The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Kashmiri Pandit migrants demand hike in cash relief Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 Kashmiri Pandit (KP) migrants of Jagti Tenement appealed to the state government for the enhancement of cash assistance to Rs 15,000 per family per month and implementation of the Prime Minister's Employment Package for Migrant Youth in letter and spirit by filling the remaining posts under the package. Against the 6,000 posts sanctioned by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh only an approximate number of 1,400 posts have been filled so far. Shadi Lal Pandita, a KP leader at Jagti Tenement, said, “The Prime Minister’s employment package for migrants has not been implemented properly and our demand for the enhancement of relief is also being ignored by the government.” Pandita said, "No on-the-spot recruitment rally of the Police Department has been conducted till date in the migrant camp. We appeal that the authorities may kindly be directed to conduct an on-the-spot recruitment drive of the Police Department in this migrant camp." He urged the state government to enhance the ration quata. Presently migrants are being provided a ration of 2 kg atta and 9 kg rice per soul and 1 kg sugar per family free of cost. The KPs demand that the ration quota be enhanced to 15 kg rice and 4 kg atta per soul and 3 kg sugar per family. While demanding the construction of three community halls at Jagti, Pandita said when a member of a family dies in the Jagti migrant camp, the bereaved family has to face lot of difficulties in performing the last rites of the deceased due to lack of proper accommodation. "As per tradition/religious rites, 12 days of mourning are to be observed on the demise of a person, and as such it is appealed that three additional community halls be constructed in the Jagti migrant camp to facilitate the inmates to meet their requirements during the mourning days." He said in order to provide proper medical facilities to the inmates of the camp a 40-bedded hospital was sanctioned, which ought to have been completed and made functional prior to the shifting of migrants to the camp. But it was surprising that despite the lapse of more than two years from the date the migrants were shifted to the migrant camp the construction of the 40-bedded hospital had not been completed and it was not made functional, with the result the inmates of the camp had to seek medical assistance from far-off places as and when required. The construction of the hospital be initiated on a war-footing so that it be made functional.
	Private school students register maximum participation in indoor competitions Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 Students of private educational institutions of the city have once again outclassed their counterparts from government schools after being selected in most of the medal winning indoor competitions in multi-disciplines in the ongoing 59th National School Games being held at various venues across the country. Sources claimed that a majority of students from private schools of the city competed in individual disciplines like table tennis, judo, badminton, fencing etc both at district and state levels. Students of government institutions though competed in these events, their number was much below that too after the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) had issued strict advisories to the heads concerned of the schools to ensure maximum participation. Sources added that not only the students from private schools performed outstandingly in the competitions-cum-selection trials for National School Games, but they were also selected on the basis of their performance. “There has been a slight improvement as far as participation of students from government schools in indoor disciplines is concerned, but to match the skills with their counterparts from private institutions, the heads of government institutions have to be consistent while sending their students in major medal winning disciplines,” a DYSS source said. “A majority of students of government schools of the city still prefer to participate in rural competitions like kho-kho, kabaddi, volleyball and tug-of-war. Though the department has recruited various specialist coaches in important institutions, the initiative has failed to yield any positive result,” he claimed. Sources claimed that the sports department had instructed government educational institutions to chalk out a concrete strategy not only to ensure maximum participation, but also to bring necessary changes in imparting rigorous coaching to the students in medal winning indoor disciplines. Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, told The Tribune, “No doubt, students of private schools have maximum participation in indoor competitions, but the government schools have also shown improvement to some extent.” “I am hopeful that the recent steps taken by the department will be held in solving the issue,” he quipped. A 1,324-member J&K contingent, including 756 boys and 568 girls, competed in the previous edition of the National School Games.
	State government employees to hold protest on Jan 8 Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of the state government employees today announced to hold a protest demonstration against the state government on January 8 for not fulfilling their demands. A two-day session of the JCC was convened here under the leadership of Abdul Qayoom Wani and Haji Mohammad Asraf Bhat. During the session it was unanimously decided that the JCC should make a united and concerted effort to get the agreement reached between the government and JCC implemented, and at the end of the two-day session a resolution was passed wherein the JCC decided to restart a fresh struggle. “We have decided to hold a peaceful protest in Jammu on January 8 and will strongly protest for the acceptance of our demands and will make it clear that the JCC won’t give up its struggle until all issues are resolved,” said Abdul Qayoom Wani, while addressing a press conference here. The employees are demanding the removal/withdrawal of draconian laws like the Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) and no work-no pay, regularisation of daily wagers and casual labourers, removal of pay anomalies in the pre-revised grade of Rs 6,500-10,500, clerical grade, Police Department and others, release of the 6th Pay Commission arrears in favour of Local Bodies Department employees, financial support to public sector undertakings (PSUS), etc.
