every political party. “It is a major concern for all the secular parties from Delhi to Srinagar. We must draw lessons from today’s results,” Tarigami said. “It is late but do not make it too late,” he insisted. Tarigami said the poll results clearly indicate that the people of the country were “fed up with corruption and misgovernance” at different levels. “It is a protest vote against corruption and misgovernance,” he said. The Communist leader also admitted that BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had an effect on the poll results. “The BJP is projecting that there is a wave, it is not like that. But certainly he (Modi) had an effect on the polls,” Tarigami said. Salman Anees Soz, Congress leader and son of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz, said: “The party has to analyse the results and come up with ideas, so that people support them.” “We respect the people’s verdict. We have to analyse these results. The Congress in J&K cannot be complacent and we have to work hard and come up with good ideas, so that people support us in the upcoming polls,” Salman said. |
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HC sets aside promotion of archives department Director
Srinagar, December 8 “When she (Nasreen) was not eligible in view of the facts (stated) and was not suitable for promotion then how the official respondent has taken a U-turn and issued the order of promotion on officiating basis in her favour,” a division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar observed in its judgment made available today. “Such action of the respondent (government) cannot be said to be fair in the background of the stated facts,” the bench said while allowing the appeal by Deputy Director Zahid. Earlier on August 3, while admitting an appeal by Zahid against the orders of a single bench, a division bench had directed the authorities concerned not to regularise the services of the incumbent director of the Archives Department.
— TNS Grounds of Appeal
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Border school lacks basic infrastructure
It may sound bizarre in the “revolutionised” educational sector of the state, but two teachers in Chakroi border village of Jammu district are imparting “quality education” to 43 students of five classes from two small rooms of the Revenue Department. In the name of infrastructure, Government Boys Primary School, Chakroi, RS Pura sub-division, has
no infrastructure, not even a toilet. “While the Education Department has not provided any building to the school, the Revenue Department has provided two small rooms to accommodate the students. The rooms were constructed for establishing a Niabat office,” said Choudhary Dev Raj, a leader from
RS Pura. Though the classes are being conducted in the two rooms, in the absence of a toilet, the students go out in the open to attend the nature’s call while the teachers — a man and a woman — go to the nearby village houses to use the toilet, added Dev Raj. He said the Education Department had also not provided chairs and desks to the students. The Tribune team also found the schoolchildren attending their classes
on mats at a time when the mercury has started plummeting. The local leader said a total of 43 students from Class I to V were being taught by two teachers, making their task tough. “For five classes at least three or four teachers should be deputed,”
he said. Fearing the wrath of the higher-ups, the teachers refused to speak. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who holds the portfolio of the Education Department, had told the Legislative Assembly in March this year that 421 schools in the state did not have their own buildings and had added that due to the sustained efforts of the government, the
figure would be reduced to zero during the current fiscal. First Kashmiri colour feature film screened
After 40 years, a Kashmiri feature film was screened in the Valley on Saturday. The two-hour movie ‘Partav’ was screened at the convocation centre of the University of Kashmir
in Srinagar. The film revolves around a character — Prof Toor — who abandons everything except his literary work. Toor leaves his wife, Zainab, and son, Akhter, for 29 years. After nearly three decades, he realises that he sacrificed his personal life by remaining engrossed in books all the time. ‘Partav’ is the first 35-mm coloured digital film made in Kashmir. Hundreds of people, including students and people associated with art, attended the movie screening and appreciated the efforts of the maker. “I enjoyed the movie. It’s very good, Kashmiris have talent and they should utilize it,” said Safiya Rafiq, a university student. Dilnawaz Muntazir, 36, a doctor by profession, is the director, music composer and writer of the movie. Muntazir said the driving force for him to make the movie was the “wrong portrayal of Kashmir in Bollywood movies”. All crew members of the movie belong to Kashmir. They said through the characters they wanted to show the real talent and picture of Kashmir. “We have all facilities now. Those who want to make movies in Kashmir should come forward,” said movie producer Zahoor Zahid. The movie had its world premiere at the 19th Kolkata International Film Festival. Partav has won an award of excellence at the Canada Film Festival and was also selected for the Delhi International Film Festival this year. This was the first screening of the movie in Kashmir. Coordinator of the Media education Research Centre at the University of Kashmir Farooq Masoodi appreciated the efforts
of the crew members and congratulated the filmmaker. The first feature film was made in Kashmir in 1966. The movie, ‘Maenzirat’, was in black and
white. (Contributed by Ravi Krishnan Khajuria and Rifat Mohidin) |
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State govt committed to Srinagar’s progress: Sadiq
Srinagar, December 8 “Omar is committed to develop Srinagar as a model city,” Sadiq said while interacting with various delegations of the city here. He added that the Chief Minister was taking every step to upgrade the basic facilities at the summer capital. “The foundation of Rs 351 crore Jehangir Chowk-Ram Bagh fly over and Rs 31 crore multi-storied parking near the Lal Chowk are among many projects aimed at that,” Sadiq said. “In the five years, well connected drainage system has been constructed. Majority of the roads in the city have been macadamised,” he said. Sadiq also lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party for launching a “misinformation campaign” against the coalition government. |
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School found closed, action recommended
Rajouri, December 8 Tehsildar, Thanamandi, Farooq Khan, who along with other officials visited the school at 12:30 pm yesterday following a complaint by Danna villagers, found the class rooms locked after which he wrote to the authorities concerned and urged them to take necessary steps in this regard. “Yes, we found the school locked during working hours and in this regard a detailed report has been submitted to the District Development Commissioner,” Khan said. He added that copies have also been forwarded to the Director, Education, the Divisional Commissioner, the Chief Education officer and the Zonal Education Officer. He added that it has been also established that Jameela Begham, in charge of the school, mostly remained absent from her duty.
— OC |
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Natrang resounds with call of ‘Yamraj’
Jammu, December 8 The play was a blend of fact and fiction where imaginary character "Yamraj" interacted with the real-life people. On stage, while people wished for early death, "Yamraj" planned to make them "happy" by granting their wishes true. But on being approached, everyone denied making a wish, leaving "Yamraj" confused with their cleverly crafted excuses. Those who acted on stage were Muhammad Yaseen, Masood Qadir, Ravi Choudhary, Sachin Bamba, Rishiv Prabhakar, Nitin Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Mahikshit Singh Langeh, Ravinder Manhas and Pankaj Verma. |
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Telecom firm announces scholarships
Jammu, December 8 All existing and new Vodafone customers whose children have scored 90% and above marks in the Class-10 and Class-12 board exams are eligible for the scholarships. Those eligible are required to fill an enrolment form, mentioning details of their children, and submit it at a Vodafone store or mini-store within 30 days of declaration of the J&K State Education Board/CBSE results. After receiving the detailed results, they will also be required to submit a copy of the mark sheet.
— TNS If eligible...
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After 17 years, GMC holds paediatrics meeting
Srinagar, December 8 “Aims of the meeting were to work for the well-being of paediatric population of the state and to develop research activities at primary, secondary and tertiary paediatric care units with close interaction and feedback at all these levels to improve the overall paediatric care,” an official spokesman said. — TNS
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Vaccination drive against Hepatitis in Leh soon
Leh, December 8 The LAHDC has agreed to provide a financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh under its district plan for the drive. |
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It was a pure coincidence or a deliberate act that it was Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had set the agenda for his Gujarat counterpart and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s mega “Lalkaar” rally in Jammu on December 1. It could have been a case where Omar might have read the script of Modi’s speech and if it were his instincts telling him that then Omar is a good political astrologer as far as others are concerned.