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Renovation of Mubarak Mandi complex moves at snail’s pace
Amarnath land row
Army more cautious to Pak smokescreen along border
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Weatherman warns of heavy snowfall in Kashmir valley, issues advisory
AI to operate additional flight to Leh
news analysis
No referendum needed on AFSPA, says Omar
Muslims help perform last rites of Kashmiri Pandit
Won’t allow Cong to
divide Jammu: BJP
Pneumonia deaths
Government adopting casual approach
NC: Govt ensured development of
all three regions
Cabinet sub-committee visits Doda, Kishtwar
Gurpurb celebrated with fervour across state
HC nominates 6 ‘vacation’ judges
High-profile defaulters fail to clear power bills
Cracks develop in legislature building in Jammu
Gurpurb celebrated with religious fervour
KU signs pact with RAI to train youth
CET scam
President lays stress on quality education
President Pranab Mukherjee extends New Year greetings through video conferencing to all central universities, including Central University of Kashmir. A
Tribune photograph
Sikhs question delay in gurdwara panel polls
Shopping mall owners told to install CCTV cameras
Scholarships given to militancy-hit students
Parties gear up for Lok Sabha polls in Valley
Cong has harmed interests of
Jammu people: BJP
Absence of medical staff troubles Machil residents
Differences between moderate Hurriyat members come to fore
Residents face shortage of essential commodities
City KV teacher gets award for innovation
Khidmat Centre owners stage protest
Village-level entrepreneurs, under the banner of the J&K Common Service Centre Association, stage a protest in Jammu on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh
Stray dogs give tough time to residents
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Renovation of Mubarak Mandi complex moves at snail’s pace
Jammu, January 7 According to the members of the governing and executive bodies of the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS), which is supervising and monitoring the renovation work, little is being done to implement the decisions taken by them. Consequently, only 1 per cent funds, out of a whopping Rs 296 crore, have been spent on the complex since the inception of the renovation work in 2008. They said the authorities at the helm of affairs had also failed to honour Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s orders and no visible change had been witnessed on the complex during the past five years. “On October 14 last year, the executive body had recommended that the agency, executing the renovation work, should make proper arrangements to plug seepage in the complex, which was ruining the glory of this centuries-old historical structure. It was also recommended that hill slopes towards the eastern side (facing the Tawi) should be reinforced and stabilised so that the complex doesn’t suffer any damage during rainy season,” an executive body member said. "Besides, it was also suggested that the movement of heavy commercial vehicles on the circular road be stopped as it affects the crumbling structure adversely,” the member said. “No major initiative has been taken to implement the recommendations of executive body meetings. The authorities concerned have even failed to honour the directions of the Chief Minister, who is the Chairman of the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society, passed on December 6 last year,” the member said. He regretted that nothing so far has been done to fix the responsibility as to who allowed the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) to undertake sewage work on the complex, which was in “utter violation” of heritage protection laws as no construction work was allowed in the 100-metre radius of any historic complex. “The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which had been entrusted with the task of renovation work, delayed the process of restarting the work following shortage of manpower. We have recommended that some credible agency, which had vast experience of renovating, maintaining and preserving historic complexes, should also be engaged to expedite the renovation work because the ASI had expressed its helplessness in executing work costing more than Rs 2 to 2.5 crore annually. The authorities at the helm of affairs are yet to finalise the names of service provider as it has been learnt that the pick-and-choose policy is being adopted for personal gains out of it,” a furious governing body member said. Furthermore, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had taken a serious note of the issue of ‘paid parking’ on the complex and had ordered a probe to fix the responsibility. “No inquiry has been conducted so far and illegal paid parking has been going on with impunity. It appears that the officials at the helm of affairs didn’t honour the Chief Minister’s directive, which, in turn, has been affecting the renovation work,” the member said.
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Amarnath land row
Jammu, January 7 The Mahant said today that despite the agreement between the government and members of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, the police produced a charge sheet against Mahant Rameshwar Das and two other sadhus under Section 307 of the RPC at the Jammu High Court on December 8, 2013. “It was agreed between the government and the sangharsh samiti that no legal action will be taken against any of the agitator of the Amarnath land row, but the government has violated the agreement and directed the state police to produce fake charge sheets against sadhus and other agitators,” Mahant Rameshwar Dasa told reporters in a press conference. “It is mentioned in the charge sheet that I have injured policemen at the Abhinav theater, but everyone knows that no one got injured by my vehicle and in fact two bullets were fired at my vehicle,” he added. The Mahant has also threatened to start a fresh agitation if the government does not take back their cases. “We are trying to maintain peace and communal brotherhood in the state, but the government, with its biased attitude, is trying to incite the general masses to come on roads,” said the Mahant. “The government should stick to the agreement made with the samiti in 2008,” he added. |
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Army more cautious to Pak smokescreen along border