	NPSU demands widening of Jammu-Akhnoor road Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 The National Panthers Student Union (NPSU) today demanded immediate four-laning of the Jammu-Akhnoor road in view of growing traffic rush and said it would start an agitation if the government failed to start the road-widening work in the next 10 days. "The Jammu-Akhnoor stretch has become one of the killer roads in the city as only last year around 182 road accidents took place under the jurisdiction of the Domana police station in which 20 persons lost their lives while 162 were rendered handicapped," Partap Singh Jamwal, state president, NPSU, told mediapersons here. He said the increasing accidents on the road had resulted in a public outcry and the residents of surrounding areas had been demanding the widening of the road since long. "The widening of the Akhnoor road as well as the Poonch road would be useless unless and until the Jammu-Akhnoor road is widened," he said. He said frequent jams were being caused due to heavy traffic rush during peak hours, which posed lots of problems to commuters. "The jams have been irritating the people coming to the city from Akhnoor and adjoining areas," Jamwal said.
	City artist invited for painters’ camp in Mumbai Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 A city-based painter and photographer, OP Sharma, has been invited to attend a national-level painters’ camp being organised by the International Creative Art Centre, Nagothane, in Mumbai from January 6 to 10. Sharma has recently displayed his talent in painting and photography in two solo art exhibitions at Jammu and the photography show was inaugurated by Usha Vohra in the presence of Governor NN Vohra. He has participated in many international and national artists’ camps at different places in the country. He also has done organisational work in the field of art and culture. He has been working as the Director of the Jammu & Kashmir Centre for Creative Arts (JKCCA), Jammu. He has been awarded by the National Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, and Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar, twice (for painting and photography). He has also received the Camlin All-India Award.
	HC issues notice to MHA on non-migrant Pandits’ plea Petition challenges exclusion of non-migrant Pandits from PM’s relief package Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 Kashmiri Pandits, who did not migrate from the Valley and preferred to stay back, have challenged the recruitment process initiated by the government under the Prime Minister’s Relief and Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) for the migrant community before the J&K High Court. They have claimed that they have been “deprived and forced to live second-grade lives”. In a writ petition before high court, the community members have asked for declaring the SRO-412 — an ordinance which was issued by the J&K Government on December 30, 2009, to “facilitate the return process of Kashmiri migrant Pandits via a government job package” — as ultra vires to the Constitution. They have also challenged the exclusion of non-migrant unemployed Kashmiri Pandit youth from the PM’s package. Their number is stated to be 561. After admitting the petition on December 31, 2013, the single bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar in its orders made available today issued notices to the respondents, including Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), J&K Government, Revenue Commissioner and the Relief Commissioner asking them to file a reply by the next date of hearing fixed in the third week of February. The Valley witnessed a mass exodus of Kashmir Hindu community in 1990, while many families preferred to stay back—their number as per the census is 808. In the writ petition by the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti and others filed before the high court in representative capacity, it has been said that Kashmiri Pandits who migrated in 1990 not only lived in “safe havens” created by the Government of India but were also were given certain allowances and their wards provided quotas in premier educational institutions of the country. They have also said that for the return and rehabilitation in the Valley, migrant Pandits are being provided jobs by the government, whereas the non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits who stayed back and braved all odds and threats to their lives have been deprived of all relief and rehabilitation programmes by the government. “In view of the mass migration, the Government of India (GoI) has notified 3,000 vacancies which are being filled in accordance with the SRO-412, however, the said process of selection is not only unconstitutional but is purely on the basis of place of residence/religion, which is prohibited in terms of the Constitution of India read with the constitution of J&K,” the petitioners submitted while challenging the PM’s Relief and Rehabilitation Package and the recruitment process initiated under the SRO-412 by the J&K Government. The petitioners have submitted that out of the 3,000 vacancies advertised on August 2013, 1,446 persons have already joined service after selection, whereas 1,554 posts are likely to be filled. “The government is in the process of selection and, strangely, the Kashmiri Pandits stationed in the Valley have not been considered against these vacancies,” they submitted, adding that 561 unemployed youth from the non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit population were not being considered against these posts. In their defense, the petitioners have also cited the Cabinet decision (no. 114/17/12) issued on June 20, 2012, wherein the J&K Government had directed the revenue authorities to “immediately work out an employment package for Kashmiri minorities who did not migrate on the same lines as is available to the Kashmiri migrants.” Kashmiri Pandits & Rehabilitation * November 1990: Mass migration of the Kashmiri Pandit community from the Valley * April 25, 2008: Announcement of the Prime Minister’s Relief & Rehabilitation Package for the return of Kashmiri migrant community * December 30: The J&K Govt issues SRO-412 to facilitate the return process of Kashmiri migrant Pandits via a special job package * March 3, May 14, 2012: Non-migrant Pandits submit representations to the Prime Minister and J&K Government for their inclusion in the PM’s relief package * June 6: The J&K Government issues Cabinet order wherein the revenue authorities are directed to work out an employment package for Kashmiri minorities who did not migrate on the same lines as is available to the Kashmiri migrants.