Jammu, January 7 In a second raid on the August 5 and 6 night, the BAT had killed five more Indian soldiers inside Indian territory in the Chakan da Bagh area of Poonch district. The Army seems to have learnt its lessons and become more cautious and watchful to the machinations of the ‘distrustful’ neighbour, especially to the BAT attacks. “Now, patrolling on the Line of Control (LoC) is being done more cautiously with some tactical changes and with the help of more advanced surveillance equipment,” says a top Army source. With a heightened alert, our foot patrolling is on and the troops in some area domination patrols have also been increased in “specific” areas to effectively take on the BAT raids, the source said. Under the standard operating procedure of the Army, a foot patrol comprises six soldiers. “We have taken requisite precautions and made tactical changes, which cannot be shared in the public domain,” says the source. “There is adequate deployment on the ground. There is a well thought-out plan on the LoC and the reviews are being done constantly depending upon the Intelligence inputs,” he says. The source divulges that the Army has increased the number of troops from 6 to 12 in area domination patrols in areas prone to sneak attacks. Apart from bullet-proof jackets and helmets, which are a must on the LoC, the Army has been constantly upgrading its surveillance technology on the border, he says. “We have introduced high-resolution hand-held thermal imagers, including Loras, and also set-up more border surveillance management systems to monitor images provided by the thermal cameras during the night,” he adds. Soon after the January 8 attack last year, the Army had started strengthening its anti-infiltration obstacle system on the LoC and some sophisticated gadgets, including better sensors, were set up in the last quarter of 2013, says the source. “And, above all we have been told to pay them (Pakistan) back in the same coin, which was evident from border skirmishes last year.” Border fortified * Soon after the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers on the Line of Control in the Balnoi area of Poonch district on January 8 last year, the Army started strengthening its anti-infiltration obstacle system on the LoC *
The Army seems to have learnt its lessons and become more cautious and watchful to the machinations of the ‘distrustful’ neighbour, especially to the attacks by Pakistan’s Border Action Team — an amalgam of commandos from the Special Services Group and Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists
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Weatherman warns of heavy snowfall in Kashmir valley, issues advisory
Srinagar, January 7 A weather advisory issued by the state Meteorological Department today said a fresh western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir and its adjoining areas was likely to affect the state from Wednesday to Friday. “Under the influence of this weather system, moderate to heavy snowfall will occur at many places in Kashmir and Jammu divisions,” the advisory said. It said snowfall would also occur at a few places in the Ladakh region, particularly at the Zojila, Drass and Kargil hilly areas. “Isolated places may receive heavy snowfall,” the department warned. The advisory said the weather system might disrupt surface and air transport from Wednesday night to Friday morning. Last week, the Kashmir region received heavy snowfall when a similar western disturbance system influenced the weather for nearly three days throwing life out of gear in the region. The 296-km Srinagar-Jammu highway remained shut for three days last week due to heavy snowfall along a portion of its route. During the next three days, the day temperatures might fall by 5-6°C and night temperature might rise by 2-3°C, the advisory said. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in Srinagar city overnight was recorded at -3.3°C, an official of the state Meteorological Department said. The day temperature in the city rose to a maximum of 4.0°C. In south Kashmir's Pahalgam resort, the mercury overnight plummeted to -14.7°C, making it the coldest place in the Valley, while mercury in north Kashmir's Gulmarg resort dropped to a low of -11.6°C. In Qazigund town, mercury fell to a low of -4.4°C, while the minimum temperature in north Kashmir's frontier Kupwara town settled at -4.6°C. In Leh town, located in the remote Ladakh region, the minimum temperature was recorded at -17.4°C, while the mercury fell to -19.0°C in its neighbouring Kargil town, making it the coldest place in the entire Kashmir division. Weather blues * A fresh western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir and its adjoining areas is likely to affect the state from Wednesday to Friday *
Under the influence of this weather system, moderate to heavy snowfall will occur at many places in Kashmir and Jammu divisions *
Snowfall will also occur at a few places in the Ladakh region, particularly at the Zojila, Drass and Kargil hilly areas |
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news analysis
Notwithstanding the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is the most difficult state to govern, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah even after completing five years in office on Sunday finds more difficulties staring him in the face.
At this point of time when his public relations men have listed all achievements, including 1,147 decisions taken by the government in 137 Cabinet meetings in the last five years, will he be able to meet all challenges in the current term. This is the moot question. Had Jammu and Kashmir been like any other state with a five-year Assembly term, it would have been the end of the tenure for the present government. But in this state, the finish line is still a year away. The state Assembly’s life here is six years. A list of the government’s achievements was released on January 5, marking the fifth anniversary of the government. It started with its best, Panchayati Raj institutions, Public Service Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act, Reconstitution of Accountability Commission and Constitution of Vigilance Commission and so on to curb corruption. Any lay person can tell that corruption is far from over. The common man has to undergo the same old rigmarole to get their work done. Bribery is a norm and anti-corruption institutions are toothless. The list of achievements was endless. One lakh jobs provided to youth, one lakh in the offing, 2,500 units established, 1400 MW power projects launched in five years, 28 lakh people provided safe drinking water, 445 road projects, and the rise of literacy rate to 69 per cent and so on. These statistics are on paper, but the ground situation tells a different story. The rural population is deprived of the basic amenities. They still yearn for roads, water, electricity, schools and hospitals. The failures far outweigh the successes that greeted Jammu and Kashmir. In 2011, panchayat elections with more than 80 per cent participation and nearly two million tourist footfalls in 2012 were the high success marks for the government. But what is imprinted on the minds is the 2010 violent street protests, some spontaneous and others sponsored and funded by the anti-government interests. The years 2009 and 2010 marked the lowest points of his government, which was unable to decide how to tell the truth about what happened to the two Shopian women Asiya and Neelofar who were allegedly raped and murdered in May 2009. Also, it had no clue how to stem the 2010 street protests other than with the use of force. The stigma of killing 120 persons, mostly youth in 2010, continues to be the blackest spot of Omar’s government. Omar used the floor of the Assembly, questioning the nature of accession of the state with India, ratcheting up rhetoric, which surprised the Congress, which is a junior partner in the government. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz had advised the Chief Minister to “read history before making comments on such sensitive issues.” Now, of course, the Chief Minister has corrected himself, and called “Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India.” But the damage has been done. During 2010, it appeared on several occasions that the government would fall any time. The calls for Omar’s resignation did not just come from his main political opponent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but also from his ally Congress, which raised the pitch for his removal. Doubts were being expressed and demands were raised “for a Chief Minister who can govern and deliver”. Even some of Omar’s own men had started doubting whether he would be able to complete six years in the CM’s office. The swinging moods of Omar only lent weight to what the doubters were saying. This is the history of five years, which many call the “missed opportunity”, but in self-introspection even Omar must have recognised that he and his government could have done much better had the agents of destabilisation not been working overtime. And had he been more focused on people-oriented issues , his report card would have been matching “let facts speak” advertisement of his achievements. |
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No referendum needed on AFSPA, says Omar
Srinagar, January 7 Omar, who has been advocating a phased revocation of AFSPA from the state, made his views public as a controversy raged over Aam Aadmi Party leader Prashant Bhushan's comment that suggested a referendum in Kashmir to decide on the deployment of the Army. “Reduction of the footprint of security forces and a phased revocation of AFSPA doesn't need a referendum, just a courageous statesman to decide,” Omar wrote on microblogging site Twitter on Monday. The Chief Minister had to face the reluctant Army when he called for a phased revocation of AFSPA, a law which provides legal immunity to soldiers operating in Jammu and Kashmir, but has been dubbed by critics and separatists as a “black law”. “Governments get a mandate to govern and decide, they don't need to conduct a referendum before every tricky decision. Leaders must lead,” Omar said. The Aam Aadmi Party had to distance itself from Bhushan’s statement after the opposition political parties reacted sharply to it. Army commanders have defended the Act, saying it is important for their operations in the region. |
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Muslims help perform last rites of Kashmiri Pandit
Pulwama, January 7 The deceased, Jagarnath, a Public Health and Engineering Department employee, was suffering from chest complexities. He is survived by a son and three daughters. “When chaos prevailed in Kashmir during the 1990s, my father decided to live in Kashmir
saying that it was his motherland and he wants to die here in his native village,” said his son, adding that his wish had been fulfilled. The Pandits in the village thanked the Muslims for their empathy in odd times. They said they had never been discriminated or threatened in the village. “We want you (media) to spread the message that Kashmiri Muslims and Hindus are still living like brothers and despite all odds, they have not given an ear to those who want to divide society,” said one of the Pandits. He said the entire arrangements for the last rites were made by the Muslims. “When we heard that our neighbour has died, we rushed towards Jagarnath’s house and showed our empathy towards the family,” said Mohammad Asan Kar, a resident of the village.
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Won’t allow Cong to divide Jammu: BJP
Jammu, January 7 “The BJP will mobilise public opinion throughout the country to defeat the sinister game plan of the Congress-led UPA government,” Sharma said. “The reported move of the Congress to create three regional councils in Jammu province, one each for three districts of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar, two districts of Rajouri and Poonch and Jammu plains, is fraught with dangerous consequences and the move would be defeated comprehensively,” the BJP leader said. |
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Pneumonia deaths
Panchari (Udhampur), Jan 7 They said two epidemics of diarrhoea had broken out in their block and just three doctors against the sanctioned 16 were working at the health centre in the area. Eight children have died in remote Nalli Nikka village due to pneumonia after heavy snowfall in the past one week. Although a medical team has been sent to the village to assess the situation, residents fail to understand why the doctors and paramedical staff arrive only when precious lives are lost. “In 2009, a diarrhoea epidemic broke out in Badhota village and adjoining areas resulting in the death of 10 people, including nambardar Munshi Ram. Another epidemic broke out last year in Sari village in which three people died,” said social activist Shanker Singh of Panchari. “The health authorities are responsible for the death of the children in our village. A health centre was opened here 26 years ago in July 1987 but it doesn't have sufficient staff. We have no option but to cover 20 km on foot and 40 km by bus to reach District Hospital, Udhampur, for specialised treatment,” said Yash Paul Singh, sarpanch of Nalli Nikka village. “Of the sanctioned 16 posts for doctors, 13 are lying vacant since a long time. The entire block has a population of 1 lakh and people are dependent on three doctors,” said Girdhari Lal Dogra, block medical officer, Panchari. “There is also acute shortage of the paramedical staff in the block. Even if a doctor is posted here, he or she manages transfer.” “For how long will we have to face poor health facilities. The Central government is providing crores of rupees to improve the healthcare facilities in far-flung areas under the National Rural Health Mission?” asked Kewal Krishan, Panchari resident. “Time and again we have informed the higher authorities about the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff but no action has been taken by them,” said Arun Sharma, Chief Medical Officer,
Udhampur. |
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Government adopting casual approach
Jammu, January 7 “Tomorrow I will get the report from the Director,” the minister said and added that he would be able to reply to the questions only after getting information from the officer. Despite repeated attempts, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal was not available for comment. None of the senior officials of Udhampur district were ready to speak on the issue. Block medical officer, Panchari, GL Dogra said, “I hope the team will return this evening because the affected village is located nearly 20 km from the block headquarters and there is no road connectivity.” He added the entire area was snowbound so it was difficult for the team to reach the spot and come back within a day. |
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NC: Govt ensured development of
all three regions