	JK Govt in dilemma over holding full Budget Session Decides to approach Planning Commission Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 In this election year, the Jammu and Kashmir Government is in a dilemma over the holding of full Budget Session 2014-15. There is a strong “possibility” that the ruling coalition may go in for "vote on account" in view of the upcoming Parliamentary elections, which are likely to be held in May this year. To come out of this uncertainty, the state government has decided to approach the Planning Commission of India and hold “threadbare discussions” before taking a final decision in this regard. In Jammu and Kashmir, the annual Budget Session used to take place in the last week of February every year. “We are yet to decide as to whether hold a full Budget Session this year or not. Nothing has been decided so far. We will hold discussion with the Planning Commission of India and take up the matter in the Cabinet before taking a final decision on it,” Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Finance, told The Tribune. It was premature to comment on the possibility of "vote on account" as any decision in this regard would be taken only after holding deliberations with the Planning Commission of India and the state Cabinet, the Finance Minister said. Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Secretary, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department, said they were yet to get a formal communication from the Finance Department vis-a-vis holding a full Budget Session. “The decision to hold a Budget Session is to be decided by the Finance Department and we have no communication in this regard so far,” Mir said. Official sources, however, said the state government had kept the option of "vote on account" open in view of the Lok Sabha elections, notification for which would be announced by the Election Commission of India shortly. “The government will have no alternate but to go for vote on account if the Parliament elections are announced by that time (last week of February) as the model code of conduct would simultaneously come into force thereafter,” sources said. The Finance Department, however, had started its budgetary exercise and "consolidation of proposals" as it would prepare itself for a full Budget Session in case the model code of conduct didn’t come into force by that time, the sources said. It may be placed here that the Governor, in exercise of powers conferred upon him under Section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, calls upon members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council to assemble in the Central Hall of Legislature Complex in Jammu for Budget Session every year. Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution under Article 370 that grants special status to the state. Last year, the 34-day-long Budget Session had begun on February 28.
	J&K Bank to boost agricultural activities in state: Governor Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 Jammu and Kashmir Bank will boost agriculture and horticulture development, food processing, establishment of cold chains and other activities throughout the state in the coming years. This was stated today by Governor NN Vohra at the concluding function held to mark the platinum jubilee of the bank. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presided over the function while Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather was the guest of honour. A coffee table book on the growth of the J&K Bank since its inception was unveiled by the Governor and other dignitaries. The Governor complimented the bank for progressively enlarging the scale of quality financial services and providing high satisfaction to its customers. He thanked the bank for the help it provides to the chief executive officials of both the Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for the registration of the pilgrims and fund management of the boards. He wished the bank success in achieving equity and inclusive growth in all sectors. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the bank would play a major role in national and international markets and hoped that it sets its own standards. Omar asked the bank to roll out a vision of achieving new goals and touching new highs in the next 25 years of its journey towards centenary year in the service of people. Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said J&K bank had been providing quantitative and qualitative leadership in the banking sector. Highlighting the achievements of the bank, he said it had done tremendously well in achieving the targets laid down under the priority sector lending, CD ratio etc. by the Reserve Bank of India and is also moving towards Electronic Benefit transfers. The welcome address was presented by J&K Bank chairman and CEO Mushtaq Ahmad. Minister for CAPD Choudhary Ramzan, Minister for Forests Mian Altaf, Minister for Law Mir Saifullah, legislators Choudhary Zulfiqar, Jalil Ahmad Khan, economic adviser to the state government were also present on the occasion.
	Army reviews security measures in Kashmir valley Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 As the deadline for the US withdrawals from Afghanistan comes closer, the Northern Commander of the Army visited forward areas of the Kashmir valley for the second consecutive day to review the counter infiltration grid. Security officials fear the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan scheduled later this year will have an impact on the security situation in the state as more militants may try to infiltrate to the state. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Gen Sanjiv Chachra along with Chinar Corps, Commander, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh visited various forward posts in Baramulla today and reviewed the strategy to counter possible infiltration attempts in the coming months. “The two senior Army officials were briefed on the counter infiltration grid in place,” a Defence official said, adding that they also interacted with officers and troops. He said the two Army commanders were briefed about the steps being taken along the LoC in wake of NATO exit from Afghanistan and its possible impact. While the recent heavy snowfall has diminished the chances of infiltration from the traditional routes along the Line of Control (LOC) in Gulmarg, Uri, Nowgam, Karnah, Keran and Gurez, sectors, the Army is not taking any chances and are maintaining high alert. Local accomplice of slain LeT ultra surrenders An accomplice of a slain Pakistani militant who was behind the killing of a Station House Officer in Budgam district last month has surrendered before the police. Senior police officers are, however, tight-lipped about the surrender. Police sources said Riyaz Ahmad, a resident of Panzan in Budgam, surrendered days after Omar Bilal, a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, was killed in a gunbattle at Hushroo in Budgam on December 26.
	Dhirendra Brahmachari’s property in ruins Deepanker Gupta Mantalai (Udhampur), January 3 The property worth hundreds of crores accumulated by Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari, the yogic mentor of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who died in a chopper crash two decades ago, is gathering dust as the state government has failed to preserve and upgrade it. Dhirendra Brahmachari had purchased around thousand kanals of land here in the late 1960s and within years the place developed into a tourist resort where his disciples from across the world came to learn yoga. One of them happened to be the former Indian Prime Minister. According to official reports, Indira Gandhi along with her family members used to stay at Mantalai for days together and helped Dhirendra Brahmachari in developing this place as an “international yog academy” and a tourist resort, which the latter used to refer as “mini Singapore”. However, all plans of transforming the place came to a halt after the death of Dhirendra Brahmachari in June 1994. The Jammu and Kashmir Government which currently owns the property has made scant or no effort to develop the place as the tourist destination. “Built over 1,002 kanals, the entire ashram is in a dilapidated condition. A large fleet of jeeps, cars and other vehicles and even his (Dhirendra Brahmachari) personal aircraft have been converted into mulba (rubble),” said Prem Singh, who used to serve the yoga guru as a manager. “Two under construction buildings, one of which was to be developed as a super-specialty hospital on the pattern of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, while the other one was to be transformed into a five star hotel, are lying totally unattended,” he said, adding that the air strip and the wildlife sanctuary, besides the yog ashram, have turned into ruins over the years. The MLA from the area Krishan Chander Bhagat rued the government apathy and alleged that successive Chief Ministers did nothing to restore the property. “Ever since 1994, politicians of successive governments only provided lip service. The property was left unattended. It was handed over to the Patnitop Development Authority in 2009. Detailed project reports to develop it have been made, but in reality things have worsened,” Bhagat alleged. Minister for Tourism GA Mir during his recent visit to Mantalai, however, said the government had made a detailed project report of Rs 5 crore for the development of the place and it will be sent to the Centre for funding. Lost in history * Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari, the yogic mentor of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, purchased around thousand kanals of land in Mantalai, Udhampur, in the late 1960s * After Dhirendra Brahmachari’s death in a chopper crash in June 1994, the entire ashram, built over 1,002 kanals, and his fleet of vehicles have been reduced to ruins
	Job cards to be cancelled on grounds of migration Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has recently directed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) division of the State Department of Rural Development that no job card can be cancelled in a routine manner and certainly not on the grounds of non-reporting for work. It stated that the job card can be cancelled only if the entire household has migrated permanently to an urban area. Sources said the directions were passed by the Union Ministry after it was brought to its notice that some states are resorting to the cancellation of job cards merely on the ground that the job card holders had not demanded work under the programme. “The MGNREGA envisages that each household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work is issued a job card. A job card, under the MGNREGA, is a key document which records workers’ entitlements and empowers the registered households to apply for works, ensures transparency and protects workers against fraud,” said a statement from the MoRD. “In all such cases, the programme officer (PO), after independent verification of facts and giving the person concerned an opportunity to be heard, may direct the gram panchayat to cancel such job card. The list of all cancelled job cards will be made public and should be presented to the gram sabha,” the statement added. Sources said the Union Ministry had instructed that at the time of renewal, any modifications in the particulars of the household should be simultaneously updated into the Management Information System (MIS). It added that all additions/deletions/cancellations made in the registration register will be read out in the gram sabha. It may be recalled that The Tribune had earlier reported that the MoRD had asked the state authorities to conduct a survey of job card holders in every gram panchayat in order to prepare a baseline to assess the quantum and timing of demand for employment in the gram panchayat under the MGNREGA.
	Ladakh soon to get connected with northern grid Our Correspondent Leh, January 3 The approval of the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for the laying of 220 kv transmission line from Alusteng in Srinagar to Leh and other sub-stations in Ladakh on Thursday has paved the way for the region to get connected with the northern grid. The project, estimated at a cost of Rs 1,788.41 crore, will connect sub-stations at Drass, Kargil and Khalsti, beside Leh with the northern grid and will improve the stability and reliability of power in the region, Executive Engineer, Power Development Department (PDD), Leh, Tsewang Paljor said. The project cost will be borne by the Centre and the state government in the ratio of 95:5. “Connecting Ladakh with the northern grid will boost the power generation viability of the region,” Paljor said. “Shayok river in Nubra Valley, Indus river in Leh and Suru in Kargil have lot potential, but since the region was not connected with the northern grid earlier there was always a question mark over distribution of the excess power,” he added. The Executive Engineer further said the transmission line would solve the power crisis in the region to some extent. “Due to isolation, we used to face great difficulty. Whenever a fault occurred in the 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo power project or in the diesel generators installed at different villages the entire supply system was affected,” the official said. He added that the work on connecting the remaining areas of Leh and Nubra valley along the Indo-Pak border and Nyoma and Durbuk blocks of the Changthang area along the Indo-China fence was also under progress.