Jammu, January 7 “If they shun their negative approach and see the developments taking place across the state, they will find how far they are from reality,” Gupta said in a statement issued here. Gupta said the report card of the Omar government was self-explanatory and referred in particular to the restoration of peace, sense of security among people, transparency and accountability in the administration, besides implementation of various development and welfare programmes in a time-bound manner. “The government has ensured equitable development of all three regions of the state, especially in its remote and far-flung areas,” he said, adding that by constructing new roads, bridges, flyovers and tunnels, a impetus is given to the development scenario. The NC vice-president referred to the holding of the panchayat elections, saying this was a major step towards involving the people in decision making. He said the five years of the government had been an era which would go into the annals of history as a period of laying a sound basis for development and heralding a new era of peace and tranquility in the state. Gupta exhorted the NC rank and file to gear up for the elections in a big way so that the odyssey of development and peace was carried forward under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He, however, told them to maintain vigil against the nefarious designs of communal and disruptive political entities. |
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Cabinet sub-committee visits Doda, Kishtwar
Doda, January 7 Minister for Public Health Engineering and Irrigation Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Agriculture GH Mir, Minister for Higher Education Mohd Akbar Lone and Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra also accompanied him. “The government has created a Cabinet sub- committee to examine the modalities for the implementation of the delimitation commission report,” the Deputy Chief Minister said. He said the committee would examine and consider the demands and proposals of the people for establishment of new administrative units in the district. He invited suggestions from political representatives, sarpanches and civil society members so that the delimitation as per the aspirations of the people was made. Various political party representatives, including the Congress, National Conference, PDP, BJP, besides sarpanches, civil society and Bar association members, spoke on the occasion and submitted their demands and suggestions, which included creation of tehsils, blocks and sub-divisions. The Cabinet sub-committee gave a patient hearing and assured the people that the matter would be discussed and taken into consideration. GM Saroori and MLC KN Sohrawardy also spoke on the occasion and demanded creation of the Chenab Valley Hill Development Council for the entire Doda district. They also endorsed the demands and proposals submitted by various delegations and urged the government to give due consideration to the district for the creation of new administrative units in the region keeping in view the topography and population. The committee held meeting with representatives of the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Nationalist Congress Party and other parties at Kishtwar, who projected their demands regarding the creation of new administrative units in the area. They demanded creation of new tehsils and rural development blocks in the areas of Padder, Nagseni, Palmar, Bunjwah, Kuntwara, Chatroo and
Sarthal. |
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Gurpurb celebrated with fervour across state
Jammu, January 7 Several programmes were organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru. A resolution passed during a congregation at historic Guru Nanak Dev Gurdwara, Chand Nagar, says the community is ethnic minority in J&K, but has been neglected by the successive state governments. The resolution also demands compensation for thousands of refugee families, who were uprooted from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1947 and are living in the state. The community has also demanded 2 per cent reservation quota for the Sikhs in all educational/technical institutions in the state as provided to minority communities in other parts of the country. The resolution says Punjabi should also be made optional subject in schools and colleges and a special slot should be provided to the language in Doordarshan and radio. Meanwhile, District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) joint secretary Manjit Singh and senior committee member Daljit Singh thanked the administration for making arrangement for the devotees. At Digiana ashram, the congregation was led by mahant Manjeet Singh of the Shiromani Dera Nangal Sahib, Poonch. The mahant called upon the community members to follow the path shown by the great Gurus and eradicate social evils. Mahinder Singh, chief organiser, Bhai Kanaya Nishkam Sewa Society, also spoke on the occasion. In Jammu, a Ragi Jatha from New Delhi and other places recited Gurbani and Bhai Manmohan Singh, preacher of Sikh Gurmat Gyan Missionary College, threw light on the Sikh history and sacrifices made by the Gurus. The birth anniversary celebrations were also reported from Udhampur, Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri and other parts of the state. Resolution passed * The Sikh community has demanded compensation for thousands of refugee families, who were uprooted from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1947 and are living in the state *
It has also sought 2 per cent reservation quota for the Sikhs in all educational/technical institutions in the state as provided to minority communities in other parts of the country *
The resolution says Punjabi should be made optional subject in schools and colleges *
A special slot should be provided to Punjabi in Doordarshan and radio |
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HC nominates 6 ‘vacation’ judges
Srinagar, January 7 The six judges will hear cases both at the Srinagar and Jammu wings of the High Court. The higher courts in the state have closed for the winter vacation from January 1 to 24. “Justice Bansi Lal Bhat has been nominated as the vacation judge for the Jammu wing of the court and will hear cases upto January 10,” High Court Registrar General said in a notification issued this week. Thereafter, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal will be the vacation judge from January 15 to 17, it said. Likewise, Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur will function as a vacation judge at Jammu from January 20 to 24. For the Srinagar wing of the High Court, the Chief Justice has nominated Justices Muzaffar Hussain Attar, Hasnain Masoodi and Tashi Rabstan as the vacation judges. Justice Attar will be available as the vacation judge at Srinagar upto January 10, Justice Masoodi between January 13 and 16 and Justice Rabstan between January 20 and 24, the notification added. Apart from the high courts, the courts in the lower judiciary falling in the winter zones of the state have also closed for a 15-day winter vacation, beginning January 1. The judges to function as vacation judges in the lower courts during the winter break are nominated separately by the High Court. The subordinate courts falling in the winter zone of the state include all lower courts in Kashmir province, including Ladakh, and also the courts at the Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Doda, Batote, Banihal, Gool and Bani areas of Jammu province.