	Passengers stranded at Kupwara reach home Our Correspondent Kupwara, January 3 Scores of stranded passengers reached their native Karnah town, near the Line of Control (LoC), in Kupwara district yesterday. The only surface link connecting Karnah with Kupwara headquarters was thrown open to traffic yesterday evening. The 80-km-long vital road link was blocked for vehicular movement due to heavy snowfall on December 31. “The two-way traffic was restored on the Karnah-Kupwara road yesterday. Three snow cutters of the Beacon authorities worked round the clock to clear the snow from the road,” said Itrat Hussian Rafique, DC, Kupwara The traffic movement leading to Keran was also restored yesterday. “Snow was cleared from the Keran-Kupwara road and the two-way traffic restored yesterday. Border towns of Keran and Karnah had received about 15-inch snow on Tuesday,” said the DC. An expecting mother from the Machil area of Kupwara was also rescued by officials. She delivered a baby girl at Kalaroose village en-route Kupwara. The power supply to some affected villages was also restored, said an official. The supply was snapped on Tuesday, following a heavy snowfall in the Valley.
	Guv gifts 224 books to Civil Services Institute library Jammu, January 3 Governor NN Vohra gifted a set of 224 selected books to the library of the Civil Services Institute and Officers Club in Reasi. Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, received the books at Raj Bhawan here today. The books, included volumes on modern and classic literature in Hindi and English, autobiographies, biographies, fiction, religion, folktales, history, development and sports. The Governor mentioned that a set of books in Urdu would also be gifted to the institute shortly. Emphasising the importance of reviving the book-reading habit, he observed that book discussion programmes would be a useful intellectual activity if held at least once a month. Appreciating Shahid’s initiative of providing officers of district Reasi with club facilities, Vohra noted that this would provide officers an opportunity to meet in an informal environment, and discuss issues relating to the rapid advancement of various important health and education programmes. — TNS
	Congress chalks out strategy to oppose pre-poll alliance with NC Party workers told to issue statements against coalition partner Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 To exert pressure on the high command against entering into a pre-poll alliance, the state Congress leaders have virtually given a free hand to the second-line leaders to issue statements against coalition partner National Conference (NC). Although official spokespersons of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) have been avoiding giving statements against the coalition partner, there is reportedly no restriction on other leaders to express their sentiment publicly against the National Conference. Sources in the Congress said the new strategy had been devised by the party leaders to mount pressure on the high command. “The statement issued by senior Congress leaders on December 31 was part of the strategy,” a source said and added that all leaders were taken into confidence while issuing the “inflammable” statement against the NC. As reported on December 31, some Congress leaders had issued a hard-hitting statement against the NC and hailed Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz for their decision to go alone in the 2014 elections. “By not giving any rebuttal of the controversial statement, Congress leaders have virtually given a green signal to the second-line leaders to issue similar statements after repeated intervals so as to step-up pressure on the high command,” a source said and added that some leaders were told to publicly oppose the pre-poll alliance with the NC. Sources said protests organised by Youth Congress activists at all district headquarters against the state government on December 30 were part of the fresh strategy devised by the party to oppose the NC. “We have decided to take on the National Conference so the Youth Congress activists were told to hold protests and oppose the government on the issue of delay in extending the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution to J&K,” a senior Congress leader said. He said during the last five years, the Congress leaders had failed to implement their agenda in the government so the party had decided to be aggressive in the elections to expose the National Conference. “Our aim is to expose the National Conference before the high command so as to substantiate our claims that the pre-poll alliance with the party (National Conference) is not in the interest of the Congress,” he said and added that Congress workers would soon take up the 73rd Amendment issue on to the roads.
	Governor reviews status of road projects in Reasi district Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 Governor NN Vohra today told all agencies concerned to expedite work on approach roads and a bridge connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University with National Highway-1A at Jhajjar Manthal and other key development projects in Reasi district. The Governor told the agencies concerned not to jump the deadlines again. At a meeting held at Raj Bhawan here today, the Governor reviewed the progress achieved in the construction of approach roads and the bridge connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University with National Highway-1A at Jhajjar Manthal, upgrade of the approach road from Railway Station, Katra, to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University via Nangal and upgrade of approach road from National Highway-1A to Panthal via Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal committed to completing the land acquisition process by February 10. Tilak Raj Bhagat, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation, committed to completing the entire project by June 30. The Governor cautioned all concerned against any further delay as the projects under review provide connectivity to important institutions like the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and the upcoming multi-specialty hospital, both at Kakriyal, with the national highway. Reviewing the status of upgrade and widening of the road from Railway Station, Katra, to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, the Governor was told by Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, that the earthwork on 5 km of the road length, out of the total 7 km, had been completed. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, informed the Governor that Rs 8.70 crore was needed to complete the land acquisition process for the road. It was decided that the state Planning Department would be approached for the release of funds in this regard. Reviewing the status of funds for upgrade of the road between the national highway at Jhajjar and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, the Governor said the matter should be taken up with the National Highways Authority of India with a request to provide funds under its corporate social responsibility programme. The Governor told the Deputy Commissioners of Reasi and Udhampur districts to monitor the progress of the projects to ensure that there was no delay in their completion. Navin K Chowdhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Sudhir K Jain, Vice Chancellor of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, and MK Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, were present on the occasion.
	Devise scheme to improve lot of BPL girls, High Court tells state Government identifies over 3.7 lakh girls living below poverty line Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 In order to help over 3.7 lakh girls living below poverty line in the state, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the state government to devise an exclusive scheme for their uplift. In this regard, the court has formulated seven broad guidelines, based on which the government has been directed to devise the welfare scheme and create a separate fund to be utilised for the marriage of these poor girls. These directions and guidelines were issued by a division Bench of the High Court in public interest litigation (PIL), which was made available yesterday. The PIL had arisen out of a habeas corpus petition (HCP), wherein Amin Beg, a local resident, had been detained by the authorities concerned under the Public Safety Act (PSA), who had repeatedly sexually exploited poor girls on the pretext of arranging them jobs. “The petition 15/2012, became the source for issuance of the directions for ameliorating the lot of those poor girls and hapless girls, who, because of extreme poverty become susceptible to all kinds of exploitations,” the Bench comprising justice Verinder Singh and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar said in its details orders. The Bench said in its previous orders, directions were issued to the government for identifying such girls who live in extremely poor conditions so that steps could be taken for ensuring that this class of girls was extricated from the circumstances in which they awfully land. “The state government though all the Deputy Commissioners have identified girls of this class who live below poverty line and their number in the entire state is shown to be 3,73,086,” said the Bench. It said based on the status reports by the government, it appears that a huge amount of money was being earmarked every year for the uplift of women, but no exclusive scheme had been shown. The court had expected the government to evolve a scheme, however, it has not come forth with any suggestion about it, the Bench observed in its orders, while adding that this matter cannot be dragged further. Accordingly, the court has issued a set of seven guidelines for formulating an exclusive scheme so as to help the girls live a ‘dignified’ life. The court also directed the government to constitute a separate fund for which the state would be at liberty to seek donations from the philanthropists. “This fund shall be utilised for the marriage purpose,” the Bench said, adding that a minimum of Rs 25,000 be paid to a girl at the time of her marriage and as far as possible five gram of gold be given to the girl who is to be married, from this fund. HC guidelines * The areas will be carved out from both urban and rural areas, identifying girls living below poverty line n Two to three wards in urban and one or two villages in rural areas can constitute a unit These class of girls be made a part of society/cooperative society, exclusively for these girls * The amount required for launching these societies/cooperative shall be provided by the government * These girls, wherever required, be imparted training in handicrafts, tailoring, knotting, poultry etc * After providing all incentives to these societies, the products produced by girls’ to be a part of these societies/cooperative and be the Handicrafts Department of the government, profits earned on these products to be shared equally by the department and societies/cooperatives * The government shall provide all necessary paraphernalia to enable these poor girls to start their activities in societies
	AAP impact: BJP asks workers to take up issues concerning public Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 The strong emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the recently held Delhi polls has forced the BJP to rethink its strategy for the forthcoming general election, with the party leaders urging the cadre to focus on the day-to-day issues concerning common masses. After announcing to collect door-to-door donations for the elections, the party leaders today asked the workers to avoid playing up big issues and take up day-to-day problems being faced by common people. “Organise protests on every Saturday to highlight day-to-day issues confronting common masses,” BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal told the party workers during a day-long convention here today. Although he made it clear that there would be no impact of the AAP on the Lok Sabha polls, instructions given to the party workers were a clear indication that the BJP was forced to re-devise its strategy for the forthcoming elections. “The upcoming general election is very crucial for the future of the country and it is the fundamental duty of the party cadre to educate the public of the state about the misdeeds of the Congress-led UPA government,” Ram Lal told the party workers. “The best way to make optimum use of the prevailing wave in favour of Narendra Modi is to further strengthen and activate the organisational machinery so that the party is able to galvanise the general masses, which are looking forward to the day when Narendra Modi will assume the highest executive office of the country,” he said. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member and in charge of party’s J&K affairs, Avinash Ria Khanna, urged the workers not to be complacent. “Like other parts of the country, the BJP activists and supporters in J&K are upbeat and feeling enthusiastic after the announcement of Narendra Modi as party’s Prime Ministerial candidate. However, at the same time it would be suicidal for the party workers to be complacent,” Khanna said. “The Congress and similar other pseudo secular outfits are working overtime spreading misinformation and resorting to gimmickry to put obstacles in BJP’s march towards getting a majority in the Parliament,” he said. State president of the BJP, Jugal Kishore Sharma, and other senior leaders of the party were also present on the occasion.