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High-profile defaulters fail to clear power bills
Jammu, January 7 Sources said rather than taking any tough action to recover the money, “instalment scheme” had been introduced for these individuals allowing them to repay their arrears, raising doubts over the intention of the government. A total of Rs 60 crore is owned by prominent hotels, industrial houses, cinema halls and individuals and their names were notified on December 7, 2013, with a warning to clear their dues within a week. The defaulters included Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s son and NC party headquarters in Srinagar. “It was just a paper work, department does not have teeth to take action. Last year when a minister’s son was caught stealing power, the PDD was forced to issue a public apology. Most of the defaulters owe Rs 10 lakh and above amount and are politically well connected,” said a PDD official . Power losses due to ineffectiveness of reforms have become a major trouble for the government. In the last few years, the state has spent crores to improve the power sector, but the measures have failed to curb the losses because government departments, ministers, MLAs are themselves major defaulters. Chief Engineer Sehnaz Goni claimed that several defaulters had come forward to clear their dues. “After a warning was issued, they are coming forward to clear their bills. It’s a huge amount and will take time to recover”. Goni said those who did not comply with the order, their connection were snapped. “We are not showing leniency towards anybody. They have been directed to pay their pending dues,” he added. A survey has revealed that in some areas inhabited by businessmen and politicians, transmission and distribution (T&D) losses has increased to 80 per cent, with most of them not paying regular tariffs amounting to lakhs of rupees leading to shortcoming in revenue targets. Pending dues * A total of ~60 crore is owned by prominent hotels, industrial houses, cinema halls and individuals *
Their names were notified on December 7 with a warning to clear dues within a week *
The defaulters include Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s son and National Conference party headquarters Nawai-i-Subah Complex in Srinagar |
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Cracks develop in legislature building in Jammu
Jammu, January 7 After the building developed cracks recently, the Assembly secretariat wrote to the Public Works Department (PWD) and Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) authorities to ascertain whether the building was safe. A high-level team, including the PWD Minister and JKPCC officials, yesterday rushed to the spot and inspected the building. Sources in the government said the Assembly secretariat had sought the opinion of experts on whether the building was safe. “Though the JKPCC has informally said it (building) is safe and cracks are not threatening, the Assembly secretariat wants to take every step with utmost caution,” a source said. The state government is constructing a new legislature complex in Jammu behind the existing complex. In 2013, a wall of the complex collapsed during digging work near to the building. The JKPCC had repaired it and made it ready for holding the budget session. Minister for Public Works Department Abdul Majeed Wani said there was nothing alarming in it. “Due to the wall collapse last year, a few cracks had remained there which got visible this time. We have repaired the cracks and engineers are on the job,” the minister said. When asked whether the building was safe for holding the budget session, Wani said, “It is safe and measures are being taken to keep it intact.” The budget session is expected start by February-end. |
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Gurpurb celebrated with religious fervour
Srinagar, January 7 While members of the Sikh community especially in the morning hours were seen thronging the gurdwaras across the valley, the main function was held at the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara – white marbled shrine located in Rainawari area of the city. The area around the gurdwara wore a festive look as devotees were seen thronging the shrine despite cold weather conditions as the valley is currently going through ‘Chillai Kalan’, considered as the harshest 40-day winter period, which started on December 21. Gurmeet Singh, a local devotee and a member of the J&K unit of the All-India Sikh Students Federation, said the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru was celebrated with fervour. Besides the Rainawari gurdwara, he said Gurpurb celebrations were also held at the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He said the devotees celebrated Gurpurb by reciting shabad kirtan and langars (community kitchens) in all gurdwaras. The gurdwaras at Rainawari and Baramulla have got historical significance for the Sikhs of Kashmir. According to the devotees, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib, had visited the Rainawari gurdwara during the Mughal period. He is also believed to have visited the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara at Baramulla. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz felicitated the people on the auspicious occasion of Gurpurb. While Soz termed Guru Gobind Singh a great warrior, poet and philosopher, he expressed hope that the occasion would be a harbinger of peace, prosperity and communal harmony for the country in general and J&K state in particular.