	984 mine prodders for Army Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 After having a testing time on the frontiers and in the hinterland, including highways, the Northern Command has issued a global tender for procuring over 980 mine prodders, used for the detection of IEDs and other explosive substances buried under ground, for its units in the militancy- plagued Jammu and Kashmir. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C), Northern Command, recently issued a request for proposal (RFP) tender for the procurement of 984 mine prodders for its units operating in the Northern Command theatre in J&K. The bids are invited from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Defence Procurement Manual 2009 or Permanent Registered Authorised Distributors of OEM, said a senior official of the Electric and Mechanical Engineers (EME) branch at the Northern Command headquarters. Mine prodders are used for the detection of IEDs, mines and other explosive substances buried under ground and also used by road opening parties and improvised explosive device (IED) teams deployed in the counter insurgency (operations) areas in Jammu and Kashmir. A top Army source told to The Tribune that keeping in view events that would start unfolding in 2014, the Northern Command had embarked upon fortifying its security grid. The state is bound to go to the Assembly and Parliamentary polls this year and the NATO forces’ pullout would also happen this year itself. “As a part of our strategy, we required mine prodders because we all know that how explosives, including IEDs, were planted by terrorists from across the border inside our territory on the Line of Control and how ultras within the hinterland planted them on roads and highways to target our convoys,” he said. After The Tribune repeatedly reported about Pakistani mines and explosives being planted inside the Indian territory on the LoC, the then GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, on January 15 last year had admitted that frequent ‘accidental blasts’ in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch were actually mines planted by Pakistan. The Tribune had been regularly reporting about mines planted by Pak terrorists with the help of Pak troops inside Indian Territory in KG sector. The last such report had appeared in The Tribune on December 9, 2012.
	Army arranges marriage of girl in Rajouri Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 The Army today helped Shamim Begum, a widow and a resident of Songri village in the Kalakote area of Rajouri district, by making arrangements for the “Nikah” of her daughter Zarid. Shamim’s husband Mohammad Hussain was killed by militants in 2001 when he denied them shelter and food. Shamim clearly remembers the day her husband was killed and breaks into tears at the thought of the incident. With meagre resources to marry her daughter, Shamim was worried. Help from relatives and neighbors was not enough. She was told to approach the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Kalakote. Seeing her condition, the Battalion decided to make arrangements for Zarid’s Nikah. “The girl belongs to our area and is our family member,” said a Rashtriya Rifles troop during the function.
	Guv briefed on problems of publishers Tribune News Service Jammu, January 3 Chairman of Gulshan Books, Kashmir, Sheikh Ajaz called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. Ajaz briefed the Governor about issues confronting publishers and booksellers in the state. He informed the Governor about the publications of Gulshan Books and the efforts being made to encourage and promote reading habit among the youth and to provide opportunities to promising young writers.
	Snowfall turns locals, tourists into snow artists Rifat Mohidin Srinagar, January 3 The heavy snowfall in the Valley has turned people into snow artists, as they can be seen making snowmen everywhere these days. Several of them were seen sharing pictures of snowmen, made by them, on social networking sites. Tourists too were busy making snowmen on the banks of Dal Lake joined by Shikarawalas. Making snow-statues is nothing new in Kashmir. Noted historian and Kashmiri poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef said: “Winter season during our times was like a celebration and not an occasion to vent out rage as witnessed these days.” “We used to make different types of snowmen back in our yards and on the banks of Dal Lake. Those snowmen wouldn't melt till the end of Chilai-Kalan (harshest winter spell) and were found in every nook and corner,” he added. “These things were common then. People enjoyed among themselves without an internet connection,” he further said. Muhammad Omar, a youth from Old city Srinagar said that he made a snowman with the help of his friends. “It’s so much fun! We make snow statues of different designs. I made a dwarf snowman with the help of my friends,” he said. Tourists along with people too made dozens of giant-sized snow sculptures near the Dal Lake. They said that it was a new experience for them. “I enjoyed making a snowman with my husband. We were joined in by locals as well. The result was a beautiful snowman,” said a tourist, Neha Chawla.
	Train services resume from Baramulla to Banihal Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 Three days after the heavy snowfall disrupted rail services in Kashmir, trains resumed their full operations from Baramulla in North Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region on Friday. The train services partially resumed from Baramulla to Anantnag on Thursday. “The snow clearance on the railway track near Qazigund in South Kashmir, which witnessed heavy snowfall, was completed yesterday after which the train services were resumed. All trains plied normally between Baramulla to Banihal,” a railways official said. Commuters rued that several trains were running late and that they had to face many hardships in the biting cold. “The train service was resumed up to Banihal today, but we had to face difficulties as trains were running late. What added to the miseries of the commuters was that no public announcements were made at the stations informing about the delayed timings,” Irfan Ahmed, a railway commuter, said.
	Eid-e-Milad celebrations begin in Kashmir valley Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 Eid-e-Milad celebrations commenced with the start of Rabi-ul-awwal month of Islamic calendar. A large number of devotees were witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine, where the main religious functions related to Milad are held. Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Basheeruddin Ahmad had yesterday evening stated that Rabi-ul-awwal will start from today. Devotees will now visit the Hazratbal shrine near the Dal Lake for first 12 days of this month. Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, is observed on 12th Rabi-ul-awwal, when the holy relic (hair strand of Prophet Muhammad) is displayed at the Hazratbal shrine, which wears a festive look during these days. During the Milad days, religious groups take out processions, while several programmes are held across the Valley throwing light on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Several shops and households also remain covered in colourful lights. Despite objections from the orthodox groups, Eid-e-Milad is being observed in the Valley for centuries now. It began in the 18th century after the holy relic arrived here. Bagh-i-Sadiqabad, where the holy relic was placed, came to be known as Hazratbal i.e. the abode of the Prophet. The shrine is also known as Dargah Shareef. Keeping in view the religious significance of Eid-e-Milad, the authorities cleared snow on priority basis in and around the Hazratbal shrine for the convenience of devotees after the recent heavy snowfall. The significance Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, started being observed in the 18th century after the holy relic arrived at Bagh-i-Sadiqabad. It is observed on the 12th Rabi-ul-awwal, when the holy relic (hair strand of Prophet Muhammad) is displayed at the Hazratbal shrine.Bagh-i-Sadiqabad came to be known as Hazratbal i.e. the abode of the Prophet. The shrine is also known as Dargah Shareef.
	Kashmir university VC distributes relief to Hazratbal fire victims Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 The Vice Chancellor of University of Kashmir today distributed relief material among fire victims of Hazratbal, where over 14 houses were damaged in an inferno early this week. “As part of its social responsibility, university officials led by Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad today visited the affected families of recent fire of Dhobi Ghat and distributed woolen materials and cheques among fire victims who are presently putting up at two local government schools,” a handout from the university said. “During these difficult times I assure you that the university will not leave you alone. We realise your pain and share the grief,” Talat said, while interacting with members of the affected families. Talat said he was conscious of the fact that more needs to be done to mitigate their sufferings. He also handed over some relief money donated by National Service Scheme, KU, to the representative of fire victims and woolen clothes. He also distributed material donated by the Arnimal Institute of Rehabilitation, New Delhi, in collaboration with Directorate of Life Long Learning, KU.
	Students in dilemma as Kashmir varsity fails to notify exam dates Students have no info on exam schedule; yet to submit examination forms Our Correspondent Srinagar, January 3 Thousands of first year students pursuing professional and non-professional courses from the University of Kashmir are in a Catch-22 situation, as the university has not clarified the dates for the annual exams so far. The exams, which otherwise used to be held in December-January, have not been notified so far. Students on the other hand are yet to submit the examination forms. They alleged that the university has not informed them about any change in the time or schedule for exams. “If they are planning to take the exams in March or if there is any change in time, they should inform us,” said Durdana Bhatt, a first year student of Mass Communication and Multimedia Production from Women’s College. The students said that they were done with their syllabus and classes in October 2013 and since then they are waiting for their exams. “They are wasting our time. We are waiting for the exams to get over. I had to go to Delhi as my parents live there, but I am not sure about when the university authorities will conduct the exams,” another student, Tabish, said. A notification appeared on the official website of University of Kashmir in November asking students to fill examination forms, which, according to students, disappeared after some days. “Some students even filled the forms after seeing the notice, which disappeared from the site later and the authorities did not accept the forms,” Sana Iqbal, a student of business administration, said. Despite repeated attempts, the Controller of Examination could not be contacted.
	Mirwaiz calls for opening all natural routes in J&K during winter season Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 3 Citing frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for opening all natural routes of J&K, which were closed after partition in1947. Mirwaiz made this appeal in his Friday sermon at Jama Mosque today. In his address, Mirwaiz urged both India and Pakistan to open all traditional routes in Kashmir, including the Poonch-Sialkote route, which was closed after partition in 1947. He said the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, during winter season particularly, has added to the woes of the local populace here, adding that opening all alternate traditional and natural routes would act as a lifeline for land-locked regions of Kashmir. He also made a castigating remark on the government, alleging that it has failed to address basic concerns of people during the recent heavy snowfall.
	NH thrown open to traffic Our Correspondent Anantnag, January 3 The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was today thrown open to one-way traffic after three days, sources said. An official report said the traffic was only allowed to move from Jammu to Srinagar. The national highway was closed to traffic on December 31 after heavy snowfall in many parts of the Valley, including Banihal. Traffic officials said round the clock work by Beacon had ensured timely opening of the highway. “Priority is being given to the stranded vehicles,” said a senior traffic official.