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KU signs pact with RAI to train youth
Srinagar, January 7 A spokesman for the university said a MoU had been signed between the EDC and Rahim Automobile Institute (RAI), Industrial Estate, Rangreth, to help the unemployed youth for skill development and job placement. The MoU was signed by Prof G Mohiuddin Bhat, advisor, EDC, University of Kashmir, and Abdul Hamid Bhat, Chief Executive Officer, on Monday. “As per the MoU, a batch of 10-20 unemployed youths registered with the EDC will be trained by RAI at their industrial unit at Rangreth, Budgam, in the area of automobiles engineering for four months. All trained youth will be provided job by the RAI after completion of their training with a minimum salary of Rs 6,000 per month and the salary of all trained employees will be revised and enhanced by up to 20% after three months of their satisfactory and active service,” a KU spokesman said. — TNS
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CET scam
Srinagar, January 7 The crime branch investigating the scam involving the selling of J&K Common Entrance Test- (CET-2012) papers has already told the J&K High Court, which is monitoring the investigations, that it has it has got legal evidence against 12 candidates who secured admission in the MBBS course by fraudulent means in 2012. Currently, the probe agency is in the process of drafting the chargesheet and is likely to file the same before the court within a week or two. “The investigators may name the 12 MBBS students as accused in the chargesheet, which is currently being drafted by the crime branch, as the high court in its previous hearing had given clear and candid observations about the role of these students, who secured admissions by fraudulent means”, sources said. They said the chargesheet might be filed in this regard by this week or next. Sources also revealed that the crime branch, which has already forwarded the list of 12 candidates to the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) for action, has however not sent the list of other suspected students to the board. The second list of the suspected students has not been yet forwarded to the BOPEE as the investigation is still underway to ascertain their exact role, the sources added. As part of its investigation, the crime branch has recorded the statements of 30 witnesses, out of which 27 have been recorded under Section 164-A of the CrPC. Besides, to collect more evidence, the agency has also obtained the call details and bank transaction details, which helped “unearth the nexus between brokers, sub-brokers and parents of the aspiring candidates,” who bought CET-2012 papers after paying lakhs of rupees to the accused. However, the BOPEE authorities are yet to cancel the admission of the 12 candidates, whose list has been forwarded to it by the crime branch. The board authorities said the process in this regard had already been “set in motion.” “The board will take appropriate action permissible under the law,” BOPEE chairman RD Sharma told The Tribune. “But before taking a final decision in this regard, the board is inquiring into the matter at its own level, which includes checking the full particulars of the students, whose list we have received. What I can say is that the process has been set in motion,” Sharma said. Asked about the court directions for the 12 MBBS students, Sharma said, “The court has not said cancel their admissions in its orders. It has only asked for taking appropriate action.” While asking the BOPEE for filing its action taken report with regard to the 12 candidates, the high court in its observations on December 30 had said their admissions to MBBS needed to be cancelled. “It is simply a case under 120-B (criminal conspiracy). They (12 candidates) are the direct beneficiaries. The court wants to know if these candidates have been arraigned as accused as they have secured admission in the MBBS course by fraudulent means,” the bench observed. |
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President lays stress on quality education
Srinagar, January 7 The President, Visitor of Central Universities, today delivered his New Year message to the students and the faculty of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), central universities of other states and National Institute of Technologies (NITs) across the country, through video conferencing facility using National Knowledge Network (NKN). The video conferencing in Kashmir was held on the Zainakote campus of CUK. The varsity’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdul Wahid, Registrar Professor Muhammad Afzal Zargar, Deans of schools, Heads of departments, other employees of the university and students participated in the event. Thanking the National Knowledge Network for arranging the conference, the President said, "Now it has become possible for him to share his concerns on higher education in India." He said, "Education is the true alchemy that can bring India to its next golden age. My first and foremost concern is the quality of education in our country." "Why is it that our higher education system that is capable of producing world-class scholars loses them to foreign institutions? Is it due to lack of research facilities and opportunities of creating an innovative thinking to nurture and retain talent? Our institutions must increase their potential for research and promote an ecosystem conducive for creativity and innovation," the President said. To bring about qualitative changes in teaching, Mukherjee said, "The institutions must arrange a common platform of resources to be used by all faculty members for skill enhancement and knowledge gathering." Appreciating National Knowledge Network, he said, "It is an affective solution to the academic institutions to connect, collaborate and disseminate ideas, views, findings and research innovations." He said by using this network, education institutions could compensate many shortages - in terms of faculty, infrastructure and resources - that hinder them from offering a great learning experience. |
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Sikhs question delay in gurdwara panel polls
Srinagar, January 7 “The last GPCs’ elections were held around 10 years ago and we wonder why the government is dilly-dallying the process,” said All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) state president Jasbir Singh. Earlier, the government had announced that GPCs’ elections across the districts of the state would be completed by October last year. The announcement was welcomed by the Sikh bodies of the state, but the final dates are yet to be announced. Sikh Welfare Association (SWA) president Bhupinder Singh demanded that the government should announce the dates at the earliest so that transparency was brought into the functioning of the gurdwaras. “The elections were earlier scheduled to be held in 2008, but that time too the process was given a miss. Holding of GPCs’ elections is necessary as it will bring transparency in the functioning of the gurdwaras. It will also pave the way for audits of the gurdwaras as they receive huge funding. Holding of fair elections will also |
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Shopping mall owners told to install CCTV cameras
Srinagar, January 7 The shopping mall owners have been given a 15-day deadline by Srinagar District Magistrate Farooq Ahmed Shah to install the CCTV cameras. “The step has been taken for the safety and security of the people who visit the shopping malls,” said Shah. “We will ensure that all shopping malls install the CCTV cameras before the set deadline,” he added. The officials said the electronic surveillance would also help them in detecting crimes in the shopping centres. The trend of shopping malls has increased in the city in the past few years. At least, a dozen private malls have come in the city, besides the SDA’s shopping mall at Sangarmal in the centre of the city. Another official said action would be initiated against the mall owners in case they did not comply with the orders. “It will be the responsibility of the mall owner to keep these cameras operational at all times. In case of any non-compliance, they will be penalised,” he said. The directions to install the CCTV cameras have come after the burglars allegedly broke into the offices of three national media channels located in a hotel in the heart of the city on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. Though the hotel had a CCTV camera, but it was not operational. |
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Scholarships given to militancy-hit students
Srinagar, January 7 “The District Level Committee (DLC), Kupwara, headed by District Development Commissioner Itrat Hussain Rafique has released an amount of Rs 51.102 lakh as scholarship to students of militancy-affected families,” an official spokesman said here. The amount was distributed at a function organised by the Social Welfare Department, Kupwara, yesterday. The department is providing financial assistance to the militancy-affected children for their education at various levels, the spokesman said. Class-12 students were given Rs 1,000 per month, while students pursuing graduate and postgraduate education were given Rs 1,250 per month, he said. — PTI
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Parties gear up for Lok Sabha polls in Valley
Srinagar, January 7 “It is too early to say anything about the possible alliance (with the NC) and the candidates who would be contesting the elections,” said a senior Congress leader. Sources said the senior party leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Committee Chief (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, were in touch with the party high command over the issue. “Any decision will be taken at a proper time,” a source said. The National Conference (NC) has made it clear that it will repeat its members on the three seats of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla --- Farooq Abdullah, Mehboob Beigh and Sharifuddin Shariq, respectively. It is yet to decide on the three seats of Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh. The opposition PDP has disclosed the names of candidates for four of the six seats in the state. These include two each from the Valley and the Jammu region. It has nominated former minister Tariq Hameed Qarra for Srinagar and party president Mehbooba Mufti for Anantnag. Those from Jammu region include Yashpal for Jammu and Arshad Malik for the Udhampur constituency. It is yet to decide on Baramulla, having ruled out the candidature of its senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig. The party may also field a candidate for the Ladakh constituency. The National Conference-Congress coalition has had its representation in the present Lok Sabha, following an alliance. The NC has representation on three seats of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla in the Kashmir valley and the Congress has two seats of Udhampur and Jammu in the Jammu region. The lone seat in Ladakh had gone to an Independent owing to his allegiance to the NC. |
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Cong has harmed interests of
Jammu people: BJP
Jammu, January 7 “The Congress, more than the pro-autonomy National Conference and pro-self-rule Peoples Democratic Party, has greatly harmed the general political and economic rights and interests of the people of Jammu province and should refrain from making statements which irritate people,” Hari Om, political adviser to state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma, said in a statement here. He alleged that the Congress had consistently played with the sentiments of the people of Jammu province “to help some Kashmiri leaders so that they could play negative games and communalise polity under the garb of Kashmiriyat”. “The Congress, which stands for a separate status for J&K to promote communal politics, cannot be trusted by the people of Jammu province or for that matter the entire state as it has never allowed democracy to flourish in the state,” he said. Hari Om said this while reacting to the statement of Congress MP from Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency. The Congress MP had said if the people of Jammu province wanted to get their due in the state’s polity and economy, they would have to strengthen the Congress. He said the party (Congress) had from time to time, during 65 years of the state’s accession to India, taken steps that allegedly subverted democracy in the state and barred its people from exercising the rights available to their counterparts across the country. |
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Absence of medical staff troubles Machil residents
Kupwara January 7 A delegation of the locals told The Tribune that most of the employees, including two doctors, did not attend their duties since Saturday, leaving patients at the mercy of god. “We are forced to visit sub-district hospital, Kupwara, even for first-aid treatments as most of the employees of the PHC, Dudi, are absent from duty since Friday. The road leading to Machil has been blocked due to the recent snowfall,” said Abdul Jabar Khan from Dudi. Two doctors under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a pharmacist, two nursing orderlies and a store keeper have been posted at the PHC. The locals alleged that under the garb of snowfall, the medical staff had learnt to stay away from duties. “Over the past few years, the medical staff has become habitual of staying away from their duties under the garb of bad weather conditions and the ongoing winter season is no exception. In the absence of medical treatment at the local PHC, we are forced to go to Kalaroose and board a bus to the Kupwara hospital,” said Mushtaq Ahmad of Pushwari. The locals said Army doctors were helpful in catering to their medical needs. “A few days ago my sister was writhing in labour pain and we shifted her to the PHC, Dudi, only to find that both the doctors were absent. Then two Army doctors with the help of a local Asha worker helped her in her delivery,” said Hafiz Abdul Jabbar from Pushwari. Aleem-u-din Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kupwara, said he would look into the matter. “Dr Javid is present at the health centre round the clock. Machil remains cut off due to heavy snowfall so we take help from the police to shift critical patients to Kupwara when the need arises,” the CMO said. “I will look into the matter and if there is any problem, it will be addressed at the earliest,” he added. |
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Differences between moderate Hurriyat members come to fore
Srinagar, January 7 This became evident when senior Hurriyat leader and Democratic Freedom Party leader Shabbir Ahmad
Shah in a joint statement with Nayem Khan and Azam Inquilabi said they were the
real Hurriyat. Nayeem Khan, who heads the National Front, and Azam Inquilabi, who heads the Mahaz-e-Azadi, were also the senior members of the Hurriyat Conference. The joint statement issued here today said disruptive elements would not be tolerated in the Hurriyat Conference and the Hurriyat would be run according to goals set by martyrs and wishes of freedom loving people. The statement has come after a recent letter by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to the Hurriyat Chapter in the Paksitan-Occupied-Kashmir, wherein Mirwaiz had instructed its leaders not to entertain representatives of Shabbir Shah, Khan and Azam Inquilabi there. “This has annoyed Shah, Khan and Inquilabi that the contents of the said letter were apparently deliberately leaked to a local newspaper here,” sources said. Confirming that the differences have now come out in the open, senior Hurriyat leader Nayeem Khan said the present setup of the Hurriyat had lost its credibility. “The Hurriyat has now been reshaped and the real heirs of the freedom movement have taken over the reigns of the Hurriyat now,” Nayeem Khan told The Tribune. “We feel the Hurriyat and the movement was in unsafe hands, which have earlier also violated the Hurriyat constitution. The present leadership of the Hurriyat has lost its credibility,” Nayem Khan added. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), an alliance of nearly two dozen separatist groups and leaders, came into existence on March 9, 1993, to serve as a joint political front and to espouse the separatist political movement. However, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference broke into two factions on September 7, 2003. Currently, the moderate faction of the
Hurriyat is being headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and another by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali
Geelani. |
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Residents face shortage of essential commodities
Doda, January 7 Despite giving reminders to the administration and the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to provide essential commodities to the people living in far-flung areas of the district, nothing had been done, the residents said. Ishtyak Dev, a local resident, said “We are not only facing a shortage of flour but also other essential commodities like LPG. We are also receiving sub-standard flour”. Satish Kotwal, tehsil supply officer (TSO), Doda, said, “We have a shortage of one-month flour quota in the district because the contractor has failed to deliver the same to us on time”. “But, we have three months wheat in our stores,” he added. “We have kerosene oil in our stock. LPG cylinders are also on the way from Jammu, but standard halfway. Cylinders were distributed in Badherwah, Thathri and many other areas recently, but still we need more stocks of domestic cylinders to fulfil the needs of the people, the officer said.
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City KV teacher gets award for innovation
Jammu, January 7 The award was given to Sandesh during a function organised at Sarvapalli Radha Krishanan Auditorium of the KVS at Delhi Cantonment. The award is given to teachers working for developing learning skills for pupils by using innovative and experimental strategies in the field of education. The KV teacher has been honoured for his project "Let us remove the phobia of maths by ICT intervention". — TNS
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Khidmat Centre owners stage protest
Jammu, January 7 While addressing the protesters, president of the association said they were selected by J&K Bank as delivery points for the National e-Government Project (NeGP) scheme. He added that they were given assurance that government services like electricity bill collection would be made available at all Khidmat Centres under the scheme, but nothing had been done so far. The president alleged that the VLEs were highly qualified and were hopeful of a good career in the NeGP, but now the Khidmat Centre owners were facing financial loss and not been able to pay their rents and other dues. The association claimed that it had made a representation to the Chief Minister last year and he framed a committee to put forth recommendations. The association added that the committee had recommended a monthly stipend of Rs 7,500 for each VLE, but the order was yet to be implemented by the authorities. "Now, all the Khidmat Centres owners across the state have decided to start a state-level indefinite protest against the authorities," a press note from the association said. |
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Stray dogs give tough time to residents
Jammu, January 7 Walking on the city roads and streets, dogs could be spotted around every corner, using garbage dumps as their living area. In several localities, particularly on the outskirts of the city, residents live in constant fear and even hesitate to come out of their homes during late hours. A few years back the district administration had issued directions to take steps for checking the canine numbers and take measures for their sterilisation under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme, but it was never carried out due to lack of resources. Though no particular survey has been conducted on how many canines live in the city, but their number has increased in the recent past with the expansion of residential colonies. “At times they attack in packs. There is need to limit their numbers in the city and civic bodies should take the initiative. Even stray cattle are roaming freely at several road junctions,” said Aseem Gaur, a university student. Further even after the lapse of one year, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has failed to start the project to tag the pets in the city to differentiate stray animals from domesticated one. The plan was to target the dogs and cattle, to take measures against the menace of stray animals, which have become a major headache for residents. Municipal Commissioner Kiran Wattal could not be contacted for his view on the issue despite repeated attempts. However, officials blame the mushrooming of the residential colonies and accompanying garbage dumps in recent years for the massive increase in the population of dogs, creating an unpleasant situation in the city.
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The state weather department has said the Kashmir region may receive heavy snowfall for three days, beginning tomorrow.
It has warned that air and surface transport service may get disrupted during the period.
A weather advisory issued by the state Meteorological Department today said a fresh western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir and its adjoining areas was likely to affect the state from Wednesday to Friday.
Notwithstanding the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is the most difficult state to govern, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah even after completing five years in office on Sunday finds more difficulties staring him in the face.
At this point of time when his public relations men have listed all achievements, including 1,147 decisions taken by the government in 137 Cabinet meetings in the last five years, will he be able to meet all challenges in the current term. 
Panchari (Udhampur), Jan 7
Sikhs demanded establishment of a minority commission for social and economic uplift of the community on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh here today.
Several programmes were organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru.
The existing state legislature complex building in Jammu has again developed cracks, raising questions over its safety. A building wall had collapsed last year.
After the building developed cracks recently, the Assembly secretariat wrote to the Public Works Department
(PWD) and Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) authorities to ascertain whether the building was safe.
The 348th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh was celebrated with traditional fervour across the Kashmir Valley today.
While members of the Sikh community especially in the morning hours were seen thronging the gurdwaras across the valley, the main function was held at the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara – white marbled shrine located in Rainawari area of the city.
While sending the New Year greetings through video conferencing to all central universities across the country, including Central University of Kashmir, President Pranab Mukherjee laid stress on quality education in all seats of learning.
Jammu, January 7
